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KIDS FIRST! NEWS 2003
Turning your TV Time into Quality Time
January 28, 2003 Issue #1
Ranny Levy, Editor
[email protected]
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IN THIS ISSUE
1. Letter from the Editor
2. New Endorsements
3. Media News
4. Parent and Family News
5. Members' News
6. Events, news, special events
7. Classifieds
8. Subscribe/un-subscribe
* Permission to forward or reprint the content herein is granted with
complete attribution.
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Welcome to KIDS FIRST! NEWS. All articles are by Coalition for Quality
Children's Media unless otherwise noted.
"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."
Winston Churchill
Dear Friends,
I can't believe that January newsletter so late. Is Mercury in
retrograde what affected our technology and communication for the
better part of the month? Whatever it was, we're on the other side now
and have bunches of exciting stuff to share with you now that
everything's working again.
First, big news, I am so please to announced that after seven years we
finally have ownership of the domain name kidsfirst.org. Thanks go to
the Oakland Children's Hospital which owned this domain name and have
gifted it to the Coalition. In lieu of payment, we've promised to make
a generous gift of videos and DVDs to them. If your company would like
to make a donation towards this, please let us know. You will be
acknowledged on our site, and your titles that go to them will all be
stickered with a sticker acknowledging the contribution from KIDS
FIRST! Thanks too to Sue Davies from Oakland for helping make this
happen. Sue and I have known each other for 15 years when she was
Executive Director of the Educational Film and Video Festival. We met
at the American Film Festival at the World Trade Center in 1998! For a
list of donors and recipients, please visit our website,
Next, big kudos to all the donors to our Meg's Gifts program which
donates KIDS FIRST! - endorsed programs to children's hospitals and
related institutions. Our Fort Wayne group, under the leadership of
Mardi Clemens, sorted and packed more than 5,000 videos, DVDs and
audiotapes last weekend and shipped them to more than 260 hospitals.
These donations are made with no strings attached. The only thing we
request is that the hospitals are asked to send out a simple press
release to their local media acknowledging the donation. More than 20
million children nationwide are reached annually through our Meg's
Gifts program which is named in honor of Mardi and Dan Clemens'
daughter, Meg who died several years ago of leukemia. It was during
the time they spend in hospitals that they realized the lack of
supportive and cheerful programming for hospitalized kids. Meg's Gifts
provides programming that is positive and hopeful.
Our last film festival of 2002 took place in Santa Barbara the three
days after Christmas and was a huge success. We've enjoyed the new
relationships we've created by taking the KIDS FIRST! Film, Video and
DVD Festival to thirteen cities this past year and are looking forward
to expanding our festival tour to twenty cities in 2003. The Festival
really makes the KIDS FIRST! connection to a much larger community all
over the country which has a dynamic effect on our lives and our
work. More than 25,000 children and families attended our 2002
festivals and our publicity reached 20 million eyes.
For 2003, we'll be building our Junior Film Critics Clubs in the early
part of the year by offering training workshops for facilitators on a
monthly basis. We will offer some KIDS FIRST! Film, Video and DVD
Festival activities in the spring but the big festivals will all take
place in the fall. If you are interested in participating in a
workshop, bring a workshop to your community, or bring the festival to
your community, please let us know. We have some openings still for
partnerships with local organizations.
Best wishes to you and keep in touch.
Much love,
Ranny
NEW ENDORSEMENTS:
Video, Ages 0-2
** ALL BY MYSELF: GETTING DRESSED, VOLUME 1 - Created to inspire
self-empowerment, self-sufficiency, responsibility and a healthy
independence. Kids learn by watching other kids, and they get to see
lots of other kids dress themselves with some positive coaching from a
narrating animated lady bug. Adult Juror Comments: Helpful concept.
Well produced; cute music and animation. Inspiring for little ones.
Shows kids trying different ways of getting pants on - hopping, laying
down, standing up - and giggling through frustrations. Offers lots of
positive re-enforcement. Kid Juror Comments: Some started checking
their own clothes for zippers and tags. "It was funny. I saw
underwear." "I want to learn how to snap my jeans." "I liked
learning
how to put my clothes on." "I liked the ladybug." Best watched
in
segments. Video. 30 min.; $14.95; Age: 2-4. ALL BY MYSELF, INC.
