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You Matter

A Good News Story from a Librarian

"I got a very unusual phone call. At first, I thought that it was a prank call; we get those sometimes. A tiny voice said, “Would you read me a story?” I said, "over the phone?” And he replied in his tiny voice, “It can be a short one.” So, I asked him how old he was and his name. Eight-year-old Winston told me that he couldn’t go to school that day and just needed me to read him a story.


I immediately went to our display of Community of Many Faces and prayed that I would find a suitable book. I chose “You Matter” by Christian Robinson and felt that this was the right one. I attempted to make this precious book fun and alive for Winston, and although he couldn’t see the pictures, he got the “picture.”


Before I could ask Winston where his parents were, in his tiny little voice, he said, “Can I say something?” Before I could respond, he said in his tiny little voice, “You matter too, bye, I’ve got to go now,” and hurriedly hung up the phone.


“For anyone who isn’t sure if they matter, You do.” At first, I had felt overwhelmed by one more task to perform, but 8-year-old Winston with his tiny voice made my day. Although hungry and tired, I went home in a better frame of mind because Winston cared enough to say that “I mattered too,” and so do all of you!"



You matter, especially at the library!

Today we share articles on serious situations, teen mental health and the fentanyl crisis. Social scientists have been seeking/posing answers to "WHY" there's an increase in teen mental health. They've been openly and robustly promoting and critiquing each others' differing conclusions, as scientists should. A local (Los Gatos) teen has created a documentary film, Fentanyl High, unique because it offers "WHYS" from the teen perspective. Another article addresses "HOW" we make positive changes.


I offer these up for discussion. I don't envy parents these difficult situations and tough decisions, but hopefully the information will help you develop your family's plan, and find it by including your tweens and teens.


Have productive, informed, inquiring discussions! Parmalee

Fentanyl High, Documentary Film by Teen


Santa Cruz Community Health, Santa Cruz County Office of Education and local school districts will co-host a free community viewing of "Fentanyl High," a poignant documentary film, on Thursday, May 2 at 6:30 pm at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz. The film was produced by LC2 Productions and directed by Kyle Santoro, a Los Gatos High School senior.


Tickets (free) will become available soon. As soon as they are available you can find access at SCP Calendar May 2, the SCP Facebook page, and in the next newsletter. Check frequently! They will go fast.


Read about the event at Rio Theatre > > >

What is the real cause of the teen mental health crisis?

Dueling Opinions over Data Interpretation


Jean M. Twenge Apr 02, 2024


"It’s now nearly universally accepted that teens are in the midst of a mental health crisis. What’s still being debated, at least in academia, is what caused it. With teen depression starting to rise in the early 2010s, the obvious explanation is the rise of smartphones and social media and the accompanying decline in sleep and in-person socializing. I first argued this nearly 7 years ago in iGen."

How to Delay the Age at Which Kids Get Smartphones

and Seven Tips to Make this Work by Jon Haidt


Today we have an essay in a new series: What Parents Can Do Now. Our first essay is from Melanie Hempe, who founded the organization ScreenStrong in 2015. Melanie's personal experience with teen screen addiction, combined with her extensive background in public education on this issue, provides her with a unique perspective and a strong commitment to helping others. With a nursing degree from Emory University, she uses her medical background to develop educational materials for parents and children, helping families prevent and reverse screen dependencies.


Melanie reached out to me while I was writing The Anxious Generation, and she was so knowledgeable—not just about the neurobiology, but about the family dynamics playing out all across America—that I sent her the manuscript and asked for her comments. She offered me excellent feedback, which I incorporated. She also sent me the book that she was writing––Kids’ Brains and Screens—a comprehensive student curriculum that does something extraordinary: it explains the relevant biology and psychology in ways that tweens and teens can understand. 


In this series, we will present a range of views about what parents can do about technology in their families. Melaine’s firsthand experience with the negative impacts of phone-based adolescence drives her advocacy; she sets a high standard and urges parents to delay giving a smartphone until after high school. We will also present advice from those with different perspectives who are more permissive about phones and social media, and we welcome rebuttals from experts who disagree with us, especially about the value of the “four new norms.”


