Super Star Part 2

Slater Library offers summer reading programs for children
BY MERJA LEHTINEN

ReminderNews 6/29/07

This summer, the Slater Library has an active schedule for children through its summer reading program, called “Get a Clue.” “Starting Monday [June 25] we will have some sort of a program every day for the children, whether they wish to read, take part in organized activities – such as playing games or drawing – it will all be set up,” said Children’s Librarian Kathy Choiniere.

On Saturday, June 23, children from the area were treated to a lesson in sign language. Bailey, Jakob, Katarina and Felicia from Griswold were joined by Bethany, Michael and Kristin from Lisbon. They carefully took turns giving answers to riddle-like “mystery” questions the moderator posed, going along with the “Get a Clue” theme of the summer.

The children learned how to sign words that related to meal time and later made a craft paper puppet. “Grilled cheese, pizza, turkey, Chinese food and French toast” were among the words children called out to describe favorite foods while learning some of the signs that had to do with eating.

Choiniere, who has been with the Slater Library for more than 20 years, said that there will be fun activities like this offered every day this summer at the library. She said that a few special programs are worth noting. Children are able to maintain their school skills by participating in the programs that Choiniere has carefully designed. The teachers are all volunteers who participate out of a love for the community, the children and reading.

So far, the children have enjoyed these lessons in signing, as well as a reading by local Norwich author and educator Susan Jones Hagenbach, who recently published “Until We Meet Again.”

Some programs begin at 10 a.m., while others start at 3 p.m., so it is best to check with the library before you plan to attend. So far, future scheduled events include:

Wed., June 27, 1 p.m.: Sense of Detectives – Sense of Hearing, for ages 3 through 9. Wed., July 11, 1 p.m.: Sense of Detectives – Sense of Touch, for ages 3 through 9. Wed. July 18, 1 p.m.: Sense of Detectives – Sense of Sight. Although the ages are recommended as 3 to 9, the library’s policy is usually that all ages and drop-ins are welcome. Parents are encouraged to stay with their children, especially as younger ones must be supervised by a family member. Friday, July 20: Pre-registration is required for the “Mad Science Forensics Program,” geared for children ages 7 to 11 and scheduled for 2 p.m. Wed., July 25: Sense of Detectives – Sense of Smell, for ages 3 to 9 will be begin at 1 p.m. Friday, July 27, 3 p.m.: The library is hosting a program called Sparky’s Puppets, “The Book Detective,” for ages 3 and up. Wed., Aug. 1, 1 p.m.: Sense Detectives – Sense of Taste program for ages 3 to 9.

The summer reading program wraps up on Saturday, Aug. 4.

For students in high school, items on reading lists for NFA, Norwich Tech and all the regional and local schools are available for review, reading and check-out.

Silly Me! & Update

I forgot to mention that Jake now has 2 loose teeth (bottom front)!!!

He had his 2 week follow up appt. with Dr. C for the asthma. He said his lungs sounded clear and we should continue with the Singulair for another month and then ease off to see how he is.

More fun at the library this week. Today he and Nana went to the first of the "Senses: Hearing". He said he had a good time!

Here is a picture from today...the boo boo on his nose was from falling out of bed the other night!

First Week of Summer Vacation

Jakob has had a pretty fun first week of summer vacation!

He visited the library 3 times, taking out books and doing his favorite new thing....borrowing a movie. I have signed him up for the "Super Sleuth: Get a Clue" summer reading program they offer. For every 15 minutes the child reads or is read to, they mark it on their log sheet. For every hour marked the child receives a clue to help find out who kidnapped the library's cat, where they took him, and why.

We also headed there yesterday for the "Sign Language Puzzle Mystery". For about an hour, we learned how to sign different foods, put a puzzle together, and made a craft. It was a small group of about 6 kids (Jake knew 2 from school), and we both had a great time. It would have been nice to go the first session...but look forward to the one they may have in the fall.

Starting this Wednesday, Nana will be bringing him to the "Sense Detective" program.


Grammy has kept him busy with projects and learning activities too! He and Grampy went and bought flowers for their garden and is planting right now.

Funny Moment

After reading Sesame Street's version of "The Cow Jumped Over the Moon", Jakob went to bed for the night. After 10 minutes of quiet, I hear something fall and say "Jake, what was that?!". He says, "I think it was the cow jumping over the moon!".

Last Day of School

Was able to get out of work early to pick Jake up from school. When the children are dismissed, the teacher will sing "Goodbye Jakob, Goodbye Jakob, Goodbye Jakob, we hope that you had lots of fun!" when the parent comes. Today, Miss C was busy saying goodbyes to another student and Jake saw me, so he sings "Goodbye myself, goodbye myself!". It was funny.

We gave the teacher hugs and wished her a "fun summer!". Couldn't help but have watery eyes (of course it doesn't take much with my hormones out of whack from having Kaleb!). She is such a great teacher and Jakob thinks the world of her.

She did tell me that Jake was the class spokesperson at an assembly type thing the school had for the principal and assistant principal (they are leaving this year). He walked low (he does that when he is unsure of something) up to the microphone and said "I love you Mr. S and Mr. C" and walked back. That would've been neat to see.

We headed to the playground to play with some of the kids from class. It was fun!

He was a little pooped from the day and was asleep by the time I got home from my eye appt.

When he woke up, he had a bag of presents waiting for him to celebrate a good "first year of school". To also help celebrate, we had whatever he wanted for dinner (we kind of persuaded him to get Chinese food..he had already had McD's during the week and we were sure it was going to be that or Ruby Tues.; plus we wanted to try out the new place in town). Then it was cake and ice cream for dessert.

I shot a video of Jake singing a song about making new friends..will upload after I redo it.

Diagnosis: Asthma

Jakob wasn't feeling well over the weekend. We had thought that he had allergies, which was causing a cough for the past few weeks (nothing constant). Saturday night into Sunday he was up every 2 hours coughing, so I gave him cough meds, then allergy meds at the right interval.
As I watched him breath, I could see his breathing patterns were that of a child with RSV, and also took note of his wheezing. Sunday he was pretty good. Monday he woke up coughing again and still had wheezing so I made an appt. for him to see Dr. C.

At the appt, the Dr could see right off in his cough what the problem was. He checked his lungs and sure enough, he has asthma. He had me listen too and commented on how Jake's chest sounded while he was still, imagine how it was while he was running around!

Not sure of the trigger, whether it be allergies (most likely) or an on coming cold, he prescribed antibiotics along with Singulair (chewable) to treat the allergies/asthma. He is to stay on the two for two weeks. On a good note, he may outgrow this....keep our fingers crossed!

Overall, Jake feels good. He hasn't complained. He did tell everyone in class on Tuesday that "I have asthma!".

Suffering from both asthma and allergies, I was hoping that neither of these would be passed down to the kids. Asthma can be scary, especially in a young child; and having a cousin pass away from an attack.

Class Picnic

Here are some pictures taken at Jakob's class picnic held at Mohegan Park. All of the afternoon pre-k classes got together during their normal school hours for food and fun at the park! It was such a beautiful day. After we met up with the ice cream truck for a treat!

With his teacher (left) and one of the aides