Parents Press January 2019

My teachers have taught me to advocate for myself in the classroom and in the world.

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Faith-based School Guide

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Free and Discounted Bay Area Museums and Attractions

The Bay Area’s Number One Resource for Parents

January / February 2019

Exploring Space: Books for Young Explorers | Cousins – Forever Friends | Family Events Calendar

Contents

January | February 20197

www.parentspress.com

Happy New Year!

Publishers Robert and Tracy McKean Art Director Debbi Murzyn

4

10

Exploring Space

5 Family Cents

Cutting Off Grown Kids Who are Financially Dependent

6 Raising Dad

Mailing Address 875-A Island Dr, Ste 421, Alameda, CA 94502 43,000 copies of Parents’ Press are distributed to more than 1,400 Bay Area locations.

Send letters to the editor to editor@parentspress.com Family Fun Calendar submissions are due six weeks prior to publication date. Send calendar information to calendar@ parentspress.com Parents’ Press is published monthly. ©2019 Parents’ Press

10 On the Go

Cousins — Forever Friends

Inclusive Play Spaces

11 Family Fun Calendar

8 Family Matters

Contributors Aaron Crowe, Tony Hicks, Haley Reen, Mary Ann Scheuer, Peggy Spear Advertising Sales & General Info sales@parentspress.com

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8 4 Bookshelf

Account Managers Carol Flores, Sophie Archer

14 School Open Houses

Antidepressants

16 Free & Discounted Museums and Attractions

9 Faith-Based Schools Guide

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January – February 2019 | Parents’ Press 3

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By Mary Ann Scheuer

Bookshelf Exploring Space

Books to spark a passion in young explorers

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s January night skies stretch out before us, do you look up to outer space and wonder what it would be like to explore the stars and planets? Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 8 space mission (launched on December 21, 1968) and spark a passion in your young readers grips our imaginations.

readers, Leland Melvin shares his journey from “a skinny black kid” to an NFL wide receiver and then to a NASA astronaut on two space shuttle missions. Melvin shows how he overcame challenges and provides a clear sense of training as an astronaut. Inspiring.

“IF YOU DECIDE TO GO TO THE MOON” “APOLLO 8: THE MISSION THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING”

“ABOVE AND BEYOND: NASA’S JOURNEY TO TOMORROW”

By Olugbemisola RhudayPerkovich (Feiwel & Friends/ Macmillan; ages 9-12; $19.99; 160 pp.). Inspired by Rory Kennedy’s documentary, this book examines NASA’s development, from the lunar launches of the 1960s to the International Space Station and beyond. I especially appreciate the variety of people highlighted, such as the Gallaudet Eleven (deaf men who helped research the effects of zerogravity motion sickness). Engaging and informative.

By Martin W. Sandler (Candlewick; ages 10-15; $24.99; 176 pp.).

Fifty years ago, the Apollo 8 mission launched three men into space to orbit the moon. Sandler provides a broader context of the space race, amid the Cold War and the turbulent events of 1968. Full of photographs, this engaging text helps readers see both the enormity of this accomplishment and the vastness of outer space.

“COUNTDOWN: 2979 DAYS TO THE MOON”

By Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez (Peachtree; $22.95; ages 10-14; 144 pp.). Using narrative free verse, Slade creates a stunning portrait of America’s eight-year effort to launch a manned orbit of the moon. Dramatic, poetic language and stunning illustrations engage readers, weaving together historical context, technical detail and dramatic scenes.

The spare, dramatic poetry creates an accessible text that brings readers right into the scene. Outstanding.

“ALMOST ASTRONAUTS: 13 WOMEN WHO DARED TO DREAM”

By Tanya Lee Stone (Candlewick; ages 10-15; $17.99; 144 pp.). Tanya Lee Stone tells the riveting, true story of the “Mercury 13,” a group of women who took and passed the same physical and psychological tests that men took to qualify for NASA’s astronaut training program.

Even though these women aviators proved to be as fit, determined and courageous as any man, they were barred from becoming astronauts because of their gender. Absolutely riveting, fascinating, compelling.

“CHASING SPACE”

By Leland Melvin (HarperCollins/ Amistad; $17.99; ages 11-14; 240 pp.).

In this abridged memoir for young

“MAE AMONG THE STARS”

By Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington (HarperCollins; $17.99; ages 4-7; 40 pp.) Even as a young child, Mae Jemison dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Her supportive parents told her repeatedly, “Of course you can. If you can dream it, if you believe it and work hard for it, anything is possible.”

An uplifting picture book to introduce a pioneering African American astronaut to young children.

“BRIGHT SKY, STARRY CITY”

By Uma Krishnaswami, illustrated by Aimee Sicuro (Groundwood; ages 5-9; $17.95; 32 pp.). Phoebe loves looking through her father’s telescopes, but she’s frustrated by the way the city’s bright lights make it hard to see the stars and planets above. When a storm causes a power outage, she’s delighted to see constellations and planets she “had only ever seen / in pictures.” This delightful story will inspire young stargazers and their parents.

By Faith McNulty & Steven Kellogg (Scholastic; $18.99; ages 4-8; 48 pp.).

This was a great introduction to traveling to the moon for my daughter’s preschool class. I especially appreciated how it put the child right in the astronaut’s seat — drawing on their imagination, but also providing many facts: “When you are thirsty, don’t try to pour orange juice into a glass. With no gravity, it would fly into a million drops and become orange juice fog.” A terrific introduction to space travel.

“EXPLORING SPACE: FROM GALILEO TO THE MARS ROVER”

By Martin Jenkins, illustrated

by Stephen Biesty (Candlewick; $17.99; ages 9-14; 64 pp.). Beautifully detailed and meticulous illustrations and diagrams encourage readers to consider all of the technology that supports our exploration of space, from early telescopes to modern probes and rovers. Jenkins provides clear explanations and does not skimp on sophisticated, detailed explanations. Biesty’s intricate illustrations are marvelous to pore over, with their exact, precise details.

“MISSION TO PLUTO: THE FIRST VISIT TO AN ICE DWARF AND THE KUIPER BELT”

By Mary Kay Carson (Houghton Mifflin; $18.99; ages 10-15; 80 pp.). As part of the excellent Scientists in the Field series, Carson follows a NASA team’s effort to send a space probe to the far reaches of our solar system.

Mary Ann Scheuer is a teacher librarian at Albany High School. Find more books Mary Ann recommends sharing with children at her blog, Great Kid Books, http://greatkidbooks.blogspot.com.

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By Aaron Crowe

Family Cents Cutting Off Your (grown) Kids Who Are Still Financially Dependent on You

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t’s every parent’s job to raise their children to leave home.

Whether it’s after high school or college, most children move out of their parents’ home and make a life of their own.

Some parents, however, continue paying their child’s phone bills and health insurance premiums, buy them a car and pay other bills for years after their young adult should be doing it on their own. Getting failing grades in college and not finding a good job are two big reasons to move back home.

But parents must cut the strings eventually, and that doesn’t make them bad parents. Here are some ways to do it:

You’re Not Being Mean

First, know that your decision to stop paying your adult child’s bills doesn’t make you a horrible, mean parent. It makes you a good one. Don’t feel guilty.

You’ve provided your children with an education, security and comfort, and have probably allowed them to get away with things they wouldn’t otherwise.

They’ve made mistakes that you’ve paid

for, and your generosity shouldn’t be forgotten.

Give Them Their Freedom

You’ve supported them beyond the age that you’re legally or morally obligated to. Congratulations.

Now is the time to give them the gift of independence and self-sufficiency.

What incentive would they have to pay their cell phone bill if you keep paying it?

None. Stop paying that bill, and others, for them and let them figure out a way to pay their bills.

Remember the struggles you had as a young adult? In my first job out of college at a newspaper in the Mojave Desert, I could only afford to rent a small house that didn’t have air conditioning. That was hellacious in the summer. I slept on a couch I bought at Goodwill, ate like a college student and hoped my paycheck would last me until the next one. I also had student loans to repay.

It was difficult, but it was my freedom and my choices to make. Living with the consequences of your decisions is part of becoming an adult.

Go for a Gradual Change

Don’t cut the financial cord in one day.

Give your child some notice, such as a month or two for cell phone bills and maybe six months to move out, and let them know you’re not going to be paying their bills anymore.

Put it on a calendar and give a copy of it to your child. It’s not based on what your child wants, but on your timeline.

Remind them that it’s not a punishment and that if they have a big financial crisis somewhere down the road, you’ll still be there to help. But the move to independence has to start sometime, and this is it.

Be United

You and your spouse must make these decisions together. Present a united front and don’t give in as individuals to paying a bill, either partially or in full, that your child says they can’t afford.

Make it clear that both of you are setting this plan of action together. It’s not a negotiation. Part of what you’re doing here as parents is modeling what it’s like to be an adult — set boundaries, establish goals and find ways to meet them.

