Author Archives: delraybaby

Nov 21, 2011

Everyone knows that preschools in Alexandria can be harder to get into than college, so we’re so excited to see the Agudas Achim Preschool has a new “Young Twos” class forming. If your child will have turned two between October 1, 2011 and January 1, 2012, there is still room to join! The 3-day per week class begins Wednesday, January 4, 2012 and will meet Monday, Wednesday,Friday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Class size limited to 10 children with 2 teachers. There are still a few openings. Please call Preschool director Sue Keitelman for information, 703-998-6072, or email her at Preschool@agudasachim-va.org .

Nov 10, 2011

I don’t know about your kids, but winter time is tough for my kids because they aren’t getting in enough active play every day! I’ve gone through and found lots of options for winter athletics in Alexandria

For the little kids, here are some class options:

Mount Vernon RECenter ice skating rink offers Mom & Me and Snow Plow classes for kids 3-5.  Registration is open until the end of the month

JW Tumbles offers classes for kids as young as 4 months old.  Parent participation classes are available up to 3 years of age and 3-5 year olds can join in independent classes

Gymboree has Play and Learn classes for children 6 months – 5 yrs. and Sports classes for 3-5 year olds

TheYMCA on Monroe Ave. has swim classes for all ages.  Registration for classes opens up for members on Dec. 3rd.  and non-members on Dec. 13th. Classes start in January.

The YMCA offers Youth Basketball for 4 year olds with the amazing coach Ken.  The current session started last week and is still enrolling.

Just for Kids offers T-ball starting Jan. 2nd for kids 2 1/2- 4 1/2 years old,

Mount Vernon Athletic Club has started their fall tennis club but you can still register and your cost will be pro-rated.  They offer a ‘Quick Start’ class for 4 year olds that’s designed to bring kids into the game by utilizing specialized equipment and shorter court dimensions tailored to age and size.

I know I promised Alexandria, but the Barcroft Sport & Fitness Center is so close and is so wonderful, it deserves a mention.  They offer gymnastics and little olympians classes (which is a broad overall sports class) for kids as young as 2.  The new session starts the 3rd week in Jan. and the registration catalog, which is called ‘Enjoy Arlington’ will come out the beginning of Dec.

For the elementary school kids:

Mount Vernon Youth Athletic Association has a basketball league  for kids as young as 5 years old +  but move quickly, because you’ll need to register this week

Ice Skating classes are offered at the Mount Vernon RECenter at 2017 Belle View Blvd., Alexandria. Registration is open for basic through advanced classes until the end of the month

TheYMCA on Monroe Ave. has swim classes for all ages.  Registration for classes opens up for members on Dec. 3rd.  and non-members on Dec. 13th. Classes start in January.

Interested in a swim team?  The Alexandria Sea Dragons at the Alexandria YMCA are signing up members.  All swimmers ages 5-18 need to swim 25 yards, or successfully pass a swim assessment with an instructor’s approval.  To sign-up, contact Aquatics director Ellen Jones at ejones@ymcadc.org or 703-838-8085 if you have additional questions.

Also at the YMCA, there is Karate for Kids for 5-12 year olds and Youth Basketball for 4-8 year olds.  The new session for these will begin in December.

JW Tumbles on Duke St. offers children aged five and a half to seven a climbers class where kids learn skills such as how to swing a golf club, leap off a springboard, high-bar techniques (like flipping), do back walkovers and more.

Baroody Camps at Alexandria Country Day School at Russell Rd. is now open for registration.  They offer basketball clinics and gymnastics classes for ages 5-11.

Just for Kids offers baseball and sports movement class that is floor hockey and LAX starting the new session on Jan. 2nd.

Mount Vernon Athletic Club in south Alexandria has started their fall tennis club classes but you can still register and the cost will be prorated.  They offer classes for beginners through competitive players.

Didn’t get enough soccer this fall?  Fairfax Sportplex is right outside the city limits in Springfield off Edsall Rd. and offers Youth Soccer Leagues starting in January.  This league is a bit more structured (with a goalie, refs and scoreboard) than the Alexandria Soccer Associations league.

The city of Alexandria will release their new Recreation Program Guide in December for activities beginning in January such as new sessions of swim classes at Chinquapin Recreation Center.

The Barcroft Sport & Fitness Center in south Arlington offers amazing gymnastics classes for all ages.  The new session starts the 3rd week in Jan. and the registration catalog, which is called ‘Enjoy Arlington’ will come out the beginning of Dec.

Let us know if there’s anything else that we’ve missed!

Nov 09, 2011


‘The Little School Around the Corner’ is holding an open house this coming Saturday.

Here’s the announcement from the school:

Please join us at The Del Ray Montessori School for our Fall Open House (adults-only) on Saturday, November 12 from 9-11am.

100 East Windsor Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301 (The Del Ray United Methodist Church)—Second Floor.

Come and see our classroom and find out more about Montessori education. We look forward to your visit!

Nov. 8th from 6-7:30 p.m. is a Resource Parent Information Meeting for individuals interested in becoming adoptive and/or foster parent for the City of Alexandria.  A the meeting there will be talk about the children the city serves and the process for becoming a licensed resource parent.  The meeting is at the Beatley Library, 5005 Duke Street.

For more information, call Chrissy Levine at 703-746-5858 or christine.levine@alexandria.gov

On Monday, Nov. 7th from 7 -9 p.m. the Alexandria Preschool Directors will be hosting a free event to learn about the 2012-2013 Kindergarten program and elementary schools in Northern VA area including Alexandria city public schools and representative from 20+ independent schools.  Parents will find out when and where to register children for kindergarten and will learn about Alexandria’s citywide special programs. School principals, kindergarten teachers and other school professionals serving kindergartners will be on hand to visit with parents and students and talk about the academic and social activities in the kindergarten year. The fair will take place at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria.

Call Dory Herman-Sample at 703-998-8795 with any questions.

Nov 05, 2011

Tomorrow is the ANNUAL AGUDAS ACHIM PRESCHOOL SALE, Children’s Extravaganza! Lots of stuff at amazing prices!
ONE DAY ONLY!! 8am-3pm. Cash Only. Items donated from over 50 families!- Infant – size 8. Toys, puzzles, games, Pack n’ Plays, Maternity clothing and gear, backyard toys, riding toys, books, DVDs and MUCH, MUCH MORE! Agudas Achim Congregation 2908 Valley Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.