February 2019 - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Taking the Plastic Free Challenge: Green Living February 2019

growingupsc — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 03:25:58 +0000

Taking the Plastic Free Challenge: Green Living February 2019 By Suki Wessling When my kids were young home- schoolers, we spent a lot of time with a group of families that did activities together. One of the families that immediately caught my attention was the Panttaja family of Santa Cruz—mom Melody, dad Jonathan, and kids Gloria and Corey. Not only were Melody and the kids doing car-free homeschooling (quite a challenge in our spread-out county), but the family had taken a challenge to live life as free of disposable plastic as possible. In this age of Amazon.com and triple-wrapped everything, that’s quite a challenge. What follows is a conversation I had with Melody recently about how they reduce plastic use then and now. Suki: How did this start? Melody: Several years ago we got excited about trying to reduce plastic, or maybe I did and I just dragged the kids through it! S: What are some of the simplest things you did that any family could do? M: We had water bottles that we re-filled rather than buying bottled. We bought cloth bags we could use at the bulk bin—we got granola, oats, cornmeal, rice, popcorn, chocolate chips. We used to get whole wheat macaroni noodles until they rearranged and got rid of them! If you plan ahead a little more and bring a jar, there’s honey and fresh ground peanut butter and other butters like cashew and almond. S: I’d also advise people to put a sticker with the tare weight on their jars! What are some items that you tried to do in bulk but changed your mind? M: Staff of Life has a small bulk section for things like shampoo and liquid soap. For a while we were bringing bottles and refilling there. We discovered it was a nuisance to stand there and refill so we order the gallon size there and bring it home. I think it still saves a little plastic and we’re saving the mess of trying to refill in the store. S: You started this when your kids are little. What has changed? M: As I get busier working on my business, I’ve had to modify. One of the things I figured out is that some of the things when I was a stay-at-home mom with small children seemed so easy— why shouldn’t you do this? But if you’re working full-time, it is extra work to have to make your own tortillas. It is so convenient just to be able to open a package. S: But every bit helps, right? So now that you have busy teens, what’s an example of something anyone can do? M: The kids and I each have bamboo silverware that we carry with us. In those situations where you’re out somewhere, you can just use those rather than picking up plastic. S: Right, and I’ve found that most cafes have non-disposable cups for drinks if you ask to have it “for here.” Thanks to Melody for her input! Check out her new educational apps store, TreesIntheGround.com.

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What is Precycling: Green Tips February 2019

growingupsc — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 03:11:00 +0000

What is Precycling? Green Tips February 2019 By Meredith Keet, founder of The Zero Shop I’m calling it now…Precycling is going to be the new buzzword of 2019, to sit alongside single-use as the word of the year from 2018. So what is it? Well, in- stead of purchasing an item and then figuring out whether it belongs in the re- cycling or the ol’ landfill bin, precycling is the act of considering where that item will end up before you’ve purchased it. While grocery shopping, you may be faced with two different types of pack- aging for the same item. As someone who precycles, you may pick up each item and search for that little recycling symbol or think about which type of re- cycling your local recycling facility accepts. One of those items doesn’t have that symbol or can’t be recycled by your recycling service? Choose the one that can be recycled and leave the other on the shelf. You might consider two different types of egg cartons, one plastic and one paper. Current recycling trends and market availability would encourage you to choose paper and forget the plastic. You can avoid packaging altogether when you shop in bulk or choose those items that don’t have any packaging! First, you may need to get to know your local recycling facility to gain a better sense of what they can and cannot recycle. You may be surprised to find that many items you thought were recyclable are actually sorted out at the recycling facility and sent to the landfill. Check out your area’s recycling facility: Santa Cruz County: www.greenwaste.com, City of Santa Cruz: www.cityofsantacruz.com Consider taking a tour. You’ll never view recycling in quite the same way! Monterey Peninsula Area: www.greenwaste.com

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Career Pathways: February 2019

growingupsc — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 02:46:28 +0000

