wfm july 2010

FamilyW I C H I T A

M A G A Z I N E

WichitaFamily.com July 2010

Saving green By Buying uSed

inSide: Smoothing out the proceSS of planning a family reunion

cyBer School

inSide:connecting kidS

with the outdoorS

lawrence virtual School makes the

case for virtual education in

kansas

Spotlight on education

consignment sales offer families a chance to save

cyBer Schoollawrence virtual

School makes the case for virtual

education in kansas


Saving green By Buying uSed

consignment sales offer families a chance to save

4 Wichita Family | JULY 2010 www.WichitaFamily.com

contentsWichitaFamily.com l JULY 2010

insi

de5 family reunion planS

alSo:

CHILDCARE DIRECTORY.......12-15

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS AT WICHITA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.......16

CLASSIFIED ADS............................21

FamilyW I C H I T A

M A G A Z I N E

WichitaFamily.com July 2010

SAVING GREEN BY BUYING USED

INSIDE: SMOOTHING OUT THE PROCESS OF PLANNING A FAMILY REUNION

CYBER SCHOOL

INSIDE:CONNECTING KIDSWITH THE OUTDOORS

Lawrence Virtual School Makes the Case for Virtual Education in Kansas

SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCAITON

Kids consignment sales o� er families a chance to save

7 outdoor connectionThe importance of connecting children with the outdoors

Smoothing the process for planning the perfect family reunion

cyBer School

10

lawrence virtual School makes the case for virtual

education in kansas


conSignment craZe18 Kids consignment sales offer families a chance to save on purchases and even earn money on kids’ items.

www.WichitaFamily.com Wichita Family | JULY 2010 5

two years ago, the Nix family held its reunion at Cheney Lake. This year, organizer Tami Bond wanted something different because the reunion would include the celebration of her parents’ 60th wedding anniversary.

The Hugoton resident turned to Go Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Family Reunion Planning Service for help. Go Wichita introduced Bond to the Disciples Center at Camp Tawakoni.

“The camp was just what we needed,” Bond said. “They had bunk beds, a kitchen, a pool with a slide. There is a fire pit and we made s’mores and sat around telling stories. We played basketball and volleyball and cooked out on the grill. We just had a great time.”

Relatives came from Kansas, N e v a d a , North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas. Go Wichita helped Bond find a vendor who created custom-designed, color-coded T-shirts. The shirts made it easy to keep track of which relative belonged to which part of the family.

Go Wichita created its Family Reunion Planning Service to help people plan an event that can be as large as a business convention. The service includes a planner’s checklist, hotel selection assistance, attraction identification, tour planning, plus dining and catering assistance.

The service is ready to help any size reunion. Darlene Kunc of Beatrice, Neb., said her cousins agreed that Wichita was the best city for five couples in their 70s and 80s who attended the Breunsbach family reunion in March. They live in Beatrice, Garden City, Kansas City, St. Louis and Tulsa.

Smoothing the process for planning the perfect family reunionHowever, they had limited knowledge about Wichita. Kunc got help from Adrienn Massaglia, Go Wichita destination sales coordinator, to find a hotel and a list of museums for the group to visit.

“If not for Adrienn, I don’t know what I would have done,” Kunc said. “She sent me information and made suggestions about activities. She helped us find a hotel. Adrienn was so

wonderful and helpful, our reunion worked out really well.”

Hotel sales personnel say they try to stay flexible when

working with family reunions. It helps

when the reunion organizer has an

idea of how many relatives to expect and a general idea about the types of activities b e i n g planned.

“We had one family that just

wanted to gather around

the pool and let the kids play,”

said Karen Hurley, director of sales

at Residence Inn by Marriott East at Plazzio.

“Another family used a meeting room to hang out, visit

and watch a movie – sort of turning it into a big living room.”

Hurley encourages family reunion planners to check if there are any major weekend events scheduled that might create a conflict for booking a hotel, then make the reservation as early as possible.

For more information about Go Wichita’s Family Reunion Planning Service, contact Adrienn Massaglia at [email protected] or call 316.265.2800.


Publisher:

For the Families, LLC

316.295.8465

Publishers

Eric and Christy Clark

Editor

Jessica Lindsey

Advertising inquiries contact:

Eric Clark

316.295.8465 or [email protected]

or Jessica Lindsey

316.393.1011 or [email protected]

Wichita Family Magazine is published 12 times a year by For the Families, LLC. Wichita Family Magazine is available free, at schools, stores, restaurants, libraries, retailers and local attractions, as well as other places families frequent. For a complete list of where to find Wichita Family, or for subscription rates, visit

www.wichitafamily.com.

Mailing address:

P.O. Box 817

Wichita, Kansas 67201

How to reach us:Phone: 316.295.8465

Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2009 by For the Families, LLC. All rights reserved. Wichita Family Magazine is not responsible for errors, omissions or contest fulfillment from third parties. Reproduction in part or in whole without written permission is strictly prohibited. Wichita Family is distributed free of charge. The magazine’s advertisers make this possible, so support them! We reserve the right to edit submitted material. All submissions will be considered for publication, but we reserve the right to refuse material. Materials will not be returned. Any editorial content or advertising published is the property

of For the Families, LLC.

