Girl Beat Up at Kennedy High School

In case you missed yesterday's story on ABC News, 17-year-old Temperance Maupin was beat up at Kennedy High School on Friday night. Someone shot a video of the attack and posted it on a Facebook page for the world to see.

Temperance and her mom want to know how this could happen on school property and what the school is going to do to ensure her safety. Good questions. The school says it's investigating and has punished the girls involved in the fight.

Temperance is not the first Montgomery County student to face an attack at school. Unfortunately, I doubt she'll be the last. After dealing with a much younger version of bullying in 1st grade last year, I was pleased to see the county beginning to address bullying with a form that came home at the beginning of the school year.  
But a policy and a form is only a start. Now, the county needs to act. It needs to find solutions to combat punching first graders and attacking teen agers.

There is a program in Olney that can make some headway. You Have the Power was started in 2004 by Project Change and has been implemented in every school in the Sherwood cluster except for one elementary school. It brings high schoolers into elementary schools to mentor younger children in how to handle bullying. YHTP's executive director Robyn Glass described the program to me several months ago. A group of 3rd through 5th grade elementary school students meet one time per week after school, usually for about an hour and 15 minutes, for 10 to 12 weeks.  They do activities that address what bullying is and the kinds of bullying the kids see in their schools. They talk extensively about the players in a bullying situation: The bully, the victim and the bystander. The older kids teach the younger ones how to become allies. And middle school students who have been through the program become mentors in training. At the end of the program, the high schoolers work with the elementary school kids on projects to take the message of what they've learned schoolwide. Some projects have included videos, murals, classroom discussions, morning announcements, and school spirit week days devoted to putting a lid on bullying.

While there's no data on You Have the Power and no easy way to measure its success, this program is working on making a change for the better, on dealing with a pervasive issue for our children. The program  hasn't been able to expand beyond the Sherwood cluster because of a lack of funding, its leaders told me. However, it is working on developing training kits for other schools.

For more advice on how to handle bullying, the U.S. government has a terrific Web site for kids and parents devoted to ending bulling: Stop Bullying Now.

Money, Money, Money -- It's THAT Time of Year

The school fund-raisers are in full swing. The Sally Foster packets came home -- twice. (If you're into that sort of stuff, feel free to buy some at www.sallyfoster.com/account number 863098.) There's a parent/kid dinner next month to raise more money. The kindergartener needs a magazine subscription in class. The second-grader has a field trip and wants to buy the school's new T-shirt. And coming soon are the annual book fairs.

Georgian Forest mom and friend Joan reports on her Facebook page that her school is selling magazine subscriptions -- here's the info if you're into THAT sort of thing (https://www.qsp.com/store/lightreg.aspx and if you use school code is 710330244 her kids' low-income school gets some of the proceeds.)

Whoever said public education won't cost you?

All that doesn't even include the annual PTA membership fee. At our school, it's $15 for a family membership -- a bit on the high side for lower Montgomery County based on my research, where I saw fees ranging from $5 and up. So, when I read over the weekend about neighboring Fairfax County school parents dropping the PTA like a hot potato, my eyes perked up. (Full Disclosure: I let myself get roped into being my school's PTA Secretary this year).

Could we MoCo parents do all our same volunteering and helping our kids and their schools without this antiquated stay-at-home PTA model still in existence in our schools? Has the Internet -- and our ability to fight for causes on it -- made that a better way to stand up for our schools? Or, are we so much of a my-kid-and my-kid's-needs society that these group raise-money fests for the common good are outdated anyways?

Hmmm. Dissolving PTAs and longer school years are two ideas I can easily get behind.

Leave the Prejudice Behind

The Scene: Soccer on Saturday

The ages: 2nd graders

The What: Pumpkin Pie's soccer team is a typically diverse bunch ... much like our county, right? His team was split in two. On one field, Pumpkin Pie's portion of the team played an uneventful game. On the other side, parents report that a child made a racial comment to another child, something along the lines of "Why are your eyes slanted; are you a Chinaman or something?"

