PDX Parent February 2022

FREE

THREE POLITICIAN MOMS MAKING A DIFFERENCE, PG. 14 | EARLY EDUCATION GUIDE, PG. 26

for the long days and short years

The

Child

Summer

camps sneak peek pg. 20

Care

Crunch The state of

early education in Portland

Sweets

for your little

Valentine, pg. 6

PDXPARENT.COM

PORTLAND | SW WASHINGTON | FEBRUARY 2022

The classic children’s tale returns with three new stories!

Where there is great love, there are always miracles —Willa Carter Are you the miracle another family has been waiting for?

Become a gestational surrogate • Generous compensation • 24-hour personalized local support

• Childcare, lost wages, housekeeping, maternity clothes provided and much more!

• Health and life insurance included

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW

• All expenses paid with no out of pocket costs to you

February 26 April 24, 2022

Visit our website at

www.kindredsurrogacy.com

Winningstad Theatre • 503.228.9571 • octc.org

to see if you qualify.

Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, Rockefeller Productions.

Based on the books by Eric Carle.

Ronni Lacroute

Hugh Mackworth & Josie Mendoza

TM &

DRACULA FEBRUARY 19–26, 2022 KELLER AUDITORIUM

Tickets start at

$29

obt.org

All performances feature the OBT Orchestra!

Image by Kate Luber, courtesy of Tulsa Ballet

2

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

© PRH

contents

Children at Cedar Hills Preschool & Kindergarten create colorful art as part of their everyday learning.

8

JULIE MILLER

FEATURES

Family Supper............................................................................. 28 Go wild at downtown’s Pacific Crust Pizza

The Child Care Crunch.............................................................. 8

Company, which offers tasty and unique pizza in

We talked to parents and providers to get their

a fun setting reminiscent of camping in the great

perspectives on the state of early childhood

outdoors.

education in Portland. Plus, Multnomah County’s

By Meg Asby.

Preschool for All will start enrolling soon as more counties start to explore similar programs.

Time Out.............................................................................................. 32

As told to Denise Castañon and Tiffany Hill.

Celebrate Black History Month and Lunar New

The Changemakers....................................................................14

up the night as the Portland Winter Light Festival

Three politicians share how parenting their disabled

returns.

Year, check out new, kid-friendly shows, and light

children has shaped Oregon policy.

By Shasta Kearns Moore.

RESOURCES

DEPARTMENTS

Religious Schools................................................................. 18-19

Editor’s Note........................................................................................4

Summer Camp Sneak Peek....................................... 20-24

Play Room............................................................................................. 6

Early Education Guide.................................................... 26-31

Valentine’s Day treats for your little sweethearts and advice on how to get kids to move more. Plus,

School Open House.......................................................... 34-35

meet a teen who’s using her coding skills to help the visually impaired.

* cover stories

pdxparent.com

|

February 2022

3

e d i t o r ’ s n ot e

The Care Conundrum for the long days and short years

Crisis. That word keeps ringing in my head after reading answers to questions Managing Editor Tiffany Hill and I sent to both local parents trying to find affordable, highquality preschool and day care for their children, and local early childhood education providers for the feature story on page 8. Everyone is struggling to make their way as the pandemic continues into year three. And let’s be clear: Portland parents already faced difficulties finding full-time care well before the pandemic hit. And the fact that many providers had to close for a number of reasons during the pandemic has only made the problem worse. There is hope on the near horizon for Multnomah County families, though. Be sure to check out the sidebar on page 10 to find out the latest on the passed Preschool For All measure and which Oregon counties are starting to explore similar options.

Another group of parents who have also keenly felt the struggle to find support in their parenting journeys are the three elected officials profiled in the feature by Shasta Kearns Moore. All three women are mothers of children with extraordinary needs, and their challenges to find help for themselves and their children have shaped how they approach policy making for all Oregonians.

Read their inspiring stories on page 14.

Finally, we know about the working parents’ scramble to find summer camps. While several parents have already mapped out their summer camp schedules for their kids, many parents still need some resources. Check out page 20 for our new Summer Camp Sneak Peek guide to find out which camps are enrolling for summer now. (And don’t miss our huge summer camps issue slated for next month!)

PDX Parent

What’s your family’s favorite

wintertime activity?

memorialized this supremely snuggly moment of sisterly affection at Powell Butte Nature Park. “I love capturing the emotion of the moment,” says Clark, a mother of two. “I tend to do less posing and instead give subtle interactive cues. Capturing kids at play with their families is one of the most genuine ways to document littles.” See more of Clark’s fabulous work at redfredpro.com and on Instagram @redfredpro.

Publisher Rose Caudillo, 503-460-2774 publisher@pdxparent.com Editor Denise Castañon, 503-922-0893 denise.castanon@pdxparent.com Managing Editor Tiffany Hill Art Director tiffany.howard@pdxparent.com Web Content Coordinator Meg Asby meg.asby@pdxparent.com E-newsletter Editor Renee Peters renee.peters@pdxparent.com

I am now embracing

Eastside Account Executive

winter (after living in

lauren.wylie@pdxparent.com

Lauren Wylie, 503-331-8184

Hawai'i for so long)! My

Westside Account Executive

husband and I recently

Jill Weisensee, 503-309-8272

got snowshoes and love exploring in the snow.

jill.weisensee@pdxparent.com Digital Ad Manager/Calendar Editor/ Distribution Coordinator Melissa Light

For a special treat, we like to rent a cabin in the woods in a snowy spot on Mt. Hood or in Central Oregon. It feels luxurious to get out in the snow whenever we like and then retreat back indoors where a big fireplace and ample hot cocoa await.

crowded, we frequently

photography and video studio,

Phone: 503-460-2774

Tiffany Howard

to the beach! It’s not

of Redfred Productions, a

Portland, OR 97213-0660

tiffany.hill@pdxparent.com

Believe it or not, going

On Our Cover: Jessie Clark

P.O. Box 13660

luck out with the weather, and it’s a nice break from

melissa.light@pdxparent.com Accountant Kelli Bagby Truly Bookkeeping, Inc. President Jill Weisensee jill.weisensee@pdxparent.com For distribution issues, e-mail us at distribution@pdxparent.com For calendar submissions, e-mail us at calendar@pdxparent.com

PDX Parent is published monthly (except July) by Northwest Parent, LLC., and is copyright 2021 Northwest Parent, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

PDX Parent is distributed free of charge throughout the Portland, OR / Vancouver, WA metropolitan area.

PDX Parent reserves the right to refuse

home. (And off-season

advertising for any reason. Distribution

lodging rates are a big

endorsement of the products or services

incentive!)

of this publication does not constitute an advertised herein.

PDX Parent does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender expression, sex or sexual orientation.

Although every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of published material, Northwest Parent, LLC., and its agents and employees cannot be held responsible for the use or misuse of any information contained herein. The contents of PDX Parent and its website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or treatment.

4

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

pdxparent.com

| February 2022

5

Take your little sweetheart out for a special treat this February 14. From local chocolate to cheesecake, you’ll find something to satisfy every taste!

Unicorn Bake Shop’s February menu will include

MOONSTRUCK CHOCOL ATE CO.

p l ay r o o m

Valentine’s Day Treats

SUGAR STR EET BAK ERY

TOP 5:

heart-shaped brownie bites, chocolate-dipped-strawberry cupcakes and sugar-cookie lollipops! Bonus: They also have gluten-free choices!

Unicornbakeshop.com.