** BRAINY BABY - ANIMALS Horns and hooves, wonderful wings, fins
and flippers and beautiful bugs are a few of the entertaining and
amazing animal categories featured here. Includes a toe-tapping visit
to old McDonald's farm. Includes music of Mozart, Vivaldi, and
others. Adult Juror Comments: Educational, entertaining, lovely music
and images. Mixes classical music with songs and facts about animals
- very age-appropriate. Shows a great variety of animals. It's a
little long unless you're crazy about animals. Kid Juror Comments:
Loved learning about different types of animals. They were amazed to
learn that a cow has four stomachs and the hippo has really long
teeth. "It makes me want to go to the zoo." "We got to bark and
meow."
The children danced and sang to Old MacDonald. Video. 45 min.; $15.95;
Age: -. THE BRAINY BABY COMPANY. 1-931959-023-X.
Video, Ages 2-5
** CHILD SMART: YOUR TINY JUNGLE TOT (CHILD SMART).Join Murray the
Monkey and his colorful puppet friends on a train ride through the zoo
as they introduce the stimulating world of animals. Kid-friendly
puppets and original music make learning both fun and familiar for
little ones. Adult Juror Comments: Colorful and peppy. Cute puppets.
Slow pace is suitable for young viewers. Each animal is identified repeatedly
which
facilitates learning. Information is more suitable for older kids, yet
images are more suitable for younger kids. Kid Juror Comments: Loved
the animals. Asked interesting questions about them. Responded
appropriately to visual cues: train appearing before each animal let
them know what to expect. Babies dressed in animal costumes baffled
them. Some had trouble following the songs. Video. 30 min.; $12.95;
Age: 2-4. WARNER HOME VIDEO.
** THOMAS & FRIENDS: SALTY'S SECRET & OTHER THOMAS ADVENTURES -
Salty, the diesel engine has a secret and everyone on Sodor wants to
know it. Join Thomas and Mavis as they meet Salty and discover his
secret. Welcome Sir Topham Hatt, his friend Elizabeth the Vintage
Quarry Truck, and Harvey. Adult Juror Comments: Entertaining, well
narrated stories. Characters show realistic emotions that kids relate
to. It shows reasonable reactions to adversity and ways to solve
problems. Contains some British vocabulary. Each story has its own
theme which is not too sweet. Kid Juror Comments: Kids enjoy the
adventures and relate to the characters and how they solve problems.
"I like Salty." "Everybody helped Thomas when he got in an accident."
"We like the music." Inspired some kids to want to learn more about
trains. Video. 35 min.; $12.98; Age: 2-5. ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT.
*** VEGGIE TALES SING-ALONGS: BOB & LARRY'S SUNDAY MORNING SONGS -
Featuring 15 of the most loved classic children's Sunday School songs,
including several original VeggieTunes, sung by VeggieTale hosts Bob
the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber. Adult Juror Comments: Delightful
collection of classic and contemporary songs. Bright, cheery music;
very good sound with no static. Cute voices. Promotes faith, kindness
and honesty. A little more serious than other VeggieTale singalongs.
Excellent for Sunday school classes. Kid Juror Comments: Chirped
along with the songs right away; asked questions about the bible
stories. "I know this song! I can sing it too!" "Stories about
God
make us feel important." "Can we listen to it again right now? Can
I
take it to nap time?" "Jesus is my friend." Audio. 60 min.; $6.98;
Age: 1-6. BIG IDEA PRODUCTIONS, INC.
Video, Ages 5-8
** KERMIT'S SWAMP YEARS (N/).Kermit the Frog returns to his home
swamp to reminisce about the first time he ventured away from the
swamp. When his friend Goggles gets nabbed by a pet store owner,
Kermit and his other friend Croaker must leap into action and rescue
their friend. Adult Juror Comments: An entertaining, coming of age
tale portraying Kermit and his muppet friends. Lots of action,
adventure and comedic relief. Shows friendship in a positive light.
