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Students from Holland and Montgomery Elementary Schools collaborate to make bracelets for worthy causes

May 17, 2013 By
HOLLAND SPRING FAIR

 

by June Portnoy

On April 5th, 11 students from Montgomery Elementary School’s Autistic Support class visited 17 students from Holland Elementary School’s Intensive Learning Support (ILS) classes to work together toward a common purpose.

For the past three years, students from Holland’s ILS program have participated in a Friendship Bracelet Club, creating bracelets, lanyards, key chains and other beautiful jewelry and crafts. Participating in this project benefits students by helping them improve their verbal, math, money exchange, fine motor and social skills.

They sell the merchandise they create all year long, but this year, their big sale takes place during the school’s PTO-sponsored Holland Spring Fair in May. All money generated from sales are donated to the Miracle League of Northampton Township, a baseball/softball league for special needs children.

During their first year they donated $1,050, and last year they donated $2,000.

This year, Holland Elementary kindergarten through sixth graders had help achieving their goal by welcoming third and fourth grade students from Montgomery Elementary School. The day began when students from each school were paired up to get to know each other. Each pair then went up to the front of the room to introduce their new friend.

“This was a great opportunity for these students to practice their language and social skills,” said Theresa Mingacci, Holland’s Intensive Support Teacher for students in kindergarten through second grade.

Students were then divided into 12 groups with students from each school placed into every group. There was lots of chatter and smiles as colorful beads were placed before each group.

“Watching them all interact so nicely was really special because my students are not always successful at socializing with their peers,” said Jessica Klein, Montgomery Elementary Autistic Support teacher.  “It was nice for them to meet students from another school district with similar disabilities.”

Kids from Holland proudly shared some of the bracelets they made throughout the year with their Montgomery Elementary School friends. Holland students helped them learn how to string the beads and create patterns.

“Allowing our students to utilize their leadership skills was invaluable,” said Theresa.

All teachers agreed that the highlight of the day was watching the kids socialize so well together.

“They all wanted to know when they could see each other again,” said Theresa.      

According to Jessica, the money her students raise from sales at Montgomery Elementary will be donated to Autism Speaks.

Be sure to stop by this year’s Holland Spring Fair at Council Rock South on Saturday, May 18th between 11:00am and 3:00pm, and visit the Friendship Bracelet Club’s table. 

“This is our culminating event, offering our students the opportunity to generalize so many of the skills we teach in small groups and in the classroom all year long,” says Theresa.

Holland funds its project through its PTO and from a grant awarded to them by the Council Rock Education Foundation (CREF).

If you would like to donate money to Holland’s project to help fund its supplies visit its Donors Choose project page at http://www.donorschoose.org/project/friendship-beads-and-baseball-dreams/972919/.

PHOTO CAP: Samantha Marchowsky of Holland Elementary School, and Ryan Jacob of Montgomery Elementary School with a friendship bracelet.

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Filed Under: Home2, Northampton Herald News Tagged With: , , , , ,

PS&SM donates to CRUSA

May 13, 2013 By

PS&SM Percy Naranjo (left), Chief Executive Officer for Performance Spine & Sports Medicine, recently presented Council Rock United Soccer Association a check for $10,000 as a donation to the recreational soccer league.

They plan on doing this again for the fall season in the interest of further forging a relationship with CRUSA. PS&SM wants to share their success with the community because they ultimately understand that the physician/patient relationship has to go beyond the medical office.

Pictured with Naranjo is and Mark Reilly (right), President of CRUSA.

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Filed Under: Home3, New Hope News, Northampton Herald News Tagged With: , , ,

Kid Summer Art Camps and Adult workshops offered at Tyler Park Center for the Arts

May 10, 2013 By

Tyler Park Center for the Arts is an oasis from the day-to-day routine, where children and adults come together in a majestic renovated barn surrounded by 1800 acres of natural park area. You can visit their large-scale outdoor sculpture garden as you stroll through the park, taking in the sunshine. 

How would it feel to break up your week with a special one- or two-day papermaking workshop, or design and make your very own pure silver jewelry? 

Adult Workshop’s and Kids Summer Art Camp’s taught by talented professional artists cover a full range of fine arts and crafts for all levels of experience, beginner through to advanced.

Explore at TylerParkArts.org.

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Filed Under: Newtown Gazette News, Northampton Herald News Tagged With: , , , , ,

Northampton Township Historical Society celebrates 40th anniversary

May 6, 2013 By
nhths

 

by June Portnoy

Did you know that Henry Wynkoop, a member of the 2nd Continental Congress, once lived in Richboro and is buried at a cemetery on Second Street Pike? And did you realize that the Spread Eagle Inn, once a hotel and tavern, dates back to the 1790s?

