Alexandria Mom's Calendar of Events

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Parenting tips

Here are two tips for parents of teens.  One was passed on to me by a friend with older children, the other is one that I've begun to use.

1.  When you have a bunch of kids/tweens/teens in the car, turn the car speakers off in the front and  louder in the back.  This way the kids must talk a little louder and allows you to hear the conversation.

2.  When the kids/tweens/teens are hanging in the basement, it's the perfect time to do laundry.  You must go back and forth, several times,  through the room where the kids are playing video games, talking, watching movies, etc.. This allows you to listen in on what they are talking about and to monitor the tv, computer and gaming content.

These two tips are a great way to know what is going on with your kids without being in their face about it.  They will never catch on.


Friday, February 8, 2013

Alexandria Dept of Community and Human Services Needs Your Assistance

from the neighborhood listserv: 


The Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) works so hard to help Alexandrians most in need. The workers do so tirelessly, day in and day out, year after year. It is hard work.
It has been especially difficult over the past few years due to increased demands for social services, decreased resources committed to those services, and heightened pressure on staff.

As a member of the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board, one of our goals is to support, recognize, and thank staff who are responsible for administering these services. Support for staff is shown, 
in one way, by organizing gift packages and giveaways for each of three staff appreciation months -- February, March and April.

We solicit local businesses to donate items (such as gift certificates or trinkets) and have been successful in securing various items. However, there are always many more staff than items. So, if anyone knows
of a business who might be willing to donate a meal, a spa treatment, an item, a certificate -- anything -- please let us know. If you contact me, I can arrange getting the item or having you drop it by the DCHS, 
located on Mt. Vernon Avenue. Anyone who donates will be recognized among employees and will receive a follow-up letter from the Alexandria Social Services Advisory Board. Please spread the word.

Thanks for your consideration in supporting the dedicated staff of DCHS.

Susan Newell

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Financial Planning Night for Parents

FROM SPECTRUM PEDIATRICS ~~~~


We are kicking of the start of our 2013 Parent Nights on February 20 from 6:30-8:30pm.

We often receive questions about future planning for children with disabilities from parents, relatives, and health care providers. 
You need to educate yourself about the many options available. It is never too early to start planning for your child's future. How 
can you ensure that your child receives appropriate therapies and medical treatments? How can you find appropriate caregivers 
who will carry out your wishes and respect your child's goals, dreams and life expectations? 

Please join us for the FREE event. Our guest, Christopher Waddell, will address these issues and many more. 

Christopher Waddell, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, has dedicated his career to helping employers provide financial education, group retirement and insurance solutions, and business continuity plans; and to providing his clients with financial guidance for more than two decades. Many of his clients are multi-generational families, with complex investment, risk management and estate planning issues. Christopher regularly appears in national and local media, including Business Week, CNBC, Comcast CNN, CNN Money, Exceptional Parent, and Financial Planning Magazine. He is past president of the Autism Society of America Northern Virginia Chapter. Christopher graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and English.

Register by February 13 by emailing therapy@spectrumpediatrics.com or calling us at 703-299-0051.

Location of Event:
Spectrum Pediatrics
2869 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Alexandria Chamber of Commerce The Wave Gala


Gala Reception begins at 7pm; Dinner and program begins at 8pm

Black tie 
Tickets:  $200

For Volunteer opportunities, please email Shari Bolouri atsbolouri@alexchamber.com


Message fr Dr. Sherman re: a Monday incident



A MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT MORTON SHERMAN
REGARDING A SCHOOL BUS INCIDENT ON MONDAY
  
Alexandria Va.  —  This morning, Alexandria City Public Schools administrators determined that a fifth-grade student at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School possessed a fake look-alike gun during the Monday afternoon bus ride. It was discovered that the student showed the phony weapon to other students during the bus ride. The incident was reported to the school after normal school hours on Monday evening, and an investigation was launched immediately. School officials were on site as the student was taken into local police custody this morning. No students were harmed. 
 