Rent or Move Out?

A big decision to make is if your child should be allowed to stay home or not. If you want them out of the house, then do it and give them a few months to get out.

But if you want to allow them to stay, then charge them rent. It doesn’t have to be as high as the market rate in your

area, but it should be close. You can also add in a monthly stipend to cover family expenses such as groceries and utilities.

You’ve Protected Them Enough

Part of the discussion with your adult child should include how you’ve protected them from many things in the world, allowing them to be children and learn as they’ve grown.

Paying the way for younger children is normal. When they’re teenagers, some financial responsibilities become theirs — going to the movies, lunch with friends, etc.

But protecting them from every danger in the world — including simple responsibilities such as paying for gas and having clothes — isn’t expected in adulthood.

You’ve helped them develop tools to deal with life, and cutting your kids off financially is part of your toolkit if it comes to that.

Your child’s struggles for dependence should be their struggles.

They’re not yours. Allow them to confront them alone. Avoiding them will only prolong their childhood.

Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist in the Bay Area who specializes in personal finance writing. He writes for various websites and has worked as a reporter and editor at newspapers throughout California. He also writes about his family’s personal finance journey at CashSmarter.com.

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By Tony Hicks

Raising Dad Cousins — Forever Friends

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ousins are the perfect relatives for kids. They share enough genetics and are usually close enough in age to form a real bond.

They have secrets, call the same people “Grandma” and “Grandpa,” and grow up reminiscing about things they thought they were getting away with at family gatherings, when they thought the adults weren’t watching.

They were. But that’s another story.

And best of all, unlike siblings, they don’t see so much of each other that they want to slap their counterparts in the head with the heavy side of a roller skate three or four times a week.

I’ve always had a strange relationship with the cousin concept, which is why I’m trying to normalize it for my own kids. My sister — technically half-sister like my other two sisters (but “half” is like saying half as good, which isn’t true) and I get together once a week.

We do this partially because we happen to like each other (and she usually feeds me, but don’t tell her I said that). The other reason is so our kids spend time together. She has 11and 8-year-old girls; mine is 10. They get to hug, tackle, squeeze, play and run around screaming for no apparent reason with each other for three hours or so once a week.

This is called family time. It’s the sort of mundane thing that became so obviously necessary to some of us only because we missed out on a lot of it.

I met half my biological family later in life, so when my sisters and cousins on that side of the family get together and start talking about the good old days, I usually find a fascinating

shrub to examine or something. The “remember that time at Grandma’s house” talk gets revved up, and, lacking a frame of reference, I start praying my car will catch fire outside, so I have a reason to escape.

Growing up, I did have one cousin — and still do — close enough to my age on my mom’s side of the family to laugh about how our grandfather enjoyed showing us how the Navy taught him to disarm the enemy during World War II. My cousin is the closest thing I have to a brother — unless you count my sisters, which would be weird.

I did have step-cousins, which I guess is a real word. I also had second and third cousins (don’t even try explaining the once, twice, three times removed cousin thing, which is way too close to math for me to understand).

My second, third and fourth stepcousins six times removed and I sometimes did the cousin thing in the 1970s and 1980s, back when the adults drank too much, talked too loudly and started the barbecue at midnight — right after the argument over Vietnam.

They’re great memories, and I want my kids to have an updated version of them (we can leave out the booze and Vietnam). My 10-year-old — whom

we’ll call “Lucy” because that’s her name — has older sisters who are too busy trying to be sophisticated young adults to do all the sneaky, squealy, screaming cousin stuff anymore. I don’t know that my nieces have much of a shot at that either. I want these girls to grow up exchanging knowing smiles and secret stories about which we adults don’t know. I’m pretty sure that’s part of feeling like you belong to a real family — step, half, three times removed … whatever. They can find their own definition. We just have to give them the chance.

Tony Hicks is a newswpaper columnist and the father of four daughters.

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January – February 2019 | Parents’ Press 7

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By Peggy Spear

Family Matters Should I Give My Teen Antidepressants?

W

hen my son was 15, and just starting high school, my family moved to New Orleans for my husband’s job. The culture shock was swift and intense, and we all felt it, but especially my son.

He began to suffer crying jags, intense anxiety and an aversion to his new school. It was more than severe homesickness — he was suffering from depression and anxiety. His new doctor prescribed a low dose of the antidepressant Prozac, which helped a bit, until we moved back to California nine months later, at which point he didn’t need it at all.

I am thankful for the help the drug gave him, and I had no qualms about giving it to a teenager. What I do regret is that I did not take his recovery a step further, and added some cognitive behavioral therapy to the mix.

According to the National Institute of Health, a mixture of therapy and medication is the best way to combat anxiety and depression in not only tweens and teens, but adults as well, says Margie Ryerson, a Walnut Creekbased family therapist. Sometimes, just therapy alone is needed to help teens deal with depression and anxiety.

As for drugs? “There is no pure answer,” Ryerson says, when drugs should be administered, except in extreme cases, such as a child is exhibiting suicidal thoughts or actions, or has thoughts of or is exhibiting actions of hurting someone else.

For garden variety anxiety and depression like my son was feeling

— which can in itself be crippling for the child and terrifying for the parents — Ryerson suggests a team approach, which starts with the child’s pediatrician or family doctor.

They can assess the child — even as young as nine — and recommend counseling or psychiatry, or both.

When a family is choosing a counselor, Ryerson suggests that it might be a good idea to have family therapy, and to let the child in on interviewing several prospective therapists so that they feel empowered in making a choice.

The second tier of treating anxiety and depression, Ryerson says, is seeing a psychiatrist for evaluation, and seeing if they recommend antidepressants.

“Remember, it’s just a recommendation —you don’t need to give the child antidepressants if you don’t want to.”

But if a parent chooses to give a child medication to fight anxiety and/ or depression, she says to be sure to include talk therapy, preferably CBT, as well. CBT is a short-term, goaloriented psychotherapy treatment that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. Its goal is to change patterns of thinking or behavior that are behind people’s difficulties, and so change the way they feel.

D. Raymond Hearey, a child and adolescent psychiatric specialist practicing out of Orinda, agrees with Ryerson that drugs alone may not be the most effective way to treat adolescent depression and anxiety.

According to the National Institute of Health, a mixture of therapy and medication is the best way to combat anxiety and depression in not only tweens and teens, but adults as well.

Sometimes, just therapy alone is needed to help teens deal with depression and anxiety.

“Parents should have the child assessed by a psychiatrist, to see if drugs are a good option,” he says.

Don’t rely on the child’s doctor to prescribe the medication, he says.

Hearey says there is no “magic age” when it is okay to administer drugs — he has seen children as young as six respond well to medication, while older teens may not. Still, he says he would prefer not to prescribe medication to children and teens if there are other options, like therapy, that will work as well.

“Only use medication when it is needed,” he said, adding that the decision must be made by the

psychiatrist, the parents and the child.

The other nebulous area is the particular medication that is prescribed. Hearey says clinically, “there is no right answer,” but that some have shown better results in teens and children than in adults, and vice versa. Again, a psychiatrist will know those areas better than a pediatrician.

Ultimately, like most hard parenting decisions, whether to give your teen antidepressants is a judgement that needs a lot of study, input and faith — and hinges on how well you know your own child.

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FAITH-BASED SCHOOLS GUIDE ALAMEDA COUNTY

CALIFORNIA CROSSPOINT MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CCHS is an award winning, independent, non-profit, religious, educational institution. We care for the entire child,academically, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. 100% of our graduates have gone to college or the military since our establishment in 1979.

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CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL Happy, confident, self-aware students are our #1 priority. Together, our award-winning principal, Katie Murphy, exceptional staff and dedicated community, nurture each student from kindergarten to middle school, providing the solid foundation necessary for the teen years, high school and beyond.

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REDWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS RCS offers a Christ-centered K-12 education to nearly 700 students in a safe, secure, loving, Christ-honoring environment equipping students for daily living and eternal life. ACSI/WASC-accredited. Tuition grants are available.

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SCHOOL OF THE MADELEINE Our Kindergarten through 8th grade Catholic elementary school in Berkeley offers outstanding academics, technology, Spanish, Music & PE instruction. Kenneth Willers, Principal Mary Schweska, Registrar Grades: K-8 1225 Milvia St., Berkeley www.themadeleine.com 510-526-4744

ST. PHILIP NERI CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Info. Night: Jan. 9, 7pm. Open House: Jan. 27, 10:15am-12:15pm. Come discover why families return for generations. Saint Philip Neri Catholic School promotes respectful, responsible, reverent, lifelong learners.

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ST. PAUL SCHOOL St. Paul School celebrates 65 years of developing the whole child with a positive self-awareness and to their potential with rigorous academics, creativity, healthy physical and emotional development, and the formation of spirituality and faith.

