11/30       Christmas Tree Lighting
12/1        Santa's Workshop: Sponsored by the Cheverly Woman's Club
12/2        CPRC Potluck Dinner 4:00 p.m. at Mary Ali's, 63rd Place. (See article)
12/3        CPRC Planning Meeting; 7:00 p.m. at Tammie Nelson Stringer's,  Forest Rd. 301.386.3782
12/7        Special Playgroup Activity: Crafts provided: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
12/8        Christmas Party: Sponsored by the Cheverly Rec. Council
12/10      CPRC Playgroup: J.P. Hoyer
12/15      CPRC Caroling Party, 6:00 p.m. (See article)
12/17      Special Playgroup Activity: Storytelling: 10:30 a. m. to 12:30 p.m.
1/7         CPRC Playgroup: J.P. Hoyer
1/18        CPRC Playgroup: J.P. Hoyer
1/25        Special Playgroup Activity: Storytelling 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
2/4          CPRC Planning Meeting: 7:00 p.m. at Tammie Nelson Stringer's
3/30        Easter Egg Hunt: Sponsored by the Cheverly Rec. Council
4/13        Spring Flea Market
4/27        Kid's Stuff Sale
 

ONGOING
Playgroups are every Monday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Gast Park.  If below 65 degrees or rainy, then meet at the Cheverly Community Center.  As indicated on the calendar above, we will sometimes meet at the JP Hoyer
Parent Resource Room.

Locations:
Gast Park:  Corner of Inwood and Parkway.
Cheverly Community Center: 6401 Forest Rd.
JP Hoyer Parent Resource Room: 2300 Bellview Ave.

*       Please always check the Cheverly Newsletter for schedule additions or changes!

From the Coordinator….

We have had two planning meetings so far this year, and I've been very happy with the turnout for these
meetings.  We have had at least 8 people at each of the meetings, and folks are enthusiastically volunteering
to organize events and otherwise help out.  We have had fun at the meetings; at the last meeting folks even
lingered for a while after the meeting was over!  If you have ideas for events that you'd like to see us hold,
please join us at the next meeting.

Please don't forget to submit the membership information form.  We have enclosed an envelope
with our address for your convenience.  Thank you in advance for submitting your dues payment. Dues help
defray the cost of printing and mailing this Newsline, as well as providing funds for our activities.  If you are
unsure whether or not you have submitted your dues, check the code on your mailing label.

Remember to mark our events on your calendar!  I spoke with a few folks who meant to attend the Movie
Night on November 10 but forgot about it until afterwards.  Don't miss the fun!!

The summertime potluck at the Cheverly  Swim Club is a long-standing CPRC tradition.  This year we're
trying something new.  Mary Ali has graciously offered to host a potluck dinner at her house on
December 2.  This is a great chance for families to meet and get to know one another.  There will also be
a caroling party on Dec 15.  This issue of Newsline is full of information on these and other upcoming
events.

There are lots of activities for children in the Cheverly area, even the younger set.  Are you looking for a
good event for your preschooler/kindergartner?  Or do you have a great activity you'd like to share?  See our
new Newsline column, "Kids About Town".

There are so many options for entertainment for our kids … TV shows, videos, movies, theater.  Our new Newsline column "DOES THIS ONE HAVE A  CATCHY NAME?" will review a kids' entertainment item or two each issue.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Newsline and I look forward to seeing you at our CPRC events!

-Tammie Nelson-Stringer
tammienelson@mindspring.com
301.386.3782

FYI: TAKE YOUR CHILD OUTSIDE ON NOVEMBER 30TH TO SEE THE SECOND
FULL MOON OF THE MONTH – A"BLUE MOON", WHICH HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE
EVERY TWO AND A HALF YEARS……….

BABYSITTING TRAINING  …… Comes to Cheverly

The CPRC is currently trying to coordinate a babysitting training session for interested teens. The training session will take place in Spring 2002 and be held right in Cheverly.  Through this all day session, teens will have the opportunity to learn valuable babysitting skills such as basic care, safety and prevention, and first aid, as well as professional and leadership skills, from a certified instructor.  Specific information will be provided in the next Newsline.  To aid in
the development of this babysitting training session, the CPRC would like to hear from teens that might be interested in attending the babysitting training session.  If you are a teen who is interested in learning more about babysitting, or if you are a parent or employer of a teen who could benefit from attending this training session, please contact Tanya
Marshall at 301.772.4025 or tlm@wam.umd.edu.

