I knew Logan Heine was a very good student when he was in my journalism class at Cabrillo. He was one of many motivated, bright future writers. But I was really surprised when at the end of the semester he told me he was the valedictorian at Scotts Valley High School. Like a lot of people, I assumed if you were at the top of your class at a very good school, you would head straight for a four-year college, maybe even in the Ivy League. But Logan had a different idea, and so did his brother, who was the salutatorian at the same high school. They chose to attend…
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How to Make the Most of Back-to-School Nights
The best part of the new school year is that the teachers are fresh and enthusiastic, and the kids are glad to be back at school where they can reconnect with friends they hadn’t seen all summer. Everyone is optimistic — Enjoy it while it lasts! And, every school has Back to School Nights at this time of year to give parents the opportunity to meet their kids’ teachers and get a little glimpse of what to expect for the school year. Some teachers layout their plans and give parents a heads up about big projects. Others share with parents grading rubrics — how they calculate grades — and tips…
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Environmental Poster Contest Winner Announced
Brayden Willick, 12, from Branciforte Middle School, was the winner of this year’s Keep Santa Cruz Clean! poster contest, announced The City of Santa Cruz. This annual event encourages students to creatively express the importance of recycling and litter prevention. Brayden’s winning poster, which celebrates the three Rs of waste reduction—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle—features a colorful hand-drawn dolphin and will be displayed on the sides of City recycling and refuse trucks throughout the next year. In an exciting addition, the City animated Brayden’s winning poster into a short video public service announcement to further spread the message about reducing waste and preventing litter. This video PSA helps celebrate Plastic Free…
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It Is Always Hard to Say Goodbye
In January of 1998 I was invited to write a guest article for Debbie Friedman’s Growing Up in Santa Cruz column, Birth Matters. Debbie quickly, and generously passed her column on to me, where I have been fortunate to be able to share my thoughts on birth related topics in this space for over 25 years. I came to this column having given birth in a hospital, freestanding birth center, and at home. I already had 18 (of my 44) years as a La Leche League Leader under my belt, together with my work as a childbirth educator and doula I felt I had some insight into what mattered in…
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Encouragement: The Heart of Positive Discipline
The root of the word encouragement is the Latin word cor, which means heart. When we encourage others, we hearten them, cheer them up, inspire confidence in them, and show them care and love.Encouragement plays a quintessential role both in child development and in the development of healthy relationships. To understand why that’s the case, let’s begin by briefly reviewing the theories, criteria, concepts, and tools that help make Positive Discipline so encouraging. TheoriesPositive Discipline is a relationship-based approach to parenting and guiding children. It is also rooted in the psychological theories of Alfred Adler and Rudolph Dreikurs. Adler asserted that all human behavior stems from a fundamental psychosocial need…
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Shop Smart and Save This Back-to-School Season
Did you know the average American parent will spend about $700 per child this back-to-school season? If that’s likely to put a damper on your summer, take a deep breath and relax.You don’t need to spend yourself into debt just because everyone else seems to be doing it. Instead, take a proactive approach when shopping for the new school year and spend much less than the national average. Budget Back-to-School Shopping Expenses When compiling your household budget for the year, make sure to include back-to-school as a line item. Calculate what each of your children might need during the entire school year for different categories, such as clothing and supplies.…
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Community College Can Be a Big-Brain Decision
A good friend of mine clapped me on the back, laughing, telling me there was no way I was going to Cabrillo, a community college. There were so many great universities out there that Icould go to! I was so smart, after all. A boy from one random Spanish class greeted me with a wide smile, gave me a handshake, telling me I was the smartest person he knew. He asked how come I wasn’t in Stanford already, being a professor or other, and then he was gone. My parents looked at me funny when I told them that I wasn’t really interested in any of the academics I was…
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School Supplies That Are Safe for Kids
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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More Than Just a Backpack
For 15 years, United Way of Santa Cruz County and the County Office of Education have partnered to make Stuff the Bus a vital source of assistance and encouragement for students. The primary goal is simple yet profound: to provide new backpacks and school supplies to over 2,700 students in need across Santa Cruz County. This mission goes far beyond just handing out supplies; it’s about instilling confidence and readiness in young learners as they embark on a new school year. At United Way, we firmly believe that when youth thrive, the entire community thrives. This event embodies our commitment to youth well-being and the power of community support. “In…