Career Pathways: February 2019 By Mary Gaukel Forster How often were you asked, or did you ask a young person, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” From the time he was 2 1⁄2 my own grandson, answered, “a firefighter”. How did he come to that decision at that young age? Curious, I began to think that choosing a career is like choosing a travel destination and finding the path there. How did I decide that I wanted to climb Half Dome? Was it pictures, a friend’s story, a documentary, seeing the massive granite hump on a family visit to Yosemite? Photo by Brad Kava HAMMERIN’ Ponderosa High School students learn carpentry from the ground up as they build a tiny house. How would I get there? Where could I get a map? Did I need a guide? Did I need special skills or equipment? Exploring career choices involves the same elements. While this column starts with many questions, each month the Career Pathways article will provide information, ideas, opportunities, inspiration for you to help a young person growing up in Santa Cruz to explore career options. Back to my grandson, and more questions, why did he choose firefighter? We walk by the firehouse with the shiny red engine, the firefighters came and helped him when he was having an allergic reaction and then let him sit in the their truck. He sees and hears the engines go by with lights flashing and sirens wailing, we talk about how firefighters are helpers, and he has met firefighter at the Capitola Neighborhood Night. He was given his own miniature fire hat and fire jacket which he uses to put out pretend fires with a hose at his house. He has seen, met, experienced, and “tried on the career” of firefighters. Opportunities for exploration are readily available for the careers that are visible to and experienced by children: nurses, doctors, firefighters, police, teachers, or athletes. But how can we be career guides for our children for the over 800 different jobs that are identified at this time, how do we guide children to be curious and prepared for the careers that don’t yet exist? How does career exploration differ from preschool through high school? All of these questions have been a part of my life since I was first asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, then I began teaching elementary school, had my own children, taught in middle school and high school, became a high school principal, finally a grand- parent, and currently the executive director for the non-profit organization, Your Future Is Our Business. I now focus on fulfilling our mission of providing all youth in our county with career explorations, funded by the County Office of Education in partnership with University of Santa Cruz, Cabrillo College, and Cal State University Monterey Bay. In the months to come, articles will include explorations of career pathways, work based learning experiences, choosing careers guided by interests, values, and skills, and interviews with inspiring people in our county.

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Preschool Search Checklist and Vocabulary

growingupsc — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 02:24:08 +0000

