Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Early Education Local Families Can Trust

Choosing the right early education program for your child is a critical decision that shapes their foundation for future learning. For families in the San Lorenzo Valley, Community Bridges’ Early Education Division (EED) offers a...

Visible and Invisible

This year I have the honor of guiding our senior class in carrying out a capstone project. They came into the first day of classroom work with ideas of wanting to help everything and everybody...

Dental Care During Pregnancy

Pregnancy rites of passage can include pregnancy portraits, baby showers or blessing ways, and many prenatal doctor visits. But visiting the dentist? Yes. Prenatal dental care plays a vitally important role in a healthy pregnancy...

Learning to Cook Gourmet, Locally Grown Food

Santa Cruz Schools are on a mission to change the way your kids think about vegetables. For the first time ever, five county school districts jointly participated in a culinary training program designed to present...

Santa Cruz Schools Selected as America’s Healthiest

All 10 campuses in the Santa Cruz City School District have placed on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s list of America’s Healthiest Schools. The list recognizes schools in a wide-ranging set of categories relating...

Fall Financial Tips for Families

As the leaves turn and the cool breeze sets in, fall brings a season of cozy gatherings and family fun. It’s also the time when holiday spending starts to creep in, with Halloween and Thanksgiving...

Celebrating RC Fam’s Connections

Raíces y Cariño/RC Fam and the Mother’s Milk Bank California are excited to announce the grand opening of a long-awaited milk collection site on this side of the hill. The community is invited to join...

Students Share Their Creative Projects

Last month, TEDxMeritAcademy hosted an inspiring event featuring seven talented teen speakers who showcased their innovative projects aimed at making a positive impact on the world. This year, the event was hosted at the 418...

Why Neighbors Matter for Your Self-Care Routine

  In the wise words of Fred Rogers, “I’ve always wanted a neighbor like you,” something our entire world needs most right now. In this column, I am sharing one of the most vital elements...

Building Healthy Sleep Habits

Isn’t sleep just the best? I definitely love it! As a parent, though, you quickly learn that the blissful slumber you once took for granted becomes a distant memory. Now, I don’t know about you...

Children’s Museum of Discovery Celebrates 10 Years

This fall marks an exciting milestone for the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery as it celebrates a Decade of Discovery! For ten years, the museum has been a cornerstone of interactive learning and fun...

What the Kids Are Saying

My 8-year-old came home last week speaking a new language. No, it wasn’t the Spanish he’s studying on Duolingo. It’swell, kid speak. It wasn’t just him. I heard him talking to his friends with all...

YES on Bonds, No on Bullying and a Fun Poem

School’s back and I’m feeling a mix of seriousness and fun.  Let’s start with the serious.  I was shocked and so disappointed with the way some people made fun of Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz’s...

Dive Into Health with The Children’s Museum of Discovery

The Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery is turning 10 this year and kicking off a season of celebrations with Potter the Otter™. . .a Healthy Adventure Traveling Exhibit! Based on the popular First 5...

Big Brothers Big Sisters: Empowering Trans Youth

“I want to change the world by making it much more friendly for trans people”. –Neal, a young trans girl. At a time when the journey for gender inclusivity and support is more critical than...

The Gift of a Life Cycle

I was training elementary teachers on how to deliver the Next Generation Science Standards, and was asked. “When do they learn that some animals are called amphibians, some mammals, and all of that now?” I...

Music for All the Senses at Santa Cruz County Symphony

The Santa Cruz Symphony’s 2024-25 season kicks off on September 21/22 with new music composer Mason Bates’ electrifying Philharmonia Fantastique and Johannes Brahms’ majestic Symphony no. 1, along with a new full orchestra arrangement of...

Help Children Reach Potential By Embracing Their Mistakes

“Mistakes are so fun. I feel great every time I make one. Can’t wait to make another one!”  Who says that?  Not me. Most likely, not you either.     In the world of scientific exploration and...

Smart Savings

Children enrich our lives in so many ways, but they sure don’t come cheap! Every parent knows that expenses related to child-rearing can feel endless. From covering essential needs like diapers, food, and clothing to...

Growing Up, Laughing

I lost both of my parents during my 20’s. Yet, the memories survive, and the best ones are, of us laughing. Growing up and laughing together, with my parents, was part of the fabric that...