Two years ago my, then 6 year old, daughter asked me if she could have a Chinese-themed birthday party. Blame the Mandarin program at her school or blame me for making her continue Spanish so she could continue to translate for her mother during family get-togethers. This theme then began to travel to other parts of Asia, with origami paper cranes, fan dancing etc. So we decided to include Japan and Korea and I am so glad we did, as we both learned a lot and the party was a huge hit!

Decorations: We picked the theme early enough so I could buy the paper goods from the Chinese New Year section of the party store. We settled on the colors of red and gold. I also bought some paper dragon favors and paper lanterns. I strung the lanterns from the red crepe paper that criss-crossed the room. I set the table with a gold tablecloth, plates napkins and chopsticks. I made a runner on the table with some Korean newspapers with a center piece silk cherry blossoms and extra paper dragons.

My next stop was to the HMART in Little Ferry I picked up both Chinese and Korean treats, chopsticks and fans. I also found a bunch of free newspapers in the front of the store and figured I could use them on the table. I was also lucky enough to buy a traditional Korean dress called a hanbok for the whopping price of $7! My daughter was going to wear a red Chinese dress that she was in love with and wanted to include her out-of-town cousin.

We set the mood by playing some traditional Chinese music I download from iTunes.

Games: We started the party by playing the Chopstick Game while the girls arrived. Put equal  amounts of small items such as marshmallows, marbles, popped popcorn, beads and of candies into two bowls and put two empty bowls across the room. Have the children form two lines when it is their turn have them hold the chopsticks and try to pick up on item and walk it across the room and put it in the empty bowl. If they drop their object just have them try and pick it up from the floor. The first team to get all of their items in their team’s bowl across the room wins. Encourage the kids that are better with chopsticks to grab the marbles and less experienced to grab the marshmallows.

My mother and I made buns for each girl’s hair and held them in place with a set of chopsticks. They all looked adorable.

The Cake: my mother outdid herself again by making panda bear cake. We bought this 3-d Wilton multi-purpose mold for my girly’s third birthday party when she chose a frog theme. The pan also makes bears and elves.

Breaking kids up into groups of three and having rotate through the stations was a last minute idea I had and it worked out very well.

Station One Dumpling Making: Using a simple filling of minced pork, cabbage, scallions and grated ginger and using dumpling wrappers from East-West the girls filled their dumpling and sealed them by putting water on the edges. My brother had this great idea to have each group of girls make their dumplings different shapes (circles, squares and triangles) so they would know their own after they were cooked.

Station Two Sumi-e (Ink Painting): Grandpa had been taking sumi-e classes so he was the perfect person to instruct the young ladies. He started by giving each girl a bamboo paint brush, black ink and paper. He had iris, bamboo and other subject matter on the table (covered with newspaper) then he guided them on the techniques of the brush painting. Make sure all paintings are signed and have a place to lay them all out to dry.

Station Three  Ribbon and Fan Dancing: I took thin dowel rods and tied strips of thin red ribbon to the ends of the dowels. I showed the girls a video of traditional Chinese ribbon dancing and then they had fun trying it spinning and twirling. We also watched a video of  Korean fan dancing and I had a few fans for them to use. I let them each take their set of ribbon sticks home. In hindsight I would have bought long strips of silk and only made 3 sets of ribbons or  ordered them from eBay so the girls could feel the full effect of the dance.

Food: We served the girls the  boiled dumplings they made with a side order of lo mien noodles. The girls loved the food and there was very little left over.

Favors: I picked up traditional Chinese food take out boxes to hold the favors. We filled the boxes with Asian candies and put a red fan and paper
dragon on the outside for fun. Each girl also went home with a paper crane, a set of chopsticks,their paintings and ribbon sticks. You could also make gorgeous tsumami kanzashi hair ornaments or cherry blossom barrettes as favors.

One of the reasons this party was so fun and successful is we involved our family and their many talents without hiring out. Two years later I still have parents tell me their child still talks about this party!

Check of the slide show for more images:

Birthday party questions? Just Ask Holly in comments.

