How to Pick the Best Camp for Your Child
Which Type of Camp Would Best Suit Your Child?
Sending Teens to Summer Camp Is Your Child Ready for Overnight Camp?
CELEBRATE MLK DAY— Kid Friendly Events in San Francisco and the East Bay
FOLLOW THE LEADER: 9 Ways to Instill Leadership Qualities in Kids
28 Which Type of Camp Would Best Suit Your Child?
30 What Do You Envision for Your Child’s Camp Experience?
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6 Good to Know
31 Sending Teens to Summer Camp 34 Is Your Child Ready for Overnight Camp?
• Get Ready for Summer! Looking for a Great Summer Camp?
• Top 10 Baby Name Trends for 2024
• 2025 National Parks Fee-Free Days
10 Celebrate MLK Day— Kid Friendly Events in San Francisco and the East Bay
12 Family Cents: Consider a ‘No-Spend‘ Month
13 Follow the Leader: 9 Ways to Instill Leadership Qualities in Kids
16 Starting Early with Babies to Support Language and Literacy Skills 20 School Admission Events 22 Benefits of Tutoring
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Don’t miss the Parents Press 2025 Virtual Camp & Summer Expo starting on March 9. This year, we are doing a virtual program for camps that can be customized so you receive the information you want. Please register to receive your customized package of camp information: https://parentspress.com/summer-camp-expo. html
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Take Five (or 20) minutes to tackle a little post-holiday toy overload and pare down clutter with these 5 steps.
1. Look for things that never get used
2. Remove toys your kids have outgrown
3. Say goodbye to toys with missing or broken parts
4. Create a temporary home for items you are not sure about removing
5. Ask kids if there are toys, books, or crafts that they no longer want or need that can be donated to children in need
oah and Olivia topped the list of the most popular baby names, with both names holding the top spot 10 2024, according to Babycenter.com. One new name that appears on the top ten boys list is Asher, bumping off Luca. On the girls top ten list Ellie makes a debut bumping off Evelyn. Both lists had very little movement in the top ten.
TOP BOYS
NAMES OF 2024
Noah
Liam
Oliver
Elijah
Mateo
Lucas
Levi
Ezra
Asher
Leo
TOP GIRLS NAMES OF 2024
Olivia
Amelia
Emma
Sophia
Charlotte
Isobella
Ava
Mia
Ellie
Luna
Monthly March through June
Receive camp information and learn about more than 75 day and overnight camps as well as summer programs for all ages and interests.
Click here to register and receive access to regularly updated online camp expo materials
The 2024/25 edition of The East Bay Private School Guide is available and is filled with information on how to help parents navigate the process of finding the best private school for their child. This guide has information on prioritizing what are the most important factors for your family, determining what type of school to consider, navigating admissions tours, shadow days, interviews, needed exams, tuition assistance and writing a great essay. Use the month-by-month guide to keep your family on the admissions track to getting accepted to the school of your choice. Available in print and online at www.ParentsPress.com – just click on “Our Magazines” tab.
What better way to keep track of all the Bay Area preschool and private school’s admission events than this handy tool! With over 50 schools & preschools participating, check out the Online Open House & Admissions Calendar on ParentsPress.com. Look for the School Open Houses button on the main header bar and tap. Don’t forget to tell them you saw their event on https:// parentspress.com
According to National Park Service Director Chuck Sams, “The entrance fee-free days encourage people to discover the beauty, history, and inspiration awaiting them in the more than 400 national parks throughout the country.” Only about 100 of the 400+ national parks have an entrance fee, with costs ranging from $5 to $35+. Detailed information about what to see and do in each park is available on NPS.gov or the NPS app. People to know what is open and available before they go, especially if they stay overnight. Fee-free days apply only to entrance fees and do not cover amenity or user fees for camping, boat launches, transportation, special tours, or other activities. The annual $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass allows the pass holder and companions accompanying them unlimited access to over 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks. There are also free and discounted passes available for currently serving members of the U.S. military and their dependents, military veterans, Gold Star Families, fourth-grade students, disabled citizens, and seniors.
Free Entrance Days for 2025
January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
April 19: First day of National Park Week
June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
August 4: Anniversary of Great American Outdoor Act
September 27: National Public Lands Day
November 11: Veterans Day
The Bay Area offers many celebrations for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Civil Rights, large and small, over the days leading up to MLK day, January 20, 2025, and beyond. Every year, the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation puts on a week-long festival to celebrate the life and work of MLK. It features a parade, film festival, arts festival, health & wellness festival, and more. Many cities host local Day of Service events, celebrations, parades, and rallies. Most events are free. However, events may require registration, and some (Caltrain) book up very early.
Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Service – San Francisco
Jan. 17 – Jan. 20: The Golden Gate National Park Conservacy organizes a weekend-long volunteer effort to make MLK Day a “day on not a day off.” Celebrating the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy all weekend with volunteer projects; parksconservacy.org
BCAF EXPO & Family Day –San Francisco
Jan. 19: The Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival (BCAF) invites families to enjoy this day of storytelling, interacting with Black and Brown artists, and learning about the creative art form of comics. In addition to art displays and live performances, kids can explore their imagination and create their own artwork. This is a free event. No registration is required; bcafcon.org
MLK Parade and March –San Francisco
Jan. 20: Join thousands in honoring the Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery, Alabama marches and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by experiencing the MLK2024 commemorative march/parade from San Francisco’s
Caltrain Station to Yerba Buena Gardens; norcalMLKfoundation.org
MLK Day at MoAD – San Francisco
Jan. 15: MoAD celebrates the national observance of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday as a Day of Service, providing FREE admission to the museum and programs throughout the day; moadsf.org
Caltrain’s MLK Celebration Train –San Jose to San Francisco
Jan. 20: Caltrain will make the trip up the Peninsula, and they want you to be a part of it! The Celebration Train provides free service to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day March in San Francisco, organized in partnership with the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation. Attendees who RSVP will receive a complimentary ticket worth a free return trip after 1 pm on the 15th; caltrain.com
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service EBRP- Oakland
Jan.20: Every year, to celebrate the MLK holiday, citizens engage in service to empower and strengthen our communities and bring us closer to his vision of a “Beloved Community.”East Bay Regional Parks is hosting volunteer projects at these three MLK Shoreline Locations: Shoreline Cleanup at Tidewater Boating Center, Gardening and Maintenance at MLK Grove, and Shoreline Cleanup at Oakport Staging Area; ebrp.org/MLK
Higher Ground MLK Jr. Day of Service – Oakland
Jan. 20: Join in for a day of service as we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Roots Community Health Center Lot on 105th and Edes Ave. in Oakland, CA. This in-person event will bring together volunteers from all walks of life to positively impact our community through service activities and engaging volunteers in projects that promote unity, service, and civic engagement; unation.com
OUSD MLK Oratorical Fest
Jan. - Mar: Oakland’s legendary Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Fest, featured in the HBO EMMY awardwinning documentary, WE ARE THE
DREAM: The kids of the Oakland MLK, Oratorical, now streaming on HBOMax and Apple Prime, has been one of the most popular districtwide events in OUSD for more than four decades, and it is drawing near again. So, students, write those speeches, poems, spoken word pieces, monologues, and scenes, or find one that speaks to your heart. Start rehearsing using the judge›s scoring sheet because it’s almost time for the Annual OUSD Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Fest happening in February 2024; skyline.ousd.org
Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Celebration - El Cerrito
Jan. 20: The 35th Annual Parade and Rally meets at El Cerrito City Hall at 9 am. The parade begins at 10 am. The rally starts at 11 am at El Cerrito High School. Donate! You can also support this annual event by making an online donation to the City of El Cerrito to support the El Cerrito Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration; el-cerrito.org
MLK Day of Service – Antioch
Jan. 20: Let’s work together to build a stronger Antioch! This year’s MLK Day of Service will be at Nick Rogriguez Community Center. (only one registration is needed per Family Group); antiochca.gov/mlk
Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony - Martinez
Jan. 21: Contra Costa County will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 46th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. In the spirit of Dr. King’s work, this year’s theme is “Beloved Community;” contracostaca.gov
Free Admission at National Parks
Jan. 20: In celebration of Dr. King’s birthday, all national parks are waiving admission on the year’s first fee-free day of the year.
The East Bay German International School (EBGIS) offers exceptional academics and German immersion from preschool through grade 8. Our East Bay International High School (EBIHS) is a college preparatory high school offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP). Often referred to as the gold standard in high school education, the IB is highly regarded by universities in the United States and worldwide.
We provide a dynamic learning environment and a truly global perspective, anchored by our European educational approach. Our small size and low student-teacher ratio (7:1) enable our highly trained international faculty to provide an individualized educational experience to each student.
Our International High School is open to all students in grades 9-12. EBIHS offers multiple language tracks with beginner to native-speaker-level language and literature courses in German, French, and Spanish as well as introductory Mandarin. All other EBIHS instruction is in English.
No knowledge of German is required for students entering our preschool or kindergarten, nor for our high school. Talk with us about individualized language support for elementary and middle school students.
Open House
October 19, 2024
January 25, 2025 10 am - 2 pm
High School Campus Visit
September 23, 2024 9:40 am
Online Info Sessions for all programs. Register at: http://www.ebgis.org/ admissions/visit-us 1070 41st Street
Emeryville, CA 94608 (510) 380-0302 admissions@ebgis.org
By Aaron Crowe
If you can withstand a financial emergency, give yourself a pat on the back.
Nearly half of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and 52 percent don’t have enough money to cover six months of expenses. In contrast, over half of Americans are uncomfortable with their level of emergency savings, according to a Bankrate.com survey.
The rut of working just so you can cover day-to-day expenses can lead to the worst money mistake of your life—not having an emergency fund.
Without it, you could be forced to go into debt to pay for emergency medical care, a broken car that you rely on to get to work, a busted water heater, job loss, or any other unexpected event. Sooner or later, something will pop up.
A “no-spend month” could help solve that problem so that you’re not part of the 22 percent of U.S. adults who don’t have any money in an emergency fund or the 63 percent who don’t have at least $500 set aside for emergencies, according to the survey.
The first goal for an emergency fund should be to accumulate enough to cover six months of living expenses. After that, work to increase it to a cushion of 18 to 24 months.
To give it a good kick-start, eliminate all nonessential spending for a month. Do this by sorting your expenses into “wants” vs. “needs.”
You know what these are. If you have children, you constantly have to explain these to them whenever you take them to a store and they demand cookies or something else they want when all you
want to do is get some milk and eggs and leave.
“Wants” can include eating out, going to a movie, vacation, a date night, drinking alcohol, shopping, and anything you can live without, such as cable TV.
