A Dad’s Eye View contributor, also award-winning columnist, and journalist. Author of Rookie Dad (Hyperion) and The Right Number of Kids (McKenna Publishing Group). His wife and three daughters run a living laboratory in which he is constantly tested, analyzed, and experimented upon. It’s as if a guinea pig could write.
2. BONNIE HARRIS
Bonnie is Oregon Family Magazine’s resident Movie Review Master Extraordinaire. She enjoys watching movies of all kinds, and has been doing movie reviews for over 9 years and counting. She lives in Eugene with her family, enjoys gardening and cooking.
3. REBECCA HASTINGS
Rebecca is a former teacher who is passionate about authenticity, faith, and family. Her books are available on Amazon and she has been featured on sites such as The Washington Post and Parents. In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places, or wherever there is chocolate. Connect with her at RebeccaHastings.net and on Instagram.
4. DANIEL HIESTAND
Daniel Hiestand is Waste Wise Lane County’s Outreach Coordinator, promoting waste
reduction and sustainability throughout the county. He recently graduated from Arizona State University with a Master’s in Sustainability Leadership.
5. CHRISTA MELNYK HINES
Christa Melnyk Hines is an award-winning writer whose articles appear in publications across the U.S. and Canada. She is the mom of two techy teenage sons and a quirky shepherd mix. Connect with her at www.christamhines.com
JAN PIERCE
Jan Pierce is a retired teacher and a writer who specializes in education, parenting and family life features. She is a Pacific Northwest native who loves reading, gardening and playing tennis. She is the author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun. Find Jan at www. janpierce.net.
7. RODDY SCHEER
Journalist and photographer specializing in environmental issues, the outdoors and travel. When he is not out in the field taking pictures, Roddy runs EarthTalk, the non-profit Publisher of the syndicated EarthTalk Q&A column and the EarthTalk.org and Emagazine 3 1 4 2 5 6
Oregon Family Magazine is distributed monthly in the greater Lane County area at over 150 high-traffic commercial locations. PUBLISHER
How is crowdsourcing of data gathering helping us keep track of environmental issues and stave off problems?
— DOUG WINCHESTER, BOSTON, MA
CROWDSOURCING
is transforming how we monitor ecological challenges by harnessing the collective efforts of individuals, communities and organizations. This approach generates extensive and diverse datasets, and has greatly improved our detection, understanding and respond to pressing environmental issues.
One powerful example is the early detection of wildfires. Tools like FireLoc, developed at the University of Southern California, employ low-cost mobile devices equipped with cameras and sensors in fire-prone areas. These devices gather visual and environmental data, which is processed by artificial intelligence to detect fires in real time, enabling firefighters to act quickly, reducing the risk of catastrophic damage.
Crowdsourcing has also enhanced earthquake monitoring. The EuropeanMediterranean Seismological Centre combines seismic data with reports from users through apps and social media. This allows the identification and
location of earthquakes faster, ensuring timely public alerts and emergency responses.
Coastal flooding, a growing threat due to climate
Deforestation is also being tackled with the help of crowdsourcing that lets participants analyze satellite imagery, which reveals patterns
supports conservation, raises public awareness and fosters a deeper connection to nature.
Water quality monitoring, crucial for both environmental and human health, has been improved through a combination of crowdsourced data and AI tools. Satellite data and user-submitted reports help identify pollution events and track climate-induced changes in aquatic systems. This enables timely interventions to safeguard ecosystems and public well-being.
change, is another area where crowdsourcing plays a critical role. Apps like CRISHAZARD enable residents to report flooding as it happens, providing emergency planners with real-time data. This improves resource allocation and strengthens disaster preparedness, ultimately helping communities respond more effectively to storms and hurricanes.
and drivers of forest loss, which in turn feeds into deforestation maps used by policymakers to design focused conservation strategies, protecting irreplaceable ecosystems.
Biodiversity monitoring has also benefited from crowdsourcing. Platforms like iSpot encourage individuals to share observations of plants and animals, creating a rich database of species information that
By fostering public engagement and providing richer datasets than traditional methods, crowdsourcing has become an invaluable tool, offering innovative solutions to pressing issues. As participation grows and technology evolves, its potential to address global environmental challenges will only increase. ✦
EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk. See more at https://emagazine. com. To donate, visit https://earthtalk.org Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org
PHOTO: PEXELS.COM
FireLoc employs low-cost mobile devices equipped with cameras and sensors in fireprone areas that gather visual and environmental data that’s in turn processed by AI to detect fires in real time.
