North Shore Views

Archive for February, 2010

Guide to Kenilworth Preschools

This is Part 3 of my preschool series, with a list of Kenilworth schools. Kenilworth is a small town so there are not many, but you also have access to the preschools in nearby Winnetka and Wilmette.

All Things Bright and Beautiful Preschool

222 Kenilworth Ave., Kenilworth, IL 60043
(847) 251-6120, ext. 16
All Things Bright and Beautiful website

Run by the Church of the Holy Comforter, this preschool program is open to children 2-4 years old. There is also a “Mommy and Me ” program for younger children. It offers a play-based program focused on the social, emotional and spiritual growth of its children.

A Joyful Noise Preschool

211 Kenilworth Ave., Kenilworth, Il 60043
(847) 853-1738
A Joyful Noise website

A Joyful Noise is the preschool at Kenilworth Union Church but is open to members and non-members alike. It offers programs for 0-5 year olds, including Mommy and Me Music Class, Moms and Tots, Two’s and Older Two’s classes, Three’s classes and Junior Kindergarten. Extended day and enrichment programs are also offered.

For more information, visit www.ajoyfulnoisepreschool.com.

Joseph Sears School

542 Abbotsford Rd., Kenilworth, IL 60043
(847) 256-5006
website

Joseph Sears School is the public school in Kenilworth for grades JK-8. The Junior Kindergarten provides a warm and nurturing environment in which children can learn through interactive play and problem-solving.  Activities include art, music, dramatic play, outdoor play, math, science, reading and pre-writing. Different levels of ability, development and learning styles are expected, accepted and used to design appropriate activities.

Related posts:

• Guide to North Shore Preschools
• Glencoe Preschools
• Highland Park Preschools
• Winnetka Preschools
• Wilmette Preschools

Tags: Kenilworth, Preschools

Guide to Glencoe Preschools

In my first post about North Shore preschools I talked about some criteria for selecting a preschool. In this post I share my top picks for preschools located in Glencoe.

Children’s Circle Full Day Preschool

Takiff Center, 999 Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-3035

Children’s Circle is a program of the Glencoe Park District that serves children 15 months to 6 years old, offering a full day preschool program, as well as before and after kindergarten care. It operates year round and children may attend 2,3,4 or 5 days a week.

The Early Learning Center is a half day preschool, also at the Takiff Center, for 2 – 4 year olds.

The focus is on helping children learn to navigate their world by supporting healthy social and emotional development and an enthusiasm for learning.

St. Elisabeth’s Nursery School

556 Vernon Ave., Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-0609
www.sensglencoe.org

St. Elisabeth’s Church runs a non-religious morning preschool program (9:00-11:15 am) for 3 and 4 year olds. The program is designed to give young children a positive social experience, laying the foundation for them to become enthusiastic lifelong learners.
It also offers an extended day enrichment program from 11:15-12:45, with music, art, math, science and language activities.

North Shore Congregation Israel – Gates of Learning Preschool

1185 Sheridan Rd., Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-0724
North Shore Congregation Israel – Gates of Learning Preschool

Gates of Learning Preschool is a great place to play and learn about Judaism. The warm and nurturing environment fosters the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of its students. The program integrates Jewish customs with conventional preschool activities such as arts & crafts, music, dance, drama, science and outdoor play.

The program serves children from 15 months to 4 years old, with a parent-tot class for children under 2 years old. Older 2’s attend either two or three days a week; 3’s attend three or four days and 4’s attend five days a week.

J.C.C. Early Childhood Services at Am Shalom

840 Vernon, Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-0008
website

Children 2-4 years old have fun while learning Jewish values and practices, Hebrew vocabulary and honoring Shabbat. This unique program combines education about Jewish traditions and heritage with a best in class early childhood development program. It integrates Reggio Emila into the learning experience, which encourages learning through probrlam solving, exploration, discovery and experimentation. J.C.C.also offers a summer camp.

Related posts:

• Guide to North Shore Preschools
• Highland Park Preschools
• Winnetka Preschools
• Kenilworth Preschools
• Wilmette Preschools

Tags: Glencoe, Preschools

Guide to North Shore Preschools

One of the things that attracts people to the North Shore is its excellent schools. Usually when we talk about schools we are referring to elementary through high school. But if you have very young children, the more immediate concern is finding the right preschool. There are many outstanding ones on the North Shore to choose from. So many, in fact, that it can be daunting to try and select the right one.

