Growing Up in Santa Cruz August 2021 by Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Pre-kH Highol Scho

OUG THR

Now Enrolling for the 2021-2022 school year!

Visit www.gatewaysc.org to schedule a tour

GATEWAY SCHOOL

New School Year, New Experiences. Same Consistent Results With Kumon.

To learn more, schedule a FREE orientation!

W H E R E E X P E R I E N C E A N D I N N O VAT I O N M E E T

Kumon Math and Reading Centers of

Aptos 8035 Soquel Dr. Ste. 27 Aptos, CA 95003 831.508.8200

Santa Cruz 740 Front St. Ste. 150 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831.824.6284

Makers Space and Art Place We host art shows, workshops, private parties and more!

Art and Craft Supplies Space to Create

6225 Highway 9 | Cr

ookedBeautyArt.com

AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

SEPTEMBER’S

Features

Jim Booth Swim School

Evenings • Saturday Classes • Birthday Parties

The BEST in Baby Swimming! Start at 4 months in our 94 ° indoor pool!

Back to School Anxiety

NOW

OPEN

The Summer of Roller Coasters

23 I Learned it on TickTok

Ages 3.5 - 6 Mon/Wed/Fri 3:30p-4:00p

Ages 7+

Mon/Wed/Fri 4:00p-5:00p

Editors' Note.......................................4 Local News: Fire Safety.......................5 Parenting: Shoe Savvy........................6 Local News: Memories........................7 Local News: Plant Bar.........................8 Local News: Ten Questions.................9 Parenting: School Anxiety..................11 Financial Fitness.................................12 Education...........................................13 Your Home.........................................14 Local Artist: Gavin Gasparotti............15 Always Amused...................................16 County Scoop.....................................17 Moms Who Make a Difference............19 Birth Matters......................................20 Ask Nicole...........................................21 What the Kids are Saying....................22 I Learned it on TikTok.........................23 Teacher's Desk....................................24 Local News: Let Us In..........................25 Back to School Guide..........................26 Coloring Page.....................................28 Coloring Contest Winners..................29 August Calendar.................................30 Adventures in Momming...................36 EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Brad Kava, Jennifer Ford, Steve Dinnen

All Ages

Sat 10:00a-11:00a

Kids Kickboxing Freestyle Karate Ages 7+ Tues/Thurs 4:00p-5:00p

Kaijin MMA

ART DIRECTOR

4652 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

DISTRIBUTION & SUBSCRIPTIONS

(831) 515-7177

Zelzi Belle | Christy Shults Susan Bernstein CONTRIBUTORS

Patty Benson, Lisa Catteral, Eric Chalhaub, Sue Doherty, Seb Frey, Zach Friend, Gavin Gasparotti, Brad Kava, Laura Maxson, Jeanette Prather, Mikayla Shults, Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy, Suki Wessling, Thomas Wynn, Nicole Young PHOTOGRAPHER

Kevin Painchaud AD REPRESENTATIVES

Ann Fitts  ann@growingupsc.com Linda Kay  linda@growingupsc.com Sophie Veniel  sophie@growingupsc.com CONTACT US

408.656.1519 editor@growingupsc.com

P.O. Box 3505, Santa Cruz, CA 95063

AUGUST 2021 | VOL. 26 NO. 8

Printed lovingly by Fricke-Parks Press.

Growing Up in Santa Cruz copyright 2021. Printed in the U.S.A. All views expressed represent those of the individual authors. The contents of this publication are meant as information only and should not take the place of a medical doctor’s recommendations. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part, in any form, electronic or otherwise is prohibited without permission by the publisher. This publication does not knowingly accept deceptive or misleading advertising. Growing Up is printed on recycled paper

www.kaijinmma.com

Now at Harvey West in Santa Cruz and Watsonville indoor and outdoor pools.

722-3500

JimBoothSwimSchool.com • Like us on Facebook

testimonial Thanks to my ad in Growing Up in Santa Cruz, I was able to quit my part time job delivering pizza and start teaching piano students full time. – Will Lanz williamlanz@gmail.com

GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

Even small changes can make a BIG difference. Triple P is a scientifically-proven, world-renowned positive parenting program available to families in Santa Cruz County. Triple P strategies address a wide range of parenting challenges by providing a toolbox of easy-to-use tips. Find a full schedule of Triple P tips and classes at triplep.first5scc.org. This program is made possible through a partnership between First 5 Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (MHSA – Prop 63 funds) & Santa Cruz County Human Services Department.

I n f o r m at I o n : first 5 Santa Cruz County 831.465.2217 triplep@first5scc.org • triplep.first5scc.org

We’re asking for help from our readers to keep us printing. VISIT OUR GoFundMe at gofundme.com/f/keep-growing-up-publishing

AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Editors’ Note One of the most important stories you’ll read in our Back to School issue is an interview with Faris Sabbah, the man in charge of keeping some 42,000 K-12 students safe. The biggest news from him is that students will have to be masked until at least November, when the state will decide if that’s still a requirement. This should be a no-brainer. Medical experts see a second, more contagious wave of Covid sweeping the country and if students are going to be learning in person wearing a mask is a sensible precaution to keeping them and their families safe. But some are challenging Sabbah and the district, claiming that the requirement violates childrens’ right to breathe. We have to hand it to him for keeping a level head while the squawking minority of anti-vaxxers and antimaskers belittle and challenge the ruling. Look, we all hate masks. And the recent reprieve from them has been a breath of fresh air, literally. But we also realize that the common good supersedes personal comfort. Kids already can’t go to school without vaccines for polio, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Parents can’t drive kids on a school trip without a tuberculosis test. We give up certain freedoms for the greater good. Seatbelts are uncomfortable, but we are required to wear them. We can’t smoke in public buildings or outside them. Why wearing a mask or getting a vaccine is any different for some people confounds us. We do know that in the last century science has proven correct on

vaccines and we have eliminated terrible diseases and increased life expectancy by levels no one could have expected a century ago. To suddenly make masks and vaccines a political issue—and really, that’s what’s happened and it would take more space than we have here to analyze why—is a huge step away from a healthy future and back toward the dark ages. So, thanks Faris and all county and state administrators who are looking out for the safety of our children and ignoring the blathering of a loud, uneducated minority. Some of our other greatest hits this issue: How do you pick your kids’ shoes and why do we know so little about them? We’ve got several moms who make a difference, including one who has invented a fast-growing health bar. How do kids feel about returning to school? They tell us. What is Tik Tok and why do kids love it? They answer that one too. We’ve got a teacher giving her side of th story as well. Did you know a very big new movie was written right here by a grandfather? What was it like to grow up in Santa Cruz 90 years ago? Find out first hand. Is your kid anxious about returning to inperson school? We’ve got tips to help. This is a big issue and an important time as kids head back to class during a pandemic we hoped was gone…but isn’t. Let us know your thoughts at editor@ growingupsc.com And thanks for reading. Brad Kava, Jennifer Ford and Steve Dinnen

Cover Artist: Patty Benson

LOCAL NEWS High Schooler’s Invention Stops Fires Before They Spread BY BRAD KAVA

Arul with a FACE prototype, which he expects to ship in September. As the thick of the fire season approaches, Santa Cruzans may want to protect themselves with an amazing invention created by a 17-year-old high school student. Arul Mathur, who lives in Danville, but has been studying online with Soquel’s Merit Academy, has created something he calls F.A.C.E., or Fire Activated Cannister Extinguisher. You put them around your house and when triggered by high temperatures, they shoot out a fire retardant in an aerosol spray. His tests showed that the cannisters can douse flames in a four to five foot radius and he suggests placing the devices every 10 to 12 feet around a house can create a fire prevention barrier. He’s worked on the invention for two years after moving from New Jersey and seeing California’s devastating fires, including one that came so close to his family home, they were packed up and ready to evacuate, but were saved by brave firefighters. “I didn’t think this was a problem that could ever directly affect me,” he said. “But then I realized this is a problem that needs to be solved.” His first thought was to create units that could be placed on PG&E poles, since they were often the cause of blazes. Then, he thought it would be better for homeowners to be able to protect their homes and let firefighters work on the fires, without having to focus so much on individual homes. The device is triggered at 155 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that he says is well before the flashpoint of wood and would protect it. You can see video of his creative process here: facefires.com/about-us “The Paradise Fire was very big,” he said. “It’s unclear whether FACE devices would have saved those homes. It would

have a good chance of slowing the spread and it would have made homes more resistant to burning.” He hopes his invention will allow homeowners to feel safe evacuating, rather than risking their lives to save their homes. He says the device has worked in all of his tests, but because of legal liability he can’t give 100 percent assurance. So far, he’s achieved financial success with a kickstarter campaign (facefires. com/about-us) that raised more than double the $5000 he was seeking and ended July 31. You can still buy FACEs at www.facefires.com. He sells the units for $99 each with price cuts for buying in volume. Twenty of them would cost $1,700; seven would be $639. No surprise that Mather’s parents are in tech and encouraged him in his entrepreneurial ideas. His teacher at Merit, Susan TatsuiD’Arcy (who was California’s Mother of the Year in 2019), describes him as “incredibly focused and driven—I guess that’s what happens when the planet warms up, you realize your home can’t protect you from wildfires and there aren’t enough firefighters (or money) available to protect everyone’s homes.” Tatsui-D’Arcy has been working with Mather since he was in eight grade and his parents found her program on Google. She has other successful students including one who has created a supply chain relief system to get products to people during things like the pandemic, another who is getting toxins out of water from fracked wells and one who is using mushrooms as pesticides. She will be hosting a TedX seminar with these students at the Rio Theatre in November.

Join Us Outdoors or Online! Music and Movement for families with children Birth to 8 years old.

(831) 332-9002 | MusicalMe.com GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

PARENTING Getting off on the Right Feet BY BRAD KAVA “If you spend a lot of money, you are going to buy another pair in six months,” says Brenis. “That’s the downside, the cost.” Fleet Feet in Aptos measures kids' feet but doesn’t sell them shoes if they are under a size 8 boys or 6 girls, which are sizes for middle school students. “We’ve had trouble getting kids' shoes in, especially during Covid,” says owner Carole Mongeau.

Dr. Brenis has some important tips for those shopping for new shoes to send their kids to school in.

I spent Superbowl Sunday at the emergency room with my 5-year-old son, after he slipped and ran headfirst into a bench at Anna Jean Cummings Park. Four hours and seven stitches later, I didn’t really care about the game. But I did wonder about his shoes. Why didn’t they grip the ground better? Looking them over, they had flat soles with no tread like I have on my more expensive hiking and running shoes. I realized we are cheating our kids. Why don’t we buy them the best shoes,

like the ones we buy for older kids and adults? I soon found that only one store in all of Santa Cruz fits and sells shoes for kids (the Running Store, which has shoes down to a size 1) and the others have to buy online, in cheaper mass market stores like Target or Ross or drive over the hill for a serious fitting. My research took me to Santa Cruz podiatrist Dr. Mark Brenis, who said many people overlook kids’ feet because they grow so fast and it can be really expensive to keep buying shoes for them.

 Never leave the store and say, I’ll break them in and they’ll feel better. They need to be fine when you walk out of the store.  For toddlers just learning to walk get them shoes with more flex so they can grab the ground and get their balance. As they get older, you want a much more rigid shoe bottom.  Occasionally one foot is bigger than the other. Always buy for the bigger foot. If need be, you can use two socks in the smaller one.  When they turn 4 or 5 make sure the back of the shoe is firm. They call that

part the “heel counter.” Take your thumb on a good athletic shoe and push on the counter. It shouldn’t move. It should be stiff. If you buy Vans, the whole heel counter moves. They are terrible for kids.  When you bend a shoe by the ball of the foot, a good shoe will bend 45 degrees and not more. With a lousy shoe, he says, you can touch the front to the back and they will get no support.  Brands he likes include Stride Rite, New Balance, Merrill and Strictly Robeez, but many running shoes are fine, if they give enough support in the sole and heel.  Better shoes have a pattern on the bottom and kids are less likely to slip and skid. Would you have tires on your car without treads?  Don’t give kids hand-me-down shoes. Make sure they are firm and strong and give support.  If you have to buy online, buy three sizes of the same shoes and make sure you get the best fit. If you buy a size 3, but the big toe is hitting the end of the shoe, get a 4. Then you have to mail the others back. What a waste of time and effort.

Because not all great minds think alike. One in five children struggle with a learning difference, such as dyslexia. Chartwell School has been teaching students the skills and strategies to read well and thrive for over 35 years. Learn more about Chartwell and how we transform the lives of children who think and learn differently at chartwell.org On campus tours available; call 831-394-3468

2511 Numa Watson Road, Seaside CA

AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

LOCAL NEWS Memories of Santa Cruz What was it Like to Grow Up Santa Cruz, 90 years ago?

Jacque Rowland has fond memories of growing up in Santa Cruz. She is now in her 90’s, living in Scotts Valley, and looking forward to the birth of her 21st grandchild due to arrive in August.