The child making the comment was pulled from the game, parents reported, but only for a short time. Parents on our team were upset that the punishment wasn't more severe and that the child was allowed to return to the game.

We've had much discussion around here this weekend on where such prejudice comes from at the ripe old age of SEVEN! And none of it bodes well for that child's parent.

Anyone out there want to venture into how you would have handled the episode if either 1. this child belonged to you, or 2. you were a parent on either of the soccer teams in question or 3. you were the coach?

Weekend Best Bets

Tot Swap: The consignment sale to beat all consignment sales is taking place in Gaithersburg through Sept. 27. Tot Swap was started by a Montgomery County mom, Robyn Rutland, in 2006. The Tot Swap folks report that they are expecting more than 50,000 items from more than 400 sellers. Items range from baby gear and goods to stuff for teens. Consignors have until noon today to drop off their goods. The pre-sale begins this afternoon (3 p.m. for volunteers, 5 p.m. for consignors and 7 p.m. for new moms). The rest of us are welcome from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday or from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Tot Swap is located not far from the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Click here for directions.

National Book Festival: This year's book festival on the mall HAS to be better than last year's, when the line for Laura Bush's security detail blocked all of us Jan Brett fans from getting in to see her. Some great kids' authors will be around, including Mo Willems (Elephant and Piggie, Penguin, Knuffle Bunny); Judy Blume, Jon Scieszka (The Stinky Cheese Man), David Shannon (No, David!), and Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid).

Magical Montgomery:  Live entertainment, mini parades, art projects, instrument petting zoo and more, all in downtown Silver Spring from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Child's Play Sidewalk Sale: One of the last remaining independent toy stores in our area, Child's Play in Rockville, is holding it's first ever sidewalk sale Friday through Monday. So, if you're willing to brave all that construction traffic on the Pike, it'll probably be worth a trip. All sale items will be displayed outside. Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

KidzRock at The Rooftop in Rockville: Hip hop tunes with dance instruction by Studio-310 followed by a  performance by The Great Zucchini. Party is from 6-8p.m. The Great Zucchini starts at 7 p.m. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Recommended for ages 2-6.

Burtonsville Day: The annual celebration has music, the requisite moonbounce and a parade.

Do you have an upcoming event for families in Montgomery County? E-mail me at mocomoms@gmail.com

Homework -- Argh!

In the first two years of Pumpkin Pie's (7-year-old's nickname courtesy of a favorite auntie) public schooling career, homework wasn't too bad. In kindergarten, monthly assignments came home starting in October. Those worth doing, we did. The rest, we trashed. The most important thing was to read, and that's always been our focus. This summer we took that reading to a whole new level with the 100 Book Challenge that I brought to my previous blog, On Parenting.

But I digress. So, back to this homework thing. Thankfully, in our school, kindergarten homework didn't need to be handed in. I know, I know, those of you at other schools are wishing for the same. I've got friends who reported reams of worksheets that had to be turned into the teacher in kindergarten. Well, then came first grade. Again, nothing too egregious. One math worksheet daily and one writing assignment, given on Monday and to be turned in by Friday. And then, of course, read for 10 minutes a night. That kind of homework left plenty of time for afterschool sports. Pumpkin Pie got into a great routine. Home from school. Snack. Play for 10 or 15 minutes. Do homework. Go out and play some more.

But now, we're in second grade. And let's just say, this is INTENSE! Maybe Pumpkin Pie is paying for writing not being his strong suit. Math is much the same as it was last year. A worksheet that doesn't take all that much time. But the writing, oh my. First, I have to make sure he understands what the teacher is asking. Some nights, they haven't yet discussed the concept in class, or he didn't "get" it. Then, we talk out whether he understands how to apply that concept to the assignment. Finally, 20 minutes later, he's ready to do the actual work. Let's just say, this 2nd grade homework may just kill both his and my love of learning.