Read the entire article > > >


Parenting Workshops for inspiration, finding ways to help with parenting challenges, tweaking our skills and support from leaders & fellow travelers in this incredible and important journey....

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Save the Date; Ducky Derby is ONLINE April 27! Details

Santa Cruz County Youth Art Exhibit, Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm through May 3 Student art is amazing. Visit the show for inspiration. Imagine which works of art you would love to have in your homes.

Reception: Friday, May 3, 5-7pm, More than 400 works of art created by Santa Cruz County students are on display at the Government Center on Ocean Street. Details

Spring 2024 ThinkBig! - ThinkBig: AI & Me for students in grades 8 through college, April 11, 4:30- 6pm, Students across the county can showcase their creativity and innovation through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are invited to use AI tools to assist them to build a creative work such as art, music, a story, or poetry, with an emphasis on harnessing the tools to supercharge their own unique style or voice. It’s happening at two community locations: Watsonville and Santa Cruz.

Creative Art Workshops for Teens, April 18: Gelli Printing, Details


What is gelli printing?!

“Marie Antoinette” - Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm, Sundays at 2pm, April 12 – 28, Recommended age 12+, Dive into the extravagant and dangerous world of the French monarchy. The play begins with all the pageantry and flourish of a party at Versailles, at the center of which is a confection of a young queen, created by a society that values extravagance and artifice. As the revolution picks up steam, cracks appear in the veneer and Marie struggles to understand her role in the unravelling society while her husband, Louis XVI flails between indecision and helplessness. Details

Live Oak Jack Rabbit 1-Mile Run and Student Art Contest FUNdraiser, Sunday, April 14, 8:45am, Opening ceremonies begin at 8:45 AM. All are invited to join this community fun run for the 1-mile challenge as a solo runner or as part of a relay team, view student art on display and cast your vote for your favorites, browse the merchant marketplace, enjoy food, entertainment, and community partner booths. Details

Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza, Sunday, April 14, 10am-4pm, The Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza is an authentic cultural festival with food, music, dance, and crafts presented each spring by Senderos. This local festival is like the traditional fiestas celebrated in Oaxaca, Mexico. Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Oaxaca. Details

Cantiamo Spring Concert, An Evening of Copland, Saturday, April 13, 7pm, Monterey; Sunday, April 14, 5pm, Santa Cruz, We begin with a favorite, Appalachian Spring, performed in the original version for 13 instruments. Cantiamo! and soloists present the suite from his opera, The Tender Land, a timeless tale of America itself coming of age, intertwined with the story of a young girl’s discovery of the America that lies beyond her family farm.

Game Zone at Scotts Valley library, Wednesdays 1 – 3pm, through May 29, Scotts Valley library is offering a new Game Zone program for tweens (10-13) to relax, hang with friends, and play games! We’re offering a variety of video, card, and board games as well as snacks. Come check it out and bring your friends! Details

The 14th Annual Whalefest Monterey’s Symposium, Sunday April 14, 10 am - 5 pm at the Stanton Center next to Custom House Plaza near Old Fisherman’s Wharf. This year’s program once again offers an exciting lineup of speakers from the world of marine science covering whales, sharks, sea otters, as well as climate change, sustainable practices in packaging and agriculture. Whalefest.org and MontereyWharf.com

Looking Ahead

Celebrate Earth Day with Santa Cruz County Parks! Sunday, April 21, 10am-2pm


Earthfest at the Zoo, Saturday & Sunday, April 20-21


The Snow Queen, April 19 & 20


Ballet de Seuss, Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21, 2pm


Disney’s Finding Nemo JR, F+Sa+Su, April 19 - May 28, 7-8pm


Castro Adobe State Historic Park Open House, Sunday, April 21, 10:30am-3pm


Be Natural Music at Pono Hawaiian Grill, Thursday, April 25, 4 – 8pm


Food Truck Friday – Skypark, Friday, April 26, 5-8pm


White Sky, Falling Dragon, Thurs, Fri, Sat, 7:30 pm; Sat & Sun, 2 pm, April 19 – May 4


Otterly Artistic: A Kids Collage Workshop, Saturday, April 27, 10am-12pm


34th Annual Omega Nu Ducky Derby Goes VIRTUAL, Saturday, April 27 10:30am – 3:30pm