Education - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

The College Dream Nearly Slipped Away

growingupsc — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:16:58 +0000

Estrellas Brillantes helps Watsonville students navigate the FAFSA crisis and achieve their dreams of attending a four-year college through personalized support.

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What Preschools Should Really Teach

Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:26:08 +0000

Finding the right preschool for your child can feel stressful. Parents want their children to behappy and safe—and to enter kindergarten confident and prepared. Too often, families feelthey must choose between highly academic preschools or all-play, outdoor programs.I understand those concerns, but it’s not an either-or choice. Preschool is the ideal time to introduce reading, math, and science in the right way—while alsoproviding a rich, invigorating outdoor exploration program. Children naturally love to learn.They simply need the right balance of structure, curriculum, and freedom. Research shows that nearly 80% of a child’s adult intelligence develops between birth and agefour. These early years are a unique window, when children absorb language, patterns, andcause-and-effect with remarkable ease. Preschool should honor that window—not withworksheets or pressure, but with enjoyable, intentional readiness. Learning Early—Without Losing Childhood Preschoolers are naturally curious. They want to know how things work, why letters makecertain sounds, how numbers create patterns, and what happens when you mix, build, or testsomething new. Early literacy can include phonics, phonograms, sight words, CVC words, and real books. Earlymath engages children in counting, grouping, measuring, and comparing. Science begins withhands-on discovery—magnetism, tools, chemistry through mixing, botany in the garden, andphysics through building and motion. Children love learning when it feels like discovery What they don’t need is forced memorization or sitting still for long periods. Young childrenlearn best in short academic bursts—10 to 15 minutes—balanced with movement, outdoorplay, and exploration. An ideal preschool rhythm might include a brief reading lesson, extended outdoor play, hands-on science using water or sand, then returning indoors to learn a new letter sound orphonogram. Learning becomes connected, physical, and memorable. Why Class Size Matters One of the most overlooked factors in preschool quality is class size. Many daycare centers rely on large groups to remain profitable. This often means childrenspend unnecessary time waiting, being herded, or redirected simply to maintain order. In largeclasses, teachers can’t follow children’s questions or act on creative ideas in the moment. Small classes change everything When I started a preschool for my own daughters, I intentionally kept class sizes extremelysmall—two children for two-year-olds, three for three-year-olds, and so on. Children do notneed ten or twelve peers in a room to learn how to socialize. In fact, large groups oftenoverwhelm young children and limit creativity. In small classes, teachers can individualize learning, follow curiosity in real time, and createcalm, focused environments where children thrive. Confidence Comes From Competence True confidence doesn’t come from constant praise. It comes from doing meaningful worksuccessfully. In our preschool, children learned to read early, explored math and science daily, and alsodanced, did gymnastics, swam, painted, sculpted, and participated in musical theater. Learningwasn’t siloed—it was physical, creative, and social. Both of my daughters learned to read by age three and entered kindergarten confident andeager to learn. Decades later, they are accomplished professionals and leaders in theirfields—capable, curious, and confident women. This isn’t about prestige. It’s about what happens when children are given strong foundationsearly, in environments that balance academics with curiosity, courage, and confidence. The Right Balance The best preschools don’t choose between learning and play. They integrate:– Early reading, math, and science readiness– Exploration and experimentation– Outdoor play and physical development– Communication, creativity, and collaboration Children are eager to learn. When we respect their intelligence and provide the right balance,we don’t take away childhood—we strengthen it. What to Look for When Touring a Preschool Ask yourself:– Are academic lessons short, engaging, and age-appropriate?– Do children move freely between learning and play?– What types of outdoor and indoor play activities are offered?– Are teachers responding to children’s questions and ideas?– Do children receive guidance while working with hands-on science materials?– Do children seem calm, confident, and curious? Watch for red flags:– Large class sizes with excessive waiting– Children sitting for long periods– Busy work replacing exploration– One-size-fits-all instruction– Children disengaged or bored A great preschool balances structure and freedom, academics and play—while honoring howyoung children truly learn.