Are these nightly 4-5 sentence writing assignments typical of all 2nd graders around the county? Whatever happened to age-appropriate homework, meaning 10 to 20 minutes a night for a second grader? They sit and work all day in school, after all. These kids, at least mine, NEED to run around, play with friends, kick a soccer ball, shoot hoops, ride bikes and just relax when they're home. They don't need to spend another hour with a pencil in hand.

Maybe we should form a Montgomery County Parent Coalition Against Elementary School Homework. Anyone with me?

School Days Off: What to Do

One of the biggest issues working parents have with all the various school days off throughout the year is what to do with their kids. A single day here, a half day there. Here are some suggestions, just ahead of Montgomery County's closure for Yom Kippur on Monday. I haven't needed to try any of these yet, so if you're a parent who's sent their child to any of these, please let us all hear your reviews.

CREATE Arts Center: Campers participate in 2-4 activities that may include drawing, painting, cartooning, sculpture, music, pottery, sewing, puppetry, outdoor games and more, says CREATE's Web site.  Register here. These camps run on all Montgomery County and D.C. school days off. Cost: $55

Park Play Days: Montgomery County Parks offers a full day of activities including an ice skating lesson and a tennis lesson at both Cabin John Ice Arena and Wheaton Ice Arena. For ages 6-13. If you don't already have one, you need to sign up for a Park Pass account. Registration is currently open for Sept. 28 and Oct. 16. Cost: $40.

Adventure Theater One-Day Play Workshop Series: The theater's online ad says children in grades K through 5 will get a full day of theatrical activities, be fed a snack and watch an 11 a.m. performance of the theater's main stage show. For Monday, that's Go, Dog, Go. Cost: $65. Enroll here for Monday and here for all the workshop days (Monday, September 28th; Friday, October 16th; Monday, November 2nd; Monday, January 25th; Tuesday, April 6th)

School after-care providers, such as Kids After Hours, are also open on school days off for families already enrolled. The Takoma Park Child Development Center tells me that it is also holding its School Age Camps on the school holidays. Cost: $50 per day. (Disregard the dates on its Web site; they are last year's)

 I know this is just a start and there's lots more out there. So, let's have it, parent mindshare. What else have you found for those school days off?

Yes, My Children Do WALK to School

This morning was what has become a typical routine in our household since the start of school:

Get dressed, make and eat breakfast, make lunches, pack backpacks and head out the door. The boys race down the street, feet pounding so hard our neighbors can hear them. Sometimes, they wait at the corner. Sometimes, they get so caught up in the race that they keep going all the way to the next street. Up a hill and at the top, they score. Two houses full of friends all going to the same school.

We gather up all the kids -- 7 in total with three adults -- and the pack walks, and runs, to school. Yes, we're teaching them to stop at crosswalks and wait for the pack to catch up. We're teaching them all to cross safely. Because eventually, if all continues to go well, this pack of kindergartners through third graders will walk to school together without us adults. That's the plan that two of us hatched a few months ago.

Yes, the New York Times declares that most parents drive their kids that 2 blocks to school, but here in Montgomery County (and I'm sure elsewhere), that's not necessarily the case. Yes, in rain or snow, it would be easier to drive. Yes, we all have places to be 10 minutes ago. But for the sake of our kids' gaining independence and a belief that they don't need us to do everything for them forever, this is SO worth it.

I've heard from lots of Takoma Park families involved in a school boundary change that walkability to their school is key. They, too, value that neighborhood bonding/walking time. So, to the rest of you: What Montgomery County neighborhoods are good for encouraging the walk?

Where to Go: Apple Picking

"Honeycrisps!"

That's the word from my sister-in-law's Facebook page, and it definitely puts me in the mood for apple picking, an annual activity in our household. If you haven't yet tried Honeycrisp apples, I highly recommend them. They're the sweetest apple around.