Preschool Search Checklist and Vocabulary By Jan Pierce Pre-School Visit Checklist (answer yes or no) Quality pre-schools will have printed material for you to study in making your school choice. Do the stated learning goals match mine? Do the goals address all areas of my child’s development including social play, control of emotions, language skills, learning letters and numbers, engaging in science, art and physical development? Am I comfortable with the school’s discipline policies? Is the school licensed by the state? Is it accredited by a national association like the NAEYC? Does the lead teacher have a Bachelor’s degree or certification in Early Childhood Education? Are support workers trained? Is there one adult for every ten children? Are there separate learning centers for various activities such as art, reading, dramatic play, writing, etc.? Does the school use a well-known quality curriculum preparing children for kindergarten later on? Does the class follow a daily routine that offers a variety of activities? Do the children play both outdoors and inside? Are parents free to drop in without making an appointment? Does the school have a means of regularly communicating with parents? Do they report the activities of the past week or month? Do you feel welcome? Are the teachers warm and caring with the children? Do they have conversations with the children as they work or play? Are the children happy and engaged? Do children have the opportunity to choose their activities part of the time? Are the children talking and interacting with each other Are books and read-alouds a regular part of the day? Is children’s art work and other work samples displayed? Are the furniture, equipment and toys age appropriate? In good working condition? As you check yes or no to each of these questions, decide which of them are deal-breakers for your family and which are not as important. Jot down notes as they occur to you and feel free to ask more questions of the staff and administrators. Pre-School Vocabulary Becoming familiar with the following terms may help you make your pre-school decision. The Montessori Method focuses on maintaining the individuality of each child in the learning process. Each child learns at his or her own pace and students are not compared. Teachers are specially trained at Montessori institutes. The Reggio Emilia Approach focuses on providing opportunities for problem solving through creative thinking and exploration. The Waldorf Approach places an emphasis on imagination in learning providing students with opportunities to explore their world through their senses, participation and analytical thought. The Bank Street Approach places emphasis on learning through multiple perspectives, both in the classroom setting and out of doors. The High/Scope Approach allows children to be in charge of their own learning. They’re taught to make a plan for each day’s activities and participate in review sessions as they plan and brainstorm for the next day’s work. Child-centered: This term describes a method that takes the children’s interests into account when planning activities. The child is allowed to choose. Teacher-led: is the opposite of child centered as the adult selects lessons and leads them. It is a more structured type of learning. Child-led: This method believes that children learn best when they are engaged and interested. It allows for a high degree of child initiation and allows individualized learning experiences rather than group work. Faith-based: This term describes pre-school programs run by faith organizations such as churches and synagogues. Co-operative: These settings ask parents and families to assist in the running of the program. They may sign up to volunteer sometime during the week. Developmentally Appropriate: This term means the school plans the curriculum and activities based on ones appropriate to the age of the children in the class. Pre-kindergarten: This term may be used interchangeably with pre-school. It means the program that has a class enrolled in the year before kindergarten, usually age four. These settings may be more structured to ensure the child is ready for the educational rigors of kindergarten. Signs of a Quality Pre-school vs. Danger Signs Quality A good reputation Established ground rules Stimulating curriculum Clean, safe facilities Qualified, caring staff A current state license Danger Signs Just “so-so” reputation Lax rules, poorly enforced Questionable curriculum, may rely on: Videos, screen time rather than lessons Dirty, broken materials, furniture, equipment Poorly-trained staff who don’t engage with children positively Lapsed license or never applied for one Read our post on how to find the best preschools in Santa Cruz County.

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Some Tips for Finding the Right Preschool for Your Family

growingupsc — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 01:58:36 +0000

Some Tips for Finding the Right Preschool for Your Family By Jan Pierce When it’s time to search for the perfect preschool for your little one, you want to be sure you’re making the right decision. If you’re lucky enough to have friends who’ve done their research and are happy with their choice, you’re fortunate. You’ll have first-hand recommendations. Be aware of the difference between daycare and a functioning preschool. Daycare facilities provide custodial care, but don’t usually offer an educational curriculum. Daycares often take children of all ages and offer extended hours. A preschool usually has limited hours and may or may not offer before and after school care. In a daycare children of all ages may be grouped together while a preschool offers segregated age groups. Where to Begin? There are many considerations before choosing, but be sure you start your search early. Many excellent preschools have long waiting lists. In general you’ll be looking for a school that provides the following: The convenience of proximity to your home and/or your workplace. A solid reputation and up-to-date accreditation and licensing. The state has approved the school. Clear rules and regulations, health/illness policies, pickup and drop-off times. Clean, well-kept facilities with adequate indoor and outdoor play areas. Qualified, caring staff. Stimulating curriculum and age appropriate toys. A philosophy and climate pleasing to you and right for your child’s temperament. The NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) has a database of accredited preschools you can access at families.naeyc.org/find-quality-child-care. This site lists currently accredited day cares and schools all across the nation and is updated weekly. Spend a little time on their website for top-notch thinking about early childhood education. Questions to Ask You’ll want to do your homework to find the right school for your family. Here are some questions to ask before narrowing your search and visiting several schools: Is there currently room for my child? Is there a waiting list? What are the fees? How and when are we billed? How do you communicate with parents? (phone calls, e-mails, newsletters, website, etc.) What is your staff to student ratio? (NAEYC recommends one adult to every four to nine children as optimal at ages 2-3 and one to eight to ten for ages 4-5.) Do your staff members have credentials and training? Are they back- ground-checked? Up to date on CPR? Receiving ongoing training? What is your educational philosophy? (academic-oriented, exploration, faith-based, etc. Some distinct philosophies include Montessori, Waldorf, or Reggio-Emilia.) *See vocabulary list What health/hygiene standards are enforced? (immunizations, sick child rules, hand-washing, etc.) How do you handle discipline? Are meals and snacks provided? Are naps taken? What safety precautions are in place? (strangers on-campus, release policies, sign-in/out) Can you give me a list of references? (be sure to follow up and call them.) Can you provide a sample of your weekly curriculum and activities? How often do you change the activities? As you gather information you’ll be able to narrow your list down to two or three good choices. When you’re ready, go ahead and schedule a visit to the school. Decide whether you want to do this with your child or on your own. You’ll be looking for all of the above qualities of a good school, but more than that you want to get a “feel” for the school. Do you feel welcome? Are the children busy and engaged in work or play? Is the facility pleasing to the eye and orderly? Do you get the sense that you’d feel comfortable leaving your child in this school’s care. Are the children happy? Jot down your first impressions and any new information you find during the visit. You may want to use the Preschool Visit Checklist provided below. If for any reason, you don’t feel comfortable with the school environment, trust your instincts and look for another school. It might be preferable to find a safe daycare situation and use that until you can locate a preschool of the highest standards. You want the perfect preschool and your child deserves it. All the time and effort you put into your search will pay huge dividends in a happy, healthy, and well-cared for child. Jan Pierce, M.Ed. is a retired teacher. She is the author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun. Find Jan at www.janpierce.net. Check out our preschool checklist and vocabulary so that you’re prepared to find the best preschools in Santa Cruz County.