The latest in touching and inspiring videos. This was uploaded last week by a family who writes:

“Our eight-year-old blind-autistic son Jacob enjoying some fine acoustic guitar by a musician in downtown Lawrence, Kansas on May 13, 2012.
Tyler … Thank you so much for letting Jacob feel the music”

The power of music.

Best known for the catchy theme song to the family classic, Where in The World is Carmen Sandiego, Rockapella has taken the art of contemporary A cappella to new heights by melding it with rock-and-roll and mellifluous Motown harmonies. The group has also produced a series of acclaimed CDs that cover soul, rock, jazz and R&B numbers. “The best musical instrument of all is the human voice – and if you’ve seen Rockapella, you know that’s the truth,” says USA Today.

Rockapella will be at NJPAC, as part of its Family Time series (this show is recommended age 11 and up) on Saturday, May 19 and Barista Kids has a Family 4-pack of tickets to the 2 pm show to give to one lucky family!

To enter, just tell us your favorite A capella song in comments. This right here is my absolute favorite one.

No purchase necessary. Starts Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 10 am EST and ends Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 11:59 pm. One person who replies to this post by 11:59 pm EST on Thursday, May 17, will be chosen at random to win four tickets to the Rockapella show at NJPAC on Saturday, May 19 at 2 pm. Open to U.S. residents ages 18 and older. Void where prohibited.

Want another entry? Here are a couple of ways:

• Follow us on Twitter and leave a comment telling us you did with your Twitter profile. Make sure to include @baristakids in your tweet.
• Subscribe to our newsletter here and send us a message telling us you did with your email address.

Good luck!

Highlights of MayFest 2012 will include petting zoos and four ponies to ride, a kiddie train and inflatable rides, a balloon animal maker and lots of fun activities for kids. A Classic Car Show will display custom and special interest cars. More than 100 vendors, artists, crafters and civic associations, live music provided by some of the area’s hottest bands plus great food representing the diverse community that lives, works, shops and dines along Springfield Avenue will complete the scene at one of Maplewood’s largest and most anticipated community events.

MayFest
Who: Everyone.
What: Celebrating its 11^th Anniversary, Maplewood MayFest has grown into one of Maplewood’s largest community festivals and the Springfield Avenue Partnership’s signature event. Visitors enjoy rides, games, petting zoo, pony rides, live music, food, a classic car show and more than 100 participating vendors.
Where: Along Springfield Avenue from Indiana Street to Oberlin Street, Maplewood, NJ.
When: Sunday, May 20 from 12 pm – 5 pm.
Cost: Free.

NJ Schools are experiencing a serious bullying problem, but the burgeoning problem that I am referring to is probably not the one you are thinking of. Although we live in a state with the toughest anti-bullying law in the nation when it comes to protecting the rights of students and children, somehow along the way the parents were overlooked. ‘Parental Rights’ is the new hot topic. It is now the adults who have the bullying problem.

Throughout the state of New Jersey and all across the nation parent’s rights are being challenged by school boards who are all too willing to overstep their boundaries and enter into traditional parental territory. The main cause of this new bullying dilemma in New Jersey is a law that encourages the adoption of mandatory uniform standard dress code policies. At its heart is a new social reform movement that has been flooding our country’s public school systems: the Uniform Standard Dress Movement. This is the latest educational fad to capture the attention of public school administrators and parents alike.

Driven by the fear of gang influence and disgust with saggy pants, and armed with host of moralizing anecdotal evidence, these reformers, or ‘Uniformers’, have managed to resurrect the bygone practice and popularity of sumptuary law. ‘Resisters’ believe that the prohibition of traditional casual clothing like jeans and t-shirts, and patterns such as stripes, polka dots and checks, is ridiculous. Both sides agree that kids should not dress inappropriately. Unfortunately, scientific studies and empirical evidence proving that uniform dress policies are ineffective have been tossed to the wayside. American public school students are disappearing into a sea of solid color polo’s and khaki pants. Those who wish to uniform our children are generally well meaning and full of good intentions. However some of us know all too well where that road paved with good intentions can lead…

Supporters are adamant that once valued attributes like diversity, creativity, and individuality must be set aside in order to accomplish what they feel is best for everyone. Some of the more hard core uniformers think that it is perfectly acceptable to legally force opposing parents into going along with their utopian vision. They opine that the parents being made to shop against their will should stop complaining, and that the objectors should conform for the good of the whole. They feel that simply being asked to buy a few inexpensive shirts and pants is a small price to pay for school peace.

