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Schooling, Culture, History, Dolls & Miracles
Today we bring you Schooling In America 2023, a summary of recent educational trends, good background information to have, for parents, teachers and administrators who are navigating immediate, best-choices for each child in their care. Read what interests you. Be curious about others' perspectives. Clarify for yourself what's important to you. Remember the adage, "An open mind (parachute) helps you land on your feet!"
Dolls as a vehicle to learn American history? Yes! We offer a fun glimpse into American history through an essay on The Enduring American Doll. This article demonstrates how our culture evolves as we continue our growth as a nation devoted to freedom of choice & speech and opportunities for all. The dolls and books are expensive, so check with the library for books! Enjoy this fine research and good writing.

If I were still teaching, I would incorporate the history of American Dolls into the curriculum, perhaps in 3rd or 4th grade. Not to leave out boys, I would also include a history of American Boys, also via dolls, with interests of a particular period -- although they would have to be imaginary, as there does not appear to be an equivalent boy version of American Dolls.

I would encourage children to create their own characters and their stories, incorporating existing historical & cultural biases and obstacles into a favorite period.  Apparently the Mattel Toy Company, which now owns the production of American Dolls, has shown interest in creating historical boy dolls, but so far nothing like the extensive books and dolls featuring girls.

Before you scroll down to the fun, family events, please enjoy Barry Brownstein's upbeat essay on the miracles of human cooperation, which we need more of today!
How was the first day of school!? Parmalee
Don't get cut off from all the events!
The Enduring Story Behind American Girl Dolls
"...girls are the same throughout history
even though culture changes, even though society changes.”

Meilan Solly, in The Smithsonian has researched and written The Enduring American Doll, an entertaining essay on the history of the American Doll series. Why, one could make a case for learning American history through the entire book series. If you enjoy the Smithsonian's essay, then also read "Meet Valerie Tripp, the Writer Behind the Famous “American Girl” Doll Stories."
Growing up, Sydney Rose Paulsen often viewed the world through a specific lens: namely, American Girl dolls and books. “I read [the stories] dozens of times,” the 23-year-old recalls. “They were my context for how people who didn’t have my background or grew up in my time lived. … They were so much my point of reference for everything.”

Now a doll photographer with an Instagram following of almost 60,000 [at the time this was written in 2021], Paulsen has fond memories of a childhood spent immersed in the world created by the American Girl company. Since 1986, the Middleton, Wisconsin–based enterprise has been producing dolls for young girls that are about as far from Barbies and Bratz as one can get. Each of American Girl’s 8- to 11-year-old characters represents a different historical period; brought to life through richly researched novels and accessories, the dolls become cherished parts of their young owners’ lives. One other aspect that set the American Girls dolls apart: their price. In the early ’90s, a collection of a doll, her books and accessories could run in the hundreds of dollars, making the American Girl experience financially inaccessible to many.

As a girl home-schooled by her mother, Paulsen learned about the United States’ past through American Girl’s diverse slate of fictional figures, from pioneer girl Kirsten Larson to Virginia colonist Felicity Merriman to Addy Walker, who escapes enslavement at the height of the Civil War. “I slowly started to become very interested in historical fashion because I wanted to dress like my dolls so badly,” says Paulsen.

Researching the time periods in which the dolls’ stories were set, she soon gained a new appreciation of the interconnected nature of American history: Kit Kittredge, an aspiring reporter living through the Great Depression, wore simpler dresses because her family couldn’t afford new clothes, while polio survivor Maryellen Larkin, who came of age in the decade after World War II, had enough money to splurge on poodle skirts and other ’50s fashions. Continue > > >
What do Parents and the Public
Say About K-12 Education
Excerpts from 73 pages of findings. It's not boring.
Compare your opinions to the survey results!
"Parents just don’t care that much about test scores. That’s one of the key takeaways from the 11th annual “Schooling in America” survey, published by EdChoice. Out of 14 reasons why parents choose their child’s current school, including public, private, charter, and homeschool, test scores ranked near the bottom of parents’ priorities. Read more > > >
Lastly, an Upbeat Question...
The miracles of cooperation go unnoticed.