New Year New Friends
EXPERT ADVICE ABOUT CHANGING FRIENDSHIPS DURING THE TEEN YEARS
BY CHERYL MAGUIRE
NOW THAT MY DAUGHTER is a senior in high school, she seems to have found a core group of good friends. This is a drastic change from when she was a tween and had a new friend group every week. Most teens go through this developmental process of figuring out who their close friends are.
“By the time teens are in 10th or 11th grade, everyone is feeling a lot more grounded in who they are and where they belong,” says Maria Sanders, LSW, a clinical social worker and certified parent coach. Here are some ways teen friendships can change and how you can best support these changes…
LESS DRAMA AMONG FRIENDS
As tweens develop into teens, there tends to be more stability and less drama among their friend groups. “It may be helpful for parents to know that the drama that starts in seventh grade, if they just get through about three years and then they’ll be okay,” says Sanders.
MORE INDEPENDENCE WITH FRIENDS
As teens develop, they are more independent from their parents but also feel more comfortable with this separation. So, their friendships are not as intense as they were when they were tweens. “Having more independence gives them freedom to navigate much more of their relationships on their own,” says Sanders. They are also able to spend more time with their friends since often they can drive or can arrange meeting up on their own without parent involvement. “Some of those freedoms, bring them to different scenarios, different situations, like more access to alcohol and drugs,” says Sanders.
POSSIBLE RISKY BEHAVIORS WITH FRIENDS
Teenagers tend to be impulsive as their brain continues to develop. “During the typical brain development for a teen, their brains are in that phase of having difficulty with self-control, and taking risky behaviors,” says Sanders.
When teenagers are with their friends, they tend to do more dangerous behaviors, like use drugs or alcohol that they might not do on their own. “There are studies out there that show that when teens are with their peers, they are much more likely to engage in risky behavior than when they are alone,” says Sanders.
WAYS YOU CAN BE SUPPORTIVE
Set boundaries and expectations with friendships
It’s normal for teens to want to stay out late with their friends but they also appreciate (although they won’t admit it) when you set boundaries and expectations. “When our boundaries and our expectations, are clearly articulated that helps them to navigate those unsafe situations,” says Sanders.
When setting these expectations about spending time with friends it’s important not to lecture them since that can hurt your relationship. “The more we lecture them and discipline them, the more we are held at arm’s length,” says Caroline Maguire, a family coach in Massachusetts and the author of, Why Will No One Play With Me?
DISCUSS POSSIBLE UNSAFE SITUATIONS
It’s important to discuss with your teen risky situations like being offered drugs or alcohol before it happens. “Some kids know that it’s not in their best interest to take drugs, but they don’t know how to get out of those situations,” says Sanders.
Maguire also discusses the importance of avoiding unsafe situations, “Be sure that your child has a safety net and is not put in a situation where they have to make choices, they are not ready for,” she says. By discussing possible situations, you help your child to figure out how to respond. Sanders suggests saying, “It’s normal that kids are smoking pot and you may have opportunities, and here’s where I stand, it’s not something I’m okay with.” She then discusses how to get out of a situation that they don’t want to be in. She says, “You can send me a text with a code word that lets me know you want my help in getting out of the situation.”
Maguire also suggests creating a code or a safe word. “They need to have a safe word that they can text you and when you receive it you will come pick them up with no questions asked,” she says.
IDENTIFY YOUR ANXIETY
Parents often feel anxiety about their teens’ increased time spent with friends and possibly engaging in risky behaviors. Sometimes parents might not even know where their child is if they are able to drive. “There’s all these tracking opportunities that parents have like 360,” says Sanders. “If we’re feeling very concerned about our kids safety and their whereabouts and we find ourselves tracking them all the time, I think it’s important to have a conversation with our kids about that.”
Sanders suggests figuring out where your anxiety is coming from and what needs to change to decrease that anxiety. “Why are we so concerned? And what do we need to make happen so that we don’t feel that kind of anxiety? Is it more communication between the parent and the child? Is it just an acceptance from the parent that we’re going to have to let go a little bit?” she says.
Maguire says that if you know you provided your child with the tools to handle situations then you can trust that they will make a good choice. “The more you can become your child’s guide and help them look at those peer relationships and help them understand their choices the better prepared they will be to handle those risky situations,” she says.