Clever dialogue, although contains some bathroom humor. Good mix of
animation and real life. Kid Juror Comments: Kids enjoyed the
adventure and especially the music. "It was a story about friends
helping each other." "The music and songs were really good."
"It was
about Kermit and his friends growing up." "We're all friends like
Kermit and Googles." "Really funny." Video. 82 min.; $21.96;
Age: 5-8.
COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT.
** LITTLE DOGS ON THE PRAIRIE: A LOTTA LOVE AND A LITTLE OFF THE TOP
- Miss Kittey comes to Prairie Town to style hair, and she and the
six Prairie Dogs learn a good lesson on the dangers of vanity. In the
second episode, Gilroy helps Sport learn that life isn't always fair
and sometimes even true love hurts. Adult Juror Comments: Upbeat,
cute and comical. Delivers valuable lessons with a lot of laughs. Not
stuffy or preachy. Country Western theme with catchy music and likable
characters is very kid-friendly. "Kids need more programs like this."
Kid Juror Comments: Laughed at the jokes and understood the lessons. "It
was
funny and helped me see it is better to love and get along with
people." "Sometimes I feel the same way." "I need to care
more about
other people and their feelings." Video. 35 min.; $14.99; Age: 5-9.
FANCY MONKEY STUDIOS.
* REGINA Set in Iceland, this musical is about 11-year-old Regina
and her friend Peter. Singing Peter's songs has a powerful effect on
people: Regina gets people to do what she needs them to…and what she
needs is enough money to go to summer camp. Adult Juror Comments:
Engaging music, with two parallel stories told from a child's
viewpoint. Realistic dialog; story is complex and challenging.
Interesting look at Icelandic lifestyle. It purposely stereotypes
villains and heroes, including the gay florist and the policeman Kid
Juror Comments: Somewhat slow, especially the music. "They treat each
other nicely. They don't treat the parents well, but they're trying."
"The place they biked at the end was pretty." Video. 95 min.; $0;
Age:
5-9. PRODUCTIONS LA FÊTE.
** THERE GOES A BUS (REAL WHEELS).Takes a close look at different
kinds of busses with Dave, the humorous host. Tells how busses are
driven, maintained and cleaned. Adult Juror Comments: Enjoyable,
age-appropriate. Includes old cars and the history of school buses.
Shows variety of time periods, telling how kids have gotten to school
over the years. Addresses safety issues and how buses are cleaned.
Slapstick narration. Kid Juror Comments: Like it lots! Enjoyed seeing
the variety of buses and learning what all the different parts are
for. Little ones who ride the bus asked questions about their bus.
Motivated the kids to want to help keep their buses clean. The water
buses fascinated them. Video. 30 min.; $9.95; Age: 4-7. POWER TO
CREATE.
* UNDER THE WAVES EPISODE 2: EXPLORING WITH SUBMARINES (UNDER THE
WAVES).Mike and the gang dive into the depths of the sea and explore
it with the their bubble sub. They explore the coral reef and its
beautiful, sometimes weird creatures. Adult Juror Comments:
Educational, entertaining with good information about sea travel and creatures.
Slap stick behavior such as not following directions, respecting
instructors or boat captain is replicable and detracts from the
content which otherwise is quite good. Kid Juror Comments: Liked
learning about the ocean and marine life. "Helps us understand about
different marine animals. The underwater parts were neat." They notice
the poor behavior and commented: "Mike didn't follow directions very
well and always got into trouble." Video. 30 min.; $19.95; Age: 5-8.
CARIBBEAN PRODUCER SERVICES.
Videos, Ages 8-12
** RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD/OUR WORLD FAITHS ANIMATED Ten different
15-minute animated segments introduce different religions of the world
through stories and religious heritages. Adult Juror Comments:
Coherent, unusual representation of world faiths. Informative. Good
teaching tool. Palatable story-telling style and animation. Some
violence and darkness: shows cultures fighting for strong religious
convictions. Respectful treatment of other cultures. Kid Juror
Comments: Piqued their interest. "It was told like a story and was
interesting." "It is easy to understand but weird. It's hard to
understand why people believe stuff like that." "A woman turns into
a
monster - very scary and you don't know why." "I learned a lot."
