Educational Advocacy Corner

For help with IEPs, tutoring, and educational concerns, please contact:
Leslie Lewis, Director of Educational Advocacy, at 314.367.8373 x2237 OR
Dell Vinson, Director of Educational Advocacy (St. Louis City) at 314.600.0305

Click here for the 2011 Tutoring and Summer Recreation Resources Guide from SSD.

YREAD Program: One-on-one Tutoring for 1st through 12th grade students
YREAD strives to enhance the lives of learners who are struggling with reading to increase their confidence by strengthening basic reading and writing skills through individual tutoring.
To enroll, call Michelle at 314.776.7102 or visit www.ymcastlouis.org/literacy for more information.

Community Calendar

Whitaker Music Festival 2011
Wednesday nights through August 3rd / 5 p.m.
Missouri Botanical Garden (4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110)
Cost: FREE after 5 p.m.
Enjoy a family-friendly summer concert under the stars. Visitors are welcome to pack a picnic or purchase sandwiches and beverages on site. Kids can play for free from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden.  The music begins at 7:30 p.m.
More information: www.mobot.org or 314.577.5100

Wednesdays at the Butterfly House
Wednesday nights until Labor Day / 5 to 7 p.m.
Butterfly House (15193 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield, MO 63017)
Cost: $3 for adults, $2 for children ages 3 to 12, children ages 2 and under are free
The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House offers half-price extended hours every Wednesday until Labor Day.

More information: www.butterflyhouse.org or 636.530.0076.   

Family Summer Series at Wehrenberg Theatres
Wednesday and Thursday mornings from until August 4th / 10 a.m.
Local Wehrenberg Theatres (Click here for participating theaters and movie schedule)
Cost: FREE
When things get too steamy outside, cool off at Wehrenberg Theatres' Family Summer Series! Parents and kids of all ages can enjoy ten great films absolutely free. This year's lineup includes "Shrek Forever After," "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," "Alpha & Omega," "Marmaduke," "Yogi Bear," "Megamind," "Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, " and more.
More information and locations: www.wehrenberg.com    

Free Concert in St. Peters
06.02.11 / 7 p.m.
Amphitheater behind St. Peters City Hall between Rec Plex South and the baseball fields
Cost: FREE
The City of St. Peters is hosting free summer Concerts in the Park. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, snacks, and coolers. A concession stand will also be available.
More information: www.stpetersmo.net

Storytelling at the Missouri History Museum: Making Choices
06.03.11 / 10:30 a.m.
Missouri History Museum (5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112)
Cost: FREE
The Storytelling at the Museum program engages the youngest visitors (ages 2 to 6) in historic objects and museum settings through traditional and contemporary stories. We can't have everything we want all the time. The characters in these books have to consider options and learn how to make good choices.
More information: www.mohistory.org or 314.746.4599.   

Centene Fitness First Fridays at The Magic House St. Louis Children's Museum
06.03.11 / 5:30 to 9 p.m.
The Magic House (516 South Kirkwood Rd., St. Louis, MO 63122)
Cost: FREE
Children of all ages can take the first step towards a healthy lifestyle and receive free admission to The Magic House during Fitness First Fridays. Stretch your muscles and your mind as you travel the 1,500 step circuit through the museum. Along the way you'll find hundreds of fun, educational exhibits and "Fit Facts" filled with useful health and nutrition information.  The Magic House now offers foster parents and those living in their homes free admission at all times.  Foster families must show identification that proves they are currently licensed.  The offer does not extend to adoptive parents, unless they can prove they are currently licensed foster parents. 
More information: www.magichouse.org or 314.822.8900  

Jungle Boogie Friday Night Concert Series
06.03.11 / 5 to 8 p.m.
St. Louis Zoo (1 Government Dr., St. Louis, MO 63110)
Cost: FREE
The whole family is invited! This week's musical guest is the John Henry Band.
More information: www.stlzoo.org or 314.781.0900

Family Festival

06.03.11 and 06.04.11 / each night, immediately following the 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. theater productions 

Affton High School (8309 MacKenzie Rd., St. Louis, MO 63123)

Cost: FREE

Arts and theater related activities and games for children.  Activities will take place in the lobby of Affton High School before each evening's theater production.  Clown and balloon artisit will perform.

More information: 636.349.6880

Touch-A-Truck Accessible Play Fundraiser
06.04.11 / 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Jamestown Mall (180 Jamestown Mall, Florissant, MO 63034)
Cost: $5 adults, $3 children ages 4 to 12
This family-friendly community wide event features big trucks, specialized vehicles, and equipment for kids of all ages to see, touch, and learn about. Vehicles scheduled to appear include the St. Louis County Police Department K9 Unit, Motorcycle Unit, Metro Air Support Helicopter, DARE Units, Bomb and Arson Robot, the Hazelwood Police Department Breath Alcohol Testing Van, the Missouri Highway Patrol Roll-Over Demonstrator, and more.