I was only a toddler when the Great Depression struck, sending shock waves throughout the nation. I doubt if Santa Cruz felt it as keenly as the big cities. I surely don’t remember soup-lines or hearing of any in Santa Cruz who jumped out of windows after losing a fortune. My parents were comfortable, but we had no fortune to lose. We had a modest house

and my dad continued to work all through the late twenties and thirties. Santa Cruz was a retirement community. We had no large industries where lots of men could be laid off. So, life went on. The thing that stands out in my mind about my early childhood was the even tenor of the times. There was no crime, no drug traffic, no serial killers and to my knowledge no kooks stalking the streets. There was a serenity in feeling so safe and secure. My father had his own

business – an electrical contractor. My mother stayed home. My mom might have looked like an ordinary mom who wore aprons, attended PTA meetings, and greeted us every day as we came home from school, but Mom was unusually creative. She had a joy and zest for living I have seen in few others. She encouraged our hobbies and had a real gift for giving parties. She was the Perle Mesta of the church and neighborhood. On Halloween all the neighborhood kids crowded in to bob for apples, to read their fortunes which had been written in lemon juice and held up to a candle. Mom dressed up in a costume and told blood curdling ghost stories, which sent shivers down every back. We did not parade up and down the street collecting candy, but those parties were memorable. I can remember Santa Cruz as it was then – a peaceful little town of about 5,000 people. We played kick the can, bicycle polo, and hide-and-go-seek on long summer evenings. There was a wonderful hill nearby, which I flew down on my new skates (the kind you had to tighten with a skate key which you kept around your neck). If I flew down, my skates would often fly off too, and I ended up with scabby scarred knees. And the birthday parties Mom gave were always reported to the society editor of the Santa Cruz Sentinel, who

gave a full write-up, listing guests and type of cake. I do not remember hardship, but money was in short supply. We did not get allowances but could earn pennies for pulling weeds. You had to pull 20 to get a penny. Doing our regular chores was expected of us. We did not earn money for that. My mother made all my clothes, usually from hand-me-downs, but she did a good job. She always saw that we had good shoes, warm coats, and mittens. If we were ever unfortunate enough to get a cold, we were subjected to the mustard plaster treatment, which we dreaded. Life was idyllic, serene and uncomplicated. There was fun in having lots of vacant lots – all that space and so much time to do as we pleased. My big brother rigged up baking powder cans with a string stretched between and we talked from one vacant lot to another. In a crimeless community, Mom didn’t worry if we were unsupervised for several hours. Only the very rich were ever kidnapped. As a poet once said,

Better than minting of a gold crowned king Is the safe kept memory of a lovely thing. So I feel about my childhood. GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

LOCAL NEWS Local Plant-Based Health Bar BY BRAD KAVA

As a mom of three kids who moved to Santa Cruz from Stockholm, Sweden two years ago, one of the first new experiences for Jessica Wikingellism 33, was making lunch. In Sweden, schools provide food for all the students. “I am not a chef, nor do I like to cook, so naturally I started to look for healthy snacks to put in my kids lunch boxes,”

she recalls. “I also wanted something for myself since I often forget to eat lunch while working from home or running errands. I have always cared for my health being an old track and field athlete and also with a family that likes to be outdoors and active. To my surprise in a country that has everything, I had a hard time finding a snack that

contained nutrients, with low amounts of sugar and that was organic.” She asked a chef friend to help her find something that was plant based, tasted good but didn’t contain more than 10 grams of sugar, but he didn’t know of any. She also wanted something that had twice as much protein as sugar. “I was tired of all the date bars or protein bars that only tasted like protein powder and chemicals, so I decided to make my own. I wanted a natural bar that contained a lot of nutrients, no gluten, GMO, dairy or nuts with low amounts of sugar but enough protein for me and my kids. I experimented a lot with different ingredients until I found 5-10 ingredients that were all natural, organic and could be combined into a bar that would not only taste good but as a rule of thumb, contained twice as much protein as sugar.” She was tired of brownies and cookies and wanted flavors that would go well together, like beet and coconut, with sweet and sour tastes that were surprisingly good. Thus was born Växa Bars. The name came from the word grow in Swedish. “It just kind of came to me because I

have small children and I wanted them to grow in a healthy environment and I wanted it to be in Swedish to bring my heritage to the bland. Her picky eater kids, Love,5, (pronounced Lu-vey in Swedish), Wilder, 3, and River, 8 months, were her first taste subjects and the bars passed their tests. “My kids don’t understand the benefits of nutrition rich diets yet, for them it’s all about the flavor. With Blueberry Choco, No-Nut PB&J with sunflower butter and raspberries and Orange Tumeric, with orange peel, tumeric and apricots and finally, beet coconut. “We have the flavor options to satisfy your entire household.” Jessica is a brand consultant who specializes in social media management and her husband, Jake, a Santa Cruz native who met her in Brazil, is a product manager for a company that sells hospital supplies to emerging markets. But this new endeavor is really taking off. The bars are being sold at AJ’s Market, The Point Market, Soul Salad, Aptos Natural Foods and Wild Roots Market. Learn more at vaxabar.com.

Back to School is

Smile Check-up Time! WE FIX ALL BIKES!

Medi-Cal accepted Affordable rates for uninsured patients Santa Cruz 1830 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz (near Dominican Hospital) Mid-County 831.464.5409 open Mon-Sat 7:30am - 4:00pm Santa Cruz Beach Flats

302 Riverside Avenue, Santa Cruz (near the Boardwalk) 831.464.5411 open Mon-Fri 7:30am - 4:00pm

We rent bikes, lead supported trips, provide shuttles to great mountain bike spots, have a pump track and sell the equipment you need. See our excellent reviews online. cyclepathoutfitters.com

Watsonville 1430 Freedom Blvd, Suite C, Watsonville (near Cardenas) 831.621.2560 open Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm

www.dientes.org 8

AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

9041 SOQUEL DRIVE, APTOS | 831.682.1792

LOCAL NEWS

With Santa Cruz County’s School Superintendent Faris Sabbah BY BRAD KAVA



Can the district or the state require private schools to follow the same guidelines? Yes. The CDPH mask requirement is a public health directive, so it applies to both public and private schools.



The guidelines say masks don’t have to be worn outdoors. What about indoor activities in the gym, such as volleyball, basketball, wrestling? What about in cafeterias?



Will our schools follow the California Department of Public Health’s guidelines regarding masks being worn indoors by all K-12th graders. Do the individual districts have a choice of following them or not? If so, why did you choose to go the way you are going?

CDPH guidance is clear: All students and adults in schools in Santa Cruz County (public and private) must mask indoors. Districts don’t have the leeway to decide for themselves to ignore the guidance from CDPH. The CDPH has also said it expects to reevaluate the masking requirement by Nov. 1 — so it is possible the policy could change in the months ahead depending on factors such as vaccination and COVID-19 case rates. We can do our part by ensuring all eligible students ages 12 and up are vaccinated by the start of the school year.



Have you heard from the very politicized anti-maskers and what’s been your response to them? (I heard a two-hour-long radio show yesterday where they are loading up to take on the district legally and they claim to have had success in other districts relaxing mask requirements.)

I have had the opportunity to engage in person, via email, over the phone, and at board meetings with parents and community members who are vehemently against the use of masks. They have shared their point of view that masks and vaccines offer little to no

protection, and are harmful to children. Their claims are not supported by the general scientific community, and by local epidemiologists that I work with directly. We must continue to do our part to protect our students and community from the increasingly contagious Delta variant and adhere to CDPH guidance.



What will you do to or for kids who refuse to wear masks?

CDPH requires us to offer students masks to wear if they arrive to school without a mask. If students choose not to wear their mask indoors, I anticipate schools will contact parents/guardians to ask their support for their child to wear a mask. Parents/guardians will be notified that students must wear a mask indoors or they will be assigned an independent study program. If students have a medical condition that prohibits their ability to wear a mask, parents/ guardians will be notified that they can work with their doctor to complete a medical exemption in compliance with CDPH guidance.



Will there be health exceptions for those who claim they can’t wear masks? How will you verify the claims?

In accordance with CDPH guidance, parents/guardians of students with certain medical conditions can work with their medical providers to request a medical exemption. Those medical providers will need to be licensed in California and be in good standing.

According to CDPH, students whose exemption is approved must wear a non-restrictive alternative, such as a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge, as long as their condition permits it.



Looking back over the past year, do you think distance learning can be as effective as in-person? Are there positive things about it? Is it something that may be used in the future mix of education?

Distance learning worked for some students but not all. For some students it was quite effective. It was a reminder that education cannot be “one size fits all.” But it is true that exploring these kinds of different modalities has been a silver lining of the pandemic, and I do think you will see some of the approaches honed over the past year continue to impact education moving forward. We’re also required to offer independent study to families as an option this school year for families who opt in, so we’re continuing to see remote learning play a role.



Some educators recommend having students repeat the year they missed in person. Is that even possible and if it is, would you think it’s a good idea?

New state legislation, AB 104, requires schools to offer a consultation with a parent requesting that their student be retained in grade in the 2021-22 academic year. In general, the research shows that retaining students is counter-productive and increases the likelihood that they not make it to high school graduation.

We are still waiting for updated guidance on school sports. In terms of cafeterias, Schools are encouraged to set up food services outdoors. But if students need to eat indoors, they can of course remove their masks, and schools are encouraged to increase distancing between them while they do so.



Will there be dress codes for masks? What are the limits of free expression in the mask designs? Would profanity be banned?

As with all clothing, students have the right to express themselves as long they conform with district and school policies. These policies are generally in place to ensure that student expression is not disruptive or creating an unsafe environment. Profanity is disruptive and is not allowed in schools.



What are some of your new goals, unrelated to the pandemic, for the coming school year?

We hope to help our schools increase and integrate mental health services so that all students who need them get services quickly and effectively. We hope to help ensure that all schools navigate the requirements for, among others, Independent Studies, universal transitional kindergarten, ethnic studies, career technical education, addressing the digital divide, teacher recruitment, and additional resources for special education. We’ll continue to create safer school environments so that all students — regardless of race, ethnicity, LGBTQ identity, or ZIP code — can achieve and thrive. What public official would you like us to question? Send your nominations and questions to Editor@growingupsc.com

GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

Are you getting the latest news to your inbox? Don’t miss out on local stories, activities, and events!

EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURES WITH CONFIDENCE

OCEAN ALTERNATIVE & OCEAN ONLINE provide a community for homeschooling families to promote connection, growth, and life-long learning

WE OFFER: • Free weekly classes in literacy, math, science & art • Clubs & community events • Teacher support for every student • K-8th grade • OCEAN ONLINE a non-classroom based option with adaptable online curriculum & direct

Endless opportunities await your student at Kirby School. Visit kirby.org and contact our Admissions team to learn about our Test-Free Application process and to schedule a tour. Kirby School 425 Encinal Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 KIRBY.ORG 831-423-0658 admissions@kirby.org

AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

teacher guidance School Starts August 11. Preregister on our website.

O C E A N A LT E R N AT I V E E D U C AT I O N C E N T E R (831) 4 7 5-0767 • L ive Oak School Distric t • Santa Cruz w w w. o c - l o s d - c a . s c h o o l l o o p . c o m

PARENTING Facing Anxiety as Schools Reopen BY SUKI WESSLING

“

Caught early, anxiety can be alleviated and treated. But as children continue to suffer, anxiety can take a toll on their physical, social, and academic health.

Before the pandemic, professionals were already sounding alarms about the state of our children’s mental health. Now with the return to school, parents, psychologists, and caregivers are concerned that the problem may have been exacerbated by long months of isolation. Caught early, anxiety can be alleviated and treated. But as children continue to suffer, anxiety can take a toll on their physical, social, and academic health. In this article, a variety of professionals weigh in to help parents identify, alleviate, and treat anxiety.

What should parents and caregivers look for to identify anxiety about returning to school?

Professionals say that anxiety often presents physical symptoms. The Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Children’s Management Team directs parents to watch for apparently unrelated emotions, such as anger or annoyance, and physical symptoms like trouble sleeping, fatigue, headaches, or stomachaches. These symptoms can indicate that a child is anxious about school, but unable to make the connection or unwilling to talk about it. “Much of the time underlying anxiety is revealed through physical expressions such as stomach aches, headaches, or irritability,” says Dr. Victoria Eagle, a child psychologist. “Anxiety can present so differently from person to person, so it may end up looking like irritability or refusal,” says Harper Cheaney, a therapist who works with children and teens. “Even if the content seems unrelated (ie, a child wanting to be at home to play video games), it’s worth considering that a big transition back to school after a scary year may be behind the big feelings.” The key is to watch for changes, behaviors that children didn’t exhibit before school attendance was imminent. “Parents should be mindful of any changes in mood, behavior, or thought patterns,” says Eric Ochoa, Behavioral Health Director of Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA). “Some common examples include trouble sleeping, avoidance of school or other situations, substance use, and worry or fear that impacts functioning in school, home or with friends.”

Children may also revert to behaviors they had worked past before the pandemic, or show new behaviors that they didn’t get to work out at a typical age. “Parents may notice their kids have difficulty separating from them after having been home with caregivers for the majority of last year,” says Dr. Sheilah Siegel, a clinical psychologist. Dr. Siegel also points out that kids have been hearing a lot of parent concern about safety during the pandemic. Returning to a school—or attending for the first time—where safety measures are so prominent could lead them toward outsize anxiety about their own safety. “Parents may also hear their kids expressing concerns about safety especially with increased social interaction,” she explains.

What can parents do to support their students who may be anxious?

As much as we might want to tell kids, ‘don’t worry about it,’ this is the wrong approach, experts say. “It is important not to allow anxious children to completely avoid the very thing they feel anxious about,” explains Victoria Eagle. “Rather, validating their experiences of worry and fear and maintaining confidence in them that they can move forward.” Plan to initiate open and supportive conversations with kids, listening to any concerns that they might have. A family brainstorming session can help devise ways to alleviate anxiety before school starts. “Sometimes it can be helpful for parents to offer their children a transitional object like a keychain with a small stuffed animal or something they collected in nature like a shell or rock to remind their children of them,” suggests Sheilah Siegel. And don’t forget to take care of your own needs, Harper Cheaney reminds us. “Young people feel and see how their parents feel and often internalize or absorb those feelings. Parents having their own sources of support can really help their child(ren) co-regulate with them during this transition.”

What should lead parents to seek professional help?

“When the child continues to exhibit intense symptoms, despite calm adult

validation and support, it is often a good idea to consult with a psychotherapist for guidance,” Victoria Eagle explains. Families can consult with other adults who spend time with the child to find out whether their behavior has raised red flags in school or other activities. Sometimes, children will be open about needing help. But others, not knowing that mental health care is an option, may deny that there’s a problem. “Talking regularly about mental health and support is a good way to normalize asking for more care,” Harper Cheaney suggests. “If/when the time comes it may not feel so forced or shocking to a young person if needing help isn’t stigmatized.” Your school itself might be a resource, so make sure to ask what services are available. “Resources should be available through schools and agencies like ours,” Eric Ochoa explains. “At PVPSA (pvpsa. org) we take school referrals and referrals directly from children and parents.”

The Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Children’s Management Team recommends: • •

•

Consult with a pediatrician first to rule out any underlying medical issues. If you have private insurance, call the member services number on the back of your insurance card to find local mental health providers. You can access community resources by calling 211 or on their website at www.211SantaCruzCounty.org.