These are the types of historical facts that the Northampton Township Historical Society (N.H.T.H.S,) has been sharing with its members and the community for the past 40 years.

Headed by the late Robert Crompton, the society was established September 27th, 1973 during a public forum at Richboro Intermediate School. Approximately 150 Northampton residents attended this meeting, becoming N.H.T.H.S’s original members. Its mission was to stimulate, encourage, advance and promote interest, study and research in the history and historical heritage of Northampton Township.

Eileen Zolotorofe, or Eileen “Z” as she is known, recently became the N.H.T.H.S.’s new president, and she brings much experience and knowledge to her position. In 1997, she graduated from the Historic Preservation Certification Program at Bucks County Community College, and in 1998, she received her associate’s degree from this college in American Studies. Last year, Eileen was instrumental in resurrecting the Living Tree Award, which had been established in 1974 and continued until 1997.

These awards were originally held every December to commemorate the month when Northampton Township was incorporated. The exact date was December 22nd, 1722. The idea behind the Living Tree was to plant a tree by the Northampton Library to honor someone from this area who was an outstanding volunteer.

“Last year, we moved the award up to October – a more temperature-friendly month,” says Eileen. “Our first Living Tree award recipient since 1997 was Mary Seader.”

[Read more...]

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Filed Under: Northampton Herald News Tagged With: , , ,

Students throughout Bucks County participate in String Day

May 3, 2013 By
STRING DAY

 

by June Portnoy

For the past 25 years, String Day has become a tradition in Bucks County.

During this daylong event, select fifth through ninth graders from every school district in Bucks County are invited to practice and then perform short concerts with their peers.

This year, on Saturday, April 13th, approximately 180 students from 33 different schools in Bensalem, Centennial, Council Rock, Neshaminy, Palisades and Pennridge School Districts participated in String Day, sponsored by the Bucks County Music Educators’ Association (BCMEA).

It took place at Newtown Middle School.

“This is a site reading day when students arrive in the morning and are given music they have never practiced before,” said Karol Mannherz, BCMEA president. “They are then given several hours to practice performing with students, most of whom they have never met. The objective is for them to read the music and then perform these musical pieces together in a short amount of time.”

Students are placed into three different orchestras depending on their age.

“Each school’s music teacher selects their most motivated, dedicated students who have made performing a priority in their lives,” said Joan Bennet, Council Rock String Instructor. “Teachers also choose those students who they feel will most benefit from this experience and can then share what they learn with string students at their respective schools.”

Participants at String Day include students who play any string instrument, including the violin, viola, cello and bass. After practicing their music, which can include songs ranging from classical to folk, students perform a casual concert, sharing what they learned during the day with their parents.

“The greatest benefit of String Day is that kids gain a great sense of accomplishment seeing what they can produce together in a short amount of time,” says Karol.

String Day was founded by retired string teacher, Arlene Melamed, from Bensalem School District; current string teacher, Helen Kirsch, from Neshaminy School District; and retired string teacher, Clyde Baker, from Central Bucks School District,

When it was initially established, it was an annual honors orchestra where students were given the music in advance, but within a short time, it evolved into a site reading day.

For more information about String Day visit www.bcmea.org.

PHOTO CAP: Students at the String Day event

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Filed Under: Newtown Gazette News, Northampton Herald News, Southampton Spirit News Tagged With: , , ,

May happenings at the Northampton Library

April 29, 2013 By

Science in the Summer Registration – Summer 2013 is almost here and the “Science in the Summer” people require early registration.   Consequently, the Northampton Library is taking registration on a first come/first serve basis on Wednesday, May 1st beginning at noon.   Science in the Summer will be Monday through Thursday, July 22nd, July 23rd, July 24th, and July 25. For Level 1- grades 2-3, and Level 2 – grades 4-6, there is a morning session and an afternoon session for each. Mark your calendars! Call the library for more details at 215-357-3050.

Author visit: Wendy Plump – Tuesday, May 21st, 7:00pm-8:30pm.  New Hope author Wendy Plump will be on hand to discuss her book, “Vow: a Memoir of a Marriage.” Wendy has appeared on The View, NPR’s Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane, and Sirius Satellite Radio.

The Music of Downton Abbey – Saturday, May 18th, 2:00pm-4:00pm.  Terri Evans, Ed Stout and Marion Evans will present a compelling look at the times and the music of the Edwardian period, World War I and the Roaring Twenties leading up to the WWII years. Costumes and some video from the Masterpiece Theater presentation of Downton Abbey will be shown. No registration is required.

