education Archives - NEW L.A. Parent

LA2050 Grants Support 29 L.A. Youth Organizations in 2026

Published October 21, 2026

The 2026 LA2050 Grants Challenge is funding 29 Los Angeles organizations serving young people through programs focused on education, mental health, career training, STEM, the arts and more.

Los Angeles nonprofits serving young people received funding through the 2026 LA2050 Grants Challenge. PHOTOS COURTESY LA2050

Los Angeles youth-serving organizations are receiving new funding to expand programs in education, mental health, career preparation, the arts and other areas affecting local families.

The 2026 LA2050 Grants Challenge announced grants for 29 Los Angeles community organizations with youth-centered initiatives as part of a larger funding effort that awarded $3.1 million to 55 organizations through a collaborative of 12 philanthropic foundations.

The grants were announced at the LA2050 Grantee Showcase, where representatives of funded organizations gathered to celebrate their work. The event featured remarks from U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, via recorded video, and Corine Taylor, director of impact and legacy for LA28. Letty Peniche, host of POWER 106’s Brown Bag Mornings, served as emcee.

Programs Support L.A. Youth and Families

The funded initiatives address a range of needs, from academic enrichment and creative expression to housing stability and employment opportunities.

Peace4Kids — Supports youth in foster care through mentoring and individualized guidance.

Everyday Arts — Integrates arts into accessible STEAM education for students with disabilities.

Architecture for Communities Los Angeles — Creates pathways into architecture and design for underrepresented youth.

Project Passion — Supports Altadena and Pasadena families recovering from the Eaton fire.

CASA of Los Angeles — Provides foster youth with consistent advocacy and support.

Pico Youth and Family Center — Prepares young people for careers in film, music and digital media.

Ednovate — Connects East Los Angeles high school students to creative industry careers.

New Earth — Supports young people returning home from incarceration.

Television Academy Foundation — Prepares young people for television careers through training and paid apprenticeships.

Able ARTS Work — Provides accessible STEAM arts education for youth with and without disabilities.

Get Lit – Words Ignite — Connects young adults to creative careers through media training and mentorship.

Lost Angels Children’s Project — Expands workforce training for young people pursuing careers in advanced manufacturing and skilled trades.

People’s Pottery Project — Offers paid ceramics training, artist mentorship and career exploration.

Homeboy Industries — Provides early education and family support for young children whose parents participate in reentry programs.

Propel America — Prepares young adults for healthcare careers through training and apprenticeships.

Pueblo Nuevo Education & Development Group — Expands mental health and wellness support for students and young adults.

The Whole Child Mental Health & Housing Services — Helps families at immediate risk of losing their housing.

Mentor for Change — Creates paid work experience and mentorship through a youth-designed coffee shop in Boyle Heights.

Unearth and Empower Communities — Connects South L.A. youth to paid work experience and career training.

9 Dots — Expands computer science education in Title I elementary schools.

U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove speaks at the LA2050 Grantee Showcase.

Project Invent — Teaches AI, engineering and design through community-focused technology projects.

Urban Peace Institute — Supports youth leadership, reentry and school-based harm reduction.

Children’s Law Center of California — Connects foster youth approaching adulthood with lasting relationships and support.

Garden School Foundation — Trains LAUSD students to reduce food waste and promote environmental action.

Adventures to Dreams Enrichment — Brings gardening, art and STEM enrichment to Long Beach middle school students.

The Makers Hub — Introduces Compton teens to creative and trade skills.

DemoChicks — Introduces girls of color to architecture, construction and engineering careers.

Upward Bound House — Supports young families transitioning out of homelessness.

How the LA2050 Grants Challenge Works

The annual initiative invites Angelenos to identify the issues they most want addressed in their communities. Earlier this year, residents cast 110,000 votes, and local organizations submitted more than 1,100 proposals aimed at making Los Angeles a better place to connect, create, live, learn and play.

The resulting grants support organizations working toward those community priorities.

For more information about the 2026 grants and the funded organizations, visit the LA2050 announcement.

Is Your Child Struggling in School? When to Wait, When to Help and When to Seek an Evaluation

Published October 13, 2026

By Judy Benn

The first weeks of school can bring growing pains, but persistent struggles may signal a need for additional support. Learn how to track patterns, work with teachers and decide when to consider an educational evaluation.

The first weeks of school can be an adjustment for any child. New teachers, routines and academic expectations can lead to fatigue, frustration or difficult evenings at home. Parents may wonder: Is my child still settling in, or is something more going on?

In more than 20 years of working with children and families, I have learned that one difficult day or week rarely tells the whole story. What matters most is the pattern, how long it persists and whether the child makes progress when appropriate support is provided.

Parents’ observations offer valuable insight and help document patterns over time. I encourage families to use the Milestones Educational Therapy Institute’s PAUSE Framework to organize observations and guide next steps.

P: Patterns help clarify concerns

Observe when, where and how often the difficulty occurs. Does frustration consistently appear during reading, writing or math? Ask your child to explain the material as though they were teaching it to you. This can help distinguish difficulty understanding a concept from difficulty getting started, organizing materials or completing an assignment within the expected time.

Difficulties related to adjustment often ease as routines become familiar. A learning concern is more likely to appear repeatedly during specific tasks, occur at both home and school or continue despite appropriate support.

When should I request an educational evaluation for my child?

Consider discussing an evaluation when learning concerns persist, progress remains limited despite appropriate support or your child’s difficulties significantly affect learning. Share your observations and ask the school about the evaluation process. You can raise concerns before a lengthy intervention period has elapsed.

A: Add data to your observations

“Homework is a struggle” expresses a real concern, but numbers give the school team clearer information. For two or three weeks, record the assignment, expected and actual completion times and the help your child needed.

For example: “A 20-minute assignment took 50 minutes on four of the last five school nights, and my child needed six reminders to return to the task.”

Also note how often directions must be repeated or a particular task is avoided.

For Los Angeles Unified School District families with children in kindergarten through second grade, the Reading Difficulties Risk Screener provides a useful data point. A result of “below benchmark” or “well below benchmark” is not a diagnosis of dyslexia or a determination of special education eligibility. However, it can provide valuable insight into which reading skills may need additional support.

U: Use targeted support

Share your observations and partner with the teacher. Is the same pattern occurring in the classroom? What skill appears to be causing difficulty? What support has been provided and what additional instruction can be offered? Will it be one-to-one or in a small group? If so, how many students will participate?

Support should match the area of difficulty and be explicit and systematic, meaning the skill is taught directly and in a clear, planned sequence. More homework is not necessarily the answer. A child having difficulty decoding words, organizing written ideas or recalling math facts needs instruction directed toward that particular skill. Ask how often the support will be provided, how progress will be measured and when the team will review the results.

S: Support should lead to progress

Once targeted support begins, continue documenting what you observe. Is reading more accurate? Is writing taking less time? Does your child need fewer reminders? Is their frustration level decreasing?

Progress may appear in several ways — not only in a test score. A child may approach the task more confidently, work independently or use a newly taught skill with less prompting. If progress remains limited after six to eight weeks of consistent, targeted instruction, the plan may need to be adjusted or the difficulty explored more closely.

E: Evaluate the next step

Bring your notes, work samples, screening results and questions to a teacher conference or Student Support and Progress Team, or SSPT, meeting. The team may continue or adjust support. If concerns persist, it may be worth considering whether a school-based special education evaluation is appropriate.

An evaluation does not automatically lead to an individualized education program, or IEP. If the school conducts an evaluation, the IEP team reviews the results with the family and determines whether the child is eligible for special education services.

Families may also choose a private educational evaluation to understand their child’s learning strengths and needs. Whichever path a family takes, the purpose is not to place a label on the child. It is to understand how the child learns and identify the support that will help them become a confident and successful learner.

Parents can allow time for adjustment while staying attentive to patterns that may call for additional support. They can PAUSE, gather meaningful information and make the next decision with greater clarity and confidence.

Judy Benn, M.A., is a board-certified educational therapist and founder and director of Milestones Education Therapy Institute.

What Skills Will Kids Need for the Future?

Published September 8, 2026

By Cassandra Lane

As AI and technology reshape education and careers, parents are asking what skills will matter most. Curiosity, creativity, empathy and adaptability may be more important than ever.

“Do you think colleges will go away?” Jasmin, my friend (and across-the-street neighbor), asked me a few Saturdays ago. We had just finished sweating buckets in Monica’s athletic training class at the gym, and were catching up over a protein-rich breakfast and one treat each: big, lush cups of creamy tea.

“What do you mean,” I sputtered, choking a bit on the cinnamon floating across my tea. “How can colleges just” — I thrust my cup to the right of my face — “go away?”

Unthwarted, Jasmin dug her fork into her scrambled eggs. “Well, everything is so remote now — and getting more so. Plus, there’s AI everywhere. And the kids are spending all this time and money on college, but the jobs — the careers they thought they’d have — just aren’t there. They’re feeling like, ‘What’s it all for?’”

Slowly, I returned my teacup to the table, nodding resignedly. It’s always a good idea to talk to parents whose kids are older than yours. It gives you a kind of crystal-ball glimpse into your own parenting future. Jasmin’s daughter is a recent college grad, and her son is a college senior. My son just entered his sophomore year of college.

My son (far right) and his friends stood outside Eso Won Bookstore in 2015, cracking open their new books on the sidewalk. Bring these moments back! PHOTO BY CASSANDRA LANE

When Jasmin and I bought our homes within a month of each other in 2015, our sons were in elementary school, a time when the question she asked me at the café was unthinkable. Back then, we were obsessed with getting them into the best middle and high schools we could. While navigating the K-12 system has long been a struggle, college always seemed a given.

Now, as we consider the long-term impacts of this current tech age, parents of kids of all ages are asking: Just what should our children be learning? What skills will matter five, 10, 20 years from now?

When our editorial staff gathered to plan this year’s education magazine, we recognized a theme steaming up from our own concerns and those of the people we know and serve: Even when we feel unsettled about the future (education, careers, politics), we will always believe that nurturing qualities such as curiosity, adaptability, empathy and creativity in our children will anchor them come what may.

So, steep yourself a cup of tea and sink into these stories: Advice on how to help your kids navigate major school transitions, hone human qualities AI can never replace and build confidence beyond the “like” button. Check out our interview with Angel City FC Team Captain Sarah Gorden and her son Caiden, plus a whimsical roundup of fall events and our annual Inclusive L.A. guide for young people of diverse abilities.

It is all very human. Very L.A.

Cassandra Lane is Editor in Chief of L.A. Parent.

CalKIDS Scholarships: How L.A. County Students Can Claim Up to $1,500

Published September 8, 2026

More than $489 million in CalKIDS scholarships is available to eligible L.A. County public-school students. Here’s how families can check eligibility and claim up to $1,500 for college or career training.

Children of different ages and backgrounds running together on a playground

Los Angeles County families may have money waiting for their children’s education — and they don’t have to wait until college to find out if they’re eligible. More than $489 million in CalKIDS scholarships is available to eligible public-school students in the county, with scholarships worth up to $1,500.

September is the first CalKIDS Scholarship Month, when schools and districts across California are helping students and families check eligibility and claim their funds.

What Is a CalKIDS Scholarship?

“CalKIDS Scholarship Month is about meeting students where they are and making it easier for them to access resources that can help support their education after high school,” said California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA. “By bringing CalKIDS directly onto school campuses throughout California, we can help more students take this important step and claim their scholarship funds.”

How CalKIDS Scholarship Month works

Throughout the month, participating school districts and campuses will host designated CalKIDS Scholarship claiming events where students and families can check eligibility and claim their scholarships on-site.

For students in grades 9-12, schools have an additional tool to support these efforts. Through a data-sharing agreement between CalKIDS and the California Student Aid Commission, CalKIDS Scholarship information is available to high school administrators through WebGrants for Institutions, the state’s financial aid platform. Schools can use this information to identify students with CalKIDS Scholarships and connect them directly with on-campus claiming opportunities throughout September and beyond.

“With September as CalKIDS Claim Month, we have an incredible opportunity to help families discover resources that can expand their students’ futures,” said Dr. Loretta Whitson, Executive Director of the California Association of School Counselors. “The CalKIDS Program gives school counselors another meaningful way to connect families with opportunities for college and career education. By starting these conversations early, we can help more students see that higher education and career training are within reach and that investing in their future can begin today.”

How to check your child’s CalKIDS eligibility

In addition to school-based claiming events, students and families can check eligibility and claim a CalKIDS Scholarship online at any time, taking an important step toward preparing for the future. Checking eligibility and claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship takes just a few minutes:

Visit CalKIDS.org and select “Confirm Eligibility.”
Enter the student’s 10-digit Statewide Student Identifier, or SSID. The number may be available on a report card, transcript or school portal, or families can request it from the student’s school or counselor.
If eligible, follow the prompts to claim the student’s CalKIDS Scholarship Account.

What can CalKIDS Scholarships be used for?

CalKIDS Scholarships can be used for qualified educational expenses, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, computer equipment and other eligible costs at accredited colleges, universities, career training programs and vocational schools nationwide.

“It has helped me more than I could know. I’ve been stressed, and money will always lessen the stress. I want education; I deserve education and I’m glad CalKIDS was able to help me achieve that,” said Abigail Ruvalcaba, a CalKIDS recipient and student from California State University, Northridge.

CalKIDS Scholarships support students across California

CalKIDS is supporting county offices of education and school districts with localized scholarship data, ready-to-use communications materials, outreach tools and training resources to help expand claiming efforts during CalKIDS Scholarship Month and beyond.

Launched in 2022 and administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, CalKIDS has invested more than $2.4 billion in scholarships for more than 6 million California children and students to help support their pursuit of college, career training and other postsecondary education opportunities.

Families can learn more about CalKIDS, check their student’s eligibility and claim an available scholarship at CalKIDS.org.

How to Help Kids Navigate Major School Transitions

Published September 4, 2026

By Mike Sonksen

From starting kindergarten and middle school to entering high school and college, educators share how parents can support kids through each major school transition.

Nothing captures the heart of the axiom “the only constant is change” quite as much as watching children grow up. Before you know it, that baby you held in your arms for the first time is entering kindergarten. Blink a few more times, and she’s heading off to college.

As children grow, they face several major school transitions — from the leap into kindergarten to the move to middle school, high school and eventually college.

As my own daughter settles into her high school senior year this fall, I’ve been reflecting on each major school transition. Every year, the biggest hurdle isn’t getting the kids back to school — it’s navigating new academic, developmental and emotional challenges that emerge with each milestone.

I interviewed a handful of teachers, counselors and parents — from kindergarten to early college — to glean insights into how we can help our children successfully move through major educational transitions.

Preschool–kindergarten: Creating a safe launch

John Purcell is a veteran educator who has taught first grade at 32nd Street USC Magnet School for 20 years. He enjoys helping students become better readers and find their footing as learners during the early elementary years. “I always ask my new parents,” Purcell says, “to dedicate 20 to 30 minutes a day with their child — reading with or to them, talking with them, asking questions.”

Purcell conveys that parents who do this daily will see big improvements in school readiness because such home routines with their parents help children feel more comfortable and eager to learn. Starting school “can be confusing and scary to children,” he says. Building trust and engagement around learning can help ease their anxieties about leaving home to spend the bulk of their days with teachers.

My mom taught kindergarten for most of the 35 years she worked in the Long Beach Unified School District, and her perspective aligns with Purcell’s. “One of my biggest goals was to simply welcome students into school and teach them how to enjoy learning and to like school,” my mom often says.

The middle school leap

Middle school often gets a bad rap, but there’s a reason countless books and movies have been written about this awkward stage. For most students, it is one of the most unnerving and abrupt transitions.

Much of the hurdle of surviving the start of middle school boils down to logistics, says Dana Warden, an educator and counselor who has spent most of her career teaching middle school. “The greatest struggle for kids moving from elementary school to middle school is adjusting to switching classes,” she says. “The kids have been so settled in one classroom in elementary school that simply moving from one place to another with their belongings is the greatest challenge.”

Once they do finally settle in, she notes, they’re bombarded with navigating the social dynamics of middle school — all those adolescent woes. Warden says parents should talk to their kids at dinnertime about how to handle difficult peer situations with humor. Additionally, she says to encourage them to intentionally be friends with as many people as possible.

This advice might sound a bit surprising, but Warden says that trying to get along with as many people as possible makes middle school life a lot easier, helping prepare students for high school and beyond, where they will be dealing with even more personalities.

Stepping into high school — and beyond

Just when handling multiple classes becomes second nature, 8^th grade is over. In high school, our teens find themselves navigating not only multiple classes, but ones with more complex coursework and homework that can swallow their evenings whole.

During my daughter’s freshman year, I often sat down with her in the evenings while she did her homework. I did not micromanage her too much, but just sitting next to her helped her complete her tasks with confidence — and accountability.

Kevin Garcia is a high school counselor working primarily with first-generation Hispanic students and young Black men. “I see many obstacles, both visible and invisible, that can make the transition to college challenging,” he shares. “From navigating the admissions and financial aid process to learning how to access campus resources and, for many, leaving home for the first time, these experiences can feel overwhelming.”

Garcia teaches a class for high school seniors that helps them write personal statements, apply for scholarships and develop the communication skills they need to transition to college. He shares with his students his own story of being a first-generation college student who eventually earned a 4.0 in graduate school. He stresses how the process of meeting deadlines, finishing personal statements and filling college applications builds grit and confidence.

Garcia believes in having honest conversations with his students before they leave high school so they know the whole story of college, not just academic expectations. “We talk about what college will really be like — the challenges they may face, how to advocate for themselves and where to find support,” he says. “Many young men believe they have to figure everything out on their own, but one of the greatest lessons they can learn is that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of maturity, resilience and strength.”

Finding their footing on campus

Antioch University lecturer Kate Maruyama, who has a lot of experience teaching college writing, especially first-year students, encourages students to seek out the help them need once they do land on campus.

“New college students do better when they take advantage of their instructors, go to office hours, ask questions,” she says. “When they get a paper or work back and they don’t understand why their grade is so low, the instructor can help them untangle what it is they are looking for. For the most part, instructors want to help. And, if you are having trouble with a particularly demanding professor, go to one you feel more comfortable around to ask for advice. Professors don’t want you to fail; they want you to succeed!”

Maruyama encourages first-year students to find the writing center in their first weeks of school and take advantage of the help offered there. This will help them “find their legs faster in the academic world,” she says.

Staying close, letting go

Like all major changes, each school transition can feel overwhelming, but with love, compassion and deep communication, we can help our children navigate the academic, developmental and emotional challenges that come with each milestone.

In their early years, we advocate for them, teaching them how to be proactive in advocating for themselves. And even as our teens and early college students pull away to steer their own ships, there are still ways for us to be there for them while allowing them their autonomy. This year, for instance, I have stepped back a bit as I watch my daughter prepare for AP tests and college applications. I check in with her and offer help, but I also let her know I have confidence in her abilities. This balancing act will help her get to the other side of yet another big transition.

How can parents help children prepare for a school transition?

Help your child practice practical skills such as changing classes, managing belongings and keeping track of assignments. Talk about friendships and difficult social situations, and encourage your child to build relationships with a variety of peers.

How can parents help high school students prepare for college?

Parents can help teens develop independence by encouraging them to manage deadlines, applications and schoolwork while remaining available for support. Conversations about asking for help, accessing campus resources and advocating for themselves can also ease the transition to college.

A native Angeleno, Mike Sonksen is an educator, father of two and author of “Letters to My City.”

How to Organize Important Documents for Aging Parents

Published September 1, 2026

From medical records and passwords to wills and final wishes, getting important family information organized can help parents prepare for emergencies and care for aging loved ones.

By CJ Osmena

Pew Research Center found 54% of Americans in their 40s have both a parent over age 65 and a child who depends on them.

Jeff Stoller built StoreMyLife after his brother died alone in his mid-40s. The online platform pairs a HIPAA-compliant, bank-level encrypted digital vault with the CARE System, an active check-in that reaches designated contacts if a user is ever found unresponsive. Most families still have no single place for a will, insurance details and passwords.

If you didn’t call your parents to wish them a Happy New Year, how long would it take before they started to worry? And if they didn’t call you, how long would it take before you knew something was wrong?

For Jeff Stoller’s family, the answer was five days.

Every New Year’s, Jeff’s brother David called their mother. Then one year, the call didn’t come. At first there was no reason to think the worst. People get busy. A call gets forgotten.

The silence continued.

After five days, their mother called Jeff. Something wasn’t right, she told him, and she needed him to find out what had happened. Her instincts were right. David was only in his mid-40s and he had been living alone. He had a heart attack and passed away. And no one knew.

Grief Doesn’t Pause for Paperwork
There is the grief that comes with losing someone unexpectedly, and then there are the questions that arrive almost immediately afterward. It isn’t that anyone could have prevented it. Still, there is something instinctively wrong about the idea that someone you love could be gone for days before anyone knows.

Medical records. Passwords. Final wishes. All of it was needed before anything could move forward. Nobody should have to piece together scattered information before they’ve had time to process what happened.

While Jeff was still processing the loss of his brother, one of his closest friends died. His friend was in his mid-40s too, and living alone. No one knew exactly when he died because it was a few days before he was discovered.

And Then He Looked at His Own Life
Two deaths, close together, left Jeff thinking about something he had never considered. He lived alone, too.

The question wasn’t whether someone could reach him in time to save him. It was something more basic.

How long would it take for anyone to know? A day? Five days? Longer?

That was the question Jeff couldn’t shake. He wasn’t looking for a guarantee that someone could save him. He wanted to know that if one day he simply stopped responding, someone would notice.

Then a second question followed. If something did happen, where would his family find the information they needed, and how would the right people get it?

Give someone everything now, and you give up privacy and control. Hide it somewhere secure and the people who need it may never find it. Leave it in a drawer, a folder, or a safe-deposit box and it may be lost, destroyed or found by the wrong person.

So He Built It Himself
Jeff couldn’t change what had happened, but he could address the two questions those losses left him with.

The first was the one he couldn’t shake. How long would it take before anyone knew?

That became the CARE System. On a schedule the user chooses, StoreMyLife sends a check-in text. After clicking the link within the text, they click one more button to confirm they’re OK and the system resets.

If there is no response, the system alerts their primary contact. The primary contact can select whether the user is OK, had a medical emergency or passed away.

CARE isn’t a promise that someone will arrive in time to save you. Its purpose is simpler. Unexplained silence doesn’t continue unnoticed.

The second question was what people would need once they knew. That became StoreMyLife’s digital vault, HIPAA-compliant and bank-level encrypted, holding medical, legal, financial and personal information in a place that doesn’t depend on anyone finding the right drawer.

Users decide who gets what. Your daughter may need medical information. Your executor may need estate documents. Neither needs access to everything.

One step most platforms would rather not advertise: If a contact reports a death, nothing is released until a death certificate is uploaded. A member of the StoreMyLife team confirms it is genuine. Slower than instant, and the only version worth trusting.

One Afternoon with Your Mother
If your mother were hospitalized tomorrow, would you know what medications she takes or the names of her doctors? If your father died unexpectedly, would you know whom to call, whether he had a will and where to find it?

There is an enormous difference between knowing your parents and knowing where they keep their important information. On the day it matters, one of them lets you be present instead of searching.

Nobody wants to sit down with Mom and announce, “Let’s talk about what happens when you die.” Fortunately, you don’t have to. Ask where she keeps her insurance information, who her doctor is, whether she has a will and where it is. One answer usually leads to another.

The conversation isn’t about death. It’s about making life easier for the people who may someday have to step in.

Start with one question. Ask her who her doctor is.

A Caring Child and a Caring Parent
Parents are used to being the people who know. The pediatrician. The allergy. The appointment. The medication that needs refilling.

For years, showing points in one direction, at the generation that depends on you. Then it starts working in both directions. Your parents get older. And once you’ve asked them those questions, another one follows. Would your children know the answers about you?

How will someone know? And once they know, will they know what to do?

You can’t control when your family will need you, but you can make sure that when that day comes, someone notices and the people you trust have what they need.

L.A. Parent readers can try StoreMyLife free for 30 days at storemylife.com.

This article is educational and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney about estate planning for your own situation.

References

Pew Research Center. More Than Half of Americans in Their 40s Are “Sandwiched” Between an Aging Parent and Their Own Children. Published April 8, 2022. Survey of 9,676 U.S. adults conducted October 18–24, 2021.
StoreMyLife. How It Works. TETQ, LLC. Accessed August 2026.
Data on file. TETQ, LLC.

How California Families Can Save for College With a 529 Plan

Published September 1, 2026

For College Savings Month, learn how California’s ScholarShare 529 can help families start saving for future education expenses.

ScholarShare 529 gives families a way to start saving for qualified higher education expenses.*

*It’s never too early for families to develop a college saving plan.*

September is College Savings Month, an annual opportunity to focus on a challenge familiar to many families: education is expensive, and saving for it can feel intimidating.

College Savings Month grew from wider efforts to help families learn about education savings and the role 529 plans can play in preparing for future costs. In 2003, Congress supported the goals and ideals of College Savings Month, helping establish September as a time to encourage more families to think about saving before future education costs arrive.

Why September Matters for Savings
For California families, that conversation about education costs connects directly to ScholarShare 529.

“The truth is college is expensive,” says Cassandra DiBenedetto, ScholarShare Investment Board Executive Director.

That reality can make education savings feel out of reach, especially when families are balancing everyday expenses, changing budgets and uncertain plans for the future. But College Savings Month is not about solving everything in September, it’s about using the month to take one practical step. That step begins with learning how ScholarShare 529 can help.

How ScholarShare 529 Can Help
ScholarShare 529 is California’s official education savings plan. It helps families save for qualified higher-education expenses at eligible colleges, universities, community colleges, vocational schools and more. You can use savings from a ScholarShare 529 account for qualified expenses such as tuition, books, computers and certain room and board costs.

*Cassandra DiBenedetto, ScholarShare Investment Board Executive Director, notes that college is expensive and a saving plan can help.*

This College Savings Month, there are several ways to take a practical step toward saving for the future.

Open an account online at ScholarShare529.com
Set up recurring contributions
Invite grandparents or other loved ones to contribute
Revisit your education savings goals for the school year ahead.

Those actions do not change the cost of education, but they can help families begin planning around it. As plans change, a ScholarShare 529 account gives families flexibility. If one child does not use the money, you may be able to transfer the funds to another eligible family member. As DiBenedetto says, “A dollar is more important than no dollars.”

One Action to Prepare for the Future
That idea fits the purpose of College Savings Month. Saving for education does not require knowing exactly where a child will go to school or what path they will choose. It starts with recognizing that future education costs are real, then choosing one action that can help you prepare.

September gives families a reason to look ahead. ScholarShare 529 gives them a place to start saving. Take one step this September toward planning for education costs with ScholarShare 529. Visit ScholarShare529.com today to open a ScholarShare 529 account and get started.

Disclosure:
To learn more about California’s ScholarShare 529, its investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses see the Plan Description at ScholarShare529.com before investing. Read it carefully. Investments in the Plan are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss. If the funds aren’t used for qualified higher education expenses, a federal 10% penalty tax on earnings (as well as federal and state income taxes) may apply. Non-qualified withdrawals may also be subject to an additional 2.5% California tax on earnings. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Member FINRA, is the distributor and underwriter for ScholarShare 529. 5841608

LA Galaxy, Herbalife Give 1,500 Backpacks to South L.A. Students

Published August 12, 2026

Herbalife, the LA Galaxy and A Place Called Home teamed up to distribute 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies to South Los Angeles students.

LA Galaxy players, Herbalife volunteers and A Place Called Home members gather with students and families during a back-to-school backpack distribution event in South Los Angeles. PHOTOS COURTESY HERBALIFE

Herbalife, the LA Galaxy and A Place Called Home teamed up to provide South Los Angeles students with 1,500 backpacks filled with essential school supplies, including pencils, crayons, rulers, notebooks, calculators, pens and books, to help them start the school year with the tools they need to succeed.

LA Galaxy mascot Cozmo joined players Robert Taylor, Harbor Miller and Riqui Puig, along with Herbalife volunteers and A Place Called Home (APCH) members, to help distribute backpacks and celebrate the start of a new school year with students and their families.

“Our partnership with the LA Galaxy and APCH is built on a shared commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people and strengthening the communities we serve,” said Hanan Wajih, chief marketing officer at Herbalife. “As students head back to school, we’re proud to help provide the tools and confidence they need to begin the year prepared, while sending a simple but important message to every child and family: Your community supports you, believes in you and is invested in your success.”

The event was made possible through the Joint Community Partnership Fund, an initiative between Herbalife and the LA Galaxy that supports community programs focused on education, nutrition, wellness and sports. Herbalife and the LA Galaxy have supported the back-to-school backpack distribution for nearly a decade.

“Partnering with Herbalife and A Place Called Home to help students prepare for the school year has become one of our favorite traditions at the LA Galaxy,” said Gabriel Osollo, director of Community Relations and Foundation at LA Galaxy. “Every year, we’re reminded that sports have the power to bring people together and create meaningful impact beyond the field. We’re proud to support students and families as they head into a new school year with the confidence and resources they need to succeed.”

In addition to its support through the Joint Community Partnership Fund, Herbalife has partnered with APCH for more than two decades through its Herbalife Casa program, which partners with organizations to provide access to nutritious meals, educational resources and safe spaces for children and communities worldwide.

“Every student deserves to feel excited and prepared as they begin a new school year, but we know that the back-to-school season can also create additional stress for families,” said Norayma Cabot, CEO at APCH. “Through the continued partnership of organizations like Herbalife and the LA Galaxy, we’re able to meet families where they are and help ensure our young people have the supplies, encouragement and support they need to begin the school year with confidence.”

Family Cybersecurity Tips Every Parent Should Know

Published August 1, 2026

By Jatin Suri

From stronger passwords and safer Wi-Fi to software updates and scam awareness, here’s how parents can help protect their family online.

Nowadays, connected devices have become so integral to family routines in Los Angeles that it is as if almost every waking moment revolves around them. Parents rely on their laptops to go on working, kids do their homework with the help of the internet, family pictures are synced to the cloud storage service and other activities like banking, shopping and watching the latest movies, shows or sports events all take place over shared home networks. Of course, such advances in technology have made life easier and more comfortable, but at the same time have resulted in some very legitimate worries related to privacy and online security.

Luckily, managing and safeguarding your family’s online and digital activities is not beyond the average homeowner. If you adopt just a few easy-to-learn and simple habits, you can by a lot decrease the usual risks of the digital world and at the same time, build up usage and confidence in every family member when using connected devices.

Understanding the Daily Risks

Many parents mistakenly believe that only companies and IT professionals are the targets of cyber threats. Though households are equally and very often targeted. The phishing scam emails pretending to be school updates, fake delivery notifications and fraudulent banking alerts that lure are becoming increasingly convincing. Touching a link in a suspicious email may not only expose your sensitive information but also could bring the installation of harmful software.

The shared home Wi-Fi networks can be another security concern if not adequately protected. Passwords that are not strong or router settings that are outdated may create a vulnerability for all connected devices.

Children who are virtually soaked with the technology of their times may also end up anonymously downloading malicious apps or engaging in freelance personal information through clickbait on websites. That is one of many reasons why you and all family members should digitally secure your home as much as possible.

Steps That Would Greatly Increase Your Security

Don’t worry if you are not very good with technology; you can always improve the online security of your family.

Make your first contact with strong, different passwords for every major account and if managing these passwords becomes difficult, then a password manager may be an answer. Always activate two-factor authentication when offered — most of all for email, bank and online stores.

Keeping your gadgets up to date is just as necessary. Most software updates are essentially security patches that help shield your system against newly discovered vulnerabilities. On top of that, setting your system to install updates automatically is not just handy but a straightforward and very powerful way of maintaining security.

Once parental controls have been set up, it is best to carry out a check of the privacy settings of browsers, apps and social networks regularly to limit the sharing of unnecessary personal information. Educating your kids to identify phishing emails, pop-ups and messages will most often lessen the probability of them being tricked by online frauds.

Extra Protection for Families Using Macs

Many homes in Los Angeles have Apple computers where the whole family works, does school assignments, gets creative and keeps the family organized. Although Macs have very strong security features built-in, it’s a smart idea to get a step ahead in protecting online activity on family-shared devices.

Encrypting your family’s internet connection is a good way to keep it private but the family won’t even notice they’re changing their computer usage. For parents who just want a simple and easy-to-use product, the Mac version of Private Internet Access is available here. Plus regular software updates, strong passwords and safe browser habits, this product can be a reliable way of securing your family’s online exposure.

Discuss Digital Security as a Family Topic

The use of technology in families works best when all members are taught responsible use. For instance, parents and guardians can explain to their children the dangers of sharing personal data with strangers, how to identify scam or fake websites, and topics about when one should seek help. Setting light rules like giving limits on the time of watching TV, games and allowing them to download and use apps can reduce the number of dangers the children may face.

Besides, grown-ups are expected to demonstrate simple, good digital habits like using strong, secret passwords, staying away from potentially dangerous websites and not forgetting to log out of shared user accounts. Family cybersecurity, if it becomes an everyday part of family life, will change securing one’s personal data from being viewed as a difficult and laborious task to a normal thing that everyone wants to do.

Small Actions That Bring Great Peace of Mind

Your security around devices is not about removing all of the possible risks; it’s about making smart, manageable decisions that protect your family’s information over time. Strong passwords, securing your home Wi-Fi, keeping devices updated and, if necessary, adding privacy tools are the four main things parents can do to create safer digital habits without any feeling of being overwhelmed.

Technology is going to continue to be a major part of family life, but with a few commonsense measures in place, Los Angeles parents can not only benefit of it, but also be more sure and safe that their family’s personal data is well protected.

A lifestyle author who writes about parenting, wellness and the evolving rhythms of family life, through relatable stories and honest reflections, Jatin aims to inspire families to slow down, connect deeply and find joy in the small, meaningful moments of everyday living.

Beyond the Summer Slide: How Kids Thrive Beyond Academics

Published July 10, 2026

By Jorie Das

Summer learning matters, but confidence, resilience and supportive relationships help children succeed in school and life.

This summer feels especially meaningful for my family. My toddler will start preschool in August, and we’re preparing to welcome our second son this fall. Like so many parents, I’ve found myself thinking about routines, transitions and the kind of childhood I hope to create for my boys.

Everywhere I look, I see advice about avoiding the “summer slide.” Keep the learning going.

As a parent, I understand why. School success matters. I want my children to love learning and walk into school feeling confident and prepared.

But over the past several years, I’ve also had the privilege of leading Friends of the Children–Los Angeles, where every child we serve is paired with a paid, professional mentor — whom we call a Friend — who commits to walking alongside them from kindergarten through high school graduation. That experience has reinforced something I now believe deeply, both as a leader and as a mom.

I’ve come to believe that children don’t experience life in silos, so we shouldn’t support them in silos either.

At Friends of the Children–Los Angeles, we care deeply about school success. We want every child to love learning, graduate from high school and discover what’s possible for their future. But we’ve learned that those outcomes are built on so much more than academics. They’re built on social and emotional development, physical health, meaningful relationships and overall well-being.

Because children are whole people, not test scores.

As parents, I think we know this instinctively. A child who’s hungry, anxious, lonely, exhausted or overwhelmed isn’t in the best position to learn.

Jorie Das is executive director of Friends of the Children–Los Angeles.

That’s why I believe the conversation should be about summer slide and relationships. Summer reading matters. Math matters. School readiness matters. But children are also building confidence, curiosity, emotional security and resilience. Those are the qualities that help them walk back into the classroom ready to learn.

One of the biggest surprises of becoming a parent has been realizing that parenting isn’t just about raising children. It’s also about managing ourselves.

Our children borrow more than our advice. They borrow our calm, our stress and our confidence. Which means one of the greatest gifts we can give them is making sure we have enough support to keep showing up as the parents we want to be.

I’ve also noticed something else as a new parent: It’s incredibly easy to become focused on what’s next. Are they talking enough? Should they know more letters? Is it time for potty training? Do they need another activity?

I recognize that instinct in myself because, at its core, it comes from love. We want our children to thrive. But my work has taught me to ask a different question. Before asking, “What’s next?” I try to ask, “What’s already beautiful about this child?”

Maybe they’re deeply curious. Maybe they’re kind. Maybe they notice every butterfly on a walk or are finally brave enough to try something new. Those strengths deserve our attention, too.

When we talk about the summer slide, we’re often talking about what children might lose. But I find myself wondering what they might gain. If we’re only measuring what they haven’t mastered yet, we risk overlooking the strengths they’re developing every single day.

One of the reasons I care so deeply about this work is because I’ve experienced childhood from two very different perspectives. I grew up with very few resources. We shopped the clearance rack. I qualified for free school lunch. Summer camps and enrichment programs simply weren’t part of my childhood.

Today, I’m raising my sons with opportunities I never had. That’s not something I take for granted. But becoming a parent has reminded me that, regardless of our income, neighborhood or circumstances, most parents are asking the very same questions: Am I doing enough? Is my child okay? Will they grow into a kind, confident person?

What changes isn’t how much we love our children. What changes is the amount of support we have around us.

I’ve yet to meet a parent who didn’t want the very best for their child. I’ve simply met parents with different levels of support, opportunity and resources available to help them get there. That’s one of the reasons I’d love to see us change the way we talk about families navigating adversity.

Too often, we begin with what’s missing. At Friends of the Children–Los Angeles, we try to begin with what’s already there. A family experiencing housing instability isn’t defined only by instability. They may also be remarkably resourceful, resilient and deeply committed to creating a sense of home under incredibly difficult circumstances.

Recognizing those strengths doesn’t diminish the challenges they face. It reminds us that people are always more than the hardest thing they’re going through.

The same is true for children. Children are not their trauma. They’re curious. Creative. Funny. Kind. Resilient.

When we begin with strengths instead of assumptions, everything changes.

Last summer, one of our professional mentors — whom we call a “Friend” — spent every Wednesday with her mentee. Sometimes they went to the library. Other times they explored a park or grabbed lunch together. The activities almost didn’t matter. What mattered was that every Wednesday, that child knew someone was coming.

That’s what makes our model different. Our Friends aren’t volunteers who come and go. They’re trained, paid professionals who make a long-term commitment to a child — from kindergarten through high school graduation. We believe consistency isn’t simply nice to have; it’s one of the most powerful ingredients in healthy child development.

Most parents aren’t looking for someone to replace them. They’re looking for trusted adults who reinforce what they’re already building at home.

Children thrive when they’re surrounded by caring adults who know them, believe in them and keep showing up over time.

One of the things I love most about raising a family in Los Angeles is that children grow up surrounded by people who shape them in big and small ways — a teacher, a coach, a neighbor, another parent or a mentor. We all become part of one another’s village.

As parents, we spend a lot of time asking, What should my child be doing this summer? Maybe another question is just as important:Who are the adults helping my child become who they’re meant to be?

This summer, I hope we worry a little less about checking every developmental box and spend a little more time noticing the child right in front of us.

The one who asks a hundred questions.

The one who notices every butterfly.

The one who’s finally brave enough to try something new.

Those moments are building something, too.

So yes, read together. Visit the library. Go to the beach. Explore a museum. Cook dinner together. Get bored enough to imagine something new. But don’t underestimate the ordinary moments: the conversations in the car, the trusted adult who keeps showing up and the confidence that’s quietly growing.

Maybe the real measure of summer isn’t just what our children learned. It’s who they became — and who helped them get there.

Jorie Das is executive director of Friends of the Children–Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Central Library’s 100th Anniversary: Events and Family Guide

Published July 7, 2026

By Cassandra Lane

It may have taken Los Angeles Public Library 50 years of planning before opening its Central Library, but once the doors finally cracked, there was no turning back.

The stunning rotunda at Los Angeles Central Library.

For 100 years, LAPL has helped Angelenos discover new worlds through books, research school projects and family histories, learn new skills and connect with the larger community. And the library possesses an uncanny ability to reinvent itself: rebuilding Central Library after a devastating fire in 1986, finding new ways to provide services to people in need, fighting against book banning, creating a makerspace lab named in honor of the great sci-fi novelist Octavia E. Butler and running one of the wittiest and most culturally engaging Instagram accounts in the social media universe.

As the iconic Art Deco landmark celebrates “Central 100” this year — with special exhibits, multiple programs and events (including the Centennial Festival on July 11), online podcasts and blogs and an old-fashioned melodrama to close out the year —families have plenty of reasons to join the party and the memory-making journey. And don’t forget to pick up your free copy of L.A. Parent magazine at nearly 70 branches!

LAPL Timeline

Year	Event
1872	LAPL founded
1926	Central Library opens
1986	Fire
1993	Renovation
2026	Centennial

Central 100 Summer Bucket List

□ Attend the July 11 Centennial Festival
□ Explore a centennial exhibit
□ Pick up a special Central 100 library card
□ Complete a reading challenge
□ Collect and stamp catalog cards
□ Take a docent-led architecture tour
□ Visit a neighborhood branch
□ Share a family memory with the Oral History Project

Library Events for All

Centennial Festival – July 11: The biggest celebration of the year is a free, family-friendly festival held both inside and outside Central Library. Expect hands-on crafts, musical and dance performances, author talks, artist presentations, book signings and activities for all ages.

Central Library Stories – Dec. 5–6 and 12-13: A lively, family-friendly melodrama will chart the ups and downs — and twists and turns — that led to the building we have today and will take place at the end of the year with free performances.

Find dozens more events at branches across the city can be found on lapl.org. And check out six special centennial exhibits exploring the library’s history and impact. Includes two recently opened time capsules.

More Ways to Celebrate

Go on a library adventure. Visit Central Library or any LAPL branch to pick up special centennial color-by-number sheets featuring scenes from the library. Families can also participate in a reading challenge while exploring different library locations. And don’t forget to order your limited-edition Central 100 library card!

Collect history. One of the most creative centennial activities invites visitors to collect historic catalog cards and stamp them at library branches throughout the city. Turn them into keepsakes, collages or family art projects.

Share your story. Families can contribute memories through the Community Oral History Project, helping preserve personal stories connected to one of Los Angeles’ most beloved institutions.

“L is for Librarian.” The first children’s book published by Angel City Press introduces kids to the ABCs of Los Angeles Central Library.

Explore the Octavia Lab. Named in honor of the legendary science-fiction author Octavia E. Butler, the library’s makerspace offers opportunities to create, invent and learn, using modern technology and hands-on tools.

For littles, tweens and teens. Central Library continues to host storytimes, performances, workshops, teen programs, films and special events throughout the year.

Free architecture tours. Central Library is one of L.A.’s most beautiful buildings. Guided tours reveal hidden details, artwork and stories behind the landmark’s famous “Light of Learning” theme.

How to Protect Your Family’s Personal Information Online

Published July 1, 2026

By Jatin Suri

Simple cybersecurity tips every parent can use to keep personal data, passwords and kids safe online.

Parents have always put their children’s safety as their number one priority — and rightly so. We continue to make sure that our kids are strapped in, we tell them to look both ways before crossing the street and to be alert for accidents that can happen at any time. Yet, with the connectivity of the present day, safety now extends beyond the physical realm into the digital world.

If you want to protect your family’s personal data, don’t worry, it’s not as if you need to be a computer scientist or have technical skills. In reality, some of the most effective privacy precautions are surprisingly simple. Parents who implement a few wise habits and make use of the simplest tools that are only a few clicks away can successfully shield their kids from online dangers without becoming the household IT specialist.