For more information: How to Receive Mental Health Services” from County Health: http://www. santacruzhealth.org/HSAHome/ HSADivisions/BehavioralHealth/ HowtoReceiveMentalHealthServices.aspx “Returning to School: Supporting your child’s social/emotional wellness” tip sheet from Positive Discipline Community Resources: www.pdcrcc. org/tip-sheets

 Suki Wessling is a local writer and teacher. Read more at www. SukiWessling.com.

GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

FINANCIAL FITNESS Family Finance You’re Never Too Busy to Save BY THOMAS WYNN As Mick Jagger once said, “Please allow me to introduce myself.” My name is Thomas Wynn and I’m the CEO of Wynn Capital Management, a registered investment advisor. This is the first of what I hope to be an ongoing conversation about managing a family’s finances. The topics we’ll cover will be guided by questions and feedback from readers. I’ll also touch on seasonal financial issues and topics that are in the news. I’m hoping to make the complex and intimidating world of finance a little less confusing and hopefully, a little less boring. To find out where you are in your financial planning journey, you’ll need to start with a budget. This is easy to say, but hard to do. You’ll need to put a time slot on your calendar. Early morning on the weekend is what works for me, before the temptations of everything that’s more fun than budgeting, distract me. I try to do about an hour of work at least once a month. In one hour, I can compare our monthly expenses vs. our budget and determine if we added to or subtracted from, our savings. If you already have a budget, great. If not, now’s the time to start. I use

the free version of Mint. A quick web search will show you the many choices that should match your budget and your technical abilities. The good news is that the current software products are more intuitive, less expensive, and easier to use than ever. I know we are all very, very busy. Keeping a budget and working on the many financial questions that we all deal with is a challenge. For Growing Up in Santa Cruz readers, I’ll try to make that challenge just a little bit easier. Like many families, we started saving and planning late. My wife Beth and I moved to Ben Lomond in 1996. Our kids were born at Sutter in 2003 and 2005 respectively and grew up in Santa Cruz. We now have a junior in high school and a freshman in college. Through fits and starts we pieced together our finances. Approaching college expenses have a way of focusing the mind. Through a combination of hard work and good luck, our family has attained some measure of financial security – but the mistakes along the way were many. Through these columns I hope to help you avoid some of those mistakes and

Saturday, July 10th - 4:30pm to 6pm begin a journey that will lead to less anxiety and a higher quality of life.  Thomas Wynn is a professional trader, investment advisor and financial planner. Thomas worked on the floor of the Pacific Stock Exchange

Success starts with good *binocular* vision Comprehensive eye exams for babies, kids & parents & proud providers of InfantSee Located in Downtown Santa Cruz PlazaLaneOptometry.com (831) 429-2020 1537 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz

from 1981 to 1996. Thomas started Saturday, August 14th - 4:30pm to 6pm Wynn Capital in 2003. Thomas is a delusional basketball player, dangerous table tennis player, below average guitar player and owns a record player. You can reach Thomas at info@wynncapital.com.

golf clinic

dElAVEAFA gOLF coURSE

16 player maximum

AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

EDUCATION Need a Grade Bump? California Law Allows Students to Improve Grades after Disrupted Learning Last Year BY SUSAN TATSUI-D’ARCY Finally, we’re facing the fact that students fell behind with all of the disruptions caused by the pandemic last year. In California, K-12 students have several ways to make up for the lost learning.

 

REPEAT THE GRADE

For students who didn’t pass at least half of their classes.

REPLACE BAD GRADES WITH PASS/FAIL

For high school students only. California State Universities will accept these Pass/Fail grades. The University of California and private schools are encouraged to do the same.



TAKE A 5TH YEAR

For 11th and 12th grade students who need more time to complete their high school graduation requirements. Not surprisingly, the majority of the students who fell behind during the transition to online learning were lowincome and minority groups. Students with the financial means had the opportunity to hire tutors to supplement gaps in learning. Now that schools are planning to reopen on campus this fall, students will enjoy

face-to-face instruction and socializing with peers. Hoping that 2021-2022 is a great year for all students and teachers.  Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy is the founder of Merit Academy (one-on-one classes) and Merit Educational Consultants (college and educational advisory). She has written books on projects, free child care, education, and parenting. Susan hosts TEDxMeritAcademy for students to present their innovative projects and solutions. In 2019, she was the California Mother of the Year. meritworld.com

GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

YOUR HOME The Modern Realtor’s Value Proposition BY SEB FREY

Don’t tell anyone, but I watch a fair amount of Reality TV. Not sure how it began – but I think it was Survivor. Then before you know it, I was watching forgettable season after forgettable season

of the Bachelor(ette), and I’ve seen all the housewives from coast to coast, humiliating themselves and each other with wild abandon, for more years than I care to count.

Valerie Mishkin Realtor® 831.238.0504 | 831.426.4100 Cal Dre# 02092111 VMishkin@BaileyProperties.com ValerieMishkin.MyHomeHQ.biz

AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Of course, my true love is Million Dollar Listing New York. I just love looking at that gleaming Manhattan real estate. Million Dollar Listing L.A. is another show I watch every episode of, but the agents on the show are just a little too L.A. for my taste. Not that there’s anything wrong with L.A., of course! The reason I mention this is because I also watch Selling Sunset on Netflix, which is kind of like Charlie’s Angels, Real Estate Edition. In a recent episode I saw, head honcho Jason of the Oppenheim Group (the Charlie of the show) mentioned that they had recently introduced their Concierge Program. Any time I hear the words “Concierge” in the real estate context, my ears perk up. I’ve offered “Concierge Services” for many years, where I help homeowners do whatever it takes to get their property ready for market, given the time and resources available. In fact, when I shuttered my independent brokerage and moved my license to Compass in 2019, a large part of the impetus for that was because of the Compass Concierge program. Compass Concierge is a wonderful program where Compass will front the cost of repairs, up to $75,000 per home in the Bay Area (including Santa Cruz and Monterey), with no cost, fee, or interest whatsoever. This solves a big problem for many of my clients, a great number of whom struggle to scrape up the cash to repair and refresh their homes to get them market ready. Many people around here are cash poor but house rich, and if you’re retired and on a fixed income, even qualifying for a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) to get the funds to get your home looking its best is impossible – but even when it is possible, it’s still expensive and time consuming, making it a less-than-desirable choice for many homeowners.

Today, many brokerages have copied the Compass Concierge program. It’s become almost de rigueur, although most competing firms charge a fee or interest and/ or won’t front as much as Compass does. One of the hallmarks of the “pandemic economy” is the booming real estate market – prices in Santa Cruz are up probably about 20% in just a year, and I’d swear they’ve jumped up by 25% in Watsonville. Given the stratospheric home prices, and the perceived ease of selling a home in this market, many homeowners are wondering what today’s Realtors are doing to earn those “juicy” commissions. I point to these Concierge programs as just one example. Realtors – the best of them, anyway – have long pointed to the value that they help create, unlock, or preserve through their services. It’s becoming increasingly common in Santa Clara county, for example, for Realtors to also pay for staging – which can easily run $3,500-$5,000 per house, and often quite a bit more. Helping their clients clean up, repair, and modernize their homes is one way that Realtors do for sure earn their fees. One back-of-the-napkin figure I use to calculate the return on investment for this kind of work is 2.5x the cost – so, for example, $50,000 spent readying a home for sale might increase the sale price by $125,000, or an increased profit to the seller of $75,000. $75,000 by the way is the equivalent of a 5% commission on a $1.5 million sale – so it’s easy to see how just this one service alone easily pays the cost of the commission, and then some. All the marketing, negotiation, counseling, and transaction processing is just gravy for the seller at that point. Now, here’s the rub: there’s still plenty of old-school Realtors out there who eschew professional photography and video, social media, paid advertising, repairs, and staging. Yet, many of these Realtors charge just the same as a modern full-service agent does. Working with these “no-frills,” full-cost Realtors still has value vs. selling “by owner” – but clearly, the value is commensurately lower. If a pared-down service (and lower sale price) work for you, I want to point out that there are numerous discounted, local Realtors you can tap – just turn on the Google machine and see what comes up. But if you’re looking to make the most on the sale of your home, please know that there are Realtors out there who provide a level of service, expertise, and value that make the cost of the commission very much worth every penny, and then some. You just have to know what’s possible, and where to look for it.  Seb Frey was the 2019 President of the Santa Cruz County Association of REALTORS. He’s been selling homes locally since 2003, and is the author of Get It Sold! (available at TheSoldBook. com) and stars on his own YouTube channel on SebFrey.TV

LOCAL ARTIST Gavin Gasparotti Hi, I’m Gavin Gasparotti, and I am a recent graduate of Soquel High. Art has been one of my hobbies ever since I was a small child. As I was growing up, I put a lot of practice into developing my natural gifts. By the end of elementary school, I had developed a reputation as an artist, and I even had my art displayed at a gallery in Ben Lomond. During my time at New Brighton Middle School, I drew a picture used as the yearbook cover. I also designed the look of the school planner one year. My art was included in a display of student work in the Capitola city hall. But my largest project, in both size and importance, was a sports mural painted on the wall of the gym. I continued to

pursue art in high school, whereby in my third year of study, I was able to do special art studies, which gave me the freedom to focus on anything I wanted to create. In addition to art, I also have a passion for cars and automotive design. So the subjects of most of my more recent pieces are cars. The illustrations of cars included in this article are done with watercolor pens, but my favorite media to draw with is classic printer paper and a ballpoint pen. The role art will play in my future is still undecided. As I prepare to start college at CSU Chico, my attention is focused on other career goals. No matter what happens, I know I will keep drawing. A sketch is my favorite way to pass the time!

GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

ALWAYS AMUSED Getting Back in Rhythm Theme Park Operations Slowly Return to Pre-Pandemic State BY ERIK CHALHOUB We all get a little out of practice when we haven’t done something in more than a year. Tucking in our shirts, interacting with colleagues in person, handshakes…the rust is real. The same is happening at theme parks, with most reopening in April and May after a year of Covid-19 closures. I’ve heard horror stories of threehour waits on GhostRider at Knott’s Berry Farm, where ride operators finally decided to put the second train on the track to speed up the queue … an hour after the park closed for the night. Ouch. Countless rides, after being dormant for so long, are having random breakdowns and other operational quirks that are putting them out of service for some time. It sounds like they need to get back into their rhythm. And speaking of getting back into a rhythm, many ride operators can be slow to get trains dispatched, likely dazed and confused because they haven’t seen so many people in a long time. Just like the rest of us. We are now deep into the summer theme park season, the first we’ve had since 2019. The crowds are here, and likely to get even larger as families take one more trip to the parks before school begins again. The moral of the story is, be patient. Your favorite ride may not be open, or the queue lines may be longer than usual. Be understanding. There’s a lot of rust going around.

RESERVE NO MORE?

The reservation system, which theme parks were using to limit attendance as a way to comply with Covid-19 safety requirements, are slowly going away. The Boardwalk has eliminated its reservation system, as have Six Flags parks in California. However, as of midJuly, California’s Great America and Gilroy Gardens still require reservations, so make sure you check online with those parks before traveling over the hill. Face mask requirements vary, so check with the park before you visit. The Boardwalk is relying on an honor system, and no longer requires fully vaccinated guests to wear a mask inside the park. However, all unvaccinated visitors are only “recommended” to wear a mask, according to its guidelines updated June 15.

which is the abbreviation of the famed Idaho-based roller coaster manufacturer Rocky Mountain Construction. The plans show what appears to be a single-rail coaster, a larger version of California’s Great America’s RailBlazer, also designed by Rocky Mountain Construction. The coaster traverses the plot where the Green Lantern coaster once sat, as well as the Tidal Wave water ride, which is currently being dismantled to make room for the new coaster. The coaster has not yet been officially announced. But it’s thrilling to see that new rides are back in the works, as this time last year we were all worried about if our favorite parks would ever open their gates again.

NATIONAL ROLLER COASTER DAY

Aug. 16 is National Roller Coaster Day, and especially this year, we have much to be thankful for. National Roller Coaster Day marks the moment when manufacturer Edwin Prescott was awarded a patent for the one of the first looping roller coasters on Coney Island in New York on Aug. 16, 1898. The Boardwalk will celebrate National Roller Coaster Day the day before on Aug. 15. The first 100 riders to take a spin on the 97-year-old Giant Dipper will receive a Boardwalk souvenir cup. On this National Roller Coaster Day, let’s celebrate by taking part in our favorite pastime and reflect on how far we have come over the last year-and-ahalf of the devastating pandemic. Better days and bigger thrills are ahead.

SAVE THE DATES

The Boardwalk will be welcoming Scouts to camp overnight at the historic amusement park, and registration is now open for the October events. The Fall Girl Scout Overnight takes place Oct. 1-2, followed by the Fall Scout Overnight on Oct. 8-9. To register, visit beachboardwalk.com/events.

As of mid-July, Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios Hollywood are the only two California theme parks that have announced they will be bringing back a Halloween event for 2021, both beginning in September. Stay tuned to see how the typical in-your-face scarefests are modified for the pandemic.

NEW COASTER FOR 2022

Six Flags Magic Mountain is cooking up something big for 2022. According to documents submitted to the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, Magic Mountain is preparing to construct a new roller coaster at its northern end, located in the DC Universe section of the park. The coaster is described in the plans as an “RMC,”

AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

COUNTY SCOOP Expanding Services to South County BY ZACH FRIEND, COUNTY SUPERVISOR One of the most significant actions the County took during our recent budget cycle was to authorize the purchase of a new South County Service Center. This purchase will create a second County government building that would provide mid and south county residents equal access to County services - including services for children - in a way that hasn’t been seen before. The building purchase, and subsequent location of many County services in a centralized south county location, will be the largest investment in service delivery for the south county in multiple generations.

WHERE IS IT LOCATED?

The new South County Service Center will be located at 500 Westridge Drive (in the former West Marine building) in Watsonville.

