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RESOURCE LIST FOR ESL FAMILIES
Community Resources
Upper Merion Area Public Library
175 W. Valley Forge Road—King of Prussia, PA—Telephone 610-265-4805—www.umtownship.org
The children’s department offers a wide variety of programs to children and their families; all programs are free
Upper Merion Area Township Parks and Recreation
Telephone 610-265-1071—www.umtownship.org/park.html
The township offers a variety of classes and activities for children
The Parenting Center
200 Anderson Road—King of Prussia, PA—Telephone 610-337-8130
The parenting center offers programs to enhance parenting skills; supervision is provided for younger siblings during day sessions
Four-Year Old Preschool Program
Telephone 610-337-6093
For children living within Upper Merion Area School District who will be four-years old by October 1st; the program prepares children for kindergarten
Fun Places for Children
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 West Girard Avenue—Philadelphia, PA 19104—www.philadelphiazoo.org
Please Touch Museum
210 North 21st Street—Philadelphia, PA 19103—Telephone 215-963-0666
For children under 6 years old
The Franklin Institute
20th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway—Philadelphia, PA 19103—Telephone 215-448-1200—Http://slm.fi.edu/
Academy of Natural Sciences
19th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway—Philadelphia, PA 19103—Telephone 215-299-1040—www.acnatsci.org
Independence Seaport Museum
Penn’s Landing, Columbus Blvd & Walnut Street—Philadelphia, PA—Telephone 215-925-5439—www.phillyseaport.org
Exhibits explore science and history of boats; includes tours of the U.S. battleship Olympia and the U.S. submarine Becuna
Free 10 am-noon on Sundays
Independence National Historical Park
Independence Visitor Center, 6th & Market Streets—Philadelphia, Pa—Telephone 215-597-8974—www.nps.gov/inde
20 buildings open to public including Visitors Center, Independence Hall and Congress Hall—most sites are free
National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street—Philadelphia, PA—Telephone 215-409-6600—www.constitutioncenter.org
Children’s show with explanation of 1st 10 amendments; free ages under 4
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
Benjamin Franklin Parkway—Philadelphia, PA—Telephone 215-235-7469—www.philamuseum.org
Free admission to the museum on Sundays 10 am-5pm; family programs every Sunday; children’s art classes throughout the year
The New Jersey State Aquarium
Delaware River—Camden, NJ—Telephone 800-616-5297—www.njaquarium.org
Valley Forge National Historical Park
Route 23—Valley Forge, PA—Telephone 610-783-1077—www.nps.gov/vafo
Exciting Events for the Whole Family
Philadelphia Orchestra Family Concerts
Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce Streets—Philadelphia, PA 19102—Telephone 215-893-1900—www.philorch.org/styles/poa02e/www/familyconcert.htmlh
Series of 5 Saturday morning concerts between September and April, for ages 6-12
Philadelphia International Children’s Festival
Annenberg Center, University of Pennsylvania
3680 Walnut Street—Philadelphia, PA 19104—Telephone 215-898-3900—www.pennpresents.org/children.php
The festival takes place several days early in May; children under age 12 are admitted free to all concerts; many family centered activities
Mann Music Center—Youth People’s Concert Series
Belmont Avenue—Philadelphia, Pa—Telephone 215-546-7900—
www.manncenter.org/Pages/YPC.html
Series of weekday concerts for children during the summer; admission and parking are free
Adult English as a Second Languages Classes and Services
Transportation really is a must, but there are several excellent (and free) programs in the area that are often just as good as Community College programs.
1. Norristown Literacy Council; has to go and register and take an assessment; offers both 1:1 tutoring classes with volunteers and organized classes; 1:1 definitely has a wait list; free
113 East Airy Street
Norristown, PA 19401-4932
(610) 292-85152. Chester County OIC; has to go and register and take an assessment; offers both 1:1 tutoring classes with volunteers and organized classes; 1:1 definitely has a wait list; free; ask for Maryann Mann (I worked here)
790 E. Market Street
Suite 100
West Chester, PA 19382
(610) 692-2344 - Phone
(610) 918-2690 - Fax
347 Bridge Street
Suite 201
Phoenixville, PA 19460
(610) 917-2344 - Phone
(610) 917-0545 - Fax3. Volunteer English Program; West Chester; has to go and register and take an assessment; offers both 1:1 tutoring classes with volunteers and organized classes; 1:1 definitely has a wait list; free
790 East Market Street, Suite 215
West Chester, PA 19382Phone: (610) 918-8222
Fax: (610) 918-82234. Upper Merion Township Library Weekly Conversation Class; run by a volunteer; meets weekly during the day I believe; focuses on pure conversation; group changes often and varies in size and in proficiency level; contact Marianne Hooper or Sue Kirkpatrick at library for more details
175 West Valley Forge Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406-1851
(610) 265-4805