FIND SUPPORT FROM OTHER PARENTS
When your kids were younger it was easier to find support from other parents during playgroups. It may be more challenging to find those same support systems when your child is independent, and you might not know their friend’s parents. But Sanders says that it’s helpful to reach out to other parents for that support. “As a parent, having our own community of other parents can be very helpful. Because what you’ll find for the most part is that you’re not alone, in your worries and in your concerns, and they’re all totally legitimate,” she says. ✦
New Year’s Resolutions to ‘Up’ Your Sustainability and Waste Prevention Efforts 2025
BY DANIEL HIESTAND
LANE COUNTY WASTE REDUCTION OUTREACH
COORDINATOR
IHAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT NEW YEAR’S resolutions, probably because I’ve had mixed results following through on them.
Despite my best intentions, I haven’t learned a new language, run a marathon, or published my novel. But this article isn’t about those works in progress (yes, I still call them that). No, this is an article about flossing. Yes, flossing.
By far, the most successful resolution I’ve ever actually accomplished is flossing every day. How did I do it? Easy: that was my only resolution. It was short. It was simple. And that’s why I believe it worked.
And so, I present to you a condensed list of resolutions—with the help of Lane County Master Recycler Program Coordinator Kelly Bell— you can make to improve your efforts to live more sustainably. Do them all, do a few, or choose one.
And if you stumble in your efforts, get back on the horse and keep trying. The key is, do something! Soon enough, you’ll be well on your way to healthy gums, er, living sustainably.
1 RECYCLE RIGHT. Do you have unused, unwanted, or broken electronics? Bring them to NextStep Recycling in Eugene to give them a second life!
2 REPAIR WHAT YOU HAVE INSTEAD OF BUYING NEW. Your personal repair coach is just a click or two away. Use online repair resources like YouTube as a repair “coach.”
3
PUT YOUR MONEY IN A SUSTAINABLE BANK. Do you know if your bank is invested in fossil fuels? Or how much of the money it makes goes back into your community? Learn how you can match your banking practices with your sustainability values. Reassessing your finances is one of the most powerful actions you can take as a consumer or business to address the climate crisis. Visit MightyDeposits.com.
4
LOWER YOUR ENERGY BILLS. Consider using cold water when you wash your clothes to save energy. Over the year, your energy and cost savings can add up.
5 REDUCE WASTED FOOD AND SAVE MONEY. Learn how to properly store your food to save money and keep organic materials from the waste stream. Visit SaveTheFood.com to learn more.
6 GET OUT OF YOUR CAR WHEN YOU CAN. Take a “jump“ toward sustainable transportation practices and more with simple, easy steps. Visit TakeTheJump.org/travel-fresh for more.
7 DOWNLOAD AND USE THE WASTE WISE LANE COUNTY GUIDE TO SUSTAINABILITY. Lane County Waste Management produces this comprehensive guide that contains information on waste prevention, garbage, recycling, reducing household toxins, and more. Download today at lanecountyor.gov/WasteWise ✦
Find more of Kelly’s monthly tips at Instagram.com/wastewiselanecounty Happy New Year!
HOW TO BECOME A
Morning Workout Person
{ even if you hate mornings }
BY REBECCA HASTINGS
WILL YOU (LIKE SO MANY
others) be starting the New Year with new health and new fitness goals? Whether you are naturally a morning person, or tend to be more of a night owl, research shows those who work out in the morning are more likely to fit their workout in. But how can you make that happen if you’d rather stay in bed or have responsibilities to take care of each morning?
The first thing to think about is - why do you want to work out in the morning? If you want to work out because it’s what someone says you’re supposed to do, you probably won’t be motivated. But if you want to do it because you will feel better, that may give you the drive you need to make it happen.
Becoming a morning workout person can be a great way to kickstart your day with energy and productivity. Here are some ideas to help you make the transition:
START WITH SLEEP
The best way to start a morning workout routine is to set yourself up for success with good-quality rest. A consistent sleep schedule where you go to bed around the same time every night and wake at the same time every day will help. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. As you establish a regular sleep schedule, try to stick to it even on weekends to regulate your body’s internal clock.
SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS
Take time the night before to prepare. Lay out your workout clothes, shoes, and any other gear you’ll need. If you want to exercise at home, set up your workout area with any equipment you’ll need. It’s also great to have cold water and a nutritious breakfast or snack prepped and ready.
TRANSITION GRADUALLY
If you’re used to working out later in the day or not at all, don’t try to make a drastic change overnight. It helps to gradually adjust your schedule by going to bed and waking up 5-10 minutes earlier each day until you reach your desired wake-up time.
