Wow – summer really is winding down. Whether your kids are getting ready for school to start or if they have already started, here are some Environmental Working Group’s tips about school supplies that are safer than others. BACKPACKS:Select backpacks that are made with natural fibers. If you can’t find cotton or hemp backpacks, choose polyester or nylon. Stay away from backpacks made with PVC or #3 plastics on the label LUNCH BOXES:Choose lunch boxes that don’t have lead paint, PVC, BPA or antimicrobial chemicals. Be careful of products made in 3rd-world countries because they may use leaded paint even when they don’t state that on their labels. It’s best…
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Embracing the Back-to-School Transition
Summer is coming to a close, and the new school year is soon approaching! I vividly recall the mixed emotions I had as a child. Realizing summer was almost over brought a sense of anxiety – new teachers, new classmates, new homework. Alongside the anxiety, there was also an overall feeling of loss.Summertime meant having flexible schedules, quality family time, and fun outings or activities with my siblings. Although saying goodbye to a carefree time was bittersweet, I remember quickly embracing the school routine. Discovering that this new experience brought its own set of great adventures and joyful moments. Amidst our busy schedules, I still had time to connect with…
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Getting Lost at Aptos High School
If we had not gotten lost, we would have never found ourselves looking down on Aptos High School from the mountain above. Seeing the sprawling school from the mountain side made me understand what a huge pillar of this community the high school is, huge in size and community support. Sometimes you just don’t know what you will find until you get lost. Freedom Boulevard is my road home, I have driven by Aptos High School five hundred times, and I never gave the school a thought. “Not my place, not for me.” Except for an occasional morning or afternoon traffic jam at the entrance to the school on Freedom,…
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Do the WAVE Heading Into the New School Year
As the new school year begins, parents all over are gearing up for another transition. Whether your kids are in public, private or homeschooled – there is going to be an adjustment period that can be a challenge. It can also be a very exciting time and a wonderful opportunity to prioritize family self-care. This year, I invite you to focus on your entire family’s self-care as we get back into our fall routines. As a big fan of systems to help keep me and my family moving and grooving, I will share my signature WAVE system to support yours too. Through WAVE: Well-being, Awareness, Vision and Energy we can…
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Celebrate Community at National Night Out
Mark your calendars and prepare for an evening brimming with community spirit, engaging activities, and delightful treats at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz. National Night Out is just around the corner, and the City of Santa Cruz is thrilled to invite you to this family-friendly event on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 5 to 7:30pm. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign aimed at enhancing public safety, fostering community partnerships, and cultivating camaraderie to create safer, more caring neighborhoods. Held nationwide on the first Tuesday each August, this event unites law enforcement, public safety officials, residents, businesses, and community leaders. It offers a unique opportunity for residents to engage…
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Best of 2024
We asked you to share your favorite places to take your kids and places you enjoy as a family. We wanted to know what businesses you consider the Best in Santa Cruz, and man, did you ever respond! Thanks to everyone who answered our survey. Camps Day Camp Kennolyn Day Camps kennolyncamps.com Runner up Redwood Music Kid Camp (Community Music School) Redwood Music Kid Camp CommunityMusicSchool.org Young musicians explore Celtic music at this two-week day camp for ages 7-13. For players of violin, flute, penny whistle, recorder, harp, guitar, ukulele, keyboards, and cello. Students practice in instrument-specific groups, and with the entire ensemble. Camp begins July 22 in Scotts Valley.…
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Thanks to Everyone Who Came By and Said Hello During Kids Day
We had a great time during the Kids Day Downtown event on June 22. Everyone had a fun time and we enjoyed seeing all the smiling faces. Thanks to everyone for coming by the Growing Up in Santa Cruz booth. In this issue, don’t miss our annual Best Of awards as voted by our readers. Thanks for reading,Brad Kava,Editor and Publisher
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Creating Summer Routines
Let’s face it, summer is the time of year where kids are out of school, vacation mode is turned on and we become notorious for losing track of routines and rituals. Part of this is great, especially if you’re sitting on a beach enjoying a vacation. However there are still things that every mom or dad will have to take care of – work, or planning the daily meals. It can end up feeling more stressful at times, because many of us are still juggling while our kids are off. Leading to, yep, you guessed it..summer feeling like MORE work! Not to mention, summer comes and goes quick — often…
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Exploring Equity Grading
As education evolves, so too does the way we assess student performance. One such evolution is equity grading, a concept sparking debate among educators and parents alike. What exactly is equity grading, and should it raise concerns? Over the past century, grading systems have morphed from the absence of grades to the conventional A-F scale. In today’s educational landscape, where grades wield considerable influence in high-stakes college admissions, the assessment of student learning methods holds paramount importanceEquity grading, the latest trend, shifts focus from traditional letter grades to assessing students’ mastery of specific skills or standards. This approach attempts to provide a more accurate depiction of students’ understanding by emphasizing…
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The Anger Wheel of Choice
Another great Positive Discipline tool to keep in your parenting “toolbox” is the Anger Wheel of Choice. The book Sophia’s Anger Wheel is a wonderful story to help teach kids about appropriate ways of expressing anger. This book can be ordered here: positivediscipline.com/products/sophias-anger-wheel-choice All emotions are okay, not just pleasant/positive emotions. It’s very important to talk about ALL emotions with children so they can start to identify their own emotions as they come and go. I found it helpful to have a feelings/emotions chart up in the house when my kids were little with real pictures of childrens’ faces (not just cartoon images) so we could point to how we…
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Festival Brings People Together for Fun and Worship