FamilyW I C H I T A

M A G A Z I N E

editor’s note

Have you ever had an, “If I’d only known that back when...” moment? That’s the experience I had the first time I found out about these huge kids consignment sales in Wichita. I immediately starting running all the numbers through my head about how much money I could have saved

over the years!

My first child was at least a couple years old before I really started taking advantage of consignment sales and consignment shops. I was the first of my friends to have kids and I wasn’t yet plugged into a mommy network that would hook me up this kind of knowledge. Five years later I have sold a ton of clothing and baby equipment at various local consignment sales and, of course, I’ve purchased countless items.

In this issue we’re introducing you to several local consignment sales. We’ll tell you what they’re all about and list their upcoming sale dates and locations. Every parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, friend, etc. should keep these sales in mind for clothing, toys and more. What a great way to clean out your house and give other families a great deal at the same time!

Another great connection that we’re featuring in this issue is information on an organization called Child Start. This is an unbelievable group of people who are dedicated to making sure that you find the best possible fit with a childcare provider.

Child Start also has many training programs and offers counseling for providers to make sure they are offering the highest possible care to area families. If you’re looking for childcare or know someone who is, this is a great resource and the perfect place to get started.

We’re also featuring an Education Focus in this issue. It may be summer right now but the school year is quickly approaching. Check out the different options and see decide what avenue is best for your family.

Let us know what you think of the stories, ads and other info that you find in Wichita Family! We’re always ready to welcome our readers’ feedback! Email me at [email protected] or look for our fan page on Facebook.

jl


nature. Recently, the idea of getting children reconnected with nature has flourished. Providing children with the

opportunities to interact and discover what the natural world has to offer is vitally important to their development. Over the past several years, experts in the field of early childhood have written and studied the effects of outdoor play on young children. Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a position statement that young children need to have the opportunity to engage in unstructured play. Unstructured play has no boundaries. Children create their own scenarios and then carry out those plans. It allows children the freedom to be creative in their play without the constraints the often time adults impose, such as stifling children’s creative spirit or being too controlling.

Richard Louv, the author of “The Last Child in the Woods”, writes about the importance of reconnecting children with nature and allowing children to engage in those play experiences. In his book, he describes the current state of the nation as one in which our children are overscheduled and most often lack the time to explore the outdoors. Time constraints are only one piece of this unending puzzle. Many times, adults are wary of allowing their children outdoors because of fear; fear that their child will be abducted or that they will be harmed. Louv explains that while there is truth to these feelings, most

of this fear is unjustified. Each day, the media bombards us with descriptions of how “bad” the world has become, when in reality the percentages of violent crimes are down nationally. We cannot allow this fear to paralyze us. Our children must be given the chance to interact and experience the beauty of

the natural world.In Wichita, Rainbows United, a not-for-profit, early care and education agency, has thrown itself into helping children become acquainted with nature, both indoors and outdoors. In order to determine how to create a curriculum that incorporated both of these elements, a group of teachers and administrative staff came together to discuss how and what to include as well as what outcomes were related to child learning. The process was long and arduous. There were many discussions and debates. Eventually, through the collaborative effort of all involved, a course was charted.

The group believed that allowing children to participate in and direct their course of study was essential. Investigation of several topics was the decision. Children would have the opportunity to help guide the instruction. Topics related to four areas of investigation were determined: plants, animals, conservation, and environment/ecosystem. Within each of those areas, themes for fall, spring and summer study were decided upon.

By Jennifer Francois, Rainbows United, Inc. connecting children with the outdoors

www.WichitaFamily.com8 Wichita Family | JULY 2010

The city you’ve been searching for.

g owich i t a . c o m 8 0 0 . 2 8 8 . 9 4 2 4

While the kids splash at the Rock River Rapids water park, the older generation can stroll through the themed gardens at Botanica, or take everyone to hear the Diamond W Wranglers’ Chuckwagon Supper serenades. Wichita has the unique mix of attractions to make everyone happy at your next family reunion. All at Midwestern prices. Go Wichita will assist with hotel selection and fi nd the source for customized T-shirts and banners. For a free family reunion planner checklist, contact Adrienn Massaglia, [email protected] or 316.265.2800.

1 result found: Wichita, Kansas.

Perfectly planned reunion + perfectly calm planner

The collaborative effort between children and teacher determine the direction for the study in individual classrooms. Through in-depth conversations (what do we know and what do we want to know) and a webbing exercise, pathways for learning are discovered. Webbing is a process that begins with a single topic that is discussed. Through that discussion other areas are identified as important related concepts. The concepts branch out from the main topic, much like the spokes on a bicycle’s wheel. The idea is that through the investigative process, children will discover new information that will cause life-long changes in their understanding. Connecting these topics is the overarching theme of how we, as a people, impact our environment and what we can do to promote “green” ideas and habits.