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Grades: PK-8 871 Sonoma St., Richmond Hills www.stdavidschool.org 510-232-2283

ST. PERPETUA SCHOOL St. Perpetua School has offered a rigorous academic program in a faith filled environment for over 50 years. We foster the education of the whole child, spiritually, academically and socially.

Grades: K-8 3445 Hamlin Rd., Lafayette www.stperpetua.org 925-284-1640

ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL Providing a quality Catholic education, with a challenging, well-rounded academic curriculum. Fully accredited.

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PRESCHOOLS MOREAU CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Moreau Catholic is a college-preparatory high school committed to outstanding achievement in the Holy Cross tradition.

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ST. THERESA SCHOOL Dedicated to educating the whole child: spirit, mind and body. Strong and dynamic curriculum serving grades Grades: K-8.

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Summer Adventure Camp

Art & Science Projects | Cooking | Nature Activities 9 week session June 17 through August 16 Lic #384001313

80 Juan Bautista Circle | San Francisco | 415.333.4410 | montessorichildrenscenter.org

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY OAKLAND HEBREW DAY SCHOOL We are a modern Orthodox Jewish day school providing excellence in Jewish and secular education to the entire Jewish community. We value diversity, character education and critical thinking skills.

Grades: K-8 5500 Redwood Rd., Oakland www.ohds.org 510-531-8600

Preschool

CONTRA COSTA JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Our Kindergarten - 8th Grade welcomes families from diverse backgrounds.

Children thrive with outstanding academics, both general and Jewish. Emphasis on values and tikkun olam (helping the world).

Transportation from Oakland and Berkeley.

Grades: K-8 955 Risa Rd, Lafayette www.ccjds.org 925-284-8288

Hands-on learning in a small, group environment 12–14 children ages 3 – 5 years The Creative Play Center’s program provides a rich, nurturing environment in which creative play and learning takes place.

Preschool is 9 am until 1 pm - (extended hours available)

CPC is currently accepting applications for Fall, 2018

(510) 524-9399

www.CreativePlayCenterAlbany.com 1151 Portland Ave., Albany, CA 94706

Lic. #010204748

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By Haley Reen

On the Go

Playgrounds for Every Body

Take a trek to these parks that support children with special needs.

T

hose who know a child with special physical or developmental needs know that sadly, not all parks are for all kids. Frequently, when taking a child with mobility issues or sensory needs to a playground, it is disappointing to see what little there is for the children to use and enjoy. Wheelchairs don’t do well in sand and tan bark pits, and swing sets and slides are not accommodating either.

When it comes to sensory needs, a park crowded with screaming kids, the smells of barbeques, the music from the ice cream truck, and the feeling of sand in shoes might be enough to push some kids into a full meltdown, and there is nowhere to go to decompress. The reality of the situation is that children who need some accommodation to enjoy a park are mostly out of luck, and don’t get nearly enough outside time as they need because of it.

However, there are a few inclusive play spaces in the Bay Area. These playgrounds and indoor kindergyms have special swings for children who cannot support their trunk, slides wide enough for anyone to use, paths from the perimeter to the structure, through the sand and bark, for wheelchairs. There are teetertotters with back support, and rooms where those who need a break can go to have a moment to compose themselves.

For families with special needs children or families who enjoy playdates

MATEO’S DREAM — CONCORD

with special needs friends, check out these popular Bay Area inclusive play spaces:

WE ROCK THE SPECTRUM — BERKELEY

WRTS is an indoor gym for all kids. It’s located near the newer Berkeley Bowl in south Berkeley. Developed by parents who have children of their own on the Autism Spectrum, they decided to make a place where sensory needs are given room to be addressed. The gym features classical music, quiet rooms, music therapy rooms, fine and gross motor play, and an arts and crafts area. Open play time is daily and is $20 for an all-day pass, and sibling discounts are available. Learn more about the special classes offered and events and parties by going to www.werockthespectrumberkeley.com or visiting at 2920 Seventh St., Berkeley. 510-845-9787

Mateo was a boy from Concord who lived his short life blind and in a wheelchair. His family and community came together to create one of the largest wheelchair accessible playgrounds in the nation. It includes both metal and plastic slides so that children with plastic hearing implants can slide without damage to the implant. There is space on pathways for two wheelchairs to pass, and the tree house even has a wheel chair ramp.

Mateo’s Dream is located at Grant Street and Oliveira Road in Concord, and is open to the public at all times and is free for all ages.

ROBERT’S REGIONAL PARK — OAKLAND

On Skyline Blvd. in Oakland, adjacent to the Chabot Space and Science Center, is Robert’s Regional Park. There is a small parking fee, but well worth it to enjoy the pool, fields, trails, and baseball diamond.

In addition to those features, the park is home to a “barrier free” playground which is fully wheelchair accessible. It is a clean and safe park for all kids to enjoy. Learn more about the accessibility of Robert’s by visiting www.ebparks.org.

MAGICAL BRIDGE PLAYGROUND — PALO ALTO

Possibly the most inclusive playground in the greater Bay Area, with a wide variety of unique needs accommodated,

Magic Bridge is the newest and most elaborate of the playgrounds featured here. It includes a 24-string laser harp for music therapy, swings and spinners for everyone, a toddler area for crawlers and scooting kids, a playhouse for theatrical children, and a variety of slides for all abilities. Magical Bridge is within Mitchell Park at 600 East Meadow Rd., Palo Alto. More info at www.magicalbridge.org.

HELEN DILLER PLAYGROUND — SAN FRANCISCO

This playground located within Mission Dolores Park is not fully inclusive, but there is so much to do there that everyone can find something on which to play. There is a wheelchair path to the playground and a therapeutic swing. The playground was designed with the sensory needs of all children in mind, with tactile, sound, and kinetic experiences all available for exploration. This public park is free to all, and is located at 19th and Dolores St., San Francisco.

While some of these places might be a long drive for some families, the popularity of them ensures that more parks will be coming in the future. Even typical children will learn a lot about acceptance by playing alongside their differently abled peers.

Haley Reen is an East Bay-based freelance writer.

PRESCHOOLS

The Model School

H e l p i n g t O m a k e c h i l d h o o d a j O u r n e y, n O t a r a c e .

Comprehensive Humanistic Learning Center

Infants • Toddlers • Preschool !

Multicultural, Multiethnic Environments • Se Habla Español!

18 moS. tHrough 6th grade multi-age classroOms educational exCellence since 1978

Flexible Scheduling Loving, Developmental, Child-Oriented Classrooms Year’round Enrollment, Reasonable Rates

2018

S i g n u p o n l i n e f o r a t o ur t o d ay !

2330 Prince Street, Berkeley, CA 94705 NAEYC Accredited

(510) 549-2711

The Child Unique Montessori School • Toddler • PreSchool Transitional Kindergarten New second language and PE program

Lic. #073400781

A Unique Bilingual Montessori Education Preschool, Transitional-K and Kindergarten (2.5-6 years)

Spanish and English

We are a Welcoming School!

Music & Creative Movement

Limited Openings for Fall 2018

Lic.#013414800

Celebrating 33 years!

(510) 724-1724 www.la-casita.org

Registration for 2019/20 School Year begins in February

2226 Encinal Avenue Alameda 510.521.9227 www.thechildunique.org

466 Chetwood, Oakland (510) 836-4313

2012 2013

Lic. 010211122 & 010211112

www.grandlakemontessori.com

2018

Open Houses January 26 and March 16, 2019 10am-Noon

Flamenco

Drama

592 Tennent Ave. Pinole, CA 94564 American Montessori Society Member

2018

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January-February

Family Fun Calendar January 1 | Tuesday

2 | Wednesday

Free First Tuesday at the Palace of the Legion of Honor — San Francisco

Free First Wednesday at Bay Area Discovery Museum — Sausalito

The Palace of the Legion of Honor offers free admission to all visitors today.

9:30am–5:15pm Free. Palace of the Legion of Honor, 100 34th Ave., San Francisco, 415-750-3600, legionofhonor.famsf.org

Free First Tuesday at the De Young Museum — San Francisco The De Young Museum offers free admission to all visitors today.

9:30am–5:15pm, Free. De Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, 415-750-3600, deyoung.famsf. org

12 p.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Fri. $12 per person.

Fridays 5 p.m.-Sundays 8 p.m. $15/ person. Children under 3 skate free. All ages. Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. www.walnutcreekonice.com

University aspires to be locally connected and globally relevant, engaging audiences from the campus, community, and beyond.

10am–7pm, Free. 2155 Center St, Berkeley, (510) 642-0808, bampfa.org

Enjoy free admission and all the fun activities and displays at the Bay Area Discovery Museum today.

9am–5pm, Free. Bay Area Discovery Museum, 577 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. 415-339-3900, www.baykids museum.org

Free Wednesdays, UC Botanical Gardens — Berkeley

Zoo Lights — Oakland

Walnut Creek On Ice — Walnut Creek

3 | Thursday

From now until Jan. 15, 2019, there will be a real ice skating rink in Civic Park!