3. Ube, a sweet, purple yam, has shown up in all sorts of culinary creations recently. One of the prettiest incarnations is a luscious, lilac-colored ube cheesecake at St. Barbra Pinoy Bakery, a shop that specializes in Filipino baked goods. Stbarbra.com. 4. The red velvet and dark chocolate raspberry cupcakes at Toadstool Cupcakes set the scene for Valentine’s Day. No matter what flavor you choose, each cupcake

1. Go for a twist on classic chocolate candy.

Moonstruck Chocolate Co.’s lifelike Frosted Pink Strawberry Truffle and Whipped Cream Truffle (pictured above) are sure to please white chocolate lovers. Moonstruckchocolate.com. 2. Vegan bakery,

features a delectable topping that’s dipped in ganache — and looks like a toadstool straight out of a fairytale. Toadstoolcupcakes.com. 5. Send a sweet message with a Conversations Hearts mini cake from Sugar

Street Bakery (pictured above). You’ll have your choice of chocolate or raspberry cake. Sugarstreetportland.com. — Denise Castañon

Ask Dr. Baynham Q: COVID shutdowns threw all

your new family favorite! If winter weather isn’t your jam, use screen

our screen-time limits out of the

time to your advantage and try video

window! How can I get my kid

games that incorporate movement — like

more active again?

YouTube yoga and dance/cardio classes — or even have impromptu family dance

A: First of all, don’t be so hard on

parties during commercial breaks.

yourself! Celebrate your family’s resiliency

To be successful, remember to

and that you are ready to make some changes. The best way to get your kids

reinforce that you are doing this

more active is to reset limits on screen

together. Modeling reduced screen time yourself can go a long way toward

time and make physical activity part of routine are your best bets at creating long-lasting success.

Let’s take a look at the current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines as a foundation for your family’s plan. For infants and toddlers younger than 18 months, no screen time

Some great resources to get started are Common Sense Media and the AAP. The AAP even has a great website for parents, healthychildren.org, that walks you through building a custom family media plan. The new year is a great opportunity for a fresh

is recommended other than video chatting. For toddlers 18

start. Let’s get moving!

months to 2 years of age, keep it under an hour, choose quality

Pediatrician, International Board Certified

programming and watch together. For children over 2, think one to two hours per day max.

This time of year can make it challenging to get outside, but

6

getting your kids to buy into the new plan.

Lactation Consultant, Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and mom of two, Allison Baynham, M.D., knows

take advantage when you can and think about making a family

what it takes to raise healthy, resilient

walk, hike or bike ride part of the weekly routine. Trying out a new

children. Come bond, share your struggles

winter sport together like skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing

and team up with her for great care at

can be a memorable bonding experience and may even become

Metropolitan Pediatrics in Tigard.

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

GAIL PAR K

the family culture. Doing things together and making it

Kid to Know:

Coder for Good

Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici recently announced that Shreya Suresh, a junior at Beaverton’s Sunset High School, won the 2021 Congressional App Challenge for Oregon’s First Congressional District.

Shreya designed a clever app that helps visually impaired people get around more safely and independently. The iPhone app named Sightly can be launched by voice

via Siri and identifies potential hazards such as staircases or crosswalk signals. “I spent a lot of time with the visually impaired to understand their daily struggles through this process,” says Shreya. "The visually impaired people that I spoke to mentioned that while the current apps were useful, it was hard for them to pull out the phone, launch the app all while navigating around traffic. I felt compelled to make their lives safer.”

“I applaud Shreya for designing and building a useful app that fills a real need and helps make our communities more accessible,” says Congresswoman Bonamici.

“Learning to code is a great way for students to tackle real-world problems while developing their skills.”

Shreya was first introduced to coding and programming at the age of 12 while participating in an all-girls LEGO robotics team. In the ninth grade, she learned more advanced programming languages. She’s glad her app has the chance to help others.

“After the win really sunk in, I felt a sense of satisfaction that my hard work finally paid off. It has inspired me to continue further work on this and other technology projects,” she says. Visit youtube.com/ watch?v=h74XZBPo2yM to view Shreya's demonstration of Sightly. — D.C.

Black Lives Matter:

Representation Matters This month is Black History Month and Multnomah County libraries are doing their part to educate, engage and inspire. Thirteen libraries — from Kenton to Gresham — will have expertly designed Black History Month displays, including fun Black History Month swag and a helpful Black Resource Book List for readers of all ages. All of this is thanks to the Black Cultural Library Advocates (BCLA).

The work of the advocates, which is available at 13 of the county's libraries, brings additional resources, representation and information to public library exhibitions throughout Portland. (Find out more about the library’s Black History Month virtual events for kids and families on page 32.)

“Multnomah County Library’s BCLA staff create programs and services that, from the foundation, are by and for the community,” says Sonja Ervin, Equity and Inclusion Manager for Multnomah County Library. “This gives folks the opportunity to know that the library is a space for them, and this is why the BCLA position is so vital in connecting with the community. The more we represent, the more likely we are able to

Check it Out!

engage and have folks feel welcome in the space. And the SHR EYA SUR ESH

more we connect, share resources and information with communities that have been historically underserved, the closer we get to close the gaps of inequities.”

— Tiffany Hill

The following libraries have hired Black Cultural Library Advocates and will have engaging Black History Month displays up this month. Don’t miss them!

• North Portland

• St. Johns

• Midland

• Gregory Heights

• Hillsdale

• Hollywood

• Capitol Hill

• Rockwood

• Albina

• Central

• Kenton

• Gresham

• Sellwood pdxparent.com

|

February 2022

7

The Child Care Crunch AS TOLD TO DENISE CASTAÑON AND TIFFANY HILL

8

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

WEENO PHOTOGR APHY

Shutdowns, sickness and staff shortages have greatly impacted early childhood education throughout the country, including here in Portland. Here’s what parents, educators and providers have to say about what’s happening from the front lines.

Crisis.

SOPHIA BUTLER

It’s a word many parents, educators and providers have been using when it comes to the situation they all find themselves in regarding the state of early childhood education here in the Portland area — and really the entirety of the United States. The ongoing pandemic has burdened an already stressed child care and early education system, forcing many of us to make difficult decisions, whether based on financial costs, shifting schedules or even simple availability.

PDX Parent sat down with moms, teachers and school directors to hear from them about all these challenges they’re facing. Educators told us about burnout and grappling with decreased resources. One parent shared that she was forced to scramble for child care, and pay higher rates, after her son’s child care center abruptly closed. Another mom said she’s put advancing her career on hold because of the lack of affordable care.

And while it certainly is a critical moment in Oregon’s early education system, it’s not all bad news. The Preschool for All program — passed by Multnomah County voters in November 2020 — was heralded as a game changer by most in early education for its promise to expand access, especially for marginalized communities.

This March, the program will begin its first enrollment wave. (See page 10 for more.)

JULIE MILLER

I would like parents to understand that it is our children and families that are in crisis right now, not just the field of early education. We must create a thoughtful, fully funded, and valued early education system in order to build a stronger foundation for these families. We must provide engaging, playful environments that balance care and learning while involving families in a meaningful way. We must come together as communities to build places for our children to think deeply and feel safe. And we must honor and pay a livable wage for those who are drawn to our field and then provide them with the time and resources needed to implement developmentally appropriate practices through play. Teachers of all ages need to have the time and energy to create engaging curriculum and meet each child where he/she stands. To do this, parents must speak up, take action and choose wisely when policies are being created and implemented.

— Julie Miller, Threes Teacher, Cedar Hills Kindergarten & Preschool in Cedar Hills

I recently started a full-time job again. My children are 8, 6, and 2 and during the pandemic have been in virtual school. When I went back to work, my husband had to step down from his management position and take a lesser role in order to get a much smaller, more flexible schedule. We now trade off the kids during the week. His two shifts per week start as I get off the clock from my full day. This change has been positive in many ways (he has loved getting to see the kids more). However, from a financial standpoint, it would have been much better for us to both be able to work full time. We’re actively saving for a house and it feels like the only way we’ll get one in this hot market is if we’re both working. So not only have we both had to sacrifice positions in order to care for the kids, now we are putting off home buying. I know this resonates with lots of people — the American Dream doesn’t feel attainable to us as a family in our current situation.

