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Presenting: Educational programs relating to kids with disabilities or differences. We are waiting and ready to visit - Your School!

Information: Call the Special Needs Support Center of the Upper Valley office at 603-448-6311 or the KOB Coordinator Ann Justice at 603-795-2105 for further information or scheduling.

We offer short amusing skits, usually two or three in a performance, which are both educational and informative. After each skit the audience is invited to ask the puppets questions.

See the "Kids on the Block" in action: (Windows Media) (QuickTime)

Packets of activities to be used in the classroom as preparation and/or follow-up are included:

	The puppets have names, families, and friends just the way you and I do; the only difference is that they also have some challenges that not everyone shares.
	The puppets help to promote understanding and overcome difficulties through their insight and suggestions.

Skits Available

Visual Impairment Cerebral Palsy Spina Bifida Mental Retardation/Down Syndrome Autism Emotional Disburance Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs Bullies and School Safety Multiculturalism Healthy Snacking

Asthma Childhood Cancer Diabetes ADHD Child of Divorced Parents Learning Disabilities Epilepsy Sexual Abuse Physical Abuse Obesity

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This school year was an active one for the puppet troupe, with almost all weeks scheduled. However, snow days impacted on the actual number of dates fulfilled. Performances were given at 23 schools and a DHMC Health Fair – from Reading VT to Fairlee VT, from Londonderry NH to Franconia NH, and places in between. 20 performances were given in NH and 4 in VT. A total of 8 schools were within the greater Upper Valley area. A total audience of at least 2337 students saw 110 skits in 46 shows. Usually 3 skits are given in each show – or about 45-50 minutes of school class time.

The Bullying skit was by far the most requested/presented one at 51 performances, followed by Healthy Snacking 18, ADHD 7, LD 6, Divorce 6, Multicultural 5, and Down, CP, Autism, EBC at 3, and Drugs 2.

The six puppeteers – Ann Justice, Coordinator, Bev Strout, Barbara Payson, Merry Converse, Janet Eller, and Anne Lyczak volunteered at least 488 hours of service. Ann Lyczak was a new recruit this year and fitted in quite well with the troupe. Unfortunately, she is leaving the Upper Valley in the summer and won’t be available next year. The troupe traveled 1767 miles this year in their work, with Bev doing most of the driving. Bev also stores all the puppets at her home and keeps them all in good shape.

Total expenses for the troupe this year amounted to $1,900, mostly in mileage. Funding support came from the Granite United Way, the Ella Anderson Trust Fund, and contributors to the SNSC Annual Giving Campaign.

The troupe was saddened to learn of the death of Judy Thrasher in the summer 2011 who was a long time puppeteer but had not been able to perform in recent years due to her lingering illness. We will miss her greatly.

Plans for next year include 1) continue a fully packed weekly schedule of performances, hopefully without too many snow days at schools and 2) follow up on a good prospect for a new puppeteer.

Visit the National Office of Kids on the Block for infomation on other Kids on the Block programs throughout the nation.

Email: kob@nhsupport.net

Kids on the Block IS supported by United Way and other local organizations and private donors.

Parent to Parent of New Hampshire You are not alone....we have been there.

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The Parent to Parent of New Hampshire homepage address is http://www.parenttoparentnh.org