Understanding the Risks to Everyday Privacy

The first thought that comes to people’s mind when they hear the words “data breach” or “cybersecurity” is probably sophisticated hackers breaching large corporations. Yet, the actual risks of families are quite different and the family members, unless they are somehow targeted, don’t have to face the same risks as big corporations.

Common threats to privacy include:

Using the same password for multiple accounts.
Becoming a victim of phishing through an email or text message.
Accessing the internet through a public Wi-Fi network without security.
Sharing too much on social media sites.
Giving app permissions that go beyond what is necessary.
Children’s applications gathering too much personal information.

Create Strong Password Habits

Passwords have always been the most fundamental line of defense for personal data, but they’re also the aspect people most often ignore. We tend to use a single password for account after account because it’s more straightforward to remember. Unfortunately, if one account gets hacked, all the accounts with that password become the hacker’s playground.

Parents should also consider using a password manager. These apps store your passwords securely and autofill them when needed. Besides, many password managers are newbie-oriented, and their aim is to make online security a walk in the park, not a nightmare.

Turn On Two-Factor Authentication

If you want the biggest security gain for the least effort, two-factor authentication (2FA) is a great place to start.

Two-factor authentication requires users to provide a second form of verification after entering their password. It can be a code sent to your phone, a notification from an authentication app or another security challenge.

Help Kids to Identify Online Scams

Phishing scams are designed to mislead people into giving away their personal information or clicking on intriguing but harmful links. Kids and young people are very much at risk because they are less experienced in identifying warning signs. Parents can help by teaching kids to:

Refrain from clicking links they have not expected.
Check the authenticity of a message before giving a reply.
Never disclose their passwords to anyone.
Talk to a trusted adult If they see something that looks strange.
Be careful when downloading files that they don’t know.

Really Think About What You Share on Social Media

Social media platforms have made it effortless for us to stay connected with our loved ones, but be aware that they may be exposing more about our personal lives than we realize.

Pictures, location tags, schools, birthdays and normal daily habits that are shared can all be used to find out more information about someone. Besides that, the digital footprint formed by even the most innocent posts can add up to a lot over time. Some ways parents can maintain family privacy include:

Allowing only certain people to see posts.
Checking and changing privacy settings regularly.
Not sharing location at the moment.
Selecting carefully what information in photos is revealed.
Obtaining permission from teenage kids before sharing about them.

The easiest guideline is to be careful with what you share and always think that anything you put online might end up being public.

Simple Privacy Tools You Can Trust

It’s not always necessary to be tech-savvy to get privacy solutions. In fact, a number of tools designed for beginners can aid families to enhance their online security with very little effort.

Password managers are great assistants in creating and safely storing strong passwords. Security software is capable of detecting viruses and other malicious downloads. Browsers with privacy as their focus lessen online tracking and make the browsing experience safer.

A VPN (virtual private network) is another great option that encrypts your internet traffic and keeps your online activities private. It makes a lot of sense when, for instance, children are gaming, watching streaming services or using a common Wi-Fi at home. For example, CyberGhost offers a free trial you can try here that many parents use to explore the benefits of this kind of protection and assess their family’s VPN needs. CyberGhost offers a free trial you can try here.

What really matters is selecting tools that not only are simple to configure but also do not demand continuous effort to make privacy protection naturally fall into the routine of everyday life rather than being a constant worry.

Make Privacy a Family Conversation

Making digital security a continuous family conversation is probably the best method to enhance it. Technology keeps changing, and every year new applications, games and online trends are introduced.

Forget about trying to monitor everything your kids do online. By building awareness, opening lines of communication and keeping an eye on things, these conversations will be a great way to talk about the different apps the family members use, the unexpected messages they receive or their online privacy concerns.

When privacy is treated as a typical part of family conversations, it’s more likely that children will build up a set of healthy digital habits that will help them for the rest of their lives.

LAUSD Screen-Time Limits: What Parents Need to Know

Published June 26, 2026

Los Angeles Unified is introducing new classroom screen-time limits by grade level. Here’s when the policy begins and what it means for students and families.

While it’s not an outright ban, Los Angeles Unified School District students will soon have less access to technology during the school day. The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education has approved a new policy establishing age-appropriate limits on classroom screen time beginning this fall.

Building on cellphone restrictions that LAUSD adopted last year, the new guidelines are intended to ensure technology supports learning without replacing teacher-led instruction and face-to-face interaction.

District leaders say the goal isn’t to eliminate technology from classrooms but to encourage thoughtful, developmentally appropriate use.

“As we continue to navigate the evolving role of technology in education, our priority remains ensuring it is used in ways that support high-quality instruction, student engagement, and overall well-being,” Superintendent Andrés E. Chait said. “Technology is an important tool that can expand access and enhance learning, but it is most effective when used purposefully and guided by educators.”

What will change?

The policy establishes maximum instructional screen-time limits that vary by grade level.

Beginning in August, students in early education through first grade will generally not use individual devices during classroom instruction. Schools will still be able to use shared device carts when needed for assessments, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and other approved exceptions. Students in the district’s Virtual Academy are exempt from the policy.

Starting later in the school year, older students will have daily or weekly limits on instructional screen time, including homework:

Early education, kindergarten and Grade 1: 0 minutes per day
Grades 2-3: Up to 20 minutes per day (100 minutes per week)
Grades 4-5: Up to 30 minutes per day (150 minutes per week)
Grades 6-8: Up to 60 minutes per subject each week
Grades 9-12: Up to 90 minutes per subject each week

The district also plans to restrict student-led use of YouTube and other video-streaming platforms during instruction and review existing classroom technology contracts.

When will the changes take effect?

Implementation will happen in phases:

August 2026: Early education through Grade 1
November 2026: Grades 2-5
January 2027: Grades 6-12

District officials say schools will receive professional development, while families will receive back-to-school resources and guidance before each phase begins.

Why is LAUSD making this change?

According to district officials, the policy reflects growing research on children’s screen use and feedback from nearly 19,000 participants through the LAUSD’s ThoughtExchange community engagement process.

The new guidelines are designed to:

Preserve teacher-led instruction
Prioritize educational use of technology
Reduce unnecessary screen exposure
Encourage developmentally appropriate learning experiences
Balance technology with whole-child development

“Our charge now is to recalibrate, evaluate the role of educational technology in the classroom and balance access to that technology with the kinds of instruction and interaction we know help students thrive,” Board Member Nick Melvoin, who introduced the resolution, said following the board’s vote.

Will parents have a voice?

Yes. An amendment approved with the policy requires the district to conduct annual public reviews and gather feedback from educators, students and parents on how the guidelines are working. The first review may include school experience survey questions asking families whether students spend too much, too little or an appropriate amount of time using devices at school.

District officials say the policy will continue to evolve as new research emerges and schools gain experience implementing the guidelines.

At a Glance: LAUSD Screen-Time Limits by Grade Level

Grade	Screen-Time Limit	Starts

Early ed–Grade 1

0 minutes

August 2026

Grades 2–3

Up to 20 min/day

November 2026

Grades 4–5

Up to 30 min/day

November 2026

Grades 6–8

Up to 60 min/subject/week

January 2027

Grades 9–12

Up to 90 min/subject/week

January 2027

Andrés E. Chait Named LAUSD Superintendent

Published June 25, 2026

New LAUSD Superintendent Andrés E. Chait. PHOTO COURTESY LAUSD

The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education has appointed longtime educator Andrés E. Chait as superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, making permanent the leadership role he has held on an interim basis since February. The former superintendent, Alberto Carvalho, resigned June 21 amid federal investigations.

The new appointment comes as the district works to maintain academic progress, address financial challenges and provide stability for nearly 400,000 students.

Chait, who began his career with LAUSD as a kindergarten teacher nearly three decades ago, was unanimously selected by the school board after serving as acting superintendent through labor negotiations, budget planning and the completion of the 2025-26 school year. Board members cited his institutional knowledge, collaborative leadership style and commitment to students as key reasons for the appointment.

“At this moment, our students, families, employees and communities deserve stability, focus and confidence in the future of Los Angeles Unified,” Board President Scott Schmerelson said.

Throughout his career with LAUSD, Chait has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, Local District superintendent, superintendent of Local District Northeast, chief of school operations and acting superintendent, giving him experience in both classroom instruction and districtwide leadership.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as superintendent of Los Angeles Unified,” Chait said. “This district has shaped my life and career.”

He said his priorities include strengthening academic outcomes, supporting educators and staff, maintaining safe school environments and ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education.

Board members said appointing Chait provides continuity at a critical time as the district advances key academic, financial and operational priorities.

5 Online Safety Tips Every Family Should Know

Published June 22, 2026

Learn simple ways to protect your family’s privacy, devices and personal information while helping kids and teens stay safer online.

Digital safety built around your family. Bitdefender Family Plans help protect privacy, identity and everyday online life for every person in your household.

Family life happens online in small moments all day long. A school link. A group chat. A new game. An urgent text. A banking notification. A video call with grandparents. Most of the time, these moments feel normal. The problem is that scams now show up in the same places families already trust.

That is why online safety today has to go beyond device protection. Families need help protecting privacy, personal information, accounts, passwords and the people using them — especially kids, teens and older adults.

The good news: You do not need to turn into the family IT department to make a real difference.

1. Teach One Simple Rule: Pause Before You Click

A lot of scams work because they feel urgent and familiar. The message looks like it came from a school, a bank, a delivery service or a favorite brand. Before anyone taps a link or shares personal information, encourage one family habit: pause.

Do I know who sent this?
Is this trying to make me act fast?
Is it asking for money, a password or personal details?
Could I verify this another way?

That pause can make a big difference.

Small habits can make a big difference.

2. Give Each Person the Kind of Protection They Actually Need

Not everyone in a household faces the same risks.

Younger kids need safer spaces to explore and clear limits around content and screen time. Teens need room to socialize and build independence online — but with guardrails that help them avoid risky links, impersonation attempts and unhealthy digital habits. Adults are often the ones handling shopping, subscriptions, work accounts and banking. Grandparents and older relatives are frequently targeted by official-looking scams designed to abuse trust.

A family plan works best when it protects each person differently, rather than treating everyone like just another device on the account.

3. Treat Privacy Like Part of Everyday Family Life

Privacy is not just a “tech setting.” It is part of protecting family life.

Think about everything that deserves to stay personal: family photos and videos, messages and email, passwords and logins, browsing habits, financial details and school or work accounts.

Simple habits help, like using stronger passwords, turning on two-factor authentication and being careful about what gets shared publicly. The right tools can help too, especially when they make privacy easier instead of more complicated.

4. Stay Informed Without Hovering

Parents want visibility, but most do not want to monitor everything their children do. Adults want protection without feeling watched. Grandparents want help without losing independence.

The sweet spot is simple: meaningful visibility, not surveillance. That means getting the right alerts when something looks suspicious, having one place to manage protection for the household and giving each family member their own protected space.

5. Look for Protection Built Around People, Not Just Devices

Traditional security still matters, but many of today’s risks target the person behind the screen, not just the device itself. Scams are designed to steal attention, trust, money, passwords and personal information. That is why modern family protection should help with suspicious links and messages, privacy and safer browsing, password security, parental controls and data exposure or identity risks.

Each family member gets the right balance of protection, privacy, and independence.

Bitdefender Family Plans help protect up to five family members with individual accounts, so each person gets the right balance of protection, privacy and independence. Families can add scam protection, privacy tools like VPN and anti-tracker features, password management, parental controls and, on selected plans, identity-focused tools such as dark web monitoring and breach alerts.For parents, that means less guesswork.

For teens, give them their own account with scam protection and safe browsing,

For grandparents, it means more confidence without losing independence.

And for the whole household, it means online safety that feels calmer, simpler and more human.

Family life is already busy enough. The right digital safety plan should help protect the people you love without adding more stress.

Learn more about Bitdefender Family Plans and find the level of protection that fits your household.

Where Kids in Los Angeles Can Try Olympic Sports Before LA28

Published June 17, 2026

From swimming and gymnastics to fencing and volleyball, discover where kids can explore Olympic sports and get inspired before the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

By Duncan Macnally, GoSkate

The countdown to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles is already creating excitement across Southern California. For many families, the upcoming Games are more than just a global sporting event — they are an opportunity to inspire children to become more active, develop new skills and perhaps even dream about competing on the world stage one day.

With Los Angeles preparing to host athletes from around the globe, interest in Olympic sports among young people is growing rapidly. Parents are searching for activities that go beyond traditional recreational programs, looking for sports that build confidence, discipline and lifelong healthy habits.

The good news is that Los Angeles offers a wide variety of Olympic sports programs designed specifically for children. Whether a child is interested in swimming, tennis, archery, gymnastics or track and field, there are opportunities throughout the city to get started.

Why Olympic Sports Are Great for Kids
Sports provide much more than physical exercise. They help children develop important life skills that can benefit them both on and off the field of play. Participation in organized sports encourages:

Goal setting and perseverance
Teamwork and communication
Self-confidence and resilience
Physical fitness and coordination
Time management and responsibility

Children also gain exposure to positive coaching environments where effort, sportsmanship and personal improvement are emphasized. These experiences often become valuable lessons that stay with them throughout life.

With LA28 approaching, many young athletes are becoming fascinated by the sports they see featured in Olympic coverage. Trying an Olympic sport early can help children discover a passion that lasts for years.

Swimming: The Foundation of Athletic Success
Swimming has long been one of the most popular Olympic sports — and for good reason. It develops cardiovascular fitness, full-body strength, flexibility and coordination while teaching a skill that can enhance safety around water.

Many families in Los Angeles choose to enroll children in structured swim lessons to help them build confidence in the water while learning proper techniques. Young swimmers can begin with basic water-safety skills before progressing to competitive strokes and race training.

Swimming is particularly appealing because children can start at a young age and continue developing their abilities through adolescence and beyond. Whether a child dreams of competing or simply wants to stay active, swimming provides a strong athletic foundation.

The visibility of Olympic swimming stars often motivates kids to work hard in the pool and imagine what might be possible with dedication and consistent practice.

Tennis: A Sport for Every Age
Tennis has produced some of the most memorable Olympic moments and remains one of the most accessible sports for children in Los Angeles.

One of the advantages of tennis is that kids can begin learning at nearly any age. Modified equipment and smaller courts allow younger players to experience success early while developing proper technique.

Programs such as TennisProNow lessons make it easier for families to introduce children to the sport through structured coaching and age-appropriate instruction. As skills improve, young athletes can participate in local competitions and continue progressing toward higher levels of play.

Beyond the physical benefits, tennis teaches patience, strategic thinking and emotional control. Players learn how to handle pressure, adapt to challenges and take responsibility for their performance.

With tennis scheduled to be a major attraction during LA28, many young Angelenos are already picking up a racket and discovering why the sport remains popular worldwide.

Archery: Precision, Focus, and Confidence
Archery may not always receive the same attention as swimming or basketball, but it continues to attract young athletes looking for a unique challenge.

Olympic archery combines concentration, discipline and technical skill. Success depends on consistency and focus, rather than physical size or strength, making it an excellent option for children with different athletic backgrounds. Young archers learn:

Hand-eye coordination
Mental focus
Patience and self-discipline
Goal setting
Performance under pressure

Los Angeles offers several youth-friendly archery programs where beginners can safely learn proper shooting techniques under qualified instruction. Many children are surprised by how rewarding the sport becomes once they start seeing their accuracy improve.

As archery gains exposure through Olympic coverage, more families are discovering it as an exciting alternative to traditional sports.

Gymnastics: Building Athletic Foundations
Gymnastics has been inspiring young athletes for generations. The sport develops strength, flexibility, balance and body awareness while encouraging confidence and creativity.

Many athletic skills learned through gymnastics transfer to other sports. Children who participate often develop excellent coordination and movement patterns that benefit them later in activities such as diving, soccer, basketball and track and field.

Youth gymnastics programs throughout Los Angeles offer classes ranging from beginner recreational sessions to advanced competitive training. These programs provide structured environments where children can progress at their own pace while celebrating individual achievements.

The excitement surrounding Olympic gymnastics frequently motivates young participants to challenge themselves and pursue new skills.

Track and Field: The Heart of the Olympics
When many people think about the Olympics, they immediately picture track-and-field events. Running, jumping and throwing competitions represent some of the purest forms of athletic achievement.

Track and field offers tremendous variety, allowing children to explore different disciplines and discover their strengths. Some may excel in sprinting, while others prefer distance running, hurdles, long jump or throwing events. The benefits include:

Improved endurance
Enhanced speed and agility
Stronger muscles and bones
Better overall fitness
Increased confidence

Youth track clubs throughout Los Angeles welcome participants of all ability levels and provide opportunities to compete in local meets.

Because many events require minimal equipment, track and field remains one of the most accessible Olympic sports available to young athletes.

Volleyball: A Growing Favorite
Volleyball continues to gain popularity among children and teenagers across Southern California. Both indoor and beach volleyball are Olympic sports, making Los Angeles an ideal place to learn. The sport develops:

Teamwork
Coordination
Agility
Communication skills
Quick decision-making

Beach volleyball is especially appealing in Los Angeles thanks to the region’s famous coastline and year-round outdoor weather.

Many youth programs focus on skill development while creating fun, supportive environments where players can build friendships and confidence.

Fencing: A Unique Olympic Experience
Fencing often captures children’s attention because it looks unlike any other sport they have encountered. This fast-paced Olympic event combines athletic movement with strategic thinking. Participants must react quickly while planning their next move and adapting to their opponent’s tactics. Fencing teaches:

Discipline
Focus
Agility
Strategic decision-making
Respect for opponents

Several fencing clubs throughout Los Angeles offer beginner programs designed specifically for children, making it easier than ever to explore this distinctive Olympic sport.

Finding the Right Sport for Your Child
Not every child will immediately fall in love with the first sport they try, and that is perfectly normal. Parents should encourage exploration and allow children to experience different activities before making long-term commitments. The goal is not necessarily to create future Olympians but to help young people find something they genuinely enjoy.

When choosing a sport, consider:

Your child’s interests
Personality and learning style
Physical abilities
Scheduling flexibility
Long-term enjoyment

Children who feel supported and encouraged are more likely to stay engaged and continue developing their skills.

The LA28 Effect
Hosting the Olympics creates a unique opportunity for local communities. Young athletes can watch world-class competitors perform in their own city and see firsthand what dedication and hard work can achieve.

The excitement surrounding LA28 is already inspiring families to become more involved in youth sports. Participation in Olympic-style activities can help children stay active, build confidence and create positive memories that last a lifetime.

While only a small number of young athletes will eventually compete in the Olympics, the lessons learned through sports are valuable for everyone. Whether a child chooses swimming, tennis, archery, gymnastics or another Olympic discipline, the journey itself often becomes the greatest reward.

As Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world in 2028, now may be the perfect time for local kids to discover their own Olympic dreams. The next generation of athletes is already taking shape, one lesson, practice and competition at a time.

Dunan Macnally is a Growth Marketing Expert at GoSkate, a passionate skateboarding brand dedicated to making skating accessible, fun and inclusive for enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. With a focus on quality gear, community events and inspiring the next generation of skaters, GoSkate helps riders express themselves and push their limits on and off the board. Learn more at goskate.com.

“Summer Hummerz” Brings Giant Hummingbird Art to Ventura Botanical Gardens

Published June 5, 2026

Explore interactive art, hummingbird-inspired exhibits and family-friendly activities at Summer Hummerz, the newest seasonal attraction at Ventura Botanical Gardens.

The Ventura Botanical Gardens has unveiled its most enchanting — and first ever regional exhibit. Summer Hummerz is an immersive experience that celebrates California’s pollinators through large-scale art and educational installations. Highlights include a “whimsical flock” of suspended air sculptures, a walk-in “nest” constructed of fiber and stained glass, and giant hummingbird-head viewing scopes with video displays. Kids are invited to participate in a treasure hunt throughout the gardens and learn more about these tiny birds. The exhibit also features the “Painted Perchers” collection, with unique works from 12 Southern California artists, available for purchase to support the mission of Ventura Botanical Gardens.

The debut of Summer Hummerz marks a milestone in the gardens’ maturity as a regional destination. Since 2019, the site evolved significantly, incorporating more than 100,000 new plants throughout the Fynbos, Karoo, California Ramble and Mediterranean collections, while significantly expanding the number of protected species under our care. To enhance the guest experience, the gardens increased its walkway network by 200%, debuted the new Fernery shade structure and opened a new observation deck.

Wondering if you’ll see a real hummingbird? It’s very likely! Southern California is prime hummingbird habitat and the Ventura Botanical Gardens are filled with nectar-rich plants these tiny birds love. Anna’s hummingbirds live in the area year-round and other species like Allen’s hummingbirds are especially active along the California coast during summer. If you spend a little time strolling the garden paths, especially near flowering plants, there’s a good chance you’ll spot one darting between blooms or hovering for a quick sip of nectar. No luck spotting one? Try listening for the sound of them zooming around!

Come share the beauty of the gardens with your family, open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, closed on Mondays and days when it rains. Leashed dogs are welcome on Wednesdays, Fridays and on monthly free days. See admission and calendar. The Ventura Botanical Gardens is located at 567 Poli Street, Ventura, 93001. Garden admission for non-members is $15, kids 18 and under are free with paid adult admission. Support the VBG mission by becoming a member, starting at $45 per person. Membership includes free year-round access to the gardens, guest passes and more. Read more about membership.

Los Angeles Central Library Celebrates 100 Years

Published June 1, 2026

Discover exhibits, family-friendly events, tours and special programs celebrating the centennial of Los Angeles’ iconic Central Library.

*Central 100 co-chairs Madeline Pena and Christina Rice (attired in 1920s style) hold art for special edition library card with City Librarian John F. Szabo.*

Happy 100th birthday, Central Library! Los Angeles Public Library’s architectural icon marks its centennial in 2026. The year-long festivities for Central 100 include special exhibits, multiple programs and events, a family-friendly festival on July 11, online podcasts and blogs, two new books about Central Library and even an old-fashioned melodrama to close out the year.

An Art Deco masterpiece in downtown L.A., Central Library is not only a showcase for stunning art and architecture, but also a thriving community hub that welcomes thousands of visitors every week to read, research, tour its wonders and attend programs for all ages. The institution has evolved since the building, themed to the Light of Learning, first opened in 1926. The passing decades saw the Library survive calls for its demolition, recover from a disastrous fire and double its footprint and capacity during renovations that added a spectacular eight-story atrium with the Tom Bradley Wing. Central Library stands today ready to meet the needs of the city for the next 100 years.

A centerpiece of Central 100 celebrations are six new exhibits displayed throughout the building that explore the Library’s storied past — including two recently opened time capsules — as well as the services and resources on which Angelenos have relied for a century.

Visitors to Central Library or any of Los Angeles Public Library’s 72 branches can pick up one of three color-by-number sheets (each depicting a Central Library view) to participate in a reading challenge. Another hands-on activity is to collect a set of historic catalog cards that can be individually stamped at each library location or used to create a personal art project, such as a collage or paper sculpture. Feel free to request additional cards as the Library has plenty of them!

You can also record your personal stories about Central Library with the Community Oral History project. Angel City Press, Los Angeles Public Library’s own publishing house, is releasing two new books that may be purchased at Central Library’s Library Store or through other booksellers.

*Visitors explore the giant books of one of Central 100’s special exhibitions, “Celebrating a Century of Light and Learning” in the Getty Gallery at Central Library.*

Los Angeles Central Library POPS: Celebrating a Century of the Light of Learning is a unique, collectible pop-up book for adult readers.
L is for Librarian: The ABCs of Los Angeles Central Librarian, a picture book, is the first book for children published by Angel City Press.

The Central Library Centennial Festival on July 11 will welcome visitors of all ages to a free day-long extravaganza held both inside and outside the Library. Activities will include musical and dance performances, hands-on crafts for children, author talks, presentations by artists affiliated with the Library’s art installations, book signings and more. It’s a party held only once every 100 years!

It took 50 years from the founding of Los Angeles Public Library to create a dedicated headquarters building, Central Library. A lively melodrama that charts the ups and downs, and twists and turns, that led to the building we have today will open at the end of the year for free performances on Dec. 5-6 and 12-13. Save the date so you and your family can boo the villain and cheer the heroes!

While many special activities are being held during this anniversary year, Central Library welcomes visitors year-round with story times for multiple age groups, performing arts programs, workshops, teen activities, films and a dedicated makerspace (the Octavia Lab). Plus, highly trained docents offer free tours of the building’s amazing architecture with insights into the Library’s themes and history.

Visit lapl.org to learn more and to access library resources 24/7 with a library card — perhaps even a special edition Central 100 Library Card, available while supplies last. Join the celebration and wish Central Library a very happy birthday with many amazing years to come.

How to Keep Kids Safe Online: A Parent’s Guide to Digital Safety

Published May 1, 2026

From cyberbullying and social media risks to screen time limits and privacy protection, learn practical ways to help kids stay safe online.

By Jatin Suri

The internet is now almost indispensable in people’s lives. Kids nowadays count on it not only for their homework, but also for their amusement, staying in touch with friends and finding new hobbies. Of course, the virtual world has many advantages, but alongside these, it also has a few dangers that parents should know about. Besides the exposure to inappropriate material, cyberbullying and online scams, children may be put at risk by certain situations without even realizing it. In fact, it is hardly the best idea to deprive kids of internet access altogether.

The issues of concern really are how to get children to restrain their use of the internet and to ensure their safety while online at the same time. Parents have a wide range of choices when it comes to making the internet experience safe and free from exposure to detrimental content. Family involvement will make the web a safer place for youngsters. Here are some of the strategies that parents can practice when faced with the challenge of nurturing kids who are safe and responsible, as well as being net savvy.

Create definite internet usage rules
Establishing internet-use rules is one of the very first measures for ensuring kids’ online safety. Kids should know what kind of online behaviors are approved and which ones are disapproved. Parents can come up with certain regulations, like:

Limiting the hours of screen time on school days.
Permitting the usage of devices only in the common family areas.
Blocking access to particular websites or applications.

If kids get the message of such rules early, they are much more likely to develop good online habits.

Discuss online threats openly
One of the major research findings about communication is that it influences online safety considerably. Children aren’t mostly aware of the dangers of giving out personal information or chatting with strangers on the internet. Parents can’t shut off their kids’ communication completely, which is why talking regularly with them about the following things is necessary:

The risks of revealing personal information.
Reasons why they should not chat with online strangers.
How to react if they receive a suspicious message or content.

Working toward establishing open discussions leads to kids feeling free when they want to talk with their parents about their online problems.

Use Parental Control Tools
Parental control software is useful in setting the way children surf the internet. A lot of gadgets and apps come with parental controls integrated so that parents can track their child’s online activity and can also prohibit certain types of content. With the help of these instruments, parents can:

Block inappropriate websites.
Limit time spent on apps or games.
Track browsing activity.
Set age-appropriate content filters.

However, implementation of parental controls alone is not enough, and communication and guidance are predicted to be the main factors, along with such controls.

Educate Kids About Strong Passwords
Typically, before kids can access some features of a website, such as learning materials, games, or socializing and chatting on social media, they first have to sign up. Showing them the ropes in making strong passwords will be a big boost to the protection of their accounts. You may prompt them to:

Create different passwords for various platforms.
Refrain from using personal details like birthdays or names.
Keep passwords confidential and do not even sharing it, even with friends.

One of the smartest methods of safeguarding kids’ accounts from hackers is educating them on the importance of password security.

Monitor Social Media Activity
Social media sites are a source of various risks for children, including cyberbullying, scams and exposure to inappropriate content. Parents need to know which apps are being used by children, as well as their behavior on the internet. Some tips for parents:

Check privacy settings on social media accounts.
Be a friend or follower of your child on social networks.
Enforce age requirements for different platforms.

Regularly checking social media allows parents to spot problems at the beginning and help their kids acclimate to appropriate online behavior. Remember to secure your private data when you are in unprotected locations such as public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Employ a Trustworthy VPN for Further Safeguarding
Besides the regular methods of securing the internet connection, a VPN provider can be an effective tool in the online security arsenal. A VPN service that is recognized and admired in the industry will ensure the family’s internet connection is safe by encrypting the activities that the connection is used for, making it tough for any third party to see or capture the information. A VPN:

Reduces the risk of certain online tracking activities.
Improves internet browsing privacy and security.
Protects your personal data from being stolen on unknown public Wi-Fi networks.

A VPN is just a piece of the puzzle for a secure online presence, but it can be a secondary layer of protection when children use various devices to access the Internet.

Conclusion
The internet provides phenomenal avenues for learning, artistic expression and socializing, but it comes with risks for children and thus it is the responsibility of parents to put those controls in place.

Setting restrictions and limits, talking to your child openly, periodically checking their activities and getting the necessary protective software are effective ways of protecting children from online dangers. Besides parental control, having strong and unique passwords that are updated regularly and employing a good VPN will offer great help in overall online security.

Ideally, all of this cultivates are mutual trust between parents and kids, leading to honest communication. When both sides collaborate to mitigate online risks and encourage safe digital habits, kids will be able to access the benefits of the internet while being protected from online dangers in today’s connected world.

A lifestyle author who writes about parenting, wellness and the evolving rhythms of family life through relatable stories and honest reflections, Jatin aims to inspire families to slow down, connect deeply and find joy in the small, meaningful moments of everyday living.

Bimi Boo Turns Screen Time Into Learning Time

Published February 27, 2026

In today’s world, avoiding smartphone use for children can feel almost impossible. The constant conversation around kids and mobile devices often scares young parents and leaves them feeling guilty every time they distract their child with a cartoon or an app.

But does a parent really need to question themselves every time they need 10 minutes of independent play to finish daily tasks?

Screen time isn’t inherently bad — especially when it involves thoughtfully designed, child-friendly content that supports logic, creativity and cognitive development.

Bimi Boo offers a variety of apps for children ages 2-6, created for independent play. First letters, numbers, animal names, hygiene routines, puzzles, drawing, racing, cooking, beauty salons and more — all within a world built especially for kids.

All Bimi Boo apps are completely ad-free and free from external distractions, ensuring a safe play environment and giving parents peace of mind that their child interacts only with age-appropriate content. The main heroes of the apps are Bimi Boo, a curious little puppy eager to explore the world, and his friends — young animal characters who share the same age, curiosity and perspective as their little players. Each character has their own interests and personality traits, making it easy and enjoyable for kids to relate to them and play alongside them.

Every Bimi Boo game includes multiple levels and regular content updates, including seasonal themes. This means the apps don’t become boring after five minutes — they become reliable helpers for parents at home, on the go or in any situation where a child needs safe, engaging entertainment.

All apps include a dedicated Parents Section, where adults can:

Learn about app benefits
Discover other Bimi Boo apps
Track progress
Manage subscriptions

The in-app store is protected by parental controls so children cannot activate subscriptions on their own.

Additionally, all Bimi Boo apps are localized into 40 languages, making them ideal for bilingual children. They help kids stay connected with their native language when English isn’t their first language, while also supporting the learning of first words in English.

Over 200 million parents worldwide trust Bimi Boo with their toddlers’ early development. Every Bimi Boo app is designed to build thinking skills, creativity, problem-solving and a love for learning from an early age.

Bimi Boo apps aren’t just time-fillers — they are playful learning experiences that inspire children to explore the world and discover new horizons.

Join the joyful world of Bimi Boo:
Download the apps: https://onelink.to/bimibooapps
Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/bimiboo and https://www.youtube.com/bimibookids
Visit our website: https://bimiboo.com

Inside Rowland Unified School District Dual Language Immersion Programs

Published January 5, 2026

Rowland Unified School District is proud to offer award-winning Dual Language Immersion Schools – Rorimer Elementary and Hurley Elementary offer Spanish Dual Immersion starting in Transitional Kindergarten and are both located in the City of La Puente.

Do you want your child to learn Chinese or Spanish, explore other cultures and be prepared for the global economy? Or perhaps bring tears to the eyes of grandparents and family members as your child communicates with them on another level?

In Rowland Unified, opportunities abound for students to connect with the world and prepare them for the future of their choice. Students receive an early start on success through Rowland Unified School District’s Dual Language Immersion Programs. Beginning in TK/Kindergarten, students learn to read, write and speak Chinese or Spanish to become bilingual, biliterate and bicultural. Students learn to think critically and creatively in all academic content areas in two languages. Research shows that learning a second language helps develop strong thinking and reasoning skills that are useful for problem solving in math and science.

Shelyn Elementary in Rowland Heights offers one of the leading Mandarin Dual Language Immersion programs in the country that starts in Kindergarten, and schoolwide Chinese language and culture enrichment.

Shelyn Elementary in Rowland Heights is a Mandarin Dual Immersion School for grades TK-6 and offers schoolwide enrichment. Shelyn was awarded as a 2023 Distinguished K-12 Mandarin Chinese Program in the U.S. by the Chinese Language Teachers Association (CLTA-USA). It is one of only 20 schools in the nation that were awarded and the only one in the San Gabriel Valley!

For parents interested in having their child master Spanish, two award-winning Spanish Dual Language Immersion Schools are in Rowland Unified that begin instruction in Transitional Kindergarten: Hurley Elementary and Rorimer Elementary, both TK-6 elementary schools in La Puente. Programs focus on high levels of academic performance in two languages that enable a well-rounded biliterate education and an understanding and appreciation for cultures around the world.

Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year opens on January 20^th and parents are invited to upcoming in-person and virtual meetings starting on January 27^th to learn more about these popular dual language programs that fill up quickly.

Rowland Unified TK/Kindergarten Parent Information Meetings (In-Person and Virtually). Spanish/Chinese translators will be available.

Tuesday, January 27 at Alvarado Intermediate 9 AM to 10 AM. Register at https://bit.ly/RUSDTKKInfo1

Tuesday, January 27 at Nogales High School 6 PM to 7 PM. Register at https://bit.ly/RUSDTKKInfo2

Tuesday, February 10 at Giano Intermediate 9 AM to 10 AM. Register at https://bit.ly/RUSDTKKInfo3. Additional information can be found at www.rowlandschools.org or by calling (626) 965-2541

How Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning Supports Gifted and Curious Learners

Published January 5, 2026

What You Can Learn from a School Designed for Gifted Students

Qualia: The School for Deeper Learning offers an academic program that is tailored for gifted and highly curious students. As career educators and parents of gifted children, our founders were very familiar with the challenges of educating gifted individuals. These students are highly intelligent but can become frustrated with the standardized pace and conventional approach of a typical classroom. Qualia’s program offers a flexible, high-interest alternative.

The Right Classroom Approach Makes a Meaningful Difference

Qualia brings the Oxford seminar tradition to life in small, discussion-driven classes. With an average of only 7 students per class, every student has the opportunity to deepen the conversation by asking questions and offering unique perspectives. Longer class periods allow students to deep dive into subjects, share ideas, collaborate with others and propose topics for further exploration and discovery.

When highly curious kids aren’t challenged, the joy and excitement that came home with them during preschool and early elementary school have suddenly come to a halt. Our kids don’t like to solve redundant, unnecessary problems or be told that they ask too many questions. They’re blown away when they come to Qualia and discover they can actually learn without limits.” – Maggie Storm, Admissions Director and Alumni Parent.

The Qualia approach works for any student who is passionate about learning and enjoys deep thinking. No two Qualia students are the same, and everyone has unique interests. The school honors these interests by customizing assignments, prioritizing passion-driven projects and listening to student voices.

“Along with students who are highly or profoundly gifted we kids who are just excited to embrace their passions. While our school was developed with gifted students in mind, any student who enjoys exploring topics from multiple perspectives, debating a worthy topic, and exploring the “why” behind a topic will thrive with our approach”. – Jim Hahn, Founder and Head of School

Providing Access to Advanced Coursework is Critical

Students at Qualia are provided access to unlimited advanced coursework in any area in which they excel. The school believes that passionate students should be able to go as far and as fast as they want to go. If they have mastered everything that the curriculum has offered at a specific grade level and are hungry for more, the school works with them to create higher-level opportunities, including advanced independent study projects and mentorships. Qualia allows middle-school students to take high-school coursework, and any student can take college coursework from one of the unique higher education partnerships that the school offers.

The Right Leadership and Mentorship is Everything

Qualia’s faculty are subject-matter experts who lead dynamic, democratic classrooms where students weigh in on which aspects of a subject to explore more deeply. The polymathic faculty help learners to connect ideas across multiple disciplines, and are driven by their own curiosity as well as the joy of helping passionate students go deeper. This passion does not stop at the classroom level. The school’s two founders, who have a combined 60 years of experience in other private schools, also work closely with students, teaching advanced classes and providing specialized one-on-one college counseling.

Deep Dives Into Areas of Passion Lead to Excellent Outcomes

Because the Qualia students have tackled advanced coursework across multiple subjects, they look for college programs that specialize in their area of interest while offering the same opportunities for mentorship and individualized study they’ve enjoyed in middle and high school. 95% of graduating students get into their choice school. Students are well prepared to dive into their studies at top universities such as Brown, NYU, MIT, Vassar, Rhode Island School of Art and Design, UC Berkeley, UCLA and more.

“We had a senior who developed a passion for mycology communication. By the time she graduated from us with a robust senior thesis on the topic, she was accepted into Rice University, who cleared out a section of their science lab JUST for her to continue pursuing her love of mycology communication — a scientist from the start, not a lab assistant. We were able not only to help further her passion, but also direct her to a college that gave her a jump start in her area of passion. She is doing amazing things, and I don’t know if she would have discovered this passion without our senior thesis program.” – Jon Cassie, Cofounder

Academic Fit is a Key Factor in Student Success

Finding a school that has an academic approach that complements the way your child thinks and learns is key to student success. While traditional schools are best for some, and progressive education better for others, matching the school’s modality and pace with your child’s desire to learn is important. This becomes even more crucial if your child is very curious and highly intelligent. In this case, the standard classroom experience could feel slow and can even be unmotivating. Consider connecting with a gifted consultant, or reaching out to individual schools serving this population. Click to learn more about Qualia’s unique offerings for gifted and highly curious students: https://qualiaschool.org/admissions.

Winter Sports Safety for Kids: How to Prevent Common Injuries This Season

Published December 2, 2025

By Dr. Shane Hervey, Center for Sports Medicine, Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children

With the holiday season in full effect, there is a transition in sports for our young athletes. Our contact or flag football athletes may be exchanging cleats for the latest basketball shoes, and our volleyball players may be going from the courts to the soccer pitch. With this transition comes a different set of injuries and conditions that your child may experience. As an expert in primary-care sports medicine, I’m here to highlight three common injuries in winter sports, how they happen, how to prevent them and how to treat them.

Ankle sprains
How do they happen? Ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries. They occur more frequently in athletes who change directions quickly or jump and land on another athlete. When someone “rolls” their ankle, the ligaments (tissue that connect bones to provide support) are stretched or torn due to the sudden inward or outward movement of the ankle. In addition to the type of sport being played, another risk factor for these injuries is a prior ankle sprain, especially in the 6-12 months following an ankle sprain.

How to prevent ankle sprains from occurring? If your child has recently suffered from an ankle sprain, it is important to regain the strength and stability of that ankle through home exercises and/or physical therapy. Regardless of a recent injury to the ankle, it may be beneficial to support the ankle using a brace or athletic tape.

How to treat them and when can the athlete return to play? A sports medicine physician will examine the ankle and will determine the next steps, including any need for imaging (usually an X-ray to ensure the bones are not broken), rehabilitation, medications, immobilization (in an ankle brace or a walking boot) and crutches. Most simple ankle sprains can be treated with a period of rest, ice, compression and elevation. Additionally, a provider may prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to assist with pain and inflammation.

After an ankle sprain, shift the focus to functional exercises as pain improves. The injury disrupts the neuromuscular connection (nerve-muscle communication) by damaging the ankle’s sensors (proprioception), which leads to poor balance and a higher risk of re-injury [1][6-7].

Physical therapy is essential for retraining this connection through balance and strength exercises, which restore stability and significantly reduce the chance of future sprains [4-6]. A home exercise program may also be prescribed by your physical therapist and/or physician. Return to sport is safe when the athlete can perform running, jumping and cutting motions without pain.

Patellar tendinopathy (“Jumper’s Knee”)
What is patellar tendinopathy? A tendon connects a muscle to a bone. The patellar tendon connects the kneecap (patella) to the top of the shin bone (tibia). Patellar tendinopathy, also known as jumper’s knee, occurs with repeated stress to the patellar tendon from activities like repetitive jumping, running, cutting or changing direction. This repeated stress causes tiny tears to the tendon, leading to degeneration and, in turn, pain to the front of the knee.

How to prevent patellar tendinopathy from occurring? As mentioned by Luskin OIC Sports Medicine Associate Director, Dr. Joshua Goldman, gradually increasing training volume can decrease the risk of developing overuse injuries such as patellar tendinopathy. Ensuring correct running, jumping and landing mechanics by strengthening the muscles in the buttocks, thighs, lower legs and core (abdominal muscles) can help prevent patellar tendinopathy.

How to treat this condition? The first step in treatment is often a period of rest to reduce stress on the tendon. To help with symptoms of pain and/or swelling, it may also be beneficial to use a patellar strap, knee brace and ice. Occasionally, NSAIDs can be used to help with pain. An essential part of treatment is strengthening the muscles in the leg through physical therapy. For tendon healing, research supports progressive tendon loading (like isometric holds) and eccentric exercise therapy. Eccentric exercises specifically strengthen the muscle while lengthening the tendon, such as slowly controlling the return phase of a knee extension machine [2]. It is important to note that it may take months of rehabilitation to allow for tendon healing.

ACL injury
How do ACL injuries occur? The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four major ligaments of the knee. Ligaments connect one bone to another. The ACL connects the femur or thigh bone to the tibia or shin bone. The other three are the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL). The ACL is the most important ligament of the knee when an athlete suddenly stops, cuts or pivots. ACL injuries can range from a sprain (stretching of the ligament without tearing) to a partial or full-thickness tear of the ACL. Most ACL injuries are non-contact injuries, where an athlete doesn’t make contact with another object or person, though they may also be caused when one athlete collides with another. Muscle imbalance, female biology (may be related to hormone fluctuations as it relates to menstrual cycle; [3]), prior ACL injury and intensity of physical activity are risk factors for ACL injury (as these injuries tend to happen during games rather than practices).

How to prevent ACL injuries from occurring? Exercise programs guided by an athletic trainer, physical therapist or other trained professional that focus on plyometrics, strength, agility, balance and feedback on movement technique may reduce the risk of ACL injury. An example of this is our Luskin OIC injury prevention program. Prevention exercises should start in the preseason and continue throughout the season. Proper warmups, balance training and having a professional evaluate for individuals at risk (such as those with prior ACL injury) may also help prevent these injuries from occurring.

How to treat ACL injuries? Sports medicine professionals can assess the stability of the ACL with a physical examination. It can be difficult to accurately assess the ACL immediately after an injury due to pain and swelling. X-rays can help evaluate for an injury to bone, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can confirm an ACL injury and other potential soft-tissue injuries. Initial treatment consists of bracing, rest, ice, compression, elevation, pain management and potentially crutches. If testing is concerning for a complete tear of the ACL, our surgical colleagues, who are experts in reconstructing the ACL after injury, are often consulted. However, it is important to mention that not all ACL injuries require surgery. The decision is multi-factorial, with considerations such as the type of activity you desire returning to and whether or not other structures in the knee were injured with the original injury. If surgery is the option for you, surgery likely won’t happen right away. Pre-surgery exercise rehabilitation or “pre-hab” is paramount to restore range of motion, allow time for reduced swelling and build muscular strength, all of which will contribute to an optimal recovery. Return to sport is generally dependent on multiple factors, and it can be expected that 9-12 months of recovery and rehabilitation are needed for complete ACL tears treated with surgery.