The indoor environment is only one aspect of how Rainbows United will connect children with nature. Outdoor learning spaces are currently a part of Rainbows’ facilities. These outdoor settings are designed to incorporate various “centers” of learning. Nature art materials, music, messy materials and dirt digging, and gathering spaces set the scene for learning about nature. Children of all abilities are able to enjoy the wonderment of discovery. Through the National Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Research, these outdoor environments became a certified outdoor classroom. One of the first of its kind in the state of Kansas that creates spaces that will be utilized by both typically developing children and children with special needs. Children enter the “classroom” through an identified entrance. As children cross the threshold, they begin in the gathering space to discuss with their teacher and classmates what and where their plans are for utilizing the various spaces. As planning concludes, children move into the array of different areas. During this time, children have the freedom to craft their own experience. Perhaps, they will learn how to use different sizes and shapes of sticks to create a cave or fort or discover what types of insects or bugs are hiding in the grass. The possibilities are endless and the journey never-ending.

Louv, R. (2005). Last child in the woods. Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder. Algonquin Books: New York, NY. n


Today, more than 1 million K-12 children in the United States are engaged in some form of online learning. Whether it is called online, virtual, or

distance learning, the number of schools implementing supplemental online learning is growing—fast.

How fast? Since 2005-2006, K-12 public school districts alone reported a 47 percent increase in students taking an online course—and projections see an annual 22 percent increase, according to a 2009 report by the Sloan Consortium, “K-12 Online Learning: A Survey of U.S. School District Administrators.”

In fact, the Heritage Foundation, in a January report, asserted that online learning is “revolutionizing education.” Dan Lipps, senior policy analyst, said that “virtual and blended-learning programs will enable mass customization in

education, allowing students to learn at their own pace in ways that are tailored to their learning styles and interests.”

Actually, the future is now…

The fact is that online learning is being implemented more and more in public school districts throughout the country because, simply, it works. Advancements in high-speed, interactive, and real-time multimedia technology, coupled with cutting-edge online “mastery-based” learning methodologies, combine to create curricula that improve student performance.

Lawrence Virtual School Expands

Since its founding in 2004, the Lawrence Virtual School (LVS) has continued to be the fastest growing tuition-free* virtual public school in Kansas, with more than 1,000 students enrolled in 2009. And,

LVS has successfully met—and exceeded in many subject areas—federal and state standards. Moreover, in 2009 LVS received the state’s Standard of Excellence rating based on assessment scores for certain grades in reading, science, and writing.

This is quite an accomplishment, considering the Lawrence Public School District Board voted only six years ago to create a new virtual K-8 public school program, in cooperation with K12, the leading online learner provider in the country for grades K-12.

In fact, because of the rapid success—and demand—for LVS, the district approved the launch of LVS High School starting in the fall. The new high school program will start with grades 9 and 10 and offer all core math, science and language arts courses, plus an array of electives, including music, art, world languages, and more.

lawrence virtual School makes the case for virtual education in kansas

Spotlight on Education l


One of the critical reasons why the Lawrence School District selected K12

is because the curriculum is built from scratch by a team of educational professionals. Learning experts, teachers, cognitive scientists, and course designers collaborate to design and develop courses for online delivery from the outset. Learning objectives are outlined using state and national standards, employing assessment and testing tools. And, most importantly, courses are designed for student achievement because they are mastery-based. That is, students progress at their own pace as they master core concepts and then move on to the next level of learning when they are ready.

Citing 2009 data from the U.S. Department of Education, the Heritage Foundation report noted that students who took all or part of their classes online performed “better, on average, than those taking the same course through traditional face-to-face instruction.”

The Difference…

While some online education providers just scan a textbook and post it on the web and stamp it as an online learning “course,” the LVS curriculum is a cutting-edge, knowledge-based virtual learning program. The courses are crafted for students to achieve at their own pace, and offer a full arsenal of online text,

graphics, c h a r t s ,

illustrations, interactive demonstrations, offline reading materials or activities, and interactive online instruction

K12.com

Online schooling from America’s leader: K12

K12 makes learning come alive with online interactive content, textbooks, hands-on activities, and expert teachers. Our options include tuition-free online public schools, an accredited online private school, and 210+ courses available by direct purchase. K12 is the leader in online education for grades K-12: find out why at K12.com.

is your child happy in school?

To thrive, many children need a different kind of classroom. The Lawrence Virtual School and K12 give Kansas kids in grades K-10 the chance to learn in the ways that are right for them. LVS offers:

12 curriculum

K12 experience for students in grades K-10

athletics and activities

ENROLLMENT FOR 2010-2011 IS IN FULL SWING

Guide and �nd a complete list of upcoming events—both in-person and online—at K12.com/KS. Or call 866.644.8320.

Get to know Kansas’s full-time, tuition-free public school option—

now offering high school


and discussions with Kansas-licensed teachers. The difference between the high-quality, tuition-free* LVS public school and other learning providers is akin to performing calculations with a slide rule versus a computer.

Says Gary Lewis, LVS Head of School: “Because the K12 curriculum is engaging and interactive, the technology is the easy part of the learning process ... I am very much impressed with the curriculum…the K12 program is what I

would want for my own children.”

For more information on K12 and enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year, order their 56-page Program Guide and find a complete list of upcoming events—both in-person and online—at K12.com/KS. Or, call 866-644-8320.

*Materials and technology fee for all students enrolling in grades K-8.n

Spotlight on Education l

Asbury Preschool: A high quality school. Readiness Program for children 3-5. For information call 942-1491.

Kidslink Christian Preschool at Westlink Christian Church. 2001 N. Maize Road, Wichita 722-1034. Excellence in Early Childhood Education from a Christian Perspective. Developmentally appropriate ½ day sessions for 3, 4, & 5 year olds. Character Building, Christian Values, Qualified Staff, Safe Loving Environment. Enrollment for Fall 2010.

offer childcare ServiceS?

connect with families instantly by advertising

in our childcare directory for as little

as $30/month. contact Jessica at editor@

wichitafamily.com.

Kids Day Inn---a quality Christian Mom’s Day Out program at Westlink Christian Church 2001 N. Maize Road, Wichita 722-1034 x121. Based on the “Bee” Attitudes Classes for 2& 3 year olds Monday, Thursday OR Friday.

Noah’s Ark Child Care Center and Preschool, 6100 W. Maple St. Wichita 943-2088. Located inside Central Community Church.Caring for children 2 ½ to 7yrs. Biblical and Preschool Curriculum….SRS approved CHECK US OUT ON THE WEB: http://www.centralcommunity.org/noahsark/index.html

Childcare Directory

The Joys & Financial Challenges of Parenthood

Financial Foundations

H. Joe KukulaFinancial Advisor

Bill R. KliewerFinancial Advisor

Waddell & Reed811 E. 30th, Ste E

Hutchinson, KS 67502620-669-8291waddell.com

Member SIPC

This information should not be construed as investment or financial advice re-lated to your personal situation. Please consult with a financial advisor prior tomaking financial decisions.

Children are special. They can be oursweetest blessing, as well as our biggest

frustration. Most of all, however, they areour greatest responsibility, as well as our most important—andexpensive—commitment.

Whether you are a first-time parent or a veteran of refereeingsibling squabbles, parenthood can be both wonderfully rewardingand frighteningly challenging. We raise them with a clear goalthat we secretly dread will actually take place—that someday theywill be grown, independent, ready to move out into the world ontheir own. As our children travel this long and never-dull roadfrom infancy to adulthood, we nurture them, worry about them,discipline them, love them.

Most of all, we try to protect them. We want them to grow upin a stable world, one in which they are physically safe, emotion-ally nurtured and financially secure. Still, meeting expenses canbe a challenge.

How expensive is raising a child?The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that theaverage nationwide cost of raising a child from cradle to collegeentrance at age 18 ranges from $210,340 to $483,750, dependingon income. (Source: Expenditures on Children by Families,2008) Then, when they turn 18, add in college, your financialoutlay can get even worse. How much worse? According to theCollege Board, for the 2009/2010 school year, the average cost ofone year at a four year public college is $19,388 (for in-state stu-dents), while the average cost for one year at a four-year privatecollege is $39,028. Even if those numbers don’t go up (and theyhave increased each year for decades), that would come to$77,552 for a four-year degree at a public college, and $156,112at a private university. Oh, and don’t forget graduate school.

The bottom line: Children are expensive! Fortunately, as longas we remain alive and healthy, we manage to somehow meetthese expenses. It’s part of what parenthood is all about.

Have you taken steps to protect them?Here’s a question you need to consider: What would happen tothem if something happened to you? No, it’s not the kind ofquestion we like to dwell on. But these matters are important.This is why many financial professionals recommend that, aboveand beyond the day-to-day efforts to provide for their children,parents should take specific steps to help protect their financialwell-being.

Review your life insurance coverageLife insurance is one of the most effective ways to protect yourfamily from the uncertainty of premature death. Life insurancecan help assure that a preselected amount of money will be onhand to replace your income and help your family members—yourchildren and spouse—maintain their standard of living. With lifeinsurance, you can select an amount that will help your familymeet living expenses, pay the mortgage, and even provide a col-lege fund for your children. Best of all, life insurance proceeds

are generally not taxable as income.

Purchase disability income insuranceIf you become disabled and unable to work, disability incomeinsurance can pay benefits—a specific percentage of your income—so you can continue meeting your financial obligations until youare back on your feet. What about Social Security? If you dobecome permanently and totally disabled and are unable to dowork of any kind, you may be eligible for benefits, but qualifyingisn’t easy. For more flexible and comprehensive protection, con-sider buying disability income insurance.

Start building a college fund….NOWCollege costs may seem daunting (and they are expected to con-tinue increasing), but you have about 18 years before your new-born will be a college freshman. By starting today, you can helpyour children become debt-free college grads. The secret is tosave a little each month, take advantage of compound interest,and have a sum waiting for you when they’re ready for college.

The following chart shows how much money might be avail-able for college when your child turns 18, if you save a certainamount each month.

Table assumes an after-tax return of 6%, compounded monthly. This is ahypothetical example and is not intended to reflect the actual performance ofany investment.

Enjoy watching your children grow up. And remember, just asthey are important to you, you are important to them. Make surethey’re protected financially…no matter what.

Child’sAge Now

$100/month

$200/month

$300/month

$400/month

Newborn $38,735 $77,471 $116,208 $154,941

4 $26,231 $52,462 $78,693 $104,924

8 $16,388 $32,776 $49,164 $65,552

10 $12,283 $24,566 $36,849 $49,132

14 $5,410 $10,820 $16,230 $21,640

16 $2,543 $5,086 $7,629 $10,172

www.WichitaFamily.com14 Wichita Family | JULY 2010 www.WichitaFamily.com

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Even if you're not on the lookout for day care services in a big city area, this article can still maintain a great deal of value for you. If you have children and are in need of locating the best childcare options available for your little one, no matter where you might be located, then by all means keep reading.

Day care centers, whether in a big city or a small town, may be an esoteric issue to many but one very important to parents and guardians everywhere. I happen to live in a heavily populated northern suburb, I know firsthand that there is an urgent need for parents to be well versed on child care options whatever the location.

As all parents will agree, we want nothing but the absolute best for our kids. Not the least of which is adequate daycare. The criteria to be used in finding a suitable childcare facility should go beyond the obvious; such as cost or convenience of location.

As the father of a 4 year old, what I suggest in the remainder of this article can easily be useful to you no matter where you are.

During the week, your child will be spending more of their time during the day with those directly responsible for his or her care than with you. Yes this sounds a bit over the top but it's accurate. Since this is true for many parents, it is of critical importance that you choose carefully. OK, let's get to it.

First thing you need to do is be very clear about

why you need a daycare provider to begin with. Some people are looking for these services to free up time to work. Others may require specialized child care because their son or daughter has a developmental issue of some kind. And others still may only be looking for part-time services so they can take care of personal matters each week.

Whatever the case, knowing exactly why you seek daycare services gives you clarity on what you should be looking for in a provider.

Another important consideration often overlooked is the instructor to child ratio. Although, it's difficult to say what exactly that ratio should be. For example, let's say your child has special needs you'd want to find a facility with a high tutor to child ratio.

Proper licensing is also very important. Although this may vary from state to state, generally if a person is responsible for more than three children at a time then proper licensing is required. And there may be different licensing requirements depending upon the number of children in attendance and the physical size of the facility.

Certain daycare facilities may allow you to provide your own food. If that is the case then the fees should be lower.

And of course, you should always take a firsthand look at any facility you might be considering. Although this may seem obvious, consider doing a drop-in visit. It's a good idea to see what the place is really like when the staff has not been prepped for a parental visit.

Daycare In Your Hometown And Beyond

written by: Daniel Herzner


Open your heart. Open your home.

(316) 260-4673 • Kids’ Point, K-96 & OliverRainbowsUnited.org

High QualityEarly Childhood Program

Preschool and child care openingsEvidenced based • Focus on whole child

30 months - 5 years • Year round learningOutdoor classrooms • All abilities welcome

Searching for Child Care?

800-684-3962

Let Child Start help with a free list of child care options available to you and

resources to determine the bestchild care choice!

www.childstart.org

n Piano lessons also available


News and information from our partners at Wichita Public Schools

Students, staff and community members celebrated the start of construction on the new Dodge Literacy Magnet School.

The school held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 18. Dodge will receive a brand-new school building as part of the $370 million bond issue.

“We are excited that in just over a year’s time, we will have a brand-new school for our students,” said principal Janet Jump.

Dodge is the first brand-new school that is being constructed with the bond issue. The 64,595 square foot facility will hold 450 pre-k through fifth-grade students and features two music rooms, an art room, computer lab, a large

library and a multi-purpose room that is also a FEMA storm shelter. The new Dodge will have many environmentally-friendly features, such as natural lighting and automatic lights. The $8.1 million school is designed by Spangenberg Phillips Tice Architecture and Simpson Construction is the contractor. The bid for the project was $1.4 million below the project’s budget.

The school will be built adjacent to the existing school, which will be demolished after the new building is completed to make room for more parking and playground space.

Construction will begin in May and is scheduled to be open for students by the time school starts in August 2011.

Schools support Pennies from Heaven drive

ABOVE: Lewis Open Magnet students are read to by KFDI’s Brian and Kellie during the Pennies From Heaven campaign.

Dodge Literacy Magnet breaks ground on new school

ABOVE: From left: Principal Janet Jump, Shakyra Logwood, Breanna Warren, PTO President Clara Warren, Jarod Hudson, BOE member Lanora Nolan, Gabriele Hanlan, BOE President Barb Fuller, Chris Hultman, Superintendent John Allison, Lylionna Smith, Assistant Superintendent Alicia Thompson and Ryan Samms take part in Dodge’s groundbreaking ceremony.

Schools from across the district helped out our four-legged friends by donating to the Kansas

Humane Society’s Pennies From Heaven campaign. Students donate their spare change to help support the animals at the Human Society.

Linwood collected $1,400, the most money from all the Wichita schools that participated. All of the classrooms that raised money were put in a drawing for a “Dog Party.” Kristin Fitzwater’s kindergarten class at Jefferson Elementary was selected to have the party with KFDI’s Brian and Kellie, treats, activities, and dog visitors from the Humane Society.

During the campaign, KFDI’s Brian and Kellie also read to classrooms that supported Pennies From Heaven.

The schools that participated in the campaign are Benton, Blackbear Bosin, Brooks, Bryant, Chisholm Trail, Cleaveland, Cloud, Coleman, Earhart, East, Emerson, Hyde, Jefferson, Kelly, Kensler, Lewis, Linwood, North, Minneha, Price-Harris, Woodman and White.

Students from Price-Harris produced the video that was used in the Pennies from Heaven campaign.

Enrollment for the Wichita Public Schools is July 28 – 30 and August 2 – 3. New this year, parents have the option of

enrolling their children online, allowing them to complete standard enrollment forms, pay for enrollment fees and school meals, and fill out free and reduced price lunch forms from a computer.

Parents will need a Parent Assist log on account for their child/children. Parents can go to the enrollment site and fill out the necessary forms that are required for all students. The common forms include the Pupil Information Form (PIF), medical

Enrollment begins sooninformation, policy acceptance forms, and emergency contacts.

After completing the common enrollment documents, parents will be linked to their child’s school website to receive school-specific enrollment information, including school supplies and fees.

Secondary students will still be required to come to the school during enrollment to get their class schedules, ID badge and to sign policy forms. Elementary schools still encourage parents to come to the building to pay for latchkey and pick up other information.

Third-grade students at Enterprise Elementary celebrated the completion of their Arts Partners project, Storybook Adventures,

where they wrote and illustrated their own picture books.

The students worked with storyteller Amy Woolf and musician Aaron Fowler. The students learned how to tell, retell and revise stories orally, how to write and illustrate their own picture books and how to prepare the author’s page. In addition, each class learned how to

Enterprise students share Storybook Adventures

work together to retell a story in song lyrics.

During a school-wide assembly, the students presented the song they had written with Fowler and Woolf assisting in the performance. After the assembly, the students enjoyed a party in the library where they shared their books with family and friends. This was the twelfth year that Enterprise students have participated in the Arts Partners project.

Students on Northwest High School’s forensics team will be able to attend the national competition, thanks to a gift from Mel Hambelton Ford. The car dealership donated $2,500 to pay for the students to attend the Catholic National Forensic League Tournament.

“Some of the students couldn’t pay for the trip and they wouldn’t have been able to attend the tournament if it wasn’t for this donation,” said Shawn Wingfield, forensics teacher at Northwest.

Seven students qualified to compete in the tournament, held in Omaha, NE.

ABOVE: From left: Denise Wren, Assistant Superintendent; Karen Pickert, Northwest principal; Zeb Harris, Shelby Huxtable, Shannon Strasser, Lindy Meadows, forensics students; Shawn Wingfield, forensics teacher; Lisa Hambelton and Phil Nightengale, Mel Hambelton Ford; Bekka Sharp, Alex Wespi and Taryn Thomas, forensics students.

Northwest forensics students get support

from car dealer

High school students at Levy Special Education Center participated in the Tri-County Basketball League this year for the first time. The students played seven games and won three of those games.

On April 16, the players, cheerleaders and coaches were honored at a Basketball Banquet held at Levy. The students learned that they can do anything they set their minds to. The students are already excited about the next basketball season.

The Legends are coached by Ene Akpan and Bill Billingsley

Levy Legends celebrate first season

18 Wichita Family | JULY 2010 www.WichitaFamily.comwww.WichitaFamily.com

Anyone with kids knows the little munchkins can be expensive. Just clothing and giving them a few toys can add up in no time at all and if there are several kids in the family, well, expect to drop a pretty penny on the essentials alone.

Because it can be both frustrating and wallet-breaking to keep up with kids' ever-growing feet and ever-changing interests, one of the most rewarding things can be to find a good deal on kids items. And to make that good deal even better, how about getting a nice chunk of cash back for all the items your kids have grown out of or no longer use.

That's exactly what the concept is behind the numerous kids consignment sales that can be found in the Wichita area.

“It can be expensive to raise a family today and Just Between Friends offers a chance to recoup some of that expense,” said Dawn Pfannenstiel, owner of Wichita consignment sale Just Between Friends. “I love the idea that you can make money on children's items that are laying on your living room floor. In today's economy, we are all trying to find ways to save and make a little extra money to add to the family budget.”

For parents, by parents

Part of what makes these sales so successful and popular is that all of the owners—whether they started their sale in

their garage on a whim or purchased a nationally-known franchise—brought their sales to the public after having had positive experiences at other consignment sales.

“We had participated in another local sale and realized that we could run a consignment sale,” said Teresa Richards co-owner of the Twice Is Nice consignment sale. “Our first sale was in my in-law’s garage with five or six friends participating. We then moved to a bigger room with around 12 to 15 consignors. We now have a huge facility—that we fill—and have 150 to 200 consignors each sale.”

Similarly, Britches and Lace consignment sale, the oldest and largest sale in the area, came about as a result of two young moms looking for a way to generate extra income for their families.

“We started our business after we participated in a consignment sale in Oklahoma,” said Trina Bostwick who started Britches and Lace with Lana Halling in 2001. “We decided with having six children between us that we might be able to start something like this in Wichita. We also wanted to be able to stay home with our children but also add some income to our family without having to be gone from home very much.”

The consignors and owners each realize what works and what doesn’t and the sales evolve with each passing event.

Mulberry Bush Consignment owner, Joanna Parks, has grown her sale from 40 consignors to 200 over the past several years and is now helping other entrepreneurs start sales of their own.

“I started MBC because I had consigned a few times locally and loved the concept,” said Parks. “Each sale I try and fine-tune all aspects of the sale. Although I can’t please everyone, my goal is to try and benefit both sellers and customers. I’ve recently started consulting for other ladies that want to start their own consignment sales.”

What to expect as a consignor

2X New Consignment Sale had its first sale in May in Haysville. The owners, Aubry Neill and Aubrie Johnson, have received guidance from Parks of Mulberry Bush Consignment.

2X New Consignment had 55 consignors and over 250 shoppers at its first sale. Neill said the pair was happy with the first sale and is excitedly planning for the next.

“We describe it as a glorified garage sale,” said Neill. “The consignors receive 70 percent of their sales and we receive 30 percent. We take this very seriously because we would want someone who is selling our items to do the same thing for us. We love what we do and love that we have had this opportunity to be able to hold these sales for families that are wanting some extra income.”

Those looking to sell items register with the sale when consignor registration opens. Most of the sales open consignor registration about two or three months in advance. Registering early is advised as several sales reach maximum capacity and have to limit the number

of consignors and, in some cases, the number of items each consignor can bring.

Consignors are required to tag each of their items with a tag that says the price, consignor number, a description of the item and bring them on hangers, if clothing items, or packaged appropriately if it is another type of item. Each of the sales has websites and registering to consign is simple. The sales also offer tagging systems that make it possible to enter all the information for each tag and print them at home with a bar code.

Consignors receive 65 to 75 percent of their sales, depending on the sale, and checks are mailed to consignors typically within two weeks.

Recalled items are not accepted and sale owners follow strict guidelines to ensure that recalled items are not sold.

“Safety is one of our major concerns therefore we check and double check the items again, the recall lists and also have lead testing kits available,” said Pfannenstiel, JBF’s owner.

An added benefit to consigning is shopping early. Consignors are given pre-sale passes and have the chance to snag items on their lists before the sale opens to the public. Volunteering with a sale is another way to earn pre-sale passes. Volunteers opportunities are typically listed on the sale websites.

Kids consignment sales offer families a chance to save on purchases and even earn money on kids’ items.

written by Jessica Lindsey


Anyone with kids knows the little munchkins can be expensive. Just clothing and giving them a few toys can add up in no time at all and if there are several kids in the family, well, expect to drop a pretty penny on the essentials alone.

Because it can be both frustrating and wallet-breaking to keep up with kids' ever-growing feet and ever-changing interests, one of the most rewarding things can be to find a good deal on kids items. And to make that good deal even better, how about getting a nice chunk of cash back for all the items your kids have grown out of or no longer use.

That's exactly what the concept is behind the numerous kids consignment sales that can be found in the Wichita area.

“It can be expensive to raise a family today and Just Between Friends offers a chance to recoup some of that expense,” said Dawn Pfannenstiel, owner of Wichita consignment sale Just Between Friends. “I love the idea that you can make money on children's items that are laying on your living room floor. In today's economy, we are all trying to find ways to save and make a little extra money to add to the family budget.”

For parents, by parents

Part of what makes these sales so successful and popular is that all of the owners—whether they started their sale in

their garage on a whim or purchased a nationally-known franchise—brought their sales to the public after having had positive experiences at other consignment sales.

“We had participated in another local sale and realized that we could run a consignment sale,” said Teresa Richards co-owner of the Twice Is Nice consignment sale. “Our first sale was in my in-law’s garage with five or six friends participating. We then moved to a bigger room with around 12 to 15 consignors. We now have a huge facility—that we fill—and have 150 to 200 consignors each sale.”

Similarly, Britches and Lace consignment sale, the oldest and largest sale in the area, came about as a result of two young moms looking for a way to generate extra income for their families.

“We started our business after we participated in a consignment sale in Oklahoma,” said Trina Bostwick who started Britches and Lace with Lana Halling in 2001. “We decided with having six children between us that we might be able to start something like this in Wichita. We also wanted to be able to stay home with our children but also add some income to our family without having to be gone from home very much.”

The consignors and owners each realize what works and what doesn’t and the sales evolve with each passing event.

Mulberry Bush Consignment owner, Joanna Parks, has grown her sale from 40 consignors to 200 over the past several years and is now helping other entrepreneurs start sales of their own.

“I started MBC because I had consigned a few times locally and loved the concept,” said Parks. “Each sale I try and fine-tune all aspects of the sale. Although I can’t please everyone, my goal is to try and benefit both sellers and customers. I’ve recently started consulting for other ladies that want to start their own consignment sales.”

What to expect as a consignor

2X New Consignment Sale had its first sale in May in Haysville. The owners, Aubry Neill and Aubrie Johnson, have received guidance from Parks of Mulberry Bush Consignment.