I’ve compiled a list of some of the best preschools on the North Shore, organized by location. See the links at the bottom of the post information about preschools in each community.

How to Choose a Preschool

At the end of the day, choosing a preschool boils down to which one is the right fit for you and your child across a number of different dimensions. Here are some of the things you should take into consideration:

Days/Hours of Program
Many preschools are for a half day only (or less) and may be 2,3,4 or 5 days a week. Typically the program is more days and/or more hours as children get older. If both parents work, you will want to explore full-day programs or preschools that offer extended care options.

Credentials
Is the school accredited by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)? Are the teachers trained in early childhood education? Do they know CPR and first aid? What is the student to teacher ratio? A good rule of thumb is one teacher to seven children for 2 and 3 year olds and one teacher to ten children for 4 and 5 year olds. Make sure to ask the director about teacher turnover, too. You don’t want a school that’s a revolving door.

Philosophy
Different schools follow different philosophies of education. Some are more play-based and others are more academic.  The important thing is to choose a program that feels right to you and fits your child’s particular learning style and personality.

Secular or religious?
Some schools are totally secular and some have a religious component. However, don’t assume that all church-based schools have a religious curriculum. Usually this will be communicated on the school’s web site, but it is something you should get clarification about from the director, if this is important to you.

What to Look For When You Tour

Try to do three things when you visit a school:  tour the facility, meet with the director and observe a class in session.

When touring, this is what you should see:
The indoor environment is clean, neat and well-organized. It should feel spacious, bright and inviting. The equipment and materials should be in good condition and age-appropriate. There should be an outdoor play area that is large enough for children to run and jump. There should be a variety of climbing structures, riding toys, balls and other play equipment.

Ask the director about the school’s philosophy, curriculum and daily schedule. Does it offer a good balance of child-directed play and teacher-led group activities? Do the children get to engage in a variety of activities every day?  Is there outdoor play every day? How is discipline handled?

If you are able to observe a class, try to spend at least 20 minutes, but stay out of the way so that you don’t disrupt the class. Are the teachers’ interactions with the children positive, consistent and fair? Do they encourage critical thinking and problem solving? Are they patient with the children and sensitive to their different needs? Are the kids happy and enthusiastic about what they are doing? Is there enough variety in the curriculum to keep them actively engaged?

After you’ve done your research and spent some time at the school, you will have formed an overall impression about whether it’s a good fit for your child. Above all, trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right to you, then it’s probably not the best choice. You know your child and what he or she needs better than anyone, so go with your instincts.

Read more about choosing a preschool here.

Go to links below for information on preschools in each community:

• Winnetka Preschools
• Glencoe Preschools
• Kenilworth Preschools
• Wilmette Preschools
• Highland Park Preschools

Tags: Preschools

Harper School Inaugurates Science Exploratorium

Last fall, principal Sue Kick submitted a grant proposal to District 39’s Educational Foundation for a “Science Exploratorium” for Harper School. Her goal was to provide a dedicated lab that would enrich the elementary science curriculum by facilitating more hands-on learning. At the elementary level, science is typically taught in the individual classrooms.

The Exploratorium was recently completed and, as the first dedicated science lab in our district’s elementary schools, it is serving as a pilot program.

So far, the new Exploratorium is getting two thumbs up from teachers and students.

Teachers love it because they have access to equipment that is too big or too costly to have in each individual classroom. Plus, it’s much more efficient for them to set up an experiment in a separate space where they can leave it up throughout the unit than to try and cram it into a corner of the already crowded classroom.

The kids love it because going to class in a special science room makes science itself more special and more fun. All the equipment and models and collections are out and available to use and explore. The study of science is a lot more hands-on and experiential, so the kids are encouraged to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking skills. They are encouraged to become scientists, rather than just  sitting in class passively absorbing the lesson like so many little sponges.

Yesterday when I visited, a group of first graders were engrossed in a unit about matter, taught by Scientist in Residence, Judy McKee. She was showing the kids how heat or cold changes matter. Things melt or evaporate or solidify. She talked about volcanoes and lava, and then asked the students what they thought would happen to different types of materials when subjected to heat. The kids were bouncing out of their seats trying to share their ideas and hypotheses. Then came the hands-on work where they were able to test their hypotheses by heating up various substances to see what would happen.