“Needs” are pretty obvious. You’ll want to pay your rent or mortgage, buy necessary groceries, get the medical care you need, and pay your monthly bills. Don’t live without hot water or electricity to save some cash.
The mortgage and water bills can be paid with a check or transfer from your checking account. All “needs” should be paid with money you already have in hand and not with a credit card.
“Wants,” however, are often paid with a credit card and not thought about until a month later, when the bill arrives. For most of these, use cash to take a “nospend month” at least semiseriously. If you’re really committed, avoid these “wants” entirely, don’t spend any money on them for a month and see how it goes.
Go to the coffee shop a few times a week? Pay with cash—not your phone app—or make coffee at home.
The same goes for any other daily living expenses. Leave your credit cards at home for a month and bring snacks and lunch to work. Watch broadcast TV and cancel your cable TV for a month. Ride a bike for a picnic in the park with your loved one instead of going out for dinner and a movie on date night.
Do whatever it takes to not spend money for a month beyond the basic necessities.
At the end of the month—or beginning if, you’re sure your budgeted numbers are correct—move the unspent money to a savings account or another account where you can get the money relatively quickly if needed. The point is to set aside for emergencies, which by definition can require quick access.
Hopefully, the savings from your “no-spend month” will be enough to cover your monthly expenses in an emergency fund. If possible, continue the no-spend month for another month, or at least cut out nonessentials you’ve found you can live without. Cable TV may not seem so important after a month away from it.
After that difficult first month, decide how much you can now afford to put aside each month in an emergency fund and have it automatically transferred to that account. You may not feel you need to set aside all of that first month’s savings each month and can add some “wants” back to your monthly expenses.
Security and peace of mind in knowing you can handle paying for life’s emergencies may be worth sacrificing luxuries such as expensive dinners or vacations. If all it takes to beef up your emergency fund is downsizing to mid-priced dinners out and shorter vacations closer to home, then a good night’s sleep and not worrying about paying for emergencies is probably worth it.
Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist who specializes in personal finance writing. He writes for various websites and has worked as a reporter and editor at a few newspapers.
ids with well developed leadership skills are more confident, responsible, and push themselves to their full potential. Leadership helps them develop better and more creative coping skills when it comes to problem solving and project management. The art of compromise, empathy, and good decision making skills, things most parents strive to teach their children, are also important benefits of having well developed leadership skills. For some children, leadership comes naturally and for others it must be developed and encouraged over time. Either way, parents can help develop their child’s leadership qualities so that when they are ready to attend college and enter the workforce, leading others and knowing when to follow someone else’s lead are already second nature.
Parents can help their kids develop good leadership by showing them what a good leader looks like on a daily basis. When you lead others, including your own children, try to be optimistic, a good listener, treat people fairly, and do the right thing. Your kids will learn these skills simply by modeling your good example.
Kids who are successful at the things they try are more confident and are more willing to get out of their comfort zone and help others in the future. You can do this by encouraging them to try activities where they have natural strengths and talent or assist them in projects just enough to help them succeed while still allowing them the majority of the decision and work the project entails.
Listening and good communication are keys to making a leader successful and well-liked by peers. Encourage your child to put their communication skills into practice by developing listening skills, public speaking, and expressing their frustrations in a healthy way. Parents can do this by asking your child to order their own food at a restaurant, encouraging them to approach coaches or teachers themselves when there is a problem, and teaching them to ask questions after listening to a friend talking.
School projects, team sports, clubs, or being a part of a band, orchestra, or choir helps kids understand how to work towards a goal as a group. These experiences help your child understand how to be a good leader and when to listen to
By Sarah Lyons
others and why both are equally important.
Encourage lifelong skills
Integrity, empathy, work ethic, respect, negotiation, and compromise are great skills for any leader, as well as, any student, employee, or friend. You can encourage these skills by setting a good example and talking through situations where they were or were not utilized well. Ask your child how they would have handled this differently and why. Praise them when they have done a good job using these skills and encourage them when needed.
There is great value in diversity. Everyone has different backgrounds, experiences, and gifts. Encourage your kids to learn about other cultures and experiences and that differences are what make us a stronger team. They can learn to stand up to those who are singled out or viewed as different from others. This is what makes a great leader.
Ask for help
Kids who know when to problem solve and when to ask for guidance are better teammates and stronger leaders. It’s also important to offer help to others in the group who may be struggling. Lead by example and be encouraging and helpful when needed.
Develop good work habits
prepared to lead others. Encourage your child to get a part time job at a young age or pick up jobs like yard work, babysitting, or volunteer work so they can build their
leadership skills, develop their work ethic, and get experience in a variety of areas.
When your child has a large project to complete, encourage them to map out their plan for getting it done on-time. Create steps and set goals to accomplish to meet the deadline. Good project management skills will serve them well as a leader and an employee in the future.
As your child develops strong leadership skills, it’s important to understand that they will not always be the person in charge. Having good leadership skills doesn’t mean you are always the one who is leading. Being respectful and willing to listen to others and compromise while not officially being the person who is “in charge” of the group is still a way to lead others. Whether your child is a natural leader or a great teammate, these leadership skills will serve them well in the future.
Sarah Lyons is a mom of six, including triplets. She enjoys writing, reading, and spending time outside with her kids.
Being part of a team helps build leadership and helps kids learn to work as a group and understand the art of leading and following others.
Being part of student council or government helps kids learn to lead and build speaking and negotiating skills.