References

Alghadir AH, Iqbal ZA, Iqbal A, Ahmed H, Ramteke SU. Effect of Chronic Ankle Sprain on Pain, Range of Motion, Proprioception, and Balance among Athletes. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(15):5318. Published 2020 Jul 23. doi:10.3390/ijerph17155318.
Breda SJ, Oei EHG, Zwerver J, et al. Effectiveness of progressive tendon-loading exercise therapy in patients with patellar tendinopathy: a randomised clinical trial. Br J Sports Med. 2021;55(9):501-509. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2020-103403.
Herzberg SD, Motu’apuaka ML, Lambert W, Fu R, Brady J, Guise JM. The Effect of Menstrual Cycle and Contraceptives on ACL Injuries and Laxity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Orthop J Sports Med. 2017 Jul 21;5(7):2325967117718781. doi:10.1177/2325967117718781. PMID: 28795075; PMCID: PMC5524267.
Holmes A, Delahunt E. Treatment of common deficits associated with chronic ankle instability. Sports Med. 2009;39(3):207-224. doi:10.2165/00007256-200939030-00003.
Kaminski TW, Hertel J, Amendola N, et al. National Athletic Trainers’ Association position statement: conservative management and prevention of ankle sprains in athletes. J Athl Train. 2013;48(4):528-545. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-48.4.02.
Martin RL, Davenport TE, Fraser JJ, et al. Ankle Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Lateral Ankle Ligament Sprains Revision 2021. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021;51(4):CPG1-CPG80. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.0302.
Mattacola CG, Dwyer MK. Rehabilitation of the Ankle After Acute Sprain or Chronic Instability. J Athl Train. 2002;37(4):413-429.

Manzanita School: A Nature-Based K–12 Education in Topanga Canyon

Published November 14, 2025

Blending rigorous academics with outdoor experiential learning, Manzanita School offers Los Angeles families a unique Forest Kindergarten and K–12 program rooted in curiosity, resilience and connection to the natural world.

Nestled in the heart of Topanga Canyon, Manzanita School offers a college preparatory K–12 education starting at age 4 that blends rigorous academics with a deep connection to the natural world. Our students learn not just in classrooms — but among oak groves, meadows and the beauty of our 21-acre campus.

The Forest Kindergarten: A One-of-a-Kind Experience in LA. Manzanita’s Forest Kindergarten is the only program of its kind in Los Angeles. From the very first day, children step into an environment where nature is the classroom. Under the guidance of trained educators, young learners explore forests, streams and open meadows, engaging with the natural world through sensory experiences, imaginative play and hands-on learning.

In this outdoor classroom, children develop far more than just academic skills. They cultivate resilience, interpersonal competence, curiosity and social-emotional intelligence. Whether identifying plants, tracking wildlife or building shelters with sticks and leaves, students learn to take thoughtful risks, solve problems creatively and collaborate with peers. These foundational skills not only foster confidence in young learners, but also set the stage for lifelong learning.

Forest Kindergarten at Manzanita is not a novelty; it is an intentional, research-based approach to early education that recognizes the importance of play, exploration and connection to the environment. It is a program that invites children to be fully present, to follow their curiosity and to develop a profound sense of wonder about the world around them.

A Seamless K–12 Continuum. While Forest Kindergarten lays a strong foundation, Manzanita School’s commitment to education extends through grade 12th, creating a cohesive and continuous learning journey. Students transition from the forest classroom to lower, middle and high school with ease, building on the habits of curiosity, independence and collaboration they developed early on.

A relationship to nature is a critical nutrient for living a full and meaningful life. In the elementary and middle school grades, students spend 40% of their learning time in nature. Science and art come alive through experiments and explorations; reading, writing and mathematics are taught with both rigor and creativity. Teachers tailor instruction to individual students, ensuring that each child is challenged and supported.

By high school, Manzanita students are prepared to excel academically and socially, with opportunities for leadership, community engagement and advanced coursework. Graduates leave ready not only for college but also for life, equipped with the skills to think critically, communicate effectively and navigate challenges with resilience and integrity.

A Community That Values Connection and Growth. Manzanita School is more than an academic institution; it is a vibrant community where students, families and teachers form meaningful connections. The school emphasizes social-emotional learning and encourages students to develop empathy, self-awareness, and a sense of responsibility for their communities.

Students participate in collaborative projects, service-learning opportunities and outdoor adventures that reinforce the values of respect, stewardship and civic engagement. Families are invited to be active partners in their children’s education, contributing to a culture of collaboration and shared purpose.

A Unique Opportunity for Los Angeles Families.  Manzanita School’s combination of Forest Kindergarten and a full 1–12th program is unmatched in Los Angeles. For families who value curiosity, creativity and connection to the natural world, the school offers an unparalleled educational experience. Students not only achieve academically — they thrive socially, emotionally and physically, gaining the confidence and skills to succeed in school and in life.

Parents often remark on the transformative impact of Manzanita’s approach. Children enter the Forest Kindergarten eager, joyful and curious, and continue to grow into thoughtful, independent and compassionate young adults. The school’s commitment to individualized learning, experiential education and community engagement ensures that each student has the opportunity to discover their passions, develop their talents and make a positive impact on the world.

Visit Manzanita School. Families interested in learning more about this unique educational experience combined with an expeditionary learning program are invited to visit Manzanita School in Topanga Canyon. Explore the campus, meet teachers, learn about our farm-to-table food program and discover how the Forest Kindergarten and 1–12th grade programs work together to nurture lifelong learners and engaged citizens.

Located in Topanga Canyon.  Forest Kindergarten and 1–12th Education (starting at 4 years of age) www.manzanitaschool.org or call us at 310-455-9700.

Los Angeles Ballet Makes Dance Accessible for Every Family

Published November 14, 2025

Through performances like The Nutcracker, free community dance classes and the POP! ticket program, Los Angeles Ballet connects parents and children to the joy, discipline and creativity of ballet.

By Julia Rivera, Los Angeles Ballet Executive Director

For many kids, a love of ballet begins not in a studio but at home, twirling to music or watching dancers glide on stage. In Los Angeles, families have plenty of ways to discover ballet’s beauty and discipline thanks to Los Angeles Ballet (LAB), the city’s premier professional ballet company. LAB acts as a cultural bridge, making ballet accessible, inclusive and family-friendly.

Founded in 2006, Los Angeles Ballet is renowned for its classic performances such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, but also for its strong commitment to outreach and education. These values resonate with parents eager to nurture creativity and curiosity in their children.

Why Ballet Still Belongs in Childhood
In today’s fast-paced world of activities, ballet offers something different: It teaches presence, focus, discipline and sparks imagination. Lisa B., a mom from Culver City, says, “Ballet teaches children how to work hard and express themselves at the same time. There’s beauty in that balance.”

Science backs this up. Studies show dance improves emotional regulation, cognitive development and physical coordination. A 2025 study* in Frontiers in Psychology highlights how dance enhances executive functions like attention and memory, skills valuable beyond dance.

Access for All: The POP! Program
One of LAB’s most impactful initiatives is the Power of Performance (POP!) program, which provides free tickets to seniors in assisted living, veterans, children in foster care and other service support organizations throughout Los Angeles County. POP! breaks down financial barriers, often introducing ballet for the first time and sparking lifelong passion. Miguel T., a parent from East Los Angeles, shares, “When I took my 6-year-old to The Nutcracker through POP!, she was enchanted. It was like a fairy tale come to life. And because tickets were free, we brought the whole family.”
Explore more about POP! at losangelesballet.org/pop

Ballet as a Shared Family Experience
For parents, ballet is more than a show — it’s a chance to bond with their children. Watching performances, discussing stories or dancing together at home creates lasting memories. LAB’s annual The Nutcracker is a cherished tradition, offering beautiful costumes, memorable music and an engaging story that captivates children and adults alike.

A Chance To Dance Program
Through our A Chance To Dance program, Los Angeles Ballet offers community days each month open to all ages, incorporating a theme around which the day’s events are centered. Los Angeles Ballet Company dancers teach free ballet classes, alternative dance/fitness classes and lectures/demonstrations for a range of experience levels and age groups.
Check the monthly schedule at: https://www.losangelesballet.org/a-chance-to-dance

Tips for Introducing Kids to Ballet
Start with stories: Choose narrative-rich ballets like The Nutcracker or Cinderella. Children connect easily with storytelling through dance.
Pick family-friendly shows: LAB’s performances usually run under two hours and include intermissions, perfect for young audiences.
Make it interactive: Talk before and after the show. Ask what they noticed or who their favorite character was.
Encourage movement: After the performance, invite kids to dance at home. Ballet’s magic continues beyond the theater.

Final Thoughts
As parents, we seek meaningful ways to introduce children to the arts, not just as spectators but as participants in a broader cultural story. Los Angeles Ballet invites families to explore ballet with curiosity, joy and openness, not perfection. Whether nurturing a future dancer or building a new family tradition, LAB offers a timeless and timely way to connect with your child through beauty, music and movement.

Learn more about upcoming shows and family programs at https://www.losangelesballet.org or follow us on Instagram at @losangelesballet or on Facebook @LABallet.

________________

*Guy Cheron, Editor. Deborah A. Jehu, Judith Bek, Madeleine E. Hackney, “Editorial: Exploring effects of group and partnership dynamics in dance on mental and physical health,” Frontiers in Psychology, October 12, 2025.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1697858/full

A Great Day with Kids in L.A.: Explore Dinosaurs at South Coast Botanic Garden

Published November 14, 2025

South Coast Botanic Garden transforms into a prehistoric adventure with life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, interactive tours and outdoor exploration — a must-see family experience this holiday season in Palos Verdes.

Looking for a dino-mite family adventure that’s larger than life? This holiday season, South Coast Botanic Garden, located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, is transforming into a prehistoric wonderland filled with roaring dinosaurs and lush landscape — all waiting to be explored!

From Nov. 1 through Feb 1, visitors can embark on a journey millions of years in the making with Dinosaurs Around the World: The Great Outdoors — an outdoor exhibition that brings the Age of Reptiles to life in the most unexpected setting: the stunning gardens of Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Using advanced animatronics, cutting-edge science and immersive storytelling, Dinosaurs Around the World transports visitors to the supercontinent Pangea, where all of Earth’s landmasses were once connected.

You can make your dinosaur trek as epic — or as easy — as you like! Guest can explore the Short Loop, which is a half-mile stroll featuring seven dinosaurs and perfect for little explorers, or the Full Adventure, a 1.5-mile journey that reveals all 13 life-sized animatronic giants in their prehistoric habitats.

Want to take your exploration to the next level? Hop aboard the Pangea Express, a guided, non-stop tour of all 13 dinosaurs. On this 8-passenger adventure, your guide will share dino facts, Pangea secrets and stories about the garden’s very own “living fossils” — plants that have been around since the dinosaurs ruled the Earth.

“Dinosaurs Around the World is the largest exhibition we’ve ever hosted, both in number of dinosaurs and in size,” says Adrienne Nakashima, CEO of South Coast Botanic Garden. “We’re committed to connecting people of all ages to the wonders of nature through engaging and unexpected events. Whether you’re a dinosaur fan, geology enthusiast or plant lover, there’s something for everyone.”

It’s the perfect mix of science, storytelling and outdoor exploration — a must-see for families looking to make magical memories this holiday season.

Tickets for Dinosaurs Around the World: The Great Outdoors are free for members and up to $18 for non-members. Tickets for the Pangea Express are an additional $10 for members and $12 for non-members, and seats are limited to six per tour, so be sure to reserve early!

South Coast Botanic Garden is located at 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula. Tickets can be purchased at scbgf.org, and be sure to follow us on Instagram @scbgarden.

Fostering Excellence in Academics and the Arts: Inside the Debbie Allen Middle School

Published October 31, 2025

Discover how the Debbie Allen Middle School combines rigorous academics with world-class performing arts training.

A Vision for Young Artists

When the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) launched its middle school program in August 2021, it represented a new model for arts education — one that allows students to pursue both academic excellence and artistic passion. Debbie Allen, a BFA graduate of Howard University in Theater and Classical Greek Studies, holds six honorary Doctorate degrees, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is an award-winning director/choreographer. Ms. Allen opened the Debbie Allen Middle School with the vision for a combined academic and performing arts curriculum that will benefit young, aspiring dancers to foster a life-long love of learning. The Debbie Allen Middle School (DAMS) is built on the belief that education, diversity and creativity should work together to develop the next generation of thinkers, artists and innovators.

Housed within the dynamic environment of Rhimes Performing Arts Center, the middle school serves students in grades six through eight. Each grade is capped at 15 students, with a total enrollment of 45 students per year, ensuring that every learner receives individualized attention and support. DAMS achieved 3-year WASC accreditation in 2025. Tuition is $25,000 annually, with limited scholarships available.

A Balanced and Challenging Interdisciplinary Academic Program

The academic curriculum at Debbie Allen Middle School is aligned with the California State Standards for Education and NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards), offering students a strong academic foundation. Teachers are encouraged to teach from a creative, cross-disciplinary notion, leading students to apply many disciplines in every class. Classes are structured to be both rigorous and engaging, preparing students for success at the high school level and beyond.

The Innovative Creative Education Course invites students to explore, collaborate and grow through hands-on, project-based learning. In this dynamic class, students don’t just study — they create, question and lead. Every project encourages cooperative learning, research, social-emotional development, financial literacy, public speaking and writing — skills that prepare students to thrive both in and out of the classroom. This class also allows for an expansion of the arts, from theater, voice and music appreciation, with Master classes from prominent figures in the entertainment industry.

Growth deserves to be seen and celebrated. Through benchmark testing conducted twice a year — including STAR and ERB assessments — teachers gain meaningful insight into each student’s academic journey. DAMS’ dedicated faculty then uses this data to personalize instruction, plan strategically and support every learner. Teachers also receive ongoing coaching and professional development, ensuring that everyone’s methods evolve right alongside their students. Most importantly, this testing data is shared with students and families, helping everyone understand progress, set schoolwide and individual goals, and celebrate each milestone along the way.

Immersive Training in the Performing Arts

At the heart of the program lies a comprehensive performing-arts curriculum. Students receive rigorous instruction in Ballet, Jazz and Modern dance, three foundational techniques that promote strength, precision and artistic expression.

In addition to core dance studies, students will be exposed to a variety of elective classes, including:

African
Tap
Hip Hop
Dunham
Arco

Inspiring Lifelong Learners

*Debbie Allen Dance Academy graduation 2024*

Debbie Allen Middle School is more than an academic institution, it is a creative community that nurtures the mind, body and spirit of each student. By blending the rigor of traditional academics with the expressive power of the performing arts, the school equips young dancers with the tools to excel in any field they choose.

“To be in DAMS is to foster a lifelong love of learning through the arts.”-Debbie Allen

Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles Marks 60 Years of Bilingual Excellence and Growth

Published October 1, 2025

As Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles proudly celebrates its 60th anniversary, the school continues to build on its legacy of bilingual, bicultural education by expanding opportunities for the youngest learners. This milestone year is marked by the launch of a new Junior Preschool (Toute Petite Section) for 2 year olds, reaffirming the school’s commitment to offering students a strong foundation in both French and American educational traditions from the very beginning.

Founded by Raymond and Esther Kabbaz, Le Lycée transformed California’s educational landscape when, on Aug. 19, 1965, its initiative and efforts led to a change in the state’s Code of Education, allowing core curriculum to be taught in languages other than English. For six decades, the school has embraced bilingualism, multiculturalism, rigorous academics and enriching extracurriculars, while nurturing generations of students from 72 nationalities with more than 33 languages spoken.

The Junior Preschool program, now open at Campus 55 on Overland Avenue, honors the legacy of the school’s former Palisades campus — once home to a beloved Toute Petite Section — and marks a new chapter in Le Lycée’s growth. Licensed by the State of California, the program requires no prior knowledge of French or English and is designed for children of all language backgrounds. “My mother used to tell prospective families, ‘Give me your child to educate and I will give you back two children: one French and one American,’” reflects Clara-Lisa Kabbaz (Le Lycée Class of 1979), Head of Le Lycée. “I am thrilled we can now begin this transformative journey even earlier, as we celebrate our 60th year.”

While the school looks to the future with this expansion, it also takes pride in its alumni whose accomplishments reflect the power of a Lycée education. Among them is Asher Cohen, class of 2021, a true “Lycée Lifer” who entered our school as a preschooler. At only 20 years old, Asher was recently named UC Berkeley’s University Medalist, the top student in the school’s graduation class, a remarkable recognition of his intellectual talent, dedication and humility. A Regent’s Award winner upon entering Berkeley — an honor reserved for the top 1–2% of applicants — Asher excelled across disciplines, from advanced sciences and mathematics to humanities, languages, philosophy and literature. He is now headed to the prestigious Yale University Medical School, where his brilliance will be matched by his compassion and kindness, qualities that have always defined him, the qualities emblematic of Lycée students.

“Asher embodies what makes our students extraordinary,” says Kabbaz. “They become not only leaders in their fields but also gracious, thoughtful, and caring individuals who inspire those around them. The world needs more Asher Cohens.”

From its founding vision to today’s expansion and the ongoing successes of its alumni, Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles remains “your school for life.”

For more information and to apply, visit www.lyceela.org.

Join us at an Open House: Oct. 7, Nov 13, 2025, or Jan. 13, 2026.

A Real Life Fairy Tale: Princess Kate Now Available

Published September 16, 2025

Presented by SSA Communications

A Real Life Fairy Tale: Princess Katechroniclesthe story of a young girl from Reading, England, who was destined to become a treasured member of the Royal Family and a beloved symbol of hope and inspiration for her country.

Princess Kate follows Princess Diana, Princess Grace and Jackie Kennedy as subjects for Emberli Pridham’s popular A Real-Life Fairy Tale biography series for children. A best-selling children’s author, Pridham continues her acclaimed work with the release of the fourth title in the series, this one on Princess Kate.

Authored by Pridham, with illustrations by Danilo Cervic, A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Princess Kate chronicles the milestones in the life of Kate Middleton, from a girl growing up in the charming town of Reading to becoming Princess Catherine of Great Britain, known around the world for her style, grace and generosity.

A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Princess Kate encapsulates the remarkable life of Middleton, from her humble beginnings to her role as Princess of Wales. Pridham’s enchanting narrative, paired with Cervic’s charming illustrations, makes this book not only a delightful read for children but also an inspiring journey of resilience, compassion and growth.

At the onset, the story introduces young Kate in her idyllic hometown of Reading, providing a relatable setting for young readers. The narrative beautifully progresses as it follows Kate’s early adventures in Jordan, celebrating the richness of cultural diversity. The bond between Kate and her sister Pippa is portrayed with warmth, showcasing the importance of family and friendship.

As the story unfolds, readers witness Kate evolve through various stages of her life. Her participation in sports and her accolades, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, portrays her as an active and ambitious girl. These elements are particularly engaging, inviting children to aspire to their dreams and embrace their talents.

The book does not shy away from significant milestones, including Kate’s education at the University of St. Andrews and her budding relationship with Prince William. The depiction of their friendship and eventual romance is told with a light-hearted touch that emphasizes mutual respect and support, steering clear of any sensationalism.

Notably, Pridham weaves in moments of social responsibility through Kate’s charity work, illustrating her devotion to causes like early childhood care. This emphasis on community service serves as a critical lesson for young readers, showing them the value of giving back and making a difference in the world.

The narrative poignantly touches on moments of hardship, such as the passing of Queen Elizabeth and Kate’s battle with cancer. These instances are handled with grace, providing a platform for discussions about loss and resilience. The portrayal of Kate’s triumph over adversity not only uplifts young readers but also instills hope and courage.

The final pages illustrate Kate as a nurturing mother, underscoring her roles as both a princess and a parent. This duality adds depth to her character, allowing children to see her not only as a public figure but also as someone who cherishes family values and love. Princess Kate’s emphasis on family and parenting offers a vital lesson for children. Her public portrayal as a devoted mother shows the importance of family bonds, healthy relationships and responsible parenting. She has often emphasized the need for balance between public duties and family life, advocating for mental well-being and strong family connections.

One of Princess Kate’s most significant contributions lies in her dedication to various charitable causes, which she has championed through her positions and public engagements. She is known for her commitment to mental health awareness, early childhood development and the arts. Her work with initiatives like “Heads Together,” which aims to normalize conversations around mental health, underscores the importance of compassion and empathy.

By understanding her philanthropic efforts, children can grasp the importance of giving back to the community. They are inspired to engage in charitable actions, whether through volunteering, fundraising, or simply being kind to others. Such lessons can instill a sense of responsibility and community-mindedness in future generations, ultimately fostering a more caring and supportive society.

A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Princess Kate is an engaging and beautifully illustrated children’s book that resonates with themes of family, perseverance and social impact. It serves as a powerful introduction to Kate life and legacy, and reinforces the importance of kindness and community in shaping a better world. For parents and educators, this book is an excellent resource for sparking meaningful conversations with children about their aspirations, challenges and the impact of generosity.

Learning about Princess Kate can empower children, especially girls, by demonstrating that women can hold positions of influence and contribute significantly to society. Kate’s emphasis on education and personal development aligns with messages of self-worth and ambition, encouraging children to pursue their aspirations. “Children often look up to public figures as role models, and Princess Kate serves as an exemplary one. Her journey from a common background to the royal family illustrates the idea that with determination and hard work, one can achieve their dreams,” says author Pridham.

A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Princess Kate is the fourth volume in Pridham’s Real Life Fairy Tale series, following A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Jackie Kennedy, A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Princess Grace and A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Princess Diana, which ranks as a top-seller at Barnes & Noble. Each of the books within Pridham’s Real-Life Fairy Tale series offers thoughtfully crafted narratives and stunning original illustrations aimed at introducing children to contemporary history’s most distinguished women and the impact they made on the world that resonates to this day.

“The entire world has marveled at the grace and bravery of Kate Middleton, who exudes charm, intelligence and caring as a member of Britain’s royal family, and as mother to her own magnificent family. An inspiration to her country and to the world, Kate’s compelling story is certain to hold great meaning to young readers everywhere,” said Pridham.

In addition to her Real-Life Fairy Tale series, Pridham is nationally recognized as the co-author – along with her husband David – of If Not You, Then Who? the top-selling book series that introduces children to the magical world of inventors and innovations and encourages them to apply their own creativity. The series has achieved top rankings in key Amazon Best Seller categories, including How Things Workbooks, Children’s Inventors Books, Children’s Jobs & Careers Books, Children’s Technology Fiction Books and Children’s Girls and Women’s Books.

The Pridham’s live in New England with their four children Brooke, Noah, Graham and the newest member of the family, Byrdie Grace.

Book Information:
Book Title: A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Princess Kate
Suggested Retail Price: $21.95
Website: (https://areallifefairytale.com)

Children’s Community School: The Best in Progressive Education

Published September 15, 2025

Children’s Community School has focused on a quality, progressive education for its students since 1981. CCS’ TK-6th grade program inspires students through subject-integrated, hands-on learning. This approach supports deep understanding and helps students to develop independent thinking, a spirit of innovation and advanced problem-solving skills.

Through every discovery and challenge, CCS students develop a genuine love of learning. Each child has the opportunity to help direct their own learning, as CCS ensures that their students take an active role in their learning. This is accomplished by teaching students a variety of ways to approach problems, and multiple strategies to solve them. This is part of the reason that CCS students graduate as accomplished students, attend the best schools and thrive upon graduation.

Children’s Community School prepares children to be active citizens in a democracy. At every step, CCS connects learning to life itself. The school believes education should empower every student to actively shape both their own future and the future of society. CCS is proud to carry forward John Dewey’s vision, keeping progressive education not just alive, but vibrant and relevant for today’s world. Dewey’s approach emphasizes hands-on, active, experiential learning and self-reflection that moves away from rote memorization and boring lecture-based classroom time. At CCS, learning is driven by student interest and engagement with real-world problems. This allows students to foster practical life skills, critical thinking and democratic participation.

The school has the privilege of welcoming families from across greater Los Angeles. This ensures that the classrooms are made up of a diverse set of children with different backgrounds and interests, creating a vibrant environment for our students to succeed. Students are guided by an excellent teaching staff and leadership: experienced classroom teachers, passionate specialist teachers and a visionary administration. Students enjoy mixed age classrooms that them to progress at their own pace. Those hungry for more advanced schoolwork are provided opportunities, and those who need more time are afforded the space they need to grow. This classroom setup also provides leadership opportunities to the older children, while younger students can directly observe the older students and learn from their example.

CCS also prioritizes out-of-the classroom activities that enhance students’ growth. This includes student-organized clubs and extracurricular sports like basketball, where CCS competes against other area independent schools. But CCS students travel beyond Southern California. The older students have traveled to Washington DC to observe democracy in action. All students take day trips to places like The Natural History Museum and the Long Beach Aquarium to widen their experience-base and expand on the ideas that are taught in the classroom. CCS also has several unique community events that create ways for families to spend time together and give back to our community. One example is Booksgiving, a November event that encourages the exchange and donation of gently used books to neighbors in the surrounding community. Providing new ideas and narratives to growing families and a home for beloved stories, once children have outgrown them.

This year, CCS is proud to announce that it will be creating a new transitional kindergarten program – a wonderful way for your child to become acclimated to an elementary school campus while having dedicated time for free play and exploration. Your young learner will explore art, music, science, math and more, finding joyful ways to explore concepts that they can build on in early elementary and beyond.

CCS incites you to learn more through a campus tour! This is the best way to see firsthand the power of a CCS education. You can tour the school’s innovative art room, experience our vaulted-ceiling music room, purpose designed STEM lab and enjoy the beautiful library with stained glass windows. Walk through the charming campus, observe the classrooms and experience all three play yards alive with students enjoying the outdoor facilities.

Discover CCS today! Sign up for a tour at https://www.ccsteaches.org/start-here.

LIVE THEATRE: ENRICHING, ENTERTAINING AND ENGAGING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

Published August 29, 2025

Live Broadway shows have a unique way of capturing kids’ imaginations and making stories come alive in ways they’ll remember long after the show ends. At the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, we’re passionate about helping the next generation experience the magic of live theater, which is why we team up with local schools and organizations to create opportunities and bring the best of Broadway to L.A. Our 2025/26 season is no different. With a plethora of shows coming up it’s easy to find one that your family and students will love!

The Educational Impact of Live Theater
Research consistently shows that students who experience live theater perform better academically. Live is a great way to expose kids to a wide variety of expressive language and diverse perspectives in a fun and engaging way. Shows like Disney’s 30th Anniversary production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and THE SOUND OF MUSIC showcase strong, intelligent characters who emphasize the importance of reading and exploring the world musically and with an open heart.

*Kyra Belle Johnson and Fergie L. Philippe in Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.* *Photo by Matthew Murphy. (c) Disney*

Inspiring Stories & Empowering Role Models
Broadway has no shortage of strong role models to inspire young audiences. Take SUFFS, for example, about the brilliant, passionate and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. SUFFS is created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season. Similar to Hamilton, SUFFS brings history to life and is briming with trailblazing women, bound to empower audiences of all ages.

*Jenn Colella as Carrie Chapman Catt and SUFFS Broadway Company. Photo by Joan Marcus.*

Building Community Through Theater
Theater doesn’t just entertain, it builds community. Shared experiences on stage help strengthen empathy, collaboration and creativity. A great example is DUNGEONS & DRAGONS THE TWENTY-SIDED TAVERN, an interactive fantasy adventure on stage. This show actively involves the audience and fosters teamwork, storytelling, and imagination in an unforgettable format.

*National Touring Company of DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern. Photo by André Chung*

Resources for Parents and Educators
The Hollywood Pantages Theatre is happy to provide numerous helpful resources for parents and educators, including a Parent Guide to help families navigate our season and select the perfect shows. Visit our website to find show descriptions, age recommendations and downloadable educational guides provided by the productions themselves. These often include:

Historical background
Behind-the-scenes theater facts
Workshops and classroom activities
Important content advisories

Group Benefits & School Partnerships
We love working with schools and educational groups to make theatre more accessible. We offer:

Student discounts (on select performances)
Flexible payment options
No-risk reservations (reserve seats now, adjust later)

Interested in bringing your group? Fill out our easy-to-use Group Sales Request Form on our website.

Help your kids discover the power of live theater. With world-class productions, engaging stories and unforgettable characters, the Hollywood Pantages Theatre is your destination for Broadway in LA.

Does your family love to dine in L.A. and save money too? This is made for you!

Published August 29, 2025

By Recruiting for Good

Recruiting for Good is Rewarding Dining for Good

Have you heard of value-driven staffing agency, Recruiting for Good? For 25 years, the Santa Monica-based company has been helping organizations find talented professionals in accounting, engineering, information technology and operations to fund causes.

For the last 5 years, Recruiting for Good has been funding and running The Sweetest Gigs for Kids, a meaningful work program teaching kids sweet skills, success habits and positive values that prepare them for life.

Recruiting for Good Founder Carlos Cymerman says, “Our purpose is changing in 2026. We’re helping develop creativity in students (and land a year-long paid gig) so they can successfully enter the workforce with the skills that will propel their careers and be competitive, be fulfilled in the age of AI and beyond.” Plus, Cymerman adds, “This will make mom and grandma proud.”

To self-fund Sweet Paid Gigs for Kids, Recruiting for Good is rewarding 3 years of dining for successful introductions to companies that lead to a hire.

Here’s How it Works, 1-2-3R

You introduce an HR manager or executive responsible for hiring at a company to Recruiting for Good. Ideally, this is someone you know, such as a family member, a friend, neighbor, etc. To connect the hiring company with Recruiting for Good, email Sara@RecruitingforGood.com.
Recruiting for Good engages with that company and strives to fill job openings.
Recruiting for Good earns a finder’s fee that is shared to fund The Sweetest Gigs for talented students and rewards 3 $1,000 gift cards (DoorDash, UberEats, or Grubhub).

To earn 3 years of dining delivered, visit 3yearsofDining.com.

You don’t have to be a parent or a grandparent to earn 3 years of dining delivered. You need to be only a sweet human being.

How to Prevent Sports Injuries in Youth Athletes: 3 Expert Tips for Parents

Published July 1, 2025

From smarter training to sleep and strength, these parent-approved tips can help your young athlete stay injury-free this sports season.

By Joshua Goldman, MD, MBA

Associate Director, Non-Operative Sports Medicine

Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children

As fall sports gear up, excitement builds, but so does the risk of injury. Each year, millions of young athletes are sidelined by preventable sports injuries. Whether your child plays football, soccer, volleyball, or cross-country, these expert-backed tips can help ensure they stay healthy, strong, and in the game all season long.

Here are three evidence-based tips every parent should consider to help their athlete start the season strong and finish injury-free.

1. Ease Into Training: Gradual Progression Prevents Overload

One of the most common causes of preseason and early season injuries is doing too much too soon. After a summer of relatively light activity levels, young athletes may jump into intense practices, conditioning or scrimmages — putting their bodies at risk for “acute overload” injuries like tendinitis, stress fractures and muscle strains.

Research shows that a rapid increase in training load is a key risk factor for injury in youth sports. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine recommends increasing training volume by no more than 10% per week to allow the body time to adapt (Gabbett, 2016). This applies to both endurance-based sports like cross-country and speed-based sports like football and soccer.

Parent Tip: Encourage your child to start a structured training and conditioning program at least 4-6 weeks before the season begins, gradually increasing the intensity and duration of workouts. Activities should include aerobic fitness, speed and agility, sport-specific drills and mobility training.

2. Prioritize Sleep and Nutrition: Recovery Starts Off the Field

*Sports Medicine Patient, Reese, with Dr. Goldman*

Recovery is just as important as training, and two of the most overlooked aspects of recovery are sleep and nutrition. Sleep plays a vital role in muscle repair, hormone regulation and reaction time. A landmark study in adolescent athletes found that those who slept less than eight hours per night were 1.7 times more likely to suffer an injury compared to their well-rested peers (Milewski et al., 2014).

Similarly, nutrition fuels performance and supports tissue recovery and repair. Inadequate overall calorie consumption, as well as protein intake, can increase the risk of bone and soft-tissue injuries, particularly in growing athletes.

Parent Tip: Help your child get 8-10 hours of sleep per night, especially during high training periods. Support balanced meals with lean protein, complex carbs, fruits and vegetables. And don’t forget hydration. Even mild dehydration can impair performance and increase injury risk.

3. Build a Foundation: Strength, Balance and Mobility Matter

Injury prevention isn’t just about avoiding collisions or rolling an ankle, it’s about preparing the body to handle the demands of sport. Studies show that incorporating a dynamic neuromuscular training program into preseason prep can significantly reduce the risk of ACL tears, ankle sprains and other injuries common in youth athletes.

A 2018 meta-analysis in Sports Medicine found that injury-prevention programs focused on strength, balance, agility and movement control reduced overall injury rates by up to 46% in adolescent athletes (Emery et al., 2015).

Parent Tip: Seek out programs or athletic-performance coaches that incorporate dynamic warm-ups, single-leg balance work, core strengthening and jump-landing mechanics. These can often be integrated into regular practices or completed at home in 15-20 minutes a few times per week.

Final Thoughts

Sports offer tremendous physical, emotional and social benefits for our children, but injuries can derail progress and discourage participation. By gradually increasing training, supporting recovery with sleep and nutrition, and integrating injury-prevention exercises, parents can play a vital role in keeping young athletes healthy and confident this fall season.

A proactive approach in the preseason can set the stage for a safer, more successful season on the field.

If you have a child who active in sports and you have questions about their training, or if they sustain an injury, the team at Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children in Los Angeles in standing by to help. From urgent care to sports medicine to a variety of specialists, we are here to help your family.

References:

Gabbett, T. J. (2016). The training—injury prevention paradox: should athletes be training smarter and harder? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(5), 273–280. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-095788
Milewski, M. D., et al. (2014). Chronic lack of sleep is associated with increased sports injuries in adolescent athletes. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 34(2), 129–133. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000000151
Emery, C. A., Roy, T. O., Whittaker, J. L., Nettel-Aguirre, A., & van Mechelen, W. (2015). Neuromuscular training injury prevention strategies in youth sport: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(13), 865–870. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-094639

Escape to Oxnard This Summer to Explore These Activities, Best Eats and Places to Stay

Published May 1, 2025

Summer is nearly here — have you planned your family’s getaway? Experience Oxnard, the perfect beach town where OX Marks the Spot for your budget-friendly escape with beautiful beaches and immaculate SoCal vibes.

Best Oxnard Beaches

Nestled a beat past Los Angeles up Highway 101 lies Oxnard, equal parts vibrant and laid back. The city offers seven miles of uncrowded beaches, waterfront dining, and tons of budget-friendly fun for everyone.

Silver Strand Beach is a local favorite for good reason. This mile-long stretch is tucked between the Port Hueneme Naval Base and the Channel Islands Harbor, making it a prime spot for surfing, sunbathing, kayaking or fishing!

Did you know Oxnard is home to Hollywood Beach? Well, it is! Legends like Clark Gable and Rudolph Valentino were known to hang out in the area and add to this beach’s historic charm. Now open to the public, it’s perfect for days of sun and surf.

‘Rocks’nard – For the Music Lovers

Yep, you heard that right! Oxnard strikes the right chord with its music scene. While you’re hear, kick back and enjoy the sounds of summer.

Start with the Heritage Square Summer Concert Series in historic downtown Oxnard. Bring a blanket, a picnic and catch live R&B, Latin jazz and classic rock under the stars. Then catch the summer Concerts by the Sea on Saturdays and The Collection at Riverpark on Thursday nights for live sets by the shore.

Throughout the year, Oxnard keeps the party going with the Jazz Festival, California Strawberry Festival and Salsa Festival.

Free and Affordable Oxnard Activities

Drums Tour: DW Drums’ world headquarters opens its doors to give visitors a peek into crafting their renowned drums. The tour even includes a quick tuning lesson. Call (805) 485-6999, ext. 450, to secure a spot before your visit.

Channel Island Kayak Wildlife Tour: Explore the Channel Islands Harbor by kayak, meet “Chippy” the life-sized pygmy mammoth and keep an eye out for sea lions, starfish and pirate treasure!

Channel Islands Maritime Museum: Collections of maritime paintings, ship models and artifacts, including one of the largest ship models made of bones, await museum visitors. Admission is free for kids under 18.

Classic Car Shows: Cruise into nostalgia with Downtown Oxnard’s Summer Car Show and Cruise Nights on second Fridays from May through July.

Best Eats in Oxnard

The Strandwich: The perfect spot to grab a bite by the beach, surrounded by “Nardcore” punk memorabilia.

Cafe Dolce Vita: If you need coffee before you can have thoughts, try this cafe in Downtown Oxnard. Get your coffee fix and a sandwich or a macaroon! Who says a SoCal beach vacation can’t have international vibes??

Fisherman’s Catch: Fisherman’s Catch is the best place to get coconut shrimp, calamari, lobster and more — all caught daily and at prices that make the food taste that much better.

The Annex Food Hall: The ultimate “something-for-everyone” dining destination, with 13 food vendors and shops nearby!

Honeycup Coffeehouse & Creamery: Coffee, smoothies and ice cream, oh my! At Honeycup, you can have it all, including ice cream handmade by a master chef!

Where to Stay

Whether you’re planning a laid-back beach weekend or a luxury escape with the whole crew, Oxnard has just the place to rest your sandy feet.

Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach was named the No. 1 Best New Hotel in the U.S. by USA Today’s 2024 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards. This all-suite beachfront resort rivals spots like Terranea in Palos Verdes and the Ritz Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara. If you want luxury with kid-friendly amenities, more room to breathe and less of the price tag, Zachari Dunes delivers. It’s where oceanfront elegance meets relaxed family fun.

Hampton Inn Channel Islands Harbor brings the waterfront vibes. It sits on the scenic boardwalk, between the beloved Toppers Pizza and Peninsula Park (home of the Concerts by the Sea series). With two easily accessible public docks just steps away, it’s a breeze to launch a kayak or paddleboard and enjoy a fun, family-friendly day out on the water.

For the sporty family, Staybridge Suites features Dallas Cowboys Training Camp memorabilia in the lobby and gives fans of America’s Team something to brag about. River Ridge Golf Club is conveniently next door.

Prefer something with homier comfort? Homewood Suites is perfect for longer stays with apartment-style living, basketball courts, BBQ grills and freeway convenience.

Book Your Stay in Oxnard Today!

Angelenos looking to escape the heat and crowded beaches will find cool ocean breezes and laid-back vibes right up the coast. Why shell out more elsewhere when you can soak up the sun for less in Oxnard? Plan your stay at https://visitoxnard.com. Then pack your sunscreen, grab the kids and get ready to discover where OX Marks the Spoton a memorable family vacation.

Struggling with Reading? The Reading Foundation Offers Personalized Support in LA

Published April 1, 2025

In an exciting development for Los Angeles families, The Reading Foundation (TRF), a renowned leader in literacy education, has opened its new U.S. headquarters in Westwood. Now booking assessments, TRF brings its proven, one-to-one, evidence-based reading programs to learners of all ages.

Addressing Literacy Challenges in Los Angeles
In the 2023-24 school year, only 43.1% of Los Angeles Unified School District students met state proficiency targets in reading, according to LA School Report. Contributing factors such as increased screen time, lack of reading enjoyment and lingering post-COVID learning gaps continue to hinder students’ literacy skills.

The Reading Foundation’s personalized programs offer a solution. Whether a student has dyslexia, ADD, ADHD or simply needs more effective reading instruction, TRF provides individualized, one-to-one support designed to meet each learner’s unique challenges and goals.

Founded by Dr. Steve Truch, a distinguished learning specialist with extensive experience as a schoolteacher and psychologist, TRF employs research-backed, results-driven programs to systematically develop reading, comprehension and language skills.

The Reading Foundation’s signature program, Discover Reading, has been recognized for its exceptional outcomes in Dr. David Kilpatrick’s book, Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties.

Programs Offered at the Los Angeles Clinic
The Reading Foundation offers a suite of programs tailored to strengthen key literacy and learning skills:

Discover Reading©: Systematically teaches reading and spelling with tailored levels for beginners (Kindergarten), basic learners (1st–6th grade) and advanced students (7th grade through adults).
Discover Meaning©: Enhances reading and listening comprehension using a dual-coding approach, integrating verbal and nonverbal processing.
Discover Language©: Develops oral language skills, including vocabulary, grammar and figurative language.
Discover Math©: Builds a strong foundation in math through hands-on learning and visualization techniques.
Discover Writing©: Guides students in crafting clear and structured sentences, paragraphs and essays using dual-coding strategies.

The Importance of Reading Assessments
Early and accurate reading assessments are vital for identifying literacy levels and tailoring effective support. These assessments help:

Identify students who need additional support.
Inform personalized instructional planning.
Monitor individual progress.

To help your child reach their full learning potential, schedule an assessment with The Reading Foundation’sLos Angeles clinic. With both in-person and virtual options available, TRF offers flexibility to accommodate your family’s needs.

Contact Information:

📍 Address: 10940 Wilshire Blvd, 23rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90024
📞 Phone: 1-800-605-9272
✉️ Email: la@readingfoundation.com
🌐 Website: www.ReadingFoundation.com

Transforming Lives: Testimonials from FamiliesThe impact of TRF’s programs is evident in the stories of satisfied families:

Dr. Sarah Hall & Dr. Chris Hall (Parents and Physicians):
“As parents and physicians, we highly recommend The Reading Foundation for any child needing extra support in school. TRF helped our child meet classroom expectations and built a solid foundation in literacy and comprehension that has been invaluable!”

Silvi & Kirby Dechant (Parents of Rocco):
“After completing TRF programs — primarily Discover Reading — Rocco made incredible progress. He now reads fluently, with improved spelling and math skills. His confidence has soared, and he achieved the equivalent of four years’ progress in reading in just two!”

These testimonials highlight the transformative impact of TRF’s personalized programs on students’ academic performance and self-confidence.

Invest in Your Child’s Future. By addressing Los Angeles’ literacy challenges, The Reading Foundation is empowering students and fostering a community of confident, capable readers.Book your assessment today! Visit: www.ReadingFoundation.com or call 1-800-605-9272.

Unlock Your Teen’s Creative Potential at Otis College’s Summer of Art Program

Published April 1, 2025

As parents, nurturing a child’s passion and preparing them for future success are top priorities. For those with creatively inclined teenagers, the Summer of Art pre-college program at Otis College of Art and Design offers an unparalleled opportunity to cultivate their budding talent, gain critical college experience and earn transferable credits — all within a supportive and inspiring environment.

An Immersive Pre-College Experience

Summer of Art is a four-week intensive program designed for high school students and young creatives aged 14.5 to 19. This year’s program, which runs from July 7 to August 1, offers an immersive experience that provides participants with a taste of college-level art and design coursework while helping them build compelling portfolios for college applications. Whether your teen is an experienced artist aiming to refine their skills or a budding creative exploring new mediums, Otis College’s Summer of Art program offers tailored instruction to meet their needs.

Diverse Course Offerings

The Summer of Art program features a wide array of courses that are categorized into Specializations and Drawing Studios. Specializations delve deep into specific art and design fields and meet five days a week for either morning or afternoon sessions. Options include Animation, Character Development and Design, Concept Art, Fashion Design, Game Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Painting, Photography and Film, Toy Design, Sculpture and Ceramics, Storytelling and Animatics, among others.