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Santa Cruz County Spelling Bee Winners Announced

growingupsc — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:33:07 +0000

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is pleased to announce the results of the 2026 Santa Cruz County Spelling Bee, which took place Jan. 24, at UC Santa Cruz. In the Elementary Division, Sal Thompson, of Gateway School, took first place, followed by Karis Lee, of Ocean Grove Charter School, in second place. Leo Cave, of Gateway School, secured third place after a tie-breaker that lasted 14 words. In the Junior Division, Aria Menon, of Pacific Collegiate School, claimed first place. Lovina Wildermuth-Reyes, of San Lorenzo Valley Charter School, earned second place, while Elizabeth Lee, of Ocean Grove Charter School, finished in third. First- and second-place finishers in both divisions advance to the California State Spelling Championship, which takes place April 25 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Manteca. “Congratulations to this year’s winners and to all the students who showcased their spelling skills at school competitions and at the countywide Spelling Bee,” said Dr. Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools. “This event celebrates the beauty and power of words, and it reflects students’ dedication, preparation, and love of learning. We are proud of every participant and look forward to cheering on our top finishers as they advance to the state championship.” This year marked the 41st Santa Cruz Spelling Bee. Elementary Spellmaster Mardi Browning has served in this role for 39 of those 41 years. Junior Spellmaster Michael K. McCawley has served as spellmaster for 26 years. Competitors first participate in school spelling bees, with the top two finishers in each division advancing to the countywide event. Students from schools that did not host a spelling bee are able to apply to participate on an at-large basis, selected by lottery.

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Santa Cruz Band Director Invited to March in Rose Parade

growingupsc — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 18:02:50 +0000

Santa Cruz High School Band Director Christy Latham joins over 300 directors in the 2026 Pasadena Rose Parade, fulfilling a lifelong dream of musical excellence.

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Free and Low-Cost Preschool Available

growingupsc — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 15:50:01 +0000

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (Santa Cruz COE) today announced every family in Santa Cruz County with young children now has access to high-quality early learning opportunities through California’s Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) initiative, beginning with the 2025–26 school year. As part of a transformative statewide effort, the UPK initiative offers a range of free and low-cost programs for children aged 2–5, regardless of family income or immigration status. UPK offers families flexibility, including Transitional Kindergarten, the California State Preschool Program (CSPP), as well as private early care and education providers. Together, these options support early academic and social-emotional development while helping children build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. “The introduction of Universal PreKindergarten for local families is a major milestone for education in Santa Cruz County,” said Dr. Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools. “It reflects our commitment to equity and opportunity by providing access to early learning opportunities to every child in our community — regardless of their family’s background or income.” Research consistently demonstrates that high-quality early learning experiences significantly enhance academic readiness and social-emotional development in children. UPK helps bridge the gap between early childhood and the TK–12 system, preparing students for long-term success and assisting schools to support all learners. “The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is proud to help lead this initiative and encourages families to explore the early care and learning options available to them,” said Caryn Lane, Director of Early Childhood Services at the COE. “Together, we can ensure that every child in Santa Cruz County enters kindergarten confident, curious and ready to thrive.” Transitional Kindergarten (TK): A Free Pre-K Option for 4-Year-Olds Starting in the 2025–26 school year, all children who turn 4 by September 1 are eligible for TK, a free, play-based program offered through California public schools. TK helps children develop the social and academic skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. While TK is not required, participation has been shown to significantly benefit children’s early development. Families interested in enrolling their child in TK should contact their local school district. To enroll, families will need to provide proof of age, immunization records and verification of residence. California State Preschool Program (CSPP): For Eligible Children Ages 2–5 CSPP provides free or low-cost, high-quality preschool to eligible families with children ages 2 to 5. These programs are offered in a variety of settings across the county and emphasize developmentally appropriate, play-based learning. Eligibility is determined based on family income and other criteria.To learn more about CSPP and other UPK options for families in Santa Cruz County, families can contact the COE’s Child Development Resource Center (CDRC) at (831) 466-5820, toll-free at (833) 774-4596, or visit childcare.santacruzcoe.org. #

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Free Backpacks, Supplies for Students

growingupsc — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 15:39:02 +0000