What would be located at the new center? The goal of the new service center is to centralize current south county services in one location while expanding new offerings that are currently unavailable (or are only occasionally available) to south county residents. For example, the building will consolidate all south

county leases (saving an estimated $5+ million over the next 30 years) into one location while providing new services for local residents. While the exact departments and programs haven’t been determined, it’s expected that residents have access to Public Health, Human Services (including safety net programs for children), the Planning Department, County Clerk, Probation, Sheriff’s Office, Auditor/Tax Collector, Assessor, Agricultural Commissioner, the 4th District County Supervisor’s office and more. Currently, south county residents have to drive to 701 Ocean Street in downtown Santa Cruz for many of these services and this will reduce the need to travel to Santa Cruz to access your county government. Additionally, residents in Aptos and other mid to south county locations may chose to do the reverse commute to access services - saving time for residents.

WHEN WILL IT OPEN?

The County is in process of completing due diligence on the building. Assuming everything checks out the purchase will be finalized, improvements will need to be made to make it functional for County services

and it is anticipated to open by the end of next year or the beginning of 2023.

What other benefits will the new center provide?

Ultimately, the new center provides environmental, equity and economic benefits. It will also provide qualityof-life improvements for both the residents seeking services there as well as from the employees that will be working there. From an equity standpoint, increasing services to the mid and south county is essential. Currently, residents either need to go to multiple locations within the south county to receive services or need to drive nearly 20 miles each way to obtain services from the 701 Ocean Street location. This new location will eliminate much of that need. From an environmental standpoint, reducing car trips for those needing the services and reducing commutes for employees that will work in the center (many of the County’s employees live in south county) is also beneficial. Given that many of the County’s workforce currently commute during rush hour to the Santa Cruz location, having a number of these employees

work at the new location (or remote work) will have positive benefits on traffic and the environment. Economically, the project saves a significant amount of money. By consolidating leases and taking advantage of historically low interest rates the County is able to save over $5 million during the life of the loan. As mentioned above, many employees that live in the south county currently commute to the Santa Cruz location. This increases child care costs, makes it harder for them to attend after school sports games and more - all because of the challenges that the commute presents. Eliminating much of that commute for employees will also improve their quality-of-life and is another benefit to the new center. As always, I appreciate hearing your feedback. Feel free to call me at 4542200 if you have any questions about this or any other County issue.

GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

Maternity care born from humankindness. Your journey to motherhood is a precious time. That’s why Dignity Health – Dominican Hospital’s Family Birth Center is here to support your big day with a customized birthing experience focused on you. From live virtual classes and birth center tours, to our midwifery program and Level III NICU, Dominican Hospital offers the highest level of care in the Monterey Bay area. See for yourself how we’re safely delivering humankindness at DignityHealth.org/DominicanBirthCenter.

AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

“ BY SUKI WESSLING

Welcome back to our monthly feature of moms who have faced the task of pandemic parenting while also continuing their work in our community. Research has shown that women have suffered greater economic and personal fallout from the pandemic, losing jobs or having to work while also caring for children.

Suki Wessling is a local writer and the mother of two adult children. You can read more at SukiWessling.com



Mariah Roberts: Activating community

“

Unlike other local organizations, which are just now waking up after over a year of closures and online approximations of their services, County Park Friends got busy implementing plans that had been pre-pandemic pipe dreams.

Mariah Roberts, Executive Director of County Park Friends, has a unique view from her corner of the pandemic. As someone who ‘activates’ outdoor programs, she suddenly found her organization front and center when other organizations were shut down. “What we’re tasked with doing, and got funding to do, was to activate parks through health and wellness and focus on communities that haven’t been able to access existing resources historically,” she explains. “Because we were already

working in the spaces that basically have the most safety [in regards to Covid], we were able to pilot these different projects and interfaces with community groups during the pandemic, which is just unheard of.” Unlike other local organizations, which are just now waking up after over a year of closures and online approximations of their services, County Park Friends got busy implementing plans that had been pre-pandemic pipe dreams. Their self-guided Art Hikes were

inspired by Carlos Campos, a filmmaker and community leader from Watsonville. Campos had the idea of artist-created frames that would encourage thoughtful interaction between the community and its environment. “The idea was, our job is to get the best ideas from these incredible leaders who we’ve managed to capture some of their time [during Covid],” Mariah explains. “What are those ideas that they have that there’s never the money to build out, there’s never the infrastructure or the support? Let’s build them out!” Each frame installation includes artists’ take on the theme of interacting with and understanding the environment. For example, when visitors interact with Watsonville Frame #4, painted by artist Priscilla Martinez, they gaze through a chain link fence at one of the few soccer fields available to the community in Watsonville. The Outdoors to Heal program provides fully bilingual activities for families, adults, and children at parks around the county. The Friends also helped implement programs directly benefiting communities of color in the county, working with the expertise of Cat Willis of Black Health Matters and Aniko Millan, the first Black Senior Ranger in Santa Clara County, who is retired and lives in Santa Cruz. “Our job is not to come up with the ideas—our job is to be the roadies for our community leaders,” Mariah explains. “We’re really good at getting stuff done!”

On the home front, Mariah says that she was lucky that the pandemic fell when it did, as her teen children were ready to take on more independence and her traveling husband got much-needed time at home to spend time with family. “ If [my kids] had been three years younger it would have been a whole different world for me as a mom,” Mariah says. “I felt like I had bandwidth as a professional that many of the people I work with did not have.” And our community has benefited from the support she had at home. Mariah was able to see the opportunities that the pandemic created, even in the midst of all of the suffering. “I have a sense of visceral urgency— but not in a stressful way, a sense of visceral urgency to act. We watched our entire world shift and respond and change and grow and shrink, and we can do it,” she says. Mariah’s fondest memory of home during the pandemic was when her daughter organized a Quarantine Olympics, with each family member representing countries from their heritage: Norway, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, and Wales. Her daughter made flag outfits and headbands, and they competed in games that she devised. “It was so funny,” Mariah remembers. “We were bickering and also laughing. We had the time of our lives—it was the perfect pandemic experience.” Learn more about County Park Friends’ activities and Art Hikes at www.CountyParkFriends.org.

If you know of a mom who has made a difference, please email us at editor@growingupsc.com GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

BIRTH MATTERS Protecting Breastfeeding A Shared Responsibility BY LAURA MAXSON, LM The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) joins with other organizations for 2021 World Breastfeeding Week: Protect Breastfeeding - A Shared Responsibility, August 1 - 7. Here in the USA, the entire month is dedicated to supporting breastfeeding. The remaining weeks have the following focuses: second week Native Breastfeeding; third week - Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Breastfeeding week; and Black Breastfeeding week closes out the month. Locally, the first week of August would usually include a Health Fair and Breastfeeding Walk hosted by WIC and the Santa Cruz County Breastfeeding Coalition, but not this year, as COVID is still impacting activities - so, what is happening? Community Bridges, WIC, Watsonville Community Hospital, and Salud Para La Gente will host a drive through World Breastfeeding Week event at Watsonville Hospital on August 5, from 10am to 1pm. Goodie bags will be provided to the first 100 visitors, with an option to park and talk to participants if further information is desired. County WIC participants can pick up their farmer’s market coupons at the Watsonville farmer’s market.

WABA has created The Warm Chain Campaign to encourage participation, as each person considers their role in the shared responsibility of protecting/ supporting breastfeeding. This campaign places the mother-baby dyad at the center, but looks for links of awareness and support that can create a warm chain of support for breastfeeding throughout the first 1,000 days. This includes support for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, solid foods introduced during the second six months, with other milk introduced after one year as breastfeeding continues for two years and beyond, depending on every family’s desires.

Free Event!

Our county’s Breastfeeding Coalition has asked local agencies and providers to post on social media about how they support breastfeeding as a shared responsibility. Here are a few early responses (look for more online): “We at Dignity Health Dominican Hospital protect breastfeeding by offering everyday breastfeeding support and education to our mothers and children throughout their breastfeeding experience. We help empower women and families to create connections and access breastfeeding resources within their communities.” Sutter/PAMF Pediatric Department says: “We protect breastfeeding by providing the support, education, and resources needed to make each mother and child’s feeding experience a positive one.” The Warm Chain Campaign includes informational cards for the many different links in the chain. Midwives, obstetricians, pediatricians, dieticians, and lactation support workers are obvious links in the breastfeeding support chain. However, the campaign makes a point of identifying other areas of support. Each printable card begins with the same basic support information then adds on specific suggestions relating to the entity offering support.

Below are a few examples. TRADE UNIONS

“Ensure that pregnant and nursing workers’ health, maternity, paternity and parental rights are given priority in the union and workplace. Develop and review parental social protection policies at work and advocate to governments for implementation and strengthening of policies in line with the minimum ILO standards… Negotiate collective bargaining agreements on paid leave, health and safety, medical assistance, job security and protection from discrimination, suitable facilities as well as breastfeeding breaks when returning to work, among others.”

Virtual Meet the Doulas

Saturday, September 18, 4pm

Learn about how doulas support families through the birth and postpartum experience during our current COVID19 situation. Preregister to join our FREE LIVE ZOOM EVENT: BirthNetSantaCruz.EventBrite.com

One-stop-shopping for pregnancy, birth & parenting services

www.BirthNet.org 20 AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

ACADEMICIAN

“Ensure that appropriate and adequate information on breastfeeding is included in curricula taught in your institution. Prioritise research in breastfeeding. Support the dissemination and implementation of research evidence in breastfeeding to relevant stakeholders and the public at large. Empower [parents] with strategies to enable them to combine breastfeeding and work. Work together with others to ensure a continuum of care for the mother-baby dyad.”

ENVIRONMENTALIST

“Advocate to align policies on breastfeeding with environment/ climate initiatives and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Reinforce the message that breastfeeding contributes to food security and planetary health. Engage school children, students, youth and social media influencers to include breastfeeding as a sustainable food when discussing environment and climate issues.

MEMBER OF YOUR COMMUNITY

“Actively share your experiences of

breastfeeding and the latest evidencebased information with parents and friends through social media or breastfeeding support groups. Advocate to government and local businesses to establish breastfeeding-friendly spaces and normalize breastfeeding in public. Share evidence-based information on the importance of breastfeeding and the danger of uncontrolled distribution of infant formula and breastmilk substitutes. Empower parents with strategies to enable them to combine breastfeeding and work. Encourage your employer to set up breastfeeding facilities at the workplace. We all have a shared responsibility to protect and support breastfeeding in our communities - families are depending on it. WABA Warm Chain Campaign waba.org.my/wbw National Breastfeeding Month usbreastfeeding.org/nbm SCC Breastfeeding Coalition Social Media Campaign facebook.com/SCCBFC Breastfeeding help birthnet.org

ASK NICOLE Preparing for the New School Year BY NICOLE M. YOUNG, MSW The back-to-school routine is going to be bittersweet for me this year. I’m excited for my kids, who will experience their senior years in high school and college with in-person classes and activities. They’re excited about returning to a more “normal” routine, but there’s also some hesitation about returning to a regular (i.e., earlier, nonpajamas) school day and busier, crowded environments. As for me, I won’t miss the extra dirty dishes and unstable internet during Zoom meetings, but I will miss their presence during the day and will treasure the extra time we had together. This monthly column provides tips for anyone who is helping raise children, based on the world-renowned Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, available to families in Santa Cruz County. If you have a question or idea for a future column, please email me at triplep@ first5scc.org. Dear Nicole, My 7- and 12-year-old grandchildren live with my partner and me, and all of us are nervous and excited about school starting. Going back to in-person school will be a big transition for them, and it’s been a long time since we’ve done “the parenting thing.” Do you have any tips to help us prepare for the new school year? - Damian Dear Damian, The beginning of the school year can be challenging in the best of times, and emotions are likely to be heightened this year because of the ways COVID has impacted daily life. Here are a few tips to try:

TALK ABOUT GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

Ask each child what they’re looking forward to, what they think will be different because of COVID, and whether they have questions or feel worried about anything. Let them know that for now, students are required to wear masks indoors at school to help keep everyone healthy, but this won’t last forever. Validate and accept their feelings, and encourage them to say more (“I can see why you might feel that way. Can you tell me more about…?”). Ask what support would be helpful, then listen to their answers. Wait to offer your ideas until they ask for help so they can express their needs and use problem-solving skills.

SUPPORT SOCIAL CONNECTIONS.

If your grandchildren are nervous about re-establishing friendships, help them identify steps they could take now so they feel connected with peers when school starts. This could include getting together in person (depending on what feels safe and comfortable for your family), or reconnecting through texts, phone, or video calls. If this feels

overwhelming to them, suggest they start with 1-2 friends. Then help them develop a plan for the first day of school—i.e., who they’ll hang out with at recess or breaks and eat lunch with—which can help reduce anxiety about the social aspects of school.

RE-ESTABLISH ROUTINES.

Gradually ease back into routines 1-2 weeks before school begins. Discuss what their daily routines were like last year, then talk about what will be different this year. For instance, if the in-person schedule starts earlier than the remote learning schedule, then wake-up times and bedtimes may also need to be earlier. Or, getting ready and getting to school will take more time than turning on a computer, so they’ll need to adjust their morning routines accordingly. If needed, set a “screen curfew”—the time when electronic devices need to be turned off each night. Identify things you and

they can do each evening to make the mornings easier, like setting out clothes, packing backpacks, or preparing lunches. Also ask about routines they started during COVID and want to continue, like going on family walks, taking breaks for physical activity, or doing mindfulness exercises. Then have (or help) each child write or draw the steps and times of their weekday routines and post them in a visible place.

PRACTICE THE ROUTINES.

Each day, have them wake up and go to bed a little earlier, beginning at least a week before school starts. Have them follow their morning routine (even if they’re not going anywhere) and bedtime routine so that this feels familiar when school starts. Prompt them to look at their routines—“What’s the first step? What comes next?”—and give encouragement and descriptive praise— “You did a great job getting up on time.

Keep it up!”