If your child is interested in something specific, chances are others their age are as well. Starting their own club is a great way to learn how to lead others and share common interests.
Giving your time helps kids put others first, work on a project for the greater good, develop a good work ethic, and build leadership skills.
Being part of an academic team or clubs such as robotics, mathletes, speech and debate, National Honors Society, and science club are great ways to build skills in areas that interest them but also give them leadership skills they can use in college and the workforce.
Since 1956
Not everyone is drawn to team sports, but being part of a choir, orchestra, band, theater, or working on a creative project as a group can have the same benefits as team sports do when it comes to leadership skills.
Groups like Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts give kids the opportunity to work as a team and individually while helping others and being exposed to diversity, volunteer work, team building, and life skills.
Grades 6-12 day • 9-12 boarding
Life is an adventure of intellectual exploration and meaningful contribution.
An Athenian education prepares students for a life of purpose and personal fulfillment
75-acre campus of rolling, oakcovered hills lies at the base of Mt. Diablo in Danville, CA just 32 miles East of San Francisco. Athenian buses transport students to and from many East Bay communities.
By Liz Brooke
Alot of attention is being paid to the massive learning loss that K-12 students suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for good reason: according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 9-year-olds’ reading scores fell by the largest margin in more than 30 years during the pandemic. And that’s just one of many statistics that point to the fact that significant learning loss took place during that extreme period of uncertainty.
And while we understand the critical nature of K-12 student learning— particularly in reading—there’s been less focus on the impact of the pandemic on infants and toddlers in this area. Even though these babies and children may not be reading yet, the critical connection between oral language and reading has
been studied for the last several decades and is well documented. In fact, a 2013 study analyzed public records from more than 5,000 children in Minnesota to help quantify the relationship between pre-K language skills and reading comprehension at the third-grade level.
What this analysis revealed was that children who struggle with oral language are six times more likely to struggle with reading (compared to their peers). This is a telling statistic that proves just how valuable language is to their later reading, even if they are not talking in sentences or sitting down to read their favorite book.
For children, a significant part of oral language development comes from
environments that are rich in spoken language and social exchanges. At family gatherings, for instance, infants and toddlers are exposed to abundant language. They witness turn-taking rituals and learn from facial expressions as well as how to form sounds by watching adults speaking. And daycares are another opportunity for infants and toddlers to be surrounded by language and observe other social interactions.
The problem is that for the last two-plus years, the pandemic has impeded these kinds of social get-togethers and many daycares were closed. Starting in March 2020, infants and toddlers have often been in the presence of only their immediate family. Plus, any additional exposure has been largely to adults wearing masks, which hide facial expressions and any visual cues that are necessary to a young child’s taking in how sounds are formed in the mouth.
Masks also affect speech volume.
These factors possibly have had a negative impact on infants’ and toddlers’ oral language development and therefore their future reading ability. The good news is that there are steps that can be taken to make up for this dearth and get toddlers and infants back on the path to learning. Here are four steps parents and teachers can take to account for this learning loss:
1Talk to your babies…a lot.
Most parents understand the value of reading to young children and have continued to do that throughout the pandemic. However, many parents might not be fully aware of the importance of engaging with infants when they are babbling in repetitive consonant-vowel combinations like “ma-ma-ma” and “baba-ba” before they actually begin talking with recognizable words.
Early vocalization skills in relation to later reading ability is very important, and some parents might assume that until the infant or child is talking, there is no need to speak with them.
2 Provide daily commentary. While working as a speech-language pathologist, I used to tell parents who wanted to increase language exposure for their children to describe things they were doing throughout their day—similar to a TV commentator. Parents or other caregivers could and should engage with their child verbally, whether or not the child is talking: “Mommy is going up the stairs now—up, up, up” or “We’re going to go shopping at the mall.” For the latter, you might describe the categories of the aisles or sections of the stores as you navigate through them. If your child is not yet speaking, these discussions will increase their language
exposure, and if your child is already talking, you could start conversations with them by asking them questions. Very young children may respond in one- or two-word utterances. In this case, you can repeat and/or extend their answers into three or four words or a complete sentence.
3 Expand your language as they grow. As your child develops, you can continue to expand the conversation by using three- to four-word sentences that increase in complexity as the child grows older. You already might have been having these early conversations with your baby and toddler because they can happen naturally. Continually talking to babies helps them make sense of their world and provides social context for them long before they are actually ready to speak in words.
4 Turn to science-based instruction for help. We know the components required for learning how to read, where challenges may occur for some students, and how to prevent them. The science of reading is grounded in a collection of research from cognitive scientists and other reading experts developed over the last 50 years. Through science-based instruction, teachers can focus on phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, and both oral language and text comprehension.
We are now seeing state and school district leaders throughout the U.S. seeking solutions to improve reading proficiency, with several trying to model what Mississippi accomplished through the adoption of new learning standards during 2013 to 2019. They’re using or onboarding science of reading-based programs that provide professional development for
teachers and that help early childhood and elementary educators adopt new instructional practices.
Now more than ever, our teachers and schools require support and evidencebased instruction to prepare our students to read and to be set up for success now and in the future. For K-5 teachers, their students and those children born during the pandemic who will begin school in a few years, Lexia LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) incorporates strategies and tools based in the science of reading. With a focus on the relationship between oral and written language, these tools can help accelerate learning, create proficient readers, and close the learning gaps left agape by the pandemic.