Anyone able to skate is welcome. Admission includes skate rental.

Free First Thursday at the Berkeley Art Museum

Every first Wednesday at the Garden is free admission day.

UC Botanical Gardens, 200 Centennial Way, Berkeley 510- 643-2755, events. berkeley.edu

Going to the zoo at night time is half the fun. There will be music and fun activities.

The animal enclosures are decorated, and so is the small amusement park on site.

The 20-min train ride is just enough fun for little riders. Through Jan 6, 2019 5:30 - 9 p.m. $10 adults, $9 children, children under 2, free. $1 discount for members. Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. 510-632-9525, www.oaklandzoo. org

Through art and film programs, collections, and research resources, the

PRESCHOOLS Enrolling now: a NEW Montessori school in Berkeley Ages 2.5-6 • Immediate start • Year-round

Our core ideals • • • • •

compassion and kindness supporting creativity building community passion for learning peace

Dynamic Education The Optimizing Each Child’s Potential Child Now Enrolling Winter / Spring 2019 Day Schools, LLC Family operated since 1976

• Language & Literacy • Math & Science • Problem Solving • Art & Creativity • Social Skills 2018 Low Ratios Highly Trained Teachers

www.t cdschools.com Preschool • Pre-K • Jr.-K • Toddlers • Kindergarten • School Age Part/full/extended day available • Limited financial aid available 2008 McGee Ave • Berkeley • 510.679.5056 • www.littleelephant.net

ANTIOCH 925-754-0144 Lic# 073406638 073406639

SAN RAMON 925-820-2515 Lic# 073406846 073406845, 0734066634

PLEASANTON 925-462-1866

LAFAYETTE 925-284-7092

MORAGA 925-376-5110

Lic# 013420524 013420525

Lic# 073406632 073406633

Lic# 073406850 073406849

We provide a Year Round Program Infant and toddler care for ages 12-24 months Preschool for ages 2-5 years Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Extended Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Full-day program: 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

510-652-7021 admin@rockridgemon tessori.org www.RockridgeMontessori.org

Helping your child excel in a warm and nurturing environment

Email to Schedule a Tour

Close to Rockridge Bart 5633 Manila ave – Oakland 94618 Lic. 01213520,013417669 & 013417787

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PHOTO COURTESY GRETCHEN BELL

Until Jan. 15, Walnut Creek On Ice — Walnut Creek

4 | Friday

2:30-5:30pm Free. All ages. Peralta Hacienda Historical Park 2465 34th Avenue Oakland, 510-532-9142, www. peraltahacienda.org

$5 First Friday at Chabot — Oakland Each $5 First Friday at Chabot is an exciting and immersive experience for all ages. Join them each month for handson activities and live demonstrations that are fun for the whole family.

6-10pm. $5 per person. Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland, 510-336-7373, www. chabotspace.org

5 | Saturday Celebrate Three King’s Day at Peralta Hacienda— Oakland Celebrate Three King’s Day at Peralta Hacienda and taste Fruitvale’s cultural richness! Enjoy “Rosca de Reyes” - a special Three King’s Day cake, delicious Mexican hot chocolate, and Arts & Crafts for kids!

Free Children’s Crafts — Walnut Creek Lakeshore Learning offers a free craft activity every Saturday!

11am & 3pm. Free. Ages 3 and up.

Lakeshore Learning Center, 1929 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. 925-944-1495, www.lakeshorelearning.com

Walnut Creek On Ice — Walnut Creek From now until Jan. 15, 2019, there will be a real ice skating rink in Civic Park!

Anyone able to skate is welcome. Admission includes skate rental.

12 p.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Fri. $12 per person.

Fridays 5 p.m.-Sundays 8 p.m. $15/ person. Children under 3 skate free. All ages. Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. www.walnutcreekonice.com

6 | Sunday

11 | Friday

Alameda Point Antique Faire — Alameda

Friday Nights at Oakland Museum of California — Oakland

The Alameda Point Antiques Faire is the largest antiques show in Northern California. Held on the 1st Sunday of every month, the Faire boasts over 800 Dealer booths. All items are 20 years old or older. Our faire is the ultimate place to shop for vintage and antique home decorations, clothing, furniture, jewelry, art, pottery, books & collectibles.

6-7:30 am $15.00, 7:30- 9am $10.00, 9am to 3pm $5.00. All ages. 2900 Navy Way (at Main Street) Alameda, CA. alamedapointantiquesfaire.com

Free First Sunday at OMCA — Oakland Visit the Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences. Pick up a treat for yourself or a loved one in the OMCA Store.

11am-6pm., $5 suggested donation. All ages Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St, Oakland 510-318-8400. www. museumca.org

9 | Wednesday Walnut Creek On Ice — Walnut Creek From now until Jan. 15, 2019, there will be a real ice skating rink in Civic Park!

Anyone able to skate is welcome. Admission includes skate rental.

12 p.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Fri. $12 per person.

Fridays 5 p.m.-Sundays 8 p.m. $15/person.

Children under 3 skate free. All ages. Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. www. walnutcreekonice.com

OMCA and Off the Grid on 10th Street present food trucks, live music and DJs, free dance lessons and extended hours for museum galleries, the OMCA Store and Blue Oak café.

5-9 pm. Members and ages 18 and under free; half-off gallery admission for adults 50 10th Street, Oakland 510- 3188400, www.museumca.org

Berkeley Ballet Theatre at Berkeley Art Museum An evening of new dance works by guest choreographers Raymond Ejiofor and Kylie Woodward-Sollesnes, inspired by the exhibition Get Dancin’.

6:30pm Free with Admission. BAMPFA 2155 Center St, Berkeley, (510) 6420808, bampfa.org

Second Saturdays — Oakland Think of this as sort of a mini-Treasure Island Flea Market. This free event combines kinetic art, workshops and live performances with fun and food.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. All ages. Jack London Square, 70 Washington St., Oakland. 510-645-9292, www. jacklondonsquare.com

12 | Saturday Oakland Zoo Kids— Oakland Each ZooKids class is offered twice per month to accommodate more participants. Each month has a different theme and classes are designed so that children can come to multiple classes without repeating the same activities.

9:30am-12:30pm. $25-$30. Ages 4

PRESCHOOLS

CHATHAM SCHOOL

C

S

Chool FUN Chatham HILD-CENTERED PRESCHOOL Fun Child-Centered PreSChool 4500 Road 4500 Redwood Redwood Road Oakland, CA94619 94619 Oakland, CA

4359 39th Avenue 4359 39th Avenue Oakland, 94619 Oakland, CACA 94619 Lic#01341436

66 mo. mo. --Kindergarten Kindergarten

2 yrs.

- Kindergarten 2 yrs.

- Kindergarten extended care

Lic#013418176 Lic#013418176 Lic#013418177 Lic# 013418177

((510) 5 1 0 ) 531-1302 531-1302 fax: (510) 531-1301

Lic#01341436

(510) ( 5 1 0531-1534 ) 531-1534

• We do Potty Training • Snacks/Hot Lunch We do Potty Training • Snacks / Hot Lunch Part Time/Full Time 7:30 am-6 pm Part Time / Full Time 7:30am - 6pm

www.chathampreschool.com www.chathampreschool.com

Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten One of Berkeley’s Best Loved Preschools 2’s program, Nursery School and Transitional Kindergarten

Ages 2 through 6 Lic # 010209297

2018 Gold - Best Childcare Gold - Best Independent Preschool

499 Spruce Street, Berkeley 510-527-9021 www.steponeschool.org

12 Parents’ Press | January – February 2019

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and up. Oakland Zoo, Lower Entrance - Discovery Room,9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. 510-632-9525, www.oaklandzoo. org

Exploratorium, Saturday Cinema: Curious Creations — San Francisco In conjunction with our Curious Contraptions exhibition, this whimsical collection of expressive, short films celebrates wonder, frivolity, and ingenuity using the kinetic properties of the moving image.

2pm. Free with Admission, Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green St) San Francisco 415) 528-4444 www.exploratorium.edu

Walnut Creek On Ice — Walnut Creek From now until Jan. 15, 2019, there will be a real ice skating rink in Civic Park!

Anyone able to skate is welcome. Admission includes skate rental.

12 p.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Fri. $12 per person.

Fridays 5 p.m.-Sundays 8 p.m. $15/ person. Children under 3 skate free. All ages. Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. www.walnutcreekonice.com

13 | Sunday Exploratorium, Noisy Machine: Kronos Quartet — San Francisco They return to the Exploratorium for three one-of-a-kind, fully acoustic performances, each staged in a different gallery. Each set will be inspired by the location of the performance, and crafted to captivate listeners of all ages.