DVD.
150 min.; $19.98; Age: 8-12. ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMS INC.
** TAPERED DECK VIDEO, THE (MAGIC FRANK'S LESSONS IN MAGIC).This
video consists of twenty tricks, fifteen tricks with a tapered deck
and five with a regular deck. Adult Juror Comments: Good for a
budding magician. Explanations are well done, accurate and
age-appropriate.
Moves from simple tricks to more complicated with easy-to-follow
instructions which are repeated. Simple production values, talking
head format, clear videography. Kid Juror Comments: Engaging, most
kids like magic and learning how to do tricks. "We want to watch it
again until we can do the tricks." "It really shows how to do the
tricks." Their favorite part was the invisible thread trick. Video. 59
min.; $24.95; Age: 6-12. MAGIC FRANK.
TV, Ages 12-18
** STARTERS: STUDENT ATHLETES (STARTERS).A 10-part series that
chronicles an inner-city high school basketball team on its quest to
become state champions. It demonstrates how team dynamics helped the
players rise above personal challenges like drugs, alcohol and gangs.
Adult Juror Comments: Realistically portrays kids involved in sports.
Stresses "there is more to life than athletics." Emphasizes the
importance of education. Terminology used was confusing to kids who
don't play basketball. Somewhat choppy production. Kid Juror
Comments: Enjoyable, particularly to those interested in sports. "Made
me think, I've always just played for fun. These kids are learning to
work hard, not just to win games, but to get into college and focus on
their grown up life." "Way too long…" some commented. Video.
25 min.;
$0; Age: 12-18. WAM! AMERICA'S KIDZ NETWORK.
SPECIAL NOTICES:
STORIES TO REMEMBER
This delightful series produced by CQCM board member Joshua Greene,
are now available in DVD format. For information, please visit:
http://www.lightyear.com/STR/KF/ or
http://www.lightyear.com/STR/MFDVD/KF/
'WALT: THE MAN BEHIND THE MYTH'
This DVD, released last fall is a biography of Walt Disney based on
interviews with friends, family and collaborators, with excerpts from
Walt's own home movies. The film was initiated by Diane Disney Miller,
daughter of Walt Disney, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Walt
Disney's birth. When KIDS FIRST! interviewed Diane, she talked about
what her life was like growing up as Walt Disney's daughter. "Walt was
always a family man. He cared very much about his family, his mother
and father. He was very involved with his children. When our girl
friends would spend the night, Dad would take us places the next day."
Diane's mother was a homemaker. "It was very important to Dad to have
her there to come home to. He loved to travel with her. He'd rather take
her with him than go alone. We had a sort of nanny until we were
eleven; we always had someone in the home to take care of us. Mother
was not a cook so we always had a cook in the house. My sister and I
were just the opposite."
Walt wasn't a prude but he was very moral. When he did the film Bon
Voyage, he was criticized because a young boy has an encounter with a
prostitute. He didn't always go for the happy ending. For example, in
Old Yeller, the dog has to be shot.
The film aired on ABC on September 11, 2001 and, as you might guess,
didn't draw much attention due to the events of that day. Narrated by
Dick van Dyke, the film offers a new look at Walt Disney both inside
and outside the studio. The producers shot more than 70 interviews
with colleagues, friends and members of the Disney family - animation
legends Joe Grant, Ward Kimball, John Hench, Frank Thomas, Ollie
Johnston and Marc Davis. Diane Disney Miller and Roy E. Disney,
Vice-Chairman of Walt Disney Studios, are also featured.