Complementing these are Drawing Studios, which focus on foundational skills that are essential across all art and design disciplines. Courses such as Beginning Drawing, Intermediate Drawing, Life Drawing and Drawing from the Costumed Model are available and also meet five days a week. For a comprehensive experience, students are encouraged to enroll in both a Specialization and a Drawing Studio, creating a full-day schedule that mirrors the rigor of a college level art and design program.

Earn College Credit

A significant advantage of the Summer of Art program is the opportunity for students to earn up to three transferable college credits. Upon successful completion, participants receive two credits for their Specialization course and one credit for their Drawing Studio course. These credits can be applied at Otis College or other institutions that accept college credits, providing students with an important head start as they pursue higher education.

Learn from Industry Professionals

Summer of Art courses are taught by award-winning, practicing artists and designers who bring real-world experience into the classroom. Many also teach for Otis College’s undergraduate degree programs. This mentorship allows students to gain insights into the professional art and design world, understand current industry practices and receive guidance on their creative journeys.

Experience Campus Life

For students seeking a fully immersive pre-college experience, on-campus housing is available in the Otis College Residence Hall. Living on campus helps students foster a creative community, offering opportunities for collaboration and camaraderie among their peers. Residential students participate in supervised activities, have access to campus facilities and experience a taste of independent college life within a structured environment.

Culminating Exhibition

The Summer of Art program concludes with a final exhibition, providing students the experience of being part of a gallery show. This event allows participants to showcase their work to family, friends and the Otis community and celebrates their achievements and artistic growth over the four-week program.

Preparing for College Admissions

Summer of Art at Otis College is the ultimate pre-college program. Beyond skill development, students strengthen their future art and design college applications and gain insight into what admissions counselors are seeking through critiques and portfolio development sessions. The experience also builds confidence and familiarity with the demands of college-level coursework.

Important Dates and Registration

April 21, 2025: Scholarship application deadline.
April 25, 2025: Early enrollment discount deadline; tuition deposit due.
May 14, 2025: International student registration deadline.
May 23, 2025: Full tuition balance due.
June 23, 2025: Final registration deadline.

To register, visit otis.edu/soa and select the desired courses. Early registration is encouraged to secure a spot, take advantage of discounts and secure housing.

Join an Information Session

Otis College will offer an in-person information session in April for prospective students and parents to learn more about the Summer of Art pre-college program. The session will provide insights into course offerings, campus life and opportunities to ask questions.

April Session:
Saturday, April 19, 11:00 a.m.–noon PDT (On-campus at Otis College)
Register Now

Invest in Your Teen’s Creative Future

Enrolling your teenager in Summer of Art at Otis College is more than a summer activity — it’s an investment in their creative and academic future. The program offers a unique blend of intensive instruction, college preparation, and personal growth opportunities that can set the foundation for a successful career in the arts. By participating, students not only enhance their portfolios and skills but also gain invaluable experience that will serve them well in any future endeavor.For more information and to begin the registration process, visit otis.edu/soa today. Empower your teen to explore their artistic potential and take the next step toward their creative aspirations.

Help Bring Play to Children at the Cayton Children’s Museum

Published January 2, 2025

You’re stuck at home. Whatever your plans were for the day have changed. Doesn’t matter whose fault it was or why, all that matters is that you’re at home and have no game plan. With your young and energetic child – or children.

What to do? You want something fun but educational, not too far a drive but close enough that you know your way around.

Every parent has had a day – weekend, holiday, or summer day – like that. Here’s the place to go to solve your worries.

The non-profit Cayton Children’s Museum in Santa Monica is all that – and so much more. It’s a unique shared space for families dedicated to the power of play. The Cayton offers 21,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits, from a real-life helicopter to a miniature marketplace, reactive VR and more. With adaptable community spaces, art studios and a state-of-the-art theater, you and your child can feel welcomed and accommodated, experiencing the Cayton differently every time.

“We strive to nurture children of all backgrounds and abilities to become engaged citizens of the world by facilitating collaborative, experiential learning and creative expression, both in our museum space and community programs,” says Annie Sinzinger, Vice President of Marketing.

More than 157,000 people visit the Cayton each year, yet more than 1.7 million children in Los Angeles County have limited access to play. Without access to safe playgrounds and public spaces dedicated to unstructured play, children in these underserved communities are denied the physical, social and emotional benefits of play. So, the Cayton’s leadership team is on a mission to ensure that the museum is available to all families, and your support can make a significant difference in this mission.

With your help, the Cayton is undertaking an ambitious campaign through the end of 2024 to raise money and ensure a child’s life is filled with learning, discovering and exploring through play at the Cayton this holiday season.

How can you help? It’s simple. You can make a difference in three easy ways:

Gift a donation to support Los Angeles Community children through its PLAY4ALL initiative.
Gift a membership for a year of play.
Purchase a gift from the Cayton Museum Store.

“Our PLAY4ALL programs provide the Cayton experience for Title I schools to reach children with limited access to the museum,” says Hannah Heimbaugh, Sr. Program Manager. “These experiences, which celebrate the creative, performance, science, math and visual arts, are offered throughout the year at no cost to these organizations that serve parts of Los Angeles County where opportunities for creative, safe, purposeful and free play are needed most.”

Every donation, big or small, that is part of this campaign will help the Cayton serve its community in these ways:

Field Trips for Title 1 schools throughout L.A. County. This means no cost for these schools and up to $400 in travel stipend for qualifying transportation needs (while funds remain available). The Cayton has hosted more than 70 schools for field trips in 2024.
PLAY4ALL passes for families facing financial hardship. Households receiving Medi-Cal/Medicaid, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), CalWorks (TANF) or CalFresh (Food Stamps) are eligible. In 2024, the Cayton has provided over 3,000 families access to play at its facility.
Sensory initiatives for children with disabilities. The Cayton’s weekly Sensory-Friendly Play is designed for community organizations that support families with children of diverse abilities and special needs. “We also invite families to the museum for custom events that cater to sensory sensitivity and other needs to make the museum a more inclusive experience for all,” says Teonna Garcia, Senior Program Manager.

Finally, you can gift a world of discovery this season at the Cayton. With a membership, kids can explore, create and learn each time they visit, letting their curiosity run free in a safe, inspiring space. Or let them take a piece of the Cayton home with gifts from the museum store, carefully selected to foster creativity and wonder.

If you’re looking to make a meaningful impact in our community, consider playing it forward with a donation that extends the Cayton’s mission to bring joyful, transformative play experiences to children across Los Angeles. However you choose to give, every gift makes a difference and celebrates the joy of childhood.

You can find the Cayton Children’s Museum in Downtown Santa Monica on the third level of Santa Monica Place off 4th Street & Broadway. The address is 395 Santa Monica Place, #374, Santa Monica, 90401.Bookmark https://www.caytonmuseum.org/. Remember where it is because it’s your problem solved card – and a door opener to good times for so many families.

DC Super Heroes at Discovery Cube Los Angeles

Published November 1, 2024

*DC Super Hero – Jennifer Dummett for The Children’s Museum*

The brand-new Discovery Cube Los Angeles exhibit invites families to join forces with iconic DC Super Heroes such as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman when they swoop into town for DC Super Heroes: Discover Your Superpowers, an interactive exhibition that will open October 5, 2024 through January 20, 2025.

Guests of all ages will develop new skills and learn the importance of teamwork at the Hall of Justice as they work together to solve problems and catch Super-Villains in a series of fast-paced challenges.

During this temporary exhibit, brave recruits will be called on by members of the Justice League to make the world a safer place by battling Super-Villains in the fictional, crime-infested city. Recruits-in-training will join the DC Super Heroes in solving problems and catching Super-Villains in a series of fast-paced challenges in the city and surrounding area.

Other activities include a quiz, where everyone in the family can learn which DC Super Hero they most resemble. Visitors are encouraged to help Batman in Gotham City fight off The Joker, who has sabotaged the Bat-Signal or work with Wonder Woman to rescue artifacts that The Cheetah stole from the Museum of Ancient History.

DC stories and characters have inspired generations of kids and grownups to be more like Super Heroes in real life. What kind of Super Hero will you be?

To buy tickets to the DC Super Heroes exhibit at Discovery Cube Los Angeles, please visit https://www.discoverycube.org/los-angeles/exhibits/dc-super-heroes/.

The Future of Education: Why Virtual Learning Might Be the Right Choice for Your Child

Published September 1, 2024

By Deanna Vallerga, Director of Middle School

Education is rapidly evolving, driven by the realization that traditional classrooms may not meet the diverse needs of all students. As families seek alternatives better aligned with their children’s unique learning or lifestyle needs, virtual learning has emerged as a compelling option. Now is the time to explore why virtual learning might be the right choice for your child. There’s still time to enroll for this school year.

The Shift Toward Personalized Education
Personalized learning has gained significant traction, and for good reason. Traditional education models are sometimes challenged to meet the needs of students with unique abilities, lifestyles and schedules. Virtual learning meets students where they are, allows them to engage in learning in a more flexible way and offers a tailored experience that adapts to their individual circumstances.

California Virtual Academies (CAVA) exemplifies this by providing online education that is more customized. In a virtual classroom, students can progress at a varied pace, spending extra time on challenging subjects or moving ahead quickly when they grasp concepts. This more individualized pacing supports academic success and boosts confidence by allowing students to achieve mastery without the pressure of keeping up with classmates or the boredom that comes with slowing down for their peers.

This shift toward personalization represents a fundamental change in what families are looking for and how education is delivered. Virtual schools like CAVA create adaptive learning experiences that adjust in real-time to a student’s progress, ensuring each child receives the support they need to succeed. It’s a model that prioritizes the individual, making education a more inclusive and effective experience for all students.

Education for Modern Families
The phrase learning happens everywhere has never been more relevant. Parents and children juggle multiple responsibilities, making the ability to be mobile invaluable. Virtual learning allows students to learn from anywhere — at home or on the road — that suits their family.

The ability to adjust some of a child’s schedule is particularly beneficial for busy families, such as demanding extracurricular activities, ongoing medical appointments or needs, travel or non-traditional work. Whether your child is an athlete, musician or someone who benefits from a different environment, virtual learning through CAVA offers the freedom to balance education with life.

Children who struggle with the social pressures or sensory overload in a traditional classroom are more comfortable with virtual learning and its more controlled setting. Learning from home or another preferred location often helps these students focus better, leading to a more positive educational experience and outcomes.

The Rise of the School Choice Movement
More and more parents are taking control of their children’s education, seeking learning environments they believe are more aligned with their values and goals. Virtual learning has become a viable alternative to traditional models.

The appeal of virtual learning lies in its ability to cater to diverse needs while maintaining high academic standards. It’s an approach that not only meets students where they are but prepares them for the future by offering essential digital skills and fostering independence.

As parents demand more options, schools respond by finding innovative ways to engage students and incorporate new technologies into the learning process. This shift represents a broader trend toward more inclusive, adaptable and effective educational environments — where virtual learning plays a leading role.

Preparing for the Future with Virtual Learning
Education is changing in exciting ways. Schools are increasingly incorporating elements like game-based learning and artificial intelligence to make instructions more interactive and engaging. These advancements prepare students for a world where digital literacy and technological proficiency are crucial.

Virtual learning platforms like CAVA are at the forefront of this revolution. By providing students with access to cutting-edge tools and resources, virtual learning helps them develop the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. These platforms offer a dynamic and immersive experience that goes beyond what traditional classrooms can provide.

Virtual learning also offers a level of parental involvement that can be missing in conventional schooling. Parents can easily monitor their child’s progress through their role as a learning coach, regular updates and direct communication with teachers, ensuring a supportive network that helps students thrive.

The Future is Waiting
Education is at a pivotal moment. The rise of virtual learning represents a significant step forward in creating inclusive, flexible and personalized educational environments. Students aren’t just learning — they’re part of a dynamic community. With clubs, social events and collaborative projects, students build meaningful connections and develop essential social skills. Choosing virtual learning opens the door to a world of possibilities that can help students reach their greatest potential.

There’s time to act — and now is that time. Explore the options available and consider which offers the brighter educational future for your child. Look at CAVA. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Our team is standing by to help you and your child succeed. Their future was always in your hands, and now virtual learning puts your students’ education there as well.

Deanna Vallerga started her career in education in 1992. She received her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, a multiple subject teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach, and holds a clear administrative credential. She joined the CAVA staff in 2005 as a K–8 teacher and has served as the lead of language arts, and regional program coordinator for the northern CAVA schools for six years. Currently, she is the Director of Middle School for all nine California Virtual Academies.

How to Develop Multilingual Children and Why It’s Important

Published August 13, 2024

By Amy Rush Conroy

Man speaking the word "hello" in a variety of languages

L.A. kids have it good as a group — growing up in this mecca of pop culture complete with palm trees, sushi, sunshine and Hollywood lore. Another characteristic distinctively native to the region is our historic Spanish heritage that flavors everything from neighborhood names to architectural design and California cuisine. Los Angeles, previously known as El Pueblo, was founded in 1781 by 11 Spanish-speaking families. That’s right, Spanish is our cultural heritage language in Los Angeles.

But while Spanish is prevalent in L.A., any second-language learning is enriching for brain development and advancement of communication skills. I dream of a day when every student in Los Angeles receives primary education that includes multilingual instruction. Here’s to making it the standard instead of the exception!

Students reading an L.A. historical marker — Hollywood Schoolhouse students enjoy a field trip to Olvera Street in front of Los Pobladores plaque. PHOTO BY AMY RUSH CONROY

Why learning another language early matters

The reality is that more than half of L.A.’s population speaks a language other than English and more than a third of those people speak Spanish. In a world that begs for greater diversity, more equitable access and inclusion, why not start by offering a second language to our youngest citizens? Why not teach students diversity through languages?

“We need to think about creating global citizens,” says Hillary Larson of Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles. “Learning another language exposes children to diverse cultures and points of view. A bilingual education provides students with a cultural awareness and understanding that is more open and accepting of diversity.”

Infusing your child’s daily curriculum with another language would simultaneously be more systemically inclusive since it is the heritage language of the largest cultural group of Angelenos who identify as Latine. For English language learners (ELL) students who are Spanish speakers, it might even flip the narrative of leadership in the classroom. We need to be bold, and if we want to make the world outside the classroom more diverse, equitable and inclusive, then let’s start by teaching those values early.

Oasis Trilingual Community School students thrive in Spanish conversations during paired Organic World Language activities.
PHOTO COURTESY OASIS TRILINGUAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL

What multilingualism does for the brain

The brain is like a muscle: You have to exercise it to grow bigger, and learning another language is robust brain work. “Our brain’s ability to change is influenced by learning experiences,” says Joyce Hsiao, head of school at Oasis Trilingual Community School. “Multilingualism impacts the brain’s physical structure, affects the brain’s cytoarchitecture and increases brain plasticity.”

Through various languages, not just Spanish or French, but by teaching Mandarin, Armenian or Filipino, for instance, students would learn to translate, communicate and conceptually think differently. For example, monolingual English speakers may “know” a fact or person, but Spanish or French speakers use two separate verbs to describe that knowledge because to “know” a person is quite different from “knowing” that the sky is blue. Students would learn that there is not just one way to think and express themselves, just as there is more than one way to solve a mathematical equation. This process of growth in the brain is called neuroplasticity, whereby the brain makes additional neural connections and sets the stage for even greater complexities and understandings than were possible previously.

Transitional kindergarten students in a Mandarin-guided reading lesson at Oasis Trilingual Community School.
PHOTO COURTESY OASIS TRILINGUAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Each new language grows connections in the brain internally — and externally increases a person’s connection to the world. Not only is empathy a known predictor and byproduct of second-language learning, but communicating with more people increases social connections, which promotes positive mental health, a matter of growing concern for our youth.

Second-language learning has long been associated with augmenting brain function in a multitude of ways:

cognitive flexibility
academic performance
memory
problem-solving abilities
empathy
connections (neural and social)

The “old school” reason for learning another language was to increase future career opportunities in a more globalized world. “Besides the United States, every country is teaching their students two or three foreign languages,” Hsiao observes, “and by the time they complete high school!” We now know that learning another language is not just about creating a competitive global constituency, but about increasing their social and emotional connections, which can expand their personal and professional opportunities.

How to engage your children with multiple languages

You’re convinced, so now what? The first step is to engage the young learner. Find their currency to create self-directed lifelong learners. This can be done through food, toys, games, movies, art, gymnastics… Whatever interests they already have, up the ante in the target language.

OWL is an effective methodology used by Oasis Trilingual Community School and across the nation. At home, ask questions such as, “Oh, you like chocolate chip cookies? Let’s bake cookies together in Spanish!” “Want to learn to surf? I know a great Hebrew instructor.” Language infusion and inspiration can be found anywhere, so keep it lively for emotional engagement, make it relevant and draw connections between the language and their real-world life (the L.A. Zoo is a wonderful destination that translates across languages).

Which brings me to the next point that a beloved kindergarten teacher taught us about literacy that Billy Crystal humorously illustrated in the movie “Forget Paris”: read.

Read everything. As you navigate around town with your tot, read the signs out loud: “El Pollo Loco, you crazy chicken, you!” No kid asks for flash cards, but the real world can serve as your own personal set of flashcards. Throughout Los Angeles, you’ll find a multitude of signs in diverse languages. Grow their confidence by reading them together. Biliteracy is the single most important skill set to maintain and grow a second language.

Do I hear karaoke in your future? You bet! I start every class with a song that encourages biliteracy to learn the words while simultaneously creating a safe space to practice new sounds alongside the native singer. Last year, my first graders learned “Vivir Mi Vida” in January and were still begging me to sing it in June.

Silliness is my brand of teaching, so I play with words, and that’s when it gets really fun. My students adore charades, but teaching idiomatic expressions never disappoints when I talk about age and hoot like a monkey: “Tengo nueve años or is it monos?” Kids love to be the expert and correct the adult, so gamify everything.

A collage of L.A. signs in different languages. PHOTO COURTESY AMY RUSH CONROY

Demystified, it’s not hard to start learning a new language, but the trick is engagement plus stamina. This is an endurance project. Everyone will be motivated by different factors, but the outcomes will emerge the same: greater cognitive functioning, diverse connections, increased social interaction and communication abilities, all of which lead to more opportunities for our kids.

Amy Rush Conroy, M.A., is a native Angeleno who founded Habla Blah Blah 20 years ago to engage children with second-language learning through song. She teaches Spanish at the Hollywood Schoolhouse and has a guide to help cultivate bilingualism in kids. Her first book “¿Cómo Te Sientes?” is a Beginner Reader book in Spanish, available next spring.

Insights, Advice and Tips: How to Talk to Your Child’s Teachers

Published August 13, 2024

By Gregory Keer

As a dad and teacher, I have experienced awkward moments on both sides of the fence. I’ll never forget the year a teacher asked my youngest son, who struggled with writing: “Why can’t you be more like your brother?” My wife and I wanted to scream at the otherwise kind instructor, but a productive parent-teacher conference abated our frustration.

And then there was the time when, at a private school where I was teaching, a dad told me: “I’m not paying for my daughter to get C’s.” A snappy retort — “Clearly, you’re not paying enough!” — danced in my head. Instead, we devised a plan for his daughter to improve.

Through mutual trust and communication, it’s possible to optimize your parent-teacher partnerships.

Good parent-teacher communication starts early

Once academics enter the picture, parents shift more control to the learning experts, but they should maintain a dialogue with the school.

Educational coach and consultant Shelly Lawrence — Shelley Lawrence is an educational coach and consultant. PHOTO COURTESY SHELLEY LAWRENCE

Shelley Lawrence, M.Ed., ACC, CPCC, is an educational coach and consultant who served as lower school director at Sinai Akiba Academy for 20 years. Often, parents worry they might seem hovering or accusatory, Lawrence says, but if “there’s something that a parent is concerned about, [they should] send an email.

“Come from a place of real curiosity,” Lawrence advises. “Ask things like, ‘When I was reading with Bobby Sue, I noticed she skipped words. What are you seeing in your class?’”

While email is the preferred method of initial communication, the next step might be scheduling an in-person or online meeting. In terms of whom to contact, Lawrence recommends going to your child’s teacher first. “They appreciate being consulted as the person who knows your student best,” she says.

There are times, though, when an educator might get defensive — or when a concern persists. In such cases, Lawrence recommends going to the program director, chair or principal. When the issue is more behavioral or emotional, a principal might refer the parent to a school counselor. “If something is going on in your family [such as stressors like moving or a separation], let the educators know,” Lawrence says. “They can serve your kid powerfully.”

Contacting a teacher too frequently does not allow a teacher time to assess progress. Lawrence advises finishing a conversation with, “When can I expect to hear an update from you?”

Sometimes, parents feel anxious because of concern for our children, but also about our own effectiveness. “Trust the professionals,” Lawrence says. Moreover, parents should “resist the urge to be our child’s teacher at home.” Occasional assistance is fine, but parents need not play the role of both educator and nurturer/provider.

Not so stuck in the middle

Judy Burbank, head of school for the Altadena campus of Stratford School, works with some of her students. PHOTO COURTESY STRATFORD SCHOOL

In middle school, students step toward self-reliance, creating a challenge for parents to balance monitoring and staying hands-off. Judy Burbank, head of school for the Altadena campus of Stratford School, advises parents not to allow adolescents’ budding independence to push out parental involvement. “Communicate anytime there is a concern,” says this educator of 25 years at the elementary and middle school levels.

She encourages parents to “reach out to the teacher first for academic issues and to the principal for administrative topics.” Like Lawrence, Burbank believes email is the best initial mode of communication. “We have our teachers respond within 24 hours to any parent request,” she says. But “don’t expect teachers to respond on off days.” As a school leader, she will reply to parents on Sunday evenings, particularly if it regards a student’s well-being.

“If there is a problem with a teacher, contact the principal or chair/director,” she says. Should a child have trouble learning with a teacher, Burbank calls a meeting between her and the parent(s). “We will explore why things are not working, then bring in the teacher to work on a plan together.” Whenever possible, Burbank prefers having all parental figures at meetings to get various perspectives.

To right the balance between too little and too much contact, she suggests parents keep up with all conferences, school events and emails or calls from teachers. And she encourages teachers to reach out to parents not just for problems, but also for the good stuff. “We want parents to know what their child is doing well,” she says.

For teacher appreciation occasions, Burbank says teacher still appreciate baked goods, flowers and gift cards.

Reach out to school counselors

Somalia Miller Salmond is a school counselor for KIPP SoCal Public Schools. PHOTO COURTESY KIPP SOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Somalia Miller Salmond, M.A., is a school counselor at the South Los Angeles campus for KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) SoCal Public Schools, where parents inquire about everything from behavioral to social-emotional issues. One focus is the IEP, or Individualized Education Plan, which the public school district prepares for students with learning differences. “With IEPs and other meetings, our conversations are about creating goals for the student,” Miller Salmond says.

As a counselor, she will “discuss conflicts among students, including bullying. In this case, we have a meeting with families to make their child feel safe at school,” she says.

In addition, the school hosts scheduled conferences with each family. “We start with the student’s strengths, then move to what needs improvement,” Miller Salmond explains. “At home, parents should check with their children about feelings and homework assignments to partner with us to increase the student’s skills.”

Somalia Miller Salmond talks to students at KIPP’s South Los Angeles campus.
PHOTO COURTESY KIPP SOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS

At her KIPP school, families use apps such as Parent Square and Class Dojo to message teachers, administrators and school counselors. “Phone calls can be good, but we don’t use email [as] much,” Miller Salmond says. “Overall, I teach students and parents they can express concerns in a safe way.”

Reaching for higher ground in high school

In high school, students take charge of communication. Barnaby Shepherd, M.A., an English language arts instructor with The Science Academy STEM Magnet in North Hollywood, believes “it is a good idea to … teach [students] to be self-advocates about their grades and assignments.”

There are still back-to-school nights, emails and newsletters to keep families abreast of curricular and policy details. And parents usually have access to their child’s grades via a learning management system. Rather than check too often, it’s wise to talk directly with your student about their progress.

Shepherd appreciates a “heads up” about a student who might need extra consideration. “I like building rapport with parents to reassure them that I know what I am doing and care about their child,” he says.

If there is a particular concern a child won’t fully address, parents should first try to let their student know they are going to get input from school. If there is a more serious issue — signs of depression, anger, fast-dropping grades — parents can request a phone call or meeting to talk further with faculty.

As needed, The Science Academy teachers will contact families with concerns. If the issue is related to well-being, the school counselor calls. If it’s a substantial discipline matter, a dean or school leader requests a meeting.

Largely because of the added pressure to get students ready college and other postsecondary pursuits, parents occasionally exhibit tension with teachers. “Every time that I have a challenging situation, I remind them that I am on their team,” Shepherd says. “It can never be construed as a fight between the stakeholders.”

For Shepherd, the most gratifying connections have been “the in-person conversations and hugs I have received from parents. I believe in being super positive in emails and meetings. I match the level of respect with parents to the way I present to their kids in class.”

Whatever the grade level, the parent-school partnership needs care and communication if we are to successfully guide these most precious entities of our lives. Ask questions, follow up and strengthen the mutual trust that is needed to raise up our kids.

Best Practices for Effective Parent-Teacher Communication

Approach each note or call as a chance for partnership. Teachers want to help your child succeed and respond well to positive collaboration.
Email or other electronic messaging is best for initial contact with faculty.
Give a faculty member at least 24 hours to reply to a message.
Respond to teachers, administrators and counselors within a day or so.
Plan in-person or Zoom meetings for more involved concerns.
Follow up with teachers after communications. Ask for emailed details of any to-do’s agreed upon between parents and faculty.
Feel free to connect with faculty in the high school years, though interactions should scale back in the advancing years.
Give handwritten thank-you notes at holiday and/or year-end times. Gift cards are also appreciated.

Gregory Keer is a husband to one, father to three, a high school educator and veteran writer. Find his columns and more at familyman.blog.

Family Programs at The Soraya

Published July 1, 2024

The Soraya, the state-of-the-art performing arts center that is on the south tip of the CSUN campus, has wonderful family programs as part of its 2024-25 season – and three special performances will appeal to kids of all ages and parents. Members who purchase all three events as a Family Package will receive their respective Membership discount, so it’s worth looking at a membership for your family and receive exclusive discounts and benefits all season long.

DISNEY PIXAR COCO
Live-to-Film Concert
Featuring Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México
Saturday, Oct 26 at 3 pm and Sunday, Oct 27 at 3 pm

The Disney Pixar’s beloved Coco comes to life on stage with the heartwarming smash hit film’s score by Oscar® and GRAMMY® Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino. Performed live by Orquesta Folclórico Nacional de México, Disney Pixar’s Coco follows 12-year-old Miguel on a journey through the Land of the Dead and features the Academy Award-winning song “Remember Me,” by songwriters Kristen AndersonLopez and Robert Lopez (Frozen, Frozen 2). Disney fans of all ages will enjoy this unforgettable night of Disney magic.

MUMMENSCHANZ
50 Years
Saturday, Nov 2 at 3pm

For its anniversary production – aptly titled 50 Years – MUMMENSCHANZ will be taking audiences on a journey filled with imagination and poetry, putting on the most beloved sketches from the foundation’s repertoire over the past five decades. To mark the anniversary, co-founder Floriana Frassetto has devised a production that will take the public on a 50-year journey through the fascinating world of MUMMENSCHANZ. It will take a look back at the most popular, most successful productions of years gone by, featuring legendary characters such as the Clay Masks and the Toilet Paper Faces. The show will also see appearances by the delicate, air-filled Giants, the Pipe Creature and plenty of other bizarre objects and shapes brought to life by the troupe. The production will also include sketches featuring surprising new forms and characters that capture the signature MUMMENSCHANZ spirit. This fantastic journey through the world of MUMMENSCHANZ is lively, humorous, full of affection and brimming with imagination.

STOMP
Created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas
Saturday, Jan 18 at 3 pm and 8 pm, and Sunday, Jan 19 at 3 pm

STOMP is an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. The troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. Year after year, audiences worldwide keep coming back for more of this pulse-pounding electrifying show.
“STOMP is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser with a rock-and-roll heart.”– The New York Times

YAMATO
Hito no chikara | The Power of Human Strength
Saturday, March 22 at 3 pm

Making its fifth appearance at The Soraya, YAMATO returns with Hito no chikara, The Power of Human Strength. Packed with high energy and the traditional sounds of Japan, every YAMATO performance (they’ve done more than 4,000 so far!) engulfs audiences of all ages in the sound of Taiko.

Expedition Dinosaur at Discovery Cube Los Angeles

Published May 31, 2024

The brand-new Discovery Cube Los Angeles exhibit will invite guests to travel back in time to experience engaging, interactive, life-like animatronic dinosaurs and exciting educational prehistoric content through cutting-edge technology.

Expedition Dinosaur: Adventure Awaits invites paleontologists-in-training to learn about a wide variety of dinosaur species and the adaptations that allowed them to survive while stepping into the shoes of an early paleontologist and discovering how fossils were unearthed.

On display through September 2, the immersive exhibit will take visitors on an educational journey through the Jurassic era, featuring life-size, life-like animatronic dinosaurs, replicas, artifacts, and interactive displays. Guests will hear and see what dinosaurs looked and sounded like in prehistoric times.

Become a pioneer in pursuing dinosaur artifacts at Expedition Dinosaur, and explore what many scientists and explorers have done before you.

A true adventure awaits.

At Discovery Cube Los Angeles, we inspire and educate young minds through engaging science-based programs and exhibits to create a meaningful impact on the communities we serve. Our team of exhibit designers and educators are constantly creating on- and off-site activities that cater to the needs of learners of all backgrounds. From kinesthetic and auditory to visual learning, we have experiences for every child to learn, engage, and have fun. To buy your tickets to see Expedition Dinosaur at Discovery Cube Los Angeles, visit www.discoverycube.org/los-angeles/exhibits/expedition-dinosaur.

La Puente Students Host Health & Wellness Fair

Published May 3, 2024

By Cherie Cofer

Of the many things we can gleam from a world with the pandemic in our rear-view mirror, perhaps what is at the top of most lists is the necessity of mental health care.

Since 2022, the World Health Organization reports, there has been a 25% increase in anxiety and depression globally. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in the vein of championing our wellness care, Nogales High School students in La Puente recently hosted a health and wellness fair. I laced up my HOKA sneakers and took a stroll to my alma mater.

A librarian at Nogales High School shares self-help books with teens.
PHOTO BY CHERIE COFER

This expo brought together students and community, as well as the American Red Cross, American Lung Association, L.A. County Department of Mental Health and Pet Partners. While I was met with the expected workshops on healthy eating choices, meditating and mindfulness, what I didn’t quite expect was the emphasis on safety. There were Heimlich maneuver and choking prevention demonstrations, Narcan workshops (with giveaways) and proper gun storage demonstrations.

Overall, I walked away from the event having burned about 100 calories (thanks, Zumba) and with a stark reminder of the current world that exists, post pandemic-pandemonium. Additionally, I have a renewed vision for all that it means to be well, and that includes being safe. Physical safety is simply one aspect. Guarding our hearts and minds is just as essential.

Namaste.

Hollenbeck PAL: A Community Passion Project

Published May 3, 2024

By Cherie Cofer

Nestled squarely in the heart of East Los Angeles is a nonprofit proudly serving three of the oldest neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Hollenbeck PAL is an organization on a mission to heal its community by providing a safe environment during non-school hours for kids ages 10-17.

Donald Levier of Hollenbeck PAL (center) poses with graduates. PHOTO BY OFFICER EUGENE OLEA

Founded in 1992 by the Hollenbeck division of the Los Angeles Police Department and community residents in response to the increase in juvenile crimes, Hollenbeck PAL offers several programs: career development (PAL-UP), sports recreation and leadership skills. The cornerstone of the organization is the 12-week Diversion program, which offers a comprehensive curriculum, conflict resolution and communication techniques for parents and their children. While participating, parents are required to attend weekly sessions. The program covers several core areas: delinquency and crime prevention, financial literacy and fitness and nutrition.

“The PAL program can have a huge impact on the trajectory of a kid’s life,” says Donald Levier, associate director of Hollenbeck PAL’s Leadership and Development department. “Many of the youth in our community deal with trauma. By giving them the tools to help cope with and work through what they have been through, it can have an immeasurable impact on their lives.”

To learn more, visit lapdhollenbeckpal.org.

Freedom in Play: Why Children Should Participate in Extracurricular Activities

Published May 1, 2024

By Stratford School

The old adage “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” still holds true even today. Playtime and extracurricular activities help contribute to a child’s overall development.

If we want to raise successful children, it’s important to acknowledge that learning isn’t something that only takes place within the four walls of a classroom. A tremendous amount of learning also happens outside of a classroom setting.

According to Jeanne Huybrechts, Stratford School’s Chief Academic Officer, the most tangible benefits of getting your child involved in extracurricular activities include teamwork, a sense of belonging and early skill development that results in cognitive imprinting and muscle memory.

Undertaking extracurricular activities has far-ranging benefits that touch on many aspects of a child’s development. Here are five advantages of extracurricular activities, demonstrating why you should encourage your child to take on something away from the classroom.

Learn new skills: One of the fundamental benefits of extracurricular activities is that they allow your child to learn something that could stay with them for a lifetime. Directly, that skill could be the basis of a hobby or passion that enriches their life for many years. Everything from playing sports to learning an instrument could lead to hours spent doing something they truly enjoy.

Understand a routine: Extracurricular activity involve structure and a predictable series of events that help children get on a schedule. The more they get comfortable sticking to a routine, the easier it gets for them to adhere to a schedule of activities both at home and school. And because their expectations are set, anxieties and stress in children are reduced.

Boost academic performance: Education requires solid problem-solving skills, memory, creativity and critical thinking. To varying degrees, you can find an extracurricular activity that has an impact on these areas. Research has been carried out that develops a link between extracurricular participation and better academic performance. In one such study, important academic outcomes like reading, math achievement and course grades were all found to be positively influenced by children who engage in extracurricular activities.

Broader social skills: The very nature of many extracurricular activities means that your child will be engaging with other children in a social setting. Away from the classroom, it’s a good opportunity for them to mix with likeminded children in something they all enjoy. This is another key benefit of extracurricular activities: they give children a chance to develop their social skills, meet new friends and become more confident communicating in groups.

Well-rounded individual: Well-rounded children are known to thrive better in life. These are the ones who grow up with more confidence, sense of independence, creativity and ability to collaborate with others with fewer conflicts and behavioral issues. They are also the children who tend to adapt to change easily and handle life’s challenges more effectively.

To help children receive the most benefits from extracurricular activity involvement physically, emotionally and socially, Huybrechts recommends they participate in the right amount of activity for their age level and abilities.

“Exposure is key as it is impossible to predict what children will enjoy and be able to do well so allow kids to try several activities,” Huybrechts says. “Insist on completing whatever the original agreement was – a season, a semester, etc. – and then allow them to step away if it’s not what they like. At the same time, I think it’s fair to expect children to eventually commit to one or more extracurricular activities for an extended period. Extracurricular activities can develop into life-long pursuits, even passions, yet that won’t happen until a person has developed a certain level of proficiency. Adults who regularly play golf, tennis or chess well, or participate in a community orchestra, probably developed their passion – not to mention muscle memory – in a related activity as a child. We give our children a gift when we encourage them to stick with an activity that they clearly like for as long as it takes to get good at it – with foundational skill development that makes it easy for them to return to the activity at any time in their lives.”

In addition, there are parents who may be concerned about their child participating in too many activities outside of school. Diversity in extracurricular activities promotes development as long as the child balances activities with the demands of school and family life. As Huybrechts notes, “Kids have different capacities, and activities can be seasonal and consume different amounts of time, so there is no single number. I would aim for a couple, and perhaps activities that tap into different capabilities and teach different skills: a soccer team and an after-school coding club; violin lessons, a school or community orchestra, or a swim team. The combinations I mention would not be taxing to children (or the parents who drive them to practice and rehearsals) and both include physical activity and a genuine team or ensemble experience.”

When you give your child the chance to participate in school activities, they learn a lot more than just the things that are covered in class. The skills and knowledge they acquire shape their well-being and help round out their holistic development.

Schools and local communities are full of exciting activities that could spark your child’s imagination and capture their attention. Gauge your child’s general interests and consider what they may be interested in taking part in. Then look to their school or the wider community to find an appropriate program for your child. As Huybrechts concludes, “When your child enjoys the activity on a regular basis, looks forward to continued participation and sees the activity as part of their identity, you can be reasonably assured that the activity is a success.”If you are interested in learning more about Stratford School, or scheduling a personalized tour, visit us online at www.stratfordschools.com.

Caring for Your Kids Starts with You: Self-Care Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Published April 29, 2024

If you’re a caregiver, you need to be a care receiver, too.

Devoting your days (and nights) to caring for infants, toddlers, teens or adults who need it can be both rewarding and exhausting. The hours spent making sure that person (or people) are fed, hydrated, safe and healthy are worth it. That said, sometimes that effort leaves you too tired to take care of yourself. You might find it easy to prioritize others, but it can be just as important to move your own needs up that list at times. After all, if you’re worn down, unhealthy, hungry or too tired, you won’t have the energy to do anything for anyone. And when others keep pulling from your empty well, feelings of resentment might start to build.

Self-care isn’t selfish. You might be thinking that putting self-care on the calendar is just one more task you can’t make time for. But self-care doesn’t have to take hours (or be expensive) in order for you to feel restored by it. Also, caring for yourself can look like not doing everything alone. Whether help is offered or you have to ask for it, letting someone else handle a task might make them feel useful while bringing your own stress level down a bit.

Think about the small, simple things you do for the people you love and how special it can make them feel. Then, think about little things that can make you feel happy, energetic or loved, and do those things. And consider this: Self-care is actually good for everyone. Here are some easy ideas to try:

Meditate, stretch, dance or do a deep-breathing exercise for five minutes.
Spend a few minutes every day in nature.
Sit down to eat your meal — taste and enjoy your food (yes, even if it’s a peanut butter and jelly sandwich).
Drink lots of water throughout the day.
Read a few pages of a book or listen to a podcast.
Pick a flower or some greenery and keep it in a vase by your bed.
Ask for help, find help around you or take someone up on their offer to help.

Whatever it is, take a minute to put it on the calendar — and then, make it a non-negotiable. You wouldn’t push off a doctor’s appointment for your infant, right? You’d never miss your 3rd grader’s holiday lunch or your teen’s basketball game, either. Now it’s time for you to make what you need a priority as well. And remember, if it’s not something you can do alone, don’t be afraid to ask for the help you need.

The better you feel, the better job you can do as a caregiver. So make yourself a priority today. You, and the ones you care for, will be better off because of it.

You can also turn to BrightLife Kids for additional support to help you become the parent you strive to be. All California parents and caregivers with kids ages 0-12 now get free behavioral health coaching through BrightLife Kids.

Chat with a credentialed expert and get answers to the toughest parent questions, like how to effectively manage kids’ tantrums, outbursts, meltdowns, and more. Sessions are just 30 minutes long, so they easily fit into your busy schedule. It’s 100% paid for by California –– which means it’s 100% free for you. Visit brightlife.kids to get started.

Blind Children’s Center Lighting the Way Since 1938

Published April 1, 2024

Are you seeking specialized support for a young child who is blind or has been diagnosed with a visual impairment? Then look no further than the Blind Children’s Center! Enroll your child ages birth to 5 years-old in our specialized early learning programs today and experience the difference our expertise makes in their development and growth.

The Blind Children’s Center, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization founded in 1938, stands out with its distinctive mission: To prepare infants, toddlers and preschoolers of all abilities to thrive through inclusive, family-focused early childhood education, with a specialized focus on children who are blind or visually impaired. As the sole program of its kind in Los Angeles, the Center provides a nurturing early learning environment in a family-focused setting where every child can experience belonging and reach their full potential.

From its humble beginnings in a volunteer-staffed home classroom, the Center has grown into an esteemed institution. Its historic Hollywood building, designed by renowned architect Paul R. Williams, the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects, was constructed in the 1940s and stands as a testament to the Center’s more than 70-year commitment to change-making inclusivity and service.

Throughout its journey, the Blind Children’s Center has remained steadfast in its dedication to serving visually impaired children and their families. Children with severe vision loss and other disabilities learn differently and require personalized learning strategies and accommodations; at the same time, parents and caregivers need resources to effectively advocate for their child’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. By offering comprehensive programming, mental-health support and coordinated therapeutic services like occupational therapy and sensory development —all at no cost — the Center ensures that families receive the tools necessary to flourish.

“At BCC, our belief in cultivating an inclusive and supportive environment drives everything we do. Through our personalized approach and educational curriculum uniquely tailored to the needs of each student, we empower each child to embrace their unique abilities,” says Sarah Orth, chief executive officer. “Our mission extends beyond providing intervention and education; it’s about creating a strong foundation for every child and family we serve. We are committed to helping children and families dream, learn and grow without limits.”

In 2021, the Los Angeles County Board of Education (LACOE) approved BCC as a delegate agency for Head Start and Early Head Start Services for children ages 18 months to 5 years old, as well as infants and toddlers from birth through 36 months and pregnant mothers. As a delegate of LACOE, its programs are funded in part by the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services and California Department of Education. BCC also solicits donations from private foundations, businesses, and individual donors to support our programs for children and families.

Continuing its legacy of commitment, the Blind Children’s Center remains dedicated to enhancing its facilities to better serve children and families. Last June, BCC broke ground on a renovation project that will improve classrooms and restrooms, increase capacity, implement significant ADA upgrades such as an elevator and outdoor ramps, redesign a current playground, develop a toddler play yard and refurbish infrastructure and shared spaces.

Enrolling your child in our programs means becoming part of this transformative journey. Together, we can build a brighter future where every child, regardless of vision, can learn and thrive.

Click HERE to enroll today! For more information about programs, eligibility and more, visit the Blind Children Center’s website or follow them on Instagram (@blindchildrenscenter), Facebook and LinkedIn. Also, check out our YouTube channel.

Playing Your Way to a Better World at the Cayton Children’s Museum

Published March 27, 2024

Those who prioritize play lead happier, more successful lives. This simple yet powerful tool for building our minds encourages new neural connections that lead to better critical thinking, problem-solving and overall learning. It also expands our worldview by understanding different cultures and perspectives, fostering empathy and a sense of belonging. As children grow, play builds resilience, helping them adapt to new situations and reducing stress. Plus, it is so much fun!

At the Cayton, we understand the profound impact of play in fostering a deep love for self-discovery and exploration of the world around us. We encourage families to discover their creativity, connect with one another, and create lasting memories with the power of play. From our hands-on exhibits like a real-life helicopter, fire truck, veterinary clinic and bustling community market to our daily sensory, arts and movement activities, the Cayton will spark curiosity and ignite imaginations.

Membership
As a Cayton member, open the door to a world of endless play! All members enjoy 12 months of general admission and priority access to special programs and events. With expedited check-in, member early entry, and discounts on our classes, you can maximize your play time exploring our exhibits and participating in our engaging activities. Plus, Cayton members receive a 10% discount on purchases in our Museum Store and 50% off admission to over 400 children’s museums nationwide.

Through April 14th, receive 15% off unlimited family play for 12 months when you join, renew or gift a membership. Whichever tier you choose, joining today opens the door to a world of endless possibilities and unforgettable experiences at the Cayton.

Launchers
At $204, our entry-level tier provides unlimited visits for two members (one adult and one child) and two guest passes, ensuring quality bonding time for you and your little one.

Climbers
Ready to take your adventures to new heights? For $306, our Climbers membership tier offers unlimited visits for four members and four guest passes, allowing the whole family to explore and discover together.

