Social Smart Kids @ The Peter Pan Center - February 2012 Newsletter

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Social Smart Kids @

The Peter Pan Center

February 2012

Dear Friends of the Peter Pan Center & Social Smart Kids,

Welcome to February - and a Leap Year at that! I have been so thrilled to see so many happy faces around our Center and the friendships that are formed here. Our recreational events are taking off in addition to all of our educational programs. We encourage you to send us your ideas or some of your child's favorite activities to see if we can build a club around them!

I know that there is always a TON of information in this newsletter. Here is a printable February calendar if you want something you can stick on the fridge!

Please feel free to forward this e-mail if you know of a parent or professional that might know a child that would benefit from our programs. Or we now have a "share" button at the bottom of each e-mail to help us spread the word.

Please note that it is never our intention to send unwanted e-mail. If you do not wish to continue to receive our updates, just click Safeunsubscribe at the bottom of this newsletter and your request will be honored instantly. Kindly do not report us as spam, as this potentially prevents families and professionals who want information from receiving it.

Warmly, Donna Shea & Nadine Briggs

In This Update

:: Next Open House

:: Friendship Circle Clubs

:: Teen Scene Activities

:: Birthday Parties

:: Valentines Parent Night Out

:: Stop Motion Movie Camp

:: Sibshops

SOCIAL TUTORING/COACHING PROGRAMS

FEBRUARY 2012 SCHEDULE

Mondays - 1/30, 2/6, 2/13 & 2/27 (No Class 2/20 - School Vacation)

4:15-5:15 PM - Ages 10-13 (Boys & Girls) - 1 OPENING

Tuesdays - 1/31, 2/7, 2/16* & 2/28** (No Class 2/21 - School Vacation)

5:30 PM - Ages 7-9 (Boys & Girls) - WAITING LIST

*Due to Valentine's Day, we'll be moving to Thursday this week.

**On 2/28 we will meet from 4:00-5:00 PM. Miss Donna has an

evening presentation.

Wednesdays - 2/1, 2/8, 2/15 & 2/29 (No Class 2/22 - School Vacation)

4:15-5:15 PM - Ages 7-10 (Boys) - 1 OPENING

5:30-6:30 PM - Ages 7-10 (Girls) - 4 OPENINGS

Thursdays - 2/2, 2/9, 2/16 & 3/1 (No class 2/23 - School Vacation)

4:15-5:15 PM - Ages 4-7 (Boys & Girls) - 1 OPENING

5:30-6:30 PM - Ages 11-14 (Boys & Girls - FORMING - Begins March 1st

Saturdays - 2/4, 2/11, 2/18 & 3/3 (No Class 2/25 - School Vacation)

11:45-12:45 - Ages 7-12 (Boys & Girls) - 2 OPENINGS

Miss Nadine is forming two programs (start date TBD). If you are interested in either of these programs in the new location at Lifelinks in Chelmsford, MA, please contact Nadine at nbriggs@socialsmartkids.com

Tuesdays - (start dates TBD)

4:00-5:00 PM - Ages 9-12 (Boys & Girls) - Forming in Chelmsford

5:30-6:30 PM - Daily Living Skills for 20-somethings - Forming in Chelmsford

If you are interested in an opening or being on a waiting list for one of our programs (if we have enough participants ready to start a new program, we will) please contact Donna Shea at

978/772-1255 or dshea@peterpancenter.com. We encourage you to attend the monthly open house so that you can visit the Center with your child and for us to be able to meet you and answer all your questions!

NEXT OPEN HOUSE

We've host a monthly open house at the Center for families to come and meet us, see how our process for helping kids with social skills works, ask questions about and sign up for programs.

Even if you are already involved with the Center, you are most welcome to come enjoy coffee and treats, bring the kids and connect with us and other families.

Join us for our next open house:

Saturday, February 4, 2012

10:30-11:30 AM

PETER PAN FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE FEB. CLUBS

All Saturday clubs

meet 1:00-2:30 PM.

All ages welcome

Each club is $12/child

Saturday, Feb. 4th - Recess Games

Join us to practice and learn the rules for

four square, kickball, dodge ball, tag and more!

Saturday, Feb. 11th - Nintendo Gamers Club

Bring your DS, 3DS or play on the Peter Pan

Center's Wii for a fun afternoon of video games with friends!

Saturday, Feb. 18th - Magic The Gathering & Games Of Battle

Are you ready to do a little "damage" to your

friends-in-battle? Build your deck and join us

to play one of the earliest popular trading card games or hang out and play Heroica, Stratego, Chess, Battleship, War and more...

Wednesday, Feb. 20th - "Pretend" Sleepover

6:30-8:00 PM

For girls ages 7 and up! Watch a movie,

eat junk food, play a little truth or dare...all

that "girly" fun! Dress in your jammies and bring

a comfy blanket or sleeping bag!