The CPRC website http://cprc.home.mindspring.com is a valuable resource for Cheverly parents.  The
website provides information about CPRC and community events, listing of local public entities such as libraries, schools, parks, and recreation centers, and links to area programs.  In addition, the website also offers contact information for
CPRC coordinators.  The goal of the CPRC website is to connect parents with the information resources that they want and need.  If you have a suggestion for the CPRC, or want to help develop a information resource page for the website, please contact the CPRC website Coordinator, Tanya Marshall, at 301.772.4025 or tlm@wam.umd.edu.

The CPRC  Movie Night was another success!  We had about thirteen kids attending and a good time was had by all.  We're planning another one in the Spring, so watch your Newsline for more info !  Thanks to Tracy Hartman for all her
work….

Childcare Position:
Wanted: A loving, experienced childcare provider, part-time in my Cheverly home (or in your home if you've in Cheverly) to care for our outgoing, affectionate 14 month old son.  Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. to 5:15
p.m.  Three references required, knowledge of infant CPR preferred.  Contact: Karen Dolan,
3000 63rd Ave. 301.583.9221, kdolan@igc.org.

If you'd like to place an ad in the CPRC Newsline – ITS FREE !  Simply send copy to Jennifer Allegro by
the 20th of each month at allegroblue@aol.com or drop it by 2816 64th Ave.

The Cheverly Young Actors Guild will be holding auditions for its spring musical, "Oliver", on Saturday, January 12th, 2002. The time has not been set but will probably be between 1 and 5 p.m.  If interested please call Candy Watkins, Co-Producer, at 301.773.2253, the first or second week of January to confirm the date, time, and other details and to schedule an audition time.

The CPRC will be sponsoring a parenting workshop specifically addressing "child development in the younger child."  It will be in February 2002.  Keep it in mind….. look for more information and a date in the next issue of Newsline coming out at the end of January.  We hope to see you there !

CPRC is celebrating Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa with a Potluck dinner.  Join us for an evening of holiday cheer on December 2nd from 4 – 6 p.m.  We are meeting at the Ali home, 3125 63rd Place.  Just bring along a main dish; soda and juice will be provided.  If you'd like additional holiday cheer, feel free to BYOB.  Each child should bring a small,
unisex, wrapped gift ($5) to exchange.  Choose a toy for your child's age and label the gift accordingly.  If you have any
Chanukah of Kwanzaa decorations you would like to lend to the event, we would love to have them.  Call Mary Ali to RSVP and to indicate what you will be bringing (301) 773.7880.  If you are not on the email list and would like an "Evite" sent to you, contact Mary at maryalius@yahoo.com.

The Cheverly Parent Resource Center's Kids' Stuff Sale will take place on Saturday, April 27th, 2002.  Please mark your calendars with this date.  We will begin taking table reservations in early February.  So, while you are cleaning out to
make room for holiday gifts, set aside your items to sell in April.  Suitable items to sell include children's clothing, toys, books, sports equipment, baby furniture, swings, car seats, accessories, and maternity clothes.
 

…there is a new storytime at the New Carrollton Library !!!!! Along with the drop-in storytimes on Tuesdm ays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for the slightly older kids, they've started a younger group as well.  It's called
Storytimes for the Very Young.  It's a great time to snuggle up with your lil'one and sing songs, dance and of course hear stories.  They have two groups, Babies Into Books, on Tuesday mornings at 11 a.m. for newborns to 12 month olds.  Then there's Cuddletime on Wednesday mornings at 11 a.m. for 12 to 24 month olds.  Next time your looking for something to do with your little guy or gal check it out !!!

We have purchased new-to-us items for playgroup.  We now have lots of ride-on toys, push-toys, and infant/toddler toys.  We have a clubhouse, and an exersaucer.  We have two little tables and chairs for eating lunch.  We could still
use a small slide and another exersaucer if you've got one you'd like to donate.

On November 16 we held a playgroup at the JP Hoyer Parent Resource Room.  It was a great success!  Everyone loved the room so much that we all agreed to schedule additional playgroups in that room.  For December and January I have
scheduled three dates in the resource room.  Remember, you can go to the resource room on your own, on any day, between 10 – 4  (while school is in session).  See the calendar for dates when playgroup will be at Hoyer.  Call Tammie
Nelson-Stringer if you have questions about the resource room.

Don't miss our storytimes with a visiting librarian on December 17 and January 25.

Caregivers and the kids they are caring for are encouraged to come join the fun!  Don't delay!
Come this Monday or Friday!  It's a great time for adults and kids alike.

  KIDS ABOUT TOWN
(If your child wants to be a "kid about town", send email to tammienelson@mindspring.com)

Noah Lincoln (age 3) loves his creative movement class (for ages 2-5) at Joe's Movement Emporium located at 3802 34th St. in Mount Rainier.  A new session will be starting on January 7.  Classes are on Mondays, one hour
long, offered at 9:30am and 5:00pm.  The cost is $80 for 11 weeks and there is an open house registration on January 5 from 1pm – 4pm.  Call 301.699.1819 for more information.

