Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/303102
8 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • May 2014 letter to readers PRODUCTION PUBLISHER Leigh Anne Van Doren Tabitha & Jamie Nelle's mom EDITOR Elizabeth Jones Quincy & Hayden's mom OPERATIONS & MARKETING Heidi DiEugenio, President, HD Solutions Duke & Dane's mom OFFICE MANAGER Nancy Massanat Emily & Kyle's Mom ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Sheila Giscard; Jack's mom Jodi Urquhart; Noah & Carly's mom DESIGN & PRODUCTION Cheryl Carter, President, Carter Creations Alex, Kate & Jackie's mom WEBMASTER Karen Charney Joshua & Spencer's mom CALENDAR EDITOR Leigha Pecher Jake & Luke's mom CIRCULATION Krista Starosta Nick, Andrew, Kaylin & Kensington's mom COMMUNITY BLOGS Mary Becelia Katherine Laura & Robert Joseph's mom FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Elizabeth Jones: Jordan, Quincy & Hayden's mom Pamela Quinones: Corinn, Michael, Isabella & Dalton TWITTER & PINTEREST COMMUNITY MANAGER Brenda Sapanghila: Archer & Maddox's mom EVENT PLANNING & SCIENCE SATURDAYS Stephanie Maldonado; Julia, Tyler & Aiden's mom parent fredericksburg & family Entrepreneur of the Year PROUD FOUNDING MEMBER ADVERTISING PHONE 540/374-1495 E-MAIL adsales@fredericksburgparent.net CALENDAR & RESOURCE REQUESTS E-MAIL calendar@fredericksburgparent.net E-MAIL resources@fredericksburgparent.net EDITORIAL PHONE 540/374-1495 • FAX 540/374-1672 E-MAIL editor@fredericksburgparent.net publisher@fredericksburgparent.net SNAIL MAIL P.O. Box 7884, Fred'bg, VA 22404 www.fredericksburgparent.net The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertisement, editorial or listing that does not meet the publication's stan- dards. No part of this magazine may be reproduced with out permission. Listing and advertising rates are available upon request. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information contained herein, however, the publisher cannot guarantee such accuracy. Listings and advertisements are subject to typographical errors, ommissions and/or change without notice. For terms and condi- tions please visit our website at www.fredericksburgparent.net © Copyright 2014 Nurture, Inc. All rights reserved. Be a Sparky Parent C hildren's author Roald Dahl wrote that every child deserved a sparky parent. I was blessed with two sparky parents. My dad was a historic reenactor, a dancer, a theater set builder, and could start a fire with flint and steel in under a minute. We were the only fam- ily in the neighborhood who had logged and cured our own timber to make an authentic eighteen-and-a-half-foot Sioux teepee for our backyard. But it was my mother who brought beauty into my life. We did everything together whether it was music, art, fashion, Ballet classes, theater classes, violin lessons, piano lessons or museum vis- its. We traveled in and out of the country together. We made crafts together. She made a pink, heart-shaped cake once for Valentine's Day. It is one of my most vivid childhood memories. Turns out, both of my parents were on to something. Early childhood research shows that exposure to positive life experi- ences and spoken language creates crucial neurological growth in chil- dren ages 0-5. In this issue, we interviewed the five area school super- intendents on how Fredericksburg area parents can better prepare their children for kindergarten. Dr. Scott baker, superintendent of Spotsylvania County, echoed Dahl when he said, "Parents should expose their chil- dren to literature and many life experiences early on by reading to them at home and finding a good preschool program." It's never been easier to be a sparky parent in Fredericksburg than now. The Children's Museum of Richmond Fredericksburg, with its many stimulating exhibits for young children, opens May 10. Fredericksburg Parks & Recreation's popular and free Picnic in the Park series (co- sponsored by Fredericksburg Parent) starts on May 6 with Wil Gravatt and Jimbo Byram. The second annual Sounds of Summer Concert Series, from the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center kicks, off May 30 with Elby Brass. The free family fun continues with STAR Radio's Town Center Tuesdays starting in June. Most excitingly, the University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Fiddlesticks program is launching a world-class children's concert series on August 9, featuring renowned musician Laurie Berkner. For more information on buying tickets to the Laurie Berkner concert and other children's activities, such as Picnic in the Park, check out our amazing calendar at http://bit.ly/BestCalendar, or pages 21-25. I founded Fredericksburg Parent 14 years ago in the hopes of becoming a better parent myself by creating a supportive parenting community in Fredericksburg. I'm so grateful to have had the opportuni- ty to assist the Explore It! Children's Museum committee as they worked to bring CMoR to the area and to help Kevin Bartram of the UMW Philharmonics to begin a world-class children's concert series. I look for- ward to assisting the city of Fredericksburg in continuing to make this community a great place to raise kids. Leigh Anne Van Doren publishes Fredericksburg Parent and Family. May's Cover image features from left: Mr. Robert Benson, Superintendent, King George County Public Schools Dr. Bruce Benson, Superintendent, Stafford County Public Schools Dr. Gregory Killough, Superintendent, Caroline County Public Schools Dr. Scott Baker, Superintendent, Spotsylvania County Public Schools Amanda Talbert, Public Affairs Coordinator, GEICO Marceline Catlett, Deputy Superintendent, Fredericksburg City Schools Ready Freddy Photos taken by Anjanette Greenlaw and Jai-Leah Kamenicky of Greenlaw's Photography. www.greenlawsphotography.com BY LEIGH ANNE VAN DOREN