Grassroots groups like Clifton Asserting Parental Rights (C.A.P.R.) are being formed by parents in reaction to government and corporate pressure being placed upon them to purchase ineffective and unwanted products. Even people who are not parents are being forced to participate in these programs as their tax dollars are being spent to outfit disadvantaged students with these unnecessary school supplies. Faced with this unacceptable situation, citizens are banding together to provide support for uniform resisters and information to the public.

American parents deserve the right to raise and parent their own children without government interference. Some parents enjoy shopping for their children and want to spend time teaching them the value of good behavior, taste and proper dress. Perhaps they would like their daughters to be able to wear feminine style clothes, normal skirts and dresses, or even long skirts instead of pants and ‘chastity skorts’ only as some school policies mandate. Unfortunately, those favoring mandatory uniform dress continue to spread the unsubstantiated propaganda of uniform manufacturers. Claims such as: uniforms and boring clothes will increase school spirit and safety; help students to focus by eliminating distractions; “enhance the school learning environment”; and even stop bullying.

Yet bullying is exactly what is being fostered by this movement. This is a sad state of affairs because we live in the United States, a country founded upon the principals of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Two major problems with this trend need to be addressed. The first is the tendency of uniform advocates to think that it is acceptable to force their beliefs upon others because bad law exists that allows them to get away with it. The second is the fact that real research done by unbiased professionals like that of Dr. David L. Brunsma, has proven that uniforms and standard dress policies do nothing at all. In fact they even had a negative impact on reading scores. This flies in the face of the claims made by the uniform manufacturers and their followers.

One belief system should not be allowed to supersede another. The fact that not all parents happen to share the same beliefs regarding this issue needs to be respected. Many parents view this as a radical movement that goes against their own deeply held beliefs. Most don’t have any particular objection to uniforms or plain solid SMODiforms (Standard Mode Of Dress) as long as they are voluntary. Problems occur when people are required to give up their beliefs. Uniformers have the option of sending their children to private or charter schools that generally have uniform policies. If they send their children to public school, they are free to exercise their right to dress them in solid color clothing as they see fit. Unfortunately that’s not good enough. In order for their misguided goals to succeed, many feel that they need everyone to participate.

New Jersey law, state statute 18A:11-8, encourages school uniform policies. It is written in a way that does not protect the rights of parents. The law outlines a set of simple steps that currently allow New Jersey school boards to strip parents of their rights. It also states, “a school board may provide a method whereby parents may choose not to comply with an adopted school uniform policy.” Therefore they do not “have to” provide opt-outs as some other states require. This needs to change.

Even if an opt-out policy is offered, it can be repealed once a mandatory uniform dress policy gets put into place. If offered at all, it can be denied. Families have been experiencing this oppression throughout the state. This is why C.A.P.R. only supports a traditional well enforced dress code or a purely voluntary uniform standard dress policy.

Administrators should do their jobs and enforce existing dress codes before passing the buck to parents. People don’t need an extra financial burden placed upon them right now. However, school districts that adopt these policies are required to, “include a provision to assist economically disadvantaged students” in obtaining mandatory uniforms. This means that taxpayers are expected to pick up the bill. They will probably also be expected to foot the bill for required in home schooling and alternate programs for suspended students if they or their parents decide not to comply. Even children who have been expelled or jailed are required to receive an education. This all seems like a high price to pay. Especially since hard facts and research prove that contrary to popular belief, uniform standard dress codes just don’t work.

Our tax dollars would be better spent on proven programs that increase academic achievement and create desirable conditions that are attractive to new families. Please keep in mind that these types of uniforms are not the kind once considered a marker of elite status. They are an indicator of a troubled urban district that has given up. Home and property values become endangered when a district decides to hoist the khaki flag of surrender. It’s not only parents who need to consider the ramifications of allowing this kind of social reform movement to have its way. It affects the entire community.