WALT: The Man Behind the Myth DVD is only available at
http://www.disneystore.com
MEDIA NEWS *****************************
************************************************
*** Is TV Good For Kids, Or Not?
In the beginning, there was Big Bird. Now, thanks to intense
competition from Disney and Nick, there are more quality shows for
preschoolers than ever
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_email.asp?/news/829881.asp
PARENT AND FAMILY NEWS *****************************
*********************************************************
***Key Facts on Children and Video Games
As the first in their series of fact sheets on topics related to
children, media and health, the Kaiser Family Foundation has released
key data on "Children and Video Games." Both informative and
easy-to-read, the document presents information on how much time
children spend playing video games, their video game preferences, game
content, effects of playing video games -- and how games are rated.
http://www.kff.org/content/2002/3271/Video_Game_Key_Facts.pdf
The following information is brought to you by Connect for Kids,
http://www.connectforkids.org
***Violence Prevention: You Can Never Start Too Early
by Julee Newberger
Research shows that violence is learned, and often it's learned in the
early stages of life. A new program called Adults and Children
Together Against Violence aims to help adults show kids through their
own actions how to behave positively and avoid violence.
http://www.connectforkids.org/benton_topics1544/benton_topics_show.htm?doc_id=130860
*** News From Washington
***Why Media Ownership Matters to Kids
This spring, the Federal Communications Commission will decide whether
to change regulations that limit corporations' ownership of mass media
outlets. Eleven-year-old Natasha Kirtchuk thinks relaxing the rules
would be bad for kids. But at a recent forum, Kirtchuk was told she
was too young to speak. So here is what she would have said, from
Children's PressLine in New York City.
http://www.connectforkids.org/benton_topics1544/benton_topics_show.htm?doc_id=145016
More information is available at http://www.childrennow.org
A letter writing campaign opposing media consolidation is flooding the
electronic mail room of the Federal Communications Commission
according to an article on DOW JONES NEWSWIRES. Children Now's Online
Action Center has set up a simple letter writing campaign for you to
express your views. The power to make positive changes for children is
now at your fingertips and requires just a few easy clicks of your
mouse. Simply go to: http://ga1.org/campaign/fcc_12_02/6xisuzf7net
*** AT STAKE IN WASHINGTON
This week President Bush will deliver his vision for America in the
State of the Union address, and Governor Gary Locke of Washington
state will give the Democratic response. Child advocates can use this
opportunity to focus media and lawmakers' attention on what Congress
can do—through its power of the purse and public policy—for children,
families and communities. Here's a roundup of key issues at stake in 2003.
***The Year of the Reauthorization
Many laws that form the backbone of programs and services for working
families are up for reauthorization in 2003—with policy and funding
specifics at stake. In addition, the Child Care and Development Block
Grant (CCDBG) and welfare reform's Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) are left over from 2002. With a slow economy and
growing state shortfalls, more federal investments in child care are
critical for helping low-income families find and keep good jobs. In
the last budget, CCDBG was only funded enough to serve one in seven
eligible children.
In 2002, the Head Start program served over 915,000 pre-schoolers.
Advocates are seeking expanded funding so that all eligible 3-and
4-year-olds can be served.
http://www.nhsa.org/advocacy/advocacy_reauthorization.htm
Key issues in the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA) include maintaining the integrity of programs for
infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers, and moving toward full funding.
Also important is permanently authorizing Part C, which supports
developmental services for young families. The National Education
Association has information on the background and proposed changes
(visit the two links below).
http://www.nea.org/specialed/nearesources-specialed.html
http://www.nea.org/specialed/ideareauthpriorities.html
In the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, advocates will be
working to expand Pell Grants and other financial aid options for
low-income students, and on extending the loan forgiveness options now
available to K-12 teachers to workers in the early child care field.
E-mail [email protected] for the Children's Defense
Fund's FY 2003 Federal Agenda Primer for Child Care Advocates.
