BLOG UNDER CONSTRUCTION…

Thank you for your continued support here at the Friendly House After School Blog! Our blog is currently undergoing some construction.

During construction, all weekly postings such as Snack Menus and Weekly Activity Calendars will still be kept current and available. However, our topical and photo-based postings will be temporarily put on hold while we work to develop a communication platform that will better serve the needs of our After School families and program. Thank you for your patience during the interim.

Blog Club Corner: Intrigued by Interviews

If you haven’t happened to have noticed yet, the Friendly House After School Blog Club LOVES interviews. What better way to share with the world all the amazing people, projects, and passionate work that goes on each week here at Friendly House! This week we feature interviews with a couple of Paint Like Picasso club members; another installment of Meet the Friendly House Staff with our very own Director of Children’s Programs, Ida Lombardozzi; and we also get to know four more Blog Club members a little better.

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Paint Like Picasso Club

Interview with an Artist

Alina is in the Paint Like Picasso club. Jenelle is the teacher leading the club. Alina picked this club because she likes to paint. Her favorite activity in the club has been painting self portraits. She would like to do the same club again. — by Bodhi and Riley

 

Interview with Rebecca — by Lauren

What club are you in?
Paint Like Picasso!

What teacher is leading the club?
Ms. Jenelle

Why did you chose this club?
Because I like painting!

What activities have you done in the club?
Paint, draw

What is your favorite thing you have done in this club?
Painting portraits

Who have you been working with in tis club?
Everybody!

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Meet the Friendly House Staff

Ida is the Children’s Programs Director at Friendly House. She has worked here for one year. What does she like about her job? She likes the staff that she works with, doing something different everyday, hanging out with kids and meeting with parents. Ida grew up in Massachusetts. She really likes club days and showcases at FHAS. She lives with her wife and baby and her favorite food is all kinds of food. She works with all the After School and Preschool staff.

 

 

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About Me!

Hi my name is Bodhi. I have a really long last name! Well it is! I’m not really sure where it came from? But I know where my first name, Bodhi, came from. I am name after THE BODHI TREE where the Buddha sat. — Bodhi

 

My name is Sydney and my favorite animals are a seal and horses. Seals and horses because seals can swim and when you ride a horse you feel free. So that is why I like seals and horses. — Sydney

 

Hi my name is Finnian. I like Harry Potter . I am on  Book 5. It is a good book. I have two good friends. They like Harry Potter too. — Finnian

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Interview with Lola — by Bella

What do you want to do when you grow up?
Lola wants to be an artist because art runs through her families blood, and she wants to carry on the tradition.

What is your favorite toy?
She likes an iPad because because she likes to play Minecraft on it.

What makes you happy?
Candy because it tastes good!!!

What is your favorite food?
Butter because once she ate a WHOLE STICK OF BUTTER!!!

What animals do you like the most?
Foxes, deer, and ducks.

What is the best present you have ever received?
My own room because I get more privacy!!

Do you have any siblings?
Yes, one younger sister.

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Blog Club Corner: The Super Double Issue

 

Week Four:  Nothin’ But Net Club

The gym is always a popular choice at FHAS!! This was no exception when it came to picking clubs. This week we interviewed Kai and Mika about what’s been happening in the ‘Nothing but Net’ Club. We also have a different kind of interview with Star Shine the Candy Corn and we learn more about one of our own club members, Finnian.

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Kai is in the gym club. The club leader is Mark. He picked this club because Kai wants to be active. Kai has enjoyed playing with bouncy balls and soccer balls in the club. Kai works with Carter and Parker. Kai would like to do this club again. — by Keats and Anna

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Bodhi and Riley interview Mika about the Nothin’ but Net Club

What club are you in?
Nothin’ But Net

What teacher is teaching this club?
Mark

Why did you choose this club?
It is fun.

What is a favorite thing you have done in this club?
Wild Ball

Who have you been working with?>
Jacob and Kai

Would you do this club again?
YES!!!!!!!!!

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Sabine and Sydney interviewed Star Shine the Candy Corn.

This is Star Shine she is a paper candy corn. Her nick name is Starry. We are making her accessories! Her favorite colors are orange, yellow and white. She has a bow and books. Her favorite friends are Bun Bun the Bunny and Carrot the Bunny. And her favorite things to do outside of School are: Singing, dancing and reading.

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Hello my name is Finnian and I want to be a millionaire when I grow up. Why is that? I want to be famous. My favorite toy is my note books because I like to write. The thing that makes me happy is no home work. Why? I like to have free time! — Finnian

 

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Week Five:  Superheroes at Friendly House

Interview with a Superhero

Lulu is in Superhero Club. Megan is the teacher. She likes superheros and inventing super hero things. In the club she has done fort building and making costumes. She likes making costumes in her club. She has been working with violet in her club. She wants to do this club again.   — by Sydney and Anna

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Interview with Adele — by Bella and Lola
1) What club are you in?
Adele is in Super Hero Club.

2) What teacher is leading the club?
Megan is leading the club.

3) Why did you choose that club?
I chose that club because it was the only club I liked.