Reachers
For families seeking even greater value and benefits, our Reachers membership tier includes unlimited visits for six members, eight guest passes, and exclusive discounts on event rentals, buyouts, and classes for a vital contribution of $500.

Cayton Classes
We acknowledge the benefits of play in all life stages, and our Cayton classes are designed to enhance a child’s social, creative and cognitive abilities through immersive play experiences tailored to their age. Led by experienced Play Guides and specialists, these intimate and interactive classes provide the perfect opportunity for children to learn and grow in a supportive environment. Whether it is our Art Crawl — an introduction to sensory art and play for infants and toddlers — or our Paint the Walls: Art Explosion — a sensory art experience for preschoolers — our classes inspire creativity on a grand scale!

Bridging the Play Divide
More than 1.7 million children in Los Angeles County have limited access to play. Without access to safe playgrounds and public spaces dedicated to unstructured play, children in these underserved communities are denied the physical, social and emotional benefits play offers.

At the Cayton, we call this the Play Divide and work to bridge it in multiple ways. Through our PLAY4ALL equity and inclusion initiatives, we provide PLAY4ALL passes that provide free entry for families facing financial hardship. Through this program, families can apply for a free annual pass for up to four guests to visit the museum for 12 months.

Through PLAY4ALL Field Trips, we offer subsidized transportation to the museum and enriching programs for Title 1 Schools, Transitional Kindergartens, and Head Start Programs. This program expands access to fun and immersive learning opportunities and has benefited more than 60 schools this past year alone.

We recognize that play looks different for everyone. Our Sensory-Friendly Hours are designed for families with sensory-sensitive children and community organizations that support families with children of diverse abilities and special needs. Held every Sunday from 9 am to 10 am, families and members with children with sensory sensitivities or differing abilities can explore our exhibits at their own pace.

Celebrating at the Cayton
Looking to inject more fun into your next celebration? Look no further than the Cayton. From birthday parties to social gatherings and corporate events, the Cayton Children’s Museum provides a full-service experience to accommodate your needs. When you rent space at the Cayton, our event professionals work with you to create a suitable package with our network of preferred event vendors like caterers, performers, artists, photographers, so you can focus on your celebration!

Room options include private-party rooms, a state-of-the-art theater and option to book a museum buyout. Each celebration includes free play admission to our exhibits and activities for you and your guests. For additional play, you may want to consider activities, or a private class facilitated by our Play Guides to create a more memorable impression.

Cayton Children’s Museum
As a nonprofit organization, Cayton Children’s Museum offers 21,000 square feet of discovery-based exhibits situated steps from the Santa Monica beach and pier. We activate the power of play to enrich the lives of children and their families, build stronger, more connected communities, and create a better world.

Our 20+ interactive exhibits and daily activities are an immersive play experience for children ages 0–8. From collaborative play and hands-on sensory, art and movement activities to exploring different cultures and perspectives, the Cayton helps to expand a child’s imagination, creativity and curiosity.

Join us to play every day and discover how your family can play your way to a better world.

Cayton Children’s Museum is located at Santa Monica Place, 395 Santa Monica Place, Level 3 in Santa Monica. Open Wednesday-Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm with Member early entry at 9 am. For more information, visit caytonmuseum.org or contact us at 424-416-8320 or at info@caytonmuseum.org

L.A. County Students Win Big at C-SPAN’s StudentCam Competition

Published March 18, 2024

By Emily Ip

Third prize winners Jemma Eagle (left) and Taylor Shay (right). PHOTOS COURTESY C-SPAN MEDIA

The next generation is often thought to be a source for hope and change. This year, C-SPAN, a private non-profit media affairs organization, returned for its 20^th annual StudentCam competition, providing the space for youth to explore their potential.

The theme, “Looking Forward While Considering the Past,” challenged L.A. area middle and high school students to address this theme through a futuristic prompt about important changes for America’s future or a reflective prompt about important changes that have occurred within the past 20 years in America’s history. Applicants submitted videos through StudentCam, which is a platform that enables “students across the country to share their voice on issues important to them and their communities,” says Adam Falk, senior vice president of State Government Affairs for Spectrum.

Over the course of two decades, C-SPAN has awarded more than $1.5 million in prizes. In honor of the 20-year milestone, the media organization gifted educators an additional $50,000 for a total of $150,000 in student and teacher cash prizes and awards. For this year’s competition, more than 3,200 participating students sent in more than 1,600 entries from 42 states and Washington, D.C. Craig McAndrew, director of C-SPAN Education Relations, was in awe of this year’s students who “skillfully blended their perspectives with in-depth research and an array of expert interviews,” and rejoiced in sharing “their accomplishments with their local communities and the nation.”

Progressing through the competition was no simple feat. “Videos were evaluated by a panel of educators and C-SPAN representatives based on the thoughtful examination of the competition’s theme, quality of expression, inclusion of varying sides of the documentary’s topic and effective incorporation of C-SPAN programming.” C-SPAN awarded one grand prize, four first prizes, 16 second prizes, 32 third prizes and 97 honorable mentions. The winning videos received cash awards of $5,000, $3,000, $1,500, $750 and $250, respectively.

The following students at Long Beach Polytechnic High School won prizes:

Honorable mention prize winners Jiya Morrell (left) and Avery Rosen (right).

Braden Mosteig will receive $1,500 as a second prize winner for the documentary “Who Pays Dues for News?,” which is about changes in funding for local journalism. This documentary will air on C-SPAN on April 4 at 6:50 a.m. ET and throughout the day.

The following students are third-prize winners and will receive $750 for their winning entries:

Jemma Nagle and Taylor Chay for the documentary “Death Penalty: A Loss of Life and Liberty.”

Alexander Nguyen, Paul Tsao and Carlos Casillas for the documentary “Immigration Situation.”

Poppy Wells and Gia Bottegoni for the documentary “Protecting Our Ocean’s Carbon Sinks.”

The following students are honorable-mention winners and will receive $250:

Joshua Morrissey, Eamon Overman and David Newman for the documentary “Kessler Syndrome: the Next Big Problem.”

Alice Kermode for the documentary “Must Be Silenced,” which is about book banning and censorship in schools.

Ajala Sen for the documentary “The Science Of Reading: A Student’s Right To Literacy.”

Emily Ly and Avery Ejercito for the documentary “Working Hard Today for A Better Tomorrow,” a film about climate change.

Claire Holben and Daphne Gates for the documentary “Carbon and Conservation.”

Charles Shivers for the documentary “Artificial Problems: Aligning AI with the Future,” a film about progression and regulation of artificial intelligence.

Jiya Murrell and Avery Rosen, students at Marlborough School in L.A., will receive $250 as honorable-mention winners for the documentary “The Eternal Impact of the Affordable Care Act.”

The 150 winning videos can be viewed at studentcam.org and may be used in a broadcast with attribution to C-SPAN.

3 Simple Summer Science and Engineering Projects For Kids

Published March 1, 2024

Time passes different at summer camp. It’s a year each time you go back, yet it’s like you’ve never left.

Presented by Stratford School

Learning should not stop when a child leaves the classroom. In fact, the driving philosophy of STEAM schools is rooted in instructing children using real-life scenarios and experiences. As a parent, you can expand your child’s education far beyond the classroom with some easy and fun STEAM-related projects at home.

If your child is partial to engineering, there are some simple engineering projects for kids that you can do with them at home when school is out for the summer. Not only will these projects help spark your child’s passion for engineering and science, but they will also combat brain drain in the summer and foster engineering design thinking. To get your child’s brain engaged in STEAM activities at home, try these exciting yet simple engineering projects for kids.

The Boat Project
In this simple engineering project, your child will use household items to build a boat that can float in water and hold weight, like pennies or a toy car. Give your child straws, tape, Styrofoam plates and plastic cups or bottles, and let them loose to create a seafaring craft.Once their boat is complete, fill a large bucket with water and test to see if it floats. Once your child has created a sturdy craft, slowly increase the weight to discover the boat’s max weight. Throughout the process, your child will be learning the basics of buoyancy while getting to play with water.

The Gumdrop Structure Challenge
This building challenge will have your children thinking about construction in a way that they might not have before. Give your child gumdrops and toothpicks, and ask them to form a structure that is sound enough to hold a heavy object like a textbook. The key is for them to figure out how to connect the toothpicks and gumdrops in such a way that creates a structure that can withstand the weight.

For this project, give them as many attempts as they need to get the structure right. Informed trial and error is the basis of the scientific method, so as they make modifications to their original structure, they will be learning about fundamental science and engineering concepts.

The Aircraft Challenge
In this engineering project, your kids will build their own flying aircraft. Give your child some basic tools like tape, straws, paper, glue, and paper towel cardboard roll, and ask them to build a craft that will glide when launched.

Your kids will learn the basics of weight distribution and surface area during the project. When your kids complete their first successful flight, you can challenge them to reach a certain distance by making the necessary modifications to their craft.

How Stratford School Can Help
Simple engineering projects at home are an excellent way to extend your child’s learning outside of the classroom, get them thinking outside the box, and put their reasoning skills to the test. If you are looking for additional ways to prevent brain drain when school is not in session, Stratford School can help. We offer tech and engineering summer camps that will engage your child in fun, hands-on engineering projects – learn more about our STEAM summer camps today at StratfordSchools.com/summer!

L.A. Jazz Society Drums Up the Beat for Local Elementary Schools

Published February 7, 2024

By Emily Ip

The advent of jazz music was rife with complexities. It sparked a sense of identity, style and social cohesion within the African American community, yet the artistic constraints many musicians experienced led the genre to become a symbol of racial segregation. Today, this iconic genre holds an enduring legacy as one of America’s greatest art forms. And to keep this legacy burning, for the past 36 years, the Los Angeles Jazz Society has brought free, interactive jazz education concerts to local elementary schools in celebration of Black History Month.

The Los Angeles Jazz Society presents its Jazz in Schools program to schools that have lost many or all of their music programs. This year, more than 24,000 children from more than 40 Los Angeles Unified School District elementary schools are experiencing the rich history, culture, style and trail-blazing artists behind jazz.

Bobby Rodriguez invites students to dance along to the beat. PHOTOS COURTESY L.A. JAZZ SOCIETY.

Following a two-year pandemic pause, Bobby Rodriguez, Charles Owens and Ryan Cross will perform three jazz combos almost daily throughout February. Rodriguez, Owens and Cross are well-known and highly respected jazz educators and musicians, bringing excitement and expertise to the stage.

As students dance and clap to the rhythm of the saxophone, the Jazz in Schools program honors the role that jazz plays in African American culture while highlighting its influence on American culture. Each combo spotlights a woman and a Spanish-speaking player, bridging the connection with Latin Jazz and demonstrating the inclusive nature of this art form.

Children learn about jazz instruments as the band plays their combo.

An increasing number of L.A. schools are experiencing budget and program cuts, or losing their art programs altogether. With Jazz in Schools, more children will have the opportunity to experience the creative and expressive outlet that is performing and visual arts. To include the entire city in an equitable way, the benefiting schools are selected by city council districts with three schools in each district. A few of the upcoming school concerts include Monlux, Compton Avenue, Barton Hill and Sylmar elementary schools.

To learn more, visit lajazz.org or call 818-566-7982 for the complete concert schedule.

Helping Kids on a Pathway to Environmental Stewardship

Published January 1, 2024

Stewardship means a sense of connection to, caring about, and responsibility for each other, and the natural world around us.

How do we as parents inspire and empower our children to become environmental stewards, building hope instead of harboring “ecophobia” (afraid to do anything positive for the environment because it all seems so hopeless)? No matter how young your child/children are, they can become an engaged steward at every age and at any stage of their development.

Studies have shown that today’s children are more anxious, more distracted, and less healthy than the last generation. It may be hard to believe, yet the average child spends more than seven hours a day in front of a glowing screen and less than 20 minutes in active outdoor play! At the same time there is mounting evidence that exposure to nature while growing up reduces stress, improves physical and mental health, stimulates creativity, builds self-esteem and encourages co-operation, collaboration and self-regulation. Further studies have shown that regular exposure to nature is the single most important factor in fostering care and concern for the environment. With that in mind, here are 10 simple tips to teach environmental lessons to those children and adults too, in your life.

Lead by example. Have you heard that a picture is worth a thousand words? Well, an action is worth millions. The same way your kids could learn an appropriate behavior can be used to develop environmental awareness.
Take your kids outside. Learning to enjoy nature is the first step to care about it. Studies show that more outdoor activity can improve your overall health and help reduce obesity and other diseases.
Teach children to use the appropriate receptacle for their waste: reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as you can. Little things, like packing a waste-free lunch, can provide a powerful lesson for your children. Get a favorite character reusable lunch bag, fork and spoon that your child can reuse; encourage your little one to drink water from a reusable water bottle; and buy more organic fruits for snacks.
Give them chores, like helping you classify your recyclables. As a reward, they can save money earned by recycling to buy a cool toy.
Work together in a garden or compost project. If you can, buy one plant for them to learn to take care of; it’s a fun way to grasp how plants need sun, water and soil. Use your senses and enjoy the flowers. Take them to a compost garden to see the worms in action, how they can decompose since science and the environment are an important part of the life cycle.
Teach them to close the faucet while brushing and bathing. Water is precious.Turn off the water while brushing their teeth or soaping up during bath or shower time. You can use stickers as a reward for remembering to save water.
Flip that switch! When you are out of the room, your toys don’t need the lights on. You can order a free sticker to remind you to switch them off. Better yet, make your own sticker.
Participate in a beach cleanup. It’s does make a difference! If you live near a beach, visit a tide pool or enjoy other beach activities that help them realize the importance of keeping the ocean clean. And don’t forget, at the end of a visit to a beach or waterway, pack up and carryout all that you brought in, especially the trash!
Give away to others the toys and clothes that you don’t use. Sharing is nice. Take your kids with you when you donate to make them aware of the people in need, while keeping more items out of the landfill.
The same way you teach kids to respect others, you can teach them to respect nature. In your bedtime story, incorporate environmental books. Make a movie night more educational with one that teaches about the consequences of endangering our environment. You can also download a cool app (eBook’s or games) to teach little ones about environmental conservation. Remember kids learn by playing and doing!

Imagine the journey of stewardship as a pathway. Along this journey, children need certain experiences in nature and in the world around them as they grow to become confident and active stewards.

Teaching children to take care of the planet is an insurance policy for the future, and doesn’t need to cost money or be all that difficult. Simple, user-friendly resources are available for use at home and in the classroom and present sustainability as an opportunity that everyone has a stake in. It takes a village to raise a child, and takes a collective community of conscious individuals to raise the next generation of environmental stewards.If you are interested in learning more about Stratford School, or scheduling a personalized tour, visit us online at www.stratfordschools.com.

For Talented Kids Who Love Italian Dining and Creative Writing

Published December 18, 2023

Do you have a foodie daughter or son who loves creative writing and fine Italian dining? Recruiting for Good, a SoCal based company, has created The Sweetest Foodie Gig for exceptionally talented kids.

Kids on The Sweetest Foodie Gig will have lunch with mom (or grandma) and write foodie reviews of the best Michelin Star Italian Restaurants. Kids earn gift cards for beauty, foodie and shopping, and learn sweet skills, success habits and positive values. Kids are assigned personal mentors to help them create meaningful content.

Kids will have a chance to visit and review restaurants such as Angelini Osteria, Antico Nuovo, Bestia, Brera Ristorante, Chi Spacca, Felix, Hippo, Love & Salt, Mother Wolf, Osteria Mozza, Ronan and Rossoblu.

Prepare Your Talented Child for Life

Help your kids land a sweet paid gig (or job). Children learn to earn and appreciate life more when they generate money.Recruiting for Good has been running The Sweetest Gigs since 2020. We are experts at leading, managing and creating fulfilling experiences for kids. Kids on our gigs grow from within exponentially. Check out some of the comments from parents.

Want Your Talented Kid to Land the Gig?

Parents and Grandparents can participate in Recruiting for Good’s referral program to help fund your kid’s sweet experience. The Sweetest Foodie Gig will launch in Summer 2024. We’re looking to hire 10 children for Italian Foodie Gig to provide a personalized and meaningful experience. The Sweetest Italian Gig is perfectly designed for talented 5th graders to high school students. Interested students can participate for 12 weeks during Summer 2024 (a sweet gig, every week) or they can participate every month for 1 year (12 gigs).

About Recruiting for Good and The Sweetest Gigs FounderBefore starting Recruiting for Good, Founder Carlos Cymerman attended grad school to become a marriage and family counselor. He worked for 10 years as a teacher, and over the course of the last 15 years Carlos continued his education and leadership development by creating community services/solutions that make a lasting impact, including Girls Design Tomorrow, Mom & Me Lunch, Our Moms Work, The Foodie Co+Op, The Sweetest Gigs, We Find Your Plus One, We Party for Good and Men Kickass.

In March 2020, Recruiting for Good launched Kids Get Paid to Eat and hired 15 hungry kids throughout Los Angeles to write reviews of 100 dishes kids loved in 2020!

The Secret to Elevating Your Family’s Holiday Season

Published November 17, 2023

The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to create cherished memories with your family, and the unbeatable deals on TodayTix can help. The ticketing app has an array of gifts suitable for everyone, from theatre aficionados to the youngest members of your family experiencing live entertainment for the very first time. Best of all, from November 17 to December 3, TodayTix is introducing special seasonal deals as part of their Cyber Sale that will delight your entire family as well as a special code for LA Parent readers.

Seasonal steals and deals for all

The TodayTix Cyber Sale is your ticket to live entertainment for every member of your family. As a hub of entertainment, Los Angeles is home to some of the finest theatre, music and live shows in the country — and TodayTix is here to help you experience it all. Tickets are the perfect gift for everyone on your list, so we’ve curated a list of shows and experiences on TodayTix that will bring your family closer and make this season truly unforgettable.

Family-Friendly Musicals: Introduce your children to the magic of live theatre when you treat them to family-friendly musicals direct from Broadway like “Matilda,” “Newsies” or “Mary Poppins.” Witness the joy on their faces as they immerse themselves in the enchanting world of Broadway, right here in sunny California. No airplane travel required.

Holiday Spectaculars: Dive into the festive spirit with shows and events designed for the entire family. Revel in the heartwarming performances of classics like Debbie Allen’s “Hot Chocolate Nutcracker,” “A Christmas Carol,” “A Christmas Story: The Musical” and Ballet California’s “The Nutcracker,” — or explore majestic holiday light shows like Lightscape or LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow.

Concerts for All Ages: Regardless of whether you have young or young-at-heart music enthusiasts in your family, TodayTix offers a vast selection of tickets for concerts that will surely please every member of your household. From classical symphonies to pop sensations, everyone is bound to enjoy the sweet sounds of live music.

Comedy Shows: Laughter is perhaps the best gift of all, and it’s something the whole family can enjoy together. Take advantage of special deals for comedy shows and plan a night of shared humor and fun that you’ll treasure — and quote together — forever.

These incredible deals are in high demand, so be sure to not let this opportunity slip by. Purchase tickets today and make your holiday season even more special.

Why should you choose TodayTix for your family’s entertainment?

TodayTix is the foremost app for theatre and entertainment experiences worldwide. Using TodayTix to fulfill your family’s entertainment has several advantages:

Exclusive Deals: TodayTix is home to exclusive offers and promotions that you won’t find anywhere else. The annual Cyber Sale stands out as one of their best sales of the year featuring activities throughout the city, so now is the ideal time to use the app for the very first time or the 101st time.

It Pays to Shop: With TodayTix Perks, you automatically earn Perks credit on events, which you can later redeem on a future in-app purchase. TodayTix Perks is a simple and rewarding way to make the most out of your live entertainment experiences.

User-Friendly App: The TodayTix app is exceptionally user-friendly, simplifying the process of browsing and purchasing tickets all within a single, convenient platform. It provides comprehensive information about shows, seating charts, and recommendations, ensuring that you make the ideal choice for you and your family.

Last-Minute Tickets: For those spontaneous family outings, TodayTix specializes in offering last-minute ticket options through their Rush and Lottery programs, often at reduced prices, so you can experience great entertainment without breaking the bank.

Peace of Mind: Ticket Protection is an optional add-on that safeguards your purchase. If unexpected things come up, you can cancel your tickets up to 24 hours before the event and get a voucher covering the cost.

Customer Support: The dedicated customer support team at TodayTix is always on hand to ensure that your experience is as seamless as possible. If you ever have questions or require assistance, they are just an email or message away.

Give a gift that tix all the boxes this holiday season.

Create unforgettable memories with your family right here in LA through the magic of live entertainment. Whether it’s Broadway shows or holiday spectacles, TodayTix presents thoughtful gift ideas with endless possibilities for family fun.

Visit TodayTix.com or download the app today to begin planning your family’s holiday adventures. Plus, take $10 off your first purchase when you use the code LAPARENT23 (expires December 20, 2023). Be sure to follow TodayTix on Instagram (@todaytix) to stay up to date on the latest deals, special offers and news. With TodayTix as your guide, your family’s holiday season will be filled with extraordinary moments, shared laughter and treasured memories that will last a lifetime.

Make Screen Time Green Time with the SoCal Explorer

Published November 17, 2023

In response to the huge demand for free, fun and active outdoor experiences, the City of Los Angeles has partnered with parks and public spaces across Southern California to get people exploring, learning and having fun with their families. The SoCal Explorer Campaign uses Agents of Discovery®, an educational technology app that enables educators to create their own augmented reality games — think Pokémon GO for parks and education.

Bob Blumenfield, Councilmember of LA’s Third District, says, “As you explore, you’ll learn about local plant and bug life, wildfire prevention, conservation efforts and much more. Good luck with your Mission, and I hope to see you at Reseda Park.”

The SoCal Explorer Campaign will run until Dec. 18. Anyone can join in by downloading the free Agents of Discovery mobile app and completing “Missions,” or games at participating locations. To find the nearest location to you, click here. Each Mission has educational “Challenges” that teach players about local history, culture, ecosystems and safety. For example, at the City of Desert Hot Springs, players can learn about the history of different landmarks around the city. At Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, players can learn about Elasmobranchs, a class of animals that include sharks, skates and rays.

LA County also has many exciting Missions to play. Kim Bosell, Natural Areas Administrator for LA County Parks, says, “By using the Agents of Discovery app, you can use augmented reality to help you connect to local plants and wildlife, and to learn amazing facts about them.”

The Campaign has amazing prizes to reward players, or “Agents”. The grand prize this year is a GoPro Hero12 Black Action Camera! At each site, players receive a fun patch. Agents also receive a SoCal Explorer badge once they have completed three Missions, a SoCal Advanced Explorer badge upon completing six, and a Super SoCal Explorer badge after completing nine. On top of that, players who complete at least five Missions will be entered in a draw to win tickets to Bowers Museum, Joshua Tree National Park, Knott’s Berry Farm or Belmont Park; or a $25 gift card to Target, Disney and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Dalia (pictured above) won tickets to the Huntington Gardens in a previous SoCal Explorer Campaign. She earned the patches on her shirt by completing SoCal Explorer Missions.

The winner of the Apple Watch in 2021 said, “Over the past year, it’s been so important to me to stay healthy as well as getting out in nature. The SoCal Explorer Campaign allowed me to enjoy local spots and discover new sites! The games are family-friendly and fun, while allowing me to explore the wonders of nature. Thanks for this fun opportunity!”

The SoCal Explorer also features seasonal Missions! The City of LA created a Halloween Mission that was featured in October. The Mission was all about the creepy creatures that are associated with Halloween like spiders, moths, bats, rats, and more. The National Wild Turkey Federation also created a Thanksgiving Mission called “Threatened to Thriving” filled with fun facts about turkeys. This Mission is available from anywhere, just search “Threatened to Thriving” in the Agents of Discovery app to play this fun seasonal Mission!

To download the free Agents of Discovery app, go to Google Play or the App Store. Once downloaded, find the Missions you want to play, and download them before heading out. No data or WiFi is required to play a Mission once it has been downloaded

Eight books that will inspire your child to find bravery through adversity

Published November 8, 2023

Isabella Melendez

Staying true to yourself is a challenge many kids face going into the new school year, and while navigating this takes time, here are eight books that give insight into being brave in new experiences. Our picks for our Fall Book Round-Up show us that during adversity, there is beauty and strength in being fearless.

Brave Like a Buffalo

Written by Melissa Allan and illustrated by Jadyn Fischer-McNab

“Brave Like the Buffalo” is a children’s book with a message that will inspire all readers to face the storms in their lives with the help of their support systems and with a brave mindset. Baby buffalo is surprised and scared when a storm on the prairies passes through. Mama Buffalo puts on a brave face and demonstrates how to use courage and bravery to get through the literal and metaphorical storms we may face in life. This story uses a powerful animal, the buffalo, as a symbolic message and connection to Indigenous ways of knowing and being that helps to create a wonderful narrative rich with Indigenous ties and a heartwarming message around facing adversity. Ages 0-6.

Black Diamond Collection: Volume 1

Written by Isabel Cintra and illustrated by Zeka Cintra

Her latest book, “The Special Edition Hardcover Black Diamond Collection,” contains three charming tales (“The Princess and the Mirror,” “The Great Little Tailor” and “The Sweetest Lady Bug”) that explore the power of friendship, the importance of nurturing dreams and the magic of imagination. In “The Princess and the Mirror,” a kingdom’s obsession with beauty summons a wise fairy to restore balance, weaving a lesson on love and vanity. “The Great Little Tailor” spins a tale of adversity, resilience and hope set in a humble village, reminding us that optimism and courage can reshape destiny. “The Sweetest Ladybug” invites you to witness how Johana’s imaginative whims become a reality, painting a vibrant landscape of backyard mysteries. Ages 6-12

Princess Cupcake Jones and the New Baby Prince

Written by Ylleya Fields and Illustrated by Darrin Drda

If you’re in need of books to read to your oldest in preparation for a new baby, look no further. The latest installment of the “Princess Cupcake Jones” series follows Cupcake Jones on her journey to becoming a big sister. She is so excited about his arrival that a classmate tells her that babies are a bad idea! Cupcake is then determined to convince her parents that a new baby won’t work in their home. Author Ylleya Fields delivers a story to help children with the adjustment process that occurs when a new sibling comes along. In “The Princess and the Mirror,” a kingdom’s obsession with beauty summons a wise fairy to restore balance, weaving a lesson on love and vanity. “The Great Little Tailor” spins a tale of adversity, resilience, and hope set in a humble village, reminding us that optimism and courage can reshape destiny. “The Sweetest Ladybug” invites you to witness how Johana’s imaginative whims become a reality, painting a vibrant landscape of backyard mysteries. Embrace the charm and wisdom of these captivating fairy tales, offering a timeless exploration of universal truths. This collection is a must-have gem in every fairy tale lover’s library. Ages 0-6

Oh, Olive!

Written and illustrated by Lian Cho

Olive is an artist just like her parents—except instead of following in their prim and proper black-and-white footsteps, her canvases are smeared and splattered with vibrant colors. Presenting Olive Chen in “Oh, Olive!” The most magnificent and brilliant artist in the whole wide world! Her parents are also artists—serious artists—who paint prim, proper, perfect shapes. They know Olive has the talent to follow in their footsteps. But Olive likes to smear, splatter, splash, and even lick. With a brush in each hand, Olive cascades through town with her friends in tow, painting what she wants to, what she feels—until she reaches her parents’ pristine art museum. Ages 4-8

Let’s Share, Panda Bear

Written by Leslie Stratton and illustrated by Zuzana Svobdova

Have you ever wondered why panda bears are black-and-white? “Let’s Share, Panda Bear” is an enchanting tale, filled with friendship, sharing, and self-discovery, that celebrates the importance of spreading happiness everywhere you go. Take a journey to a world where pandas aren’t just black-and-white but come alive with hues of green, blue, and even purple! Panda Pete, an incredibly kind panda, discovers a magical way to share colors with his animal friends. As the forest transforms into a vibrant rainbow, each creature joyously embraces their unique shades. Yet, in a touching twist, Pete and Jack learn that being black-and-white has its own special magic. Young readers will be captivated by the delightful illustrations and the heartwarming message that true beauty lies in celebrating one’s authentic self and in sharing the colors of happiness with those around them. Ages 10+

The Hat Diaries

Written by Nadine Haruni

This imaginative, action-packed novel, “The Hat Diaries“, follows a teen struggling with loss, love, bullying, and loneliness. By day, 13-year-old Ryan Rigbee is the shaggy-haired loner getting bullied, still reeling from losing his dad. By night, it’s another story. He puts on magical hats that whisk him and his dog, Shadow, into adrenaline-rushing roles. The imaginary adventures he writes about in his diary transform him from an awkward teen into someone confident who can handle anything. Ryan’s mentor, Merl, helps him navigate clues that lead to startling discoveries, as the distinction between Ryan’s real life and exciting world of adventures becomes hard to discern. Ages 8-18

Warrior Girl

Written by Carmen Tafolla and illustrated by Jadyn Fisher-McNab

An insightful novel in verse about the joys and struggles of a Chicana girl who is a warrior for her name, her history, and her right to choose what she celebrates in life. Celina and her family are bilingual and follow both Mexican and American traditions. Celina revels in her Mexican heritage, but once she starts school, it feels like the world wants her to erase that part of her identity. Based on Carmen’s own experience as a San Antonio native, “Warrior Girl” brings both the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement of 2020 to the forefront of Celina Guerrera’s life. As a Chicana girl living in 2020, Celina learns to find herself through thought-provoking poetry sure to spark discussions on topics like racism, equality, cultural biases and social justice. Ages 10+

Iconic Composers, A Celebration of Music’s Extraordinary Composers

Written by Nicholas Csicsko and Emi Ferguson and illustrated by David Lee Csicsko

Bold, whimsical illustrations by David Lee Csicsko, along with concise, engaging bios by Nicholas Csicsko and Emi Ferguson, celebrate a diverse group of composers from the past 1000 years. Iconic composers feature historical giants of music like Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven alongside 20th-century composers such as Astor Piazzolla and Meredith Monk. Showcasing the true range of classical music history not typically acknowledged–exhibiting a wide number of genders, races and nationalities–“Iconic Composers” celebrates 50 composers who have influenced the field of music and collectively broadened its scope. Ages 8-12

Local Students Create a Supportive Space for Aspiring Writers

Published October 4, 2023

By Isabella Melendez

This summer, a group of California students between the ages of 14 and 17 gathered together to write and discuss poetry as part of the 2023 California State Summer School for the Arts program. These 11 artists felt so much passion for the literary work that they decided to create a safe space for other teen writers to showcase their work through a peer-writing group: The 309 Collective.

They young writers will host their first event this weekend with an open mic night open to the public. The collective meets up every Sunday for a Zoom meeting to write together, get feedback on what they are currently working on or have guest speakers.

Spearheading this movement is teen Bella Giammalvo, one of the visionary founders, emphasizing a collaborative spirit where every member plays a pivotal role. “We all want to publish our own work and support each other in our writing,” Giammalvo says.

Poet, author and Writ Large Press co-founder Chiwan Choi serves as the group’s advisor, supporting the students in any way they need, but makes a point to avoid hovering over the students’ endeavors. Choi, who is also a copy editor for L.A. Parent, speaks highly of his students. “My hope is that each of them publishes their own books,” he says. “I will be there to help in any way. The big exciting part is that you never know what teen will come to our open mic nights and become inspired to create a group at their school.”

This collective strives to help build strong communities of writers within L.A. beyond their individual educational institutions. Choi and Giammalvo both feel their virtual meetings are a perfect environment for teens to springboard their creative ideas individually and collectively.

The 309 Collective’s first event, “Next Line,” an open mic for teen writers and musicians, will take place 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8. The event will be held at Avenue 50 Studio 131 N. Avenue 50, Los Angeles.

For more information, visit the309collective.com/. The 309 Collective can be reached via email at the309collective@gmail.com or through social media @the309collective.

Parenting: Encouraging Children to Read and Fun Activities to Help Motivate Them!

Published October 1, 2023

Keira Pride
Manager of Library Services – Stratford School

“You are never alone when you are lost in the magic of a book.”
– Marie Lu, Author

A love of reading opens the door to adventures, learning new things and a whole host of key language skills such as speech development and vocabulary building. Spending time with books also creates special moments for you to bond with your child and enjoy each other’s company. . Recently we had the opportunity to discuss top tips on fostering a love of literature with Stratford’s Manager of Library Services, Keira Pride, and here are some excerpts from that conversation. .

1. How can parents encourage their kids to read? Children love to see their parents reading, and will imitate them. If they see Mom or Dad enjoying a great book as a part of their day, the children will want to read as well. So consider creating a reading nook in the house with fun pillows, lots of light, and a shelf full of books. Allow them to stay up fifteen minutes later, but only if they are reading. Small steps daily are how habits are created.

2. What qualities should someone look for when shopping for children’s books? First, bring your children to the bookstore or local library and ask for help. The trained experts there are full of ideas. Secondly, allow your child to look around at the library or store, ask questions, and read a few pages of several books. Plan to spend an hour leisurely browsing around. Lastly, when in doubt, go for a stretch towards a book that is a bit above your child’s reading level rather than below. That’s where you come in: be ready to answer questions about new words!

3. Are there any specific children’s books you recommend? I fill the libraries at Stratford School with lots of series, that way the students are always looking for the next book. Children love familiarity and repetition – the characters in the stories become their friends. Rick Riordan Presents series is one of my favorites. Great middle grade authors write these from underrepresented cultures and backgrounds, telling their own stories inspired by the mythology and folklore of their heritage. Aru Shah and the End of Time, by Roshani Chokshi, for example, is the first in a series of five middle grade fantasy books rooted in Hindu mythology. Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen, is my desert island book – if I was stranded on a deserted island, and could only bring one picture book, it would be this one. After reading it aloud over 50 times, it still makes me laugh, and I will never tire of the joy it brings to students of all ages. Sam and Dave are young boys out in the backyard with their dog, a canteen, and a few shovels, looking for “something spectacular.” No internet, no video games, no phones, nothing but the open sky and the earth below them. They find an adventure for themselves, and how they do that is magical.

Ms. Pride concludes with “while it is important for children to learn, try not to overthink the content of the books your children are reading. Any reading is good reading. A child with a book is improving not only their vocabulary and comprehension, but also exploring a new world. Concentration and attention span will improve because reading a book stimulates children’s brains in ways that are unique. And remember, if your child has chosen a book themselves, they are more likely to read it!”

Four Fun Activities To Further Motivate Your Children to Help Engage Reading!

Now let’s explore a captivating collection of activities that are sure to spark your child’s love for reading. From bookmarks to creating a character profile, these activities are sure to prepare your child for endless fun and learning!

1. Make a Bookmark – Making a special bookmark is a fun way to get children into the habit of reading more regularly. In this activity, children make their own bookmark based on their favorite book and include a drawing of their favorite scene. Include a space for them to write about their favorite character and include any new words they learned.

2. Create Their Own Story – This activity is creative and asks children to choose their favorite book and then use their imagination to write a short story about what happens next. They can place characters in a completely different story using their own creativity and send them off on a new, exciting adventure or decide to place them in the original story to explore what happens next? Writing stories help children explore their ideas, express their own creativity, and reinforce sentence structure, vocabulary, and grammar all at the same time!

3. Develop a Character Profile – Ask children to choose their favorite character and produce a poster of that character. Ask the child to draw a picture and write key details about their character including physical appearance and interests. This activity can be motivating for a child as they see their favorite character in a different context that can be both entertaining and engaging.

Making reading an enjoyable part of your child’s life starts with incorporating books into your daily routine. And part of learning to enjoy reading, is being around books at home. Try starting a book collection for your children and, if available, check with your local library for information on story time programs. These meet-ups can be a great way for children to enjoy books while being social with other children and families, and helps reinforce the wonderful, magical world of reading and the vast array of places it can take them!

If you are interested in learning more about Stratford School, or scheduling a personalized tour, visit us online at www.stratfordschools.com/tours.

We Love It

Published September 8, 2023

By Elena Epstein

Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst STEM Kit

Ignite curiosity and innovation in your young inventor. Features 50+ components and 10 engaging challenges. $65, ages 8-13, tinkeringlabs.com

The Star Jar

An interactive, multi-sensory reward jar. Affirm positive behavior or reinforce habits such as chores and nighttime routines. Includes 30 easy reward ideas that cultivate family connection. $35.99, ages 3-12, hellolittlehoney.com

Disney Doorables Academy Campus Crew Figure Pack

Open the composition book-inspired blind box to reveal the adorable figures — centered around fun school activities. $12.99, ages 5+, JustPlayProducts.com

Surprise Powerz Talking STEM Doll – Astro the Astronaut

A talking doll who is full of knowledge about planets, moons and stars. With 75+ phrases, sound effects and singalongs, Astro helps build STEM vocabulary and ignites imaginative play for budding young astronauts. $49.99, ages 2-5, surprisepowerz.com

PYXEL A Coder’s Best Friend

A pet that teaches coding. Kids can code their new friend to perform tricks, change colors, make and react to sounds and express emotions. $124.99, ages 8+, educationalinsights.com

Science Unlocked

An all-inclusive curriculum. Each kit contains everything you need to easily provide immersive science experiences to leverage natural curiosity. For homeschoolers and K-12 education. $29.99-$499.99, ages 5-18 years, homesciencetools.com

Wild Side Number Sense Cards

A versatile math tool for home or school. Includes more than 50 games and activities, as well as a set of 94 cards, all designed to boost math skills. $22.95, ages 4-15, wildsidenumberssensecards.com

My Fun Day

Helps little ones learn the months of the year, days of the week, the four seasons and how to tell time. Use the colorful wooden board and 13 activity disks to build awareness of key elements in our daily lives while strengthening fine-motor skills. $38, ages 3+, simplyfun.com

“Feeling All the Feelings Workbook: A Kids’ Guide to Exploring Emotions”

Offers 100+ engaging activities and practices designed to foster emotional awareness and help kids explore every feeling. A wonderful tool for parents and kids to begin important conversations. $16.95, ages 6-9, shambhala.com

Why Inclusion Matters Now More than Ever

Published September 1, 2023

Steps on how to advocate for your child with needs or differences.

By Michelle Massie

Kids are back in classrooms, so most parents are busy juggling supplies and schedules. But if your student has special needs or learning differences, the start of the school year can be a terrifying time, especially if your child is very young and just starting out. We are plagued by questions: Will the curriculum be adapted? Will they be able to make friends? Will they be safe?

The first step is to help create a school environment where all students can thrive together.

That may sound daunting, but there are so many more resources now than there were even 20 years ago! Let’s take a look…

Where Do I Start?

Your child’s teacher is always a great place to start. Many parents are worried about adding to the burden of our already over-worked educators, so they hesitate to meet with them. But you’ll find that most teachers really appreciate getting to know how best to help your child, especially since each person with a disability is so different. They need resources as much as we do, so let’s start the conversation! Here are some tips:

Start by asking the teacher how they like to run a typical day so that you can help them figure out the best way to integrate your child into the classroom routine.
Ask about what your school already has. Many campuses already have activities in place, such as buddy benches and programs that mainstream special day classes for part of the day.
Let your child’s teacher know that you’ll support them in whatever way you can. If you can volunteer in the classroom or provide supplies, that’s great. You can also ask to do a one-time talk to the whole class, keeping it simple and brief. When my son started pre-k, I simply explained that his body worked differently and that he needed a wheelchair to move around. Then I asked if there were any questions (this really helps to take the mystery out of things. When questions are answered, kids generally move on.) There were only a few, after which all of them accepted my son’s presence as perfectly normal.

How Can I Help?

Find out how to expand what’s already in place. This is where Inclusion Matters by Shane’s Inspiration really shines: this amazing resource is the go-to for creating a truly inclusive campus. It has classroom education programs, the best buddy playdates and beautiful, accessible playgrounds all over the world…many of them right here in Los Angeles (see inclusionmatters.org/playgrounds-list/). And I am here to tell you that Inclusion Matters Education Program, Together, We Are Able, is gold. Specialists come out and speak to general education classrooms before a field trip and answer questions. They then arrange transportation to one of their accessible playgrounds. Once there, typical kids are paired with buddies who have special needs and then…magic happens! Afterwards, the same specialist comes back to the classroom to talk to students who always say they had a great time and want to know when they can go back and play with their buddies again!

How Do I Get Everyone On Board?

It’s as easy as finding your peeps!

Special education teachers, general education teachers, resource specialists, OT/PT/speech staff and classroom aids can all be enlisted. (This is also a great way to build relationships outside of IEP meetings, which can sometimes be challenging.)
Rally other parents. This is your best bet for marketing your message to administration and staff. Presenting a kind, united front will facilitate getting programs like those from Inclusion Matters that will ultimately benefit allstudents. And don’t forget your PTA. Creating an inclusion committee is a great way to get everyone involved.

Make it Fun!

Check out My PlayClub events at Inclusion Matters playgrounds. It’s a great place to connect with other families like ours and they are a blast. There are crafts, face-painting stations, story time and lots of other inclusive activities.
Create inclusive recess events that parents can volunteer to run.
Plan an inclusive family movie night. Invite other classmates and parents, pop a big bucket of popcorn and enjoy the show!

And finally, this: Starting school can be scary. Will my child be accepted? Bullied? Left behind? Remember that building relationships is the key here because it normalizes diversity. When everyone is learning, working and growing together, it organically changes the narrative from separation to inclusion. Focusing on what we have in common — instead of on our differences — sends the clear message that school, and the greater community, is for all of us.

Michelle Massie is a mom, a writer and voice-over actor who lives in Los Angeles.

Connected: Parenting Tips to Help Strengthen Your Relationship with Your Child

Published September 1, 2023

By Jeanne Huybrechts, Chief Academic Officer at Stratford School

“Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, integrity and love, they think of you!”
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Author

Positive relationships between you and your child are built on quality time together. Time when you get to know about each other’s experiences, thoughts, feelings and changing interests.

Quality time can happen anytime and anywhere — in the middle of ordinary days and situations. It can be a shared laugh when you’re bathing your toddler or a good conversation in the car with your teenager. These moments give you the chance to communicate positive messages with smiles, laughter, eye contact, hugs and that special one-on-one interaction.

Researchers remind us that we need five positive interactions to every negative interaction to keep any relationship healthy. And since we spend so much time guiding — aka correcting, reminding and suggesting — it’s important to make sure we spend five times as much time in positive connection.

Given that parenting is the toughest job on earth — and we live in a world with incessant demands on our time and attention, after being separated all day — the only way to keep a strong bond with our children is to build in daily habits of connection. Here are five examples that won’t add time to your day yet does add connection. Simple, and incredibly powerful, these can help heal the distractions and disconnections of everyday life and using them daily can change everything.

1. Listen to your children. Really listen, especially when it’s your child who initiated the conversation. Extend conversations by saying, “tell me more” or asking follow-up questions. Give your full attention to your conversations with your child by putting down your cell phone when conversing or during family-time activities.

2. Don’t be afraid to “parent.” Children and adolescents of all ages need strong guidance and limits. There are times when it is appropriate to be your child’s friend but, for the most part, they need you to be the authority. They will feel loved and connected by feeling safe in your care.

3. Share your daily world. As appropriate, bring your child into your world, remembering that you are raising adults. If possible, occasionally take them to your work and/or give them grown-up responsibilities that connect them to your world.

4. Participate in their activities and play. Rather than watch your child play at the playground, join in the fun. Discover/cultivate fun activities that you can enjoy with your child. The goal should be to have a common hobby, something you enjoy doing together.