11:30am, 12:30 & 2pm. Free with Admission, Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green St) San Francisco 415) 528-4444 www.exploratorium.edu

Marine Science Sunday — Sausalito Interactive classroom presentations take you on a journey into the big blue. Hosted by our expert education team, these multimedia classes focus on a new-topic each month, ranging from Creatures of the Deep to Endangered Species, you’ll learn fascinating facts about marine mammals and their watery world.

12 & 2pm. Free. The Marine Mammal Center 2000 Bunker Road Fort Cronkhite Sausalito 415 289-7325, www. marinemammalcenter.org

18 | Friday Friday Nights at OMCA— Oakland Oakland’s popular weekly night market is back for a third season of fun and festivities with Off the Grid food trucks, local live music, California beverages, and extended hours in the Galleries and OMCA Store. The popular family-friendly drop-in workshop this month is “make a button for a hero in your life”, inspired

by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bring the whole family to OMCA for a sampling of the best in Bay Area curbside cuisine! All ages.

5-9 pm .18 and under are free! Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland 510-318-8400, www.museumca. org

19 | Saturday Oakland Zoo Kids— Oakland Each ZooKids class is offered twice per month to accommodate more participants. Each month has a different theme and classes are designed so that children can come to multiple classes without repeating the same activities.

9:30am-12:30pm. $25-$30. Ages 4 and up. Oakland Zoo, Lower Entrance

- Discovery Room,9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. 510-632-9525, www.oaklandzoo. org

Anniversary of the PIER 39 Sea Lions! — San Francisco Stop by the Sea Lion Center and enjoy programming every half hour including, Sea Lion Shenanigans, Party for the Planet Blue, What’s for Lunch? Floatin’ with the Sea Lions of San Francisco.

Thru 1/20.

10:30am-3:30pm Free. All ages.Pier 39, 2 Beach Street, San Francisco. www.pier39. com

Kid’s Weekend Workshops — Alameda Parents go enjoy your morning! Every Saturday we will host Kids Maker Workshops. Topics include screen printing, STEM art, Holiday crafts, clay, painting and more. Check out what’s coming up.

11am-12:30pm. Ages 4-10. Twirl 1424 Park street, Alameda. 510-473-0812, www.twirlalameda.com

The Gold Rush at Berkeley Art Museum — Berkeley A hapless prospector tries his luck in the frozen north in a film that glitters with some of Charlie Chaplin’s most memorable nuggets of comedy. 8 and up.

6:30pm Free with Admission. BAMPFA 2155 Center St, Berkeley, (510) 642-0808, bampfa.org

Model Railroad Society — Walnut Creek The Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society (WCMRS) operates the Diablo Valley Lines (DVL) model railroad, one of the most mountainous and one of the largest exclusively HO scale model railroads in the United States. This model railroad

features standard gauge, narrow gauge, and interurban (overhead electric) freight and trolley lines. Families will enjoy exploring painstakingly assembled models and spotting thousands of tiny details while watching the trains roll along.

11am-6pm Free for children under 6. $2/ages 6-12 and seniors. $3 12/adult.

All ages. Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society, 2751 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-937-1888, www.wcmrs.org

Free Children’s Crafts — Walnut Creek Lakeshore Learning offers a free craft activity every Saturday!

11am&3pm. Free. Ages 3 and up.

Lakeshore Learning Center, 1929 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. 925-9441495, www.lakeshorelearning.com

20 | Sunday Marine Science Sunday — Sausalito Interactive classroom presentations take you on a journey into the big blue. Hosted by our expert education team, these multimedia classes focus on a new-topic each month, ranging from Creatures of the Deep to Endangered Species, you’ll learn fascinating facts about marine mammals and their watery world.

12 & 2pm. Free. The Marine Mammal Center 2000 Bunker Road Fort Cronkhite Sausalito 415 289-7325, www. marinemammalcenter.org

Model Railroad Society — Walnut Creek The Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society (WCMRS) operates the Diablo Valley Lines (DVL) model railroad, one of the most mountainous and one of the largest exclusively HO scale model railroads in the United States. This model railroad

SCHOOLS

Love learning.

An independent school in Oakland, California serving Kindergarten-8th grade.

PARKDAYSCHOOL.ORG | 360 42ND STREET OAKLAND CA 94609 | 510-653-0317

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School Open Houses School Open 2019 Houses JANUARY/FEBRUARY More Open House Information at www.SchoolsBayArea.com ALAMEDA ALAMEDA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TK-8 Open House JANUARY 24, 2019 @ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM 2226 Pacific Ave. 510-523-1000 https://www.alamedachristianschool.com/ SAINT PHILIP NERI TK and Kindergarten Information Night JANUARY 9, 2019 @ 7 PM. School Open House JANUARY 27, 2019 @ 10:15 AM 1335 High St. 510-521-0787 http://school.spnalameda.org/ BERKELEY THE ACADEMY Open House JANUARY 13, 2019 @ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM 2722 Benvenue Ave. 510-549-0605 http://theacademyschool.org BAYHILL HIGH SCHOOL School Tour & Talk JANUARY 24 AND FEBRUARY 21, 2019 @ 1:00 PM 1904 Virginia St. 510-984-0599 https://www.bayhillhs.org ECOLE BILINGUE DE BERKELEY Middle School Coffee JANUARY 18 AND FEBRUARY 8, 2019 @ 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 1009 Heinz Ave. 510-549-3895 http://www. eb.org/ SHU REN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 12, 2019 @ 10:00 AM & JANUARY 17, 2019 @ 9:00 AM 2125 Jefferson Ave. 510-841-8899 https:// shurenschool.org/ WALDEN CENTER & SCHOOL Information Session JANUARY 12, 2019 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Tuesday Tours JANUARY 8 AND 15, 2019 @ 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 2446 McKinley Ave. 510-841-7248 http://www.walden-school.net/ DANVILLE THE ATHENIAN SCHOOL Middle School Open House JANUARY 12, 2019 @ 1:00 PM Upper School Open House JANUARY 13, 2018 @ 1:00 PM 2100 Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard. 925-362-7223 http://www.athenian.org/

ST. ISIDORE SCHOOL TK/Kindergarten Information Meeting JANUARY 17, 2019 @ 10:00 AM Open House Sneak-a-Peak JANUARY 27, 2019 @ 10:00 AM Science Fair Awards/ Catholic Schools Week Open House JANUARY 31, 2019 @ 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM 435 La Gonda Way. 925-837-2977 http://www.stisidore.org

DUBLIN THE QUARRY LANE SCHOOL Lower School Parent Information Meeting JANUARY 15, 2019 @ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Middle School Parent Information Meeting JANUARY 16, 2019 @ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM High School Parent Information Meeting JANUARY 17, 2019 @ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Open House JANUARY 27, 2019 @ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 6363 Tassajara Rd. 925829-8000 http://www.quarrylane.org/ EL SOBRANTE EAST BAY WALDORF SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 12, 2019 @ 10:00 AM Open House FEBRUARY 9, 2019 @ 10:00 AM 3800 Clark Rd. 510-222-3297 http://www.eastbaywaldorf.org/ LIVERMORE FOUNTAINHEAD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 19, 2019 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 949 Central Ave. 925-579-0110 http://www.fms.org/ MORAGA THE SAKLAN SCHOOL Middle School Open House JANUARY 18, 2019 @ 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM 1678 School Street.

925-376-7900 http://saklan.org/ OAKLAND AURORA SCHOOL Campus Tours JANUARY 9, 11 & 16, 2019 @ 8:45 AM – 10:45 AM 40 Dulwich Rd. 510-428-2606 https:// auroraschool.org/ MENTORING ACADEMY Information Session JANUARY 26 AND FEBRUARY 23, 2019 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 5951 College Avenue.

Please RSVP to info@mentoringacademy.org 510.400.7696 http://www.mentoringacademy.org/

PACIFIC BOYCHOIR ACADEMY Information Night JANUARY 7, 2019 @ 6:30 PM 215 Ridgeway Ave. 510-652-4722 http://www.pacificboychoir.org

925-462-6300. East: 3750 Boulder St. 925846-9400 http://www.quarrylane.org/

THE RENAISSANCE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Open House Age 2 to Middle School JANUARY 12, 2019 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Info Session and Tour for Pre-Primary/Primary JANUARY 15, 2019 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 PM Open House Elementary and Middle School JANUARY 17, 2018 @ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Info Session and Tour for Pre-Primary/Primary JANUARY 22, 2019 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 PM Info Session and Tour for Kindergarten / Elementary JANUARY 24, 2019 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 PM 3618 Dimond Avenue. 510-531-8566 http://therenaissanceschool.org/

ST. DAVID SCHOOL Open House and Pancake Breakfast JANUARY 27, 2019 @ 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM 870 Sonoma Street.

