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A resource for families in Santa Cruz County | |
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Looking for the some snow action
in northern California?
Look here!
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Years ago my family and I moved to California. We lived in Pacific Palisades, a very family-friendly town. Our home was 1,000 feet above the town with views of the ocean and Los Angeles. Our neighbors were from "everywhere." Our children played in each other's back yards. We felt fortunate to live in such beauty. Now that house is gone, as are so many, and the hardship caused by devastating fires is painful to absorb. Many of us have friends and relatives in southern California. From afar, we can offer help through the Red Cross. Also, find ways to help here.
Too many friends have lost their homes. Yet stories of neighbors helping neighbors can soften the pain. In tragedy, ALWAYS look for the good people. Share hero stories with the children.
Have a purposeful weekend, Parmalee
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Articles That Will Interest Parents and Educators | |
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The Child-Nutrition Myth That Just Won’t Die, by Lauren Silverman
Disguising vegetables inside other foods might be the worst way to get a toddler to eat them. Read more > > >
The Future of Education, By Kerry McDonald
2025 will be a spectacular year for K-12 education, as choice, entrepreneurship, and technological innovation converge to transform US education for the better. Here are my top 3 predictions for what we’ll see in K-12 education in 2025, Read more > > >
What to watch for in California education in 2025? by Claude Goldenberg
How three teachers and a little kid taught me that phonics and meaning complement each other. Phonics and meaning are not enemies. Read more > > >
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The Joy of Science for Parents and Educators
"Bring the joy of science into your classroom by participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)—a fun, hands-on way for students to observe birds, collect data, and contribute to real-world scientific research. In this free, one-hour webinar, we’ll share resources, activities, and apps that make bird identification simple and engaging. Plus, you'll learn how to lead successful bird walks. Your students will love being part of something bigger as they connect with nature through participatory science."
Free Webinar, Great Backyard Bird Count, Wednesday, January 15, 4pm PT, Register for the Webinar
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Looking for the good? It's here! | | | |
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Find Your Future with the Cabrillo College IT Institute, Free ZOOM Information Meetings: 6-7pm, January 9; 17, 22, Classes begin January 31. Kick-off Your IT Career This Spring! Get a jump start on your future career in IT with Cabrillo’s new IT Institute! This program is perfect for anyone looking to land a technical job or take the first step toward professional certification. Learn from experienced faculty and staff who have worked in IT and get access to career resources that support your job search. Best of all you’ll get one-on-one and group support from the IT Institute Team. Details
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Learn About The Santa Cruz Host Homes/Shared Housing Program, Thursday, January 9, 6:30pm, Bill Wilson Center’s Shared Housing/Host Home Program is looking for people who can provide temporary housing (up to 6 months) in a safe and welcoming environment for former foster youth and LGBTQ+/allied young adults (ages 18-24) who are experiencing housing instability.
The Host Homes/Shared Housing Program partner will be provided with monthly rental assistance for providing temporary shelter to our former foster youth and LGBTQ+/allied youth. Come meet Valerie Arno, the coordinator for this program, and learn more about how you can be the change by becoming a Host Home Mentor! Details
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What to Do Instead: Guiding Kids and Teens with Empathy and Trust, January 9, 12-3pm, Whether you have toddlers, teens or in-betweens, this online workshop will help you up your parenting game, so your whole family wins in 2025! As parents, we want to help our kids get along with each other, respect and set healthy boundaries, and develop self-discipline. We know that the old ways of harsh discipline and unrealistic expectations don’t work. So what do we do instead?
Join me, Tina McRorie, for this live online workshop (part of the Attached at the Heart Parenting Program from Nurturings/API) and learn positive, effective ways to guide your children. Details
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Tai Chi in the Library, Thursdays, 10-11am, January 2 – April 17,
Are you ready to experience the ancient art of Tai Chi amidst the serene ambiance of your local library? Tai Chi is a gentle, flowing martial art that originated in ancient China. Details
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How stress wrecks digestion and what you can do about it!, Friday, January 10, 2pm, Are you tired of gas, bloating, heartburn, bathroom trouble, and low energy?Poor digestion is at the root of these symptoms and many more!In this free presentation, you’ll discover powerful keys & 12 tools you need to transform your digestion so you can have balanced weight, more energy, & enjoy your life more fully!
Rebecca Hazelton is a Licensed Nutritionist, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, Certified HeartMath Stress Resilience Coach and author. She helps people struggling with health symptoms how to regain their health so they can feel great and free to enjoy life fully! Details
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Grey Bears' Thrift Store 2nd Saturday Sale, January 12, 9am – 3:30pm, 50%-Off Sale, Details | |
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The Art Of De-cluttering, Sundays, January 12, 19, 26, February 2, 3 – 5pm, Four-week Online Workshop. Create A Home That Helps You Heal & Feel Well, There’s an intimate relationship between the state of our home and our health. Have you had the desire to de-clutter your space for months now but haven’t made much progress? Let’s do it together. Details
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A Variety of Art Classes are Available at Santa Cruz Art League, January through April, Take an art class at SCAL with a local artist. Details | | | |
Gateway School Tour, Tuesday, January 14, Visit us and see why Gateway was voted Best Elementary and Best Middle School in Santa Cruz. Hang with our kindergarteners on Kindy Island, see what’s growing in our Life Lab outdoor classroom, join our middle schoolers for a science experiment, and see first hand the unique benefits of a K – 8 education. Private tours also available. Details | | | |
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This Bright Light of Ours: Stories from the Voting Rights Fight with Maria Gitin, Friday, January 17, 3:30pm, Join SCPL in commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Civil Rights veteran and author Maria Gitin. Gitin will share her experience in the Civil Rights Movement and suggest how its successful strategies might inform our current culture. Her one-hour presentation will include historic photographs and personal stories from Gitin’s friends and co-workers. Details
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The Fungus Fair Awaits You! January 10, 11, 12: Friday, 2-5pm; Saturday, 9-6pm; Sunday, 9-6pm, Come to Santa Cruz and explore the fascinating world of Fungi. Learn interesting and fun facts about the hundreds of beautiful and fascinating species of mushrooms found in the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Area. Download a fungi coloring page. Details
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Ice Skate in Union Square! Daily, through January 25, 10am-11pm, Details | |
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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! January
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