SUMMARY: St. Charles has an annual carnival and while it's not Great Adventure or Hersey Park it's…read morefun for family, high school kids and people who just want to munch on junk food, have a drink at the beer garden, win prizes and ride a few rides. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I woke up today with a latex hand stamp that won't come off and a headache that felt like a crazy tequila hangover. Confused, it took me a minute to realize that I had such a great time at the carnival. My friend, her kid-nephew and I rode on the rides that made us laugh so hard we almost peed our pants. I admit, my standards were low when I sought out going but $20 for all rides (special for that night) and a BBQ on a stick ($3.50) made my night. As far as that latex hand-stamp, well that's just not coming off! Additionally, there are panzarottis, funnel cake, burgers, pizza and water ice. For kids there is face painting, games and sand art. Bathrooms are located in the church so (thank god!) no portapots. An ATM is located on-site and there is plenty of security/police staff.

What a genuinely friendly and giving group of people at this Church! As a visitor, I felt extremely…read morewelcomed here and believe that there is a true presence of God here, which permeates the atmosphere. I was fond of the choir's presence at the 11 AM Sunday Mass. I am accustomed to so many area churches hiding their choir in a loft, and burying their noses in their books, but this parish is quite engaging and participatory.

Inclusive and accommodating, this place is not. I had registered my kiddos for Newman based on the…read moreowner's background and education. While they were enrolled for summer camp 2025, communication started in February on my end as my one child does have needs that require support. I provided IEPs, communications about him having and aide with him for part of the day and all of the tools necessary for them to be successful (allergy safe snacks, noise cancelling headphones, sensory toys, special books and projects, etc). On day 1 - I wish I had walked out and never went there again, but everyone is an expert with hindsight. At dropoffs week 1 the main teacher for summer camp, Miss Marissa, showed no interest in interacting with my child or listening on how to support my child with the most basics of needs. When I was giving her specific instructions on day 2 she stopped listening and did not even acknowledge my child to play with her own child. When I reported this to the owner, it was confirmed by another employee..... who was soon let go. During the short time (3.5 weeks) my kids attended camp the thing I received the most contact about was if items that the school wanted to provide foodwisw were safe because of food allergies; I packed snacks daily due to food allergies so there was absolutely no need for food to be provided by the school. There was never how can we support your child, it was always encouraging his aide to keep him at a separate table like an outcast and the wanting to know what time was I going to be there instead of making any effort to make NELC feel safe for him. I offered so many resources and insights and no effort on their end was made. My child's tutor also reached out to offer resources and training and NELC wanted me to pay for any additional support. The owner made it a point to tell me when she had to come in early or leave later because of my child. Several days at pickup there was a child stimming; Miss Marissa regularly told him to stop and find a book to read. Again, another sign I should've followed my gut and stopped sending my kids. Daycares in general have shifted and I was so hopeful for a new small business in a local town; instead we found a place that discriminates, antagonized a child with needs when they were told daily that the child needs to feel safe and actively recruits child with special needs to attend. The 2 teachers that bonded with my kiddo when he was where short term employees and left after interacting with my child and reporting all good things. I am sharing this as for a childcare center for your average child it may be fine, but for kiddos with ANY needs- steer clear as 5 months after pulling my child we are still navigating the trauma associated with NELC and how the owner Patty and Marissa treated him. He was there for 30 minutes 2 days a week without an aide and in that short time they completely ignored him when he needed help and didn't even attempt to support basic needs to keep my child safe. The last day my kids went I came home to finding out that there was a physical interaction between my kids that day that I never received any notification about. I immediately pulled my kids that night and was told I was responsible for several weeks of tuition and disbelief that I was pulling my kids. No mention of physical interaction between my kids or any issues that day; fast forward the following week when the state went out to investigate after they were no longer enrolled I received a incident report my child with severe food allergies ingested non-food a week prior.

Newman has been an excellent experience for my daughter. The teachers are great, Miss Patty is very…read morecaring. The team at Newman works with my daughter whenever she has challenges. I can't say enough good things about our time at Newman.

Grew up in this middle-class town. Good schools, but you only get what you want to take from them…read more Area has some great shopping and places to eat. So much better since the 13 or so motels were taken down in the 90s. Route 130 is booming again but still have eye sore properties like the abandoned senior housing development.

Good town friendly people, just like the signs say. Nice small town feel with a population of…read morearound 30k people. Elementary schools are really great, high school not so much but there is the BCIT free vo-tech option, and paid catholic high schools nearby. Quaint Main St and all the pizza shops you could ask for.

Little friends has been in our family history! My son's uncle actually use to go there as a 3 year…read moreold and it's pretty awesome to actually be checking my son in and that very teacher that taught my brother in law, non chalantly askes me if my son happened to be related to Chris (Uncle)!! He went to little friends 26 years ago so how comforted were we to know that even 26 years later a teacher could remember a student and blurt out his name without putting much thought into it! I have nothing but praise for the school. It's a coOp so tuition is kept at a reasonable affordable price so long as there's parent involvement when it's neeeded, which is usually once a month. The schools clean, the playground is maintained and the toys and activities are routinely moved in and out to in order to keep the kids entertained. I can't imagine sending my children to another school. We love it and the teachers as well!

My sons who are now 13 & 11 went to little friends and were overly prepared for kindergarten. They…read morewere in fact 'bored' and their teachers and I did extra work with them to keep them engaged. They still are best friends with the kids they met at LF and my dearest friends are moms and the teacher who I met when they were there. When I found out I was pregnant, I was beyond excited to send another child there... she will start in the fall! Little friends is a cozy one room school with a teacher who loves these children. The kids have fun learning, playing, crafting and going on field trips! Parents/grandparents are asked to help out on an average of once a month which is fun for all. I can't say enough about this school!!

The only way I feel this place could get worse is if it was any dirtier…read more While there are decent to even good teachers the district ties their hands and in the end ruins a good deal of the education system. The arts struggle, including band and choir, financially- running out of supplies often. The middle school physical education is held in a place called 'the pit' and is dark and smells weird. The high school physical education is mostly made up of running laps on the cinder track or around the basketball court. The school does not offer many clubs nor many classes other than the bare basics. I feel my education suffered going to this school system and I am paying for it in college.

Great school. Nice teachers, and kids. My child had a very easy time making friends, and the…read moreteachers were very caring and helpful. My child has grown closer to Jesus. They did daily prayer, and there is a very nice, welcoming community of families in this school. Would recommend!!

An excellent school that prepares kids spiritually, academically and has great athletics.read more