Free Financial Seminar – Saturday, May 11th at 2:00pm, the library continues its monthly financial workshop. No registration required. Evening Drop-In Story Time – Second Monday of the month, May 13th, 7:00-7:30pm. Children of all ages are invited to drop in with a parent or caregiver for some stories and music!

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Filed Under: Northampton Herald Events Tagged With: , , , ,

Volunteers needed for Churchville Nature Center’s Summer Camps

April 29, 2013 By

If you are concerned about your children having too much free time in the summertime, consider having them volunteer at Churchville Nature Center’s (CNC) Summer Camps. Sessions begin in June, and Counselor training will be held on Saturday, June 8th from 10:00am to noon. This training is mandatory.

Besides the enormous contributions volunteers will be making to the center, they will be learning skills and enhancing their education.

CNC offers a safe, positive environment, where volunteers can socialize with other youth, all of whom share a mutual interest in their environment.

This Volunteer program fills up quickly, so hurry and register! Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program no later than May 20th.

Anyone ages 14 and up who would be interested in volunteering and become a counselor for the summer camps at CNC should go to their website and fill out an application, www.churchvillenaturecenter.org. If you need more information call Peg Mongillo, Educational Director, at 215-357-4005 ext. 14.

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Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream prepares for Fifth Annual Fundraiser

April 26, 2013 By

The Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream Foundation, founded in Bucks County, is hosting its Fifth Annual Fundraiser at the Spring Mill Manor, Ivyland, on May 11th. The event will start at 7:00pm and includes both a silent and live auction as well as a buffet style dinner and cash bar with live entertainment and DJ Joel Katz.

Volunteers are needed to help set up the auction items, check-in guests, tally the auction items and to aid with the overall execution of the event. Contact Michael Tucker at PASFoundationUS@gmial.org or directly at 267-503-2998, or Michele Rice at Michele@plantaseedfoundation.org to help.

If you are interested in attending the event, tickets are on sale through their website at www.plantaseedfoundation.org for $35.

Auction items include autographed Philadelphia sports memorabilia, restaurant gift certificates, overnight hotel stays, theatre tickets, wine baskets and much more!

If you would like to donate an item to be included in the silent or live auction, sponsor a Plant a Seed child, or purchase an ad in the program booklet, contact Michael Tucker. To donate directly to the foundation, visit the following link and choose the “donate” icon: http://plantaseedfoundation.org/ways-to-help.html.

The mission of the Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream Foundation is to provide children of low-income families with the opportunity to pursue their passions while interacting with positive role models.

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Filed Under: Northampton Herald Events Tagged With: , , ,

YWCA Bucks to hold 22nd Annual ‘Salute to Women Who Make a Difference’ Awards Dinner

April 26, 2013 By

YWCA Bucks County will hold its 22nd Annual Salute to Women Who Make a Difference Awards Dinner on Thursday evening, May 9th, at Spring Mill Manor in Ivyland. The evening will begin at 5:30pm with a cocktail reception and Silent Auction.

In addition to a cocktail reception, full-course dinner and the awards and recognition program, the evening will feature a Silent Auction that will offer a wide variety of interesting items for the home and for leisure enjoyment and entertainment.

The public is cordially invited to attend. Tickets for the Salute are $80 each.

[Read more...]

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Dental appliance therapy, part II

April 24, 2013 By

submitted by Dr. Michael Spadafora, D.D.S.

Last month I discussed the subject of night guards (also called appliance therapy or splints) because patients will often question the necessity or importance of this much-used dental tool. 

You may remember that patients who have very significant wear patterns on the surface of their teeth present a special problem for the dental practitioner. The night guard is a solution to preparing the mouth for restorative work.

There are some patients who get to the dental office “in the nick of time.” They have the condition of bruxism (teeth grinding), but it has not yet developed into a major problem.

Perhaps the wear patterns are beginning to appear or the patient is complaining about a sore jaw or even headaches. In these cases, an appliance is the logical and cost effective solution.

The night guard will protect the mouth from the ravages of bruxism, while also protecting any dental work that has been completed. 

Patients are sometimes skeptical that something as simple as a custom-made appliance can be so effective and comfortable, but it is true. A well-fitted mouth guard will become comfortable to wear (sometimes is takes a little time to get used to it) and is a very good dental value.

One of the reasons that dental work can fail is the pressure put on the teeth by the jaw, even when the patient is not aware of it. The night guard assists in stabilizing the new work and allows the jaw to adapt.

These mouth guards are usually fabricated in a dental lab and must not be confused with the mouth guards that are worn for sports or are purchased in a drug store.

Clearly, I am a strong proponent of appliance therapy, which I believe is one of the best values that dentistry has to offer.

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