— Sophia Butler, mom of an 8-year-old, 6-year-old and 2-year-old in West Linn

BRIT T ANY LECK IE

It has been very difficult finding child care for us. My son is 4 and pre-COVID we were put on a waitlist for six months. And then when COVID hit, we were told that we couldn’t continue coming because of COVID. We waited two weeks and then were told since we were essential employees we could come back. Now fast forward one and a half years, they gave us one week (yes, one week) notice in an email at 6:03pm on a Friday to find new care since they were closing their facility. Obviously panicking, I called as many places as I could to try to find new care. I called 14 different facilities, and all were full or waitlisted for at least six months to a year. I put us on the waitlist for as many places as I could and even paid the $25 to $60 fee at each place. Luckily, I found a place (sister business to prior daycare) across town 30 minutes away. Now my children go to different places and my round-trip commute just to get them to day care is over one hour.

— Brittany Leckie, mom of a 4-year-old and 1-year-old in Milwaukie pdxparent.com

|

February 2022

9

Universal Preschool: Enrolling Soon

While the child care landscape can seem bleak for many parents trying to find

POR TL AND MONTESSORI COLL ABOR A TIVE

affordable care, know that good things are on the horizon. “Multnomah County is on track to have the best public preschool program in the country,” says Mary King, co-chair of Universal Preschool Now! Next month, the Preschool for All program approved by Multnomah County voters in November 2020 will open its first wave of enrollments of 3- to 4-year-olds for up to five 6-hours days of free preschool a week. “In this first year of Preschool for All slots, we anticipate having 500 spaces available and prioritizing families who currently have the least access to high-quality preschool programs,” says Multnomah County’s Preschool and Early Learning Division Director, Leslee Barnes. “Applications will open at the end of March for slots that begin in September 2022.”

Each year, the number of enrollments will increase with the aim to have available spots for all of Multnomah County’s (then) 3- and 4-year-olds by the fall of 2030.

“People are paying more attention to early learning now,” says Mercedes Castle, the head of school at Portland Montessori Collaborative in Southwest Portland (pictured above). “Studies have repeatedly shown the benefits and more people are looking for high-quality early education. Preschool for All could be a real game changer in the years to come, not just in making preschool more accessible, but in elevating the industry’s understanding and practices in educating the youngest child.”

Parent feedback played a huge role in shaping this initiative from the beginning, adds Barnes. “Parents were leaders in the policy design and their input ensured that the Preschool for All Plan included full-day preschool options of up to 10 hours, hiring and supporting early educators who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color, banning suspensions and expulsions of young children, and family choice about the preschool options that are right for their child.”

And more good news, both Clackamas and Washington counties have started asking for community feedback as they explore adopting universal, tuition-free preschool programs for their residents. To find out more information about Multnomah County’s program, visit: multco.us/dchs/preschool-all. — D.C.

An increased emphasis on (diversity, equity, inclusion and justice) DEIJ and anti-bias education in the classroom have been top of mind for parents and for many educators. Families have been impacted by the pandemic in how they are choosing schools, lifestyles, and the timing of when their children enter preschool and/or child care. … In the next five years, the DEIJ and anti-bias education work will continue to be important. Preschool for All is likely to have an impact in that area as well. There is likely to be a continued emphasis on individual support and an increased need for personalized education programs to support children with special learning needs. I predict that many families will be seeking education with an emphasis on the outdoors and the rhythms of nature.

— Erin Cooley, enrollment director, Cedarwood Waldorf School in Lair Hill WEENO PHOTOGR APHY

10

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

MELISSA BURGESS

At the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, we pulled my toddler from day care because there was so little information available about the impact of COVID on children. That terrified me.

My son was out of day care for a year until my husband and I were vaccinated. During this time, I depended on my parents for child care. They do so much for us, but I feel so bad because it's impacted their retirement. They should be focused on travel and enjoying their free time, but COVID has ruined that for them.

— Melissa Erb Burgess, mom of a 5-month-old and 3-year-old in Montavilla

MELODY BOUL ANGER

Cost is by far the hardest and most shocking aspect of finding child care. I used to be a nanny, so we started by looking for a nanny. But now they all charge so much (they deserve it, but I wasn’t ready for the price tag), and expect sick time/PTO and health benefits. Once we finally found a day care, we ended up paying $600 more a month than we initially budgeted for, and that’s only for care three days a week.

Pro tip: Get on a wait-list as soon as you can (even if you end up going a different route in the end). It’s never too early. We’re currently touring preschools for our daughter to start at 2 ½ yrs (and she’s currently 11 months). I felt crazy for looking so early but was told by the schools that we are on track and would otherwise end up on a wait list.

— Melody Boulanger, mom of an 11-month-old in Happy Valley/Damascus

pdxparent.com

|

February 2022

11

JUNE LION

POR TL AND JEWISH AC ADEMY

If we had decided to put Davy (our 4-year-old) into a full-time preschool before COVID, it would have been necessary for us to make some changes. Preschool is expensive! The community center offers very affordable rates and excellent care, but the hours of care are limited. Davy attends six hours a week. I’d love more time to focus on my career, but because affordable care is limited, we’ll be looking at a few more years before I can contribute and help get our family in a more stable position in regard to retirement and emergency savings. That said, our challenges when it comes to child care are relatively small. We feel thankful for the ability to be flexible during the preschool and pandemic years.

— Megan Goss, mom of a 4-year-old and 9-year-old in Foster-Powell

DENISE C A ST AÑON

I would like everyone to understand the importance and value of high-quality early childhood education.

We have the opportunity and responsibility to guide children during a very critical time in their lives. The work that early childhood educators do sometimes goes unnoticed and is looked at as “day care” or “preschool,” with “real school” beginning at kindergarten. The truth be told, the foundation of a person is being established in the first three years of life. Our social and emotional selves are being explored; we learn to explore, inquire about the world around us and afar. Children are viewed as thinkers and as empathetic individuals who care for and engage with their peers and contribute to the community.

— Erika Saiers, director of early childhood education at Portland Jewish Academy in Hillsdale

The changes I’ve seen in the industry in the past five years have been an increased need for full-time preschool/ child care options due to both parents needing to work to cover the increasing costs of living. In the next five years, I see this need growing and the affordability of child care being a potential issue as well. We understand the need for affordable, dependable child care. As child care providers, we’re doing our best to meet those needs. I think those of us that are in this industry are in it because we care about the children in our community and want to provide them with the best early learning experience possible.

— Jennie Reeves, owner and educator at Blooming Garden Pre-K in Southeast Portland

MERCEDES C A STLE

The pandemic forced us to make some organizational changes that have ultimately benefited our school.

We were able to retain our pre-pandemic staff by a series of pay raises, increased benefits and by not asking too much from them. We recognized how stressful all of the COVID policies and requirements felt and did our best to start small and build up to the class sizes we have now, which are still not quite at pre-pandemic levels. … Our teachers feel well resourced and supported. We’ve instituted changes in our hours, no longer provide holiday care and we lowered our staff- to- child ratios significantly, which have increased teacher satisfaction and child outcomes.

— Mercedes Castle, Head of School, Portland Montessori Collaborative in Southwest Portland 12

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

DANIELLE TER R A Z A S

We were the family that followed all the rules, limited socialization, etc. and still got exposed at day care. Both of my girls got COVID and we had to quarantine for 20 days. It is hard relying on the fact that other families are being cautious — everyone is at a different (risk) level — and our school just has been hesitant to push too much on parents to follow the rules or mandate testing or vaccination. It’s really made it complicated to trust their decision-making on an admin level, even though we love our teachers. That exposure caused such chaos in our household for 20 plus days while my husband and I juggled work and kids on our own. We both have great jobs, but they are intense and neither of us could fully step away.