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Stay Civil: How to Get a Judge to Issue an Order You Like

growingupsc — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 01:40:15 +0000

Stay Civil: How to Get a Judge to Issue an Order You Like By Bob Derber The feedback from last month’s column was incredible. There are divorced parents who do collaborate! It’s so important for the kids. We welcome Judge PaulMarigonda, one of our two Family Court judges, to the column. He will contribute information from theother side of the bench. Last month we stressed that it is best to reach a parenting agreement with your ex rather than ask the court for a decision. That is critical. But, if you must ask a judge for help, be careful! Our judges have hundreds of cases every month. Santa Cruz has only two judges for family matters. Judge Marigonda, and his counterpart Judge Baskett, are both very able, but they have limited time for each case. They are seasoned veterans and have ‘seen it all’ before. You must persuade them that you need the orders you request. When you request court orders, you will likely submit a statement on why you need your order, and why you cannot agree on the matter with your ex. Some words of advice for your statement: Ask Only for What You Need Parents hurt their credibility by seeking orders that reflect anger rather than need. Take care before you ask the court to keep children away from the ex. Think of alternatives, perhaps limited visits or asking that another person to be present for visits: either a professional or a trusted friend. Be Tempered, Brief, and to the Point Your judge is not going to appreciate a 10-page rant. Keep your statement short, factual and to the point. Present Only Issues You Cannot Agree Upon Reach agreement where you can. Perhaps the kids need therapy and your ex agrees. You won’t need an order for this, so don’t ask for one. The judge will appreciate that you both limited the issues to areas where you could not find a middle ground. Consider the Emotional Impact Your Statement Will Have on Your Ex Your statement can affect co-parenting well into the future. Mean-spirited words can result in years of future conflict. You will be co-parenting for many years to come. For your children’s sake, consider the impact of continued conflict. Your Statement is a Public Document People, whom you never imagined would do so, may see your statement. It may be a future employer or a public official. The FBI accesses divorce records for security clearances. Reporters access files to ‘get dirt’ on public officials. Even worse, your children may get a copy of this document years later if they do a family history. Your statement can last forever. The world your children had was shattered by the divorce. Long-term effects of this are well studied by psychologists. Divorce is hard for them, and co-parenting can make all the difference. Keep them feeling safe, loved and sheltered by both parents. If this is lost, children often become emotionally challenged, fall-behind in school, or even worse, turn to unhealthy alternatives, like poor relationships or drugs and alcohol. You come to the court for help, not to ‘get back’ or ‘ruin’ your ex. Protect the kids and find a healthy balance. Your anger will show, and not look well for you. You might ‘get back’ at the other parent, but in the process, you might also harm your child. Bottom line: stay civil. From the Bench “Children are our most important asset,” says Judge Paul Marigonda. “I am dedicated to them first and foremost. When you need my help, ask and I will do my best. But if you try to use the court to punish your ex, it will show and you may likely be unhappy with the result.” Bob Derber is a local attorney practicing family law. He served as a State appointed Guardian ad Litem in high conflict matters in the State of Utah before returning to his home in Santa Cruz four years ago. Your situation may differ and the above is not intended to be legal advice to you in your own custodial matters. Be sure to consult with your family law attorney as appropriate if you need help in this area. Have questions for him to answer? Send them to editor@growingupsc.com