FINAL THOUGHTS

Transitioning from summer to school can be difficult, even without a pandemic. Preparing for the transition will help everyone adjust to old and new routines, which will help kids have a positive attitude and learning experience throughout the year.  Nicole Young is the mother of two children, ages 17 and 21, who also manages Santa Cruz County’s Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, the world’s leading positive parenting program. Scientifically proven, Triple P is made available locally by First 5 Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency (Mental Health Services Act) and the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. To find a Triple P parenting class or practitioner, visit http://triplep. first5scc.org, http://www.facebook. com/triplepscc or contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at 465-2217 or triplep@

GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

BY MIKAYLA SHULTS

Tanner Shults

Sissy Shults

SLVMS

“I’m excited to see all of my friends again, but not ready to actually go back to school.”

SLVMS

“I would rather stay home, because I enjoyed online school much more.”

Ava Barret

Lucy Lilienthal Wynn

Elie Colby

“I’m excited to be able to see faces I haven’t seen in about a year and a half. And I’m happy to be able to ask questions directly and speak with my teacher face to face. It’ll be easier to learn this year.”

“I am a little nervous about middle school drama, but I will try to stay out of it. I can’t wait to meet people and see friends from other schools!”

Kiera Hulsey

Michaela Auman

“Not exactly, I think there will be arguments about masks and vaccinations. Students and teachers who choose to wear masks won’t agree with the people who choose not to wear one.”

“My only concerns about covid are more about time. I personally have tried to stay on top of my school work during the quarantine and at home school period, but I still missed things that I need to know. I would hate to struggle in more advanced classes because I missed key building blocks during online school.”

SLVHS

SLVMS

Zach Livingston

SLVHS

“I think going back to school is going to increase my motivation... at least I hope it does. I signed up for AP English, so I’m unsure how I feel about going back to school yet. At least I’ll be busy. The busy that is beneficial to me and does not stress me out. This summer felt shorter than the others. I thought I would be doing something every day and be almost too busy now that I have a car. But with all my friends getting jobs, the reality is I still need to find ways to entertain myself. So I’m almost excited to be stressed out again? If that even makes sense. I feel that I’ve been dormant so long that I’m just bursting at the seams for any brain activity. But I can’t do it myself; I need the pressure of getting good grades to force me to educate myself. So all that being said, I’m excited to be going back to school in person.”

 I only got a few months of regular, in person high school. A lot of these students missed their first year of middle and high school. Like most people, I struggled with online school and the isolation from the outside world. At some point, after I had stopped participating in school almost completely, I realized I need a different way to learn. So I joined Oasis, an independent studies school on the Cabrillo campus. I haven’t been in any classes there and the only students I know are the people I got to transfer there. While most of the people I interviewed said they will be happy to see their friends, I will be entering a whole new environment. Although being sick with covid was horrible, I’m actually thankful for this time when I got to figure out what I want.

SLVMS

“I’m not old enough to get vaccinated, so I hope that people will wear their masks and physically distance themselves to keep everyone safe.”

Lillian Ramirez SLVHS

“I would consider going back in person a good idea, but I’m worried about safety issues. This is great news for students who are careful and also got the vaccine.”

22 AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Oasis

SVHS

BY MIKAYLA SHULTS In 2018, more than 1 billion videos were viewed every day on TikTok. With covid restrictions, kids have been spending much more time on social media apps than in 2018. It is important to know what children have access to online, so we asked some students from SLV, Scotts Valley, Oasis, and BCE what they have been watching on TikTok. Most, if not all, said they watch dancing videos. The most popular dancer on the app is Charli D’amelio, with over 120 million followers. If your kid is on TikTok, there is no doubt that they have seen her videos. There are many more creators like her who millions of people watch daily. Dancing is not the only thing that users do on this app, so let’s look at the most popular answers from our kids.

   

Baking and Cooking - @ballehurns makes vegan recipes look easier than any cooking show on Food Network. Dancing - The #dancing has been viewed 19 BILLION times on the app.

Fashion and Art - Although TikTok was created for dancing, art has taken over with the #art being seen 187.7 billion times. Singing - It seems like every day there is a new singing challenge circulating, and every video including the #singingchallenge has led to almost 4 billion views combined.



Lifestyle and Day in the Life - There are over 130 different hashtags including the phrase “day in the life”. This became popular on YouTube, and is now condensed into 30 second videos on TikTok.

   

Dancing - Bailey, Anaya, and Maiya all watch and make dance videos. Lip Syncing and Singing - Anaya and Maiya both lip sync in their videos. Day in the Life - Bailey creates day in the life videos most often.

Storytelling and Advice - Anaya watches a lot of “funny and relatable” content, and Maiya watches basketball videos. They take advice from these and use them in real life.



Making Art - Bailey makes crafts, while Anaya uses makeup and clothing as her artform. Maiya masters the skills in basketball, with motivation fromTikTok.

Bailey Shults makes videos about pampering her animals, baking for friends and family, and dancing with cousins. She has over 5,000 likes from her lifestyle videos! She usually spends most of her time on the app watching her following page, rather than the For You Page. There she gets ideas from cooking, dancing, and art videos. Anaya Sutcliffe watches lots of dancing videos on TikTok, so of course her favorite videos to make are dancing ones. She also lip syncs in most of her 15-30 second videos. Her views range from 500 to 2,200. She’s pretty much TikTok famous with 14.5k likes! Maiya Armstrong watches and follows other teenagers who share similar interests with her. She watches dance videos and creates them, too. Basketball is one of her passions, and TikTok has pages and hashtags for every sport you can imagine. Maiya also loves lip syncing in her videos!

Youth & Family Counseling Comprehensive mental health and substance use counseling services

Medi-Cal & low-cost services offered Bilingual telehealth and in-person group, individual and family sessions available

Call for your free screening! 831-429-8350 www.encompasscs.org/youth_ services_counseling

GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

TEACHER'S DESK Back to In-Person BY LISA CATTERAL

There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about. – Margaret Wheatly

Creating a more peaceful world through education.

24 AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

This summer, I’ve been teaching in a program where I feel compelled to state up front, every day, at the beginning of class, with great passion, my honoring and inclusion of BIPOC and LBGTQIA+ students. I say it a little differently every time so that it doesn’t become too redundant, but I am simply relentless about stating it clearly, daily, every single time. It’s become an ingrained part of my teaching practice. There are so many ways in which a culture or society insists on change in its members. I would guess that in the very first human groups to exist on earth, banishment or “canceling” people occurred as the group went through establishment of norms. I’ve been thinking quite a bit about pockets of our current culture and whether or not change and growth is allowed, and the process by which it occurs. Teachers are the original tide that sweeps up against “cancel culture.” We would not feel called to teach every single day if we believed for a moment that people, especially young people, were not capable of change and growth. In fact, we tend to find that idea resonant, and to see the growth in our students as stunningly beautiful. There is a magic to watching people grow and overcome their obstacles, and there is an even greater magic in being part of the metamorphosis. I am learning to use the classroom as a place to restore equity in the world. Every new school year is a new opportunity,

and in the late summer, the questions we want to answer begin to come into focus. This year, I want to tap into a deep well of positive energy and gratitude I believe exists in the wake of the pandemic. We are back! We may soon be able to see each other’s full faces, in the same room. The beauty of this simple right to community and intimacy has never been more apparent. It’s like a shimmering river beneath the surface of interaction. I’d like to take those rainbow waters and pour them into the critical changes we need to make as human beings to lift up marginalized groups. If one of us is invisible, we all hurt. Now is the time to make all humans visible, and to allow the real issues that shape students’ lives to become seen and known. Teachers, and schools, see mistakes as opportunities for growth and change. We have to have a high tolerance for poor behavior. Sometimes this generation of students believes that the way to correct bad behavior is to simply get rid of a person; and they are involved enough in social media that it is actually possible to do so. The person who is cast out from the village is devastated by it. When one conversation might have sufficed to empower the wrongdoer to become right-thinking, months of pain are needed to recover from being “canceled.” Humans are social creatures, evolved to survive by connecting with other people. This trait is in full bloom in our students. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they learned to listen to each other deeply before hitting “de-friend” or “unfollow?” My hope, this year, is to tap into all the positive energy of being together to convince students that real conversations, active listening, and expressing oneself face-to-face are important pursuits. I want to live and practice in a classroom where community comes first. I teach STEM subjects, and the idea that I can successfully do that before dealing with the inequity in STEM is simply untrue. If more than half of my students have never had a role model of their gender and color in STEM, they are starting out unfairly disadvantaged as they walk in the room. This is a year to direct our positive energies forward. Instead of overcoming, we will start this year ready to step ahead into the incredibly important work that needs to be done in equity, justice, and environmental sustainability. I believe all of those big changes begin with human development. I am looking forward to spending less energy learning online tools and trying to survive, and more energy being part of the change that is needed in our world and in our own communities.  Lisa Catterall teaches STEAM, math, science, and art at Mount Madonna School and is a senior associate of the Centers for Research on Creativity. She lectures and trains teachers and administrators on innovation in education in Beijing, China. Lisa has five children and lives in Santa Cruz County.

LOCAL NEWS From Selling Floors to the Hollywood Ceiling Santa Cruz Grandfather Sells Successful Movie Plot BY JEANETTE PRATHER

“

“I like storytelling,” said Joe Callero, cowriter and executive producer of Let Us In, a family-friendly movie released in 2021. “I’ve got a bunch of screenplays and for several decades have been a frustrated writer who likes to think logically about plotlines.” Callero mentioned that his most recent production, Let Us In, will see performance numbers by the end of July, and if it does well, Callero and the production team will likely begin working on a sequel to the movie. “If not, I’ve got a few other projects in the works,” said Callero. Let Us In, which is currently streaming on most platforms, came to fruition in a roundabout way, according to Callero. “My son got into acting in L.A. after graduating from San Francisco State and he was in some pretty bad movies,” laughed Callero. “He got into making spoof films like Breaking Wind (a spoof on Breaking Dawn) and The 41-YearOld Virgin [Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall and Felt Superbad About It], which were both directed by Craig Moss who also did the Bad Ass film series. Craig and Joe became friends and tried to do several projects that all never got

off the ground, when Craig brought the script to me to review, and my response was, ‘Guys, we cannot do some of these things.’ So, I helped to revise and make it more family-friendly, as well as help to secure financing.” Callero mentioned that Peter Goldwyn of Samuel Goldwyn Films, saw the movie with his young son and they loved it, so it was distributed with Samuel Goldwyn Films. “Craig arranged a meeting with Peter Nelson, the head of projects, to get an idea of what SGF was interested in distributing,” said Callero. “I’d never made a formal script pitch before, but I found myself on the phone with Peter pitching The Calamity, which is one of my plays about an environmental disaster that spawns the near extinction of life on earth, while I was out with my grandchildren and Peter was in Alaska, and I thought he asked for another film pitch because the cell phone reception we both had were terrible. I went ahead and pitched my screenplay, Dead End, about a girl who goes out with her friends but ends up with a charming psychopath and now must outwit this guy to save her own life. I have no idea if he was

Callero, who explains he loves a strong female character that kicks the butts of the male character, wants to have a theatrical screening of Let Us In at the Rio, and 100% of the proceeds go to charity.

actually asking for another pitch, but I went ahead with it anyway and now I’m revising both of those scripts to send over to Goldwyn’s company.” Let Us In, Callero and crew’s most recent mainstream film, deals with “a spirited twelve-year-old girl and her best friend [who] start investigating the sudden disappearances of several missing teens in their small town,” according to SamuelGoldwynFilms. com/let-us-in. “Realizing there might be something deeper happening, Emily and Christopher might be up against forces they can’t even imagine.” “This is a family movie that parents can enjoy with their children,” said Callero. “It deals with bullying, being ostracized, school issues and all of the stuff that kids have to deal with.” And on that note, Callero added that working with children in the professional cinema entertainment industry is particularly challenging, as “Kids under 18 need tutors on set with very structured and restricted hours that require limiting their workday,” he noted. “We went the extra mile with this production and got real kids to play real kids their age in the movie.” The movie, which cost $700,000 to make and took only 14 days to shoot in Los Angeles, features Tobin Bell of The Firm, Sophie’s Choice, as well as being the character Jigsaw from the Saw franchise, as well as a variety of child stars from Disney productions. “It’s a Disney-ish type of movie with an edge,” said Callero. “Disney said they didn’t want to take it on because it’s too dark, haha. “Tobin Bell loves the film and enjoyed working with the kids,” continued Callero. “He says Let Us In is a gateway movie to thriller and horror with just a hint for kids and adults to see if ‘thriller’ or ‘horror’ may be something they’re interested in.” Callero added that his 5-year-old granddaughter loved the film and was not bothered by the spooky and thrilling parts. The star is a 12-year-old protagonist (a real 12-year-old) who is the daughter of director Craig Moss, as well as Judy Geeson of To Sir With Love, to name just one actor who Callero mentioned would enjoy more screen time with. “She’s been in a ton of movies, a lot of good stuff,” said Callero. “Another really cool person who I could hang out with, is Darin Heames who plays Bisquick in the movie.” In Let Us In, the “black-eyed kids,”

which is the term that Callero uses to describe the antagonists in the movie, represent the hooded, pale-skinned, punkish, and black-eyed teen aliens who need permission to enter people’s homes. “They do all of the stuff that aliens do once they capture people,” said Callero. “The 12and 10-year-old needs to find the captured kids and banish the black-eyed kids.” Callero, originally from the San Fernando Valley before settling in Santa Cruz around 1979, never attended a formal screenwriting program. “I didn’t go to college,” said Callero. “I got a partial scholarship to California State University, Northridge, but I didn’t really know what I wanted to do and the only thing I was good at was working, so after a year I bailed out of college and started working.” After being inspired by David Trotter’s The Screenwriter’s Bible, Callero started writing. “I thought screenwriting would be easier than writing a novel, so I just started writing these stories,” he said. “I feel like I’m finally on the other side of the door, and my partner from Let Us In is already in the Hollywood scene. It’s exciting to see what’s going to come next.” Callero and his wife owned a flooring business locally until 2003, and then again from 2008 until 2019, Callero now shares his time writing screenplays, playing with his six grandchildren, and enjoying his second retirement. “I’m not really sure how old I am because I don’t care about age,” he added. “I think I’m 67 but I’m this age right now, and I just try to stay as young as I possibly can.” Callero, who explains he loves a strong female character that kicks the butts of the male character, wants to have a theatrical screening of Let Us In at the Rio, and 100% of the proceeds go to charity. “We had a screening at the Rio with almost 700 people for our Flying Saucer Rock ‘N’ Roll movie (2006) about Martians visiting during the 1950s Rockabilly era amid innocent teen love, and it worked well. The audience was laughing at all the right spots and even more that were pleasantly unexpected,” said Callero. “We’d love to do another one, but this time make it a fundraiser for charities with 100% of the proceeds going to a charity. We’ll rent the venue out of pocket. It’s great for the Santa Cruz community to see our film and generate several thousands of dollars for charity.” GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE SCHOOLS AND PRESCHOOLS ChartwellSchool

2511 Numa Watson Road, Seaside 831.394.3468 chartwell.org Chartwell School, located on 65 acres in Seaside, CA, serves students with dyslexia and other related learning differences who are not currently reaching their full potential. We do this in grades 1-12 by providing targeted and direct instruction to empower learners with the skills, strategies, tools, and social-emotional mindset they need to thrive in college and beyond. Gateway School, K-8

255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz 831.423.0341 ext 302 gatewaysc.org Gateway School, founded in 1970 is an independent, co-ed day school in Santa Cruz, CA for students in grades Kindergarten through 8th. We are a community dedicated to nurturing academic excellence and intellectual curiosity, high character and personal compassion, and individual agency and engagement. We seek to prepare children to care for themselves, each other, and the world. We are the only K-8 school in Santa Cruz accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools. We invite all families interested in Gateway School to visit, ask questions, and get to know our community! For more information and to schedule a tour, please call or visit our website. Holy Cross School

150 Emmet Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-423-4447 holycsc.org For nearly 160 years, Holy Cross School has educated children in the heart of Santa Cruz, California. Holy Cross is a Preschool-8 Catholic coeducational private school that provides an environment of trust and respect; fosters spiritual and moral development; develops creativity and self-expression; challenges students to reach their full potential; and nurtures both mind and heart. The academic program includes math, science, Spanish, English Language Arts, social studies, P.E., music. Athletics programs and afterschool care are also available. Class size is limited. Visit our website at holycsc.org. For more information, call (831) 423-4447 or email admin@holycsc.org.