4) What activities have you done in the club?
Villain lairs (fort building), costumes, and reading.

5) What is a favorite thing you have done in the club?
I like drawing.

5) Who have you been working with?
I have been working with Ava.

6) What is your favorite superhero/villain?
I like Cat Woman.

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Meet the Friendly House Staff — by Lauren and Lulu

What is your name?  Lowell
What do you do at Friendly House?  Fix stuff like computers.

How long have you worked here?  1 year

What do you like about your job?  I get to fix stuff for people at Friendly House.

What do you think about Friendly House?  It is friendly.

Did you grow up in Portland?  Yes

What do you like about Friendly House After School ?  It gives kids time to do stuff.

What is your favorite band?  Maroon 5

What is your favorite ice cream?  Vanilla and Cookies and Cream

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Book Review

I am reading a book called Smile (by Raina Telgemeier). I like it because it has older kids in it. It has a lot to do with teeth. — by Finnian

 

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Riley Interviews Himself

What do you want to do when you grow up?
I want to own a business with my friend.

What’s your favorite toy?
My stuffed animal cat because it looks like my old cat.

What makes you happy?
Riding my bike because its fun.

What’s your favorite food?
I don’t really have a favorite food.

What animals do you like best?
Cats and dogs.

What is the best present you’ve ever received?
My stuffed animal cat because it looks like my old cat.

We’re having a Reading Party!

Who:  All of the Friendly House After School Students and Staff

What:  The 1st ‘Official’ F.H.A.S. Reading Party

Where:  Friendly House After School Homerooms

When:  Wednesday, Nov. 18th at 3:30pm

Why:  Because READING IS AWESOME!

That’s right! Reading IS awesome, and we’re having a party to celebrate! It’s that time of year when here in the Pacific Northwest, the weather outside starts getting cold, wet, and downright dreary. However, cuddled up inside with a great book you can imagine you’re anywhere you want to be… like in a lush, green farm meadow on a warm summer’s eve with Wilbur and Charlotte; warm and cozy in your favorite pajamas with Harold and his purple crayon; or even digging 5-foot holes under the sweltering Texas sun with Stanley and other Camp Green Lake inmates. Reading can take us anywhere we want to go, right from the comfort of a cozy corner in our own classroom.

All of our classrooms will be stocked with a variety of new and exciting library books for students to choose from. Students are also encouraged to bring some of their own favorites to read and to share with friends. Students may also bring a small stuffed animal friend or a small blanket to help them cozy up with their favorite books. Due to the cold weather and the time we will spend outside on the playground before the Reading Party, we are asking that students DO NOT wear their pajamas to school or to Friendly House that day, but warmer cozy clothes are highly encouraged. We will also provide a variety of comfy pillows, blankets, and floor mats to help students find a nice spot to curl up with their book of choice.

Individual homeroom classes may also have some extra special reading activities planned, such as a book-on-tape or a class library scavenger hunt, so make sure to ask your homeroom teachers for more details about all the fun we have in store for Wednesday afternoon!

 

Blog Club Corner: Making Music

Even Batman enjoys making instruments with Teacher Nick!

Almost ready for some music making.

Making sure the maracas sound nice AND look nice.

This week we took a look into one of the clubs on Club Day at Friendly House After School. We also started a new section in our blog called ‘About Me’. This will give you a chance to learn more about out blog members and give them a chance to write about themselves…Enjoy!!

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Bodhi and Lauren interviewed Reed about participating in the Making Musical Instruments Club

Q – What teacher is teaching the class?

A – Teacher Nick
Q – What activities did you do in this club ?

A – Maracas and other
Q – What is your favorite thing you have done in the club?

A – Maracas

Q – Who have you been working with in the club?

A – Katie

Q – Would you like to do the same club again?

A – Totally

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Mark is another student in the Making Musical Instruments Club. The club is led by teacher Nick. Mark picked this club because he thought it would be fun. They have made different types of musical instruments in the club. Mark’s favorite instrument was a banjo. — by Finn and Maya

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ABOUT ME!! (Learn more about some of our Club members)

One of my favorite animals is a horse because it looks so wild in the wind! — by Anna

Blog Club Corner: Intro to Interviews

Q-Tip Pointillism Paintings

Build Your Own Landscape

Paper Chain Snakes

Last time in Blog Club we had a look at different kinds of blogs created by other children. We also continued to practice our interviewing (and typing) skills by asking each other what we like to do out of school…because kids aren’t always at school or afterschool!!

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Interview with Bodhi

Q – What is your favorite thing to do outside of school?
A – Acting.
Q – Why do you like that so much?
A – Because it is so fun.

by Lulu

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Interview with Lulu

What is your favorite thing to do outside of school? She answered gymnastics. Why do you like that so much? It is fun and much more!

by Bodhi

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Interview with Sabine

Q – What is your favorite thing to do outside of school?
A – Art and reading.
Q – Why do you like art and reading?
A – Because reading brings me into another world and art lets me be creative.

by Sydney

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Interview with Sydney

Q – What is your favorite thing to do outside of school?