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Valentine’s Day Special: How I Fell in Love with Biking

growingupsc — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 01:32:10 +0000

Valentine’s Day Special: How I Fell in Love with Biking By Karen Kefauver I enjoy seeing kids’ fascination with bikes. Sometimes when I’m downtown locking my sparkly purple bike to the rack, I’ll spot a toddler tugging on a parent’s hand, veering towards me on the sidewalk, trying to get a closer look at my mysterious, two-wheeled contraption. While they’re transfixed, I’ll spin the wheel and ring the bell for their added delight. Makes me smile every time. I was once that little kid. Although I can’t remember precisely when I fell in love with cycling, it’s been decades. RIDIN’ ROMANCe riding with a pack of friends in the santa cruz Bike party, a monthly rolling party, is always a thrill for cycling columnist Karen Kefauver. all ages are welcome: santacruzbikeparty.org. This month, I’m celebrating my passion for cycling and sending a special Valentine to the Santa Cruz cycling community. Long before landing in Santa Cruz in 1993, I grew up riding in my hometown of Bethesda, Maryland. I followed in my mom’s tracks, riding my bike instead of driving whenever I could. (She’s still an avid cyclist at 76). My bike was my ticket to freedom, cruising the neighborhood with friends until dusk. Later, as a teen, I discovered bike touring thanks to two trips with the American Youth Hostel Association. At the University of Vermont, I even learned to ride on snow and ice. But it wasn’t until I settled in Santa Cruz that I evolved into a true cyclist. In fact, the sport has steered the course of my life at nearly every juncture during my 26 years here, both personally and professionally. My years of freelance writing are bracketed by bicycling; starting with writing about cycling as an editor for Good Times newspaper, volunteering with Bike to Work; then later, years of freelance travel writing led to cycling adventures in Mexico, China and Peru. More recently, I wrote a bicycle column for eight years for the Santa Cruz Sentinel and now I’m thrilled have this bike column with Growing Up in Santa Cruz — and publisher Brad Kava is a fellow cyclist! Socially, the bicycle community became my hub and some of my closest friends are those same cyclists I met when I moved here in ‘93. I also raced cyclocross, cross-country mountain biking and triathlons. And yes, romance blossomed on the bike scene, too. I love how cycling continues to shape my life and encourage you to embrace bicycling if you haven’t al- ready. Here are some fantastic local resources to get you rolling. Happy trails! Santa Cruz Cycling Club The club offers regular rides of different lengths, plus clinics for adults new or wanting to brush up on their cycling. Signature event: Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge, July 20, with four routes ranging from 45 to 127 miles. santacruzcycling.org Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz MBOSC supports, preserves and expands trail access and promotes responsible mountain biking in Santa Cruz County through advocacy and trail building. Signature event: Santa Cruz Old Cabin Classic mountain bike race at Wilder Ranch State Park, May 4. mbosc.org Cyclists for Cultural Change CCE’s goal is furthering peace and international understanding through exchanges between people with a shared interest in cycling. Tours, programs and grants available. Signature event: 30th Strawberry Fields Forever, May 19, with three routes, from 30 to 100 miles. cyclistsforculturalexchange.org Trips for Kids Santa Cruz Kids who may not otherwise have the opportunity for mountain biking are provided with equipment, transportation, mentoring and skills instruction to have fun outdoors and tackle challenges. tripsforkidssantacruz.org And a Few More… Little Bellas, empowers girls to mountain bike with mentors, littlebellas.com Project Bike Tech, for high school students to learn on the job skills, projectbiketech.org and Girls Rock Ride, mountain biking for women, girlsrock-mtb.com Karen Kefauver is a freelance journalist and social media coach based in Santa Cruz since 1993. She’s an avid mountain biker and bicycle commuter. www.karenkefauver.com