Liz Brooke, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is the chief learning officer at Lexia Learning. Dr. Liz Brooke serves as Chief Education Officer for Lexia Learning. Liz joined Lexia from the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR) in 2010, where she served as the Director of Interventions from 2005–2010. Prior to joining FCRR, Liz worked for several years at Massachusetts General Hospital on the Learning Disabilities Team in the Speech and Language Department where she treated and evaluated school-age children with a variety of learning disabilities.
Liz earned her doctorate degree in Communication Disorders at Florida State University, a bachelor’s degree in Child Study from Tufts University and a master’s degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders as well as a reading certification program at Massachusetts General Hospital-Institute of Health Professions.
ALAMEDA
Coastline Christian Schools
PS-8
Open House
March 22, 2025 @ 10:00 am 1801North Loop Road https://coastlinechristian.org
ALAMO
The Dorris Eaton School PS-8
PS/TK/JK Open House
February 1, 2025 @ 10:00 am 1286 Stone Valley Road https://dorriseaton.com
BERKELEY
Bayhill High School 9-12
Open House
January 25, 2025 - RSVP 1940 Virginia Street www.bayhillhs.org
The Berkeley School PS - 8 K-9 Open House
January 8, 2025 - RSVP 1310 University Ave www.theberkeleyschool.org
The Crowden School K-8
Group Tours
January 8, 2025 @ 9:30 am
January 16, 2025 @ 10:00 am Sneak Peak
January 12, 2025 @ 10:30 am 1475 Rose Street www.crowden.org
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley PS - 8
Open House for PS-K
January 25, 2025 - RSVP 1009 Heinz Ave https://www.eb.org
CASTRO VALLEY
Redwood Christian Schools
MS/HS Shadow Days
January 10, 2025 @ 7:45 am Middle School Info Night
January 14, 2025 @ 5:30 pm 4200 James Avenue www.rcs.edu
CONCORD
Orion Academy 9-12
Open House
February 1, 2025 @ 9:30 am 1868 Clayton Road www.orionacademy.org
EL CERRITO
Prospect Sierra School (K-8)
Online Info Session
ES - Jan. 9, 2025 @ 9:00 am
MS - Jan. 15, 2025 @ 9:00 am
Campus Tours
ES - Jan. 10, 2025 @ 9:00 am
ES - Jan. 13, 2025 @ 9:00 am
MS - Jan. 14, 2025 @ 9:00 am 2060 Tapscott Ave www.prospectsierra.org
EMERYVILLE
East Bay German International School PS - 8
Preschool Admissions
Application Due February 9, 2025
KG-8 Admissions Application
Due
February 16, 2025 1070 41st Street www.ebgis.org
East Bay International HS 9-12
On-Campus Open House
January 25, 2025 @ 10:00 am 1070 41st Street www.ebgis.org
Escuela Bilingüe International PK-8
Belonging at EBI
January 11, 2025-RSVP 4550 San Pablo Avenue https://ebinternacional.org
HAYWARD
Moreau Catholic HS 9-12
Applications Due January 6, 2025 27170 Mission Blvd www.moreaucatholic.org
LAFAYETTE
The Springstone School 6-12 Group Tours
January 31, 2025 @ 10:30 am February 21, 2025 @ 10:30 am March 21, 2025 @ 10:30 am Open House
February 22, 2025 @ 10:00 am 1035 Carol Lane https://thespringstoneschool. org
MORAGA
The Saklan School - PS - 8 Open House
January 16, 2025 @ 9:00 am 1678 School St www.saklan.org
OAKLAND
Aurora School K-8 Open House
January 11, 2025 @ 10:00 am Lower School (K-5) Tours
January 10, 2025 @ 8:45 am January 17, 2025 @ 8:45 am Middle School (6-8) Tours
January 9, 2025 @ 8:45 am January 16, 2025 @ 8:45 am 40 Dulwich Road www.auroraschool.org
Park Day School K-8 K-3 Tour
January 16, 2025 @ 8:45 am Upper Grade Tour
January 15, 2025 @ 8:45 am 360 42nd St www.parkdayschool.org
Redwood Day School K-8 Campus Tours
January 9, 2025 @ 9:00 am
Virtual Q&A
January 8, 2025 @ 9:00 am Open House
LS January 11, 2025 @ 9:00 am
MS January11, 2025 @ 11:30 am 3245 Sheffield Avenue www.rdschool.org
St. Theresa School - PS - 8 Info Session and Tour
January 10, 2025 @ 8:05 am Campus Tours
January 14, 2025 @ 9:15 am
January 24, 2025 @ 9:15 am 4850 Clarewood Dr www.sttheresaschool.org
PIEDMONT
Corpus Christi School (K-8) Open House
January 7, 2025 @ 8:15 am
February 11, 2025 @ 8:15 am Application Deadline
January 12, 2025 1 Estates Dr www.corpuschristischool.com
SAN RAMON
The Dorris Eaton School PS-8 K-8 Open House
February 1, 2025 @ 1:00 pm 1 Annabel Lane https://dorriseaton.com
WALNUT CREEK
Berean Christian High School 9-12
Open House
January 27, 2025 @ 6:30 pm 245 El Divisadero Avenue www.bereanchristian.com
The Seven Hills School Kindergarten Campus Tour
January 7, 2025 @ 8:30 am ECE - 8th Grade Admissions Tour
January 9, 2025 @ 8:30 am 975 North San Carlos Drive www.sevenhillsschool.org
Sonder Creek Academy JK-8 Information Session
January 15, 2025 RSVP 1871 Geary Road https://sondercreekacademy. org
Check out more school open house events online at www.ParentsPress.com — Select School Open Houses
Don’t see your school’s event? You can post it online at the URL above.