510-232-2283 http://stdavidschool.org/

SAINT THERESA SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 27, 2019 @ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM 4850 Clarewood Dr. 510-547-3146 http://www.sttheresaschool.org/

THE SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL Campus Tour JANUARY 9 & APRIL 15, 2019 @ 8:45 AM – 11:00 AM 975 N San Carlos Dr. 925-9330666 https://www.sevenhillsschool.org/

PINOLE

Parents’ Press welcomes news of public, independent, and charter school open houses, information nights, and tours as well as school fairs. Please submit at http://www.schoolsbayarea.com

SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 27, 2019 @ 11:15 AM – 12:45 PM 1961 Plum St. 510-724-0242 http://www.stjosephpinole.com

RICHMOND

SAN PABLO ST. PAUL SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 27, 2019 @ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM 1825 Church Ln. 510-233-3080 http://www.st-paulschool.org/ WALNUT CREEK

PIEDMONT CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 8 and FEBRUARY 5, 2019 @ 8:15 AM – 10:00 AM 1 Estates Drive. .

510.530.4056 http://www.corpuschristischool.com/ PLEASANT HILL CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Open House JANUARY 27, 2019 LITURGY @ 9:15 AM OPEN HOUSE @ 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM 195-B Brandon Road. 925-685-1109 http://www.ctkschool.org PLEASANTON THE QUARRY LANE SCHOOL West and East Campus Open House JANUARY 27, 2019 @ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM West: 4444B Black Ave.

CALLING ALL CAMP DIRECTORS Submit your summer camp information now!

Contact us at camps@parentspress.com to receive a form The 2019 Parents’ Press Summer Camps Guide comes out in March

Want to purchase a display ad to increase visibility of your summer camp? Contact us at sales@parentspress.com

SCHOOLS

granD lakE moNtessOri eLemenTary Sign up online for a tour today!

Multi-age ClassRooms • 7Am to 6pM 466 chEtwood, oaKland, ca (510) 836-4313

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features standard gauge, narrow gauge, and interurban (overhead electric) freight and trolley lines. Families will enjoy exploring painstakingly assembled models and spotting thousands of tiny details while watching the trains roll along.

11am-6pm Free for children under 6. $2/ages 6-12 and seniors. $3 12/adult.

All ages. Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society, 2751 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-937-1888, www.wcmrs.org

21 | Monday Exploratorium, King Tide Walk — San Francisco See the highest tides of the year, learn what causes high and low tides, and hear about the California King Tides Project.

10:30-11:15am. Free with Admission, Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green St) San Francisco 415) 528-4444 www. exploratorium.edu

27 | Sunday Exploratorium, Exploratorium Firefighter Appreciation Day — San Francisco All California firefighters get free admission for themselves and one guest (with a valid fire department ID) on Sunday, January 27, 2019. Additionally, each California firefighter and their guest will receive a 10% discount for items purchased from the museum store.

10am – 5pm, Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green St) San Francisco 415) 528-4444 www.exploratorium.edu

White Elephant Preview Sale — Oakland Eager shoppers have their first opportunity to see and buy the new, the unusual

Jan 27, Exploratorium, Exploratorium Firefighter Appreciation Day — San Francisco

SCHOOLS

MLK Jr. Day East Bay Regional Parks ‘MLK Day of Service — Oakland The Park District will be celebrating its Annual Day of Service that continues Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s vision to improve lives, bridge social barriers and move our nation closer together to the beloved community. Volunteers will assist staff in restoration work and invasive plant removal in order to support and care for wildlife and their natural habitats. Volunteers will also be participating in the restoration of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Grove and Damon Marsh.

8:30am–12pm Free. Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline Oakport St Oakland 1-888-327-2757 , www.ebparks.org

Free National Park Day — Bay Area Wide Entry is free at most National Monument and Historical Park on Free Entrance Days in the National Parks. Expect more people and less parking than usual.

See specific locations for details, www. nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

25 | Friday Model Railroad Society — Walnut Creek The Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society (WCMRS) operates the Diablo Valley Lines (DVL) model railroad, one of the most mountainous and one of the largest exclusively HO scale model railroads in the United States. This model railroad features standard gauge, narrow gauge, and interurban (overhead electric) freight and trolley lines. Families will enjoy exploring painstakingly assembled models and spotting thousands of tiny details while watching the trains roll along.

8 to 10 p.m. Free for children under 6. $2/ages 6-12 and seniors. $3 12/adult.

All ages. Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society, 2751 Buena Vista Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-937-1888, www.wcmrs.org

26 | Saturday Kid’s Weekend Workshops — Alameda Parents go enjoy your morning! Every Saturday we will host Kids Maker Workshops. Topics include screen printing, STEM art, Holiday crafts, clay, painting and more. Check out what’s coming up.

11 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Ages 4-10. Twirl 1424 Park street, Alameda. 510-473-0812, www.twirlalameda.com

Family Program: Kids and Spices, UC Botanical Gardens — Berkeley Awaken your senses in this wonderful exploration of spices! We will journey into the Tropical House to see some of the plants that give us our favorite spices-- such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, black pepper, nutmeg, turmeric, and more. (We’ll check in on our “chocolate tree” too!)

10-11am. $15 adult/child. UC Botanical Gardens, 200 Centennial Way, Berkeley 510- 643-2755, events.berkeley.edu

Wilderness Adventure

A journey beyond the expected The Renaissance International School French-Spanish Immersion • Visual Art • Music Challenging Academics • Engaging Environment Ages 2 ~ Middle School OPEN HOUSE

Childcare Provided All Levels (Ages 2 - Middle School)

Saturday, January 12, 2019 9:30am-11:30am starts at Oakland Campus

Elementary/Middle School

Thursday, January 17, 2019 6:30pm-8:30pm Piedmont Campus

TOURS

Adults Only Pre-Primary/Primary

Tuesday, January 15 & 22, 2019 9:30am-11:30am Oakland Campus Kindergarten/Elementary

Thursday, January 24, 2019 9:30am-11:30am starts at Oakland Campus

lic# 010214382 www.TheRenaissanceSchool.org Oakland Campus: 3650 Dimond Ave. / Piedmont Campus: 5201 Park Blvd.

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Bay Area Museum & Attractions Offer Free or Low Cost Admission Day

ASIAN ART MUSEUM: Free - first Sunday of every month.

MUSEUM OF CRAFT AND DESIGN: Free - first Tuesday of every month.

AUTODESK GALLERY: Free - always.

MUSEUM OF PERFORMANCE AND DESIGN: Free - always.

BAY AREA DISCOVERY MUSEUM: Free - first Wednesday of every month.

OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA: Free - first Sunday of every month, ages 18 & under every Friday 5-9 pm. ; Half Price - every Friday 5-9 pm.

BERKELEY ART MUSEUM & PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE: Free - first Thursday of every month.

RANDALL MUSEUM: Free - See website.

BURLINGAME PEZ MUSEUM: Free - first Thursday of every month.

SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE: Free - always.

CABLE CAR MUSEUM: Free - always.

SAN FRANCISCO BOTANICAL GARDEN: Free - every morning 7:30-9am, second Tuesday of every month, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years.

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: Free - check calendar, SF resident days vary check calendar.

CANTOR ARTS CENTER: Free - always.

SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MUSEUM: Free - always.

CARTOON ART MUSEUM: Pay What You Wish - First Tuesday.

CHABOT SPACE & SCIENCE CENTER: Free - first full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders ; $5 - after 6 pm first Friday of every month.

CHILDREN’S CREATIVITY MUSEUM: Free - check calendar.

SF CAMERAWORK: Free - always.

SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART: Free - always 18 & under.

SFO MUSEUM: Free - always.

SAN FRANCISCO RAILWAY MUSEUM: Free - always.

CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA: Free - always.

SAN FRANCISCO ZOO: Free - check calendar (S.F. residents only).

CONSERVATORY OF FLOWERS: Free - first Tuesday of every month.

SAN JOSE MUSEUM OF ART: Free - check calendar.

CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM: Free - first Tuesday of every month, check calendar.

SAN JOSE INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART: Free - always.

DE YOUNG MUSEUM: Free - first Tuesday of every month.

SAN MATEO COUNTY HISTORY MUSEUM: Free - first Friday of every month.

DISCOVER & GO: Free - always, Public Library card holders reserve free and discounted passes to local museums and cultural institutions.

SAKE MUSEUM: Free - always.

EXPLORATORIUM: Free - check calendar.

TECH MUSEUM OF INNOVATION: Half Price - last hour of every day; Third Thursdays.

GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Free - first Wednesday of every month.

YERBA BUENA: Free - third Thursday of every month, 5-10 pm, Yerba Buena museums and neighborhood venues.

INTERNATIONAL ART MUSEUM OF AMERICA: Free - always.

WELLS FARGO HISTORY MUSEUM: Free - always.

JAPANESE TEA GARDEN SAN FRANCISCO: Free - every Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9-10 am.

YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Free - first Tuesday of every month.

LACIS MUSEUM OF LACE AND TEXTILES: Free - always.

LEGION OF HONOR: Free - first Tuesday of every month.

