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Dear Friends,
I hope you survived last Sunday's storm without any difficulty. Other than a few downed trees on the property (including one that fell right in front of our sign on Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike) CMEE didn't suffer any damage.
I'm delighted to report that CMEE's attendance this summer was the highest ever. We have our monthly Pizza and Pajama Night tomorrow, but starting on Labor Day, the Museum will be closed for two weeks for our annual fall clean up. After we reopen, CMEE will present a full lineup of programs designed to promote learning through play.
Recently, CMEE held a forum to screen the documentary "When a Child Pretends" and discuss the importance of encouraging imaginative play. As the parents at the forum acknowledged, children today have less time to play than a generation ago. Play is vitally important because it provides a safe space for children to express new ideas without worrying about criticism. Play builds an awareness of language, teaches children to negotiate and compromise, and enables them to construct narratives and a sense of identity.
During the forum, parents discussed how to balance the time their children spend participating in a diverse array of organized activities with time for unstructured play. We learned that there is no formula for creating the right balance because what works for one child might be different for another. We also discussed the need to "scaffold" play, i.e. creating an engaging environment for imagining and role playing that children can direct themselves.
With children spending so much of their time watching TV, playing video games, or taking lessons, the forum was very useful for CMEE staff to understand the role the Museum can play in helping parents promote learning through play for their children.
CMEE received great feedback on the forum and we're planning additional opportunities for parents to discuss children's issues in the future. If you have a topic to to recommend, please email it to me at Steve@cmee.org or post your suggestion on our Facebook page.
Thank you for your interest and support! Have a great Labor Day weekend!
Sincerely,
Stephen Long
Executive Director
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Pizza & Pajama Night TOMORROW
Friday, September 2 at 6pm |
Baby Owl has stayed up all night, but he's definitely NOT sleepy. So why do all the other animals in the forest think it's past his bedtime? He's not stretching, after all, he's just exercising his wings. And he's only yawning because he's bored -- owls need a lot of excitement, you know. This comic tale of a toddler who isn't quite ready for bed is a sure-fire hit with children -- and parents!
It's always fun to make something useful, but it's even more fun to watch what you've made being used by a living creature. Join us as we make BIRD CUPCAKES and watch our feathered friends dig in for a meal!
Free to members, $9.00 for non-members which includes price of admission |
Back to School Schedule at CMEE | |
Marking the end of summer and the kids returning to school, CMEE will be closed on Monday, September 4 in observance of Labor Day and remain closed for our "Fall Clean-Up" through September 16. CMEE reopens on Saturday, September 17.
Our Fall Schedule is as follows:
Monday: 9am - 5pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 5pm
See you soon! |
Make Your Own Kite - September 17 | |
In this "Get Creative" Welcome Back Workshop being held on Saturday, September 17 at 10am, your child can create a flying masterpiece with Douglas Borge.
As Doug puts it, "Decorating a kite is so much fun because it makes a kite special! Not only will the children love to create their own designs, but they will also love to see their artwork shouting out 'Here I am!' as it plays in the wind. Each child can create what no one else can! Add to that the sense of accomplishment that is achieved when a sheet of plastic, sticks, and tape become a kite that really flies!"
$5 for Members and $17 for Non-Members, which includes Museum admission. Call (631) 537-8250 to register.
This program is fully or partially funded by the Suffolk County Chief Executive's Office. |
Parents' Night Out - Friday, September 16! | |
Parents, open your date books or e-calendars to September 16. Have some quiet time -- you have earned it! Make dinner reservations, catch a movie or simply enjoy having no plans - and drop your children off for a fun-filled evening at CMEE!
Museum staff members will lead children in a variety of games, art activities, and fun at the Museum, plus serve up a yummy, kid-friendly dinner.
Parents' Night Out!
Friday, September 16
6pm - 9:30pm
Ages 3 to 10
$60 per child / $30 for siblings
Gather your group of 8 or more kids and pick your Parent's Night Out. We will accommodate you on any night!
Late fees will apply to any child picked up after 9:30pm. Early registration is encouraged. |
Breakfast @ CMEE! Sunday, September 25
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Remember that the last Sunday of every month at CMEE is Waffle Day where children can mix, bake and enjoy fresh Belgian waffles! You can learn more about Waffle Day and CMEE's other programs by checking out our online monthly Calendar of Events.
Waffle Day!
Sunday, September 25
at 10am
$5 for Members and $17 for Non-members, which includes admission the Museum
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Recipe of the Month... From Chef Amy and Chef Bonnie | |
"Kids in the Kitchen" Goes to the Dogs!
"Kids in the Kitchen" students had the pleasure of having Hampton Pet Chef, Bonnie Emmerich teach their class at CMEE how to make healthy beef and poultry meatballs for their canine friends. Dogs from the Southampton Animal Shelter visited CMEE and enjoyed every bite of the doggie delights. Staff from the Animal Shelter even took the leftovers back to feed the dogs who couldn't make the trip to the Museum.