By Sarah Lyons
Parents seek the help of a tutor for many reasons. Some parents may choose to have their kids work with a tutor if they are struggling with a subject or particular concept but tutoring isn’t just for kids who are struggling in school. Some parents may hire a tutor because they do not have time to work on schoolwork in the evenings but feel their child needs one-on-one attention while working on homework. Working with a tutor can be beneficial for kids to learn good study habits, how to use their strengths, and work through their weaknesses all while getting individual attention. What are the benefits of tutoring?
Tutoring can be adapted to fit the child’s needs. Kara Thomas, a teacher who has offered tutoring in the past said “Tutors can provide different tools and techniques because they are working one-on-one with each child. They can also adjust material quickly to be able to meet the child where they are and give them challenges targeted at their skill set.” The benefit of having a tutor is the individual attention that even the best teacher cannot accommodate in a larger classroom setting.
Tutoring can help kids build confidence that helps them be successful in the classroom. Some kids lack the confidence they need to speak up and ask questions. Others may have anxiety about test taking. “I have worked with kids who simply lack confidence and need to talk things out.” said Meg Thompson,
math teacher and tutor. “They are completely capable and they are just worried they won’t know how to do it. They often just need a reminder that they can do this.” A tutor can work through these obstacles to help build a child’s confidence and give them tools that can help them manage these insecurities in class.
The most common reason parents seek out tutoring is for academic improvement. Tutors can help children work through the challenges they may be facing and give them tools they need to improve their grades and their understanding of the material. This will build confidence in test taking and strengthen understanding of material so that daily homework isn’t such a chore.
When children develop good study habits early on, they are able to use these skills throughout their school career, in college, and even in the workforce. Tutors can give children tips that are tailored to their needs and help develop the skills they will need to tackle more challenging work on their own. “I tutored a child that I had in my class as a 7th grader. We worked together until he graduated.” said Thompson. “He has autism and for some reason we completely hit it off and he moved from grunting in class to being able to do everything asked of him in higher level math classes.” Everyone learns and develops at a different pace and a tutor can not only work on a specialized
Preschool
Infant
Part-day
8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Extended Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
A tutor can work through obstacles to help build a child’s confidence and give them tools that can help them manage insecurities in class.
skill set, but also help kids gain study habits that fit their learning style and personality.
Working with a tutor can be hard work but can have a big payoff when kids understand concepts they didn’t before and see their grades improve as well. Tutoring can be a way to highlight the value of hard work and build your child’s character and work ethic. It can also stretch them out of their comfort zone, help them understand that it’s okay to ask for help, and that it is normal to not understand concepts at first. These lessons will serve them well in life.
“It’s a different relationship with the student,” said Thompson. “It’s one where they know you are completely on their side. Sometimes this gets lost in the classroom. I am always on everyone’s side in the classroom, but there is more competition for my time and limited time for questions.”
Tutoring can be beneficial for nearly every student and does not have to be utilized because your child is “struggling” in a school subject. Working with a teacher who is there to listen to their concerns, answer questions, and review concepts at a pace the child is comfortable with is priceless and can have long term benefits.
Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer and mom of six kids including triplets. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time outdoors with her family.
TUTORING CENTER - A tutoring center can be a good fit for families that want a structured environment with progress reports along the way. Centers like Sylvan usually offer a pre-assessment of skills, something that may not be offered with other types of tutoring.
RETIRED TEACHER: A retired or former teacher can be a great fit for many students because they have the opportunity to work one-on-one with someone who has a lot of expertise in a casual environment. Referral is typically the best way to connect with a former teacher who may be offering private tutoring.
A HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE STUDENT: Working with a student can be both affordable and convenient. Some schools may even offer free tutoring as an after-school program. Some kids may respond better to an older child or one of their peers.
FREE “DROP-IN” TUTORING: Libraries, community centers, and even churches often offer free “drop-in” tutoring for math and reading after school. This can be helpful for kids that need help with a few concepts but may not need long term tutoring or families who cannot afford private tutoring.
ONLINE TUTORING: For kids who are comfortable working on a computer, online tutoring can be helpful. Websites like www.varsitytutoring.com and www. sylvanlearning.com offer an online tutoring option for a fee. This is beneficial because kids can ask questions 24 hours a day allowing flexibility for busy schedules.
IN THE BAY AREA, WE’RE INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE BECAUSE WE HAVE AN ABUNDANCE of summer camps to choose from for our children. Whether you’re looking for a day or sleepaway camp, one that focuses on the performing arts, science, or whatever else your child is passionate about, it more than likely exists in our region.
The opportunities that summer camp provides are endless: the ability to try new things, the chance to make new friends, and the prospect of gaining independence are just a few.
Consider the possibilities:
DAY CAMPS typically serve children ages 3-15. Session lengths typically vary from one to eight weeks. Some camps offer up to ten weeks of programming. Before camp and after camp programs are offered for an additional fee at some day camps.
OVERNIGHT (also called Resident or Sleepaway)
Camps usually serve children ages 6-18. Campers stay at camp for one to eight weeks, depending on the camp’s session length.