There’s never been a tougher time to decide on your kids’ schooling and never has after school education been as important. Schools have been changing policies by the day, as they reflect government decisions about the pandemic. Those who run after school activities are taking steps to trim class size, sanitize and meet safety guidelines. We suggest you call or email them to get the most recent information.

Kirby School

Mount Madonna School

425 Encinal St., Santa Cruz 831.423.0658 kirby.org/ Grades 6 through 12Kirby School empowers students to shape their futures with confidence. Our independent, nonsectarian middle and high school has been preparing students for college and beyond for over 25 years. In classes averaging 12 students, teachers are responsive to each learner’s strengths and interests. Our rigorous academic and arts curriculum, intensive study paths, and inspiring faculty challenge each student based on their interests and readiness, rather than grade level. Kirby graduates go on to attend excellent four-year colleges and universities.

Pre/K-12th grade 491 Summit Road, Mount Madonna 408.847.2717 MountMadonnaSchool.org A preschool through high school focused on nurturing students’ love of learning and intellectual inquiry and cultivating a sense of belonging. MMS prepares well-rounded human beings who value collaboration, form meaningful relationships and engage with the world. The CAIS and WASCaccredited program features a Montessoriinfluenced Pre/K, a college-prep middle and high school program, outdoor learning and a 375-acre campus, life skills, marine biology, oceanography, an elementary through high school Spanish program, athletics, visual and performing arts. Since 1979, MMS supports students in becoming caring, self-aware and articulate critical thinkers, who are prepared to meet challenges with perseverance, creativity and integrity.

Live Oak School District

984-1 Bostwick Lane, Santa Cruz (831) 475-6333 losd.ca/ Located in the heart of Santa Cruz County, Live Oak School District is the only California Exemplary District on the Monterey Bay. Our mission is to empower, inspire and ensure equitable opportunities for every student to thrive. We teach and nurture the whole child in an academically rigorous, collaborative and innovative learning environment. Our district includes three K-5 schools: Del Mar, Green Acres and Live Oak Elementary; and Shoreline Middle School. In addition, Ocean Alternative offers a K-8 homeschool and online program. We are currently enrolling PK-8 students. Contact us at 475-6333, or visit our website at losd.ca/. Live Oak School District- Child Development

Del Mar Lic #444400352 Green Acres Lic #444403585 Live Oak Lic #440710379 984-5 Bostwick Lane, Santa Cruz 831.462.1116 losd.ca (click on departments and then child development) The Live Oak School District- Child Development Program offers families a Free Quality State-Funded Preschool program for 3-4-year-olds at the Del Mar, Green Acres and Live Oak Elementary School sites. We provide morning (8:30-11:30) and afternoon (12:30-3:30) preschool classes to approximately 110 children districtwide, 186 days per year plus a 4 week summer session. The State’s new higher-income guidelines allow so many more families to qualify. You may come by our office or call us to begin the process for enrollment. If space is still available we enroll year-round.

26 AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Ocean Alternative Education Center & Ocean Online

831.475.0767 oc-losd-ca.schoolloop.com Ocean Alternative is an independent study/home study school in the Live Oak School District. We offer weekly classes which include literacy, math, science, and art. Students learn to communicate and collaborate in a group-learning environment. Community events, field trips & more! Ocean Online is a non-classroom based independent study program. We offer a wide range of services including: quality, adaptable online curriculum, weekly teacher consultation and instruction, assessment and feedback, social networks of homeschooling families, resources, and a Chromebook to borrow. Orchard School K-6

2288 Trout Gulch Road, Aptos 831.688.1074 orchardschoolaptos.org Orchard School, established over 30 years ago, provides a unique, yet comprehensive K-6 education. At Orchard, we weave together the magic of an extraordinary faculty, a 14-acre campus and a down to earth philosophy that nourishes and honors the natural growth and development of children. Small class sizes, an organic garden and an animal farm create enriching “whole child” learning experiences that are hands-on and individualized. We provide Strong Core Academics, Excellent Science Curriculum, Art, Music, Physical Theater/Circus Arts, Electives, Ceramics,

Archery, Swimming, Leadership, Field Trips, Drama Productions, and more. Santa Cruz Montessori

Ages 18 months – 15 years Main Campus (Primary and Elementary) 6230 Soquel Drive, Aptos Winston Campus (Young Children’s Community and Jr. High) 244 Cabrillo College Drive, Soquel 831.476.1646, Enrollment: ext. 12 scms.org Established in 1964, Santa Cruz Montessori is a non-profit school serving children 18 months to 15 years. Our beautiful classrooms and outdoor environments engage the children’s senses as they learn. Based on a deep understanding of child through adolescent development, our programs meet the interests and needs of our students, engaging and challenging them to do their best. We offer a supportive community of learners and an exciting Montessori curriculum including humanities, math, sciences and arts. Our mission: as a Montessori learning community, we inspire life-long learning and a more peaceful world by nurturing the natural development of the whole child.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Adventure Sports Unlimited

303 Potrero Street, #15, Santa Cruz 831.458.3648 asudoit.com We teach infants through adults the joys of water and adventure. Our ocean programs introduce families to our magnificent marine environments with camping trips to Santa Cruz Island and Big Sur. We explore the world-renown underwater landscape of Monterey Bay through our Open Water Scuba courses. Come play with us! Be Natural Music

740 Water St, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 515-8369 BeNaturalMusic.Live Be Natural Music is a Jazz & Rock Music School based in Santa Cruz, with a satellite studio in Corralitos, and a new location in Cupertino serving our community over the hill. Our schools offer private music lessons, Real Rock & Jazz Band classes for youth and teens, workshops, and music camps. We offer musical instruction on voice, piano

& keyboard, guitar, bass, drums & percussion, saxophone, clarinet, ukulele, harp & beginning DJ lessons The Bookakery

BookakeryBoxes.com Check out our Bookakery Boxes, monthly subscription boxes filled with picture books, recipes, baking tools and activities, curated to foster a love of reading and baking in kids and encourages parent-child activities. Bookakery Boxes facilitate activity based learning of reading, following instructions, counting and more. Bookakery Boxes are perfect for preschoolers and early elementary age children as they head back to school or stay home this year Jim Booth Swim School

Santa Cruz at Harvey West Pool and Watsonville at Duncan Holbert Pool and Fitness Evolution 831.722.3500 jimboothswimschool.com Be a water wonder! From our Little Otters swim class for parents and their babies to Aquaphobics, our adult beginner class, the whole family splashes together at Jim Booth swim school. Little Otters beginning at age 4 months is a gentle introduction to our 94-degree pools that will make you confident that you are guiding your infant to a happy water experience. Our group lessons emphasize quality swimming in an exciting class taught by our caring, wellqualified teachers. The whole family can swim at Jim Booth Swim School. Junebug’s Gym

3910 Portola Drive, Suite 2, Santa Cruz 831.464.BUGS (2847) junebugsgym.com JuneBug’s Gym is a place where your child can experience a fun-filled adventure in movement. We have a caring, respectful, and supportive staff that encourages every child in their growth of large motor skills and gymnastics along with social, emotional and cognitive development. Our goals for our students are to help them feel control and empowerment in their bodies, to build self-esteem through success, to open up imaginations, and to feel confidence and joy in their exploration of movement. Kaijin Martial Arts

4652 Scotts Valley Drive #102 Scotts Valley, Ca 95065 (831)-515-7477 kaijinmma.com Kaijin MMA is a family-friendly Martial Arts Studio. We provide a variety of martial arts classes in a safe and positive learning environment. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a great way for your child to learn self-defense. It is a fun way to promote coordination, self-awareness, physical fitness, and selfconfidence. Our jiu-jitsu instructor, Gustavo Froes, is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has been instructing kids for over 30 years. He is able to customize a personal style of teaching for children with learning disabilities. Kickboxing/Freestyle Karate promotes fitness, focus commitment, and the importance of good character. Our instructor, Dion Dangzalan, is a black belt in karate and has studied various other martial arts. Kumon Math & Reading Centers

Aptos Center 8035 Soquel Drive, Suite 27 Aptos, CA 95003 (831) 508-8200

kumon.com/aptos-ca Santa Cruz Center 740 Front Street, Suite 150 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 824-6284 kumon.com/santa-cruz For more than 60 years, Kumon’s afterschool math and reading programs have helped children and teens achieve academic success worldwide. Students advance through the program with an individualized learning plan. Our method improves focus and develops self-reliance. Whether your child is seeking enrichment, needs help catching up, or is just beginning their academic career, Kumon will build their confidence and help them develop skills for lifelong learning. Call us to schedule a free placement test today! Mountain Music School

(Formerly known as B Sharp) 216-A Mt. Herman Rd, Scotts Valley CA 95066 (831)201-9605 (text or call) MountainMusicSchoolSV.com Mountain Music School has brought fun, quality music lessons to the Santa Cruz Mountains since 2017. Learn to play piano, guitar, ukulele, drums, voice, and more! Students and their families enjoy an enthusiastic, lighthearted atmosphere brought by our qualified instructors. Our philosophy is that lessons should be fun! Music Together/MusicalMe, Inc.

Locations throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County Call/Text: 831-332-9002 registrar@musicalme.com musicalme.com Our classes (both outdoors and online) offer the very best in early childhood music learning for ages Birth to 8 years: Music Together®: A music enrichment program for children birth to age 5, and the grownups who love them. Enhancing children’s learning in multiple domains (mentally, physically, socially, etc.), increasing family engagement and, adding richly to each family’s “toolbox”. Siblings are welcome, especially infants who may attend free if they are 8 months or under. Canta y Baila ConmigoTM: A unique curriculum for young children (ages Birth to 5 years) with dual, complementary goals of music education and language immersion. Designed for beginners and native speakers alike, CyBC creates a playful, interactive atmosphere where language learning is integrated naturally and organically in the musical experience. Rhythm Kids®: A drumming, music, and movement, program for children ages 4–8 years. Classes naturally support children’s rhythm development and help them prepare for formal music lessons. Contact us today to try a free class and bring the joy of music into your family’s life. Santa Cruz County Junior Golf

info@santacruzjuniorgolf.org santacruzjuniorgolf.org Established in 1993, the Santa Cruz County Junior Golf Association is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization, whose charter is to provide junior golfers between the ages of six and eighteen the opportunity to participate in an organized, safe, and fun golf program. SCJG is committed to minimizing barriers, financial or otherwise, that might prohibit participation in the game of golf. The philosophy behind SCJG is to give junior players the opportunity to learn the rules

and etiquette of golf, progress via clinics and lessons, and measure progress by tournament play. Please visit us at santacruzjuniorgolf.org to learn more. Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center, Inc.

2750 B Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz 831.462.0655 scgym.com We at Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center understand how important physical movement is in developing a healthy brain in children. Healthy brain development leads to proficiency in learning and overall confidence to lead a successful life. Our gymnastics instructors take pride in offering gymnastics training packed with a lot of fun in every class! Each lesson offers a wide range of sensory integration activities through the usage of our gymnastics equipment on the floor, bars, balance beam, vault, trampolines, and foam pit. We offer a range of classes from preschool to competitive teams. Check our website to see what is available for your child today. Santa Cruz Public Libraries

224 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-427-7713 santacruzpl.org/ The Santa Cruz Public Libraries is a fun and safe place to gather after school, have some fun, and learn. We improve reading readiness with early literacy classes, family crafts, and Read-to-Me kits; We support Spanish speakers with family storytimes and STEAM projects; we support students with reading comprehension and homework tutoring, online resources for homework help, and project-based STEAM learning programs, including Javascript; we support educators and parents with Concierge Service and a biweekly newsletter. We support the learning needs of all ages with internet access, computers, printing, Wifi, and high-tech tools like 3D printers and virtual reality. Teach Me French

831.295.3556 sophieveniel@hotmail.com I offer Customized French tutoring for elementary, middle school, high school students, homeschoolers and adults. Learning French can be one of the most rewarding educational opportunities. As a French native, I am passionate about teaching and sharing my language skills. I offer simple steps to understand grammar, pronunciation and build vocabulary to gain confidence in speaking.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS Alison K. Jackson, DDS

Children’s Dentistry 7545 Soquel Dr, Aptos 831.662.2900 santacruzkidsdentist.com Dr. Jackson provides comprehensive dentistry in a caring environment for children. We are preventivedentistry oriented. We have a pediatric anesthesiologist on our premises and can treat special, challenging children safely and comfortably. We are currently open to new patients. Dr. Jackson likes to see children around the time of their first birthday to assure healthy habits for future smiles!