Wilderness Wagon Rides
06.04.11 / 1 p.m., 2p.m., and 3 p.m.
Shaw Nature Reserve (Hwy. 100 & I-44 - P.O. Box 38, Gray Summit, MO 63039)
Cost: $1 per person
Families with children of all ages can hop aboard a narrated wagon ride around Shaw Nature Reserve's three-mile Trail House Loop Road. Rides depart from the Visitor Center at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
More information: www.shawnature.org or 636.451.3512

2011 Route 66 Festival
06.04.11 / noon to 6 p.m.
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (Madison, IL)
Cost: FREE ($15 to $20 to enter your vehicle in the Car Cruise)
Celebrate the glory days of the Mother Road with a Classic Car Cruise, live music, entertainment, Route 66-themed products, refreshments, activities and a chance to learn about the rich history of this iconic road.
More information: www.confluencegreenway.org or 314.436.1324

Make Your Mark Community Mural Project
06.04.11 / 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Edison Avenue at Baxter Road in the Chesterfield Valley
Cost: FREE
Come help paint (paint-by-number style) a 500-foot mural on the 700-foot Monarch-Chesterfield Levee floodwall.  The event will host a variety of food vendors, music and entertainment by local bands and additional "make and take" art activities for children ~ something fun for everyone!  Chesterfield Arts designed this unique leadership project for students in grades 8 - 12. The Student Leadership Team has been working since July 2010 to design and create the 500-foot wall mural for the new floodwall and Great Rivers Greenway recreation trail in the Chesterfield Valley.  The wall is located on Edison Avenue at Baxter Road in the Chesterfield Valley.  Parking will be available in Chesterfield Commons near Chesterfield Commons East Drive (toward the eastern end of the Target parking lot).
More information: www.chesterfieldarts.org

Medical Issues in Children with Down Syndrome

06.04.11 / 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Missouri History Museum (5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112)
Cost: FREE
Parents and caregivers are invited to join specialists in the areas of ophthalmology, otolaryngology, cardiology, psychiatry, and endocrinology as they discuss and answer questions about common medical issues that a child with Down Syndrome may experience. Registration is required.
More information: www.stlouischildrenshospital.org or 314.454.KIDS (5437) or 800.678.KIDS (5437) x3     

Illinois Appreciation Week at Missouri Botanical Garden
06.05.11 - 06.11.11 / 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Missouri Botanical Garden (4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110)

Cost: $4 adults, children ages 12 and under are free
During the second week in June, Illinois residents receive half-price Garden admission, a 10% discount in the Garden Gate Shop, and a 20% discount off memberships. Admission for Illinois residents will be $4 for adults ages 13 and up and free for children ages 12 and under.
More information: www.mobot.org or 314.577.5100 

Youth Gateway to Aviation Day
06.11.11 / 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
St. Louis Downtown Airport (4300 Vector Drive, Cahokia, Il 62206)
Cost: FREE
This fun event (for children of all ages with a parent or guardian) will teach kids aviation education through hands-on interactions, activities, presentations, and more.  This event is held at a fully functioning airport and will have working aircraft.  Therefore, all children must be supervised by an adult at all times.  Register now to be entered into drawings to win aviation items and free flights!  

More information and to register: Click here 

Community Resources

Schools Out Café - Free Breakfast and Lunch for Youth All Summer

Children and youth up to age 18 will receive free breakfast and lunch from June 8th through August 13th. For more information, including locations, please contact Youth & Family Services at 314.657.1695.

Kids Bowl Free Program (as featured on NBC Nightly News)
Select bowling centers and schools around the country are participating in the first ever Kids Bowl Free program. This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.  Children whose age does not exceed a limit by a participating bowling center are eligible to register for two free games a day, all summer long, courtesy of the participating bowling centers along with the schools and organizations.  Click here for a list of participating bowling centers in Missouri and Illinois. 

Kids of Victory (K.O.V.) Summer Camp Openings!
KOV is a high energy camp for children held at Southgate Church (9820 East Watson Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126).  The mornings are fast-paced fun as a variety of methods are used to talk about important character values.  The camp runs from July 11th through July 15th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  There are openings for 1st through 6th grade girls and boys to attend the camp.  Space is limited.  More information and to register: Contact Nickie at 314.367.8373 x2235

Safe and Meaningful Volunteer Opportunities for Youth
Looking for volunteer opportunities for your child or teen this Summer?  The United Way has published the "Summer Volunteer Opportunities for Youth Directory."  It's filled with activities occurring at United Way of St. Louis funded agencies and/or agencies certified by United Way's Volunteer Center for Youth, ages 8 - 19, to participate in.  For more information, contact the Volunteer Center at 1.800.VOLUNTEER or email skinner@stl.unitedway.org.

Spring and Summer 2011 Activity Guide
Every year, St. Louis County publishes an activity guide for their Parks and Recreation Departments.  This guide includes outdoor adventures, summer camps, and more.  Visit www.stlouisco.com/parks to download the guide.