CREATE A MORNING ROUTINE
Think about what you want to routinely do every morning to get ready to exercise. You may want to get out of bed and begin with a calming activity like stretching, meditation, or deep breathing to wake up your body and mind. This can just be for a few minutes. Next, try having a glass of water to rehydrate. Then you can gradually increase the intensity of your activities to get your blood flowing.
CHOOSE AN ACTIVITY YOU ENJOY
If you don’t like what you do, you won’t be very motivated to get up and get started. Choose a workout that you genuinely like doing. This doesn’t mean it’s easy. This could be anything from hiking or jogging to yoga, dancing, or weightlifting. Enjoyment will make it easier to stick with the routine.
SET SPECIFIC GOALS
What do you want to achieve with your morning workouts? Define what you want. This could be weight loss, muscle gain, improved flexibility, or simply feeling more energized throughout the day.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
Pay attention to how your body feels in the morning. If you’re excessively tired or sore, it’s okay to take a rest day or do a lighter workout. The goal is developing the habit to get up and exercise in the morning. You don’t need to run a marathon every day.
DOES ACCOUNTABILITY HELP?
Think about what will keep you accountable for getting up and working out in the morning. Often times finding a workout buddy, or join a morning exercise class goes a long way to help you be accountable. Even using fitness apps or devices to track progress can give you the accountability you need to stay on track.
REWARD YOURSELF
It is important to celebrate your progress. This could be simple things like getting out of bed earlier or getting more sleep, or it could be more significant achievements like getting a certain number of workouts. Either way, rewards are great motivators. Try things like a healthy post-workout snack, a relaxing shower, or some new workout gear.
BE FLEXIBLE
We’re not talking about stretching. For you to be successful, you need to be adaptable. There will be times when you can’t stick to your morning workout routine. That’s perfectly fine. The key is to get back on track as soon as you can. A good tip is to think about days. Missing one day is fine, but try not to miss two!
YOU CAN DO THIS!
Remember, it’s important to prioritize your health and well-being. If becoming a morning workout person doesn’t align with your natural rhythms or lifestyle, it’s perfectly okay to find a workout routine that suits you better later in the day. The most important thing is to stay active and consistent in the long term. ✦
QUICK GUIDE TO MORNING WORKOUT SUCCESS
1. Adjust your alarm to wake up 5 minutes earlier for 2 consecutive days, followed by an additional 5 minutes earlier for the next 2 days, etc. In less than 2 weeks, you will be accustomed to rising 30 minutes earlier and be able to exercise without any other conflicts.
2. Prep your AM during the PM before - Lay out your workout clothes, and shoes; set up a coffee maker to be finished by your new wake-up time; fill your water bottle and place it with your keys, license, yoga mat, and towel at the door.
3. Get up, brush your teeth, and get dressed IMMEDIATELY!
4. Hydrate! Drink 8-10 oz. of water.
5. Eat breakfast after your workout to maximize results.
A Dad’s Eye View
Boredom: Childhood’s Curse
BY RICK EPSTEIN
“HOW WAS THAT marketing presentation at work?” my wife Betsy asked. “Boring,” I replied.
Four-year-old Sally, who had been drawing pictures at the kitchen table, looked up at me in astonishment. “I thought NOTHING bored grownups!” she said.
Think about it. To our 4-yearolds, a grownup complaining of boredom would be like a dog complaining about people who drop pizza crusts on the floor. It’s what we seem to LIVE for.
Dad gets talked into a rough-house romp and a couple of minutes later he’s worn out and gasping, ordering the kids to desist while he tries to get his boring world re-centered. “You kids don’t know when to quit!” he accuses the stirred-up monkeys.
“Yes, we do,” says Junior.
judgment and seek out livelier company.
Grownups talk about things like mortgages, money and politics. (And heaven help the child who tries to interrupt one of these conversations to say something interesting!) We read books without pictures. We watch news, soap operas and baseball on TV. At the beach we lie motionless on the sand. Plus, we think clothing is an excellent gift. To a kid, the tragedy of all this is that adults have the money and power to make every day an orgy of delight. It breaks a child’s heart to think of the toys that could be purchased with an adult’s paycheck! On any given Saturday, parents (if they wanted to) could take their kids to a zoo, circus or amusement park. But the sad fact is that they are more likely to spend their Saturdays trying to sleep late, doing laundry or satisfying their
Thus a running child is warned, “You’ll get overheated.” A joyously whooping child is told, “Calm down.” A child about to dive into a chocolate cake is told, “Take a small piece; that cake is too rich.” A kid who gets a cash gift of more than $50 is ordered, “This goes into the bank for college.”