A – Singing, swimming, dancing, art and reading

Q – Why do you like singing, swimming, dancing, art and reading?

A – Because they are very fun and I enjoy them

by Sabine

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Cooperative Interview with Finn and Keats

What do you like to do outside of school? Finn likes to say he likes ninja Legos because he likes ninja Legos. Keats likes to play video games because he likes gaining things in them. Finn also likes reading.

It’s a Taco Tuesday Feast for Friendly House… at Santa Fe Taqueria!

Who doesn’t love Taco Tuesday? The only thing better than satisfying that weekly craving for some tasty Mexican food, is satisfying that weekly craving for some tasty Mexican food while also supporting your favorite Northwest Portland non-profit… Friendly House!

Join us tonight, Tuesday October 27th, from 5-10pm at Santa Fe Taqueria on NW 23rd Ave. for a Feast for Friendly House. There will be face painting from 6-8pm, live music from 6-7pm, some of your favorite friendly faces all evening long, and a portion of sales for the duration of the event will be donated directly to Friendly House.

Take-out orders are also included, so even if you don’t have time to stop and get your face painted like a Dia de los Muertos calaca, or shake your groove thing on the dance floor, we’ve got your dinner plans for the night taken care of!

Blog Club Corner: These are a few of our favorite things…

Students build forts using gym mats and Toobeez.

Last Thursday was the first ‘Club Day’ of the year at Friendly House After School. Students participated in a range of clubs that will continue each Thursday. One of the new clubs is the FHAS Blog Club. Students in this club will get a chance to add their voice to the FHAS Blog. So, check in each week to see their weekly entry and find out what’s happening at FHAS!

For our first entry the FHAS Blog Club decided to talk about some of their favorite activities at FHAS so far this year. Do you agree with them? Do you have a favorite activity? Feel free to add your opinions in the comments!

Riley was asked about his favorite activities. Riley likes going to the gym because he does lots of fun activities. His favorite is ‘Sharks and Minnows’ and Tag. In ‘Sharks and Minnows’ you need to run across the gym without being tagged. It is challenging to him to work harder to push his level and he loves to exercise.  –  by Bodhi

Anna’s favorite activity was making things with Fuse Beads. She picked that activity because it’s something we have to concentrate on for a long time. You would take beads and put them into a shape and then you would iron them (so they stay in that shape). She thought it was fun because she could choose her own design to make.  – by Lulu

Peyton really enjoyed Fort Building. Kids were able to build forts with mats from the gym. Peyton chose the activity and enjoyed it because she likes to build stuff.  –  by Maya and Lola

Finn was asked some different questions about FHAS. He also enjoyed Fuse Beads because he could make characters with them. Finn picked the FHAS Blog Club because he thinks Blogs are cool! Finn’s favorite snack at FHAS is salami (but don’t ever feed him broccoli!!)  –  by Lilly

It’s been a seriously creative September

No better place than the Blue Room for a little color-mixing creativity.

These two characters take their fun and creativity VERY seriously!

This kindergartener knows that hands and fingers are better than a paintbrush any day.

Designing and constructing a wooden block roadway to span The Great Blue Room Basin takes some serious creativity.

Even a fourth grader knows that a fun hat will always bring a smile to your face.

The pure joy of mixing colors to your heart’s content.

Another September has come and gone, and what have we learned so far this year about the Friendly House After School kids? We’ve learned that these kids take their fun and creativity quite seriously. From creative and sensory color-mixing in the Blue Room, to some foolishly fun homemade hats and disguises during Activity Time in the Crawford Building, these kids are already making the best of another great year at After School.

Yoga and Expressive Arts & Dance Enrichment Classes STARTING SOON!

If you haven’t heard yet, we have some very fun and exciting enrichment classes starting soon at Friendly House After School!

On Tuesdays, everyone’s favorite Friendly House yogi, Bronwyn Doyle will be back with an all new yoga class series. The 5-6 year-old class will be from 2:30-3:15pm, and the 6-11 year-old class will be 3:30-4:30pm. The classes will be right here at Friendly House, no transportation or yoga mat necessary. Bronwyn will provide everything. For more details, or to get your child signed up see this flyer and contact Bronwyn Doyle at bronwyn.doyle@gmail.com.

Staring on Wednesday afternoons, we will have two brand new and exciting Expressive Arts & Dance classes with the lovely Lanie Bergin of Bergin Learning Arts. Children will learn to better express their thoughts and feelings through fun art projects and movement-based activities. Kindergarten through 2nd graders can enjoy I Draw! I Dance! starting Oct. 7th from 3:30-4:15pm, followed by the 3rd-5th graders class, Skelly Teaches the World to Dance, from 4:30-5:30pm. Class details and all the registration information can be found on this flyer or by contacting Lanie at info@berginlearningarts.com.

All materials are included in the class fee, and Lanie and the Friendly House After School staff will take care of getting the kids to and from the class that is held downstairs in the Garden Room. Just as with all our enrichment classes, parents are welcome to pick of their child after their class, otherwise students will rejoin their regular, ongoing After School activities.

Looking forward to a fun-filled fall session with these fantastic enrichment instructors!