Here is what Bonnie showed us -
Ingredients:
1 Pint of meatballs...makes about 30 "minis"
1 cup of ground turkey or beef
1/4 cup diced carrots
1/4 cup chopped spinach
1 cup oats
1 egg
1/4 cup shredded mild cheese
calcium
homemade stock
Cook until golden brown. Drizzle the cooled meatballs with some omega 3 oil. Bonnie described her recipe as "great food for pets and their people!"
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Update on School Field Trips | | During the past year, CMEE has been meeting with many early-grade teachers to solicit their input on how the Museum could improve its school programming to better serve their needs. Several teachers noted that CMEE's school field trips, which focused on visual thinking strategies, were not exactly aligned with the Museum's mission to promote learning through play. In response to their recommendations, CMEE is planning new programs that will make better use of the Museum's hands-on exhibits by using dramatic play to teach children about the East End community. For example, CMEE is developing ways for children to learn about fire safety and the importance of volunteering by pretending to be firefighters on board CMEE's Fire Truck.
The new programs will be piloted during the 2011-12 school year. If you'd like to review drafts of the lesson plans or have your school participate in the pilot phase, please call CMEE at (631) 537-8250. |
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CMEE Collaborates With the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center (SoFo) | 
CMEE is delighted to announce a special collaboration with our neighbor, the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center (SoFo). This fall, CMEE members can enjoy the unique offerings at both museums for FREE! Like CMEE, SoFo is committed to serving as an educational resource for children and families on the East End. Chartered in 1989, SoFo promotes nature education in the museum and in the field through hands-on study of the South Fork's native flora, fauna, and ecosystems.
From September 22 through December 22, CMEE Members are entitled to free admission to SoFo for two parents, their children, and four grandparents. To participate, just head across the street from CMEE and show your membership card at SoFo's admissions desk to enjoy their interactive habitat exhibits, marine touch tank and vineyard nature trail. For complete information about SoFo, visit their website at www.SoFo.org. |
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Family Nutrition Program at CMEE
"Grupo De Madres Latina" | |
CMEE is happy to announce a partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Division of Patient Care.
Entitled Grupo De Madres Latina the program is designed to stress the benefits of good nutrition, and enhance the parenting, literacy, and language skills of Spanish speaking parents and their children.
The Grupo De Madres Latina will be held on Monday, September 19 and 26 and October 17 and 24 from 4pm - 6:30pm.
To register, call Sandra Gil at Suffolk County Department of Health Services: (631) 853-8492 or Juana Huertas at Cornell University Cooperative Extension: (631) 727-7850 ext. 378.
Every participant will receive a completion certificate from Cornell University Cooperative Extension and a personalized nutrition analysis.
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Head Start... September 12 Start Date | |
CMEE is delighted to partner again with Long Island Head Start this year to increase access to early childhood education for low income families. Starting on September 12, sixteen 3- and 4-year-old children will participate in a full day of preschool at the Museum. CMEE is one of only two museums in the nation to host a Head Start Program.
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Roots and Shoots at Madoo Conservancy | |
This year, CMEE partnered with Madoo Conservancy on our gardening program and held half of the classes in their garden in Sagaponack. We don't know who enjoyed it more, the moms, dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles... or the children in the class! See you there again next spring!
Thank you to the Madoo Conservancy for making the garden available to CMEE families! |
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CMEE- to-You! Ride the Tumblebus...
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The Hamptons Tumblebus delivers art, cooking classes, story time, games and everything you need for an amazing birthday party (including a bouncy castle and personalized cake). And of course, we include the full roster of fun that has made the Hamptons Tumblebus such a hit for tumbling and gymnastics -- straight to you. It's the ultimate play date or party that you can fully customize. We will even enhance your child's school curriculum with creative activities, geared by grade and current unit of study. It's stimulating, creative, active fun!
CMEE-to-You also travels to your school, library, community center or camp...
Parties & Cooking Classes: Create your own mini-cupcakes, fresh fruit smoothies, quesadillas, waffles -- we bring all the ingredients and appliances.
Arts & Crafts Projects: Unlimited creative fun! We bring all the supplies and materials, including tables and chairs.
Add on: Tattoo artistry, water balloon imagination, bubble magic...think of it, and we'll deliver it!
Call Amy Slack, Program Manager at (631) 537-8250 for more information or to book CMEE-to-You!
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"Bonjour mes amis, King Henri here inviting you to join me at your next birthday party here at CMEE. I so enjoy making my grand entrance in my custom-made Cadillac (specially made for someone "my size") and sharing your special day with you and your friends.
New York Family Magazine rated CMEE as the East End's "Best venue for children's birthday parties"! Give CMEE a ring for your next party and let's celebrate together!
Call (631) 537-8250 and remember -- you can always 'sweeten' your party with a Dylan's Candy Bar upgrade -- just ask us for the details."
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Museum Hours:
Monday and Wednesday - Saturday:
Sunday:
10am-5pm
CLOSED TUESDAY
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SAVE
THE
DATE!
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Friday,
October 28
CMEE'S HALLOWEEN BASH |
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