Over 400 area students were given a running start for the upcoming school year as they were presented with free backpacks loaded with school supplies Saturday in an upbeat gathering in Watsonville Plaza. Thanks to the Salvation Army in Watsonville, Freedom Rotary Club, Scouting America and others, swarms of kids and their families lined up for the annual giveaway that included new colorful backpacks stuffed with pencils, notepads, glue, binders and other classroom tools that will help them with their education over the school year that starts Aug. 13. “We want to make sure that every youth has equal opportunities starting school with the right resource so they can make sure they stay ahead of what the schools are doing and making sure they are planned and prepared,” said Trina Coffman-Gomez, advisory board of Rotary Club of Freedom and District Chair for Scouting America. “This is just a way to give back to the community.” Information tables were sprinkled around the plaza, including a mobile van from the Environmental Science Workshop. To kick the event off, the local folklórico dance group, Estrellas de Esperanza, treated the crowd to a number of traditional Mexican dances, complete with dazzling attire. “There are so many things the Salvation Army helps our community with, including hot meals seven nights a week for those in need — typically 80 to 130 people — and meals to take home on several holidays,” Coffman-Gomez said. “We just want to make sure that all families, regardless of their situation, if they need help, we’re here to be able to provide that.” Stuff the Bus The Santa Cruz County Office of Education and United Way of Santa Cruz County are teaming up to send local students back to school with the supplies they need to succeed as part of the 16th annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive. The campaign aims to distribute 2,500 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to Santa Cruz County students experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and other hardships. After raising funds and supplies from generous donors, it’s time for a team of dozens of volunteers to fill up the backpacks — and Stuff the Bus. The Stuff-A-Thon is hosted in partnership with the Santa Cruz Warriors and UPS. The event will be held from 10am-1pm Aug. 2,at Kaiser Permanente Arena. For more information, visitunitedwaysc.org/stb. By TARMO HANNULA

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Consider Volunteering in the Classroom

growingupsc — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 15:32:23 +0000

I had a great experience this past year, which I would like to share—especially with grandparents. I volunteered in my 1st grade granddaughter’s classroom, and it was a fun and fulfilling experience in many ways. This experience gave me the opportunity to get to know my granddaughter’s peer group; it felt great to help advance the educational process for these kids; and I learned a lot about cognitive development on a first hand level. My context is as an older guy (70+) with basic college level literacy skills, having the experience of seeing one generation of kids grow up, and enjoying a nice relationship with my granddaughter.The teacher, while not dependent on volunteers, certainly appreciated the support in the classroom and put out a monthly sign-up sheet. It was most successful for the teacher, the kids and me to have a consistent volunteer slot (mine was Thursday morning, 8:45-10:00). Getting to know the children in my grandchild’s peer group was a real collateral benefit. Conversations with my granddaughter were much easier and richer talking about so-and–so did this or that, when I could picture the kids and their various personalities (and the teacher’s, as well). You may have a bit of trepidation “how will the kids relate to me?” The good news is you are not a substitute teacher. You are not coming in as an authority figure (hopefully). Classroom volunteers are usually appreciated; they are generally somebody’s mom. Even better, they are seen as somebody’s grandparent— with a reserve of grandparent goodwill. Just about every kid has a loving grandparent (or wishes they did) whether distant or nearby. It warmed my heart each week to be greeted with “Grandpa Steve is here”. Being in the classroom, you see kids—including your own—in their natural state (for better or worse). You get to know the range of the kids’ behavioral and academic abilities, and see what really goes on in the classroom—even the playground. You will develop a better understanding of your own child/grandchild’s accomplishments and needs. From heart-breaking to up-lifting, you will gain insight to other kids’ and families’ lives. Your classroom teacher will have some assignments for you ranging from one-on-one listening to a struggling reader, to playing literacy games with a group, to doing group writing exercises. The teacher will generally find an activity that you feel comfortable with. A couple of tips that worked well for me: Be flexible in making the games/exercises work—see the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals and figure out how to engage each kid in your short time. Don’t try to establish yourself as a disciplinarian (the kids know they can out-wait your hour in the classroom). You will be more successful if you are seen as a big buddy; but as an adult expect respect and attention. The teacher will generally be happy to (briefly) discuss a style of working with a particular student. Don’t take on the whole classroom; working with individuals and small groups will be the best experience.I found a great feeling of accomplishment as the year progressed, seeing skills develop and relationships deepen, towards myself and among the kids in general. And of course I developed a renewed respect and appreciation for classroom teachers. In addition to regular classroom time, some other more modest volunteer engagements: Field Trips—always an adventure—a few outings a year. The class generally needs drivers. I always tried to have a fun car, playing the radio loud and letting the kids have a free communication zone. Playground duty—the school can always use another grown-up on the playground, organizing an activity or being an available ear for a child who wants to talk. Classroom organizing–if you are not comfortable doing lessons with kids, there is endless “back-end” work: organizing files, lesson prep, etc. that free hours of the teacher’s time. I hope this article may have gotten you excited about volunteering; but, you need to know there is a bit of bureaucracy to being able to volunteer in the schools. Schools/school districts take volunteering very seriously and legalistically (yes, you will need to be finger-printed). Check with your school’s website for volunteer procedures. My advice: jump-in and do it. It will be a highlight of your year, and great bonding experience with your child or grandchild. There is a short time when you can share this experience with your loved one—take advantage of it. By Steve Miller