Although grownups never forbid children to have “too much fun” in those exact words, that is their apparent aim.
While grownups seem to be actively pursuing it, boredom is childhood’s bane.
I can remember it well. In fifth grade I used to pass the time in class by figuring out how old I was in days, then in hours, then minutes. On days when I was feeling less cerebral, but just as bored, I would make a list that started with the moment of list-making and continued down to the time school let out. It would look something like this:
technique for making time pass. It pretty well stopped it dead.
And, as near as I can figure it, a child’s perception of time is a major contributing factor to boredom. If a dog-year is seven human years, a child-year is about twice that. So when Dad clicks off the sustaining flow of morning cartoons, the 10-minute lag-time before Junior finds something else to do, leaves a bleak, yawning gap in his life that stretches ahead like a life sentence in solitary confinement.
Another contributing factor is a child’s lack of obligations. Look at it this way: When a grownup knows that he should be preparing his income-tax return, painting the house and mowing the lawn, just about anything will be interesting enough to tempt him off-course.
I got bored early day, the list would
mark by each minute, once
But just when I think I’ve figured out kids’ terrible susceptibility to boredom, I’ll find little Wendy contentedly watching “Shrek” for the 14th time. How can boredom ever overtake someone with such formidable powers of enjoyment? Or I’ll find her peeling the wrappers off her crayons, murmuring, “C’mon Blue, let Yellow try on your clothes. Are you cold? You can snuggle here next to Purple, OK?” How can a kid ever be bored when her little pack of crayons contains eight living playmates?
Some things defy understanding. By me, anyway.✦
Rick can be reached at rickepstein@yahoo.com.
Movie Night
Managing the Monsters
BY BONNIE L. HARRIS
ATON OF VOICE
talent and production skill went into the new film, Spellbound, by Skydance Animation. Names like Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, John Lithgow and Nathan Lane fill out the cast, and behind the scenes, the king and queen of animation, John Lassiter and Linda Woolverton, helped produce.
SPELLBOUND
Netflix /Skydance Animation
Rated: PG Streaming on Netflix
Unfortunately, Spellbound, a colorful and energetic musical for a younger audience, only qualifies as a pretty good watch. And honestly, there is a lot to watch with Princess Ellian trying to tame her monster parents while keeping them secret from the rest of the kingdom. Ellian longs to relive her happy childhood, but adult responsibilities like running a kingdom fill her time. Just when she figures out how to undo the evil spell over her parents, they escape the castle and the secret is out. With the help of the Sun and Moon Oracles, Ellian and
her monsters then plunge into the Dark Forest on a journey to find the Lake of Light and a cure. Along the dangerous trail, they’re chased by the royal guards who want to capture and imprison the monsters, but Ellian hopes that as the monsters regain their memories, she can undo the spell before it’s too late. Generally in movies, the third act twist should be a pleasant, engaging surprise, but in Spellbound’s case, it’s a sketchy reveal that explains
FOR the PARENTS
Let’s Save Christmas
RED ONE
Warner Bros Studios, Rated: PG-13
Streaming on Amazon
IF YOU’RE FEELING that after holiday letdown, the zany, action-packed Red One could be a perfect post-season lift. Critics were split when this hi-tech, black-ops retelling of the Santa Claus myth hit theatres, but Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans make it worth the watch. After Santa is mysteriously kidnapped from his ultra secure North Pole, his personal bodyguard teams up with a sticky-fingered dark web hacker to bring him home. Although an odd couple, both Cal and Jack are equally disillusioned by the pessimism and naughtiness of humanity. As they track the kidnappers across the globe and Christmas is only hours away, they outmaneuver all sorts of strange creatures and evil forces. The visit to Santa’s brother, Krampus, and his lair of misfits is especially off beat, but doggone funny. When Cal and Jack eventually find Santa, they also find a diabolical plot to punish everyone on the naughty list. During the
how Ellian’s parents caused the evil enchantment themselves. While relatively happyish, the film’s ending is neither satisfying nor uplifting. Last notes, sorry for the pun, but the music was also a letdown without a single catchy tune, and not a single memorable laugh from director Vicky Jenson who is famous for her work on Chicken Run, Shrek, and Madagascar. Pop some popcorn and Spellbound will occupy the youngsters for an afternoon or evening. ✦
Blending in at the mall.
darkest moment when all seems lost, Jack has an opportunity to reconnect with his estranged son, and Cal reconnects with his holiday faith. In the end, niceness conquers naughtiness, Santa spreads holiday cheer to the world, and the answer to everything is: cookies!