No matter what type of apple you're into, apple picking is an easy drive from anywhere in Montgomery. Here's a list of where to go:

Larriland Farms: Jonagold's and Marigolds are ready to pick this weekend; the farm supplies picking containers for adults, but not kids. And if you tire of apples, the farm in Woodbine also reports that raspberry picking is still good. For Larriland, this is just the start of apple season. The farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Here's what it's Web site reports in terms of ripening times:

• Late September: Empire, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious. 
• Early October: Fortune, Cameo, Ida Red, and Stayman. 
• Mid-October: Braeburn, Mutsu, Suncrisp. 
• Late October: Enterprise, Fuji, and Granny Smith. 
• Early November: Pink Lady.

Get Directions

Homestead Farm: Varieties available currently are Empire, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Jonagold. Next week, Stayman Winesaps ripen, followed in early October by Braeburn, Rome Beauty, Cameo, Sun Crisps, Pink Lady, and Sun Fuji. The Poolesville farm is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Get Directions

Butler's Orchard: This Germantown farm is possibly the most commercial of the bunch. During apple season, that means the ground isn't strewn with quite as many rotting apples as I've seen at Homestead Farm in past years. The farm is open from 9:30  to 5:30.  

Get Directions

Rock Hill Orchard: This Mount Airy Farm that's been operating since 1982 currently has red and golden delicious apples, Jonathan, Jonagold and Empire. The farm reports that more varieties will ripen later in the month through mid-October. It's a good idea to call before you pick your own.

Get Directions

Weekend Best Bets

Yes, it's Rosh Hashanah weekend. So many of us may not be looking too hard for something cool to do with the kids, at least on Saturday.

But, if you are, here are some great offerings around the area:

1. Walking With Dinosaurs opened yesterday at the Verizon Center and runs through Sept. 20. Parent reviewers from other cities where the show has toured say it's too short and the narration actor is monotone and uninviting. But, despite its cost -- nosebleed seats are $30 a ticket -- it still has the wow factor of huge dinosaurs. I, for one, have two boys who would love it.

2. The Maryland Renaissance Festival runs through Oct. 25. If ever there was the perfect place for a kid to pretend, this is it. If you haven't been yet, it's quite a sight: Festival day in a 16th century village -- full of costumes, jousting, dancing, demonstrations and acting galore. There's a great kids' play area as well for little ones who can get overwhelmed with all the activity.

3. Did you miss the Montgomery County Fair? Was the Maryland State Fair too far to drive? Well, no worries. If you and your kids love fairs, with all the rides and pig races, look no farther than Anne Arundel. The Anne Arundel County Fair runs through Sept. 20.

4. Would you rather stay indoors? If so, it's opening weekend for Adventure Theater's Go, Dog, Go.

No Smoking in Rockville Playgrounds

Are you looking for a smoke-free place to bring the kids? Rockville is setting the gold standard. 

Here's the rule: No smoking on county property within 40 feet of a playground. Signs will be forthcoming.

Here's the good news: Rockville responded to parent complaints.

Here's the catch: Someone violating the new smoking ban won't have any reason to comply with the law. "The effectiveness of the smoking ban will depend on cooperation and self-enforcement by park users. ... Staff believes most park users will readily comply as they will not have to go far out of their way to do so."

Here's to hoping that those signs do the trick.

Welcome!

Welcome to MoCo Moms, a blog about parenting in Montgomery County, Md, by none other than a parent in Montgomery County. Our area is a unique one, with both D.C. urban and suburban settings.  Whether you live in Rockville, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Olney, Gaithersburg or Takoma Park, this blog is for you.

This blog will aim to capture both worlds. It'll have a personal flavor of what it's like to raise two children here along with events happening in the region. Eventually, I hope to make it a one-stop shop for all that parents in our area need -- events, child care, camps, parks, community. You name it, I'll find a way to build it.

So, welcome. If you have ideas or would like to contribute in some way, please let me know.