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Parents Not Thrilled About School Starting in August

growingupsc — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 15:37:55 +0000

Some Santa Cruz parents say summer is getting shorter and shorter for their kids, seriously cutting down their childhood because school is starting earlier and earlier. Parents at Santa Cruz and Pajaro Valley school districts are distributing a petition titled, “Bring Back August to SCCS Students”. These parents are concerned that students are losing prime summer vacation time in August, and believe that starting in September is ideal so families can thoroughly enjoy summer break. For years, the debate over the ideal time for students to start the school year has been a controversial topic nationwide. In Santa Cruz County, SCCS 2025-2026 school starting date is August 7, and PVUSD schools start August 13. These earlier start dates have sparked disagreements amongst some students and families. Sam Rolens, a spokesman for the Santa Cruz City Schools says the current calendar this in favor of an earlier start date, “addresses more concerns than it creates.” Some of those concerns include giving students enough time to prepare for Advanced Placement or AP tests Rolens is the chief of communications and community engagement for SCCS. which includes running websites, producing print publications, videos, and communication in general. Growing Up: Who’s idea was it to start the school year earlier? SR: The campaign, which was going for a while, was led by students and families primarily, and the primary reasons for this were: Winter Finals: There was a big push to start the year earlier, especially for secondary students so that they could take their final exams before winter break. If they start school later in September, they have to take their finals after winter break–which students have expressed is stressful. Students expressed that studying during winter break is stressful. Winter Break: Students desired an earlier school start so that they could go on winter break without worrying about finals. This way, students can be completely free and actually enjoy their break. AP Testing: This was pushed to the Board of Trustees and head of curriculum by students and parents to have as much instruction as possible before AP testing in May. These tests have a huge impact on college admission and potential to receive college credit so they can take fewer general education classes in college. They did not want instruction during AP exams–this was detrimental. Teaching staff also supported these ideas for students and want to reduce stress on these students. We have student representative trustees from each high school who sit in on the board and serve as a conduit for student interest. More students reach out to their representatives to advocate for their needs. Student trustees make reports of concerns from their campus. Nationwide, this earlier start date is being adopted more and more especially to accommodate secondary students. Growing Up: Who agreed to start the school year earlier? Was this a mutual agreement amongst teachers, parents, and faculty and the board? SR: Yes, it was a mutual agreement amongst many students, staff, and parents after being brought to the board and the superintendent. Staff and students were able to deliver comments to the board and argue for the new changes and the board approved of these changes. Growing Up: Will school end earlier in June/May now? SR: Yes they end at the end of May now. Growing Up: Have you seen the petition some parents put together in protest of the school year starting earlier? What do you think of their concerns? SR: Yes, it made the rounds at the start of the school year. Democratic process is difficult because one side will get what they want and the other side won’t. Any calendar is going to be contentious, any schedule is going to be contentious. We regularly hear both sides of the issue and understand it affects some people positively and some negatively. We listened to the adamant desires of the students and parents who voiced their concerns and desires for change. We are constantly refining what we’re doing, but this is at least an issue where there’s a significant group of parents for this early start date. We do read through and discuss these comments. We want a calendar that works best for everyone. We still believe that we have a calendar that addresses more concerns than it creates. But it changed the nature of education and public service. Growing Up: Parents are concerned that students starting the school year in the hot month of August has a negative impact on them? What are your thoughts? SR: I grew up in Santa Cruz and anyone in Santa Cruz will tell you that the hottest time of year is the end of September and early October. We have a late summer instead of a traditional summer. June and July tend to be quite cool, and August tends to be a cooler month as well. As we shift into fall, Santa Cruz experiences a bulk of heat. Regardless of how we move the calendar, the students will experience heat in September/October. HVAC improvements are a top priority for the district. Dealing with the hot time of the year has become a high priority for all of our campuses. In the next few years, we will be building AC into all indoor spaces. We are now in a time where our years are hotter, so this will have a huge impact on the comfort of the learning conditions of students than the calendar does. Growing Up: Parents are concerned that this early school start prevents students from enjoying the longest days of the year and limits their opportunities to enjoy traveling and the outdoors programs in the area. What are your thoughts on this? SR: I do have sympathy for students and families that have summer programs that are impacted by this. They do have the same amount of summer break, just different days. I sympathize with the fact that it is hard to build a summer schedule but I want to remind everyone that students are still getting the same amount of summer vacation. Growing Up: Do you have plans to reach out to these parents who made this petition? SR: We personally haven’t heard from these concerned parents. I think a lot more people at the moment are talking to each other on social media versus bringing up the concern with us directly. Based on other student and families requests, we strongly believe that this schedule is working better and will be more beneficial for students’ educational needs. However, we will continue to listen to and care for both sides. We will do our best to accommodate everyone as best we can. By Joanna Jenkins