MUSEE MECANIQUE: Free - always.

MUSEO ITALOAMERICANO: Free - always.

MUSEUM OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA: Free - check calendar.

MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HERITAGE: Free - always.

MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY: Free - check calendar. and the unexpected at the White Elephant Sale Preview. Lines form early!!

10 am-4 pm $16 (advance) / $20 (at the door on Sale day) Children under 12 years of age are admitted free but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. 333 Lancaster Street, Oakland, whiteelephantsale.org

February 1 | Friday Friday Nights @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland OMCA and Off the Grid on 10th Street present food trucks, live music and DJs, free dance lessons and extended hours for museum galleries, the OMCA Store and Blue Oak café.

5-9p.m. Members and ages 18 and under free; half-off gallery admission for adults ($7.50) 50 10th Street, Oakland 510- 3188400, www.museumca.org

3 | Sunday

$5 First Friday at Chabot — Oakland Each $5 First Friday at Chabot is an exciting and immersive experience for all ages. Join them each month for handson activities and live demonstrations that are fun for the whole family.

6pm-10pm. $5 per person. Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland, 510-336-7373, www. chabotspace.org

2 | Saturday Kid’s Weekend Workshops Alameda Parents go enjoy your morning! Every Saturday we will host Kids Maker Workshops. Topics include screen printing, STEM art, Crafts, clay, painting and more. Check out what’s coming up.

11 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Ages 4-10. Twirl 1424 Park Street, Alameda. 510-473-0812, www.twirlalameda.com

REGISTRATION IS OPEN! (510) 848-SING eastbaymusictogether.com

Marine Science Sunday — Sausalito Interactive classroom presentations take you on a journey into the big blue. Hosted by our expert education team, these multimedia classes focus on a new-topic each month, ranging from Creatures of the Deep to Endangered Species, you’ll learn fascinating facts about marine mammals and their watery world.

12 & 2 p.m. Free. The Marine Mammal Center 2000 Bunker Road Fort Cronkhite Sausalito 415 289-7325, www. marinemammalcenter.org

Solano Ave Lunar New Year Celebration —Albany Two hours of free performances including singing, dancing, and drama programs. Dance by the Ah-Lan Dance (El Cerrito, CA); Gongfu by the Golden Lion and much more!

10 a.m. Free. All Ages.1115 Solano Avenue at Kains, Albany 510- 527-5358, www. solanoavenueassn.org

Alameda Point Antique Faire — Alameda

The Alameda Point Antiques Faire is the largest antiques show in Northern California. Held on the 1st Sunday of every month, the Faire boasts over 800 Dealer booths. All items are 20 years old or older. Our faire is the ultimate place to shop for vintage and antique home decorations, clothing, furniture, jewelry, art, pottery, books & collectibles.

6:00 AM to 7:30 am $15.00, 7:30 am to 9:00 am $10.00, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm $5.00 All ages. 2900 Navy Way (at Main Street) Alameda, CA. alamedapointantiquesfaire. com

Free First Sunday at OMCA — Oakland Visit the Galleries of California Art, History, and Natural Sciences. Visit major special exhibition. Pick up a treat for yourself or a loved one in the OMCA Store.

11am-6pm., $5 suggested donation. All

2018

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2018

– Inspired, Gifted and Talented –

MESA

Feb. 23, Chinese New Year Festival & Parade — San Francisco

5 | Tuesday Chinese New Year Free First Tuesday at the Palace of the Legion of Honor — San Francisco The Palace of the Legion of Honor offers free admission to all visitors today.

9:30am–5:15pm Free. Palace of the Legion of Honor, 100 34th Ave., San Francisco, 415-750-3600, legionofhonor. famsf.org

Free First Tuesday at the De Young Museum — San Francisco The De Young Museum offers free admission to all visitors today.

9:30am–5:15pm, free. De Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, 415-750-3600, deyoung.famsf. org

Monthly Model Build — Pleasanton The Stoneridge Mall LEGO store hosts this free build day. First come, first served. Each child gets a LEGO mini kit to take home.

5pm. Free. Ages 6-14. Stoneridge Shopping Center Lego Store, 1444 Stoneridge Mall, Pleasanton. 925-7370704 www.stores.lego.com

6 | Wednesday Free First Wednesday at Bay Area Discovery Museum — Sausalito Enjoy free admission and all the fun activities and displays at the Bay Area Discovery Museum today.

9am–5pm, free Bay Area Discovery Museum, 577 McReynolds Road, Sausalito. 415-339-3900, www.baykids museum.org

7 | ThursdayGroundhog Day Free First Thursday at the Berkeley Art Museum — Berkeley Through art and film programs, collections, and research resources, the University aspires to be locally connected and globally relevant, engaging audiences from the campus, community, and beyond.

10am–7pm, Free. 2155 Center St, Berkeley, (510) 642-0808, bampfa.org

The International School For All

8 | Friday

Montessori Elementary School of Alameda

Friday Nights @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland OMCA and Off the Grid on 10th Street present food trucks, live music and DJs, free dance lessons and extended hours for museum galleries, the OMCA Store and Blue Oak café.

5-9pm. Members and ages 18 and under free; half-off gallery admission for adults ($7.50) 50 10th Street, Oakland 510- 3188400, www.museumca.org

9 | Saturday

Discover our international form of education, where you can find math, engineering and the sciences interwoven into a curriculum that focuses on the arts.

• Physical Education • Small Class Size • Mixed Age Groups • Ukelele • Community Involvement

Lic#013420948

ages Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St, Oakland 510-318-8400. www. museumca.org

www.MontessoriElementaryAlameda.org 1400 6th St., Alameda

510.521.0595

montessorielementaryalameda@gmail.com

Oakland Zoo Kids— Oakland Each ZooKids class is offered twice per month to accommodate more participants. Each month has a different theme and classes are designed so that children can come to multiple classes without repeating the same activities.

9:30am-12:30pm. $25-$30. Ages 4 and up. Oakland Zoo, Lower Entrance - Discovery Room,9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. 510-632-9525, www. oaklandzoo.org

Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs — San Francisco Children’s Theatre Association of San Francisco proudly presents Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for the 2018-2019 season. One hour fun musical for children of all ages.

10:30am & 1pm. All Ages.Cowell Theater 2 Marina Blvd San Francisco 415-2482677, www.ctasf.org

Inspiring students through fearless learning, service, and diversity.

Second Saturdays — Oakland Think of this as sort of a mini-Treasure Island Flea Market. This free event combines kinetic art, workshops and live performances with fun and food.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. All ages. Jack London Square, 70 Washington St., Oakland. 510-645-9292, www. jacklondonsquare.com

Family Program: A Botanical Valentine’s Day Tea — Berkeley Our annual tradition returns with a lovely botanical tea in honor of Valentine’s Day. Enjoy a celebration of herbs and flowers at this educational walk and tea party. We’ll use all of our senses as we explore the nature of these fragrant edibles, with a special opportunity to collect for our make-your-own tea party snacks and garden drinks. Finish the fun by making valentines from pressed botanicals to take home.. 2 sessions.

Registration required 10am &1pm. $24 Adult, $19 Adult Members, $20 Child, $15 Member Child. UC Botanical Gardens, 200 Centennial Way, Berkeley 510664-9841, events.berkeley.edu

St. Paul’s is anindependent independent K-8 dayday school St. Paul’s issteps an K-8 school north of Lake Merritt. steps north of Lake Merritt Tours weekly

OpenTours House weekly November 10 510-285-9617 • www.spes.org January – February 2019 | Parents’ Press 17

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Second Saturday Music and Art Walk- Oakland

live music, traditional lion and dragon dances, martial arts, storytelling, Chinese opera face painting, hands-on artmaking activities. All activities included with Museum admission.

Noon-4:30p.m. Children under 6/Free, $6/Youth, $15/Adults All ages. Oakland Museum of California 1000 Oakl Street.

Oakland 510-318-8400, www.museumca. org

The Golden Gate Neighborhood of North Oakland is hosting a monthly Second Saturdays event with art, music, food, classes and family-friendly activities.

They’re focusing on the DIY character of the neighborhood, so come out and see what you can add to the mix.

All day. Free. All ages. San Pablo Ave@ Alcatraz in north Oakland.

11 | Monday

10 | Sunday

Pier 39 Tulipmania — San Francisco

Asian Cultural Center Annual Lunar New Year Celebration — Oakland

Tulipmania. Free guided tours depart daily at 10am from the Entrance Plaza.

Through 2/18.

All Day. All Ages. Free. All ages.Pier 39, 2 Beach Street, San Francisco. www.pier39. com

Join OACC and partners for the free Annual Lunar New Year Celebration to welcome the Year of the Boar! The event will feature performances such as Lion Dancing, Chinese folk dance, Mongolian folk dance, guzheng/zither, taiko drumming and more to be announced!