Jessica Lincoln (age 6) enjoys ice skating at Herbert Wells Ice Rink on Friday mornings 9-11.  The cost is $3.00 per skater and that includes skate rentals.  During this session, they allow you to bring strollers on the ice.  So, ALL ages are
welcome!  This skating session is usually not very crowded. The rink is located at 5211 Paint Branch Parkway in College Park.  Call 301.277.0654 for more information.

Hunter Davis (age 3) just flips over the Sports and Learning Complex gymnastics workshops on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  This session is for all ages - 12:30-1:30, at the cost of $3.00/kid.  Parents must supervise.  The complex is adjacent to the Redskins stadium.  Call 301.583.2400 for more information.

The CPRC will host a Caroling Party at Tammie Nelson-Stringer's house (5714 Forest Road).  Please bring a holiday dessert (for example, 2 dozen cookies) and your singing voice.  Meet at Tammie's at 6pm.  We'll carol
at a few houses in my neighborhood (as many as the little legs and little voices can handle) then return to the house for dessert and hot chocolate.  We'll provide copies of song lyrics; we suggest you bring a small flashlight to read
the lyrics.

Look here each issue for information about upcoming events that are still in the planning stages.  If you're interested in helping with these events contact any CPRC officer or come to a planning meeting.  Contact information for
officers is listed at the end of Newsline.

The following events are scheduled but still in the planning stage:  The Kid's Stuff Sale will be held on April 27.  We will participate in the Cheverly Day Parade and will hold a Cheverly Day Bake Sale.

The following events are in the early planning stage, so dates are not yet set:  We plan to sponsor a babysitter training class.  We're looking into holding a Parents and Children Yoga workshop.  We're also planning  a "How
to set up a Will"  workshop in the Spring.

Plan your own event:  If you find out a about a great child-oriented event and want to go with a group, then organize a traveling tots field trip.  Here's how it would work.  Contact Tammie, and she'll send out an email.  Also spread the
word through a few phone calls or at playgroup. Arrange to meet or travel together and enjoy the event!  (If you want to be included in e-mails about these events, be sure to include your e-mail address on the membership form when you
submit your dues.)Don't forget that all are invited and welcome at our planning meetings!

Dance classes will start again after the holidays the second week of January at the Cheverly Young Actors' Guild's Dance Studio on the top floor of the Cheverly United Methodist Church. A six-week musical theater class for ages 5-10 will be held starting Tuesday, January 8th from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.  There will probably be three consecutive six-week sessions of that class this spring, with no class the week of spring break.  The cost is $48 for six weeks.
No previous experience necessary. To register, call Sharon Werth at 301.779.7556.

A five-month class in classical ballet for ages 5-8 will be held starting Friday, January 11, 2002, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Fridays.  The class will culminate in a public performance on Saturday, June 1st at the Publick Playhouse. Tuition for the five months is $195 and includes the costume for the performance.  Students will be fitted for costumes at the first class.  To register, call Joani Horchler at 301.773.9671.

Tap classes are also available.  Six classes of tap dance for 5-8 year olds will start Monday, January 7th and go for six weeks.  (Mondays 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. ).  By mutual agreement between the teachers and parents, classes scheduled for
Monday school holidays may be cancelled and made up on another Monday.  Cost for six-weeks of classes is $48. Subsequent six-week sessions will probably be held.  For more information or to register, call Angela Delionibus at
301.386.4251.

So come on out and join up and try something new!

A selected book list for parents:

Backtalk:  Four Steps to Ending Rude Behavior in your Kids, Audrey Ricker & Carolyn Crowder, 1998.

The Black Parenting Book: Caring for Our Children in the First Five Years, Anne C. Beal, Linda Villarosa and Allison Abner, 1999.

Halving it All: How Equally Shared Parenting Works, Francine M. Deutsch, 1999.

The Hurried Child: Growing Up Too Fast Too Soon, David Elkind, 1988.

More Than Manners! Raising Today's Kids to Have Kind Manners & Good Hearts, Letitia Baldridge, 1997.

Parenting with Purpose: Progressive Discipline from Birth to Four, Linda Madison,1998.