GENERAL CAMPS offer a broad range of activities. Many provide campers with the opportunity to focus on one or a few areas while encouraging them to try a variety of others. It is sometimes possible to explore an activity or interest in depth within the context of the whole program.
TRIP & TRAVEL CAMPS involve outdoor exploration through active sports like biking, hiking, climbing, and canoeing. Campers spend most of their time traveling and preparing to travel.
The only downside to having so many options is that it can truly feel like an exhausting search to find exactly the right fit for your kids. We want them to be happy. We want them to feel comfortable. And, most of all, we want them to be safe. But how does a parent know they are making the right choice? Read on to find a wide range of information that will answer your checklist of questions regarding how to best decipher the information in all of those brochures and how to make the most of an informational visit. You’ll have better peace of mind and, chances are, your kids will have one incredible summer.
Before you start scheduling camp interviews, research all of the options that appeal most to your family, then weigh the pros and cons of each (you can even grade them on a points system if you like). After you’ve compiled a list in order of interest, start eliminating some. You don’t want to drive yourself crazy going on interviews for camps that aren’t really all that appealing to you. It’s a waste of your time and theirs.
SPECIALTY CAMPS are based in day or resident settings. Popular options for specialization may include horseback riding, the arts, sports, computers, or travel. Programming revolves around intensive exposure to the specialty area.
CAMPS FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS serve specific clientele like children or adults with particular medical conditions, disabilities, or special needs. Some camps focus on campers who share very specific diagnoses, while others are geared to meet a broader array of needs at any one time.
RELIGIOUSLY-AFFILIATED CAMPS offer religious education formally and informally. Review materials carefully for explanations of how religion influences a camp’s culture to find one with the balance that best matches your family’s values and beliefs.
FAMILY CAMP SESSIONS include family members of all ages, from grandparents to infants. Accommodations vary, as do program options and session length. The focus is on being together as a family—to learn, to relax, and to enjoy new experiences and adventures.
Once you’ve ruled out camps that don’t meet your essential search criteria or expectations, begin exploring the details of each option you like. Sometimes, the filtering process yields too many camps to interview personally; sometimes, it doesn’t yield enough. Adjust key variables, such as location and session length, to narrow or expand the number of options on the results page. Use the results page to go directly to camp websites.
Camp interviews may feel a bit tedious at times, especially depending on how many you plan on talking to, but they are so necessary in determining how your child might fit into the environment. Go into each interview armed with knowledge of your pros and cons so that you have your questions firmly planted in your mind. How does the camp convey who they really are and reflect the world they’ve created exclusively for a child’s benefit? Camp seekers can learn so much from a close look at camp websites, brochures, photos, videos, FAQs, newsletters, social media, and camper
or parent testimonials. Many camp websites are a gateway to most camp information on this list, from video content to downloadable brochures and forms, all reflecting the camp’s culture.
Camps are much more than lists of activities they offer; they are vibrant educational communities – and no two are exactly alike. There is probably not just one perfect camp for your child. More than one camp may turn out to be a great fit, given your search criteria, so the interviewing stage will most likely factor into your final decision and help you to pinpoint the camp. So, how do you decide between two (or a few camps) with comparable activities, locations, schedules, amenities and prices?
Enough research will provide answers to your questions without you having to utter a single word. Camps try to anticipate what families need to know and provide this information online. You’ll want to use interview time to ask questions that haven’t already been answered – questions that explore the fit for your child.
Running low on time? Interviews with some camp head honchos may already be available online. You can also consult with friends who’ve previously met with the camp for information you never even realized you might want. Look for an interview with the example, you might see photos on the website or on Facebook showing the salad bar or a cabin group sitting around the table with food served family-style. This might spark a question about camp food and how your child’s dietary needs can be met. Or, combing through the part of a website developed exclusively for parents of overnight campers might enable you to understand the camp’s plan and suggestions for communicating with your camper. Perhaps reading the director’s blog from last summer or looking at newsletters might give you some insight into the camp’s philosophy and culture.
You’re the expert on your child! What aspects of his personality might affect the camp fit? (Your child is shy and cautious in new situations, for instance. Or your child needs to have a certain amount of time to practice music, sports or academics.)
Submitted by American Camp Association.
electing a camp for your child can be exciting. You know that camp is a wonderful way for your child to develop independence, new skills and new friends. But now you need to figure out which camp is the right choice. Consider these questions as you go through your search:
What is driving your camp search?
Fun and learning? New experiences and skills? A need for child care? Family tradition? Encouragement from friends?
What are your leading camp search criteria? Which ones are “non-negotiable” and which are “preferences”?
Which of your family’s values should be reflected in the camp philosophy? How religious should it be? How competitive? How diverse? How much camper choice should be given?
What activities or programs interest you and your child? What level of intensity are you looking for? Are you looking for opportunities for your child to try new activities, to play, to advance current skills, to practice, to compete or to specialize?
What kind of facilities will your camper consider? Discuss electricity, bathrooms and dining.
What session length, from eight weeks to a few days, is comfortable for you, for your child, and for your family’s summer schedule? The most common session lengths are: full season (seven to eight weeks), half season (three to four), two weeks and one week.
What camp clientele do you want to consider? There are camps for only boys or girls, coed, brother/sister, religious groups, underserved populations and children with special needs.
How far are you willing to commute your child? Is there a good local source or is it worth driving to a destination camp?