For a run-down of what's up for reauthorization, and updates from
advocates, check out Connect for Kids "Reauthorization for 2003" and
other links. http://www.connectforkids.org/resources3139/resources_subject.htm?doc_id=82346
***President Bush Signs Child Internet Safety Legislation
On December 4, President Bush signed into law the Dot Kids
Implementation and Efficiency Act of 2002, providing a separate
Internet domain for kids to provide a protected online space for them.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/12/20021204-1.html
*** Violence - check out these resouces:
***World Report on Violence and Health
Violence kills more than 1.6 million people every year. Public health
experts say these statistics are just the tip of the iceberg, with the
majority of violent acts being committed behind closed doors. This
World Health Organization reviews the problem on a global level,
including child abuse and neglect and youth violence. Cost: $27.00.
http://www5.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/download.cfm?id=0000000586
*** Violence Prevention: You Can Never Start Too Early
Research shows that violence is learned, and often it's learned in the
early stages of life. A new program called ACT (Adults and Children
Together) Against Violence aims to help adults show kids through their
own actions how to behave positively and avoid violence.
http://www.connectforkids.org/newsletter-url1570/newsletter-url_show.htm?doc_id=130860
***Beyond "Don't Talk to Strangers"
Parents and others concerned with keeping children from harm must
balance the need to warn children of real dangers against the
need to allow children to feel safe, not scared. This article from the
November-December 2002 issue of the Children's Advocate,
published by Action Alliance for Children, looks at a program that
aims to do both.
http://www.connectforkids.org/benton_topics1544/benton_topics_show.htm?doc_id=137500
*** PERSONAL SAFETY FOR CHILDREN: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS
This U.S. Department of Education booklet has tips for what parents
can tell their children and what they can do to protect their children
from abduction and exploitation.
http://www.nochildleftbehind.gov/parents/safety/index.html
*** ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A BOMBED-OUT DOLLHOUSE
This past holiday season's favorite toy to hate was a bombed out
dollhouse with a busted balustrade, crumbling bricks, and bullet holes
pockmarking its pastel walls. The toy is called "Forward Command Post"
manufactured by the ironically named Ever Sparkle Industrial Co. Ltd.
and it raised the ire of parents and activists nationwide.
California-based antiwar.com, launched a campaign against the Forward
Command Post toy targeting J.C. Penney which carried it both on-line
and in-store. The toy was also through eToys.
What's the matter with this picture?
In an article by Krista Foss, write for The Globe and Mail out of
Winnipeg, she quotes Steven Feldgaier, a University of Manitoba child
psychologist as commenting, "It is something to be concerned about.
These toys glorify violence and war . . . and send the
confusing message that peace is linked with the need to arm yourself."
to which the Canadian Toy Testing Council responded,
"We don't feel from our observations that war toys enhance or
encourage ggression. We haven't seen that. And these toys are
definitely more popular in the U.S."
Toy Fair is coming up next week and we encourage those who care about
what children watch to help monitor the toys that are pitched to
children as well. Do we really need to offer kids Barbie's bombed out
playhouse?
*** Parenting and Community -
*** IT TAKES REAL MONEY TO RAISE A CHILD
For the United States as a whole, child-rearing expense estimates
ranged between $9,030 and $10,140 for a child in a middle-income
two-child, married-couple family, according to the 2002 USDA annual
report "Expenditures on Children by Families."
Child care costs for infants and toddlers under age 2 were the second
highest child-rearing expense for all income levels, after housing.
For every age category, the widest disparities in spending levels
among income-groups were for child care and education expenses, with
high-income families spending two to three times more than low-income
families. High-income families, for example, spent almost 2.5 times as
much on child care for 0-2 year-olds ($2090) as low-income families
($840). High-income families spent twice as much as middle-income
families, and four times as much as low-income families, on
educational expenses for their 15 to 17-year-olds.
Http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/using2.htm
*** MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WILLING TO MENTOR
Two and a half million young people are in formal mentoring
relationships, but some 15 million teens are still waiting for
mentors. According to the latest National Mentoring Poll, 57 million
adults say they would seriously consider becoming a mentor. The poll's
findings suggest effective recruitment strategies include targeting
adults under age 45, working through organizations like schools and
churches, offering scheduling and other choices, providing training
and guidance and offering online mentoring as an option.
http://www.mentoring.org
The following information is thanks to The George Lucas Educational
Foundation, www.glef.org.