Compiled by the Prince George's County Memorial Library System  5/01

This column is my first for CPRC (and my first month as a CPRC member), and I am excited about joining the group and hopeful that this column brings useful information to the parents of Cheverly.  I have been asked to write
about anything of entertaining value to children including local activities/events/books/CDs/Videos and then pass along my findings.  I am happy to write about fun activities happenings but I must add a caveat that I am the mother of a 2-year old son, so my range of activities have that focus.  However, I will try to write about other activities that I hear about that might be useful to lots of different aged children.  If any CPRC parent with children in any of the other age groups (birth- 7) would like to help review activities, please email me or call me to let me know.  We can form a mini-entertainment committee and cover a gamut of interesting things for children and families!  For this month, I will cover three interesting music activities that I hope you find fun, too.

MUSIC REVIEWS
    Our son, Devin, takes music class one day a week at Mrs. Sing -–Kindermusik of Bowie/Crofton.  Kindermusik is a nationwide music program for children from birth to seven years old.  The children are grouped by age (birth to 18 months, 18 months to 3, 3 – 5, and 5 – 7).  The classes (of about 8 or 9 students) require parental involvement for the youngest children and focus on exposing children to all sorts of sounds, multilingual children songs, classical pieces and basic musical instruments such as bells, blocks and sticks.  The course is usually 15 weeks for one hour to 45 minutes and focuses on different themes each week such as different animal sounds, songs relating to those animals, everyday events and lots of movement.  There are CD's to take home, and we listen to them in the car (over and over and over again, at
Devin's constant urging) which helps all of us be totally familiar with the sounds and songs for when we go to class.  Devin loves the class, probably because he seems to love sounds, songs and lots of movement.  The classes encourages
parent and child movement together and through the class kids are exposed to lots of pitch, notes, syncopation and beats.  We love the time together !  If you would like to check out a class visit their website at www.kindermusik.com to find a
class location and time convenient to you.  Each program is run by a different instructor and we chose Ms. Sing because of her experience and ability as a Maestro in the kindermusik family, the numerous class offerings, and class times
convenient to our schedule.  I would encourage you to visit any program by participating in a free class to determine whether you like the instructor and the program.  Feel free to call me if you would like to visit our class on Saturday
mornings, 10 –10:30.

Looking for great music for young children ?  Check out Ladysmith Black Mamabazo " The Gift of the Tortoise".  This CD should entertain from infancy to about 7 years old.  The group is a fabulous acapella South African troupe, and the
CD is a "musical journey" story for children narrated by a woman who plays the role of a 193 year old tortoise named Fudugazi.  The stories are fun and the singing is outstanding.  The group sings traditional South African children
stories and features lots of children's voices on this CD.  The narration is in English and most of the songs are Zulu with some English verses. We  love it !

Revels of DC Christmas Performances ...  Though I haven't attended one of these performances, a friend who has taken school-aged children raves about this annual event.  The Washington Revels state they are a non-profit organization whose mission is to" revive, nourish and promote celebrations of the cyclical renewal of life".  There are about a dozen Revels
groups around the country.  Their website also states the by "using a colorful blend of traditional music, dance, processionals, drama and poetry, Revel creates participatory performance and educational events."  The group
presents multi-cultural traditional performance and this year's theme is Renaissance Italy.  The  dramatic costumes and instruments all relate to that theme, and my friend says kids love the performances because there's lots of singing and
dancing….and the audience participates, in the aisles !  There are two weekends of performances, Nov. 30 – Dec. 2nd and Dec. 7 – 9th at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium.  You can find out more at www.reveldc.org.  We decided our 2 year old probably couldn't sit through the performance part of the event long enough to get to the
participation part so we'll wait till next year.  If anyone attends, please let me know, and we can write a review for folks to consider next year ! Have lots of fun making or enjoying music !!
 
 
 

The Cheverly Parent Resource Center is collecting dues for September 2001 through August 2002. These dues will help us continue our regular activities such as the twice-weekly playgroups, educational seminars, and new initiatives. To continue receiving Newsline and to support CPRC's efforts to make Cheverly a great place for children, please send your $10.00 check made payable to CPRC using the CPRC Membership Form. If you're not sure if your paid up or not, check your label on the newsletter.  The last two digits reflect the last year you paid your dues.  XX means we have no record of payment.
 
 

Tammie Nelson-Stringer, Coordinator, (301) 386-3782, tammienelson@mindspring.com

Erin Castelli, Treasurer, (301) 773-1642, bcaste1642@aol.com

Tanya Marshall, Web Page Coordinator, (301) 772-4025, tlm@wam.umd.edu

Randy Zuwallack, Membership Database Coordinator, (301) 772-4025, zuwal001@yahoo.com

Melanie Hartwig-Davis, Welcome Coordinator, (301) 386-5387, hdsquare@verizon.net

Jennifer Allegro, Newsline Editor, (301) 322-4952, allegroblue@aol.com

Deaphne Felton Green, Newsline Entertainment Editor, (301) 772-1041, dfeltongreen@yahoo.com