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A Band Revival

growingupsc — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 01:11:41 +0000

A Band Revival Led By One Energetic Teacher, The Branciforte Middle and Harbor High Bands Come Back from the Brink By Suki Wessling Nick Bianchini, band teacher at Branciforte Middle and Harbor High School in Santa Cruz, stands to the side as his band students perform. The Multi-Purpose Room at Harbor is filled to capacity. At the front of the room, horns, woodwinds, percussion, and strings cram into a space built for much smaller gatherings. An enthusiastic audience perches on chairs and benches and applauds each of the combos from Harbor and Branciforte. Someone who stumbled in from the outside might think that the bands were part of a long-running tradition. But it hasn’t always been this way. “When I first started it was around 19-20 students in the Harbor band,” remembers Bianchini, who started a full-time position split between the two schools four years ago. SWINGIN’ Band teacher nick Bianchini has grateful students back in bands at Branciforte middle school and Harbor High school. “If you looked at the musical literacy of the students, how they understand theory, their technical ability, some students could play but the musicianship was not high. At B40 there were about 25 kids in the advanced band. There was just chaos in the classroom, middle school chaos!” Four years later, both programs have tripled in size, and the energetic young teacher hasn’t stopped there. Altogether, he leads Beginning and Advanced Bands at Branciforte, Concert Band at Harbor, and after-school Jazz Band at Harbor. “He’s got two schools, all these students,” says Shondra, whose son Casey is in the Harbor Concert and Jazz Bands. “I have no idea how he keeps it straight! Somehow he finds a way to keep the kids having fun but also giving them enough technique so they can improve on the instrument they’re taking.” Music education in Santa Cruz County was strong in the Seventies, re- members Soquel High band teacher Jim Stewart, who himself graduated from Soquel High. “Soquel had a big band—all the schools had big band programs then. When I came back to Soquel in 96, the Harbor program had been struggling for a while and Soquel’s was shrinking. When I took it over we had 30 kids.” One of Stewart’s students was a young Nick Bianchini, who distinguished himself from the pack. “He was a really hard worker—I remember him complaining that he did- n’t have enough time to practice and he needed to practice more,” Stewart says. “He was one of the best players I’ve ever had but he was also one of the most humble.” Stewart wasn’t surprised when Bianchini left for Los Angeles to continue his music education and become a jazz performer. That said, he isn’t surprised, either, that a person like Bianchini would come back and blossom as an educator. “It’s the impact that you have on people,” Stewart explains. “If you’re really a people person, it’s not so much about music as it is about being with people and having an impact on their lives. Performing music is awesome and fun and fulfilling in its own way, but teaching has that deeper impact on other humans.” Other humans are clearly responding on the musical level. Not only has enrollment in the bands exploded, but Bianchini was thrilled to announce that this year a record number of students from one school had qualified for the Central Coast Honor Band— 18 students from Branciforte. The reason for that is not private music instruction—95% of the students do not take private lessons. Bianchini’s focus on musicianship has paid off. “Almost all the kids come in not knowing what music is, not having any inspiration to play music,” Bianchini explains. “Then they find out music is really hard, and the challenge is to help them push through to find the right motivation. You need to get them to see that if they work hard, music can be an enjoyable and rewarding thing to pursue.” On the personal side, Shondra’s son Casey says that despite the large number, students feel valued as individuals. “From my understanding compared to a lot about other band directors, they care about the band as a whole rather than the students—Nick cares about both,” Casey says. “He had a student having a bad day, they didn’t come to jazz band, and he called them and said, Hey, what’s up?” Clearly, music education in Santa Cruz is something built by—or neglected by—the community. Bianchini points out that after arts instruction in the schools was decimated first by funding cuts and then by No Child Left Behind’s emphasis on academics, it was the community that brought back the money and the support. Generations of musicians learn in our schools, then return to teach a new generation. Ironically, hard research supporting the connection between arts education and student success started to pour out during those dark days when school performance was only measured by a multiple choice test. Bianchini remembers himself as one data point. “I had many challenges in elementary school academically. I had trouble reading and writing, and some trouble in math. After a couple of years playing music, when I got to middle school, my comprehension level and all my academic test scores and grades—my ability to understand the information I was being given—improved. I feel that music taught me so many skills, helped to develop my brain.” The moral of the story is that a life trajectory like Nick Bianchini’s is what comes of well-rounded schools that support education of the whole child. School funding in California remains low compared to other states, and arts programs are always the first to to be discussed when cuts need to be made. Some schools in the county still lack the comprehensive music programs they lost in the 90s and early 2000s. Branciforte and Harbor are basking in the success, not of one teacher who decided to come back home, but of generations of support of music for all. When any student can walk into the band room on the first day of school, pick up an instrument that their family may not be able to afford, and gain a free education in a discipline that helps open their mind to all kinds of academic learning, that’s when our public schools are succeeding. “I’ve found so much love and goodness and fun playing music myself, so I thought, let’s see if I can give some of that to the next generation in Santa Cruz,” Bianchini explains. He seems to be succeeding. Suki Wessling is a local writer and par- ent. Her free public school music education led to a lifelong pursuit of music, currently with the local jazz ensemble Persephone. She has written books on homeschooling and blogs about parenting and education. Learn more at www.SukiWessling.com.