***This Week on GLEF's Internet Radio Show: Virtual Mentors
Thursday, January 30, noon PT, (3pm ET) on www.VoiceAmerica.com
How can K-12 students gain access to the experience and wisdom of
professionals from industry? How can would-be volunteers from the
workforce mentor students without actually having to visit the school
site on a regular basis? The International Telementor Program (ITP)
helps resolve both dilemmas, using the Internet, especially e-mail,
to pair students with working professionals who provide counsel and
motivation. http://www.glef.org/virtualmentor.html
*** Featured Video: Mary Scroggs Elementary School
This 7 1/2-minute video takes you inside Mary Scroggs Elementary
School, one of the most "wired" schools in the country.
http://www.glef.org/
**** (Re)Designing Learning Environments ****
(Re)Designing Learning Environments offers an in-depth journey into
the planning and creation of the Minnesota Zoo school. Includes a case
study, interviews, and resources on school planning and design. For
more info, go to http://www.glef.org/redesigning/index.html
**** Dell Computer's TechKnow Program ****
If your district has an urban population of students who are at risk
of missing classes and not graduating, and is willing to establish and
support the comprehensive training program and develop local community
partnerships, it could become one of the 15 Dell TechKnow districts.
Targeting at-risk middle school-aged students, TechKnow represents a
multi-million dollar commitment from Dell, including equipment,
program development, management, and other support. This program is a
partnership with school districts and will require additional
commitment and resources at the local level. For more information, you
can visit the TechKnow Program Web site or contact
mailto:[email protected]. Second-year applications will be
online in January 2003.
http://www.dell.com/us/en/k12/topics/segtopic_seg_nav_001_techknow.htm>
*** The Toshiba America Foundation encourages programs with the
potential to improve classroom teaching and learning of science,
mathematics, and the science and mathematics of technology. Projects
and proposals from individual or groups of classroom teachers in grade
schools (7-12) will be considered for funding. The Foundation is most
interested in teacher-planned and -led projects that take place in the
classroom. Grant proposals (under $5,000) are accepted throughout the
year. Decisions about small grants are made monthly, except March and
September. For info, go to http://www.toshiba.com/about/taf/grant.html
***PRODUCER NEWS
*** ATTENTION YOUNG PRODUCERS!
CALL FOR ENTRIES: Children's Videos
Kid Filmmakers is seeking video shorts for "Flying Popcorn!", a new
cable television program currently in development to showcase local
and international videos created by adults and children. Video
submissions must run no longer than 20 minutes and all topics are
considered. For submission, send one non-returnable VHS copy and
filmmaker's biography to: Kid Filmmakers, P.O. Box 12, Newport, RI
02840-0001.
Become a Coalition for Quality Children's Media Member ***
********************************************************************
If you've found our e-zine and web site helpful, please consider
becoming a member of KIDS FIRST! Members help underwrite the various
projects of this organization and are a critical component of our
success.
The Coalition for Quality Children's Media's relies on the generous
support of its members and donors to support its programs. An
individual/family membership is only $25/year. An organizational
membership is $100/year. An independent producer membership is $200 -
$10,000 / year. For more information, visit our website
(http://www.kidsfirstinternet.org) or contact our office for an
application form, 505.989.8076.
***********************************
Resources ***********************
******* KIDS FIRST! Book ***
Our book, A Parent's Guide to the Best Children's Videos, DVDs, and
CD-ROMs, featuring reviews of more than 1800 KIDS FIRST! endorsed
videos, DVDs, TV shows, and CD-ROMs is available now. To order your
copy, call our office, 505-989-8076 or send your request, to
kfnews@http://www.kidsfirstinternet.org. You can view sample pages of
our book at http: //www.pgpress.com/Book_Excerpts/kidvid/
*** MEMBER NEWS ****
Please note the new Coalition for Quality Children's Media members
below and support their work by visiting their sites.