Dientes Community Dental Care

1830 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz 831-464-5409 dientes.org Dientes Community Dental Care is a full-service dental clinic located in midSanta Cruz County. We practice whole family dentistry including kids, adults, and seniors; but children hold a special place in our heart – half of our patients are kids seen by our experienced pediatric dentists. As a non-profit dental clinic, our focus is on high-quality, low-cost dental services, including exams, x-rays, fillings, sealants and root canals. We accept Medi-Cal and we have affordable sliding scale fees for uninsured patients. Dientes is open 6 days a week. We offer bi-lingual services – Se habla Español! Dientes, providing dignity through dentistry for nearly 30 years. Encompass Community Services - Youth Substance Use & Prevention Counseling

831-429-8350 encompasscs.org/youth_services_counseling With fewer outlets for fun and relaxation, this summer may be especially challenging for teens. If a teen in your life could benefit from substance use or prevention counseling, call Encompass Community Services. Our comprehensive services are FREE to all Santa Cruz County residents. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to receive professional support at absolutely no cost to you. Our experienced counselors offer group, individual and family sessions including telehealth and limited in-person services. Plaza Lane Optometry

1537 Pacific Ave, Suite 100 Santa Cruz CA 95060 (831) 429-2020 PlazaLaneOptometry.com Did you know that 1 out of 4 schoolage children suffers from some type of uncorrected vision problem? Children are often not able to recognize if they have blurry vision or are having trouble focusing since they do not know any differently. For this reason, Back-to-School eye exams are critically important for your child in order to make sure they are set up to succeed in the classroom. Some parents may rely on vision screenings but keep in mind that upwards of 75% of kids with vision problems are missed on these school screenings. Be proactive and make an appointment for your child’s healthy eye exam with one of our compassionate and knowledgeable Doctors of Optometry before heading back to the classroom this fall. Crooked Beauty Maker’s Space and Art Place

6225 Highway 9, Felton crookedbeautyart.com Crooked Beauty Maker’s Space and Art Place offers art and craft supplies for sale, along with space to create. Our website has information on art shows, workshops, private parties and more; check us out virtually at crookedbeautyart.com or come in and say hi at 6225 Highway 9. Open Thurs. & Fri 3-6, Sat. & Sun 12-6.

GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

COLORING PAGE

Submit your coloring entry to editor@growingupsc.com and we will select some for great prizes! You can also mail them to Box 3505, Santa Cruz, 95063

28 AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

SPONSORED BY:

Submit your coloring page for a chance to win tickets to the Boardwalk!

Audrey | Age 9

Scarlett

Haisley | Age 11

Josie } Age 5

your Premiere Early Literacy & K-12 Resource

first organic retailer in the usa

Family owned & operated for 30 years

Programs & Learning Resources

10% Profit back to the community

6240 Highway 9, Felton CA 95018 831-335-7322 13159 Central Avenue, Boulder Creek CA 95006 831-338-7211

www.wildrootsmarket.com

Storytimes • Tales to Tails • STEAM • Javascript Classes Cuéntame un Cuento • Reading Comprehension READ Homework Help • eBooks • Teacher Concierge Service

santacruzpl.org/kids

7 days a week 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

ALL MONTH Free Preview Class with MusicalMe You and your little ones are invited to attend a Free Preview Class with MusicalMe – whether outdoors or online! MusicalMe offers three amazing music enrichment programs: Music Together – for ages Birth to 5 years, with their doting adults; Rhythm Kids – for 4 to 8-year-olds, with their playful adults; and Canta y Baila Conmigo – Spanish music & language immersion for ages Birth to 5 years, with their Spanishspeaking or non-Spanish-speaking adults. Call or text 831-332-9002, or go online: https://www.musicalme.com/demos.aspx to schedule your Free Class.

SUNDAY 1 National Friendship Day celebrates the importance of loving platonic relationships. Friendships are the purest type of human relationships. For more than a century, we’ve celebrated the strength of friendship, and thanks to social media, we’re able to continue celebrating with our friends no matter where they are in the world.

Sounding Puzzles | Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony Concert 11AM Cabrillo Festival is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Santa Cruz County Youth Symphony (SCCYS) in two world premieres: Sounding Puzzles, a work for remotely-recorded youth orchestra by composer Danny Clay; and Violin Quartet by Elias Gilbert for the Fourt's Violin Quartet, an ensemble of the SCCYS Chamber Music Academy. https:// cabrillomusic.org/2021-season/sc-youthsymphony-concert/ Westside Marketplace! 11AM to 5PM 1st Sundays at the Wrigley! Featuring LOCAL art, handmade & vintage shopping + Food trucks & pop-ups and LIVE MUSIC...all outdoors at the Old Wrigley Parking Lot on Mission. FREE admission! FREE & Easy Parking! Friendly leashed pups are welcome!

Historic Wilder Ranch Ground Tour Saturdays and Sundays 1PM Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns and other historic buildings. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505. To register, visit: https:// santacruzstateparks.as.me/schedule.php Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 16 Noon Get outdoors and discover nature in your own neighborhood! Watch as Jackie shows us around the Felton Nature Discovery Park next to our beautiful Felton Branch Library! You don’t need to be an artist to journal your outdoor experiences. Jackie shows you how he likes to explore nature in her neighborhood. Tune to this pre-recorded video for inspiration! https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8qbnjybOmw

MONDAY 2

con un enlace Zoom e instrucciones para iniciar sesión. Join us for Spanish Storytime, Mondays @ 5:30. It's going to be a live Zoom meeting. Registration is required for this event. Registrants will receive an email 24 hours and 1 hour prior to the program with a Zoom link and instructions for logging in. https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/ event/7831005" Dungeons & Dragons Tuesdays Attention 12-16yr olds -- Adventure awaits! A friendly introduction to Dungeons & Dragons for players of all experience levels, led by an experienced player. Held every Tuesday from 3:30-6:30pm. Our Campaign lasts from May 4th to August 31st. Form a party, hunt for ancient treasures, and use your wits, magic, or brute force to battle kobolds, dragons, and more. Dungeons & Dragons is a game of adventure, imagination and nearlimitless possibilities. If you’ve been curious but unsure how to start, it’s time to roll the dice and join this campaign. An experienced D&Der will guide you, and all the necessary materials & manuals will be provided. santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/7565369

TUESDAY 3

30 AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day we are celebrating it this year by… eating cookies! Biting into a Chocolate Chip Cookie can transport us back to the halcyon days of our childhoods when the days were long and the milk was cold. U.S. Coast Guard Birthday Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1

THURSDAY 5 VIRTUAL EVENT: Jerry Spinelli 6PM to 7PM Fans of Stargirl and Maniac Magee rejoice! Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli will discuss Dead Wednesday, his brilliant new middle grade novel about being bold and taking charge of your life, at a special online event with author Adam Gidwitz (The Unicorn Rescue Society). https://www. bookshopsantacruz.com/event

National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day Institutional racism is a thing, and combating it is a large part of the reason for observing Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, marked on the current year calendar as the day Black women “caught up” to the earnings of non-Hispanic White males after the end of the previous year. Free Tuesday at UCSC Arboretum 9AM Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum, free admission on the first Tuesday of every month 9 am-5 pm. Come explore the biodiversity of our gardens, great birdwatching or simply come relax on a bench in the shade. Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 18

Grey Bears Brown Bag Line Thursdays 7AM If you are able-bodied and love to work FAST, this is for you! Grey Bears could use more help with their brown bag production line on Thursday and Friday mornings. As a token of our thanks, we make you breakfast (be there at 7am!) and give you a bag of food if wanted. Be at the warehouse with mask and gloves at 7am, and we will put you to work until at least 9am! Fun group, we all love working here! Call ahead if you would like to know more. greybears.org/groceries/

Natural Bridges Little Rangers Mondays 10AM to 10:30AM Participants are invited to play games, listen to stories and songs, and learn about nature! Activities and games vary from week to week, but always cover a topic relevant to Natural Bridges. Meet at the side porch of the Visitor Center. Parent or caregivers are required to stay and encouraged to help facilitate the fun and games. Day use fee for vehicles is $10. For more information, call (831) 423-0871. Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1 Cuéntame un Cuento @ Online 5:30PM to 6:30PM Acompáñanos para una hora de cuentos, actividades y canciones en español. Este programa es para niños de 0-8 y sus familias. La hora será lunes - 5:30PM. Será una reunión virtual en vivo de Zoom. Es necesario registrarse para este evento. Los registrantes recibirán un correo electrónico 24 horas y 1 hora antes del programa

WEDNESDAY 4

Amah Mutsun Fire Relationships 6PM to 7PM Fire is many things to the Amah Mutsun and other California Indian Tribes — it is sacred, it is a tool gifted by Creator, and it is a way to restore balance to Mother Earth. This presentation will share more about how the Amah Mutsun are using fire to restore landscapes and relationships in the Santa Cruz mountains and beyond. This program is being done in partnership with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History with support from the Amah Mutsun Land Trust.

Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1 “-Not If, But When: Wildfire Solutions ” Screening and Directors Q&A 6PM to 8PM Join director/producer team Radu Sava and Rebekah Hood-Sava for a screening of their documentary “Not If, But When: Wildfire Solutions” followed by a Q&A. This film will explore the changing ways we deal with wildfires in America, the impact of climate change, and the integration of indigenous wildfire practices. Please register below for Zoom access. This program is being done in partnership with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.

AUGUST CALENDAR FRIDAY 6 National Root Beer Float Day a time to enjoy one of the best beverage/dessert combos on the planet. On that day, some even compete for root beer float greatness. It all started in Colorado back in 1893. Frank J. Wisner was inspired. Surrounded by Cow Mountain where his Cripple Creek Brewing Company was located, Wisner came up with a novel idea. While mountain gazing, he didn’t see snow-covered peaks. Instead, Wisner envisioned scoops of ice cream floating in root beer. Crazy, right? So, today, enjoy the tallest, fizziest root beer float you can find! CASFS Farmstand Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn Noon to 6PM Organic vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers are sold weekly at the CASFS Farmstand, starting June 15 and continuing through November 23, 2021. Proceeds support experiential education programs at the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems. Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1

Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1

SUNDAY 8 National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1

MONDAY 9

SATURDAY 7 Purple Heart Day It’s a day for Americans to remember and honor the men and women who bravely represented their country and were wounded or killed whilst serving. These people are decorated with a Purple Heart in the name of the President, and this day is for remembering them and their sacrifice. Some states, counties, and cities pause in recognition, as do some sports and entertainment entities. Military and veteran organizations also hold meetings for remembrance. Join us as we honor those that have been given a Purple Heart.

National Son and Daughter Day This love-centric family holiday reminds us to take a step back from the whirlwind of paying the bills, surviving the maelstrom of current events, and meeting what seem to be thousands of daily obligations, and spend time with our children. ADHD Parents Online Support Group Meeting 6:30PM to 7:30PM Santa Cruz ADHD (CHADD, Children and Adults with ADHD) hosts monthly support group meetings for anyone who would like to learn more about ADHD/ ADD (Attention Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder) and find resources. Friendly, helpful volunteers facilitate conversation and guide participants towards finding resources to help manage the daily challenges of ADHD. Join our Parent meeting on August 11 at 6:30pm. Google Meet joining info: https://meet.google. com/jbh-srtf-dzw or dial:?1 617-6754444? PIN: 196 409 171 3073?# Email us for our ADHD newsletter: santa-cruz@ chadd.net or follow us on Facebook: @ SantaCruzADHD Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1

THURSDAY 12 National Book Lovers Day Books are the purest form of escapism. They can take you to any time, place, or culture. In honor of National Book Lovers Day August 9, we put away our smartphones, pull out a good book and simply read. (Well, an audiobook will suffice too.) From clay tablets to today’s eBooks, literature has played a crucial role in preserving cultures, educating the masses, and storytelling. Thanks to Johannes Gutenberg’s 15thcentury printing press, anyone, not just royalty, monks or landed gentry, could read and own books. But, alas, there was no overnight shipping. Today, join a book club or re-read a favorite novel because National Book Lovers Day rocks! Natural Bridges Little Rangers Mondays 10AM to 10:30AM SeeAug2 Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1 Cuéntame un Cuento @ Online See August 1

TUESDAY 10 Guided Coastal Walk 11AM On this 2.5 mile family friendly walk, we'll explore the plants, animals, and geology of our coastal bluffs. Bring water, hat, closed toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. Meet next to park map in Wilder Ranch main parking lot. Rain cancels. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505.

WEDNESDAY 11

National Lazy Day National S'mores Day National Spoil Your Dog Day Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1

International Youth Day focuses on the difficulties that some young people are experiencing throughout the world. Half the children between the age of six and 13 lack basic reading and math skills and childhood poverty is still a prevalent problem globally. International Youth Day was created by the UN to help draw awareness to these issues as we strive to find solutions. It’s a day for reflection but also a day for taking action so get involved. There’ll be many concerts, workshops and cultural events taking place so have a look at what is happening in your local area. National Middle Child Day If you have siblings, you know the rivalry can get real. Middle children often get less attention from busy parents. But despite the commonly held belief that their insecurity and resentment carries on into adulthood,

middle children actually develop some critical skills that help them become successful adults. National Vinyl Record Day Spin music lovers all around the world have disagreements on a number of things, but one thing we think everyone can agree on is that vinyl records are here to stay. For those who value the quality of sound, owning physical copies of your favorite albums, or simply the nostalgia factor, it’s probably safe to assume you’ve got your own collection of vinyl records stashed away somewhere.