Simon Cassar was praying in the middle of the night four years ago when he had an inspiration.“What is true love?” he wondered. “Can we show that true love amongst ourselves? How do we show it?”The answer came as a joyful festival bringing together 16 churches in an Aptos park to spread love, culture, fun and caring. “The whole purpose is we see a world that’s kind of torn apart,” says Cassar, 66, a retired aviation engineer who has six kids. “We have different neighbors trying to destroy other people. We are just seeing a world that’s being torn apart because of Covid. Half the country is one way and…
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Secrets to Building Relationships with Your Grandchildren
Being a grandparent is a unique and precious role. It’s a chance to influence young lives, share wisdom, and create lasting memories. As grandparents, we have the opportunity to connect with our grandchildren on a deeper level and instill values that can guide them throughout their lives. Here are five secrets to building the best relationship with your grandchildren, drawn from personal experience and timeless principles. Cultivate a Love of LearningOne of the most impactful ways to bond with your grandchildren is by fostering their curiosity and love of learning. Instead of asking the usual “How was your day?” try something more engaging and thought-provoking. For instance, when I picked…
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Making the Most of Summer Schedules
Dear Yesenia,My four and seven year old are so excited that school is out for the summer. I’m also glad to have a break from the daily school schedule. However, I work full-time, so my kids have to go to day camps or child care. They usually have fun the first few weeks of summer “vacation,” but then they complain about having to go somewhere every day. It’s stressful, but I don’t feel comfortable leaving them home alone, and I don’t have time to arrange a summer full of play dates. What can I do to minimize their complaints and still make summer fun for them? – Sofia Dear…
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Hiking at Arana Gulch
Feeling stress in our Santa Cruz paradise? Is your apartment so small that when you bend over in your bedroom you turn on your kitchen stove with your ass? Philosopher Frederick Gros says, “…the body on a walk rests in contemplation of wide-open spaces”, and you can find wide open spaces right here in our ever more congested town. Arana Gulch seems to be serotonin to the Santa Cruzan soul; under a giant oak I met two artists who had set up their easels to paint the golden meadow that dominates the preserve. One of the women said, “We’re playing Dueling Watercolors,” and then they pretended to fence with their…
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Teen Artes Exhibit Showcases Local Talent
A new exhibit by local high school students in the Teen Artes program, under the umbrella of Pajaro Valley Arts, opened in May in the PV Arts Porter Building on Main Street. The show features mixed media, paintings, collage, ceramic sculpture and other mediums by four students from Watsonville, Aptos and St. Francis High schools as well as alumni, and teaching artists.It was curated by Teen Artes participants in 2023-2024 with the help of local artist Josefina Rocha.Teen Artes participants in the 2023/24 school year spent the year learning from professional teaching artists and their mediums and created works of art that have inspired them to further develop their artistic…
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Want Free Childcare in Your Home?
If you’ve got a toddler or preschooler, finding quality childcare is probably an ongoing concern. Today, millennials spend more time with their children than any previous generation, and with their flexible work schedules, they need childcare that works for them. When I was in your shoes (many moons ago), I stressed out about how to give my girls an enriching experience while I worked during the day. I didn’t want them to sit in front of a TV, and today, I wouldn’t want them to be glued to a smartphone. After checking out preschools and daycare programs to no avail, I set up childcare in my home so I could…
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Driving to School in a Fire Engine
Every year I try to bid on something at the Rio del Mar Elementary School charity auction, but I’ve never been able to afford the big ticket items. One year we got outbid on Giants tickets that went for $300 and ended up with a knitted octopus for $25. This year, however, I promised myself I’d make my 8-year-old son’s dream come true: he wanted to be driven to school in a fire truck. In past years it was one of the most popular items in the live auction and I’m not rich. But you know, they serve free drinks at these events and the alcohol loosens wallets. And you…
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2024 Educator of the Year Award Recipients Honored
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (Santa Cruz COE) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Santa Cruz County Educator of the Year Awards, which recognize exceptional educators from across Santa Cruz County who embody the values of our school community. Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Faris Sabbah and the Santa Cruz County Board of Education recognized this year’s award recipients at the County Board of Education meeting on May 16.“Each of these outstanding honorees has shown unwavering dedication and support for students’ success, both in and out of the classroom,” said Sabbah. “It is a privilege to recognize these exemplary educators and partners whose…
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Mount Madonna Class of 2024 Gets Ready to Fly
Mount Madonna School is pleased to announce Ona Musoll-Buendia as the 20243 valedictorian and Anya Gonzalez and Emma Monclus as co-salutatorians. These students earned this distinction through hard work and focused effort, edging out their peers at the Central Coast school known for strong academics, environmental education, learning journeys, performing arts and scholar athletes. The 2024 high school graduation ceremony will be held at the school’s upper campus June 13 at 10:30am. “The graduating class is comprised of academically strong, talented and creative students who are ethically minded,” commented Head of School Ann Goewert. “I am proud of Ona Musoll-Buendia, valedictorian, and Anya Gonzalez and Emma Monclus, co-salutatorians, for their…
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What Fuels Misbehavior?
Imagine an iceberg. On top floats a small amount of ice but below, a whole lot is going on that is unseen. In Positive Discipline classes, you will hear the phrases, “behavior has a purpose” and “behavior is a form of communication.” That unseen ice below the surface is their interpretation of a situation that produces anger, jealousy, or disappointment in your child’s heart. You will be aware of the challenging behaviors, but not always aware of those submerged feelings and hurts you don’t see in your child that are fueling this behavior.There is a purpose to all that children do; they are communicating, although usually in immature ways, but…