It was fun to see how engaged and excited the kids were about science. A lot of it had to do with Judy McKee’s passion and enthusiasm, but the Exploratorium allowed her to make the science lesson come alive.

Tags: District 39, District 39 Educational Foundation, Gripp Grant, Harper Elementary School, Science Exploratorium, Wilmette

Proof there’s a buyer for every house…at the right price

Do you remember that bizarre story about the Evanston woman who was living in her house with the bodies of her dead siblings?

As I recall, the bodies of her two sisters and brother were discovered in the fall of 2008 after a neighbor became concerned because she had not seen the woman’s sister around lately. When the police went into the house they discovered the body of one sister, who had been dead for 30 years, the body of the brother, who died in 2003, and the body of the other sister, who had died recently (all of natural causes).

Today there was a story in Crain’s saying that someone has actually bought that house (the owner has moved into a nursing home).  An Evanston couple made an offer on it just one week after it was put on the market. They knew about its gruesome past but were undeterred. It’s a pretty 1890s-era house in east Evanston and I guess once it’s gutted and redone  the new owners won’t find it so creepy.

Until the deal closes we won’t know how much they paid, but presumably they got a good deal. It just goes to show that, at the right price, every house will sell…even in this market.

Tags: haunted houses, pricing your house to sell, Strange real estate stories

Best Buy in Wilmette

No I’m not talking about the big box chain. I am talking about best buys in real estate.

The market has been in such turmoil and there is so much inventory to sort through that it can be downright overwhelming for buyers, unless they have a lot of help from their agent. Naturally in my line of work I see some great buys out there and I am going to share them here.  Sometimes they will be my listings or my partner’s, but mostly not. I am going to be as objective here as I possibly can.

Today’s pick:
811 Ouilmette Lane in Wilmette.

It is currently listed at $710,000 and
here’s why it’s such a great value:

• It is the only home for sale in Wilmette or Winnetka below $799,000 that has 5 bedrooms and 3.1 baths. At this price point you will find mainly 3 bedrooms or 4 at the most. To have both 5 bedrooms AND 3.1 baths (including a separate master bath) is a real find. Plus it is a solid brick home in a classic colonial style.

• The property, located west of Ridge Rd, east of Hunter and south of Lake, is on a quiet street in the desirable Harper school district. The downside of some of the other homes in this price range is location on a busy road.

• It is in pristine condition and needs no work. The kitchen is new, as is the family room. Some of the other homes you’ll find at this price in Wilmette and Winnetka are fixers or need considerable updating.

Now, in the spirit of full disclosure I will tell you that this one is my partner’s listing. But that is not why I wrote about it. It really is a great bargain. Take the virtual tour and see for yourself. If you’d like to see it in person, just give me a call: 847-687-5957.

Tags: Homes for sale, Real estate, Wilmette

North Shore Market Update – January 2010

In January 2010 sales of single family homes on the North Shore were up 58% vs. January 2009, which was when the market was virtually dead. Consistent with trends over the last few months, increases in units sold were accompanied by declines in average sales prices (-12%) and increased market times (+13% to 248 days). Highland Park and Glenview showed the greatest sales gains in January, while Winnetka and Northfield, two of the most expensive communities, actually had decreased sales.

Tags: North Shore market data, North Shore real estate market predictions, North Shore real estate trends, North Shore sales trends

Family Fun at Winnetka Community House

If your kids are getting cabin fever from the relentless cold weather, here’s something to do that the whole family can enjoy: go see “Treasure Ahoy! A Story of Shipwrecked Surprises”. This is an original musical comedy from the Winnetka Children’s Hour and performed by local kids at the Winnetka Community House on February 4th and 5th at 7:00 pm and on February 6 at 10:30 am.  Tickets are $8.00.
The play features a group of castaways lost on a mysterious island. While searching for a legendary treasure they encounter a band of bumbling pirates and some mischievous islanders. The Children’s Hour has been putting on shows like this since 1932 and they are always well done and lots of fun. We’ve got some great talent here on the North Shore!

Tags: Family fun on the North Shore, Winnetka, Winnetka Children's Hour, Winnetka Community House