World Elephant Day Personifying prehistoric beauty, theological relevance, and environmental importance, this August 12, we honor one of Earth’s most magnificent creatures with World Elephant Day. Over the last decade, the number of elephants has significantly dropped by 62% and they could be mostly extinct by the end of the next decade. It is estimated that, every day, 100 African elephants are killed by poachers. The desire for ivory in Asian markets has led to the slaughter of thousands of elephants. World Elephant Day was created to raise awareness and create change to save these majestic creatures. Since its founding in 2012 by Patricia Sims and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand along with over 100 elephant conservation organizations worldwide, World Elephant Day has reached millions of individuals who love elephants and want to do whatever they can to help. World Elephant Day is a day where organizations and individuals can rally together to give a voice to the issues threatening elephants. This powerful, collective global movement offers a way to establish and endorse conservation solutions to make the world a safer place for elephants and their habitats so future generations can appreciate them. Grey Bears Brown Bag Line Thursdays 7AM See Aug 5 Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1

FRIDAY 13 International Lefthanders Day CASFS Farmstand Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn Noon to 6PM See Aug 6 (Continued on Page ) GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

AUGUST CALENDAR Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1

SATURDAY 14

SUNDAY 15

Cuéntame un Cuento @ Online See August 1

National Back To School Prep Day Historic Wilder Ranch Ground Tour Saturdays and Sundays 1PM See Aug 7 Permaculture Food Forests Course See Aug 15 Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market 10AM to 5PM Come on out and support local makers and artists at the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market every THIRD Sunday of the month on Pacific Ave at Lincoln St! Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1

TUESDAY 17

MONDAY 16

Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1

FRIDAY 20

WEDNESDAY 18

Free Comic Book Day Iconic publishers like DC Comics, Marvel Comics, and Dark Horse Comics — along with others — join forces to make free comics available at more than 2,300 stores across the country. It’s proof that fantasies do come true! Join Parker Hammond Golf for a fun FREE introduction to the wonderful sport of golf at DeLaveaga Golf Course on Saturday, August.14th from 4:30 pm to 6 pm. For more information: Santa Cruz Junior Golf, info@ santacruzjuniorgolf.org, santacruzjuniorgolf. org. Ages 7 to 18 welcome National Financial Awareness Day It’s more important than you think. And plus, what’s more fun than financial independence? First off, think about that great feeling you get when you don’t have the looming specter of debt hanging over you. Also, sound financial decisions can really make a difference down the road. Remember, retirement is a time to take all those vacations you couldn’t when you were working the daily grind. Because money is important to our overall peace of mind, Financial Awareness Day is a great time to review where you are now and where you’re going financially. Don’t let bad financial decisions ruin the best years of your life! Historic Wilder Ranch Ground Tour Saturdays and Sundays 1PM See Aug 7 Permaculture Food Forests Course 10AM Planning, Growing and Enjoying Year Round Abundance An Applied Permaculture Practicum in Santa Cruz & Surrounding Region With John Valenzuela & David Shaw Course starts August 2021 santacruzpermaculture.com/foodforests/ The 8th Annual Santa Cruz Comedy Festival (outdoors) 4PM The Santa Cruz Comedy Festival, has a different national headliner each week with a brand new All Star line-up. This is a fun and funny day in the park. Bring your blankets and beach chairs and check out our vendors and food trucks and get ready to laugh!

National Black Cat Appreciation Day Have you ever feared a black cat crossing your path? This is from ancient superstitions where people thought this meant bad luck. For many cultures and historical settings, black cats were actually meant for positive things. So, to try and dispel these myths about black cats, National Black Cat Appreciation Day was created to be celebrated on August 17 every year National Thrift Shop Day all about supporting local thrift shops and raising awareness for charitable organizations. Thrift shops aim to help those most vulnerable in communities and give back to the needy. Known by a myriad of other names, thrift shops are also referred to as consignment stores, second-hand stores, resale shops, and hospice shops. Volunteers willing to help out usually work at the shops, often sorting through donated items people drop off. These used pieces are then sold to the public, providing those in need a convenient service at an affordable price!

Grey Bears Brown Bag Line Thursdays 7AM See Aug 5 Preparing for Emergencies with the American Red Cross 6PM to 7PM The Central Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross will host this workshop to help Santa Cruz residents plan, prepare for, and respond to emergencies, specifically wildfires. They’ll discuss how to pack your emergency kit, how to create a plan for you and your family, and what to do when the time comes to use both of those. Please register below for Zoom access. This program is being done in partnership with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History with support from the American Red Cross.

National Roller Coaster Day At any amusement park, it has the highest “wow” factor. On National Roller Coaster Day, August 16, take a ride on one and get a thrill a minute! If you’re an adult, relive a child’s anticipation of a slow, rickety climb way, way up the loopty-loop and dashing way, way down to the bottom. In this age of high tech sophistication, roller coasters can still make us giddy over a ride that was popular back in the ‘1920s. Rediscover the latest cutting-edge coaster tech that will still give you goose bumps and you don’t even have to stand in line! National Tell A Joke Day VIRTUAL EVENT: Run: Book One 4PM to 5PM Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes Andrew Aydin, L. Fury, and Nate Powell, who, along with the late Congressman John Lewis, are the creative team behind the #1 bestselling, award-winning graphic novel series March. They will discuss the first book in their new, groundbreaking series, Run: Book One. -In sharing my story, it is my hope that a new generation will be inspired by Run to actively participate in the democratic process and help build a more perfect Union here in America. -Congressman John Lewis https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/event Natural Bridges Little Rangers Mondays 10AM to 10:30AM See Aug 2 Nature Journaling: Journaling at Felton Nature Discovery Park (recording) Available August 1- August 17 See Aug 1

32 AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

National Lemonade Day participating cities will have the chance to teach youth about setting up their own lemonade stand and running their own company. It’s a great way to meet people in your city, sip on a refreshing beverage and put your money to a good cause.

Read Growing Up Santa Cruz Online Day Max, 16 months old, already knows a good read when he sees one! GrowingUpSC.com

THURSDAY 19 World Humanitarian Day World Humanitarian Day on August 19 honors humanitarian aid workers all over the world. Established by the UN in 2009, this day commemorates the anniversary of the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Iraq. 22 people lost their lives, including the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights. Humanitarian aid workers provide life-saving assistance to suffering people all over the world. Those workers who live in conflict zones or in areas devastated by natural disasters are especially vulnerable. Anyone and everyone can be a humanitarian, so read on to learn more about the day and how you can help. World Photo Day

National Radio Day Radio was once one of the most incredible technologies on Earth – used by militaries and governments alike for navigation, news distribution, and more. It made news and music more accessible and brought us closer as a nation and a planet. Though today we rely more heavily on the internet and television for what we once relied on radio for, radio is far from dead and increasingly appreciated for its vintage and fantastic content. CASFS Farmstand Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn Noon to 6PM See Aug 6

SATURDAY 21 Parks & Rex! Noon-4PM Simpkins Family Swim Center Everyone will have a blast at this end-of-summer summer celebration, which will include great food (vegetarian options available), music, and fun in the pool for adults, children, and your dog, too! Join Santa Cruz County Parks Department #SCParksDept and the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter #scanimalshelter for the 6th Annual Parks & Rex "Pool Party" FUNdraiser. http://www.scparks.com/ home/recreationprograms/specialevents/ parksrex.aspx Historic Wilder Ranch Ground Tour Saturdays and Sundays 1PM See Aug 7

AUGUST CALENDAR The 8th Annual Santa Cruz Comedy Festival (outdoors) See Aug 14

SUNDAY 22 World Plant Milk Day Historic Wilder Ranch Ground Tour Saturdays and Sundays 1PM See Aug 7 Castro Adobe Tours 11AM to 3PM Come join us for a free tour of Castro Adobe State Historic Park and learn about the history of the California Rancho Period. Explore the 170-year-old two-story adobe hacienda to see the restoration work that has been happening. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the June tour requires preregistration. Preregistration is also available for July and August but may be subject to change. To preregister for your tour, visit: https://www.cognitoforms.com/FSCSP1/ CastroAdobeTours

picture book, Survivor Tree. https:// www.crowdcast.io/e/i-survived/register https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/ event. Try Strings at Cabrillo College Fall 2021 11AM Beginning String classes with string ensemble component offered on Tuesday and Thursdays beginning August 24th from 11:00am-12:20pm this Fall 2021. Register now to secure your seat. Open to adults and High School Students, with permission. Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass. Instruments available for classroom use.

WEDNESDAY 25 Read Growing Up Santa Cruz Online Day GrowingUpSC.com

THURSDAY 26

MONDAY 23 Natural Bridges Little Rangers Mondays 10AM to 10:30AM See Aug 2 Cuéntame un Cuento @ Online See August 1

TUESDAY 24

SATURDAY 28 Saturdays in the Soil 10AM-11AM Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Learn about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History while coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. https:// www.santacruzmuseum.org/saturdays-inthe-soil/) Fire as Friend: Exploring Fire Ecology with Kids Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Ages 5-8 | Saturday, August 28 | 10-11 a.m. Parent/guardian must accompany child. Ages 9-12 | Saturday, August 28 | 12:30-2 p.m. Parent/guardian must accompany child Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for an interactive program focused on Fire as Friend. We’ll explore how fire can be helpful to humans, plants, and animals through guided activities and traditional practices of Santa Cruz’s Indigenous people. We’ll also share fire safety tips. Kids will leave understanding that fire is a powerful and natural part of our environment. To register for this free, in-person event, please visit the “Upcoming Events” webpage at santacruzmuseum. org Event page link: (https://www. santacruzmuseum.org/8-28-fire-as-friendexploring-fire-ecology-with-kids/) Historic Wilder Ranch Ground Tour Saturdays and Sundays 1PMSee Aug 7 The 8th Annual Santa Cruz Comedy Festival (outdoors) See Aug 14

SUNDAY 29 Historic Wilder Ranch Ground Tour Saturdays and Sundays 1PM See Aug 7

National Waffle Day Pass the syrup! We’ll welcome any occasion to indulge in this iconic international treat. With so many varieties — Belgium, Hong Kong, stroopwafels, galettes – to enjoy in countless ways from adding classic toppings like butter and syrup, fruit, and chocolate, to waffle sandwiches and hotdog buns, we can’t wait to eat them at every meal. VIRTUAL EVENT: Lauren Tarshis, I Survived 6PM to 7PM Lauren Tarshis, author of the bestselling I Survived series for young readers, will be joined by Corey Egbert, Marcie Colleen, and Aaron Becker for a commemoration of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. A gripping graphic novel adaptation of Tarshis’s bestselling I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001, illustrated by Egbert, will be published on August 3rd. Colleen and Becker are the writer and illustrator of the upcoming 9/11-themed

Women's Equality Day The right to vote, the cornerstone of democracy, belongs to all citizens — but this wasn’t always the case. Until recently, most countries denied voting rights to half of their population: women. To claim their voice, women began agitating for the right to vote in the early 19th century. In the U.S., decisions about who could vote were left up to the states. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, ensures voting rights for everyone regardless of gender. Today, Women’s Equality Day celebrates the achievements of women’s rights activists and reminds us of the unique daily struggles that women face.

MONDAY 30

TUESDAY 31 Ask Me Anything: Conversations From The Front Line Of Homelessness 5PM Join Housing Matters' Programs Staff in their newest webinar: -Ask Me Anything: Conversations from the Front Line Of Homelessness. This is your opportunity to hear what is going on every single day to solve homelessness and ask all the questions you have about working to solve homelessness in our community. https://askmeanythingsc. eventbrite.com/ *National Day of Source: NationalToday.com

CALENDAR

Do you have an event you want placed in our calendar? Visit our website to submit the details!

Photos for the calendar may be submitted by email. Digital images must be high resolution, 200-300dpi. Christy@GrowingUpSc.com

Grey Bears Brown Bag Line Thursdays 7AM See Aug 5

FRIDAY 27 For MOD members only: FREE for members! 9:30AM. Join Lizz from MusicalMe for a ½ hour of music-making fun. Must be a member of the Children’s Museum of Discovery in the Capitola Mall. Pre-registration required, space is limited. https://www.sccmod.org/upcoming-events CASFS Farmstand Cowell Ranch Historic Hay Barn Noon to 6PM See Aug 6

National Grief Awareness Day Natural Bridges Little Rangers Mondays 10AM to 10:30AM See Aug 2 Cuéntame un Cuento @ Online See August 1

National Beach Day This holiday raises our awareness of the beauty of beaches while also calling attention to keeping them clean and safe. Here’s how you can help: after enjoying the beach, leave nothing behind. Keep animals from getting trapped or tangled in trash, on land and in the water. So take in the world’s aquatic playgrounds. Just remember to do your part to protect one of our most cherished natural resources — our beaches.

DEADLINE The 15th of the month Prior to publication month. GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

HOLY CROSS SCHOOL

SAFETY

One of the best investments in a child's life is a high quality education. Come discover the Holy Cross advantage!

NOW ENROLLING PRE-SCHOOL - 8TH GRADE

SERVICE

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

Call for a personal tour. 831.423.4447

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

150 EMMET STREET SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 www.holycsc.org

CALL TOD AY

Check us out! @holycross_school

[SE HABLA ESPAÑOL]

e m o CJoin the Classes for kids from crawling-8 years Monthly parents’ Night Out! Your date night solution! Open Gyms Every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday! Baby Happy Hour Gurgles and giggles welcome! Every Monday and Wednesday 12:15-1:15pm

Birthday Parties! Come celebrate with cartwheels! HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS ALWAYS A PRIORITY.

Check Website for Details. Call to register or for more information!

831-464-BUGS (2847)

www.junebugsgym.com 3910 Portola Dr. / Suites 2 & 3 • Santa Cruz, CA 95062

34 AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

! N U F

GrowingUpSC.com | AUGUST 2021

36 AUGUST 2021 | Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Growing Up in Santa Cruz August 2021

Articles inside

Back to School Guide

Teacher's Desk

Local News: Let Us In

I Learned it on TikTok

What the Kids are Saying

Ask Nicole

Birth Matters

Moms Who Make a Difference

County Scoop

Local Artist: Gavin Gasparotti

Always Amused

Your Home

Education

Parenting: Shoe Savvy

Local News: Plant Bar

Financial Fitness

Parenting: School Anxiety

Local News: Memories

Local News: Fire Safety

Editors' Note

Local News: Ten Questions