5. Remember, a child’s path to adulthood is seldom linear. Children and adolescents will regularly advance, then regress, then advance again in their development. They seldom advance to developmental milestones on time or without detours or bumps in the road. During these cycles, they will necessarily want more autonomy or perhaps need more structure. Learning to read your child is an acquired skill, yet it is definitely worth cultivating.

Although there’s no set formula for getting your parent-child relationship right, when we make it a priority and do the things that make children feel loved, we create an upward parenting spiral. When children feel loved, they feel happy and are more positive, more cooperative, more loving and more lovable. And when we build on warm, loving and responsive interactions, most of the time your child will feel loved, secured and connected.

If you are interested in learning more about Stratford School, or scheduling a personalized tour, visit us at www.stratfordschools.com/tours.

Planet Earth: Go-To Nature Books About Bugs, Birds and Animals Too!

Published July 31, 2023

*“I love all animals. I have a fascination with fish, birds, whales – sentient life – insects and reptiles.”*
***— Nicolas Cage***

No one can deny the enduring appeal of books that feature animals, whether tales of animals in the wild, animal heroics (think Togo the sled dog or Scarlett the cat), animal antics that make us laugh, or fictional animals that take on human characteristics – both good and bad.

Why is animal fiction so plentiful and popular? Neuroscientists suggest that our brains treat reading about an experience almost as if living the experience in real life. In children’s books, animal characters can portray a broader range of traits, both good and evil, than we would tolerate in stories about humans (think the “big bad wolf”). These portrayals allow the reader to process powerful emotions and to imagine how others process feelings and experiences. The stories can be scary, but ultimately the characters aren’t human and the story isn’t real. The power of the well-written allegory, whether featuring humans or animals, is to deliver difficult messages and complicated themes in easy-to-read stories.

So for all those children who are fascinated by bugs, birds, snakes and other animals, we’ve gathered up a great collection of books for animal lovers, inquiring minds or any child looking for a brave new world of discovery and learning.

Grades Kindergarten to Second
What’s Your Favorite Animal? by Eric Carle, various authors
Thirteen beloved authors and illustrators, including Jon Klassen, Lane Smith, Mo Willems and Rosemary Wells, collaborated with Eric Carle to draw their favorite animals and explain why they love them. This successful collection of old favorites and newer names is sure to keep youngsters engaged and may inspire them to write about and draw their favorite animals. At the end, the reader will find a childhood photo of each contributor with their pet, as well as information about their books.

Panda Kindergarten written by Joanne Ryder, illustrated by Katherine Feng
This beautiful book focuses on the care and learning opportunities that are given to new panda cubs at China’s Wolong Nature Preserve. Beginning with birth, the author describes how panda mothers care for their newborns and how the Preserve helps. Clear and detailed photographs are visual treats, giving readers a glimpse into the feeding and care of the young pandas. There’s a high cuteness factor as the adorable cubs play, sleep and interact with caregivers.

Grades Three to Four
Misty of Chincoteague (series) written by Marguerite Henry, illustrated by Dennis Wesley
Marguerite Henry wrote nearly 60 children’s books and stories based on real animals, but this Newbery Honor book is by far her most well-known. In the 1940s, she went to a Virginia island, where she learned all about the herd of wild ponies originating from a sunken Spanish galleon off the coast. Spending time on the island, getting to know the families and even bringing a Chincoteague Pony back to her home in Illinois to spend time with while writing were all part of the creation of this historical fiction series. This is a charming and memorable tale of a young boy and girl living in a much simpler time, whose hard work and patience paid off. Misty’s descendants still roam the beaches of Chincoteague, partly in thanks to this compelling novel.

I am Jane Goodal – Ordinary People Change the World (series), written by Brad Meltzer
This series was written for the author’s own children so that they could understand that the power to change the world is within them. The heroes are depicted as children throughout, telling their life stories in first-person present tense, which keeps the books playful and understandable to young children. This book has more than just the story of how Jane met the chimpanzees and changed the way scientists think about wildlife. It starts with her love of animals as a very young child. It will inspire the reader to believe that they too can overcome their fears and make a difference. This book has a beautiful message to children about accomplishing your dreams by being patient, working hard and knowing that each of us has an impact on the world.

Grades Five to Eight
Song for a Whale, written by Lynne Kelly
Twelve-year-old Iris, the only deaf student in her sixth-grade class, struggles to communicate with kids at school. She feels a strong connection with Blue 55, a lone whale that can’t communicate with others because its voice is on a different frequency. Iris becomes determined to compose a song for Blue 55 at his frequency and to play it for him in person. This story is great for anyone who loves animals or has struggled to fit in.

The One and Only Ivan written by Katherine Applegate
Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all. Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line. Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home — and his own art — through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better. If you like this Newbery Award winning book, try the sequel, The One and Only Bob.

Integrating books about nature can teach a child many important concepts, such as respect, caring for planet earth and the interrelationships among humans and the habitat. Children can learn how they affect the environment – and how the environment affects them. If you are interested in learning more about Stratford School, or scheduling a personalized tour, visit us online at www.stratfordschools.com/tours.

Local Teen Author Offers Lessons in Entrepreneurship

Published July 14, 2023

You’re never too young to make a big impact, and 13-year-old Alessandro Concas is living proof. Alessandro began charting his own path at just 8 years old when he released his first coloring book titled, “The A to Zs of Fighting Boredom.” Concas went on to author two more books, “Life of the Time Cat: Rise of Catastrophyre,” and “Life of the Time Cat: Warning of the Ultimate Element.”

Alessandro is the ultimate budding entrepreneur. He is the son of Oksana Kolesnikova, an award-winning pianist who dynamically transitioned to the CEO of three successful ventures. Born in 2009 and bred in a family of talented individuals, Alessandro’s own talent and extraordinary capabilities come as no surprise to his family. Alessandro’s first achievement was learning the alphabet backward at the age of 2, and within a span of 3 years he also started piano lessons under his mother’s mentorship.

Alessandro’s entrepreneurial path began at age 8 when he wrote his first book, The A to Zs of Fighting Boredom. As the title suggests, the book includes a variety of fun activities to keep children engaged and active. The book came about during a summer when Alessandro himself was quite bored. In his words, “One day, during a summer break, I found myself feeling quite bored and that’s when I came up with the idea of The A to Zs of Fighting Boredom. At first, my dad didn’t take me seriously, but when he saw all my notes and drawings for the cover, he believed me and decided to help me put it all together.”

Alessandro further added through this book, his aim to help children like him make their free time productive and fun, and to use the proceeds from the book to contribute to welfare organizations and fund his college education. The book was well received by the community, and that played a key part in his growth as he fell in love with entrepreneurship and decided to pursue it as his career.

Currently, Alessandro is a student at Rio Norte Junior High School in Valencia. Although his favorite subjects are science and math, he’s a straight-A student who has exceled in every subject. Still, Alessandro takes out time for his hobbies and extracurricular activities, namely mastering Italian and his business ventures. He recently worked with his mother’s company, Oksana Management Group, to spearhead an after-school enrichment program called “Financial Literacy for Children and Teens.” The program aims to empower the upcoming generation by teaching them the fundamentals of finance and entrepreneurship.

Alessandro is also working on one of his main projects, “Life of the Time Cat,” a series of sci-fi books featuring his real pet cat Bijou as the main character and source of inspiration. The young entrepreneur also has plans to turn this book series into a movie series one day. A skilled musician, he composed the soundtrack for the trailer of Life of The Time Cat book.

Parents and children are invited to meet Alessandro and attend a free book signing at the iconic Urth Caffe’ Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, Aug. 6 from 12-3 pm for an inspirational afternoon. Alessandro will talk about his three books and what it means to embrace an entrepreneurial mindset. For more information, visit AlessandroConcas.com

Love to Cruise for Good

Published June 1, 2023

Local staffing agency Recruiting for Good helps companies find talented professionals, generates proceeds to fund The Sweetest Gigs (work program for kids) and rewards referrals to companies hiring professional staff with cruise savings.

Love to save $2,500 or more on your next cruise?

Participate in Recruiting for Good’s referral program. Simply introduce Recruiting for Good to a company executive (CEO, CFO or VP HR) you personally know. When Recruiting for Good gets retained for a search, we help the company find a talented professional.

Recruiting for Good then earns a finder’s fee to fund Sweet Kid Programs and rewards a $2,500 Cruise (via a travel gift card). If Recruiting for Good gets retained again by company, the family that made the intro will earn a $500 cruise gift card for every future hire made.

“One more sweet benefit; families that successfully participate in our referral program; help their kids land gigs to earn travel!”

Carlos, Sweet Founder
Recruiting for Good & The Sweetest Gigs

Recruiting for Good created The Sweetest Gigs to prepare kids for life by creating a work program (creative gigs) that teaches sweet skills, success habits and positive values. Kids on The Sweetest Gigs quickly learn there are no free lunches in life. Anything worthwhile takes time and effort to earn. Kids raise their self-confidence and appreciate everything more — including themselves.

Kids who successfully complete gigs have positive work experiences that prepare them for tomorrow.

Love to Cruise for Good, join the club at www.Lov etoCruiseforGood.com

A Kid Again Coming to Los Angeles

Published June 1, 2023

Nonprofit helps kids with life-threatening conditions and their families find hope, happiness and healing through Adventures.

Kids with life-threatening conditions and their families face hard days — ongoing doctor appointments, therapies, surgeries, hospital visits, bills and the emotional toll of complex medical needs.

For these families, moments of joy and experiences that allow the whole family to feel “like a kid again” become incredibly important, and connecting with other families experiencing similar medical journeys is helpful.

That’s where A Kid Again comes in. The nonprofit serves nearly 13,000 families across the U.S., helping them have carefree fun and create meaningful moments through group activities called Adventures.

A Kid Again is thrilled to be expanding its programming into L.A. and throughout California, bringing fun-filled Adventures to families and kids facing challenging medical conditions and helping them build connections and community with other families going through similar medical journeys.

Whether it’s a day at the amusement park, museum, zoo or a sporting event, there’s always something to look forward to. Adventures are ongoing throughout the year, 100% planned and cost-free — relieving the burden for families. And A Kid Again is the only childhood-disease nonprofit that focuses on supporting whole families, including parents, siblings and caregivers.

A Kid Again serves families like that of 10-year-old Mariah Jade Gaytan, her parents and two older siblings, Joaquin (17) and Delilah (13). Mariah Jade was diagnosed with two rare genetic disorders, MCADD and Koolen-de Vries syndrome, and experiences epileptic seizures, nonverbal autism and hypotonia. The family lives in Pacoima and has been part of A Kid Again’s supportive community for nearly two years. We asked Jade’s parents, Carlos and Marissa, to share some thoughts on their daughter, and the role A Kid Again has played in their family’s life.

Tell us about Mariah Jade and her positive outlook on life.
Despite everything Mariah Jade has gone through medically, she loves life and always has a smile on her face. While Mariah Jade is nonverbal, she communicates in her own special way. Our family is incredibly close — we adore Mariah Jade, and everyone has come together to care for her.

Describe how A Kid Again has impacted your family.
When we first got involved with A Kid Again, we participated in Adventures-In-A-Box, which are designed for families that are not near an adventure venue and for kids who are unable to take part in in-person Adventures. These special activity kits, delivered to your doorstep, gave us everything we needed to make memories at home or at the hospital. When A Kid Again began offering in-person Adventures in California, our family quickly joined to participate in local activities.

Which A Kid Again Adventures are your favorite?
Our special needs daughter enjoyed a wonderful day exploring and learning at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Mariah Jade loved the whole experience, especially the dinosaurs. After everything she has been through, we’re glad to see her have some fun. We look forward to joining future Adventures!

Enroll Now: Upcoming A Kid Again California Adventures

Families of kids with life-threatening conditions are invited to enroll now to take advantage of A Kid Again’s upcoming free events this summer and fall throughout the Golden State. Visit www.akidagain.org to enroll and find more information about these events.

Rides & Slides Adventure at California’s Great America
Santa Clara, CA
August 3, 2023

Rides & Slides Adventure at Knott’s Berry Farm
Buena Park, CA
August 7, 2023

Monterey Bay Aquarium Adventure
Monterey, CA
October 8, 2023

In the US, 1.5 million children suffer from life-threatening and life-altering conditions like pediatric cancer, Cerebral Palsy, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, heart conditions, brain tumors and other serious health issues. A Kid Again has the goal of reaching every one of these youth and their families — and delivering much-needed hope, happiness, and healing. Now is the time to give illness a time out. Visit akidagain.org to learn more.

The Aquarium of the Pacific Celebrates 25 Years

Published May 31, 2023

As of this month, beloved Long Beach institution Aquarium of the Pacific is celebrating its 25th anniversary, having welcomed guests to its fantastic galleries and exhibits since 1998. To mark the occasion, new programming will run through 2023, including a second-floor ocean photography exhibit and events for all ages, plus the brand-new Southern California Gallery, which is set to debut on July 1.

_{PHOTO COURTESY AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC}

A visit to the aquarium is an incredible way to engage young children in ocean education and conservation. Guests see sea creatures up close, and may even touch some fauna in designated touch tanks. The aquarium is a vital community resource in this way — as parents, we understand that personal encounters and engagement with the ocean and its inhabitants increases the likelihood that we raise young people who will later advocate for the health welfare of the world’s oceans.

To gather more details about the anniversary and the aquarium as a whole, L.A. Parent chatted with Jennie Dean, vice president of education and conservation with Aquarium of the Pacific.

LAP: Tell us a bit about the So Cal Gallery — what can families expect to see here?

Jennie Dean: The Southern California Gallery will feature over ten exhibits, and more than three dozen species. Highlighted animals will include the California two-spot octopus, leopard and horn sharks, California scorpionfish, a moray eel, California spiny lobsters, Catalina goby, and California’s state marine fish — the Garibaldi.

_{PHOTO COURTESY AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC/ROBIN RIGGS}

What does the 25th anniversary mean to Aquarium team? What goals are they looking to next?

JD: We are like a family — there are volunteers and employees who have been here all 25 years. And as a nonprofit, we could not do what we do without volunteers. We would also not be here without the support of Long Beach. We look forward to our ongoing collaborations with the city and surrounding communities, and we hope we can continue to grow our family in the next 25 years and connect people with nature.

What are the aquarium’s most popular offerings for families? Or, what programs might get overlooked that you’d like families to remember?

JD: Our touch labs are among the favorites of our visiting families. We have four locations where guests can gently touch live animals. At our Coastal Corner, guests can experience the different textures found in the rocky intertidal zone, including sea stars and sea urchins. At our moon jelly touch lab, guests can touch the bell (or large circular top) of this species. At Shark Lagoon, you can touch tropical sharks. Finally, at Ray Pool on the California Terrace, you can feel the silky skin of bat rays.

The COVID-19 pandemic put our weekend family educational programs on hold, but we are pleased to bring them back starting in June. With “Big Fish, Little Fish,” parents experience the Aquarium with their children under the age of six by looking at animals and their adaptations. And with “Ocean Investigators,” kids 7 to 12 years old get a first glimpse into what it is like to be a marine biologist.

The Aquarium actively works to improve and protect our oceans. Can families participate in these efforts?

JD: There are several ways for families to get involved with our work. One way is through our Los Cerritos Wetlands Habitat Restoration events, held on the first Saturday of the month; families can remove invasive plants and trash and plant native plants in their place. This provides habitat for animals to return to. Another way you can participate is through our education programs; families can volunteer as a unit and interact with our guests at our touch labs and other stations across the Aquarium. Participating children must be age nine or older.

https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/los_cerritos_wetlands_habitat_restoration

What is the best way for young activists to help our oceans?

JD: The best way to help is to minimize your impact. This takes many forms: making sure your trash goes into the can, recycling, turning off the lights when a room is empty, and bringing your own refillable water bottle instead of buying a new, disposable one when you are out.

Tickets begin at $26.95 and children under age 3 are free.

Learn About Jean-Michel Basquiat With P.S. Arts

Published May 24, 2023

By Chelsee Lowe

American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat worked alongside the likes of Keith Haring and Andy Warhol in the 1970s and 1980s in New York. His artwork, categorized as neo-expressionism, is full of bold colors and symbolic, abstract images. Themes in his work skew mature — wealth and poverty, inner self and outer self, race and power — but the art certainly resonates with young art appreciators. In fact, Los Angeles non-profit P.S. Arts has teamed up with local exhibition “Jean-Michel Basquiat :King Pleasure” to host art events geared toward families.

_{Photo Courtesy of ‘Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure}‘

On the first Thursday of every month through October 15, P.S. Arts and the family of Jean-Michel Basquiat welcome guests to Family Arts Night, an evening of free educational programming inspired by Basquiat’s work and life. After viewing the exhibition, families are invited to explore, imagine, and create their own neo-expressionist artwork, from a Basquiat-inspired cityscape or skull self-portraits to contour drawings. All supplies are provided and guests need not have art experience to join the fun. Families can reserve their free workshop tickets in advance online; the first 100 guests will be admitted. The event will start at 6 p.m. (choose this time on the ticket sales site) and last approximately 45 minutes. Events will be led by a different teaching artist each month.

“P.S. Arts is pleased to be partnering with the ‘Jean-Michel Basquiat:King Pleasure’ exhibition to engage families and schools in hands-on, art-making workshops created specifically for the show,” a P.S. Arts representative shared. “Basquiat’s vibrant, expressive work has an uninhibited and spontaneous style, which encourages children to embrace their own creativity and express themselves freely. His use of personal symbols, words, and abstract figures provide inspiration for kids to explore new ways of representing their thoughts and emotions through a visual narrative.”

This event is set for June 1, July 6, August 3, September 7, and October 5.

The Genius of Play’s ‘Emotional Wellness Playbook’

Published May 2, 2023

By Nathan Corrál

One of the best things we can do for our kids is aid them in their development of emotional well-being. What better way to do that than through play?

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and organizations, companies and individuals everywhere are using this month to continue talking openly about the state of mental health. But when it comes to helping children, Talia Filippelli, founder of Starr Therapy in Hoboken, N.J., says we need not forget about play.

Filipelli is a leading mental health expert and winner of numerous “Top Kids Doc” awards, and she has partnered with The Genius of Play to create a new Emotional Wellness Playbook. The Genius of Play is: a non profit that provides families with the information need to make play an important part of their child’s day. This free resource provides parents and caregivers with screen-free, play-based activities that were designed to help children develop emotional intelligence and to learn how to express their emotions in a healthy way.

Filippelli has worked with The Genius of Play for several years, contributing expert articles that offer parents free resources on a variety of subject matters. At the end of last year, the organization asked Filippelli to create a playbook with a list of concrete activities for parents to use as a resource to engage with their kids in ways that are creative as well as collaborative. In the process of putting together the playbook, Filippelli examined each activity via a lens of what emotional health benefits could develop as a result of play. Play is so much more than just quality time with your kids, she says. It is also an opportunity to help them grow emotionally. “We like to look at play as an opportunity to build emotional wellness skills in children,” she says.

What is great about the Emotional Wellness Playbook is how open-ended it is. Collaborative play is at the center of each activity, so the activities in the playbook can be between a parent and a child, a caregiver and a child or even multiple children. The emotional health benefits remain the same regardless of who engages in the activities. No specific family dynamic was targeted, so the playbook is accessible for all family types. There are even solo activities for kids, such as word searches and coloring pages.

The activities in the playbook are meant to inspire parents to connect and bond with their kids. With the numerous long-term benefits that come from the playbook, a prominent one is normalizing the discussion of emotions with parents and their children.

Talia Filippelli, LCSW, CHHC, CPT, is the founder of Starr Therapy. Visit thegeniusofplay.org for play ideas, expert advice and more play-inspired resources for families and educators.

Response: Strategies for Effective Parent-Teacher Conferences

Published May 1, 2023

“Children are the Priority. Change is the Reality. Collaboration is the Strategy.” – Judith Billings, former Washington State Superintendent for Public Instruction.

Parent-teacher conferences can be stressful, which is why planning ahead can make the most out of your brief one-on-one face time with your child’s teacher. The relationship formed with a child’s family is often impacted by how well the parent-teacher conference is conducted and how productive the conference is in helping your child succeed. With that in mind, we consulted with several of our Stratford School experts to help develop tips to ensure a successful parent-teacher conference.

Do Your Homework
Preparation is vital to conducting a successful parent-teacher conference. Taking time to make note of what you want to discuss in the conference is paramount. According to Loren Gustafson, math and history teacher at Stratford Middle School in San Jose, “Understand that our time is limited. When you come with questions already prepared that shows you have thought about the purpose of the conference. Preparing questions beforehand allows us to focus on specifics rather than simply exchanging pleasantries without a specific goal in mind.”

Additional advice comes from Mary “Kate” Kiely, second grade teacher at Stratford’s Sunnyvale campus: “I love when parents bring questions because it shows that we are building a partnership for their child’s education and also helps the meeting feel comfortable. As teachers, we can speak to the areas of growth we see and often they are similar or related to challenges parents might be seeing at home. It allows us to strengthen our relationship with their child and celebrate their achievements.”

Accentuate the Positive with a Cooperative Team Effort
Parents are often anxious about what teachers will say regarding their child, so a conference should be started with positive comments according to Emily Ersboll, first grade teacher at Stratford’s Online Academy (Grades K-5). “Parent-teacher conferences are especially important to create connections between a student’s home and school life. Parents should come prepared with observations from their point of view at home,” she says. “Think about how they handle homework, how they interact with other kids (during playdates, extracurricular activities, etc.), how the child reacts when their behavior is redirected at home. These can be clues as to how the child behaves at school, too. If you feel concerned about behaviors at home, they may be having the same issues at school and it would be beneficial to work with your child’s teacher to come up with a plan to support your child together.”

Gustafson adds, “Your child is the light of your life, and many times they are perfect in your eyes. Yet as a teacher, I am looking through the lens of academic growth and sometimes we may see a different side of your child. Our expectations in this context may just be different than yours.”

Be Prepared to Discuss Your Child’s Strengths, Behavior and Performance
Make use of the conference to identify and discuss the areas that need to be addressed. According to Kiely, “I think it is really important, on both fronts, to come with an open mind. Behaviors in school and at home can be similar or very different. I have had parents shocked when I tell them what a social butterfly their child is because at home it is the opposite or vice versa. It is great though to hear because if, in this case, they are not opening up at home and the parent is asking for tips, you can open the door more to the conversation of what you as a teacher have been implementing in your classroom or suggest other ways to help support your child. This goes for any area of growth. With an open mind, it is important to note that both teacher and parent want what is best for your child.”

This is further emphasized by Ersboll, who says, “Come to the meeting with an open and honest mind. We are both here because we care about your child and want what is best for them. It makes it easier for teachers if we can have the whole picture of who your child is and what we can do to accommodate the best support for your child. “

Plan a Follow-up Conference
Parent-teacher conferences are most effective if they’re not a one-off event and instead are part of the larger relationship with parents. As Gustafson comments, “Parents looking for long-term academic and personal growth, and not just aiming for a targeted grade, are a joy to work with every time.”

Adding to that, Ersboll concludes, “Every child is different and teachers are always trying their best to support each individual student’s needs, so if you have suggestions, we’re open, listening and would love to hear them!”

While parent-teacher conferences are not the only forum for parents to get involved in their child’s education, and for teachers to get a greater insight into their students, these interactions are an important first step. So make a game plan to maximize your next parent-teacher conference time, and continue to build this essential relationship that will ultimately have the greatest positive impact on your child’s success now and in the future.If you are interested in learning more about Stratford School, or scheduling a personalized tour, visit us online at www.stratfordschools.com.

Spring Family Screenings and Workshops at the Academy Museum

Published March 31, 2023

*Stories of Cinema*, Animation gallery. Photo by Joshua White/JW Pictures. ©Academy Museum Foundation

You may be familiar with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and its outstanding galleries, exhibitions and phenomenal film series. But you might not realize it’s a destination for the whole family — with programming for all ages.

For starters, general admission to the museum is always free for children ages 17 and under. That means entry to the galleries, drop-in workshops and drop-in tours for your kids are all free! Complimentary museum admission is also offered to EBT cardholders. Additional tickets are required for film screenings and special programs.

No trip to the museum is complete without a visit to Inventing Worlds and Characters on the third floor, with galleries dedicated to Animation, Effects and Encounters. You can either start your trip here or make it your destination — you might not be able to soak it all up in one trip. Here you’ll find a focus on animation, special and visual effects, and genre films of science fiction, fantasy and horror.

The Animation gallery has been recently updated, with new concept art, maquettes, puppets, costumes, miniature models, animatronics and more on display. Here you’ll find original Mary Blair illustrations for Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Peter Pan (1953), alongside cel setups for films including Kiki’s Delivery Service(1989) or stop-motion puppets from Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005) and Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) next to concept art from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018).

The Effects gallery offers visitors a chance to learn about landmark innovations in special effects throughout movie history and explore mechanical, optical and digital effects on display, like the miniature aluminum T. Rex input device used for Jurassic Park (1993).

If you visit on a Friday afternoon between 1 and 3 pm, you can drop in for a free tour led by museum educators. In April, our Drop-In Tours will focus on the Encounters gallery, exploring movie monsters, costumes, props, and more. These conversations will cover unique themes and designs, elements of the moviemaking process, and ground-breaking characters and creators. Visitors will venture into the depths with the Amphibian Man, fight back against the Empire with R2-D2 and C-3PO, and journey through sci-fi history with Ben Burt’s Behold installation. Meet educators in Stories of Cinema, on Level 3 in the Rolex Gallery.

Hands-On Workshops

The museum also hosts Drop-In Workshops for Families year-round. On the first three Saturdays of every month, you and the family can drop in for a midday workshop (designed for families with children ages 2 and up) themed around an exhibition, program or film screening. Past workshops saw families design their own cinematic costumes and production design, make their own 3D glasses or zoetropes, and learn about stop-motion with LAIKA animators.

The museum hosts a monthly Drop-In Workshops for Teens as well. On the third Friday of every month, teens ages 14 and up can learn about career paths in film, create film-related art and have hands-on experience in animation, special effects and more. All of our workshops are tied to exciting exhibitions and programs at the museum, so check our calendar for what’s coming up this spring.

Family Matinees Every Saturday

But that’s not all. There’s even more to do on Saturdays with our ongoing Family Matinees film series. Every Saturday at 11 am, a G- or PG-rated film shows as part of a monthly theme. These screenings require tickets, but entry is only $5 and includes access to the post screening Drop-In Workshop at 12:30 pm.

This April, the museum is celebrating Earth Day with environmentally focused films, including Microcosmos (1996), The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002) and Pixar’s WALL-E (2008). May is Jewish American Heritage month, and we’re screening classics and rarities that depict Jewish life onscreen with care and affection. Bring the whole family to Hand in Hand (1961), Fiddler on the Roof (1971) and An American Tail (1986).

On the last Saturday of every month, experience Calm Mornings, when the galleries open early at 9 am with sound and lighting adjustments for a more sensory-friendly viewing experience — a great chance for visitors who are neurodivergent to experience the museum. The Family Matinee movie on Calm Mornings is an accommodative screening where we offer open captioning, keep the theater dimly lit and maintain a lower volume. Our next two Calm Morning matinees will be The Lego Movie (2014) on April 29 and Muppets Most Wanted (2014) on May 27. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the creativity behind movie magic in our galleries, catch an old favorite or contemporary classic at the theater or experience a hands-on workshop with your little ones, there’s something for everyone at the Academy Museum. We’re constantly updating our calendars with new programs, exhibition updates and learning opportunities. Plan your visit today at Academymuseum.org/Fun-For-Families.

Let’s Read: Excellent Texts for Kids and Parents

Published March 20, 2023

By Elena Epstein

Our NAPPA Awards team loves celebrating great reads. Check out our latest NAPPA Award winning books for all ages.

Babies & Toddlers

**Baby Ballers: Venus and Serena Williams**
Before they were serving up grand slam victories, Venus and Serena Williams were just two sisters growing up in Compton. Enjoy this inspiring story that tells how the sister went from learning tennis with their dad to winning Wimbledon. $7.99, ages birth to 2, silverdolphinbooks.com

**Farm Animals**
Bond with baby and build emotional security with a cozy reading ritual. This board book with whimsical illustrations introduces kids to the fun world of barnyard friends. Includes interactive features. $17.95, ages 6 months to 3, lilbigworld.com

**Messy Time**
This book shows joyful, messy play in different environments: in the kitchen, in the garden and in the bathtub. It is messy play (think mud, sand and water) that provides children with rich sensory experiences and unstructured play. At the back of the book, a section for parents and caregivers has tips for making the most of messy play, including clean-up time. $8.99, ages 1 to 5, freespirit.com

**Sing A Song of Kindness**
Rediscover your favorite nursery rhymes, adapted to celebrate kindness, friendship and compassion. This beautifully illustrated collection comes with the touching message that a little kindness makes the world a better place. $9.99, for ages birth and up, silverdolphinbooks.com

**Try-Again Time**
Helps young children develop a growth mindset, learn how to persevere and practice self-regulation skills. The back of the book provides active suggestions for adults to manage try-again time together. $8.99, ages 2 and up, freespirit.com

Preschool & Early Elementary

**The Hero of Compassion: How Lokeshvara Got One Thousand Arms**
A retelling of a classic Buddhist tale of compassion and resilience that teaches that even when we feel overwhelmed by the suffering we see in the world, we can still find creative ways to help those around us. $18.95, ages 4 to 8, shambhala.com

**The Moon is Broken**
A lyrical bedtime story that explores the power of imagination and friendship while teaching children about the phases of the moon. $9.99, ages 2 to 5, amazon.com

**We Listen to Our Bodies**
Gives children a vocabulary to understand and communicate their feelings, develop personal boundaries and build their social and emotional skills. $15.99, ages 3 to 5, freespirit.com

Teens & Tweens

**You Got a Phone! (Now Read This Book)**
Features a humorous yet supportive tone and hilarious illustrations that draw readers in and keep them engaged. Provides important information on cyber bullying and the hazards of too much screen time. $10.99, for tweens, freespirit.com

**Slaying Digital Dragons**
With a frank and humorous approach to a timely topic, this book pulls back the curtain on the hidden aspects of the digital world. It shares how screen time can affect the lives of young adults and gives tips for protecting their privacy, safety and reputation on social media. $24.99, ages 10 to 18, freespirit.com

**My Little Pony: Virtual Magic**
Ever wondered what it would be like to visit modern-day Equestria? This 18-chapter extended reality (XR) adventure will take you deep inside — with the exclusive prequel content of Izzy’s backstory. $39.99, ages 7 to 11, quantumstorey.com

Parents

**Work, Parent, Thrive**
Ditch guilt and manage overwhelm with these science-backed strategies. The friendly and supportive tips and anecdotes are designed to give working parents the tools they need to better manage daily challenges and to focus more on the joy. $19.95, shambhala.com

NAPPA Awards has been celebrating the best in family products for 33 years. For more product reviews and gift ideas, visit nappaawards.com

Wayfinder Provides a Special Place for Education

Published March 15, 2023

Before 16-year-old Elaine was enrolled in Wayfinder’s Special Education School four years ago, her mother Yaheni described her daughter in one word: frustrated.

“She didn’t want to go to school or get out of the bed and go on the bus,” Yaheni recalls. “Since attending Wayfinder, I’ve seen such a drastic change in Elaine — she’s very happy and wants to attend school each and every day.”

Elaine’s passion for school isn’t the only thing that’s changed. Her behavior is better overall, and she also began to use her utensils after starting school, according to her mother.

“She listens better than she used to and no longer walks away like before,” Yaheni says. “Now she’s always laughing and having a good time.”

Through individualized instruction, Wayfinder’s Special Education School provides students, many of whom have multiple, profound disabilities, with the education, counseling and resources needed to achieve greater independence.

Since Wayfinder’s Special Education School limits classes to 12 students with a 1:2 staff-to-student ratio (and 1:1 ratio if needed), students like Elaine are able to thrive.

As an infant, Elaine was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus, also known as fluid on the brain, and damage to her optic nerves, which affects her vision. She has a history of seizures and severe cognitive disabilities, but she doesn’t let that stop her from being a social, friendly and cheerful young woman.

“Elaine initiates conversations with everyone who walks in the classroom,” reports Sheila Thomas, Elaine’s teacher for the last two years. “No matter what task she’s working on, she raises her right hand to wave, saying ‘hi’ over and over. She will say ‘bye’ when she sees the person walk toward the door.”

At school, Elaine completes a variety of tasks and activities such as preparing snacks, self-feeding, playing games with friends, and cleaning up. Elaine and her classmates also take community walks, go on outings, play games, cook and have fun together.

Elaine especially enjoys playing cause and effects games with other students and loves toys with music, lights and movement.

Whether participating in circle time, singing songs with her classmates or listening to music, Elaine finds joy. “She will sing each word in her own tune and dance like no one else is watching — I love that about her,” Sheila adds.

Elaine recently celebrated her 16th birthday at Wayfinder’s Special Education School. She wore a pretty dress and had her hair styled for the occasion. Her classmates sang “Happy Birthday” at school, and everyone enjoyed dessert provided by Elaine’s parents.

“She clapped and smiled with delight,” Sheila recalls. “Elaine loves to interact with her peers, staff and familiar people.”

After working with Elaine for two years, Sheila is able to communicate one-on-one, using short sentences. Elaine, who also uses gestures to interact, is able to follow simple commands like “let’s go” and “hang up your backpack.”

Elaine says words such as “good girl,” “mama” and “alright” and understands more than she can express, according to her teacher.

While she continues to thrive at Wayfinder’s Special Education School, Yaheni and Sheila have thought about Elaine’s future. Her mother would like to see Elaine be more independent after graduation and Sheila is confident that Elaine is on that path.

Learn more about Wayfinder’s Special Education School here.

The Secret of My Success

Published March 6, 2023

Victoria Hunter’s passion for fashion and her open mindedness is what fuels her success.

The best students are those who understand what it’s like to be a teacher. And the best teachers are those who understand what it’s like to be a student. Fashion teacher Victoria Hunter fits into both of these categories. Former student turned educator, Victoria’s talent is connecting with her students and understanding what they are going through.

Her reward is that she loves what she is doing, which is evident through her actions. She is on the path she was meant to find and excels at her job. Victoria exemplifies what it means to have a passion for fashion.

Victoria’s interest in the fashion field started when she was young. Growing up in England, she would shop with her mom but rarely found exactly what she wanted. The idea she was envisioning in her head was never in the stores. Her grandmother was a seamstress and teacher who could look at someone and make a paper pattern that would fit them. She even made Victoria’s wedding dress!

However, this family link was not what inspired her to be a teacher or even go into fashion. In fact, Victoria wasn’t even sure she wanted to pursue a fashion career until her late 30s, which is when she started attending FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) in Los Angeles. She loved being in fashion school and exceled at her projects. When other students asked for assistance or inspiration, Victoria was always there to lend a helping hand. She saw where her classmates would lose points on their assignments, and realized that other people understood and benefited from the process she used instead of the lack of structure with the materials provided. Victoria said that her helping her peers “prompted me to write a fashion textbook, which led to my position as a teacher.”

Now that Victoria is in her fashion teacher career, she helps her students figure out what drives them, and reminds them that not all of their ideas will pan out. Designers who expect perfection the first time are those who get stuck. This is a lesson Victoria has learned and thus can teach it first-hand. Having experience with fashion design has trained Victoria’s mind to love her bad ideas and to ignore the negative thoughts she may have during the process. She allows the ideas to sit in the back of her mind and gives them time to “do its magic.”

Victoria also lets students choose the direction they want to follow while designing. She supplies them with concepts and blueprints for framework, but ultimately lets them find their own methods and processes. She loves working with those who have a relaxed and open mind, but also appreciates those who pay attention to detail. On the other hand, she finds the most difficult students to be those in panic mode who are stressed out and make little mistakes. She finds it challenging to enforce rules and deadlines that will limit the students reaching their full potential.

With that in mind, Victoria knows she has to be fair and firm, so doesn’t offer project extensions. If Victoria could change anything in the fashion field, she would want it to be kinder those new to the field. She believes that the industry needs to consolidate and collaborate in order to make this
happen.

Victoria says that her fundamental principles of style have changed little over the years. She has become more connected to the current trends in fashion, but doesn’t want to be totally influenced by them or another designer’s work. She believes as long as she stays true to herself and her style that she will be successful.

That said, Victoria still has icons whose work she admires. This season she loves the work of Alexander McQueen, AMBUSH, R13, Laquan Smith and others. She takes inspiration from many of their pieces. Victoria is very excited to see styles from the past being reinterpreted today. She likes and finds creativity in most of the previous eras (except the 1970s J). The perfect designing recipe for her is a combination of so many elements – 50% quirky, 40% utilitarian and 10% of something new and trendy.

All in all, Victoria Hunter was born for the fashion field. From being named Fashion Design Student of the Year in school to being a published author, a teacher at FIDM to now creating and teaching courses at Design Your Line Fashion Lab, she has always known what to do and how to help others. Victoria continues to stay in this field because of how rewarding it is, knowing that she has helped a student land a job in the fashion world. She also loves knowing that she is able to help students comprehend new concepts that were once a struggle. Victoria does what she loves and loves what she does. She is clearly passionate about everything fashion!

Find out more about Victoria at Design Your Line Fashion Lab through her book Ultimate Fashion Study Guide-The Design Process or on her Instagram @designyourlinefashionlab.

About Sweet Fashion Interview
BooksandLooks is a 13-year-old Creative, N.J., phenom who has been working on The Sweetest Gigs (kids work program created by staffing agency, Recruiting for Good) for the last two years. She is currently leading creative writing gig; Fashion Loves Freedom (she reviews fashion, and writes sweet fashion interviews). Starting in 2023, Recruiting for Good will start funding 2024 Kids Design Tomorrow scholarships to offset the cost of hiring Victoria Hunter.

Explore Summer Reading with These 5 Top Picks!

Published March 1, 2023

“One benefit of summer was that each day we had more light to read by.”
– Jeannette Walls, Author & Journalist

We know summertime can provide opportunities for kids to accelerate reading and experience the social-emotional impact of good literature and stories. Research has shown that in a typical year, summer reading supports skill gains, and its absence leads to widening skill gaps. In addition, reading helps children discover new favorite books, explore different genres to discover what kinds of books they like to read while staying on track for the next school year.

The selection of books we have curated is intentionally different from books children might read during the school year. Some are fanciful or fantasy (dogs that accompany their kid-owners to school, for example), most have pictures (illustrations and infographics, or graphic novels); and most can be read in short bursts, for example in the car or during 30-minute reading bursts – which work especially well in building capacity in reluctant readers.

Grades K-2
The Rock from the Sky written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
A beautiful work of art with a hilarious story to go with it by Caldecott winner Jon Klassen. This picture book will be read and re-read by your family, and each time the thoughts and discussion around the story will be different. Turtle and Armadillo leave one stone unturned when it falls from the sky, right in Turtle’s favorite hangout spot. It’s a good thing he meandered out of the way in time! This inspires their simple chats about the ever-changing landscape, including the potential ominous cryptid creatures that might make their way into their environment. It’s not really possible to perfectly sum up a Klassen book – it’s something one needs to experience to fully appreciate.

Wild Symphony written by Dan Brown, illustrated by Susan Batori
Davinci Code author Dan Brown brings us a book that has a code to crack throughout. Children and adults can enjoy this as a traditional read-along, or can choose to listen to original musical compositions as they read – one for each animal – with a free interactive smartphone app. This book brings music, animals, instruments and word searches together.

Grades 3-4
Scientists Get Dressed written by Deborah Lee Rose
Have you ever wondered what kinds of clothing and personal equipment are needed for a volcanologist or a glaciologist? Eighteen different people are introduced with the gear they need to collect data for their scientific studies and protect themselves. In addition to briefly describing what they actually do as scientists, there are lots of facts about the sorts of things they research. Colorful and packed with photographs, the book uses two fonts and types of information, one for younger readers and one with more information for older readers.

Two Dogs in a Trenchcoat (series) written by Julie Falatko
Hilarious stories about dogs that wear clothes so they can attend school with their owners. Dog antics and adventures include starting a school club, going on a class trip, and even participating in a school play.

Grades 5-8
Me and the World: An Infographic Exploration written by Mireia Trius, Illustrated by Joana Casals
This fascinating book pairs visual literacy with data literacy, using colorful illustrations and infographics to present information in a way young readers will understand. The infographics focus on personal things like family structure, most popular names, living spaces and breakfast foods in different places in our world. It also looks more broadly at things like world population, city populations, traffic in cities, schools and homework. There are more lighthearted infographics too, like most popular dog breeds, summer vacations, sports and birthdays. The author found a way to make data and statistics fun!

Whenever and wherever, reading can be an amazing activity to have some fun and bond with your child this summer. Bring some summer-themed books with you to the beach or to the pool, cuddle up at home when it’s too hot outside, or explore with them in a favorite backyard hideout to jumpstart your summer reading adventure!If you are interested in learning more about Stratford School, or scheduling a personalized tour, visit us online at www.stratfordschools.com.

Brain Power: Benefits of Learning a Second Language at an Early Age

Published February 6, 2023

Development of memory, better concentration and focus, faster adaptation, are among the many reasons why teaching your child a second language can help boost their brain development.

Did you know that approximately 60-75% of the world population can speak at least two languages? In fact, studies have shown that knowing two or three languages is beneficial at any age, yet many people have the same question – why should a young child learn a second language while they are focused on learning their primary one? It seems like this would be learning overload at a time when they are also learning how to be friends, count, play and so much more. However, this is a time in our lives when acquiring a second language comes naturally.

In fact, between the ages of 0-3, the brains of children are uniquely suited to learn a second language as the brain is in its most flexible stage. Bilingually exposed infants excelled in detecting a switch in language as early as six months old. They can learn a second language as easy as they learn to walk and grasp their primary language. According to a recent census report, 27% of children under the age of 6 are now learning a language other thanEnglish, and that learning a second language does not negatively impact the child’s native one.

As adults, we have to consider grammar rules and practice, however young children absorb sounds, structures, intonation patterns and the rules of a second language very easily. Up until the age of 8, young learners benefit from flexible ear and speech muscles that can detect differences between the sounds of a second language.

While it may be easier for young children to pick up a second language, there are benefits for adults as well. Researchers found that young adults who knew two languages performed better on attention tests and had better concentration compared to those who only spoke one language. This is largely because of the workout our brain receives while switching back and forth between one language and another when deciding how to communicate. It allows us to focus better during a lecture and retain relevant information.

With this in mind, we consulted Stratford School’s Bilingual Mandarin teachers from our San Francisco campus to help understand the advantages of a bilingual preschool, why it is beneficial for children and the questions to ask when selecting a bilingual school for your child.

Understanding What a Bilingual Preschool Is

According to Amy Yu, Preschool Bilingual Mandarin Teacher. “An early learning bilingual program supports the language-sensitive period that ranges from infancy to age 7. The most widely known model of bilingual education is the development bilingual model, in which there is a 50/50 balance between teaching the two languages. Based on decades of research, we know multilingual children gain a cognitive, academic and social edge in school and beyond. In addition, children gain cultural competence that nurtures their ability to understand, appreciate and interact with people from cultures different from their own.”

Additional advice comes from Kuen “Rita” Hung Fong, Pre-Kindergarten Bilingual Mandarin Teacher. “A bilingual language program is a place for children to learn a new language naturally and comfortably within a practical environment,” she says. “Children can learn to speak Mandarin (or another language) through playing different activities, singing songs and engaging with others.”