"The safety of our students is always our first concern,” said Superintendent Morton Sherman. “We appreciate the quick response and action by our police. The student is suspended from school. The school division will complete its investigation in cooperation with the police as we consider further disciplinary action, including expulsion. As always, we encourage direct communication from parents, including personal phone calls."
 
Please contact Director of Communications, Kelly Alexander, for additional information at 703-824-6635.
 

Monday, February 4, 2013

"Aging Well in Alexandria" Presentation

Aging Well in Alexandria is the topic of a program given by Senior Services of Alexandria and the Division of Aging and Adult Services on Friday February 8, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.  Information will be provided about services and opportunities for Alexandria seniors, their families and caregivers.  A light breakfast will be served.  Please register by calling SSA at 703-836-4414, ext. 10 or online atwww.seniorservicesalex.org

ACT & SAT Test Prep for 11th Graders


There are two college entrance exams, accepted equally by all US colleges and universities: the SAT and the ACT. Ideally, every high school student would take each test at least once. The ACT is achievement-oriented. If a student is successful in a traditional classroom environment, has completed Algebra 2 and taken science every year, the ACT might be a better fit. The SAT is based on reasoning. If a student is an insatiable reader, has a large vocabulary and is a critical thinker (good at teasing out nuances of language), the SAT might be a better fit.

TC Williams is offering SAT and ACT prep courses, given by Kaplan instructors, at half-off the commercial rate. These courses are held after school, two days per week, for six weeks prior to the spring exams.

Only 10 spaces remain in the Complete ACT prep course! This 18-hour course, valued at $600, is offered to T.C. Williams 11th graders at half price - $300 (or $25 with proof of eligibility for free/reduced lunch). The course begins with a full-length practice exam on Saturday, February 23, followed by classes every Tuesday and Thursday (3:20pm - 5:30pm) until April 11. Students are encouraged to register for the April 13 ACT exam.

Only five spaces remain in the Complete SAT prep course! This 18-hour course, valued at $600, is offered to T.C. Williams 11th graders at half price - $300 (or $25 with proof of eligibility for free/reduced lunch). The course begins with a full-length practice exam on Saturday, March 16, followed by classes every Tuesday and Thursday (3:20pm - 5:30pm) until May 2. Students are encouraged to register for the May 4 SAT exam.

Forms and more information are available at http://www.acps.k12.va.us/tcw/counseling/>http://www.acps.k12.va.us/tcw/counseling/. Contact Marianne Hetzer atmarianne.hetzer@acps.k12.va.usmarianne.hetzer@acps.k12.va.us or 703-578-6250 if you have questions.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Heart of Del Ray Nominations

The “Heart of Del Ray
Award” is annually presented by the Del Ray Business Association to the
business that serves as the heart and soul of Del Ray.
 
On February 5th, we will
announce the 5 finalists and open up voting by the community.  Before
the voting process to select the winner begins, we would like to get
YOUR nomination for who you think should be one of the five businesses on the
ballot. The Del Ray Business Association Board will then take all the
nominations and determine the five finalists.

Nominations should be
based on which business best demonstrates their warm and welcoming
attitude to the community/customers, their commitment and generosity to
the community, and to their overall contribution to what makes Del Ray the best
place in the world to live, work and shop!  In other words, what business
warms your “heart” when you here its name?
 
Former winners of the
Heart of Del Ray Award are as follows:
 
2009                A Show of Hands
2010                Jen Walker McEnearney
Associates
2011                Bobi Bomar, Homes of Alexandria,
Weichert Realtors
2012              The
Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray
 
Nominations should be
submitted in the next two days, prior to Monday, February 4th at 10 am by
replying to this e-mail. 

Remember - we are just soliciting nominations - we are NOT voting yet.
Thanks and we look forward
to hearing from you.

Free Pancake Day on Tuesday


Flip for Free Pancakes! at IHop


February 5, 2013



So far, National Pancake Day at IHOP has raised more than $10 million to support charities in the local communities.  
On February 5, 2013, guests can celebrate National Pancake Day at IHOP and enjoy a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes*. 
Guests will be asked to consider leaving a donation for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals© 

*limit of 1 free short stack per guest. Dine-in only.