Biased surveys galore: Have you received a uniform or dress code survey? Chances are that you know someone who has. The problem is that these surveys are really push polls, and have nothing to do with accuracy. They serve as advertisements and a way for school boards to justify their actions. Many of these surveys are inconsistently distributed and some even allow people to vote all they want. (If you happen to know about them.) They are often improperly announced and only available for a short time. Could it be that they are designed to minimize opposition and promote a uniform dress agenda? If a school district uses one to tell you that they want to do something particularly good for your child and then asks your opinion, isn’t that misleading? What a surprise that these surveys all seem to come back in favor of uniform dress.

Only a few legal steps need to be followed before a uniform dress policy can be implanted in your school. After a request for one is made, a school board “shall hold a public hearing prior to the adoption of the policy”. Like the surveys, many of these are often poorly announced. Sometimes only a few days notice is given. If you or anyone else happen to miss it, well then too bad, you are just out of luck. Once a public forum has been held school board members are free to vote one of these invasive policies into place provided that they give no “less than three months’ notice to the parents or guardians of the students” before it begins. After that, you will be expected to purchase whatever they decide from whomever they decide; otherwise your child will suffer the consequences.

Parents and taxpayers like those who have joined up with groups such as C.A.P.R. don’t believe that these kinds of actions are appropriate for our public school systems. The real enemy is corporate influence which is being legally allowed by to exploit the existing situation. Like the two weavers in the famous Hans Christian Andersen tale, “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, this multi-billion dollar industry is quite influential. Uniform companies are present at every teacher’s convention. They will continue to profit while they can until people wake up and demand a change. These kinds of corporate inroads don’t belong in our public schools. Parents and children are being sold out by their school boards town by town across the state. It needs to stop.

Leaders and lawmakers should take note. New Jersey was the first state in the nation to outlaw paddling/corporal punishment in 1867. (Twenty other states still allow it.) Our state needs to take the lead again and outlaw these unfair practices. We need a law that will make these government mandated shopping sprees a thing of the past. Let us once again set the standard for other states to follow. We need our state legislators to make mandatory uniform policies illegal in our New Jersey public schools and change the law to encourage voluntary programs instead.

I would like to encourage everyone, no matter where you stand on this issue, to do your own research. Decide for yourself if New Jersey parents are being treated fairly.

Download and listen to a Standard MP3 file (“Podcast”, 23mb) (about 45 min.) from Internet radio show “Point Negative” interview with attorney Gary Klahr on the Mandatory School Uniform and Standardized Dress policies flooding our nation’s schools.

Maplewood seems to be the Queen of Flash Mobs. Check out this cool video from last weekend’s Art Walk featuring some really great dancing kids from CHS, and some grown-ups too.

Glen Ridge Grows

Just pick up your map at Ridgewood Avenue School  and start your walk. The route ends at Glen Ridge High School (the site of the New Senior Patio and Rain garden) where there will be a raffling off of shade trees, local vendors will be at your service, and student-grown-organic herbs will be for sale. Refreshments will include artisanal tacos by Taqueria Autentica and cold treats from Scoops. Don’t cook that night… end your evening at Fitzgeralds 1928, where they will donate $1 for every patron that turns in their ticket, further supporting Glen Ridge Grows.

Glen Ridge Grows
Who: All ages.
What: A fundraiser for Glen Ridge Schools. A day of art, music, gardens and more!
Where: Begins at Ridgewood Avenue School and ends at Glen Ridge High.
When: Saturday, May 20 from 1 pm – 3 pm.
Cost: Tickets are $5 per person, $15 per family or $2.50 for Senior citizens. Reserve your ticket now to ensure your spot by clicking here. Questions? Email here.  This event is brought to you by the Home & School Associations of GR High School and Ridgewood Avenue School.

Radon test kit

Every suburban home owner knows about the dangers of radon, the colorless, odorless radioactive gas that lurks within our four walls and causes an estimated 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year.

Fortunately, radon reduction systems in the home can keep hazardous levels of radon at bay. But what about in other public places? A recent report on the Today Show found that in many radon “hot spots”, schools have not been tested for the presence of radon. The investigative team contacted 40 schools in parts of Iowa, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Jersey (see the list of schools they reached out to here) that are located in a radon Zone 1, areas that have the highest potential for elevated radon levels.