At this exact moment in life, we are now preparing to move out of our neighborhood in Northeast Portland to Lake Oswego and are having a very hard time finding a spot for our 1-½- year-old closer to our new house. I started searching and getting on lists in mid November and am holding out hope to have a spot by next fall sometime. As a backup, we can just keep her where she is at, but that will be a long drive from our new house. For my 4 ½-year-old, she’ll start kindergarten in the fall and we’ve decided to go the private school route. In light of waitlists, we got her on the list last fall, so almost 12 months ahead of when she’ll attend, and they still cannot guarantee us a spot.

— Danielle Terrazas, mom of a 4-year-old and an 18-month-old in Lake Oswego

Whatever your age, North Clackamas Aquatic Park is your destination for affordable, healthy and family-focused fun.

OUR POOLS HER ADVENTURE Find your healthy frame of mind at NCPRD.com

Visit pdxparent.com for more family fun and resources. pdxparent.com

|

February 2022

13

THE

Changema

Vision screenings in schools, in-home community supports and services for folks with disabilities, and wheelchairaccessible sidewalks are just three of the policies elected officials Sara Gelser Blouin, Sonya Fischer and Julie Parrish — all moms of disabled children — have helped to implement in our state. Read on to find out more about how their experiences as parents to kids with higher needs have impacted all Oregonians.

BY SHASTA KEARNS MOORE

Being a parent changes you. And while many elected officials have the experience of raising children, only a select few know what it’s like to raise children with significant medical issues.

These three Oregon politicians say their experience as mothers of children who require significant medical, educational and social services has had a lasting impact on them — and the policies we all live with in Oregon.

Learn more about the intersection of these two identities of state Senator Sara Gelser Blouin, Clackamas County Commissioner Sonya Fischer, and former state Representative Julie Parrish.

14

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

State Senator Sara Gelser Blouin The day that now-Senator Sara Gelser Blouin interviewed to join the Corvallis School Board, she was nursing her newborn daughter, had just adopted a second infant daughter and her 6-year-old son, Sam, was in the hospital after a spinal cord surgery that didn’t go well.

“This is what we do,” she says now, 20 years later, of mothers who raise children with extraordinary needs.

Gelser Blouin says her motherhood experiences like these have shaped her policies and the questions she asks of Oregon decision-makers.

Her experience as a social worker, serving families of disabled people, also formed her outlook. “A lot of my job was saying no and I hated it.”

She remembers a family of two physicians who cared for their child with disabilities — until they both ruined their bodies lifting and became disabled themselves. She recalls a woman in her 80s, still caring for her disabled son in his 60s, needing to get in the bathtub with him to bathe.

“It was such a defunct system because the policy really was: ‘We’re not going to help you until you’re in crisis,’” she says. “That is the stupidest public policy I’ve ever heard of.”

In the Oregon legislature, the Democratic senator and former representative has worked to push the needle on these policies. She was instrumental in passing legislation that expanded the eligibility of children for Medicaid’s Home and Community Based Service.

She also helped to create extended and modified diplomas for disabled students and several pro-disability accommodations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Gelser Blouin spearheaded Senate Bill 567, which reinforced the idea that rationing care on the basis of

kers

cookies for the kids, but had to pare down. “I just started identifying all the ‘non-negotiables’ — what I can’t miss.”

She also says that as demanding as elected office is, there is enough flexibility in it that she can attend to her children’s needs. Gelser Blouin says she often acts as her son’s direct support professional (an inhome caregiver) when there are no alternatives available.

That hands-on experience has impacted disability was illegal in Oregon. (The bill her work — the rules and laws that shape all became law this summer.)

Oregonians’ lives. In the Oregon Legislature, Her son, Sam, has Koolen-de Vries “I’m pretty regularly raising disability issues,” syndrome, a rare genetic difference that Gelser Blouin says. “Disability impacts not results in intellectual and developmental only disability services and education. It delays, among other symptoms. comes up in the workforce and — obviously, “He really struggled medically when he we’ve seen in the pandemic — it comes up in was younger,” she says. “A cold would be health care.” devastating. ... It made all the COVID things In the crisis of the pandemic, Gelser Blouin feel very, very personal.” was able to spearhead statewide provisions Gelser Blouin graduated young from for disabled people that simply wouldn’t have college and had her firstborn the day before she turned 21. “His disability was a surprise to existed otherwise, like early vaccine options for high-risk people living outside of medical us,” she says.

From the beginning, the young mother saw settings, and a law that allowed people with disabilities to have another person with how the advantages she had in time, money them at the hospital, even under COVID and education boosted Sam’s trajectory. restrictions.

“I think that’s why this issue for me is so “The entire system isn’t integrated in a way important,” she said, recalling the babies she that recognizes the complexity of humans,” saw without their parents in the neonatal she says. “It’s really anybody who doesn’t fit intensive care unit. “That just seemed so in the box, our systems aren’t designed for.” wrong to me. That’s not a choice that anyone It hasn’t been easy to juggle. Gelser Blouin should have to make, and it’s obviously not spoke of the “toxic stress” affecting her health good for the child.” and the enormous relief she felt when Sam At first, Gelser Blouin didn’t have a diagnosis for Sam. When they eventually got got vaccinated against COVID-19.

But, she says, overall she feels lucky and the right one, years later, she says it almost grateful to be her children’s mother and for didn’t matter anymore. Gelser Blouin would everything she’s experienced in raising a end up raising four children, two adopted as child with developmental disabilities. “When infants. Including a stepson from her namechanging marriage last summer, Gelser Blouin he was little, to start to see doors shut in has five children ranging in age from 12 to 27. his face that I didn’t know would be shut in the face of anyone really showed me (my So, how did she have it all? “It is a myth. privilege),” Gelser Blouin said. “As an elected Nobody does all these things,” Gelser Blouin official, I get a chance to try to adjust those says, noting that she tried in her first things.” legislative session to meal prep and bake

“The entire system isn’t integrated in a way that recognizes the complexity of humans.

It’s really anybody who doesn’t fit in the box, our systems aren’t designed for.”

— Senator Sara Gelser Blouin

County Commissioner Sonya Fischer Clackamas County Commissioner Sonya Fischer says being a mother of a child with significant disabilities has been an asset as a decisionmaker. “Having that perspective of fighting and breaking down barriers — those skills and that perspective are needed everywhere,” Fischer says. “I ask why a lot: ‘Why? Why? Why?’ Pretty soon you ‘why’ people into a solution.”

Fischer was just a teenager when her daughter, Christine, was born. She didn’t know that Christine not being able to sit up or crawl at 1 year old meant anything until a fellow college student at Warner Pacific raised alarm bells.

After the initial diagnosis of cerebral palsy, Fischer was undeterred, determined to get Christine the early intervention therapies she needed to live a relatively normal life.

But then the girl was diagnosed with seizures and it was then, at age 2, they got a brain scan that showed extensive damage. That was when Fischer’s world fell apart.

“I quit eating. I got down to 97 pounds,” she said. “I couldn’t see how she could have any value. I was so depressed.”

But Christine was still the same delightful little girl she had been before the brain scan, so, one day when her mom was crying, she put her hand on her cheek to wipe away the tears and giggled. Fischer says that moment healed her, almost instantaneously.

“I just realized: It’s all about love,” she said.

“This whole lifetime, it’s all about love. It’s all relationships. It’s all about giving and receiving love.”

After finishing up her degree in sociology, Fischer got a job in social work at Multnomah County. It was there she learned how to hone her advocacy skills and worked to break down barriers. At the time, Fischer says, Oregon was one of three states that didn’t have an in-home support program for parents.

By the time Christine was 8, that had become a major problem. One wakeful night in a string of sleep deprivation — Christine did not sleep well — Fischer went to the car with a blanket to try to get some sleep, leaving her husband to watch the kids. But pdxparent.com

|

February 2022

15

County Commissioner Sonya Fischer CONTINUED

“Being in the room where it happens — making the decisions — it’s important to have the people with the right experiences in the right rooms.” — Clackamas County Commissioner Sonya Fischer

the blanket, Fischer soon realized, was soaked in urine from Christine’s incontinence. “That’s when I realized I wasn’t going to make it,” Fischer said. She called her daughter’s case worker and told her she didn’t know what to do but she couldn’t take care of Christine anymore.