11am-3pm. Free. All Ages Oakland Asian Culteral Center 5388 9th St. Oakland, oacc.cc

14| Thursday— Valentine’s Day Ice Skating — Dublin Its open skating time! Dublin has an ice skating rink that hosts hockey teams, events and free skating times. Check the website before going for open skate times.

Year of the Pig at OMCA — Oakland Explore connections between the diverse Asian cultures represented in California, and celebrate the Year of the Pig with

16 | Saturday

8:45-9:45am. and 2 -5pm. Check website for pricing. Dublin Iceland, 7212 San Ramon Rd., Dublin. 925-829-4445, www. dubliniceland.com

Bay Area International Childrens Film Festival — Oakland

Pier 39, Tulipmania — San Francisco PIER 39 comes alive with the vibrant colors of 39,000 tulips during Tulipmania!

Take a free self-guided tour anytime during Tulipmania. Free guided tours depart daily at 10am from the Entrance Plaza.

All Day. All Ages. Free. All ages. Pier 39, 2 Beach Street, San Francisco. www.pier39. com

15 | Friday Friday Nights @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland OMCA and Off the Grid on 10th Street present food trucks, live music and DJs, free dance lessons and extended hours for museum galleries, the OMCA Store and Blue Oak café.

5 to 9 pm. Members and ages 18 and under free; half-off gallery admission for adults ($7.50) 50 10th Street, Oakland 510- 3188400, www.museumca.org

BAICFF is an annual Playdate for the Imagination™ where education and imagination collide. The festival offers families a cinematic view of the world’s varied cultures and traditions. The films inspire curiosity and conversation, and allow children to experience a wide range of cultural perspectives. Participate in hands on workshops and have a fun family day at Chabot!

11am-8 pm. Check website for pricing and hours. Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland. 510336-7381, baicff.com

Kid’s Weekend Workshops — Alameda Parents go enjoy your morning! Every Saturday we will host Kids Maker Workshops. Topics include screen printing, STEM art, Crafts, clay, painting and more. Check out what’s coming up.

11am-12:30pm. Ages 4-10. Twirl 1424 Park street, Alameda. 510-473-0812, www.twirlalameda.com

Oakland Zoo Kids— Oakland Each ZooKids class is offered twice per month to accommodate more partici-

SCHOOLS

Open House Jan. 27, 2019 10:00am-11:00am

• Quality and affordable faith-based education • Academically rigorous with top test scores • Quiet and green campus with lots of extras

Call (510) 457-1488 to schedule a tour

Saint Theresa School

4850 Clarewood Drive • Oakland 510-547-3146

www.sttheresaschool.org

2019 / 2020 School Options REGIONAL GUIDE TO

PRIVATE SCHOOLS 2018/2019

Check out the Private School Guide Today

Finding the Right School for Your Child From the publishers of

www.parentspress.com

St. Paul School

Educating the Mind • Body • Spirit with Faith Preschool and TK - 8th grades

Join us for our Open House - Jan 27 10am - 1pm • • • • • • • •

Small classes Academic rigor Safe, loving & faith-filled Character Formation Art, P.E., Music, Spanish STEEAM /project based Robotics & Coding Sports program • FREE Before/Afterschool care

ST. DAVID SCHOOL “Where Faith and Knowledge Meet”

Strong Academics | Diversity | Faith Filled Community

PreK-8th Grade Join/Meet Us

Crab Feed: Sat, Jan 20, at 6:30pm (see school site for tickets) Pancake Breakfast: Sun, Jan 28, from 9am-12pm Open House: Sun, Jan 28, from 12pm-2pm Call today to schedule your tour.

Now Enrolling

for 2018-2019 School Year

870 Sonoma Street • Richmond Hills • 510-232-2283 stdavidschool.org • twitter.com/@StDavidSchool

NOW ENROLLING

Call for a Tour Today!

www.st-paulschool.org

510-233-3080

San Pablo

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pants. Each month has a different theme and classes are designed so that children can come to multiple classes without repeating the same activities.

9:30am-12:30pm. $25-$30. Ages 4 and up.

Oakland Zoo, Lower Entrance - Discovery Room,9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. 510632-9525, www.oaklandzoo.org

Pier 39 Tulipmania — San Francisco Tulipmania. Free guided tours depart daily at 10am from the Entrance Plaza.

Through 2/18.

All Day. All Ages. Free. All ages.Pier 39, 2 Beach Street, San Francisco. www.pier39. com

17 | Sunday Marine Science Sunday — Sausalito Interactive classroom presentations take you on a journey into the big blue. Hosted by our expert education team, these multimedia classes focus on a new-topic each month, ranging from Creatures of the Deep to Endangered Species, you’ll learn fascinating facts about marine mammals and their watery world.

12 & 2pm. Free. The Marine Mammal Center 2000 Bunker Road Fort Cronkhite Sausalito 415 289-7325, www. marinemammalcenter.org

Niles Canyon Railway — Sunol Known as the railway museum where the exhibits come to life, the Pacific Locomotive Association, Inc. operates the Niles Canyon Railway as a living history museum interpreting the importance of our heritage railroads in the development of California and the nation. Their mission is to develop and operate a working railroad museum for the benefit of the general public .The Pacific Locomotive Association also has railroad artifacts

on display and interpretive educational exhibits at the Sunol Depot. Families can enjoy rides through the scenic east bay on a historical train. Repeats on the first and third Sunday of each month.

Diesel train departs Sunol Depot 10:30am, 12:30pm, and 2:30pm. Free under 3. $7 ages 3-12, $10 Seniors, $12 ages 13-adult. All ages. Niles Canyon Railway, 6 Kilkare Rd. Sunol. 510-996-8420, www. ncry.org

Friday Nights @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland OMCA and Off the Grid on 10th Street present food trucks, live music and DJs, free dance lessons and extended hours for museum galleries, the OMCA Store and Blue Oak café.

5-9pm. Members and ages 18 and under free; half-off gallery admission for adults ($7.50) 50 10th Street, Oakland 510- 3188400, www.museumca.org

23 | Saturday

season. One hour fun musical for children of all ages.

10:30am & 1pm. All Ages.Cowell Theater 2 Marina Blvd San Francisco 415-2482677, www.ctasf.org

Chinese New Year Festival & Parade — San Francisco Nowhere in the world will you see a lunar new year parade with more gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions, exploding firecrackers , and of course the newly crowned Miss Chinatown U.S.A. and her court. A crowd favorite is the spectacular 268’ Golden Dragon (“Gum Lung”) It takes a team of over 100 men and women from the martial arts group, White Crane to carry this dragon throughout the streets of San Francisco.

5:15pm. Free. All ages. See Website for parade route and activities, chineseparade.com

Treasure Island Flea — San Francisco

Tri-Valley Camp & School Fair — San Ramon

This is definitely not your average flea market. They have food trucks. They have scavenger hunts. They have live music.

They have bars. And they have over 400 businesses, artists, crafters, and more to fulfill that shopping addiction. Repeats Sunday.

10 am-4 pm $3. Children under 12 years of age are admitted free. All Ages. 1 Avenue Of The Palms Ave Treasure Is, San Francisco, www.treasureislandflea.com

This annual free event features booths for camps, schools, preschool, daycare, sports, martial arts, gymnastics, enrichment, performing arts, scouts and family vacations. Activities and exhibitions included.

11am–2pm. Free Admission. Pine Valley Middle School, 3000 Pine Valley Rd., San Ramon, www.kidfestconcord.com

24 | Sunday

Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs — San Francisco

Treasure Island Flea — San Francisco

Children’s Theatre Association of San Francisco proudly presents Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for the 2018-2019

They have bars. And they have over 400 businesses, artists, crafters, and more to fulfill that shopping addiction 10 am-4 pm $3. Children under 12 years of age are admitted free. All Ages. 1 Avenue Of The Palms Ave Treasure Is, San Francisco, www.treasureislandflea.com

Contra Costa Camp & School Fair — Lafayette This annual free event features booths for camps, schools, preschool, daycare, sports, martial arts, gymnastics, enrichment, performing arts, scouts and family vacations. Activities and exhibitions included.

11am–2pm. Free Admission. Acalanes High School, 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette. www.ContraCostaCampFair. com

This is definitely not your average flea market. They have food trucks. They have scavenger hunts. They have live music.

CAMPS

The Parents’ Press Summer Camps Guide Coming Out Soon!

www.ParentsPress.com

Contact us at sales@parentspress.com

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Fearless, We Pursue

EXCELLENCE “At SHC I learned that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. I am lucky to have had a community of peers and teachers that were always willing to support me.”

“What you put in is what you get out.

SHC’s resources are boundless, and I made sure to take advantage of them.”

Katherine Pan ’18 UC Berkeley

Kristin Faith Avenis ’18, Valedictorian American University

Find out more at shcp.edu/visit 20 Parents’ Press | January – February 2019

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