The Today team offered to test the schools, but all of them refused. In fact, many schools don’t test for radon due to cost, according to the report, even though the EPA estimates that more than 70,000 classrooms nationwide are at risk and recommends that all schools get tested.

But it’s not required—at least not on a federal level. Five states require radon testing in schools, but there is no federal law mandating the practice, so schools in the other 45 states can choose whether or not they want to do it.

New Jersey, which has many Zone 1 areas, does not require testing. Essex County falls under the Zone 2 category, meaning its potential for radon is moderate. But the EPA warns that even in moderate regions, radon can be present at high levels.

Barista Kids emailed the Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Montclair and South Orange/Maplewood school superintendents to find out if they have tested for the radioactive gas.

John Mucciolo, Superintendent for Glen Ridge, told us, “We conducted district-wide radon testing two years ago and we are ‘clean.’”

In Montclair, all the schools were tested for radon in 1989 and had safe radon levels, according to School Business Administrator Dana Sullivan.

Some schools have been tested again. Nishuane was tested again in 1995 as well as in 2001; the Community Pre-K and Mt. Hebron were also tested in 2001; and Glenfield was tested in 2006 and 2009. All radon levels were considered safe.

Sullivan said that some of the schools—like Nishuane and the Pre-K—were tested because of the age level of the children (young children are especially vulnerable to the hazards of radon). Other schools were tested at the request of staff.

The Bloomfield and South Orange/Maplewood superintendents did not respond to our emails.

“Since intense concentration requires a significant energy expenditure, refueling with foods containing high quality ingredients is key,” states Christine Langton, CHB’s school nurse.  “All of Clif Bar’s products have organic ingredients and are free of trans fats, hydrogenated oils, and high fructose corn syrup, making them an excellent snack choice.”

Another way Clif Bar is helping the school out is by partnering with TerraCycle.com, where the wrappers from their energy bars can be upcycled into new products. “Usually energy bar wrappers are disposed of in the trash, however at CHB we will be collecting and mailing our Clif Bar wrappers to TerraCycle, which will keep them out of the landfill/incinerator,” explains Bev Weitzman, CHB’s TerraCycle brigade leader.  “Along with reducing our carbon footprint, CHB will earn pennies for each wrapper collected.”

CHB’s PTA was also grateful for Clif Bar’s donation. “Not only did our students benefit from Clif’s healthy treats, so did our PTA budget,” said Anne Mernin, one of CHB’s co-presidents.  “We usually need to outlay significant funds to provide snacks during NJASK testing weeks, so the contribution really helped us.”

Strengthening the Supports welcomes the everyday leaders of our communities, nurses, clergy, early educators, home visitors, and community organizers, among others, to a day of clinical conversation, connection with each other, and crucial opportunities for self-care.

Focusing on the field of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, an interdisciplinary field of study and practice concerned with the optimal development of the child within the context of the family, we expect to impart knowledge about early mental health concerns in families which are often first recognized by or brought to workers within these disciplines.  We also will recognize the important contributions made by these workers in responding to the mental health needs of infants, children and families.  In addition, we intend to learn from each other’s rich and diverse experience by sharing knowledge and making connections between these traditionally varied and separated disciplines. Lastly, we hope to provide a space for self-care, as we know that time for reflection and care of the self is crucial for best practice and career longevity in this work.

Join us as we welcome, honor, and strengthen you, the everyday leaders who support our young families!

The conference runs from 8 am – 3:30 pm and will feature special guest speakers, such as Bob McGrath, aka Bob from Sesame Street, Gerard Costa, Ph.D., Director of the CAECMH will discuss, “Why Infant Mental Health Matters to Us All,” and the Rev. Darrell L. Armstrong, who will discuss, “How to “Bless” Your Baby.”

Strengthening the Supports Conference
Who: Adults
What: An all day conference discussing the field of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health.
Where: MSU, 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, N, 07043
When: Wednesday, May 16 from 8 am – 3:30 pm.
Cost: Registration fees vary. Check here to see details and to register.