The crisis opened new doors and Christine moved to a group home.

“Everything was just so wrong with the world when Christine was young,” Fischer says. “This just could not be the way it was for other families.”

So Fischer worked to push for a Medicaid program in Oregon now called Children’s In-Home Intensive Services, which continues to this day, serving the state’s most medically involved children. In between, she raised two other children and went to law school.

“It’s now just normalized that families should have support,” she says, “and that was such a burden 30 years ago.”

It was in the early-2010s, when she was Director of State and Federal Legislative Affairs at the Oregon Department of Human Services, that Fischer realized the power of

elected officials to effect change and started to think about running for office.

“Being in the room where it happens — making the decisions — it’s important to have the people with the right experiences in the right rooms,” she says. Fischer says often the suggestions borne out of her experience as a medical mom are welcomed — just not something that other people without that experience think of.

“Christine is a guiding light to me. She inspires me every day as an elected official,” Fischer says.

Since joining the nonpartisan Clackamas County Commission, Fischer has pushed to dramatically speed up the timetable for Clackamas County to have wheelchairaccessible sidewalks, made it easier to build housing for low-income people with disabilities and spearheaded a program that offers in-home mental health services, now called Clackamas Safe+Strong.

Fischer says she was also deeply affected as a young girl by the experience of seeing her brother suffer from dystonia and schizophrenia while in-patient in a mental institution. He later committed suicide there.

She adds that being her brother’s sister and her daughter’s mother have also both given her inspiration and motivation for the work.

“There’s such pain and agony in parenting these kids with personal challenges,” she says. “I had to make the struggle count for something. It had to matter.”

Former Representative Julie Parrish Whether in or out of political office, former Rep. Julie Parrish says she has noticed a comradery among parents of children with health care challenges.

“It doesn’t matter what party you’re in,” she says.

Parrish served from 2010 to 2018 as a Republican representative of the West Linn area in the Oregon Legislature. She is currently in law school and has plans to continue pushing for her signature issue: school choice.

“My experience as a mom and the issues my kids bumped into — and having three with really different needs — really has, over the years, informed my policy choices,” Parrish says. “My three kids were definitely not cookie-cutter children who are all going to process the same and learn the same.”

“Those parents of children with disabilities — really significant disabilities — their biggest question in their mind is: ‘What happens to my kid when I’m gone?’” says Julie Parrish.

16

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

Parrish started her journey as an advocate when her three boys started school. Her son, Tucker, needed years of vision therapy and, later, had trouble dealing with the deployment of his father and needed counseling and other special accommodations in school.

While she notes that her children’s health needs weren’t as timeconsuming as they can be for some families, Parrish saw well enough how broken and disjointed the government services were for kids.

“Instead of me trying to pull my kids out of school multiple times a week to get the services they need … why can’t we infuse that kind of support through our school system?” she wonders.

Parrish says school issues became the driving force in her decision to run for office. As a member of the legislature, she pushed for vision screenings in public schools, as well as other types of screenings for physical and mental health issues.

Whether on the House Ways and Means Committee or on the House Committee on Human Services and Housing, Parrish says she was usually focused on the needs of kids and on honoring the experience of parents.

“In that window of time from birth to diagnosis to public school, mom and dad haven’t had any window to breathe and to process because they’re just busy advocating for their child,” Parrish says.

Parrish says she also spent a lot of time advocating for families in school affairs because most parents were too exhausted or too scared of retaliation. It was those experiences that led her to feel that parents needed to have more control of education dollars. “Let the parents have more say in how the dollars are spent and let the dollars follow the child,” she says. “They know what’s best for their kid. They’ve been doing this for a long time.”

Her eldest son Max is now 22 and a “high school dropout,” because ultimately he and his parents decided traditional high school — even with an Individual Education Plan — wasn’t working well for him.

He now makes six figures a year as a helicopter mechanic after graduating from Clackamas Community College.

Parrish knows she is one of the lucky ones — she sees parents struggling with bigger challenges and wants them to have more opportunities, too. “Those parents of children with disabilities — really significant disabilities — their biggest question in their mind is: ‘What happens to my kid when I’m gone?’” she says. “There’s a lot of parents out there whose kids need a lot. We budget for that in the legislature, but the dollars aren’t reaching the kids.”

Parrish sees education as the path out of many of the challenges parents face in raising children with extraordinary needs. “To me, school choice was about breaking down these walls and these silos to get kids the support that they need. The only people who have a choice in this state are the ones who can pick up and move districts or write a check for their kids to go to a private school.”

From policies big to small, Parrish says her experience as a mom has “absolutely informed my choices,” and therefore the votes she made and the policies we all live with in Oregon.

Shasta Kearns Moore is a freelance reporter and writes Medical Motherhood, a weekly newsletter dedicated to the experience of raising disabled children. Sign up at MedicalMotherhood.com. pdxparent.com

|

February 2022

17

« SPONSORED CONTENT »

A Tradition of Service How schools with a religious affiliation can help you raise the next generation of emotionally intelligent and community-minded leaders.

BY MEG ASBY

Many of Portland’s oldest and most prestigious private schools have their roots in a religious tradition. This connection brings with it an emphasis on community service and universal morals, such as kindness and respect for the dignity of all people. In order to instill these values in our future leaders, many parents are choosing schools with a rich history of community engagement and social-emotional learning.

Cathedral School, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, is known for its high-quality academic programs, and builds community service into the regular curriculum. Each month one classroom initiates a student-led, school-wide service project, including research, presentation, gathering of donations and delivery to the local organizations they support. It is not alone. There are similar programs at Portland Jewish Academy, Oregon Episcopal School, and other schools with a religious history.

The pandemic has brought to light the desperate need for mental health support in the lives of children and teens. Schools with a partnership with a religious institution are uniquely positioned to lead in this area. They are no stranger to the benefits of prayer, counseling and meditation, and are comfortable discussing the mental-health and social-emotional needs of their students. Oregon Episcopal School has a counseling and academic support team for each division, and they are progressive in their approach, “avoiding labels, judgments, and generalizations in favor of specific direct observations,” says head of school Mo

18

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

Copeland. And the regular service opportunities at these schools can help build self-esteem and foster a global perspective in students.

At Portland Jewish Academy, living out the value of tikkun olam (repairing the world), can also help repair students’ inner worlds.

Not religious yourself or concerned about dogmatic indoctrination?

Not only do these local schools accept the varied faith traditions of their students’ families, they celebrate them. “When our Jewish students can lead the chapel on Rosh Hashanah, and our Muslim students can talk about the Ramadan experience, and our Indian students can share Diwali traditions — it helps them to feel seen, to be valued, and to be known and celebrated,” says Melissa Robinson, the middle school chaplain at Oregon Episcopal School. Mo Copeland, the head of school at OES, adds, “We know the OES community is enriched by the presence of students and families from a wide variety of religious backgrounds and practices ... we thrive on the diversity of our community.”

Most schools also offer scholarships and financial support.

Check their websites for how to apply.

Most families choose these schools because they are excellent academic institutions. With their small class sizes, highly qualified instructors and funding for special programs, they offer exceptional learning environments. But for families who also want to raise emotionally intelligent adults who use their gifts to help their community and planet, these schools — with their traditions of service and respect for all people — can also provide the next generation with the moral compass to make a positive impact on their world.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS

INQUIRE TODAY

For more education options visit pdxparent.com/education

pdxparent.com

| February 2022

19

OREGON CHILDREN'S THEATRE ACTING ACADEMY Cost

$120-$390 Dates

JUNE 13 - AUGUST 26 Ages

3 - 18 Registration Deadline

1 WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS START DATE Locations

MULTNOMAH ARTS CENTER IN SW PORTLAND CURIOUS COMEDY THEATER IN NE PORTLAND ONLINE/VIRTUAL Before/After Care

NO Camp Type/Theme

PERFORMING ARTS Counselor-to-Camper Ratio

2 ADULTS PER CLASS; MAX. 15 STUDENTS PER CLASS

WHY KIDS ♥

Camp Phone

503-936-2616

OCTC.ORG/CLASSES Early Bird Discount

NO Sibling Discount

NO

OCT's Acting Academy offers classes for ages 3-18. Taught by professional teaching artists, our classes are perfect for any kiddo — from the aspiring actor, to the future comedian, to the kid ready to break out of their shell. Whether it's their first experience acting, or they are ready to take their skills to the next level, our courses will help them learn and grow as an artist and as a person, while having fun along the way!