Escaping the kingdom.
Is Your Child Too Wiggly to Read?
BY JAN PIERCE
S
ITTING STILL AND LISTENING
to a story is a developmental skill that can be nurtured over time. Sometimes young children are just too full of energy to sit still and pay attention to a book. They’re like a basket full of puppies needing to wiggle, run and play. How will you ever instill a love of reading into your wiggly toddler or pre-schooler?
Never fear; there are ways to give your child the freedom to work out the wiggles and still leave time for some snuggly reading time. Here are ten strategies that just might work for your little wiggler:
• Be sure your child gets adequate active play time before choosing to read. Children will be much more likely to manage a quiet reading time if they’ve “used up their wiggles” in vigorous play.
• Choose naptime or bedtime as primary reading times. Your child is already sleepy and ready for a cuddly quiet time. Some parents find that reading during bath time works well.
• Many parents find that allowing their child to draw, do a lacing card, build with legos or hold something in their hand such as a stress ball or thinking putty helps with body management. This is especially true for children who are kinesthetic learners— they need to touch, feel and keep their hands busy.
• Build the skill according to your child’s age and development. Younger children need shorter reading times. You, as the parent, will best know your child’s readiness for listening. Select short pieces to read— several short poems or nursery rhymes, or a book with few words.
• Do interactive “reading” in which you spend a lot of time talking about the
pictures and asking for responses from your child. “What sound does that dog make?” or “What color is the truck?” Merely interacting with the pages of a book builds reading readiness skills. Or select books that give the child the opportunity to open pockets, zip up zippers, touch and feel textures, and the like.
• Write books about your own family members. Make reading time personal with stories of your daily life, the antics of your pets and the fun things your family is doing. These homegrown stories will become your child’s favorites.
• Follow your child’s latest interests. Children love to read about their favorite movie character, their favorite sport, their favorite anything. Find titles at your local library and then move to new books as your child’s interests grow and change.
• Choice is a big factor in motivation for reading activities. When you allow your child to pick the book at the library or at reading times, you encourage buy in and increase the quality of the reading experience.
• Try using audio books when driving in the car. Children are a “captive audience” in their car seats and it may help to pass the time while increasing listening skills.
• Follow up activities may be appropriate at times. A craft, a snack related to the reading topic, or a game that incorporates the reading topics may help keep reading time enjoyable.
Above all, be sure reading time is a positive experience. You may have to abandon reading time once in a while or try again at a later time. It’s so important that children look forward to reading times as pleasurable experiences. Read alouds are one of the ways we build a desire in our children to “do it myself” at the appropriate time. Believe it or not, wiggly toddlers and pre-schoolers can listen to short pieces that reflect their interests. Short and sweet reading times—that’s the solution to the wiggles. ✦
EDUCATION Resource Guide 2025
PRESCHOOLS
Eugene Montessori School 1:10 98 8:00am-3:30pm open No varies No
New Dream Family Center varies 145 Hours: 7:30am - 5:30pm open No varies Yes
The Little French School 1:5 / 1:10 50 8:30am-5:30pm open until filled No varies Yes
CHARTER/ONLINE SCHOOLS
Ridgeline Montessori School 1:14 250 8:15am - 3:05pm February 23rd No none No
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Eugene Science Center 1:10 varies 10:00am - 5pm Tues-Sunday | Open until 7:00pm on Fridays open until filled No varies Yes
Eugene YMCA varies varies M-F: 5am - 9:30pm Sat: 6am - 8pm; Sun: 6am - 7pm open until filled Welcoming to ALL variesfinancial assistance avail. Yes
Museum of Natural and Cultural History varies open
Hours: Wed 10-5, Thur 10-8; FriSun, 10-5 none No Admission Only No
Nearby Nature varies varies see website open No varies Yes Triple P: Positive Parenting Program varies open not applicable open No none No
PRESCHOOLS
Eugene Montessori School
2255 Oakmont Way
Eugene, OR 97401
541-345-7124
www.eugenemontessorischool.com
Eugene Montessori School founded in 1962, offers a quality education for children age 3 through kindergarten. The individual curriculum fosters the child’s natural curiosity and love of learning while building self-confidence and independence. In our multi-age classrooms, children work together as a community caring for each other and the environment. Specialists teach music and PE. For more information please call 541345-7124
New Dream Family Center
1295 W. 18th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97402
541-344-1905
www.newdreamfamily.com
The New Dream offers programs for infants through school-age students. Our STEM Garden Program is delivered in both English and Spanish. Two kindergarten-readiness classrooms get your 4-year old ready for school. Our classrooms are led by dynamic teaching teams who are skilled communicators, educators and caring adults. The New Dream facility boasts large play yards, many gardens and covered areas for outdoor play.
