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A resource for families in Santa Cruz County | |
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Let's Go to the Fair and Connect with Neighbors!
I've been to fairs all over the country. I like the Santa Cruz County Fair the best because it's clean, just the right size, easy to walk around, entertaining, and has inspiring exhibits from locals of all ages and interests. We get to know our neighbors through the hobbies, activities and avocations they share at the fair. My favorites are probably different from yours, and that's the beauty of it. There's something for everyone, from toddlers to seniors, from artists to farmers!
What do Rachel's Clubs, the CDC, the No Phones in Schools movement, the Santa Cruz County Fair, Kindness 101 and Kidpower have in common and what do they have to do with the recent school shooting?! Read their stories and see if you agree that connection is the key.
Connect with your children, connect with the family, friends, and your community, Parmalee
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After another tragic school shooting, I heard an interview with the father of Rachel. Rachel was killed in a school shooting. She was a kind person who loved connecting with others. Building on the concept of connecting, in person, Rachel's father began Rachel's Challenge, a student wellness program that builds connection, hope and resilience. It seems that Rachel's Clubs have not only caught on with kids, teachers and parents, they are successful in creating kin connections among all students.
"Rachel’s Challenge envisions schools full of hope, free from harassment, violence, and self-harm, where teachers are free to teach and students are inspired to learn.
Rachel’s Challenge addresses the root causes of school violence, bullying, prejudice, and self-harm through student wellness programs that build connection, hope and resilience. We improve school culture so that students are able to reach their full potential academically, socially and emotionally."
Read about Rachel's legacy and the amazing gift she left to the world.
“These hands belong to Rachel Joy Scott and will someday touch millions of people’s hearts.”
Investigate your options. Think of beginning Rachel's Club in your school.
Source
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CDC: Mental Health of Children and Parents,
a Strong Connection
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The mental health of children is connected to their parents’ mental health. A recent study found that 1 in 14 children has a caregiver with poor mental health. Fathers and mothers—and other caregivers who have the role of parent—need support, which, in turn, can help them support their children’s mental health. CDC works to make sure that parents get the support they need. Source | |
CDC: Poor Mental Health
Impacts Adolescent Well-being
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Poor mental health in adolescence is more than feeling blue. It can impact many areas of a teen’s life. Youth with poor mental health may struggle with school and grades, decision making, and their health. Mental health problems in youth often go hand-in-hand with other health and behavioral risks like increased risk of drug use, experiencing violence, and higher risk sexual behaviors that can lead to HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancy.
The good news is that teens are resilient, and we know what works to support their mental health: feeling connected to school and family.
- Fortunately, the same prevention strategies that promote mental health—like helping students feel connected to school/family—help prevent a range of negative experiences, like drug use and violence.
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Building strong bonds and relationships with adults and friends at school, at home and in the community provides youth with a sense of connectedness.
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This feeling of connectedness is important and can protect adolescents from poor mental health, and other risks like drug use and violence.
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Youth need to know someone cares about them. Connections can be made virtually or in person.