By Kerrie McLoughlin
Community service camps offer a great chance for teens to make a difference and help out in the community while also learning lifelong skills.
Summer camp seems the perfect summertime solution for elementaryage kids so they don’t sit around the house bored and so they can make friends and learn new things while having fun. As our children grow out of their “little kid years,” we sometimes forget they still need those kinds of experiences they had when they were younger, just in a different form. Maybe the thought hasn’t crossed your mind that your teen might need to find a fun summer camp. Your teen should be babysitting, mowing lawns, working at the pool, making TikTok videos, hanging around with friends, right? Well, sure! But why not send teens off for a week or more of summer fun and learning this year for a break? Here are some great benefits for teens attending summer camp:
Learning how to give back. Community service camps offer an excellent chance for teens to make a difference and help out in the community, while also learning lifelong skills. Kids get to spend their days helping
others, which just feels good to everyone involved. Maybe your teen will learn how to pack food for the homeless, teach kids how to read or work on a project that will benefit the community, like cleaning up a playground or fixing equipment. Teens even could learn how to paint a house, care for the yard of an older person who is unable to do so anymore … or they may even learn how to plan and build a house for someone in need.
Deepening faith. If your teen enjoys church youth groups and activities, a church or other organized religious camp might be just the ticket. The day might begin with a church service, followed by breakfast, then a hike and some time spent in the cabin with friends memorizing Bible verses for a competition at the end of the week. Later, there could be singing songs around a bonfire while roasting s’mores.
Working as a team. Your child will be meeting kids of different ages and from diverse backgrounds. Learning how to get along and work as a team is a huge
life skill that will be reinforced at camp. Some camps even have kids do teambuilding and trust activities to help them get to know each other.
Standing on their own. Let’s face it. As our kids get older, they start to grow away from us. They are simply preparing to head out on their own and they are also preparing you for that transition by perhaps being a little distant. They are stuck in between childhood and adulthood, and it’s a confusing time. Going away to camp for even a short period of time helps teach independence. A daily structure at camp is already in place, which teens need to follow. Because parents aren’t the ones doing the nagging, teens don’t tune out but rather respect other adults and learn from them.
Appreciating everything. Away from screens, a person finds it easier to focus on nature, learning, forming relationships and more. Being away from parents, kids will come home with a new appreciation for what it takes to be in a family and help out in the running of the household. Your teen
will probably also appreciate funny things like a full pantry that’s open all day, a comfy bed and privacy!
Teen summer camp has so many benefits that cover all the bases, including physical, social, mental and spiritual. As for the rest of the summer?
Well, your teen can spend plenty of time doing those odd jobs to help pay for camp next year!
Kerrie McLoughlin is the seasoned homeschooling mom of five. Find them at TheKerrieShow.com.
Deciding between day camp or residential (overnight) camp is one piece of the decision for families. Camp is an experience and not limited to a singular location. Campers can develop the same skills, both hard and soft, whether they’re sleeping away from home or returning to their own beds each night. While there are differences between day and residential camps, above all else, the most important outcome of this decision is finding the right fit for your camper and family.
This begins with knowing your camper. Many overnight camps begin taking campers between ages 7-9 years old. However, some children may be ready at 6 and some others may not be ready at 10. While there is no clear, linear checklist to determine whether day or overnight camp is right for your child, the questions listed here can help guide that conversation.
These questions can help begin a dialogue with your family about which camp experience is the best fit for you. The choice of day versus residential camp is one important aspect of the overall decision. But even then, make sure you follow up with those potential camps. Talk to directors. Ask for tours. Ask for references. Do your due diligence. In the end both you and the camp want this summer to be the first of many and the beginning of a great relationship.
• What is the primary reason for wanting to go to camp?
• Has your child ever spent multiple nights sleeping away from home?
• What’s your budget for camp?
• Can your child bath and dress independently?
• How far away from home do you want your child’s camp experience to be?
• What activities are important to your camper’s experience?
The East Bay German International School (EBGIS) offers exceptional academics and German immersion from preschool through grade 8. Our East Bay International High School (EBIHS) is a college preparatory high school offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP). Often referred to as the gold standard in high school education, the IB is highly regarded by universities in the United States and worldwide.
We provide a dynamic learning environment and a truly global perspective, anchored by our European educational approach. Our small size and low student-teacher ratio (7:1) enable our highly trained international faculty to provide an individualized educational experience to each student.
Our International High School is open to all students in grades 9-12. EBIHS offers multiple language tracks with beginner to native-speaker-level language and literature courses in German, French, and Spanish as well as introductory Mandarin. All other EBIHS instruction is in English.
No knowledge of German is required for students entering our preschool or kindergarten, nor for our high school. Talk with us about individualized language support for elementary and middle school students.
Open House
October 19, 2024
January 25, 2025 10 am - 2 pm
High School Campus Visit September 23, 2024 9:40 am Online Info Sessions for all programs. Register at: http://www.ebgis.org/ admissions/visit-us 1070 41st Street
Emeryville, CA 94608 (510) 380-0302
admissions@ebgis.org
Grades 6-12 day • 9-12 boarding
Life is an adventure of intellectual exploration and meaningful contribution.
An Athenian education prepares students for a life of purpose and personal fulfillment
75-acre campus of rolling, oakcovered hills lies at the base of Mt. Diablo in Danville, CA just 32 miles East of San Francisco. Athenian buses transport students to and from many East Bay communities.