The Little French School
1376 Olive Street
Eugene, OR 97401
541-345-3818
www.littlefrenchschool.org
The Little French School is a private, non-profit program that combines high-quality care and education with immersion in the French language. We have been serving
Eugene Montessori School
the Eugene community since 1987. LFS is passionate about empowering students socially, emotionally, and academically through the medium of French culture, diversity, and language in an accessible and fun learning environment. We offer small class sizes, personalized instruction, and diverse, engaging curricula.
ONLINE/CHARTER SCHOOLS
Mountain View Academy Charter School
45 S. Moss Street Lowell, OR 97452
541-735-1709
www.mountainviewacademy.com
Mountain View Academy is a Pre-K - 8th grade public, charter school in the Lowell School District. We believe character education is the foundation for a quality education. We offer a 4-day school week with educational field trips one Friday per month. We are an advanced program that strives to build relationships with students and families, provide a well-rounded education, and challenge students through ability
Mountain View Academy
LIMITED OPENINGS
Mountain View Academy is a charter school with a foundation in character education and ability-based learning. Each class is capped at 16 students, and we encourage parents to be part of their child’s education by volunteering on a regular basis.
MVA has a “Back to Basics” approach to education. We teach & encourage hard work and provide students with a full curriculum – including high school level courses.
Our program offers a 4-day school week, monthly field trips, and curriculum that will challenge students at their individual level.
Sponsored by the Lowell School District, believing in options for parents.
grouping. We believe parents play an important role in their child’s education; MVA families are incorporated into our education model through monthly volunteering. Contact us to learn more. Tours held on Wednesdays.
Ridgeline Montessori School
4500 W. Amazon Drive Eugene, OR 97405 541-681-9662
www.ridgeline.org
Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School provides free public Montessori education to more than 250 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. We provide an academically rigorous Montessori education. Students balance their freedom to explore and think for themselves with their
responsibility to work and learn within a community. Visit our website at www.ridgeline.org for more information.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Eugene Science Center
2300 Leo Harris Parkway Eugene, OR 97401
541-682-7888
https://eugenesciencecenter.org/
Visit Eugene Science Center for hands-on exhibits, state of the art planetarium shows, school group field trips, early education programs, and special events. Offering birthday parties, no-schoolday workshops, and summer camps designed to ignite your child’s curiosity.
Open enrollment is February 1st – 15th. To schedule a tour in January, call 541-735-1709 or email kelly@mtviewacademy.org. Website: www.mtviewacademy.com
CAMPS, FIELD TRIPS, OUTREACH, NO-SCHOOL DAY WORKSHOPS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, AND MORE!
| (541) 682-7888
Eugene YMCA
600 E. 24th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97405
541-686-9622
www.eugeneymca.org
The Eugene YMCA offers programs for all ages to support a healthy spirit, mind, and body. Highlights include drop-in child care for kiddos 6 weeks–10 years (included with family membership), safe spaces for middle and highschoolers equipped with a STEAM lab and e-sports, youth sports (ages 3–high school), before and afterschool care at 20 schools, and monthly events for youth, teens and families.
Museum of Natural and Cultural History
1680 E. 15th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97403
541-346-3024
www.mnch.uoregon.edu
Inspire wonder! The museum is a place for kids of all ages to experience fun, inquiry-based learning in science and social studies. Kids can dig deep into Oregon’s geology, natural history, Native American history, and more. Visit our website to learn more!
Nearby Nature
P.O. Box 3678
Eugene, OR 97403
541-687-9699
www.nearbynature.org
From the tiniest tot to the busiest teen, Nearby Nature believes young people thrive
when they spend healthy time outside engaged in nature discovery, science, adventure, free play, art, and gardening. Based outdoors at our Learnscape in Alton Baker Park, Nearby Nature hosts a school year preschool (Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings), after-school programs (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday), school nature walks, summer daycamps, preschool Green Start Play Days, No School Day Adventures, and special events for families. During the school year, we also serve 7th12th graders as a partner in the Network Charter School. Scholarships, membership discounts, and volunteer opportunities are available.