Questions to Ask When Selecting a Bilingual School

How do you pick the best school for your child? As you go through the process of choosing a school, remember that you are looking for a school that will make the educational experience for your child and you as rewarding as possible. According to Janet Wong, Pre-Kindergarten Bilingual Mandarin teacher, “When selecting a bilingual program for your child, consider asking some of these questions:

What percentage of time will my child engage in each of the languages?
What is your teaching model? One teacher, two teachers?
What training do teachers receive for teaching in a bilingual classroom?
Are the teachers certified in teaching bilingual languages?
How will my child be supported individually as they learn a new language?
In which ways do you develop cultural competencies?
What are some of the learning goals for my child this year?
How can we support at home? What is our role in supporting both languages?

Ideally, the school should have a clear mission and vision for its bilingual program. Like any school decision, families should feel welcomed, respected and cared for as they decide if a bilingual program is a good fit for their child and for the family.

Learning two languages will not confuse or distract your child. Remember, their brains are flexible and the skills that develop beyond learning a second language are immeasurable. Bilingual children learn that an object stays the same even though the object has a different name in a different language. Studies have also shown that foreign-language learning increases critical thinking skills, creativity and flexibility of mind.

Learn more about Stratford School and our Mandarin Bilingual programs at www.stratfordschools.com.

Launching The Recruiting Co+Op to Help Families Offset The Cost of Private Tutoring, Summer Camp and Travel

Published January 20, 2023

Who We Are…

Recruiting for Good is a purpose-driven staffing agency delivering sweet employment solutions by helping companies find talented professionals — and generating proceeds to make a positive impact.

We’re celebrating our 25-year anniversary by launching The Recruiting Co+Op. Families that successfully participate in Recruiting for Good’s referral program can earn up to $5,000 or more every year. Recruiting for Good generates proceeds by delivering staffing services to companies referred by members.

How to Does The Recruiting Co-Op Work?

Co+Op member introduces a company hiring professional staff to Recruiting for Good.
Every time Recruiting for Good helps company (referred) find a professional; and earns a finder’s fee (Co+Op Member earns 5% of proceeds earned, on average $1,000).
Refer a second company and earn 10% of proceeds from staffing placements made (from both the first and second company referred).

“We’re grateful to use recruiting for good; and reward our Co+Op Members for GOOD!”

— Carlos, Sweet Founder Recruiting for Good

How to Join The Recruiting Co+Op

Email Sara@RecruitingforGood.com and include your telephone number to schedule a time to speak with Carlos Cymerman, Founder of Recruiting for Good.

We’re Limiting Co+Op Membership to Maximize Earnings for Members

Looking to Land a Sweet Job? Join The Club!

Since 1998, Recruiting for Good has been helping talented accounting/finance, engineering, information technology and marketing professionals land sweet jobs. Send us your resume and let us represent you today. Email Sara@RecruitingforGood.com to learn more about us or visit RecruitingforGood.com.

Make Screen Time Green Time with the SoCal Explorer

Published January 13, 2023

The SoCal Explorer 4.0 Campaign ran from September 23rd to December 18th, 2022, and will continue to run annually. Anyone can join in by downloading the free Agents of Discovery app and completing “Missions” or games at participating locations. To find the nearest location to you, click here. Each Mission has educational “Challenges” that teach players about local history, culture, ecosystems and safety. For example, at Griffith Park, players can learn about the history of Los Angeles and the plants and animals that live in the park. At Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, players can learn about Elasmobranchs, a class of animals that include sharks, skates and rays.

The campaign has amazing prizes to reward players, or “Agents”. At each site, players receive a fun patch featuring the avatar for that Mission. Agents also receive a SoCal Explorer badge once they have completed three Missions: A SoCal Advanced Explorer badge upon completing six, and a Super SoCal Explorer badge after completing nine. On top of that, players who complete at least five Missions will be entered in a draw to win a $25 gift card to Disney, Target or AMC and tickets to Travel Town train rides from Griffith Park Train Rides. The grand prize is an Apple Watch SE!

Dalia (pictured above) won tickets to the Huntington Gardens in last year’s SoCal Explorer Campaign. She earned the patches on her shirt by completing SoCal Explorer Missions.

Jenann Elias, the winner of the Apple Watch from last year, said, “Over the past year, it’s been so important to me to stay healthy as well as getting out in nature. The SoCal Explorer Campaign allowed me to enjoy local spots and discover new sites! The games are family-friendly and fun, while allowing me to explore the wonders of nature. Thanks for this fun opportunity!”

Another exciting part of the SoCal Explorer is the Smokey Bear 3.0 Mission. The USDA Forest Service and Edison International have developed a Smokey Bear Mission for the third year in a row to communicate vital human-caused wildfire prevention messages. This Mission teaches players about campfire safety, forest health and more. The Mission is playable at many SoCal Explorer locations. Smokey Bear 3.0 is available in English and Spanish.

In previous years, the Smokey Bear Mission was promoted by the beloved Betty White.

“If playing this game and learning about wildfire prevention helps us reduce even one human-caused wildfire, it would be so worthy of our time,” says Amtchat Edwards, Partnership Coordinator, USDA Forest Service.

The So Cal Explorer Program runs annually in the Fall and you can get more info at https://agentsofdiscovery.com/socal-explorer.

LOL – The Power of Laughter and How Reading Lets the Joy of Laughter Ring Loud

Published September 30, 2022

By Jeanne Huybrechts, Chief Academic Officer, Stratford School

“A smile starts on the lips, a grin spreads to the eyes, a chuckle comes from the belly; and a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, overflows, and bubbles all around.” — Carolyn Birmingham, author

Is there any sound more wonderful that a child’s laugh? Often when we think about children, we have a vision of fun, play and laughter.

We all need a laugh right now, so we have compiled our favorite LOL list of books. There are read-aloud books for preschoolers and a variety of stories for readers at all levels – beginning readers to preteens. Some are goofy-silly, others witty and clever, some include gorgeous illustrations, a couple offer relatable life-lessons learned through misadventures or embarrassing moments — and all will make the reader laugh out loud.

Preschool
This Moose Belongs To Me, written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
How can a book that is so beautiful also be so funny? This book has so many quirky moments you will have to read it twice. We start out with Wilfred, a very organized young boy complete with suspenders and a bow tie, and his pet moose Marcel, who is not always good at following the many constraining rules of being a pet. Through the book, they take a journey to stunningly painted mountain landscapes in which they meet other “owners” of the moose. Wilfred needs to learn not to stifle his new pet’s outgoing personality in order to maintain his part ownership. A great lesson in boundaries, expectations and the value of being open-minded and willingness to adapt in order to solve a problem.

Kindergarten
Mina, written and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
This Academy Award nominated author/illustrator brings us a silly new book with museum-quality artwork. Mina is a bookworm mouse who lives in a beautiful forest with her eccentric father. Dad goes daily into the world, bringing back surprises for Mina, such as rare art (used postage stamps) and a megaphone (a rusty tin can). She’s fine with all of this until he brings a large “squirrel” that looks suspiciously like a cat to live in their tiny home. One visitor then leads to several felines moving in. How Mina and her dad navigate their new guests is hilarious, and becomes even funnier as the cats chase the family up a tree. Mina confronts the three cats and says, “Stop! We shared our home with you! Our food! Our toothpaste! And this is how you repay us? By trying to eat us?” Should Mina have trusted her dad? Will they talk their way out of this mess? Do large praying mantises read the same books as mice? So many questions, such wonderful drawings with which to ponder them.

Grades 1 and 2
The Leaf Thief, written by Alice Hemming and illustrated by Nicola Slater
A fast-paced, hilarious and possibly even sneaky way of teaching kids about the changes of the season. Adorably hyper Squirrel is upset because his leaves are going missing. Searching all over the forest, accusing his fellow animals of thievery, Squirrel is followed by his best friend Bird. Bird keeps trying to explain why the leaves aren’t staying around. Cute drawings and a very frustrated Squirrel keep the laughs coming. Everything is finally making sense, and then, “Bird! Someone has stolen the grass!!!” Sigh, it is called snow. A valuable and concise two-page explanation at the end of the book will help young readers understand seasons. This book is also good for talking to young ones about how to accept change and how transitions can be scary and frustrating.

Grades 3-5
The Bad Guys (series), written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey
This relatively new format called a hybrid graphic novel, which combines text with lots of drawings, is fabulous for reluctant readers. The “Bad Guys” are all pretty scary: The Big Bad Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha and Mr. Shark. The wolf gathers them together for the first meeting of “The Good Guys Club” in an attempt to change their reputations by doing good deeds. As the motley crew break a bunch of dogs (wearing prison uniforms) out of the animal shelter, all the dogs run away, terrified of their “scary” rescuers. I challenge anyone to read this series and keep a straight face.

Middle School
Addison Cooke and the Tomb of Khan, (series), written by Jonathan W. Stokes
This book is one part Indiana Jones, one part Treasure Island and two parts laugh out loud silly. A goofy teenager and his motley crew travel around the world to seek the secret tomb of Genghis Khan, causing and then solving problems and teaching the readers history at the same time. Addison is a funny kid, seemingly able to talk his way out of any situation. His sister Molly trusts him and is willing to use her skills learned from eight weeks of martial arts training. Raj is a daredevil and constantly jumps in when others are in danger. Eddie manages to whine and find the worst in any situation. While Addison and his cohorts always get involved in huge messes, they escape using their vast knowledge of history and archeology, demonstrating that it is OK for kids to be both goofy and studious all at once.

Most of us have heard the phrase, “Laughter is good medicine!” When we laugh, physical changes take place that affect our internal organs. As we draw in oxygen-rich air our lungs, heart and muscles are stimulated. Laughter has been shown to boost our immune system and improve our cognition/understanding of a situation. Humor and laughter are important social skills and can assist children as a stress reliever when challenges present themselves. Laughter is a happy sound; easily understood in every language. It is one early childhood developmental skill that you can easily reinforce and enjoy while you are laughing out loud together!

September Book Corner: Being the Best You You Can Be

Published September 1, 2022

By Katie Moore

Merci Suárez Plays it Cool

By Meg Medina

“Merci Suárez Plays it Cool” is the third and final book in Meg Medina’s Merci Suárez series. As she takes on her eighth grade year, Merci must navigate the usual tween awkwardness and sports team drama, but also grapple with the family health crises and loss. Kids of all ages should be sure to read this amazing conclusion to Medina’s hit series, especially your middle schoolers who might be looking for someone to relate to. Available Sept. 13.

123s of Kindness

By Patricia Hegarty, Illustrated By Summer Macon

Learning kindness can be as easy as 1, 2, 3! This board book is the perfect introduction for your little ones to the world of kindness and sharing that is also accompanied by other educational aspects. With heartwarming illustrations and an easy to follow concept, the “123s of Kindness” fosters social-emotional development and is of course a great bedtime story. Available Sept. 20.

The Amazing Baby Name Book: A (Possibly) Helpful and Slightly Amusing Guide from A to Z

By Amy Ephron, Maia Wapnick, & Anna Ephron Harari

With the help of her daughters Anna and Maia, Amy Ephron brings a curated list of names both common and completely unknown that will ease the minds of any parent-to-be. Accompanied by delightful illustrations, “The Amazing Baby Name Book” brings humor, historical context, and bonus fun facts to the world of naming. With excellent reviews, this book is a gold mine of knowledge for all — whether you’re having a baby or coming up with character names for your new TV show. Available September 6.

Dax to the Max: Imagination

By Scott Feld

“Dax to the Max: Imagination” is the first book in Scott Feld’s Dax to the Max series inspired by his 6 year old son, Dax. This heartfelt story celebrates the hidden superpowers of imagination and encourages kids to fully tap into their creativity. When you have a positive attitude and remember that you can do anything, your imagination will run wild and no kid will be stopped.

Buddha and the Rose

By Mallika Chopra, Illustrated by Neha Rawat

According to author Mallika Chopra, “Buddha and the Rose” is adapted from one of Buddha’s famous talks and is told from the perspective of a milkmaid named Sujata, who could be considered one of his first students. This subtle yet powerful story highlights the importance of our connection to the natural world and the universe at large, and also emphasizes the joy of being present. This book is designed for 4-8 year olds and can be a great tool for talking through the range of emotions kids that age feel. “Buddha and the Rose” will be available Sept. 6.

For more book suggestions, check out our August Book Corner.

School Spotlight: Multicultural Learning Center

Published September 1, 2022

By Cherie Cofer

Multicultural Learning Center students experience project-based, hands-on learning and exploration while developing literacy in English and Spanish. PHOTO COURTESY MULTICULTURAL LEARNING CENTER

Language has the ability to transcend borders and open us up to experience other cultures and worlds. A school aiming to lead the way in this kind of boundary breaking is nestled in the heart of the San Fernando Valley.

The Multicultural Learning Center (MLC) is a public charter school with a mission to “bring together a diverse community of learners where cultural and individual differences are the building blocks of academic, social, and intrapersonal success,” founders say, and promote social competence and justice.

Founded in 2001 by mother-daughter team Tony Bornstein and Gayle Nadler, MLC uses the gift of diversity to fuel its learning blueprint. The cornerstone of this initiative is its dual-immersion program, which weaves native English and Spanish speakers and encourages tolerance and global citizenship. Not only are educators developing bilingual and bi-literate scholars, but “strong academic data shows the impact they are having on their students,” says Myrna Castrejón, California Charter Schools president and CEO.

The Multicultural Learning Center received the 2022 Charter School of the Year Award from the California Charter School Association. Through the Global California 2030 initiative, the state department of education’s goal is to have 50 percent of all K-12 students proficient in two or more languages, and Nadler says MLC is helping pave the way.

Learn more at mlccharter.org.

A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Princess Diana

Published August 10, 2022

Presented by SSA Public Relations

A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Princess Diana Is the first book in an illustrated biography series chronicling the lives of globally renowned women whose dedication to improving lives impacted the world. It’s the second appearance on LAParent.com for children’s author Emberli Pridham, whose first book series – If Not You, Then Who? – was profiled earlier in the year. Now a nationwide best-selling series, Pridham’s If Not You, Then Who? books introduce children to the world of inventors and invention, and spark their creativity and imagination along the way. This time, we spotlight her newest book series, Real-Life Fairy Tales and the series’ first release, A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Princess Diana.

With A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Princess Diana, Pridham takes children through the growing years of the beloved Princess of Wales, from her youth as a spunky girl in Norfolk, England, to her courtship by Queen Elizabeth’s son, Prince Charles, and her emergence as one of contemporary history’s most accomplished fighters for social change.

A mother of three, Pridham developed the idea for the book series during a book reading session with daughter Brooke. The result is an inspiring and thought-provoking beautifully illustrated picture book chronicling the life and global impact of the woman many referred to as the People’s Princess. “I want to introduce this extraordinary woman to today’s generation of kids as an individual who exemplified grace and caring. Princess Diana demonstrated how one person can make a difference,” said the author.

Pridham is currently writing the next books about inspiring and influential people for her Real-Life Fairy Tale series, including Princess Grace and Jackie Kennedy.

Originally from Dallas, Texas, Pridham was first inspired to write by her author grandmother. Along with her husband David, Emberli co-authors the Amazon best-selling STEM book series, ‘If Not You, Then Who?’, which teaches children about the inventions and patents in everyday life, inspiring and empowering them to imagine and create their own. She also spends her time taking care of her family and is extensively involved in philanthropic work on behalf of the Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Elton John AIDS Foundation and American Cancer Society, among other charities.

A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Princess Diana will be available on Barnes&Noble.com, Amazon.com and through other online booksellers, as well as at select booksellers and retailers nationwide. The book can also be purchased from its dedicated website, www.Areallifefairytale.com. 10% of the proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit Centrepoint, a UK organization that was important to the late-Princess of Wales.

Game On: 5 Unique Benefits to Different Types of Play in Your Child’s Development

Published August 1, 2022

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” – Mr. Rogers, television personality

Children naturally play for fun, yet during play they’re also building and practicing skills, creating and strengthening relationships, exploring and processing emotions and so much more.

Here, we’ll shine a light on five types of play, based on the work of child development researchers. Each one has its own unique value and, most importantly, all five types of play are interconnected.

Exploratory/Object/Sensory Play – This is a child’s first experience with play, when they do things like grab objects (or food!), touch them, squeeze them, put them in their mouths, drop them or bang them together. They’re developing fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination, while also learning about object characteristics and processing sensory information such as texture, temperature, scent and flavor. Sensory play continues into preschool age and beyond.

Construction Play – Once children learn how to manipulate objects during exploratory play, they can move on to using objects to build and create. For toddlers and preschoolers, this might be progressively building taller towers out of blocks, connecting pieces together or using play dough. As children practice this type of play into elementary school, their creations become progressively more complex. Construction play can be done alone or with others – which encourages collaboration and problem-solving.

Physical Play – Like exploratory play, physical play begins in babyhood and plays an important role in motor development and health. As they learn to use their bodies in more complex ways, they begin to play through running, climbing, jumping or engaging in “tumbling” activities. From there, physical play leads to games with rules, like tag or organized sports.

Imaginative Play – Imaginative play emerges when toddlers are about 18-months-old, alongside the cognitive milestone of symbolic thinking. Also known as pretend play, it develops through several stages from toddlerhood to elementary school. From pretending a block is a phone, to inventing increasingly dynamic imaginary storylines and acting them out using props, costumes or sometimes nothing at all!

A unique and important aspect of imaginative play is that children use it to understand their emotional world. As an example, you might observe a toddler putting a stuffed animal on a potty chair while they themselves are potty training. Or an older child and a sibling might act out driving a car from their own observations and experiences.

Games with Rules – Around age 5, after having plenty of practice with other types of play, children begin to play games with rules (card games, board games or sports). Games with rules are critical for developing countless life skills, including following directions, collaborating, strategizing, self-regulating and using resilience after a loss or failure. Elementary-aged children, when given the opportunity, will invent their own games with rules, which both reflects and further develops executive function skills – which are central to planning, organizing and executing a goal.

The most important thing to remember is that every type of play nurtures a child’s development, and also supports the development of more sophisticated types of play. For example, object play helps children manage tools during constructive play. Regular physical play helps children feel confident playing sports or other active games. The planning and problem-solving involved in imaginative play helps children feel engaged and challenged as they learn and grow.

With just a few materials and plenty of opportunities, it’s easy to encourage all types of play!If you are interested in learning more about Stratford School, or scheduling a personalized tour, visit us online at www.stratfordschools.com.

Meeting the Moment: How charter public schools are helping kids cope and heal

Published August 1, 2022

As children have returned to classrooms, we are seeing the effects the pandemic had on them — and it’s alarming. Psychological and social wellbeing is crucial in a student’s ability to successfully grow academically, yet schools are contending with kids who are less engaged and more distracted than before the pandemic.

Data from the CDC shows there has been a nationwide spike in mental health-related hospital visits for 5- to 17-year-olds. In California, suicide rates for 10- to 18-year-old kids increased by 20% between 2019 and 2020, according to an article in the Sacramento Bee. The uncertainty and trauma that students face is a challenge across the board, but especially among those in underserved communities.

In the California Charter Schools Association’s new report, Are the Kids OK? How Charter Public Schools Support Social-Emotional Wellbeing Schoolwide, we take a sobering look into the issue and explore what charter public schools are doing to address the needs of students, families and the local communities they serve. California’s charter schools are public schools, they are free and open to all students, regardless of zip code. Independently operated, they use their flexibility and adaptability to find new ways to address the challenges that have arisen during the pandemic.

Key challenges affecting students identified in the report include mental and physical health problems, inequitable impacts across age groups and behavioral impacts, such as greater instances of anxiety and depression.

Schools across the nation are exploring possible solutions, but many are bogged down by bureaucracy and politics. A data analysis by the California Department of Public Health found that 93% of charter public schools in the state used their COVID relief funds to make “significant new investments” in their social-emotional and mental health supports that go beyond hiring additional social workers and social-emotional counselors. Nearly three-quarters of those schools have “completely transformed” their mental health supports or undergone a “major” or “substantial” expansion of their services.

Common best practices of the schools identified in the report include building trusting relationships with students, providing students tailored supports instead of a “one-size-fits-all” approach, building family and community partnerships, and promoting growth and celebrating progress.

The report highlights the strategies and programs at charter public schools such as Libertas College Prep Academy in South Los Angeles to illustrate common practices that have been proven successful in re-engaging students and providing the support they need to thrive in a learning environment.

Libertas utilizes a “Strength of Character” system where students can earn points for modeling the school’s core values. For example, students can be awarded points for effort and other positive behaviors. This allows for their educators to promote growth and celebrate progress even when a student is struggling to grasp a concept.

Charter public schools recognize that academic success is dependent on a child’s social-emotional wellbeing and are providing those lessons to all educators so that more school leaders can create a program that best serves their students. “Are the kids OK?” is a question every school leader and educator should be asking themselves. When it comes to the wellbeing of our kids, there is no room for error.

Myrna Castrejón is the president and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association and a board member of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

9 Valuable Skills and Lasting Benefits Kids Develop at Summer Camp

Published May 5, 2022

If you attended summer camp growing up, perhaps you remember being apprehensive at first. Yet by the time you returned home, you realized that camp helped you learn and grow as you tried new things, developing more confidence and autonomy at the same time.

The same is true of camps today, and there are summer camp options that you probably never imagined when you were a kid. The great thing about summer camp is that it’s not only an excellent way for kids to spend part of their summer, it sends them home with new skills that are valuable right now and that will serve them well into adulthood.

Why is Summer Camp Important?

Summer camp is important because it often provides a structured opportunity for children to grow. Kids go from home to school to extracurriculars, with each environment contributing to their development. In addition, camp provides another unique venue for growth, allowing kids to become independent and self-confident, while socializing, making new friends and learning new skills.

What are some of the Benefits of Summer Camp?

Teamwork – Teamwork may be a part of some school activities and you can teach your children the value of teamwork at home, but camp takes it to an entirely new level. Children quickly learn that they simply have more fun when they learn to work together as a team, whether they’re writing computer code, playing sports or learning a new language.

Leadership – Camp teaches children self-leadership since they are responsible for basics like keeping track of their items, managing their time and following a routine. Many children who never thought of themselves as leaders discover that they have a real talent for leadership at summer camp.

Friendship-Building – Children who interact with like-minded peers are able to easily build friendships rooted in similar interests. These relationships are essentially networking opportunities – people to call on when it comes time for a side project or maybe in the future, starting a new business with the friend they met at summer camp!

Resilience – The moment a child faces a challenge without Mom or Dad around and comes through like a champ is a moment when they learn and practice resilience. Summer camp is filled with opportunities for developing resilience and, as a result, your child will come home with more confidence and self-regard.

At camp, children often learn they’re stronger than they give themselves credit for.

Sportsmanship – Whether your child is playing board games, learning how to cook or participating in sports, they are taught the value of fair, generous behavior toward others. Sportsmanship will benefit your child in school and in the friendships they make.

Decision-Making – Summer camp is an outstanding experience for teaching kids independence, and a big part of independence is making well-informed decisions. Camp environments are structured, offer options and help kids understand situations so they learn about the pros and cons of decision-making in safe surroundings.

Confidence – With activity and growth comes success or failure. Whether it’s basketball or 3D modeling, each activity comes with its own set of mini milestones and tests. Some of these activities might be brand new to your child, while others could be extensions of what they already know and love.

Courage – It’s not easy for a child or their parents when it’s time to go to camp for the first time. Yet at camp, kids learn so much about what they are capable of. Children have many opportunities to step out of their comfort zone and try new things, from new sports or activities to making new friends. Courage is like a muscle; it develops with repeated use and your child will be encouraged to try new things, and rewarded for doing so.

Appreciation and Gratitude – Let us not forget, time away from home helps kids appreciate home, their parents, their siblings, their belongings, a home-cooked meal and everything else that they might miss while at camp.

As many of us reflect back on our summer camp experience, we might say that some of our fondest memories were those sunny, summer camp experiences that we had as we were growing up…preserving those simple, unplugged, childhood memories for a lifetime.

And although your child may miss their phone, tablet or gaming system at first, once they start exploring, interacting with their peers, engaging in a variety of activities and having new adventures, they are sure to leave summer camp with stories, memories, friendships and life lessons that, they too, will remember for a lifetime.Interested in learning more about our Summer@Stratford program? Visit us online at www.stratfordschools.com/summer.

We Love It

Published March 8, 2022

Elena Epstein

The Play Kits

A subscription, stage-based learning program designed to promote healthy brain development during the early years of childhood. The kits are delivered every two to three months and feature age-specific toys made with sustainably harvested wood, organic cotton, nontoxic paint and baby-safe plastics. $80-$120; ages birth-4 years, lovevery.com

I Am a Force of Nature

A beautifully illustrated board book that encourages kids to explore their feelings and the world around them. Offers a great message that we can find the same brave, playful, colorful and crabby qualities found in animals and nature within ourselves. $8.95, ages 1-3 years, Shambhala.com

Rascal + Friends Premium Training Pants

Designed for the little humans starting to potty train or who won’t lay still during change time. Features resealable tab, easy tear sides, an extra-stretchy waistband and an absorbent 3D core. Made with “no nasties” to be safe and ultra-gentle on sensitive skin. $7.97-$39.97, ages 12-36 months, rascalandfriends.com

Crawl About Ladybug

This early learning companion wobbles as it moves. A simple push on the back starts its motion. Features bright lights and fun melodies to entice your child to crawl after it as it moves across the floor. $19.99, ages 6 months+, tlji.com

Preschool Genius

A set of dry-erase activities and games with a genius twist. Includes beautifully illustrated activities that cover core learning outcomes and offer challenges such as code breaking and mapmaking that stimulate open-ended problem solving and creativity. $27.95, ages 3-6, amazon.com

PJ Library Presents Podcasts: “Afternoons with Mimi” and “Beyond the Bookcase”

Two new podcasts from the beloved organization that has been sharing free children’s books with Jewish values throughout the world. Well-known tales come to life in a fun new way that connects kids to Jewish traditions, culture, holidays and values. “Afternoons with Mimi” is designed for younger kids; “Beyond the Bookcase” is for kids ages 6 to 12. FREE, PJLibrary.org/podcast

Summer Reading-The Key to your Child’s Success!

Published March 1, 2022

Summer reading may not be a priority for children, yet it’s important to make it one. Why? Summer reading is critical to a child’s ability to retain information learned, and grow in knowledge and critical thinking skills, in order to maintain literacy skills learned throughout the school year.

Reading, in general, is highly effective at building up a child’s knowledge in a vast amount of subject areas including English, math, science, and history. Studies have discovered a greater intellectual progress in vocabulary, spelling, and math when children read more than what is required at school. Research has further credited reading as a strong tool for growing comprehension skills and gaining a greater understanding of the world. Children who read with consistency throughout the summer are able to stay ahead of their classmates during the school year.

The selection of books we have curated for summer reading are intentionally different from books children might read during the school year. Some are fanciful or fantasy (dogs that accompany their kid-owners to school, for example), most have pictures (illustrations and infographics, or graphic novels); and most can be read in short fragments, for example in the car or during thirty-minute reading bursts – which work especially well in building capacity in reluctant readers. We hope you will enjoy one or more of these books – or others you find while browsing library stacks or visiting your local bookstore.

Grades Kindergarten to Second

The Rock From The Sky written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
A beautiful work of art with a hilarious story to go with it by Caldecott winner Jon Klassen. This picture book will be read and re-read by your family, and each time the thoughts and discussion around the story will be different. Turtle and Armadillo leave one stone unturned when it falls from the sky, right in Turtle’s favorite hangout spot. It’s a good thing he meandered out of the way in time! This inspires their simple chats about the ever-changing landscape, including the potential ominous cryptid creatures that might make their way into their environment. It’s not really possible to perfectly sum up a Klassen book – it’s truly something one needs to experience to fully appreciate.

Have you Ever Seen A Flower written by Shawn Harris
Vividly drawn illustrations that are very relatable to kids are the highlight of this absolutely perfect picture book. It almost smells like summer, it is so well done. A young girl and her dog take a journey from the grey, drab city through bright fields of flowers, learning a lot about themselves and the wonder of nature on the way. It opens the way to discussions between parents and children about the importance of wildlife, beauty, flowers, bees and happiness.

Grades Third through Fourth

Scientists Get Dressed written by Deborah Lee Rose
Have you ever wondered what kinds of clothing and personal equipment are needed for a volcanologist or a glaciologist? Eighteen different people are introduced with the gear they need to collect data for their scientific studies and protect themselves. In addition to briefly describing what they actually do as scientists there are lots of facts about the sorts of things they research. Colorful and packed with photographs, the book uses two fonts and types of information, one for younger readers and one with more information for older readers.

Grades Fifth through Eighth

Me and the World: An Infographic Exploration written by Mireia Trius, Illustrated by Joana Casals
This fascinating book pairs visual literacy with data literacy, using colorful illustrations and infographics to present information in a way young readers will understand. The infographics focus on personal things like family structure, most popular names, living spaces and breakfast foods in different places in our world. It also looks more broadly at things like world population, city populations, traffic in cities, schools and homework. There are more light hearted infographics too like most popular dog breeds, summer vacations, sports and birthdays. The author found a way to make data and statistics fun!

Click (series) written by Kayla Miller
This graphic novel has an introspective approach, as we follow 5th grader Olive on her search for the perfect friend group. While she is friends with everyone, she realizes she hasn’t “clicked” with anyone in particular and doesn’t have a “bestie.” She ultimately determines that she can find happiness both within herself and in her different groups of friends. Three more novels, Camp, Act, and Clash continue the story with diverse characters and issues of love, friendship and families.

We hope this list provides your child with a jump start to reading this summer. Keep up the work by encouraging your child to choose books on his/her own and help make reading interesting and inviting. When we do our part to make reading over the summer a priority, perhaps it will become something fun to share as a family!Looking for more ways to bring out your child’s best this summer? Check out our Summer@Stratford camp, complete with all the fun and enriching activities they love, at stratfordschools.com/summer!

Celebrate Black History Month in L.A.

Published February 4, 2022

By Nina Harada

Online learning platform Outschool features interactive classes for kids ages 3-18, like “Influential Women of Color from History” and “Black History From a Decolonized Perspective.”

Every February, we honor and celebrate the countless achievements and legacies of Black Americans. The month-long observance serves as an important reminder to reflect on Black history all the time. We’ve rounded up some ways to celebrate Black History Month in L.A. through books, music, art, workshops, lectures and more, this month and beyond.

At the museum

Video artist and choreographer Blondell Cummings turned everyday activities like sweeping the floor or making dinner into works of art. Catch the exhibition, “Blondell Cummings: Dance as Moving Pictures” on display through Feb. 19 at Art + Practice in Leimert Park.

California African American Museum in Exposition Park is featuring a mix of in-person and virtual programs, including three new exhibitions, in celebration of Black History Month. “Troy Montes-Michie: Rock of Eye” exhibition opens Feb. 16, featuring the artist’s collages, drawings and sculptures. Black feminist theorist Tina Campt, Own F. Walker Professor of Humanities and Modern Culture and Media at Brown University, will dive deeper into the artist’s work during a virtual conversation with Montes-Michie on Feb. 16.

Musician and songwriter Jimmie Allen will discuss his career with Wayne Brady at the GRAMMY Museum on Feb. 10.

Take a virtual tour of the Los Angeles Firefighters Museum on Feb. 22 with historian Brent Burton. The first and only free-standing museum dedicated to the African American firefighter experience in the U.S. is also open to in-person visits Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Celebrate Black History Month at The GRAMMY Museum with special exhibits, programs and workshops. Current GRAMMY Award-nominee for Best New Artist, Jimmie Allen, will discuss his career with Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian Wayne Brady on Feb. 10 at the Downtown L.A. museum. “Songs of Conscious, Sounds of Freedom” has been updated to include songs and sounds from the Black Lives Matter movement, LGBTQ+ rights and an expanded section dedicated to “The Sounds of Los Angeles.” On display though May 8.

Online

The Pasadena Rose Poets celebrate Black History Month and their five-year anniversary with a virtual poetry reading on Feb. 7, reading selections from their work as well as favorite poets past and present.

Join Pasadena Public Library librarians and California African American Museum’s research librarian Denise McIver for a virtual discussion of Nella Larsen’s book “Passing” on Feb. 26.

Browse the Asian Art Museum’s collection of resources, from book and movie recommendations to virtual programs, to help you celebrate Black History Month.

Food, music and entertainment

Enjoy a parent’s night out at The Groundlings as the celebrate Black History Month with sketch comedy Thursday nights at 8p.m. at their Melrose Ave. theatre. Actor and comedian Leonard Robinson directs special editions of “Cookin’ with GAS,” showcasing Black stars from “Call Me Kat,” “Insecure,” “Grand Crew,” and more.

Join the California African American Museum in celebrating Black farmers, chefs and entrepreneurs at the free Prosperity Market pop-up on Feb. 26. Explore farmers market produce, prepared foods, handcrafted goods, cooking demonstrations, a kids corner, live DJ and more.

Host and father Randy Quanash in “Kujo’s Kid Zone” is one of the many free shows for kids through Sensical.

Disneyland Resort honors Black heritage and culture with “Celebrate Soulfully,” which debuts at Disneyland in Anaheim. Celebrate with food, music, art and more all month long.

For kids and families

Join Southern California Children’s Museum and Brownish Books for a Story & Craft Mini Series featuring books by BIPOC authors and illustrators, Tuesdays at 10:30a.m. through March 1.

The first podcast episode of “Adventures of Cairo” is out now.

The free streaming service for kids ages 2-10, Sensical, celebrates Black storytellers through videos and podcasts. Join Raiyah and her teacher mom in “Kids Black History,” as they inspire kids to learn about Black history. “Kujo’s Kid Zone” by host Randy Quansah takes preschoolers on an adventure to encourage problem-solving, kindness and social awareness.

Amazon’s podcast studio Wondery and award-winning podcast company ABF Creative launched “Adventures of Cairo,” a new original podcast series for kids. The family-friendly show follows 7-year old Cairo as he learns and explores the world around him.

Online learning platform Outschool features interactive classes for kids ages 3-18, including classes that help young learners explore the rich history and inspirational leaders who define Black History Month. Some classes include “Influential Women of Color from History,” “Black History From a Decolonized Perspective” and more.

Fun and Learning

Published February 4, 2022

By Elena Epstein

PHOTO COURTESY SPARK GENIUS KIDS

**Preschool Genius**: A set of dry-erase activities and games with a genius twist. The set has questions that add a deeper engagement with learning. $27.95, ages 3-6, amazon.com

PHOTO COURTESY KNOW YOURSELF

**The 12 Systems of the Body: Adventure Series Book Set**: Introduces 12 systems of the human body to build a foundation for human anatomy. This series includes the five senses, the skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, digestive, immune system and more. $120, ages 8+, knowyourself.com

PHOTO COURTESY KNOW YOURSELF

**206 Bones of the Human Body- 4 Book Set**: From your head to your toes, this 206 Bones of the Human Body- 4 Book set has a lot to discover about the human body, especially for children. Includes Hands, Arm & Shoulder; Foot, Leg & Pelvis; Rib Cage & Spine; Head, Face & Neck. $79 for set or $19.99 per book, ages 8+, knowyourself.com

PHOTO COURTESY TOI WORLD

**Art Puzzle-Dancing Lion**: Features Chinese cultural elements of traditional folk customs of the lion dance. Contains 18 knowledge points so kids can learn about these traditions as they explore their creativity. $21.99, ages 5-8, toiworld.com

PHOTO COURTESY TOI WORLD

**My First Puzzle-Dinosaur**: Double-sided puzzle pieces feature dinosaurs on one side and bones/skeletons on the other. Great for building problem-solving skills and imagination. The number of pieces increase step-by-step to challenge toddlers through their developmental growth. $13.99, ages 2-4, toiworld.com

PHOTO COURTESY AHAAA MATH

**Ahaaa Math**: Make math fun with this game-based learning app for kids. Covers a wide variety of skills including geometry and logical thinking with 5,000+ exercises and games. Safe for kids with no ads. $59.99/yearly or $8.99/monthly, ages 4-10, ahaaamath.com

PHOTO COURTESY PJ LIBRARY

**PJ Library Presents Podcasts: Afternoons with Mimi and Beyond the Books**: Two new podcasts from the beloved organization that has been sharing free children’s books with Jewish values throughout the world. Well-known tales come to life in a fun new way that connects kids to Jewish traditions, culture, holidays and values. “Afternoons with Mimi” is designed for younger kids and “Beyond the Bookcase” is for kids ages 6 to 12. Free, PJLibrary.org/podcast

Ideas & Insights: Helping Your Child Develop Strong Writing Skills

Published January 1, 2022

“You can make anything by writing.” – C.S. Lewis, Writer and Author

As adults, we write for a reason: to write a letter, to make a list, to leave a note, to communicate with a friend in a letter or e-mail or to create a story. Children learn to write most easily when they write with purpose too, rather than being told what they should write about.

Like all other things, learning to write is a process. When children realize that writing communicates meaning, they begin to experiment with it and usually start by using scribbles on a page. From there they start to use symbols that look like letters and then use real letters, although they may go back and forth using real letters and their own symbols. These are exciting first steps because it shows that children are aware of a difference between drawing and writing and you can support them by asking what the writing says.

Over time, as children are exposed to examples of writing in their environment and in the books you read with them, they gradually incorporate the use of punctuation and conventional spelling as they pick up “mistakes” in their own writing and rewrite words or letters. While they start out writing mainly to record and communicate messages, as you keep reading with them you will notice that they begin to write their own simple stories.

As we continued to explore how a child develops these skills, we had an opportunity to ask Allison Willson, Senior Director of Curriculum and Innovation at Stratford School, questions about how children are learning to write in school and below we’d like to share her expertise.

How do children learn to write, focusing on the act of writing itself and not physical handwriting? To learn the skills to write stories, early learners must not only learn to handle a writing tool, but also learn how to generate ideas (brainstorm), elaborate upon their ideas and learn to sequence and connect them together. Young writers learn to develop these skills over time through play, storytelling, writing practice and in modeled conversations with adults or older peers.

When should children start learning to write? Writing is a complex skill that develops over time. Though your toddler won’t yet have the ability to write stories, they can certainly engage in experiences that support future reading and writing. Fine motor control and drawing are young children’s first steps toward writing. They will then progress to scribbles meant to mimic handwriting before reaching conventional writing and spelling. You can encourage your budding author to draw pictures that depict stories, their feelings and/or observations of their world.

What does current research say about teaching kids to write and what teaching practices are currently used in schools? Current research suggests that to write stories, young children must learn not only to handle a pencil or other writing device, but also to generate ideas, elaborate upon them and sequence and connect them coherently. Children develop these skills through scaffolded play, storytelling, writing practice and in conversations – particularly with adults and older children. Knowing what we know about how children acquire these skills, early childhood classrooms should provide frequent opportunities for writing practice throughout the day through play and practice. (e.g., “Let’s create a list for our grocery store today.”).

Explain the link between reading and writing. Reading and writing support each other. The more your child does both, the stronger their overall literacy skills will be. At an early age, children thrive on modeled behaviors. The act of listening to stories, poems and other texts provides opportunities for our little ones to experience the writing process. By orally retelling stories, drawing or acting out read-alouds, young children understand narrative or story structure (beginning, middle and end) which they then can apply to their own stories. We often encourage children to retell the stories in their own words or extend this learning by encouraging our young authors to reimagine the ending.

How can parents help children learn to write at home? Model. Writing is practical and an incredibly important part of our daily lives. Model for your child ways in which you use writing (e.g., “Let’s create a list for your birthday party! What will we need and who should we invite?”).

Provide Time and Space for Drawing and Discussion. Drawing allows little ones to develop their fine motor skills while also expressing their thoughts and feelings. Ask your child questions about their drawings, for example: “What is the boy/girl doing?”, “Does the house look like ours?”, “Can you tell a story about this picture?”, or “What might be a different ending if you had a chance to rewrite the story?”. You can also write their responses directly on their artwork.

Read Together. Reading and writing go hand in hand. As one muscle is built, the other is strengthened. As you read together, you can also talk about what the author did that was so effective, such as: “How did the writing make your child feel?” or “What words or phrases made you feel that way?”

Involve Everyone. Invite family members to be a part of your child’s writing journey. Send and receive cards from loved ones near or far. You can also send your child a letter or card once in a while too, so that he/she is reminded of how special they are! Create a family message board in the heart of your home to give and receive notes to the members of your family.

Encourage Inventive Spelling. As your child develops phonological awareness, encourage him/her to do their best to write words on their own based on the sound spelling.

Praise the Process. Give specific praise as your child grows in their literacy development.

Like any skill, the more time and energy put into it, the better the result. So, make writing skill development part of your family’s mission by encouraging them to talk about everything they’re interested in — and then have them write it down. Make the process fun for them and they will foster a love for writing from an early age on into adulthood.If you are interested in learning more about Stratford School, or scheduling a personalized tour, visit us online at www.stratfordschools.com.

Frostig Principal Wins National Education Award

Published November 1, 2021

By Cassandra Lane

Frostig School Principal Jenny Tucker Mottes is a recipient of the Everyday Champion Award from the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) has honored Frostig School Principal Jenny Tucker Mottes with its Everyday Champion Award for her “heroic and outstanding achievements made during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

According to the NCLD, one in five children nationwide has a learning disability or attention issues, and the Everyday Champion Award committee sought leaders who have gone above and beyond helping children with learning and attention issues while distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frostig School has specialized in the field of learning differences since Marianne Frostig established it in 1951. With campuses in Pasadena and West Los Angeles, Frostig provides an individualized education to 120 students in grades 1-12 who have complex learning differences

“As principal of a small school, Jenny was required to provide leadership on every front of this pandemic, from curriculum development to the design and implementation of protocols for the safe reopening of our campus,” says Dean Conklin, executive director of The Frostig Center. “I have worked closely with Jenny throughout the pandemic, and I constantly marvel at her infinite optimism and positivity in the face of unprecedented challenges and stresses.”

Frostig School Principal Jenny Tucker Mottes works with a student.
PHOTOS COURTESY FROSTIG SCHOOL

The NCLD, based in Washington, D.C., advocates for strong federal policies, convenes experts to discuss pressing issues facing the field, and publishes research and resources to improve practices in schools. The organization named two Everyday Champions, an administrator and a teacher. An educator in Moorestown, N.J., won in the teacher category. Each received $5,000 prizes and will be honored at NCLD’s Annual Benefit, virtually, on Nov. 9.

Emotional Intelligence: The Impact the Pandemic Had on Social and Emotional Learning

Published October 1, 2021

“Don’t let the noise of other people’s opinions drown out your own inner voice.” – Steve Jobs

The prolonged school lockdowns that started in early spring 2020 disrupted children’s routines, including normal school days and activities. It quickly blocked their access to the basic supports that schools provide, including the face-to-face contact with teachers and friends — a base fundamental to a child’s development. Being away from the classroom has not only contributed to reduced student performance, it has stretched the limit of children’s social and emotional well-being.

At Stratford School, we understand that social and emotional learning is paramount to student development and academic success, and the pandemic emphasized the need to elevate its importance. So we reached out to some of our Stratford principals, teachers and parents to find out what activities or programs they implemented during the pandemic that made an impact on students’ daily lives and social and emotional learning, and here’s what they had to say!