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Your Letters and Thoughts: February 2019

growingupsc — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 00:57:35 +0000

Your Letters and Thoughts: February 2019 Please send your opinions to editor@growingupsc.com Square Pegs, Round Holes As a parent of three teenage children, one graduating high school this year and two others closely following, our family has been navigating the world of standardized testing – SATs, PSATs, ACTs, subject tests and more. I am glad to see some thoughtful research and attention being given to what the results of these test mean. After my elder son’s last planned SAT he expressed relief that the “testing” was over now. That started an interesting family discussion about how in many careers and jobs the testing will not be over. Standardized testing has always been part of an at- tempt to ensure a basic knowledge of, and proficiency in, the subject you are testing for. But how well do these tests reflect how we actually apply our knowledge to achieve a desired outcome? Not so well it appears. We’ve known that in creating the tests we’ve erred in the past in creating a tool that did not clearly predict the skills and success depending on the population writing the test, and the population taking it, due to a number of biases, nuanced and not-so-nuanced issues. It’s also clear that some of us are very good “test takers” while others, for multiple reasons, will perform poorly on these, while demonstrating exceptional ability in applying knowledge in real-life situations. I am one of those people. Throughout my educational endeavors I have had to explain why my test scores did not match my grades, letters of recommendation, performance reviews, work experience and feedback. As a physician my job requires repeated certifications and necessary and valuable checks that I have the knowledge base I need to do the work I do. In my work world there is a recognition that standardized testing and prior exam structures do not address the fact that although a base of knowledge is very important, how we are able to apply that knowledge, and use readily available resources, is more a prediction of our success and skill. My last recertification exam was dramatically different, essentially al- lowing an open book format to access electronic resources I use on a daily basis. This format redesign was a much better test of my skills, than prior exams, as was the intent with this redesign. So, to my graduating high school senior I must say congratulations on your last SAT, BUT, you are likely to have many more standardized tests regardless of what you choose to pursue. Take them in stride and relegate them to the position they deserve. Although these tests in my opinion can be helpful in many ways, I am very glad to see a new attention and awareness of their limitations as well. Very sincerely, Beth Brennan There Must Be a More Creative Way to Measure Talent I’m a mother of three. All three have gone through the SAT/ACT drill. As harsh as the connotation implies, I always felt like I was dropping off my kids at a mental torture chamber for almost four hours, when I brought them to their test centers. A timed chamber where their mental stamina would be slowly and painstakingly sapped out of them by the end of the session, supposedly measuring their intellectual capacities in the areas of math, English, reading, science and writing. Their scores will determine the hierarchy of colleges that would accept them. A redundant practice that never made sense to me. In this day and age, surely educationists can come up with better and creative ways to measure a child’s individual talents and skills? Sahana Lakka