Electronics Recycling Competition
Jan. 7 - March 20, 2025
Donate unwanted, unused, or broken electronics to your student’s Lane County-based school!
Schools that recycle the most “e-waste” will win grants of up to $500 to support school sustainability, a NextStep Reuse Store computer gift certificate & special recognition!
wastewiselane.org/ERC
Triple P: Positive Parenting Program
86 Centennial Loop Eugene, OR, 97401 612-433-7285
https://parentingnow.org/triple-ppositive-parenting-program/ Triple P, the Positive Parenting Program, is an online parenting course for parents of children ages 2-12, as well as teens, aged 10-16. Triple P doesn’t tell you how to parent, but gives you strategies you can adapt to your family’s needs. This program is free for all Lane County, Harrisburg, and Reedsport families. Visit https://parentingnow.org/triple-p-positive-parenting-program/ to sign up! Triple P esta disponible en español.
Waste Wise Lane County 3100 E. 17th Ave. Eugene, OR 97403 541-682-1223
www.wastewiselane.org
This Lane County Waste Management website provides instant access to resources to teach sustainability and waste prevention for K-12. All resources are NGSS-aligned, free, downloadable, and designed for Lane County teachers. Find activities, lessons, workshops and sign up for field trips, all in one place.
Rescue Spotlight
Meet TURK and PEPPER , 7-year-old brothers who are beyond adorable and best friends. They are looking to be adopted together by a family that loves cuddling under blankets as much as they do! These two Chihuahuas love to go for little walkies around the campus and snuggle up with one another. They may be a little shy or reserved at first, but they have personalities that will flourish in a loving home. Turk and Pepper should meet any potential new dog siblings at the shelter prior to adoption and should have a slow, supervised intro to cats. They are neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccines. Turk and Pepper are part of the Home for the Holidays adoption promotion so their adoption fee has been reduced to $50 until December 31. They would love to ring in the new year with you!
Greenhill Humane Society is open seven days a week, 11 am – 6 pm at 88530 Green Hill Rd in Eugene. For more information call (541) 689.1503 or visit www.green-hill.org.
Healthy Hydration
Building tiny, healthier practices into routines you already have makes it easier to establish habits you can stick to. This concept is called “habit stacking,” and can help you improve habits from morning to night.
Consider busy mornings when you need an on-the-go solution – rather than opting for sugary food or drinks, turn to a Green Tea Berry Banana Smoothie that incorporates unsweetened green tea. Visit Heart.org/eatsmart to find more heart heathy habits.
GREEN TEA BERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE
INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups water
• 8 single-serving green tea bags
• 16 ounces frozen mixed berries (about 3 cups)
• 2 medium bananas, peeled, cut in half and frozen
1. In small saucepan over high heat, bring water to boil. Remove pan from heat. Submerge tea bags. Steep 4
minutes. Discard tea bags. Let tea mixture cool 30 minutes. Pour into pitcher. Refrigerate 2 hours, or until chilled.
2. In food processor or blender, process tea, berries, bananas and yogurt until smooth. Add gingerroot and vanilla, if desired, and process until smooth. Pour into four glasses. Sprinkle with chia seeds, if desired.
3. Recipe courtesy of American Heart Association | Servings: 4 (1 1/2 cups per serving)
4. Nutrition per serving (w/o optional ingredients): 136 calories; 1 g total fat (0 g saturated fat, trans fat, polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat); 3 mg cholesterol; 23 mg sodium; 29 g carbohydrates; 5 g fiber; 18 g total sugars (0 g added sugars); 8 g protein.
The Cat Rescue & Adoption Network presents FRANK (R) & SILVER MICKIE (L) are a beautiful bonded pair of 6-yr-old Siamese-mix male cats. These two gorgeous fellas are gentle and affectionate, easy going and wellbehaved with calm personalities. They enjoy cuddling together and playing with wand toys, and would do best as the only cats in the household. They had a loving home, but their owner passed away. If you’re looking to add cats with a sweet disposition to your household, Frank and Silver Mickie are the perfect pair for you! They have been neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and are negative for FIV & FeLV. For more info, please call 541-225-4955 option 1, or visit our website at CatRescues.org
Kristena McAlister, RN
NICU Nurse and Lane County resident
PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend
