Soccer Practice Is Still On for Oct. 30

Just a quick update for everyone who has asked about Avanti Athletics’ weather policy - here are the details from their website:

We do our best on inclement weather days to keep the players safe and still get as much soccer in as possible. In the event we have to cancel for weather, we’ll notify you through a combination of email and text message (if opted-in). The school will also be notified so that students are dismissed according to their regular dismissal procedure.

If a make-up date has been scheduled, the scheduled date will be activated. In some cases, due to facility availability and scheduling, make-up dates are not possible. If this is the case, make-up dates are offered at a practice time outside of the after-school hours.

We contacted Avanti to check on the status of today’s practice, and they said the weather is looking good for early afternoon. If anything changes, they will contact you directly to let you know to pick up at the regular dismissal time instead.

Fun Parks and Gardens to Visit Over Spring Break

Now that winter is finally drawing to a close, it’s time to start planning some activities to shake off that cabin fever! Check out some of these local venues that offer fun for families with young children:

Wheaton Regional Park, Georgia Ave. Entrance: Entering Wheaton Regional Park off Georgia Avenue — just south of Randolph Road — you will find a large picnic area with lots of play equipment, a miniature train, and a working carousel.

Weekends in April this year feature a fun “Eye Spy” experience on the miniature train. Riders will receive a card with characters to spot along the trip. Children under 2 ride free with a paying adult. The “Eye Spy” experience is available April 17 to 22 as well for MCPS spring break, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Pack a picnic and enjoy this free public park! More information is available at the Wheaton Regional Park website.

Brookside Gardens: Spring is a wonderful time to visit Brookside Gardens. This 50-acre public garden includes an aquatic garden, azalea garden, butterfly garden, children’s garden, Japanese garden (complete with koi pond), rain garden, a woodland walk, and more.

You’ll also find a picnic area and nature center near the parking lot. Admission to the gardens is free. Brookside Gardens also has a variety of classes and program for preschool-age children.

Information on both the park and child-friendly programs can be found at the Brookside Gardens website.

"Kids Call of the Game" for the Baltimore Orioles

In partnership with the Baltimore Orioles, Maryland EXCELS has an exciting opportunity for our students!

There will be 10-15 children, ages 4 to 16, randomly selected from EXCELS programs. These children will receive an exclusive chance to record a “Kids Call of the Game” – radio call reenactments of famous Orioles' plays throughout baseball history – in the Entercom Radio Studios. These recordings will air on the Orioles radio network over the course of the season and will highlight the students’ programs and Maryland EXCELS. Each child selected will also receive up to (4) tickets to an Orioles home game.

To participate: Those interested in having their children participate need to fill out this form by Friday, April 12, 2019.

By completing the form, each parent/guardian is indicating their permission for their child to participate, and agreeing to the following additional requirements:

Child must be able to read or repeat a script clearly
Child must be enrolled in a Maryland EXCELS Quality Rated Program
Child must be between the ages of 4 and 16
Parent/guardian/family member must be able to take their child to the Entercom Radio Studios the morning of Wednesday, April 24, 2019 to record their radio spot at 1423 Clarkview Road, Baltimore, Maryland.

Families and providers of selected children will be notified on April 16, 2019.

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