VISIT OUR MEMBERS' SITES ******************
*****************************************************
http://www.advancedbrain.com
http://www.adventuresinoz.com
http://www.allbymyself.com
http://www.anchorbayentertainment.com
http://www.babybrother.com
http://www.a-imagination.com
http://www.activeparenting.com
http://www.BabyAboutTown.com
http://www.babyplaytime.com
http://www.babysongs.com
http://www.babyeinstein.com
http://www.babygenius.com
http://www.babyplaytime.com
htto://www.coachcoz.com
http://www.devine-ent.com
http://disney.go.com/DisneyVideos/
http://www.eatyourlunch.com
http://www.edact.com
http://www.familiesoftheworld.com
http://www.fancymonkey.com
http://www.finemediagroup.com
http://www.filmmarketonline.com
http://www.familytv.com/index_usa.asp?AFID=2002072002"
http://www.hunktabunkta.com
http://www.iluminadaproductions.com
http://www.kidskills.com
http://www.kathybyers.com
http://www.kirikou.net
http://www.lafete.com
http://www.Littlehardhats.com
http://www.magicfrank.com
http://www.mybestenglish.net
http://www.nafce.org
http://www.nestfamily.com
http://www.newvideo.com
http://www.northbayentertainment.com
http://www.pixiesage.com
http://www.powertocreate.com
http://www.production-associates.com
http://www.rainbowplace.com/
http://www.sesameworkshop.org
http://www.shanabanana.com
http://www.sosmart.com
http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/web/pl1.html
http://www.sqedunk.com
http://www.strangerinthewoods.com
http://www.tcfhe.com
http://www.underthewaves.tv
http://www.vidmedia.com
http://www.hamtaro.com
http://www.vtmproductionsinc.com
http://www.wamtv.com
http://www.warner.com
http://www.zula.com
Thanks to our KIDS FIRST! Film, Video and DVD Festival 2002 Sponsors:
Edwards Theatres, LA Parent Magazine, Orange County Parenting,
Parenthood.com, Parents Guide Press, Walt Disney Home Entertainment,
PAX-TV, Paramount Home Entertainment, MGM Home Entertainment, Artisan
Home Entertainment, Clearview Cinemas, The Wiz, The El Capitan
Theatre, Rhino Home Video, Artmatten Productions, Devine
Entertainment, Embassy Suites, KidsEdge.com, Productions La Fete and
to supporters: Anchor Bay Enterprises, Backyard Enterprises, Big Idea
Productions, Child Magazine, Children's Media Project, Columbia
Tri-Star Home Entertainment, Noggin, Nomadic Pictures, Nickelodeon,
Sesame Workshop, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Warner Home
Video.
EVENTS and NEWS ***************
***************************************
To add your event to this list, please sent a notice to
[email protected]
********* IF YOU FIND THIS NEWSLETTER USEFUL ...
FORWARD IT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY ****************
*********** ADVERTISE IN THE EMAIL EDITION OR ON THE WEB
************************
Send comments, questions and feedback to [email protected]
or click here: mailto:[email protected]
To SUBSCRIBE to our free e-zine, KIDS FIRST! NEWS:
Send e-mail to [email protected] or click here:
mailto:[email protected]
To UNSUBSCRIBE from our free e-zine, KIDS FIRST! NEWS:
Send e-mail to [email protected] or click here:
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This newsletter may be reprinted with permission.
Write to [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]
Copyright 2002 by Coalition for Quality Children's Media,
http://www.kidsfirstinternet.org
**************ABOUT CQCM AND KIDS FIRST! ***************
KIDS FIRST! is the not-for-profit Coalition for Quality Children's
Media's initiative that evaluates and rates children's media -
videotapes, CD-ROMs, and television - using a highly acclaimed method
that has been praised by parents and educators alike. It utilizes
professionally designed criteria and evaluation tools and engages a
volunteer jury comprising child development professionals,
teachers and parents nationwide and children of diverse geographic,
socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. KIDS FIRST! endorsed titles
appeal to people around the world and include many programs on topics
important to children's development. KIDS FIRST! - endorsed titles
are available on CQCM's award-winning Internet site, in The Parent's
Guide to the Best Children's Videos, DVDs, and CD-ROMs and in reviews
it provides to more than 75 publications.
CQCM evaluates feature films, television programs, videos, CD-ROM,
DVDs, and audio recordings. For an application form and application
deadlines, visit our website (http://www.kidsfirstinternet.org), call
our office (505.989.8076)
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