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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 trusted option that stands out for its quality, commitment to child development, and strong parent engagement. The Highlands Park Early Education Center, a gem nestled in the majestic redwoods in Ben Lomond and alongside the San Lorenzo River, provides a nurturing environment for children aged 18 months to 5 years old. Here, children can grow, learn and thrive in a setting that feels like an extension of their own home. What Sets Highlands Park Early…
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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, locally and around the world, in every possible way. They had no idea how beautiful a concept this was, or what a gift their priorities are to our area. For anyone who has ever had a loss of faith in the upcoming generation or a draining away of hope for the future, I can assure you, there are young people who are ready to serve. As the students narrowed their ideas down and honed the…
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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 and healthy start for an infant. Good oral health is important for everyone throughout life. It supports good nutrition, good speech development, a healthy heart, and even good confidence. The benefits are even more important for the pregnant parent. Pregnancy can lead to increased risks for cavities and other oral health challenges. Morning sickness can promote erosion of tooth enamel due to exposure to stomach acid, which can lead to developing cavities. Sweet foods and…
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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 a fresh take on produce to the standard school lunch. Farm to table came to life recently as lunch staff from Pajaro, Live Oak, San Lorenzo Valley, Soquel, and Santa Cruz school districts met at Del Mar Elementary school, where under the tutelage of a CIA-trained chef, they spent 5 days in an intensive culinary training bootcamp at the Live Oak District Central Kitchen. Yes, the school cafeteria has evolved since the days when ketchup…
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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 to the programs and supports available to students. Santa Cruz City Schools Bay View Elementary, DeLaveaga Elementary, Gault Elementary, Monarch Elementary, Westlake Elementary, Branciforte Middle, Mission Hill Middle, Costanoa High, Harbor High, Santa Cruz High and Soquel High have all been recognized in the categories of: School Wellness, Nutrition/Food Access and Activity/Physical Education. Additionally, Harbor, Santa Cruz and Soquel High Schools have been awarded for their Health Education programs. “We are so proud to receive…
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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 just around the corner. But don’t worry – this season is also a great time to teach your kids some valuable money lessons through fun fall activities, all while keeping your budget on track. Here are a few creative ways to help kids of all ages learn about money! For Young Kids (Ages 3-7) Fall is such a magical time for young children, with pumpkin patches and costume parades filling their imaginations. It’s also a…
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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 RC Fam’s second anniversary celebration and the Milk Bank’s Donation Drive on Saturday, Oct 19, from 1-3pm at RC FAM in Watsonville. Families will have an opportunity to learn about the milk bank and how to become a donor. The celebration will also highlight RC Fam’s steady growth in program, collaboration, and services, with a mini-health and family fair for all to enjoy. it will be an opportunity for RC Fam’s partner organizations to connect…
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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 Project in Santa Cruz. Each young visionary shared their unique ideas, from groundbreaking environmental solutions to cutting-edge technologies and social initiatives. Their presentations captivated the audience, highlighting the power of youth-driven innovation and the potential for these projects to transform communities and industries alike.The event served as a platform for these extraordinary teens to inspire others to think creatively and take action toward meaningful change. Brandon XuThe 2020 Northern Complex Fire destroyed 318, 935 acres…
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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 of self-care and it relates to COMMUNITY. The people we are around. The social relationships we have, impact our lives in a massive way. With election around the corner, I couldn’t help but write about a personal encounter with one of the candidates in our very own community, that has shown me the VALUE of neighborhood and reminds me of Mr. Rogers himself. As a kid, I loved watching Mr. Rogers – his kindness, empathy,…
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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, but I’m far more enjoyable after a good night’s rest. Over the years, we’ve created a bedtime routine that’s been helpful. My daughter is only two, so I’m bracing myself for more nighttime wakeups. But even though we’re not quite back to uninterrupted sleep, I enjoy the nights we do get some quality rest and find comfort in knowing I’ve got a few strategies to help us through bedtime. Here’s to embracing the sleep deprivation…
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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’s…well, kid speak. It wasn’t just him. I heard him talking to his friends with all these words I didn’t know. I wasn’t meant to know them. I’m a grown up. In a sly bit, TV host John Oliver threw out a couple of them a few weeks ago, claiming that kids would stop using them because he used them. But nope, it didn’t work. They are still out there, mostly popularized by YouTube influencers. I asked Parker to write a dictionary of his lingo for those of us not in…