Read, Read, Read
Keira Pride – Head Librarian

Stratford School took its on campus/in-class book clubs online! Since we couldn’t hold library visits in person, Stratford librarians scheduled weekly book club sessions for students, Preschool – 5th Grade. Each week, hundreds of students would “zoom in” for an age-appropriate story followed by an in depth, and often very lively, book discussion. These weekly meetings not only created a community of literature-loving students, Stratford’s virtual book club created a safe place for students to share and connect socially with their peers. Ample time was included before and after each weekly story time so students could share whatever was on their mind — introducing their pets and siblings, to sharing their favorite food or excitement over losing a tooth – and some even presented artwork or school projects to the group. Students loved spending time connecting with their friends and sharing many laughs.

Create Friendship Circles
Mary Kiely – Lower School Director, Washington Park Campus

Stratford Washington Park held online and in-person Friendship Circles with students and the Lower School Director. These circles centered around the book Friendship and Other Weapons. Each week, we took time to create engaging activities and discussions around friendships and how to treat people. We discussed feelings and perspective, talking with peers in order to find ways to navigate difficult friendships, as well as being proactive in building strong foundations for friendships through discussion, games, writing and scenarios with role play.

Create An Emotional Bond
Annissa Mason Doumitt – Parent, Altadena Campus

When the first-grade children transferred to in-person learning from online, the teacher encouraged everyone to bring their favorite stuffed animal to school to sit in the bin by their desk. As this was a new landscape for children, wearing masks, socially distanced and unable to touch or hug after a long year of being separated, Mrs. Rains wanted the children to have something tangible they could hug when they wanted to hug their teacher or friend, were missing home or just needed some physical comfort. This was a wonderful way to transition to the classroom and recognize the isolation and wide range of emotions the children were feeling after all of this time.

Encourage Peer Relationships
Jennifer Garrone – Director Lower School, Crestmoor Canyon Campus

Throughout the 2020-21 school year, our school community had a ‘show must go on’ mentality and continued to host all events students would usually experience in a traditional school year, just this time — virtually! Connection with one another was definitely something that we adapted for our Stratford Online Academy students, and we found it important for students to have these opportunities to converse with one another. Aside from the usual morning meetings during the year, we hosted lunchtime socials for students that were led by online teachers or school leaders and provided students with an outlet for unstructured time. We also continued with our monthly spirit day assemblies, spirit weeks of free dress and campus-wide events, such as a virtual fall festival and spring picnic. Students truly enjoyed the events, because each of our events provided a sense of normalcy and something for our students to look forward to — it redefined and reimagined our school community.

Who’s Behind the Mask
Rachel Altreuter – Elementary Principal, San Francisco Campus

When we returned to in-person instruction after months of distance learning on Zoom, some of the kids were nervous about recognizing their teachers with a mask on. We created a bulletin board in front of the school called “Who’s Behind the Mask?” that showcased side-by-side photos of the teachers wearing a mask and without wearing a mask so that the children were sure to recognize their teacher!

We also hosted Friday lunchtime socials that allowed the kids learning online to connect with their in-person peers. Students were invited to join a video call hosted by our lunch staff where kids would play games together, tell jokes and riddles, and just hang out and socialize. We had some “regulars” who would come every time just to check in and say hello to their favorite lunch teachers!

Developing Emotional Intelligence

It can be challenging for students of any age to understand what they are feeling and learn to channel those feelings in ways that help them become better people and better learners. The key is developing emotional intelligence: knowing what emotions are, how they work and how to use them and manage them for social interaction and learning. Students also need to gain the capacity to recognize other people’s emotions, to discriminate among the different feelings and to label them appropriately.

As we return to school, not only will children continue to build foundational skills that will pave the way for academic success, they will also reignite social-emotional skills like kindness, sharing and self-awareness that will contribute to their overall success in life. If you are interested in learning more about Stratford School, or scheduling a personalized tour, visit us online at www.stratfordschools.com.

New Moms Find Support through The Village

Published September 8, 2021

Nina Harada

Anyone who has experienced life with a newborn knows how hard those first few months can be, especially if you don’t have family or friends nearby. I remember feeling lost in a fog during those early days. Desperate for community and answers, I turned to the web, but that proved even more overwhelming. At a certain point, I decided to stop googling. Instead, I relied on the advice I received from my mom and friends. And yet, even with this support, I felt like I could have used a “village.” My mom lives far away and my friends who were also experiencing early motherhood had left L.A.

Christy Tabit Evans, Amira Samuel and Sarah Croce founded The Village during the pandemic. PHOTO COURTESY THE VILLAGE

The Village, a community of support for new moms founded by three women during the pandemic, understands just how overwhelming new motherhood can be for some parents. Co-founders Christy Tabit Evans, Amira Samuel and Sarah Croce have made it their mission to support moms in need with practical resources such as meal kits, diapers and laundry services in addition to funds for birthing classes, doula services, babysitters and more. Christy is an Ob/Gyn and mom, Amira is a mom and former attorney supporting women pursuing justice, and Sarah is a birth doula working toward her masters in Nurse Midwifery.

During the pandemic The Village hosted two virtual fundraisers, which allowed them to provide five grants to moms in need. Their first in-person event kicks off later this month with the inaugural annual Stroller Stride on Sept. 26. The fundraising event will feature a 2.6 km walk along the beach in Santa Monica. A reception with refreshments from Primo Passo Coffee and Pressed Juicery, and a raffle with prizes like a 60-minute massage, $100 floral arrangement, a stroller and more, will follow the walk. L.A. Parent is a proud sponsor of the event, along with The Pump Station in Santa Monica. Through this event and future in-person fundraising events, The Village hopes to raise enough funds for all birthing people applying for support.

Stroller Stride will take place Sept. 26, starting at Bay St. in Santa Monica and ending at the North Beach Playground. For more events from The Village check out their events page.

New Survey: Los Angeles parents want more public school options for their kids

Published August 30, 2021

Myrna Castrejón

Survey shows growing awareness and favorable opinions of charter public schools

KIPP Empower Academy, Los Angeles, CA. Photographed for KIPP Los Angeles 12/1/14.

California public schools have navigated 18 months of extreme disruptions to the delivery of education caused by the COVID pandemic, with widely divergent supports and approaches. Huddled around screens across the state for a whole year, some students have thrived, while others struggled, revealing not only deep inequities in the systems that support students, but also parents who gained unique insights into how their students learn best. Parents now have a heightened awareness of different models available. For many, this newfound awareness resulted in exploring different educational opportunities.

The California Charter Schools Association’s recent annual survey reflects the changing opinions of all Californians, especially parents, as they look at the education landscape.

The good news is public opinion of charter schools is at its highest level in six years. The poll shows charter public school favorability increased from 47% to 52% across the state and reached the highest level since 2015. In Los Angeles, favorability increased by six points from the previous year.

This is paired with an increasing awareness of charters. Fifty-nine percent of respondents said they know a great deal or some about charter public schools. Those who favor charters are more familiar with them than those who oppose them.

In addition to increases in favorability, more than three in four voters believe parents have the right to choose a charter school if they think it is better for their child. Even among those who are unsure if they favor or oppose charters, 68% believe that parents should have this right.

In Los Angeles, most voters feel it would be good if districts approved more charter schools. Statewide, 53% of parents agree. Meanwhile, 60% of parents surveyed say they would consider enrolling their child in a charter school.

Those results are supported by the latest California Department of Education enrollment numbers that show increases in charter public schools. Since the start of the pandemic, more parents have turned to charter schools and their flexible and individualized offerings. It was charter public schools that were able to use their flexibility and ingenuity to quickly adapt to campus closures and mitigate learning loss.

CCSA’s poll mirrors those enrollment shifts and, today, California’s charter schools are providing educational opportunities to nearly 700,000 students at 1,300 schools across the state. California charters are public schools, free, open to all and committed to delivering a high-quality education regardless of a student’s race, gender, religion, LGBTQ identification or test scores.

Check out our video here.

*Myrna Castrejón is the president and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association and a board member of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.*

5 Home Addition Options to Create Space for a Growing Family

Published August 30, 2021

Many Los Angeles parents find they can quickly outgrow their existing home as their family gets bigger. Young couples often buy a small starter home in a great location, but end up cramped for space once kids come along. As families grow, kids and parents each want private space they don’t have to share with other members of the family.

Gaining more space for a growing family requires one of two options: Moving to a larger home or adding space to an existing home by building a home addition. Building an addition requires significant time, money and effort but provides a larger, more optimal living space which can meet a family’s needs well into the future.

GreatBuildz, a free service in Los Angeles that connects homeowners with general contractors and often works with families looking to expand their space with a home addition.Their team matches homeowners with reputable, licensed contractors who pass a rigorous screening process and sign a 20-point Code of Conduct. In addition, GreatBuildz provides homeowners with personalized guidance and ongoing project support to make sure their home addition project goes smoothly.

We asked GreatBuildz to share some options for families looking to build a house addition or expand their living space. Below are 5 great ideas for a house extension to accommodate a growing family:

1. Bedroom Addition

As families grow, they’ll often require more bedrooms to accommodate all the kids. Alternatively, parents who are expecting a new bundle of joy might need more room for a nanny, grandparent or other caregiver.

A bedroom addition is a reasonably simple and flexible way to add space to your home. Over time, a bedroom can function as a nursery, guestroom, office, playroom, gym or a multitude of other uses. Bedroom addition costs are around $30-60k for a standard-sized secondary bedroom.

2. Bathroom Addition

Many older homes in Los Angeles were built with too few bathrooms for today’s lifestyle. It can be inconvenient to share bathrooms, and most families prefer to have enough bathrooms so that adults, kids and guests don’t need to share.

Adding a bathroom not only solves this practical issue but can also greatly improve a home’s resale value. Bathroom additions can range from a small powder room to a large, luxurious master bath. Bathroom addition costs will generally range between $50-100k depending on size and amenities.

3. Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Garage Conversion

If you have room in your backyard, you can build a full second dwelling unit on your property called an ADU. Alternatively, you can convert (or expand) your existing garage into living space.

New California regulations allow any residential property to now add an Accessory Dwelling Unit up to 1,200 square feet. Building an ADU or garage conversion on your property allows a ton of great options for families outgrowing their space: A dedicated office, playroom, gym, man-cave/she-shed or even a guest suite for a live-in nanny or grandparent.

ADU and Garage conversion costs start at about $100k and go up to $400k for a larger space.

4. Master Suite Addition

Quite a few homes in Los Angeles were built without a true master bedroom suite, and parents today often prefer to have their own private space. Therefore, the master suite is a common home addition project and usually includes a large bedroom, luxurious bathroom and spacious closet. An average master suite addition is 400-600 square feet in size and costs between $100-200k.

5. Second Story Home Addition

For homeowners who don’t want to build an addition in their yard, the only option is to build up with a second story addition. This option can greatly expand the size of a home, but it is a major project that will take a significant amount of time and require the family to move out during construction.

In most cases, a second story addition also requires some reconfiguration of the first-floor layout to accommodate the stairway and structural supports. Second-story home-addition costs will be at least $100 per square foot higher than a standard addition.

GreatBuildz can help make a home addition project easier from start to finish. They connect homeowners with three reliable contractors that fit any project and budget, all with one call. They also provide ongoing project support to make sure contractors are held accountable and the job gets done right. Whether you already have your home addition plans or just getting started, GreatBuildz can help you take the next step.

The friendly GreatBuildz staff is always available, ensuring homeowners get help and guidance from a real human. GreatBuildz can be reached at 818-317-3567.

Paul is a parent of two and co-founder of GreatBuildz, a Los Angeles service that matches homeowners with reputable, pre-screened general contractors. Paul is also a serial entrepreneur, real estate investor and active Angel investor. He has over 20+ years of experience in the real estate industry with a background in construction, development and private equity.

You Have the Power: Understanding Your Public School Options as a Parent

Published August 27, 2021

Myrna Castrejon

There may be more public education options for your child than you think.

For many California families, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a renewed focus on the education that their child receives. Class schedules varied, children were at home for months and daily learning transitioned from the classroom to the computer screen.

As we emerge from the pandemic, parents can apply lessons learned to reimagine how the public schools in their community can best serve their child. Some parents found that their kids needed additional support in certain subjects or that their school doesn’t offer varied courses to help keep them engaged and challenged. Others saw their kids thrive and enjoy learning at home.

Parents learned that there are options in how their child can succeed academically. There is no reason not to try something new if your child might have a better chance to thrive. For decades, California has provided a wide range of public educational opportunities which may have been left unexamined because parents didn’t know about all the options.

In each community, there are at least a few public educational options for your kids: district public schools, which include magnet schools, and charters which are also always public schools. All of these public schools are subject to the same basic requirements and requirements set forth by the state and local education agencies. And there is never a cost to attend any public school

District public schools are what we have all understood as the “neighborhood school.” They are free and open to all students living in their boundaries. They’re managed by the locally elected school board and funded by state and local property taxes. Your home address determines the school your child attends and quality of education they receive. Magnet public schools are also part of the district school system, but have a specific curricular focus, such as STEM or vocational paths and are open to all children living in that school district. Placement in these schools is often competitive and can be based on past academic performance, an audition and/or scores on an entrance exam.

Charter public schools are another type of public school. Like district schools, they are free to attend. Unlike district schools, they are open to all students, regardless of zip code. These community schools are created by educators who have the flexibility to design instructional models that put students first and deliver a high-quality education. Charter public schools are often established in low-income or underserved communities, in direct response to a desire for additional public education opportunities. A charter public school may also focus on specialized learning like a magnet school, but it will not set prerequisites or require testing. Charter schools accept all students regardless of previous academic performance.

Check out our video here

In the LAUSD, Black charter school students are academically outperforming their peers attending district schools in English Language Arts and Math based on the state’s Distance from Standard metric. Black and Latinx students attending charter high schools are more likely to have completed college readiness courses (A-G curriculum) than their peers at district schools.

The flexibility and adaptability of a charter public school provides educators the freedom from bureaucracy to design an education that can help your child succeed in college, career, and life.

Every child deserve access to a great public education, and California’s 1,300 public charter public schools are continually innovating and evolving to provide parents with more options to make that happen. If you’ve not considered all your public school options, a charter school might be a great fit for your child.

Let’s Celebrate Pride

Published June 18, 2021

By Evonna Ranade

Pride is celebrated during the month of June to honor the Stonewall Uprising in 1969, which was a pivotal moment in LGBTQ liberation. This is a time of celebration with parades and concerts to show support for the community. It is also a time to educate and promote acceptance of people for just being themselves. This roundup celebrates Pride by featuring songs and books for kids to explore. It also serves as a support system, providing resources to encourage LGBTQ youth and inform their allies.

It’s OK to Be Me (A Mi Me Gusta Ser Yo)

Peruvian American Musician Twinkle is back with her 4^th single that promotes inclusivity during Pride Month. This song encourages kids to be confident in their individuality. Twinkle is the “Lady Gaga for kids” and wants everyone to know that they are perfect the way they are. This single drops on June 25^th and will be available to stream on all platforms. Available to listen to in English or Spanish.

Getting Back Up: A Story of Resilience, Self-Acceptance and Success

Named a “Must Read” by Entertainment Weekly, Harma Hartouni shares his coming-out story and hardships to show teens how they can learn to grow from their own life events. Now happily married with 3 beautiful children, Hartouni hopes to give back to the LGBTQ community by sharing tips for coming out and advice for parents on how they can support their kids. This book is truly inspirational and shows genuine resilience. $14.95, amazon.com

Pride on the Peninsula

Terranea Resort is a hidden gem in the Palos Verdes Peninsula. This month it is partnering with South Bay LGBTQ Center to celebrate the LGBTQ community. Terranea invites everyone to partake in this joyfulness with a special two-night stay offer. It includes a $100 resort credit and free daily parking on stays through June 30^th with the promo code: PRIDE. Guests will also have the chance to donate to the South Bay LGBTQ Center, showing continuous support. te rranea.com

Bubble Spectacular

Beverly Center will honor the LGBTQ community by lighting up the building exterior with PRIDE-inspired, rainbow colors every night in June. This features the launch of the Bubble Spectacular, where a sea of rainbow bubbles will float into the skylight every Saturday and Sunday. The Beverly Center will also be collecting funds to donate to key LGBTQ organizations including Trans Youth Equality Foundation. beverlycenter.com

Hope in a Box & Born This Way Foundation National Storytelling Contest

To celebrate LGBTQ-inclusive literature, these nonprofits teamed up to invite students from across the country to share how LGBTQ stories have inspired them. Local 11th-grade student, Alexandra Paolucci, from Palos Verdes Peninsula High School has been chosen as one of the winners. Her inspiring story talks about the importance of LGBTQ literature to teens like herself and is available to read at Born This Way Foundation’s storytelling platform. changekindness.org

Pride Story Creation Zones

Join Creation Zone to share Pride stories that will feature a cast of talented LGBTQIA+ Story Pirates. Takes place on Friday, June 25^th at 4pm PT on Zoom. The creativity never has to end in this fun, special event that celebrates the closing of Pride Month. Free, zoom.us

SaMo Pride Art Walk

Santa Monica is excited to announce the “Rainbow Road Art Walk” which will be on display June 4 – 30. Curated in partnership with Allies in Arts, the rainbow-lit art walk exclusively features the creations of local LGBTQ visual artists, with a dynamic collection of murals, photo installations, interactive and multimedia works. smpride.com

How Life Is: Queer Youth Animated

View a special 10-episode short film series to celebrate Pride Month and amplify the stories of LGBTQ youth and allies. The films cover the challenges these kids navigate such as coming out, blended families, relationships, peer acceptance, homophobia, parity and more. Episodes are already streaming on YouTube and IGTV, with new ones released every Tuesday throughout June. youtube.com

Cedars-Sinai Pediatric, Adolescent Gender Wellness Clinic

PHOTO COURTESY CEDARS-SINAI

Just in time for Pride Month, Cedars-Sinai has opened a clinic for children and adolescents under age 18 who are experiencing gender dysphoria. The clinic is run by Paria Hassouri, MD, who is a pediatrician specializing in gender wellness. As a parent to a transgender child, Dr. Hassouri wants to ensure everyone can receive the proper care. Please visit the link for more information and for helpful tips for parents to learn how to best support their children. cedars-sinai.org

The Happy Planner

Celebrate Pride with this special edition collection from The Happy Planner. Features a 12-month planner, stickers and bookmarks (all sold separately), to encourage everyone to stay true to themselves and choose love. 25% of net profits from this capsule will go to The Out Foundation and NQTTCN, which focus on mental and physical health for the LGBTQ community. thehappyplanner.com

Please visit the L.A. Parent Calendar for more information on these events.

Featured High School Writer: Winner of The Tomorrow Prize

Published June 14, 2021

By Gwendolyn Lopez

EDITOR’S NOTE: This spring, the Omega Sci-Fi Awards hosted its 6^th annual live show featuring emerging science-fiction writing talent, including the work of local high school students through The Tomorrow Prize. The nonprofit program was founded in 2014 by Sci-Fest L.A., which aims to recognize and encourage emerging sci-fi writers, and Light Bringer Project, a Pasadena-based nonprofit arts and education organization.

L.A. Parent was a proud co-sponsor of The Tomorrow Prize, and we are happy to publish this year’s winning story, “Star Sailor,” by Pasadena High School student Gwendolyn Lopez.

She is a luminous writer with a mind that shines as bright as the stars. “I never thought that my little idea about a space explorer would make it this far,” Gwendolyn says, “and I’m so honored to be the first place winner of the Tomorrow Prize!” She introduces original ideas about the future and exploration, transporting readers to another world. “Writing ‘Star Sailor’ was challenging,” she says, “but it was also really fun to mix old ideas of exploration with futuristic outer space. I also loved writing out the personalities of the radio and protagonist.” This piece is incredibly thought-provoking and truly captures the talent of the best in L.A.

Star Sailor

On the sunrise of a day long ago, a sailor stared at a sea of glittering tears.

It was a different world. Stars, galaxies—they were all a thing of the future. There was only the salt of the water, the bite of the breeze. And a man, standing at the edge of his world, as eager as the needle of the compass he clutched in his right hand.

I imagine myself as that sailor now, immortalized on the page of a school textbook, as reluctant to yield as the mysteries surrounding him. Both of us with our own seas to sail, except mine is made of the void. Both of us in ships. His is firm, blessed by flora. Mine reeks of metal and oxidizers.

Both of us, alone.

My ship rattles, shaking me back to reality. The cockpit I’m sitting in is dark, with the lights turned down low. A permanent chill fills the air.

A pebble thrust against the universe. That’s me. My similarities with the ancient sailor start to fade, leaving a bitter aftertaste. At least he had a destination—all I have is this stolen hunk of a ship, a cracked photograph of my family, and a dwindling supply of oxygen.

I sigh. It sounds like a thunderstorm in the cramped ship, with only the engine’s whir and the beeping of my location tracker accompanying me.

Beep, beep. I have now entered the Holmberg V system.

Boop, boop. Now I’m in Messier 68.

It’s a faulty thing, a piece of junk. Either that, or what everyone’s been telling me is true.

The universe has already been discovered.

I slouch in my chair. The windshield of my ship is displayed in front of me, showing a view that hasn’t changed in the past month of flying through space. Deep, endless black. No shadows. No light. If I look at it for too long, I start to think it’ll swallow me whole.

I’m not sure when I doze off, but when the location tracker on my ship’s dashboard starts to beep, I instantly jolt up. The sound is different, not a mellow indicator reciting names I already know. Instead, it’s a harsh, blaring alarm. Meaning there’s something new out there, something that isn’t on the star maps.

Heart beating fast, I edge myself forward, leaning so that I can read the small, evenly printed text displayed by the spaceship’s AI.

The name printed out on the dashboard isn’t one I recognize. That’s because there isn’t any name at all.

Foreign celestial body detected, the spaceship AI says in its mechanical voice.

My hands fly over the dashboard, and the spaceship’s AI redirects itself toward the disturbance. I feel like a swarm of bees. My breath is shaky, laced with excitement. This could be it—I’ve finally spotted land from the crow’s nest. The thrill of discovery, glory, and riches! It could all be mine.

My ship slides me out of curved spacetime as smoothly as it guided me in. The universe snaps into focus. I’m met with a simple star system—a G2V star, surrounded by planets ambling around its gravitational pull. I stare in awe as the location tracker beeps away their names, one after the other. I don’t care. There’s something here that doesn’t belong, and for now it’s the only thing that matters.

My ship slows down in front of a blue-green planet, then dips down into its atmosphere. My surroundings shine blue—all seen through a pair of red sunglasses as my ship burns through the ozone layer. When it all clears up, I get my first real look at Foreign Celestial Body.

My stomach does a flip when I spot buildings dotted across the planet’s landscape.

Civilization—meaning intelligent life! At this rate, my portrait will surely be framed alongside the greats!

The ship lands, and I’m bursting at the seams. As quickly as possible, I throw open the doors and let sunlight stream inside. Finally, here I am—standing on a new world!

I’m greeted by a small village. Houses, neatly positioned next to each other, covered with moss and trees and greenery. The people must like plants.

“Hello?” I call out. My voice seems to echo through the village. I clear my throat. “Is anybody there?”

No answer. A bird titters from a tree branch.

“Where am I?” I shout. As a response, the leaves sway in the wind.

The walls of the houses are dirty. Their insides are empty, abandoned.

I’ve wandered into a ghost town.

After a long search, I’ve found nothing. I’m about to head back to my ship and search someplace else when I hear a voice.

My head snaps back, searching for the direction it came from. A rodent scampers in front of me. Wind whistles through the branches above me. And I hear it again.

“Is somebody there?”

“I am!” I call out.

A person! I run toward the voice, who keeps calling out the same words, and eventually I find myself in a house that looks like all the others. Deserted, empty. Except for the voice which gives it life.

But as quickly as the excitement came, it seeps away. There is no life in this house. The voice I’d mistaken for alive was just a beaten up, vintage radio laying on a shelf coated with dust.

“This place is useless,” I mutter.

“Wait!” the radio cries out. I look at it with wide eyes. Did an old, abandoned piece of junk just… talk to me?

“I’m hallucinating,” I say.

“You’re not,” the radio points out. I take three steps closer, lifting it in my hands. The radio is normal. Ancient. Except for the fact that it’s talking to me.

“Who—” I cut myself off. “What are you?”

“I’m an AI. The first one.” The radio pauses. Like it’s contemplating. “No one’s visited me in millenia. Why have you come back to Earth?”

“Earth?” My voice takes a sharp edge. “Visited you?”

“Oh.” The radio suddenly sounds small. “You aren’t here for me.”

“Of course I’m not.” I set the radio back down. My hands are covered with dust, and I wipe them on my trousers. “I’m an explorer,” I declare. “I came because I’m sick of being no one. People told me I was crazy, to go looking for something. Well, now look! An entire planet. Not on the star maps. And it’s all mine.”

The radio is quiet for a long time. “You’re wrong.”

“I’m wrong?”

“There is always something to explore,” says the radio softly. “You don’t need a planet, or thousands of light years, to be somebody.”

My words dry up in my throat. It feels like the radio is fixing me with a stare, even though that’s impossible. Radios don’t have voices. And they definitely don’t have eyes.

“Do you know why there’s no one here?” the radio asks.

I blink. That wasn’t what I was expecting.

“…Tell me.”

“Everyone left. They spread out their wings, flew across the universe. Into its nooks and crannies, into places no one had seen before. And so when the fossil fuels of this planet shriveled up, they packed up their things and passed the reins back to Mother Nature.” The radio hums a soft tune. It sounds familiar. “As it should be.”

“But who’s ‘they’?”

“Humanity, of course.” My mouth opens wide in shock. The radio chuckles. “Did your teachers skip that lesson in history class?”

“That’s stupid,” I say. “Why would humans stay on just one planet? Why not just wormhole over to another star system? Why—” I gesture at the abandoned houses, at the grass and the birds singing duets in the trees. “Why this?”

“This is where it started,” the radio says. “This is where it ends. But not for you. Not for everyone else. For you, it’s a new beginning.”

I slam my foot against the ground in frustration. “But this was supposed to be my planet. My discovery. You can’t just take that away from me.”

“Look all you want. You’ll find nothing.”

I turn my back on the radio and leave.

The sea of my home planet reminds me of the sun. It is bright. Cheerful. Liquid laughter, rather than tears.

The scars of outer space slowly fade away, and I find my way home. The radio was right. There was nothing left for me on the mysterious planet of Earth. Nothing that hadn’t been done already.

_________________________________

Sleeplessness invades my nights. I can’t stop thinking about that lonely AI on planet Earth. Humming that sad, familiar tune to itself. Waiting for a visitor who will never come.

To cope, I start to sail. On the ocean, instead of the unforgiving void. It’s fun. Terrifying. Being given control without the safety net of spaceship AI. I become my own sailor, one of a new world.

One of my world.

The sun sets. I look up at the map of my future. And it is completely blank, left there for me to fill out.

Gwendolyn Lopez is a sophomore at Pasadena High School. She is trilingual and speaks English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Outside of school, Gwendolyn enjoys reading, looking at cloud patterns in the sky, and writing fiction that has sci-fi or fantasy elements. Her short story, “Star Sailor,” was inspired by the 16th-century explorers in her history textbook and the mysteries of outer space.

How to Know if Your Child is Ready for Summer Camp

Published April 30, 2021

When your child hits a certain age, you might think that they’re ready for summer camp or sleepaway camp. However, being ready for camp isn’t as clear as reaching an age. Many kids start summer camp when they’re 8 to 10 years old. Other kids aren’t ready until they’re 11 or 12. To figure out if your child is ready for summer camp, take a look at their maturity level and personality by asking yourself these questions below.

How independent is my child?

Independence is a big factor when determining if your child is ready. At summer camp, and especially sleepaway camp, your child must be independent enough to do things like brush their teeth, shower or bathe, dress themselves and navigate most of their daily routine on their own. Camp counselors may remind campers about their personal hygiene, but it’s most important that kids already know how to do this.

Being self-reliant and mature enough to go to camp goes beyond personal hygiene. If an issue comes up, it’s best if your child knows how to ask an adult at camp for help. Has your child had successful sleepovers at friends’ homes? Have they had successful experiences with babysitters? Going to camp does teach kids independence, so if you’re unsure that they’re ready, look at the other signs.

Is my child confident when trying new things?

For most children, going to summer camp or sleepaway camp is an opportunity to experience new things. Is your child ready to handle it with confidence?

Your child will likely participate in many activities that they haven’t tried before, from archery and sailing to pottery and ceramics. If your child reacts positively when being introduced to brand new things, they’re likely ready for camp.

Confidence is also necessary for making friends and adapting to new surroundings. Think about your child’s previous experiences with meeting unfamiliar kids, meeting new teachers, or exploring new classrooms. Were they excited, or were they upset and tried to avoid the situation? Going to camp can help nudge your child out of their comfort zone, but it’s best that they welcome new things and activities with open arms, at least for the most part.

Does my child take direction well?

Camp life is filled with schedules, planned activities, and rules. Does your child follow instructions well? Do they listen, remember directions and follow through on what they’re told? If your child has a stubborn streak or still has tantrums when they’re told what to do, they may not be ready yet.

While kids are not expected to be perfect at camp, remember that many camp rules are designed for child safety. When they’re not followed, the consequences can be disastrous. Your child should be willing to follow instructions given by adults, whether that’s going to bed at a certain time, moving on to a new activity, or remembering to do something for safety’s sake.

Is my child asking to go to camp?

Here’s a sign as clear as day that your child is ready for camp: they’re asking you to go! Maybe they’ve never experienced camp before and they’ve heard about it from their friends at school. Or maybe your child has been to day camps and is ready for a new adventure at an overnight camp. In either case, if they’re asking to go, that’s a very good sign that they’re ready for it.

What do I want my child to learn?

When you’ve determined that your child is ready, ask yourself what you want them to learn at camp. Many summer camps and sleepaway camps are tailored toward certain activities, educational subjects or adventures.

For example, if you and your child are interested in coding and computers, an academic camp that focuses on that can be really fun for them. If you want your child to spend more time outdoors and moving around, an adventure camp with hiking, canoeing and survival skills is a good option. Is your child a budding creative type? Check out the arts summer camps that focus on theater, dance, art or writing.

Try Summer@Stratford

If your child isn’t quite ready for overnight camps yet, try sending them to summer camps during the day as a trial run. Summer@Stratford infuses a STEAM curriculum into an enriching, fun summer camp experience. Summer@Stratford has designed subject-based, engaging camp experiences for preschoolers and kindergarteners, elementary-age kids, and middle schoolers. Learn more about Stratford summer camp programs by visiting www.stratfordschools.com/summer.

Local High School Students Selected as Semifinalists in The Music Center’s Annual Spotlight Program

Published March 8, 2021

By Elena Epstein

We’re so excited to bring you some of SoCal’s most talented high school students. This diverse group was recently selected as semifinalists in The Music Center’s 33rd Annual Spotlight, a free nationally acclaimed arts training and scholarship program for teens.

Acting Semifinalists, (Left to Right): Jordan Anderson, Gloria Aung, Hannah Bogen, Andrew Bond, Kaylah Copeland, Jessie Franks, Lauren Gmelich, Yael Jeshion-Nelson, Bethany LeBerthon, Stephen Moran, Hannah Nordberg, Bridget Phillips, Lulu Royce, Sydney Shepherd, Cielo Valenzuela, and Tovah Zafri. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MUSIC CENTER

The program offers valuable performance opportunities, audition experiences and mentorship, plus technical and artistic insights taught by professional artists and arts administrators, and awards more than $100,000 in scholarships each year. This year, TMC Arts was re-imagined with an entirely digital and COVID safe platform.

The Music Center named 16 semifinalists in each of the seven categories—acting, ballet, dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrumental and jazz instrumental. This year, nearly 1,500 teens representing more than 275 schools, 194 cities and 8 counties auditioned for the prestigious program.

Non-Classical Voice Semifinalists: Cassidy May Benullo, Jack Borenstein, Megan Colton, Karina Constantinides, Ethan Cruz, Christian Dorey, Jaedynn Latter, Kate Lin, Robyn Morales, Lillie Owers, Leilani Patao, Kennedy Percival, Sophie Pollono, Emma Reed, Akira Sky, and Abigail Thompson. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MUSIC CENTER

Notable Spotlight alumni include Tony Award winner Lindsay Mendez, American Ballet Theatre’s principal dancer Misty Copeland, Emmy award-winning composer Kris Bowers and recording artists Josh Groban and Adam Lambert, among many others.

“While arts learning remains under pressure in school budgets, The Music Center’s Spotlight is a vibrant program that serves an essential need,” said Rachel S. Moore president and CEO of The Music Center. “Spotlight is a year-long journey with a lifetime of benefits for these young students. We’re very proud that our program offers a comprehensive learning experience that nurtures young artists’ aspirations and supports the next generation of performers and arts professionals.”

Jazz Instrumental Semifinalists: Elder Gindroz, Declan Houlihan, David Lee, Jack Lieberman, Santiago Lopez, JJ Lybbert, Max Nguyen, Sophia Papouchado, Gianna Pedregon, Brooklyn Schmidt, William Schwartzman, Jacob Speth, Lucas Sterling, Kai Suzuki, Shukhrat Turdikhodjaev, and Joshua Wong. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MUSIC CENTER

Semifinalists have the opportunity to attend a special mastery class in their discipline with highly regarded artists, who share their expertise on performance technique, training and professional life. Experts provide students with valuable feedback on their performances, offering them a rich learning experience. Each semifinalist will audition virtually again before a new panel of judges, who will then select the top two finalist performers in each category for a total of 14 Grand Prize Finalists. Judges will also name an Honorable Mention in each category. The Grand Prize Finalists will perform in The Music Center’s Spotlight Virtual Grand Finale Performance on May 22, 2021, premiering on The Music Center Offstage digital platform at 7:00 p.m.

The Music Center’s Spotlight program awards more than $100,000 in cash scholarships annually. Semifinalists each receive $300. The eventual Grand Prize Finalists will each receive $5,000 scholarships, plus one Honorable Mention in each category will receive $1,000. The Music Center also celebrates five students in each category with the Merit Award, which acknowledges students who inspire the judges by their commitment and dedication to their art form; Spotlight Merit Award recipients each receive $100.

To help students interested in applying to the Spotlight program, The Music Center launched The Spotlight Academy last summer as an episodic series of online videos and tutorials. Designed for young artists, parents and educators, The Spotlight Academy features 15 webisodes that focus on subjects related to applying for the Spotlight program as well as advice for anyone considering a career in the arts, both on- or offstage. The videos provide a deep dive into the program’s seven categories, and discuss curated topics featuring alumni and experts in the field, including Superstore actress Carla Renata, opera singer Suzanna Guzmán and New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck, among others.

Congratulations to The Music Center’s 33rd Annual Spotlight Program Semifinalists:

Name	Program Name	Home City	School	Grade
Jack Lieberman	Jazz Instrumental	Agoura Hills	Agoura High School	9
Julia Outmesguine	Ballet	Agoura Hills	Oak Park Independent High School	11
Oscar Yum	Classical Voice	Altadena	Flintridge Preparatory	10
Megan Colton	Non-Classical Voice	Arcadia	Arcadia High School	12
Bethany LeBerthon	Acting	Arcadia	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	11
Alon Moradi	Classical Voice	Beverly Hills	Harvard-Westlake (Upper)	12
Gloria Aung	Acting	Bradbury	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	12
Brooklyn Schmidt	Jazz Instrumental	Burbank	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	12
Lillie Owers	Non-Classical Voice	Burbank	California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley	12
Cassidy May Benullo	Non-Classical Voice	Calabasas	Calabasas High School	10
Jacob Speth	Jazz Instrumental	Camarillo	Adolfo Camarillo High School	12
Erin Park	Dance	Chino	Chino Hills High School	9
Sydney Thomas	Dance	Chino Hills	Orange County School of the Arts	11
Ethan Cruz	Non-Classical Voice	Chula Vista	San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts	12
Lucy Cox	Ballet	Claremont	Granite Mountain Charter School	11
Julian Menendez	Dance	Costa Mesa	Costa Mesa High School	11
Fiona Poth	Ballet	Coto de Caza	Avenues Online: The World School	9
Jordan Anderson	Acting	Covina	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	12
Natalie Steele	Ballet	Dana Point	JSerra Catholic High School	9
Kaylah Copeland	Acting	Duarte	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	12
Esther Liu	Classical Instrumental	Fullerton	Fullerton Union High School	12
Adam Takahashi	Ballet	Fullerton	Home Schooled	10
Lucas Sterling	Jazz Instrumental	Glendale	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	11
Lauren Gmelich	Acting	Glendale	Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy	12
Yael Jeshion-Nelson	Acting	Glendale	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	12
Jaedynn Latter	Non-Classical Voice	Huntington Beach	Huntington Beach High School	12
Jack Borenstein	Non-Classical Voice	Huntington Beach	Huntington Beach High School	12
Chloe Capulong	Ballet	Huntington Beach	Home Schooled	11
Chloe Capulong	Dance	Huntington Beach	Home Schooled	11
Shukhrat Turdikhodjaev	Jazz Instrumental	Idyllwild-Pine Cove	Idyllwild Arts Academy	11
Eunice Lee	Classical Instrumental	Irvine	Tustin Connect	12
Zachary Lin	Classical Instrumental	Irvine	University High School (Irvine)	11
Hina Tamaki	Classical Instrumental	Irvine	University High School (Irvine)	12
Allen Cai	Classical Voice	Irvine	Santa Margarita Catholic High School	10
Kevin Corrigan	Classical Voice	Irvine	Woodbridge High School	12
Emma Chen	Ballet	Irvine	Portola High School	10
Emily Okamoto	Ballet	Irvine	Northwood High School	11
Emmy Cheung	Dance	Irvine	Orange County School of the Arts	11
Ella Horan	Dance	Irvine	University High School (Irvine)	10
Emily Okamoto	Dance	Irvine	Northwood High School	11
Hana Uehara	Dance	Irvine	Orange County School of the Arts	10
Kailyn Yi	Dance	Irvine	Orange County School of the Arts	11
Tess Alexander	Classical Voice	La Cañada Flintridge	La Canada High School	11
Kangsan Kim	Classical Voice	La Habra	Orange County School of the Arts	11
Natalia Burns	Ballet	Ladera Ranch	San Juan Hills High School	12
Chase Rogers	Ballet	Ladera Ranch	San Juan Hills High School	10
Kate Lin	Non-Classical Voice	Laguna Niguel	Home Schooled	11
Santiago Lopez	Jazz Instrumental	Long Beach	Los Alamitos High School	12
Max Nguyen	Jazz Instrumental	Los Alamitos	Los Alamitos High School	11
Fengyang (William) Ju	Classical Instrumental	Los Angeles	Colburn Music Academy	11
Cole Turkel	Classical Instrumental	Los Angeles	Oak Crest Academy	12
Dominik Yoder	Classical Instrumental	Los Angeles	Sky Mountain Charter School	12
Elder Gindroz	Jazz Instrumental	Los Angeles	Hamilton High School	12
Declan Houlihan	Jazz Instrumental	Los Angeles	Hamilton High School	12
Kai Suzuki	Jazz Instrumental	Los Angeles	El Segundo High School	12
Joshua Wong	Jazz Instrumental	Los Angeles	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	12
Sophie Pollono	Non-Classical Voice	Los Angeles	Chaminade College Preparatory High School – Canoga	10
Leilani Patao	Non-Classical Voice	Los Angeles	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	11
Akira Sky	Non-Classical Voice	Los Angeles	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	12
Karina Constantinides	Non-Classical Voice	Los Angeles	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	12
Stephen Moran	Acting	Los Angeles	Ramon C. Cortines High School	12
Hannah Nordberg	Acting	Los Angeles	Campbell Hall	11
Tovah Zafrin	Acting	Los Angeles	Ramon C. Cortines High School	12
Ava Louise Winer	Ballet	Los Angeles	Marlborough School	11
Sophia Papouchado	Jazz Instrumental	Manhattan Beach	Vistamar School	10
Hannah Bogen	Acting	Manhattan Beach	Chadwick School	12
Claire Buchi	Ballet	Manhattan Beach	Chadwick School	10
Gunner Stephens	Dance	Murrieta	Murrieta Mesa High School	11
Catherine Johnston	Classical Voice	Newport Beach	Orange County School of the Arts – OCSA	12
Sydney Shepherd	Acting	Norwalk	Ilead Hybrid	12
Selena Hamilton	Dance	Norwalk	Home Schooled	11
Cielo Valenzuela	Acting	Pasadena	California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley	11
Alexandra Cook	Classical Voice	Rancho Santa Margarita	Mission Viejo High School	12
Mi-Hyun Suh	Classical Instrumental	Rowland Heights	Diamond Bar High School	12
Anais Feller	Classical Instrumental	San Diego	Classical Academy High School	10
Fantasia Guerra-Rivera	Classical Voice	San Diego	Chula Vista Senior High School	12
Flora Yuan	Classical Voice	San Diego	Del Norte High School	11
Rachael Hudak	Dance	San Diego	Westview High School	12
Grace Li	Dance	San Diego	Canyon Crest Academy	10
Luc Simpson	Dance	San Diego	iHigh Virtual Academy	12
Nicole Lam	Classical Instrumental	San Gabriel	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	12
Bridget Phillips	Acting	San Juan Capistrano	Orange County School of the Arts	11
Grace Navarro	Classical Voice	San Marino	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	11
Ava Kuntz	Classical Voice	Santa Ana	Orange County School of the Arts	12
Emma Reed	Non-Classical Voice	Santa Clarita	Canyon High School – Canyon Country	12
Andrew Bond	Acting	Santa Clarita	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	11
Francine Mae Peji	Dance	Santa Clarita	Valencia High School	12
William Schwartzman	Jazz Instrumental	Santa Monica	Santa Monica High School	10
Milla Moretti	Classical Voice	Santa Monica	Santa Monica High School	11
Chloe Stavis	Classical Voice	Santa Monica	Santa Monica High School	11
Matthew Thorson	Classical Voice	Santa Monica	Santa Monica High School	11
JJ Lybbert	Jazz Instrumental	Seal Beach	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	10
Allison Park	Classical Instrumental	Sherman Oaks	Harvard-Westlake (Upper)	12
Jessie Franks	Acting	Sierra Madre	California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley	12
Daniel Wang	Classical Instrumental	Simi Valley	Westlake High School	10
Abigail Wyrrick	Ballet	Thousand Oaks	Blue Ridge Academy	10
Mei Hotta	Classical Instrumental	Torrance	Home Schooled	12
David Lee	Jazz Instrumental	Torrance	Orange County School of the Arts	12
Kennedy Percival	Non-Classical Voice	Upland	Home Schooled	10
Kevin Cho	Classical Instrumental	Valencia	West Ranch High School	12
Christian Dorey	Non-Classical Voice	West Covina	California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley	12
Nicholas Kim	Classical Instrumental	West Hills	Agoura High School	12
Lulu Royce	Acting	West Hollywood	Los Angeles County High School for the Arts	11
Abigail Thompson	Non-Classical Voice	Westlake Village	Westlake High School	12
Mia Schlosser	Ballet	Westlake Village	Westlake High School	9
Daniel Bae	Classical Instrumental	Whittier	IQ Academy California	12
Gianna Pedregon	Jazz Instrumental	Whittier	Orange County School of the Arts	12
Robyn Morales	Non-Classical Voice	Wildomar	Murrieta Valley High School	12
Robyn Morales	Classical Voice	Wildomar	Murrieta Valley High School	12
Keara Nichols	Ballet	Winchester	Home Schooled	12
Chloe Kinzler	Ballet	Winnetka	Granada Hills Charter High School	11
Mallory McKenna	Dance	Yorba Linda	Orange County School of the Arts	10

For more information about The Music Center’s Spotlight program, visit musiccenter.org/spotlight.