20

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

"I left [class] feeling inspired, capable, and like my voice was worth hearing. These sessions taught me a lot about myself and who I am as a performer, which I would say was equally as important as all of the creative and technical skills that I learned."

WHY PARENTS ♥ "I loved the commitment and availability of the support staff alongside the amazing range of class teachers...it was awesome to see an experience be so engaging, rewarding, really well-structured, and all the OCT teaching brilliance shone right through."

BIG LAKE YOUTH CAMP

MAD SCIENCE Do you have a future Einstein or Marie Curie on your hands?

Send them to Mad Science Camp! Our interactive, engaging programs allow kids to explore the different fields of science in an interesting and entertaining way.

Website

PORTLAND.MADSCIENCE.ORG Early Bird Discount

YES Registration Deadline

ONE WEEK BEFORE THE CAMP Cost

$150 - $205 Dates

MANY Ages

4 - 12 Multiple Locations

PORTLAND.MADSCIENCE.ORG/ PARENTS-REGISTER-C.ASPX

YOGA PLAYGROUNDS These yoga summer camps are designed to nurture a sense of inner strength, self-esteem and happiness. Packed with playfulness, positivity and fun, each day includes a wonderful mix of poses and movement, games, mindfulness, creativity, nature exploration and art.

Website

Website

BIGLAKE.ORG Registration Deadline

TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE CAMP Cost

DEPENDENT ON SESSION CHOSEN Dates

JUNE 26 - AUGUST 12 Ages

7 - 17 Location

SISTERS, OREGON

OREGON GYMNASTICS ACADEMY

Website

YOGAPLAYGROUNDS.COM

OGAGYM.ORG

Early Bird Discount

Early Bird Discount

YES Registration Deadline

JUNE 1 Cost

$200 - $395 Dates

JUNE - AUGUST Ages

3 - 12 Location

What is the Big Lake difference? We believe it is a combination of two things: an incredible camp setting located in Central Oregon's Cascades and a first-rate staff dedicated to building relationships and fostering personal growth.

Registration opens February 6.

YES Cost

$65 - $375

OGA Summer Camps offer friends, fitness and fun all rolled into one! Each day will include hours of gymnastics instruction, educational activities designed to spark your child’s imagination, and weekly on-site themed activities.

Dates

JUNE 20-SEPTEMBER 2 Ages

4 - 12 Location

BEAVERTON

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

pdxparent.com

| February 2022

21

TRACKERS EARTH PORTLAND Website

TRACKERSPDX.COM/YOUTH/ CAMPS/SUMMER-CAMP Camp Phone

503-345-3312 Early Bird Discount

$50 OFF ALL CAMPS. THIS SPECIAL PRICE ENDS FEB 18 @ 11:59PM Ages

GRADE K-12 Before/After Care

YES Camp Type/Theme

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Guide to Camper Ratio

1 TO 8 Start and End Date

JUNE 6 - SEPTEMBER 2 Locations

PICKUP/DROPOFF IN NE, SE, SW, & WEST PORTLAND

Join Trackers Earth this Summer! Connect with friends while learning real outdoor skills with our expert Guides.

Find your adventure in wilderness survival, archery, fishing and much more. Discover why so many parents and kids choose our award-winning camps.

Register now for our Super Early Discount. Huge Summer savings! $50 off all Summer Camps. This special price ends February 18, 2022 at 11:59pm.

Please note: Camps have limited space. Early registration is recommended to secure your spot.

22

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

WHY KIDS ♥ "She's been talking non-stop for our entire walk home. Today was wonderful. She loved getting to meet new kids, especially after 18 months of the pandemic. Archery and poison dart frog game were fun."

WHY PARENTS ♥ "My kid had terrific Guides. On day one, they listened to my concerns about my son’s needs and used the information I shared — making my son’s experience that much better! They were patient and provided updates to me at pick up and drop off. My son had a great time and went from reluctant to excited. Thank you! —Courtney S. - Parent

CIRCUS THEATER CAMP Explore acrobatics, trapeze, aerial and physical storytelling in a variety of week-long camps! Full-day Camps. Halfday options may be available.

Options for all experience levels, beginning to intensive.

All camps are inclusive and accessible to students of all abilities.

Website

ECHOTHEATERPDX.ORG Early Bird Discount

YES Registration Deadline

JUNE 1 Cost

$225 - $425 Dates

JUNE 13 - AUGUST 26

THEATER AND SCHOOL

Website

NWCTS.ORG Registration Deadline

ONGOING THROUGH AUGUST 15, BUT CAMPS FILL QUICKLY! Cost

$70 - $420 Dates

Ages

6 - 16

4 - 18

Location

Multiple

VIBE OF PORTLAND ART AND MUSIC SUMMER CAMPS Website

Locations

SPRING BREAK & SUMMER

HORSE RIDING

Website

VIBEPDX.ORG

HERROLDSTABLES.COM

Early Bird Discount

Early Bird Discount

YES Registration Deadline

JUNE 20 Cost

$195 - $395 Dates

YES Registration Deadline

MARCH 15 Cost

$285

Horses are ready to ride at Spring Break Horse Camp 2022! Hands on fun grooming, saddling, and riding walk trot canter on horseback.

Group by age 3-8, 8-12, 12-15, and 15-18 years old. Spring/ Summer Camps sign up and information on website.

Dates

JUNE 20 - AUGUST 26

MARCH 21 - 24

Ages

Ages

3 - 16

3 AND UP

Multiple Locations

Location

VIBEPDX.ORG/ART-CAMPS

Whether you’re new to theater or you’re ready to enhance your acting, singing, and dancing skills, there’s something for everyone at Northwest Children's Theater and School: Voted BEST Performing Arts Classes and Camps in PDX Parent’s 2021 Readers’ Poll!

JUNE 13 - AUGUST 19

Ages

1515 SE 37TH AVE. PORTLAND

Vibe's summer camps combine creativity with fun! Exploring and imagining, children experiment with a variety of mediums to foster creative thinking and problem-solving.

Every week is a new focus, for a range of ages and levels.

NORTHWEST CHILDREN'S

HILLSBORO, OR

pdxparent.com

| February 2022

23

THE INDEPENDENT DANCE PROJECT The Independent Dance Project offers full and half day camps for kids ages 3-12.

Through a wide variety of themes, dancers will learn, explore movement and create relationships through dance.

Camps are offered in multiple styles and levels.

SOCCER SHOTS SUMMER CAMPS

Website

IDPPDX.COM

Website

Early Bird Discount

SOCCERSHOTS.COM/PDX

REGISTER BEFORE 2/15

Cost

Registration Deadline

FROM $79

NONE

Dates

Cost

JUNE - AUGUST

$140-$390

Ages

Dates

3 TO 8

Help your kiddo stay active by joining Soccer Shots for a Summer CAMP, running Monday - Thursday! Campers will develop their soccer skills, their character, and their creativity while having fun and being active.

JUNE 20 - AUGUST 18 Ages

3 TO 12 Location

SE PORTLAND

STAY TUNED FOR OUR SUMMER CAMPS ISSUE, COMING IN MARCH

Aerial Dance PDX is the new home for youth aerial arts.

Offering indoor and outdoor summer camp experiences for youth and teens.