2X New Consignment had 55 consignors and over 250 shoppers at its first sale. Neill said the pair was happy with the first sale and is excitedly planning for the next.

“We describe it as a glorified garage sale,” said Neill. “The consignors receive 70 percent of their sales and we receive 30 percent. We take this very seriously because we would want someone who is selling our items to do the same thing for us. We love what we do and love that we have had this opportunity to be able to hold these sales for families that are wanting some extra income.”

Those looking to sell items register with the sale when consignor registration opens. Most of the sales open consignor registration about two or three months in advance. Registering early is advised as several sales reach maximum capacity and have to limit the number

of consignors and, in some cases, the number of items each consignor can bring.

Consignors are required to tag each of their items with a tag that says the price, consignor number, a description of the item and bring them on hangers, if clothing items, or packaged appropriately if it is another type of item. Each of the sales has websites and registering to consign is simple. The sales also offer tagging systems that make it possible to enter all the information for each tag and print them at home with a bar code.

Consignors receive 65 to 75 percent of their sales, depending on the sale, and checks are mailed to consignors typically within two weeks.

Recalled items are not accepted and sale owners follow strict guidelines to ensure that recalled items are not sold.

“Safety is one of our major concerns therefore we check and double check the items again, the recall lists and also have lead testing kits available,” said Pfannenstiel, JBF’s owner.

An added benefit to consigning is shopping early. Consignors are given pre-sale passes and have the chance to snag items on their lists before the sale opens to the public. Volunteering with a sale is another way to earn pre-sale passes. Volunteers opportunities are typically listed on the sale websites.

Kids consignment sales offer families a chance to save on purchases and even earn money on kids’ items.

written by Jessica Lindsey


What to expect as a shopper

The latest Britches and Lace sale recorded approximately 23,000 items for sale. There’s a good chance that a new mom can find nearly everything on her list at a consignment sale.

Area consignment sales range in size based on the location, but all of them are overflowing with baby equipment, children’s furniture, toys and children’s and maternity clothing. The sales are arranged with rack after rack of clothing organized by gender, size and sometimes by season.

“We have very strict quality standards and the prices are set, no haggling,” said Parks who typically has around 200 consignors and over 1,000 customers at her sales. “However, you can get brand name items, sometimes still with tags, at a fraction of the price.”

Giving back to the community

“I think that people enjoy shopping consignment sales,” said Richards with Twice Is Nice. “A lot of people are having difficulties in today’s economy and this is one way that we can help. I love when I hear someone say, ‘I got a lot of good items for very little,’ and ‘Wow, I can’t believe everything that I found.’ I love when we are helping people.”

In addition to helping families sell items that are no longer needed and purchase used items at discounted costs, consignment sales make it possible for families to donate to other organizations as well.

At the conclusion of the sale, consignors are given the chance to come back and pick up any unsold items or donate them. Local sales have partnered with a variety of charities. Just Between Friends donates to The Klothes Kloset, Britches and Lace donates unsold items to the YWCA Women’s Crisis Center/Safehouse.

Parks, who is also a social worker, is using her success with Mulberry Bush Consignment to facilitate a charity sale that will benefit LAMP (Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Pantry) which partners with Youth Development Services to help struggling mothers. The sale will be held August 14.

“Each sale I try and help out families who really need our support,” said Parks. “The rest of the donations are stores for a charity sale in August. All of the clothing items will be sold for .50 and 100 percent of the profits will go to charity. I’ve always sold play clothes—items that don’t meet our quality standards—for .50 and given the money to LAMP. However, the response from consignors with donations became overwhelming and I decided to host a separate sale.”

UPCOMING SALES INFO

Twice is NiceTwo sales per yearNext sale:August 12-14, 2010Sedgwick County Education Extension Center (21st and Ridge Road)www.twiceisnicewichita.com

Mulberry Bush Consignment SaleThree sales per year (Back to school, spring break and a holiday sale)Next sale:Back-to-school saleJuly 29-31Maize Recreation Center (Maize Road & 37th Street North)All-season sale, not limited to the time of yearwww.mbcsale.com

Mulberry Bush Consignment Charity SaleAll proceeds benefit the clients and work of Youth Development Services.August 14, 20108 a.m. to 2 p.m.Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church: 655 S. Lorraine St., Wichita, 67211.Most items are .50.

2x New Three sales per year (back to school, spring break and a holiday sale)Next sale:August 5-7, 2010The Studio, 1939 E. Diedrich, Haysville (Grand Avenue and Broadway)www.2xnsale.com

Britches and LaceTwo sales per year (in March and September of each year)Next sale:September 16-18, 2010Wholesale Fireworks Building, 159th St. and East Kellogg in Andover.www.britchesandlace.com

Just Between FriendsThree sales per year (Spring, fall and Holiday sales)Next sale:August 26-28, 2010Woodland United Methodist Church at 15th and Payne (13th and McLean area)www.wichita.jbfsale.com

Rhea Lana’sNext sale:August 5-7, 2010Former Comp USA building on North Rock Road (Near Rock Road and K-96)www.wichita.rhealana.com


Wichita Family Classified Section

Midwest Classified Network

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wfm july 2010

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