The calendar says February is the shortest month, but those of us in wintry locales know better! There were lots of holidays and celebrations this month: Groundhogs Day, Valentine’s Day, and multi-day events like Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras and Black History Month. Sometimes the holidays are only mentioned in school curriculums, like Presidents’ Day, or the 100th Day of School, but others—Super Bowl Sunday, for example—are less academic cultural phenomenon. Perhaps it’s because we’re all seeking entertainment through the long, bleak winter: to reassure ourselves that the world is turning, and the warm sun and green sprouts will return. Spring will come; we’ve just got to get through February.
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Featured Activity Theme: Love
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Read: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, or Love is Powerful by Heather Brewer.
Explore: Call an older friend and do a winter outing together. Spending time with children is a joy, especially when you can’t do it all the time.
Create: A heart bouquet. Find some of your child’s art, fold it in half, and show them how to cut out heart shapes. Glue them onto a sheet of construction paper, with yarn or chenille stems as the strings.
Watch: Guess How Much I Love You. Now there’s a whole series about Little Nut Brown Hare!
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News from the Parenting Community
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| “Crafternoons”
Fridays, January 24–March 14, 3:30–4:30pm, UChicagoGRAD HQ (970 E. 58th Street, 3rd Floor) Features a simple craft, along with a coloring corner, toys for pre-crafters, and coffee and snacks for all.
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Stories in the Bookstore
Tuesdays, January 14-March 11, 11-11:45 a.m., Campus Bookstore (970 E. 58th Street, 2nd Floor) Tuesday morning Storytime in the kids' area of the bookstore. Stories, songs, fingerplays and snacks for friends of all ages.
Family Mixer Saturday, February 22, 3-5pm, UChicagoGRAD Headquarters (970 E. 58th Street, 3rd Floor) Come and celebrate with fellow families at this free event featuring seasonal crafts & snacks . . . and a belated Valentine goody bag for children. While we are gathering in a GRAD space, all families are invited—not just students. Save the date for our next mixer on March 22.
Parent Write-In. Saturday, March 8, 10am–1pm & 2–5pm, UChicagoGRAD HQ For all grad student and postdoc parents. Do academic work while we watch your kids in an adjoining space. Register here: signupgenius.com/go/5080D48AEAC22A0FC1-50818934-fall
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Ideas from your Neighbors
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Shared by Hyde Parkers and UChicago families via various community listservs
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| Upcoming Events:
ISAC Family Events. Feb 22 & March 8. ISAC (58th & University Ave.) The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is hosting 2 family events: tomorrow, Feb 22 is “Fabulous Pharaohs” and March 8 is a Persian New Year celebration. February event is $5-10, March is a suggested donation.
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Smart Museum Family Day. FREE. Saturday, March 1, 1–4pm, Smart Museum of Art (56th & Greenwood Ave.) In celebration of Women’s History Month, explore works made by women artists featured in The 50th, Drawing inspiration from each artist’s individual style of portraiture, create your own expressive self-portrait that highlights the unique features and facets that make you, YOU! In addition to art-making, this Family Day features a special Storytime from 1-3 PM. Stories highlight tales of strong, trailblazing women. Families are welcome to flow in and out of the space throughout each 45-minute performance. RSVP online.
Logan Center Family Day. FREE. Saturday, March 1, 2–4pm. Logan Center for the Arts (60th & Drexel Ave.) Dino Dance Party: Moving with the Pre-Historic Giants.
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It's not too early to plan for summer!
Summer Day Camp Registrations are now open for:
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Recommended by Parenting Community Members
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Spring Break Bug Camp. Various Dates. Day Quest Childcare (57th & Kimbark Ave.) A friend recommended this fun day camp, run by her child’s former provider. For ages 3-6, it includes meals, outdoor time, crafts and “bug research.” It runs for 3 weeks, covering both Lab School and Chicago Public Schools’ spring breaks. Call (773) 997-0999 for more info or to register.
Parent Child Class; Thursdays & Fridays, 9:15-10:30am. Akiba Schechter (52nd & Cornell Ave.) A couple of our members love this drop in play-time.
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Play educational math games. Many School districts use this UChicago-created early math curriculum, which emphasizes real world applications and use of “manipulatives”—things children can touch and count.
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Have ideas for the newsletter? Share with lmacgregor@uchicago.edu
Laura MacGregor
UChicagoGRAD Parenting Community Coordinator
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