Saturday, Mar. 3rd - Lego Maniacs

Let's create and build with other friends

who LOVE Legos! We have lots of Lego

games to play too!

Clubs are run by Mr. Aaron and our young adult helpers under Miss Donna's supervision. Attendees must meet our guidelines for participation.

Please RSVP to Miss Donna at dshea@peterpancenter.com for all activities! We need to make sure we have enough friends to make it fun!

NASHOBA VALLEY

TEEN SCENE

FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES

Sun., Feb. 5th

American Artist Series

1:00-3:00 PM ~ $10

Fri., Feb. 10th

Valentines Day Card Workshop

7:00-9:00 PM ~ $10

Sun., Feb. 19th

Sledding @ Harvard Fruitlands Museum

1:00-2:30 ~ Approx. $5-$8/teen

Fri., Feb 24th

Semi-Homemade Desserts

7:00-9:00 PM ~ $10

Click here for a flyer with descriptions and details for each event.

Attendees must meet our guidelines for participation. Please make sure to RSVP if you will be attending an event to Miss Lisa at lisaarrigo@comcast.net.

Customize A Birthday!

Have your child's customized birthday party at the Peter Pan Center or Teen Scene!

Lots of space!
Tons of toys, games & Legos
Music & dance
Movies & video games
We will organize party games!
Social coaching and a birthday host during the party!

Contact us to save your date! Please feel free to tell other parents - a child or teen does not have to be involved in programs at Peter Pan to have a birthday here!

$120 includes two-hours of use of the space, all games and materials, party hosting and games for up to 12 guests.

Parents provide cake, snacks, paper goods and party favors as desired.

Join Our Mailing List!

Our Guidelines For Success & Program Participation

In order to participate in programs at the Center, participants must:

Not require one-on-one adult attention for safety or participation in a group of 8-10 children or teens.
Not have a current history of having to be restrained for aggressive or bolting behaviors.
Be fluent in their use of language and refrain from using profanity.
Be interested in socializing with others.
Be able to independently take care of restroom needs.

Contact Information

Donna Shea, Director

The Peter Pan Center

P.O. Box 312

280 Ayer Road

Harvard, MA 01451

978/772-1255 (phone)

dshea@peterpancenter.com

www.peterpancenter.com

Nadine Briggs, Founder

Social Smart Kids

P.O. Box 667

Westford, MA 01886

978/764-2758

nbriggs@socialsmartkids.com

www.socialsmartkids.com

Valentine's Day

Parents Night Out!

Let us watch the kids while you enjoy a Valentine dinner!

Mr. Aaron and our teen helpers (supervised by Miss Donna) will provide a fun evening for the kids while you relax and catch up with your Valentine!

We'll provide a movie, Wii games and pizza for the kids! We'll even have some special Valentine activities planned.

Tuesday, February 14th*

5:00-8:00 PM ~ Drop off is flexible.

$40/child ($30 each add'l sib)

Attendees must meet our guidelines for success. We can accommodate 12-15 children. Reserve a space by e-mailing Donna at dshea@peterpancenter.com or calling the Center at 978/772-1255.

*Our regular Tuesday group program will meet on Thursday the 16th this week at our usual time of 5:30 PM.

FEBRUARY VACATION

STOP MOTION MOVIE CAMP

Join Mr. Aaron during February school vacation week and learn to make a stop motion movie using a Nintendo 3DS.

You do not have to own a 3DS to participate. We need script writers and set designers too!

We'll be using a variety of materials to create your movie characters including clay and Legos. And we'll watch our completed projects on the Center's TV!

Tues-Wed-Thurs ~ February 21, 22 & 23

9:00 AM - Noon

Program Fee: $125/camper

Four or more participants to hold the camp. Participants must meet our guidelines for participation. Please contact Miss Donna to hold a space at dshea@peterpancenter.com or call the Center at 978/772-1255.

February's Quote...

Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

~ Unknown

Sibshops are lively, action packed, workedshop that celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of kids with special needs. Sibshops acknowledge that being a brother or sister of a person with special needs is for some a good thing, for others not-so-good-a thing, and for many, somewhere in between.

Who are Sibshops for? Sibshops are for 8-18 year old borthers and sisters of children who have special needs. Participants cannot have a diagnosis or a delay.

Who Sponsors Sibshops? Lifelinks

Who Runs Sibshops? Certified Sibshop facilitator, Nadine Briggs

When? Jan 14, Feb. 4, 11, 25 sessions available for 8-11 and 12+

Where? 285 Mill Road, Chelmsford

Cost? TBD

Sounds Great! How do I register? For more information and to register, call Amy Young at Lifelinks at 978/251-0610 x 529 or e-mail ayoung@lifelinks.ws. Hurry! Space is limited!

Note: Parents and other family members are not to stay during the program. You will be contacted prior to the start of the program to confirm registration.

Our Links

"How To Make & Keep Friends: Tips for Kids To Overcome 50 Common Social Challenges" - Now available for Kindle too!