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Program Provides Reduced Tuition Rates at Colleges

growingupsc — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 06:47:55 +0000

By many accounts Northern Arizona University has a very credible degree program in industrial and emerging technologies. It attracts students from all across the land, and out of state residents are paying a $28,650 tuition. Californians are in luck here, because a program available to students in select western states caps their tuition at participating publicly operated schools at no more than 150 percent of their in-state rate. A Californian, in this instance, would pay tuition of $17,532. That’s a discount of 40 percent over what out of staters typically would pay. This program is called the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), and is managed by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). It was set up in 1987 to make college more affordable and accessible to students in the West. Find them at wiche.edu/tuition-savings/wue. Through WUE, students from the WICHE region can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs across the West. More than 160 public colleges and universities offer reduced tuition rates through WUE to qualifying students. Participating schools offer these discounted rates to help students avoid the full cost of pursuing higher education outside their home state and minimize the impact of student loan debt. Not all public schools in the region participate in WUE. And among those who do, some exclude certain fields of study. Some offer the program only at select campuses. The University of Colorado, for instance, does not participate in WUE at its main campus in Boulder but does in Colorado Springs and Denver, as well as at its Anschutz Medical Campus. Transfer students typically are welcomed. And many two-year schools participate. Not an undergraduate? You still can work this program with the WRGP graduate school program, which is a cousin to the WUE process. And there is a special program nicknamed PSEP for students enrolling in health science programs. All in all, this is a pretty simple process. Here are some steps to follow if you’re interested: Check eligibility. You must be a resident of the WICHE region, and applying for a school in it. The school must offer a WUE rate. Check schools and degrees. WUE rates may not apply to every major offered at a school. At the University of Arizona, for instance, WUE is available only for mining and natural resources programs. Meet your school’s WUE requirements. Each school administers WUE differently. They may require a minimum GPA, exclude majors, or limit the number of students awarded the WUE rate. Apply for admission. Admission deadlines vary by school and there may be early deadlines for WUE students. Contact the school’s admissions, financial aid or scholarship office to let them know you want the WUE rate. There may be separate application forms for WUE students. WUE-eligible locations include 15 U.S. states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming) and three U.S. territories (the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa). For more information, visit www.wiche.edu/our-region. By Steve Dinnen

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‘The Addams Family, A New Musical’ Takes the Stage

growingupsc — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 06:17:57 +0000