“If we can’t take the time out of our lives to stay a moment and listen to one of the best musicians on Earth play some of the best music ever written; if the surge of modern life so overpowers us that we are deaf and blind to something like that—then what else are we missing?”

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Start Smart Driving Education for Teens & their Parents, Wednesday, August 16, 5:30 – 6:30pm,The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is offering new driver education class for new drivers and their parents. Start Smart addresses such topics as safe driving practices, the rules of the road, and new driver license requirements. Contact your nearest CHP Area office to confirm your registration to this free class, 831-219-0200 to register.
Join us at the Bridge Club, Mondays, 10:30am – 12pm, August 14 – October 2, Join us at the Bridge Club! Everyone is welcomed from beginners to social players. If you’re interested in playing Bridge, a table is waiting for you every Monday at the Capitola Branch Library. Details
Bike Commuting 101 Workshop, Thursday, August 17, 12 – 1pm
Are you ready to take your morning commute to the next level? Or are you just ready to give your wallet a break from gas prices? Learn from the experts about bike commuting basics including hauling gear, what to look for in a solid commuting bike, riding while “business casual,” rush hour rules of the road, and more. Details
Cabrillo Festival of Music
Triple P Brief Group: Helping Teens Cope with Depression, Fridays, August 4-25, 5:30 – 7:00 pm, Details

Raising Responsible Teens, August 10, - 7:30pm. Details

Triple P Workshop: Encouraging Your Chld’s Self-Esteem, Monday, August 14, 5:30 – 7pm, Details

Nurture: Giving Young Children the Loving Care They Need, Wednesday, August 16, 5:30 – 7pm, Join Tina McRorie for this FREE 90 minute online workshop (part of the Attached at the Heart Parenting Program from Attachment Parenting International) and learn how you can give your infants and young children the kind of care they need to feel safe and loved, so they can grow and thrive. Details
Capitola Twilight Concerts, Wednesdays 6pm, June 21 – August 30, The Capitola Twilight Concerts are hosted on Wednesday evenings during the summer months. August 16: Billy Martini Show Details
Beach Boardwalk Free Daily Entertainment, LAST DAY! Aug 11, Magicians, jugglers, acrobats and more perform at two locations in the park. Engaging performers invite you to be a part of the FREE show! Details
Free Movies on the Boardwalk Beach, Fridays 9pm, LAST ONE! Bring the family and your blanket or low-back chair and join us! Aug. 11, THE NEVER ENDING STORY, Details
Live Music on the Boardwalk Colonnade, Thursdays, 8:30 – 10pm, June 15 – August 10, Enjoy FREE Live Music Thursdays throughout the summer on the Boardwalk Colonnade! Come for the rides, stay for the entertainment! Aug.10, PACIFIC ROOTS, Details
Midtown Summer Block Party, Fridays through September 29 – 5:00 to 8:30ish, Come Celebrate all the vibrancy of Midtown at our Summer Block Party, happening every Friday! Food – Artists – Live Music – Vendors. August 11, Santa Cruda w/opener Yaya’s Kitchen, Details
Watsonville Summer Concert Series Music in the Plaza, 1st & 3rd Fridays 6 – 8pm, August 18, Ready to dance the night away? Our summer outdoor Music in the Plaza concert series is back and will feature a variety of bands to help you get your groove on! Aug. 18, La Fiera Norteña | Corrido, Zapateados, & Cumbias Details
Heritage Events at Roaring Camp, All Summer, Heritage sounds like something old, unless you’re talking Heritage Events at Roaring Camp. Free Heritage Events with the purchase of a Roaring Camp train ticket: Monday: Blacksmith; Tuesday: Printing Press; Wednesday: Candle Making; Thursday: Crafts; Friday: Gold Panning Details
Daughters and Sons of the Beach Ukele Jam, Saturdays, 10am – 12pm, Strum Along on the beach behind the Crow’s Nest.
Parenting Workshops, 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! August