The post Your Letters and Thoughts: February 2019 first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

How Does a Pediatric Dentist Keep His Fingers and His Sanity?

growingupsc — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 23:25:59 +0000

How Does a Pediatric Dentist Keep His Fingers and His Sanity? Keeping Dentistry Weird By Patrice Keet How do you keep your cool and your huge, winning smile when you have little kids screaming; plus parents that are anxious, and all the usual demands that go with running a business? I wanted to find out what makes pediatric dentist Seth Reder tick and why he and his wife, Andrea, teamed up to start their own local business, Capitola Kids Dentistry off 40th Avenue. Andrea and Seth moved to Santa Cruz seven years ago. They have two daughters: Norah, 2, and Maeve, 1. “I come from a long line of dentists and ended up following in my father’s footsteps,” he says. “I always knew I wanted to do something that helps people and I’m fascinated by how kids think — what makes them act the way they do? How they learn so much, so fast? My own childhood had the unusual challenge of being an identical twin. We had red hair and were twins so we stuck out in a crowd, and sometimes that wasn’t a good thing. I struggled to understand why I was being teased. I wanted to connect, not be pushed away. But I’ve since realized that I’ve grown into a better person due to this experience and it has allowed me to relate to kids who may also feel alone or scared for whatever reason.” “As an identical twin, it took me time to realize that I could be an individual; that I could stand alone and even be a leader,” he continues. “I think this challenge has made me more aware of individual needs, especially in my practice. Each family comes in with its own particular set of ideas about what they want for their child’s oral healthcare. Listening, and listening some more, is the way I get to know the children and families. Dentistry is all about teamwork and trust; oh, and having fun. “I use my puppets, Happy and Excited, to break the ice sometimes and to show how to brush correctly. My office motto is: ‘We treat your family like our family and friends; we have fun and like to be a little weird at the same time.’ We try to be playful when we can, which helps relieve some of the stress.” Seth, 40, finds joy being in nature. He’s on his surfboard as often as possible. Asked why he chose Capitola for his family after living most of his life in Southern California, Seth poetically describes his love of the pace of the slow coast. “It suits me. I resonate with the smell of docks and a fresh catch— and I love a mushroom foraging adventure in the mysterious redwood forests. This area has it all, but I’m not just interested in playing. “I want to give back to my community. Capitola is small enough that you can make a difference here. Last year I joined the Board of the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery. And I do a quarterly presentation for Early Childhood Education students at Cabrillo College about nutrition, developing emergency plans and creating partnerships with families around healthy habits. I learned a lot from my dad who taught me that my word is the main currency I have; that being on time means being early, and that if I give 100 percent to my commitments, I will never be regretful.” His toughest challenge is treating cavities in kids younger than 3. He sings to them, plays with puppets, has toys for them to play with, but still, even his own daughter cries on the chair. “That’s why I focus strongly on prevention,” he says.

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