Hold on to your heartstrings! Love is the driving force in “The Addams Family, A New Musical,” a delightfully dark and comedic tale of two families: the straight-laced midwestern Beinekes and the graveyard-dwelling Addams, who despite stark differences in demeanor, personal style and preferences, have more in common than meets the eye. Based on characters created by Charles Addams, and the book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, “The Addams Family, A New Musical” – as embodied onstage by the Mount Madonna School (MMS) high school cast – dazzles with memorable characters, great physical energy, witty humor and poignant, lyric ballads. Performances are January 25 and 26 at 2:00pm at Mount Madonna School’s Hawks’ Nest Theater. Tickets on sale December 4 at mms-theaddamsfamily.brownpapertickets.com. Adult tickets are $20; seniors are $15 and $10 for 18 and under; all seats are reserved. In this delightfully dark celebration of the bonds that connect us, change-resistant parents Gomez and Morticia grapple with their daughter Wednesday’s emerging independence and revelation that she loves Lucas, a young man from a “normal family.” Uncle Fester “moons” in unrequited passion for the “unreachable” moon, and every family member – whether living, dead or undecided – is embraced! When Wednesday invites Lucas and his parents over to get better acquainted, Gomez, Morticia and the rest of the family are asked to act “normal.” That’s impossible, of course, as the evening quickly erupts into amusing chaos with unexpected confessions, relationships tested and the Addams family facing up to the one thing they’ve managed to avoid for generations: change. The story abounds with opportunities to examine questions that high school students face daily: how to be ‘themselves’? How much to conform? How to be open to other perspectives and identities? How to take risks and be vulnerable? Whom to trust? “I’m learning to be patient with myself as I step into a lead role for the first time,” said twelfth grader Emilia Lord, cast in the role of Wednesday Addams. “I’m figuring out how to make the character real for me and build from there. I used to be more down and reserved like Wednesday, but, like her in this story, I’ve changed, too. Freedom is a key part of it; the freedom to act however you want and give yourself permission to reveal another side of yourself.” Director Chelsea Otterness said choosing this play for the high school’s winter musical is a great fit. “Eccentric, terrifically talented, fun-loving family; we’re basically the Addams family already,” said Otterness. “Now we get to dress up, be extra dramatic and, in many ways, extra spooky and Victorian. Not only is the MMS cast a perfect match for the characters in this play, but the theme is one we can all get behind. Our show will feature a powerhouse of vocal talent and unique personalities that will light up the stage and leave you happily spellbound!” Filled with sharp one-liners, spirited songs and tight dance numbers, this Broadway musical also features beautiful music. “The Addams Family’s Tony Award-winning score is as memorable as that of the great traditional musicals such as ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ or ‘Into the Woods’,” said Music Director Holly Ota “The song ‘Happy Sad’ brings me tears every single time and ‘Move Toward the Darkness’ carries epic inspirational power.” Twelfth grade student Mordecai Coleman is cast as devoted husband and father Gomez Addams. “I relate to many of the feelings Gomez experiences in the play,” said Coleman. “It’s interesting to consider things from the perspective of the father, a viewpoint I hadn’t fully explored before. Having parents who are divorced, it’s made me think about what it must have been like for my dad. Reflecting on that perspective has helped me develop more empathy for his situation. Stepping into roles that are far from your own personality can really open the door to becoming a more empathetic person, offering a more open-minded view of others.” Twelfth grader Manumailagi Hunnicutt will portray matriarch Morticia Addams. “It’s important to remember that a lot of people struggle to accept others or look beyond their own perspectives,” said Hunnicutt. “Embracing others as they are is such a powerful message to share. There are a lot of quirky characters in this story, and each one represents an archetype taken to an extreme. All the couples in the story help one another rediscover love and openness.” “The Addams Family, A New Musical” is presented through special arrangement with, and all authorized performance materials are supplied by, Theatrical Rights Worldwide, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com Mount Madonna School has a longstanding tradition of performing arts for students preschool through high school; and beyond outstanding performances, engaging in performing arts prepares students for life well beyond the stage. “Stretching ourselves to portray these characters is important for our generation,” commented Lord. “While we may be scared to act as people who are considered odd, doing so is a crucial way to grow. Our generation is often quick to judge, but by normalizing the ‘odd,’ we help create a space where authenticity can be embraced without fear.”

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