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School Shootings: How Do We Protect Our Kids? | |
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Irene van der Zande, Kidpower
The school year has just started in the US and, yet again, another school shooting has led to tragic loss of life, suffering, and fear. Our hearts are with each person who has died, been injured, lost a loved one, or had their sense of security destroyed. In response to the tragic reality of horrific heartbreaking shootings, we are offering a special free workshop for parents, educators, and other caring adults called, “School Shootings, How do we protect our kids?" Read more > > >
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Kidpower: School Shootings, How Do We Protect Our Kids? Thursday, March 12, 10am to 11am via Zoom, Skills for adults to protect and empower kids, Register here. FREE
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Pokemon at Live Oak Annex, Thursdays 3-5pm, Informal drop-in. Join us at Live Oak Annex to play pokemon. Ages 6-11, Bring your decks and get ready to see who is the Poke Master! No trades allowed unless parents are present. Details
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CommonGround Festival: Sand Artwork with Jim and Brighton Denevan, Friday – Sunday 8am–6pm, September 13–15, Join our commonground festival and help create sand artwork. A large-scale sand installation co-created with the community, serving as a testament to the artists’ enduring appreciation for the transient beauty inherent in the natural world. The work will be on view until it disappears as a result of environmental forces or human intervention. Volunteers welcome. Details
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A Spell of Poetry, Friday, September 13, 4-5:30pm, Join us for a Voxteen poetry workshop, ages 13-18! Vox is Latin for voice. Learn about four unique styles of poetry with Youth Poet Laureate finalist, Madeline Aliah. Bring a cozy pillow or cushion. Details
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California Landscape Exhibition Details | | | |
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Start Smart Driving Education for Teens & their Parents,
Thursday, September 26, 5:30-7pm Details
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Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Saturday 9:30am-8pm and Sunday 9:30am-7pm, September 14 & 15, Stroll the festival sipping exceptional wines from 22 Santa Cruz Mountain wineries while admiring the artistic talents of over 100 fine artists. Enjoy live music, be inspired by local dance groups, and street performers. Details
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Food Truck Friday Capitola, September 13, 4:30pm, Enjoy local centric food and entertainment in a fun, family friendly environment. Top-notch food from some of Santa Cruz County’s best food trucks while grooving to Coffee Zombie Collective. Details
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Parenting with Compassion and Wisdom With Pam Cayton, Saturdays, 10:30am-12:30pm, September 14 – October 5, Every autumn Tara Redwood School offers a course for parents to learn about the Creating Compassionate Culture curriculum that is the heart of our school. Parents and /or caregivers will be able to experience what their children are learning in the classroom, and use these skills for themselves at home. In person and on ZOOM. Details
Creating Compassionate Cultures Program for Children (CCC) Program for Children, Saturdays 10:30am-1pm, September 14-October 5,
This year we are offering a course for the children as well! Same day & time as the parent /caregiver course. Details
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Beach Cleanup and Bonfire with Girls Cub Scout Pack 673, Sunday, September 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Join our All girls Cub Pack 673 as we celebrate Coastal Clean-up Day. We are K – 5th graders and our families. We will meet at Seabright State Beach and do a beach clean-up, then we will move to the fire rings for roasted hot dogs (vegetarian options available) and S’mores. Come meet our all-girls pack and learn about all the fantastic events we have planned for the year. Cub Scouts is a great way to make friends, get outdoors, learn new skills, and, most importantly, have fun. We look forward to meeting you! More
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Quilting with Friends, Mondays 11am-3pm, September 16, Join us at the Boulder Creek Library for Quilting with Friends every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. All levels of quilting expertise are welcome, from accomplished quilters to those new to the craft. Participants bring their own supplies to work on individual projects, share knowledge and create community. Registration is not required. Details
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Get ready for the 32nd Annual Aloha Outrigger Races September 21. These short-course outrigger races are designed especially for the new or novice paddlers. You provide four people and we provide a canoe plus steer-person and stroker from the Pu Pu ‘O Hawaii Outrigger Club. Free to watch! Details
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SeptemberTales to Tails Garfield Park, Mondays 3:30-4:30pm, Tales to Tails is a literacy program designed to help children improve their reading skills by reading to certified therapy dogs. Trained therapy dogs will be available Mondays at the Garfield Park Library to be attentive reading partners for children reading aloud. Details
Tales to Tails Felton Library, 3rd Tuesdays, 3-4pm, Trained therapy dogs will be available to be attentive reading partners for children reading aloud. Child must be 6-17 years old, and already reading to some degree. Our volunteer handlers are there to provide support but are not trained reading instructors. Appointments are required. Details
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Meet the Authors and Illustrator of the Princess Black Series, Wednesday, September 18, 6pm, Bookshop welcomes authors Shannon Hale and Dean Hale and illustrator LeUyen Pham—the award-winning team behind the bestselling Princess in Black series—for a celebration of their new book, The Princess in Black and the Kitty Catastrophe. Ten years after she first donned her cape, the Princess in Black returns for a purrfectly hilarious entry to the New York Times best-selling series. Join us for a book talk, signing, costume contest, activities with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, and more! Details
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Parenting Workshops September, These parent workshops offer outstanding skills, tips and support in our parenting path. We are fortunate to have these resources. Even if everything is going well, it's good to know what's available! September
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