Register now for our summer camps.

www.aerialdancepdx.com 24

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

pdxparent.com

| February 2022

25

E A R LY E D U C AT I O N G U I D E

Experience an exceptional beginning.

msb.org Nurturing individuals 3 to 12 years old with Montessori education.

26

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

E A R LY E D U C AT I O N G U I D E

pdxparent.com

| February 2022

27

fa m i ly s u p p e r

Pizza in the Wild Venture inside Pacific Crust Pizza Company downtown for inventive, delicious pizza enveloped in a fun, campout setting.

STORY AND PHOTOS

BY MEG ASBY

For more family-friendly restaurant reviews visit: pdxparent.com/ family-supper

After a trip to the Portland Art Museum, I talked my family into walking 10 blocks to Pacific Crust Pizza Company. I was intrigued by the outdoorsy, Pacific Northwest-themed menu, and curious to see if their pizza lived up to their wit. Given their commitment to local ingredients on a slow-rise crust, expectations were high.

“Expert” to me, but the flavors were subtle and mild. My 12-year-old loved it. The grown-ups chose the Traverse ($23) with blue cheese, truffle, mozzarella, corn, arugula, black pepper honey and red sauce. It was fantastic. Once they cool a bit, the pizzas are foldable and can be eaten by hand, even with the generous toppings. We also tried the garlictruffle-cheese bread ($10), with crispy sides that my kids were crazy about.

You can’t miss it, thanks to the giant Bigfoot statue at the entrance. The interior doesn’t disappoint either. The canvas tent lining the ceiling and walls, the lanterns and even the climbing cables built into the tables make you feel as if you’ve stepped out of downtown and into the great outdoors (or Pacific Crust Pizza at least a fancy yurt).

Before our pizzas arrived, however, we Company, 400 SW Broadway, received the showstopper of the lunch — the The front room has three tables, but there pacificcrustpizzaco.com.

S’mores Brownie ($4). The marshmallow is another room in the back. Pacific Crust, topping was warm, so we reasonably ate however, encourages you to eat your pizza dessert first. Don’t be fooled by the cupcake “in the wild.” It was raining and cold, and liner: it’s a dense, chocolate-forward brownie, not a cupcake. By we’d just spent 10 blocks in the drizzle, so we opted to stay dry the time we divided the treat between the four of us, our hands in the tent. (There are no high chairs on site, so bring a booster were as sticky as if we were actually camping. Pro tip: Grab extra if your child needs one.) napkins. Just as we began the meal, we ended it with another The pizza menu is divided into Easy, Intermediate and dessert: the trail mix cookie ($3), which leaned more granola bar Expert. My family has a hard time agreeing on toppings, so we than cookie in my opinion, but my husband loved the tart cherries usually order halved pizzas. They seemed willing to make it paired with the chocolate. happen for us, but it’s not something they do regularly. If you order in the “Easy” category and pick pizzas with the same base sauce, it’s manageable. But since no one but our youngest was interested in “Easy,” we ordered a slice of cheese ($4) for her and opted for two 14-inch pizzas. Our son chose our Intermediate pizza, the Mountain Goat ($24), topped with boar bacon, elk fennel sausage, mushrooms, green olives, roasted onions, mozzarella and red sauce. That honestly sounded more

Powell’s City of Books is only four blocks away, if you want to make an afternoon of it. Not excited about parking downtown?

They deliver. Pacific Crust also offers dairy-free cheese and glutenfree cauliflower crust for an extra charge ($2 for each substitution).

Both clever and delicious, Pacific Crust Pizza Company is worth a stop if you are in the neighborhood, whether you choose to eat in the tent or in the wild.

PDX Parent’s Web Content Coordinator Meg Asby is a mom of two in Southwest Portland. She is always willing to walk for pizza.

28

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

E A R LY E D U C AT I O N G U I D E

14750 SE Clinton St. Portland, OR 97236 fmes.org 503-760-8220 Franciscan Montessori Earth School

We offer a remarkably different education for children aged 2.5 to 14 years on 10 picturesque acres. Students are empowered to become confident, self motivated learners for life.

- Montessori curriculum - Small class size

- Before and after care

- Foreign Language programs

- Gardening program

6651 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, OR 97219 pjaproud.org 503-244-0126 Portland Jewish Academy

PJA’s independent preschool program focuses on creating an inclusive, engaged community. PJA’s curriculum is centered in Jewish values, and encourages inquiry-based exploration that nurtures students’ development. Full and half-day options available. Open to everyone.

-O n campus extracurricular activities

-S tate-approved Health & Safety Plan

Schedule a virtual or in-person tour of campus!

3030 SW Second Ave. Portland, OR 97201 cedarwoodschool.org/early-childhood 503-245-1477 Cedarwood Waldorf School

The most common response we get from parents visiting our early childhood program for the first time is, “I wish I could have gone to school here!”

Our pre-k and kindergarten programs feel like home. And for little ones venturing outside of their family for the first time, this warm and protective environment is just what they need to build the confidence and strength to immerse themselves in the work of early childhood: play.

Cedarwood has been supporting the developmental growth of children in preschool and kindergarten just minutes from downtown Portland since 1997.

Open to Community Since 1869, Oregon Episcopal School has prepared students for higher education and lifelong learning by inspiring intellectual, physical, social, emotional, artistic, and spiritual growth so students may realize their power for good as citizens of local and world communities.

“The teachers clearly care about students. They reach out and all know our names. It’s a really wonderful community.” —Julie, parent Admissions 6300 SW Nicol Road Portland, OR 97223 503-768-3115 oes.edu/admissions

pdxparent.com

| February 2022

29

E A R LY E D U C AT I O N G U I D E

4817 SW 53rd Ave. Portland, OR 97221 pdxmc.org 503-972-7100 Portland Montessori Collaborative

A Montessori community for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their families in the Bridlemile neighborhood of SW Portland. Founded in the spirit of environmental sustainability, we serve locally-sourced, organic home cooked snacks and meals, use cloth diapers, and educate for social justice, peace and ecological intelligence.

Our mission is to provide a loving and nurturing space for children to explore, grow, learn, and connect with other children and adults in the context of the Montessori philosophy and pedagogy. We offer an adaptive approach to early childhood education, an authentic Montessori program inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia and moved by the philosophy and teachings of Magda Gerber.

SE Portland-South Tabor Neighborhood 2936 SE 78th Ave Portland, OR 97206 Sunfernmontessori.com info@sunfernmontessori.com 503-775-1011 Sun Fern Montessori Children’s House

Celebrating 10 years of serving children and families throughout Portland.

We are a small in-home Montessori school for children ages 2.5-6 in the South Tabor neighborhood of Portland. In addition to the core curriculum based on traditional Montessori materials and lessons, children will enjoy tending to the garden, doing yoga and exploring nature. We guide with warmth and compassion and a constant eye toward creating love and respect among our little group. Please email us at info@ sunfernmontessori.com for more information or to schedule a tour. Visit our web page at sunfernmontessori.com

MICHA-EL SCHOOL 2305 S Water Ave Portland, OR 97201 Intlschool.org | admissions@intlschool.org 503-226-2496 International School of Portland

Since 1990, the International School of Portland has offered full language and cultural immersion in a warm, loving environment that encourages curiosity and kindness.

• One of only two schools in the United States to provide three full language immersion programs under one roof.

• Only program in the USA to offer Japanese immersion combined with IB PYP.

• Home to the longest-running Chinese immersion program in the Pacific Northwest.

• Dynamic English program

We are proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School!

30

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

13515A SE Rusk Rd Milwaukie, OR 97222 Micha-elschool.org michaelschooloffice@gmail.com 503-882-3322 Micha-el School

Micha-el School offers a well-rounded kindergarten through eighth grade education. Our Waldorf certified teachers provide a balanced, comprehensive curriculum that weaves academics with creativity to inspire joyful learning.

E A R LY E D U C AT I O N G U I D E

4729 SW Taylors Ferry Rd. Portland, OR 97219 villagepreschoolofportland.com 503-245-0482 Village Preschool of Portland A Cooperative Preschool

At Village Preschool, we help each child become their most authentic self. With love and acceptance, children are heard; their feelings, ideas and opinions are respected.

Play is the foundation of our curriculum because it promotes: • learning • relationship building • curiosity • confidence • self reliance

2828 SE Stephens Street Portland, OR 97214 Hawthornefamilyplayschool.org 503-313-7628 Hawthorne Family Playschool LEARNING PLAYFULLY Fostering joy, curiosity, creativity, connections, self-awareness, cooperation, critical thinking, nature enthusiasts and more!

BUILDING COMMUNITY Loving, experienced, passionate teachers partner with families in a hybrid co-op model.

PROMOTING EQUITY Nurturing relationships, problem-solving, appreciations of similarities and differences, and identities as changemakers.

3430 SW Palatine St,.

Portland, OR 97219 sproutandspark.com 503-719-4365 Sprout and Spark Preschool

We strive to spark joy, creativity, resilience, and curiosity in each child and delight in helping them grow into responsible, independent, and compassionate lifelong learners.

• Serving ages 18 months–6 years Offering a blended curriculum of: • Montessori • Reggio-Emilia • Unstructured Forest Play Guided by highly educated, experienced, professional teachers.

A Place Where Young Minds and Hearts Blossom. Now Enrolling!

• From infancy through kindergarten, building self-confidence, strong academic foundations and a lifetime love of learning.

• An integrative, balanced approach to child development utilizing a variety of proven educational philosophies.

• Inspiring mindfulness, an evidence-based technique to practice peaceful problem solving and critical thinking.

• Experienced educators with a holistic approach to help each child blossom.

• Safe, engaging learning environments with thoughtfully designed areas for collaborative learning and play.

Field Office

Downtown

2035 NW Front Ave

1405 SW Morrison Street

Portland, Oregon 97209

Portland, Oregon 97205

(971) 803-6700

(503) 374-9700

Serving students 6 weeks - 6 years TheChildrensGarden.com

pdxparent.com

| February 2022

31

time out

January 2022

Go. Play.

Explore. educate and inspire Celebrate Black History Month with Multnomah County Library’s virtual events. Nikki Brown Clown will teach a music and movement class for children on Saturday, February 19. Therapist ZaDora Williams is hosting a “Wellness and Teens” talk on Tuesday, February 8. And join Chef Michelle Guinn and Chef Sable Askew on Thursday, February 10 for a live cooking event, “Stones, Bones and Black Eyed Peas.” Feeling comfortable visiting the library in person? Thirteen libraries will have Black History Month Displays, including a Black Resource Book List and Black History Month swag. The library has invested in a rapid and intentional hiring of Black Cultural Library Advocates, who are the leaders behind these displays. Contact your local branch for more information. — Meg Asby

OWEN C AR EY

see a show

Portland aglow

JAMES AM CR AWFOR D

Keep the winter doldrums at bay with the cheerful illumination of the Portland Winter Light Festival.

The Willamette Light Brigade is bringing back this free community event, which includes pop-up art installations in spaces throughout the city. Explore Portland while letting the light from these exhibits brighten the gray days and dark nights. Friday, February 4 to Saturday, February 12. — M.A.

February is a great month for staying warm and dry in the theater.

The Oregon Symphony will show Disney and Pixar’s Coco (February 26-27) on the big screen accompanied by the live orchestra, as part of their popular “Popcorn Series.” Oregon Children’s Theatre is performing The Very Hungry Caterpillar (February 26 to April 24) for the youngest members of your family, and Without Rule of Law (February 18 to March 6), a coming-of-age dark comedy, for your teens. Broadway in Portland’s Anastasia is coming to Keller Auditorium February 8-13, and while it’s not the Disney version, this production is still appropriate for children ages 7 and up. Vampire fans in the house? You won’t want to miss Oregon Ballet Theatre’s production of Dracula (February 19-26), full of exciting special effects and powerful dancing.

— M.A.

Find more family fun on our

online calendar: pdxparent.com/events-calendar 32

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

K A T LUBER

L AN SU CHINESE GAR DEN.

light the night Your children will never forget the magic of celebrating Chinese New Year at Lan Su Chinese Garden.

Buy tickets to one of their lantern viewing evenings, and witness a 50-foot illuminated dragon procession performed by Portland Lee’s Association Dragon & Lion Dance Team. The garden will be glowing and the tea will be hot, rain or shine. Thursday, February 3 to Sunday, February, 13, 6 pm-8 pm. Tickets are $15-25, and children under 2 are free. — M.A.

date-night drop-off Sneak in an early Valentine’s date by dropping your kiddo at Sellwood Community House for Kids Night Out. Kids get to hang out with other kids, do fun activities, and nosh on pizza! While you and your partner can eat at the most non-kid-friendly restaurant you can think of — or take a power nap, no judgment here!

Friday, February 11, 6 pm-8:15 pm. Sellwood Community House, 1436 SE Spokane St. For kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. $30 per child. Find out more at sellwoodcommunityhouse.org/event/ kids-night-out.

— Denise Castañon

get in the groove For a fun night full of swingin’ moves and beautiful harmonies, head to the Aladdin Theater for Ladysmith Black Mambazo. (Joseph Shabalala, who founded the band in 1973 named it Ladysmith for his hometown, Black for the local livestock and Mambazo, the Zulu word for ax — because of the group’s sharp harmonies.) The group, known for its South African musical traditions, Zulu lyrics and familyfriendly performances, is the perfect antidote to the winter blues.

Thursday, February 10, 8 pm. Tickets are $35; proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is required for all patrons entering the theater.

Aladdin-theater.com/#shows-feed. — Tiffany Hill

Frida forever DIEGO ON MY MIND BY FRIDA K AHLO. COUR TESY OF

Kick off 2022 by showing your love to local artisans, crafters and creators at these two markets. After a year of in-person cancellations, the Winter Makers Mercado at the Portland Mercado has returned! And this market is back in a big way: Visit the Portland Mercado every Saturday this month from 11 am-3 pm for your fill of food, crafts, music and more. Facebook.com/PortlandMercado. Or hit up the popular Portland Night Market on Friday and Saturday, February 11-12. Like the name suggests, this free, evening market takes place every quarter from 4 pm-11 pm. It features more than 100 vendors, so there’s bound to be something to please everyone in your family.

Pdxnm.com.

— T.H.

THE JACQUES AND NA T A SHA GELMAN COLLECTION

support remarkable makers

Fans of the iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo are in for a treat! Portland Art Museum will be hosting the Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism exhibit starting this month.

The exhibit features more than 150 works, including paintings and works on paper collected by Jacques and Natasha Gelman alongside photographs and period clothing. In addition to pieces from Kahlo and Rivera, you can also soak up works from Manuel and Lola Álvarez Bravo, Miguel Covarrubias, and other key artists from the Mexican Modernism movement. Saturday, February 19 to Sunday, June 5. Adult admission: $25; seniors and college students: $22. Members and children 17 and younger are free. Timed-entry slots must be reserved for the Frida Kahlo exhibit. Find out more at portlandartmuseum.org. — D.C. Be sure to confirm the most

up-to-date

info with event

organizers before heading out. pdxparent.com

|

February 2022

33

OPEN HOUSE

Expanding Minds, Nurturing Spirits, Stewarding the Earth •

Small class size

•

Pre-K to 8th grade

•

Earth experiences

•

Foreign language programs

•

Before and after care

•

10 acres campus with extensive gardens Visit

www.FMES.org to schedule a

virtual or in-person

TOUR!

www.FMES.org | 503-760-8220 | Portland, Oregon 97236-2316

Tucker Maxon School Now accepting applications for 2022

Open Houses

3/16 4PM

4/21 4PM

5/11 5PM

Preschool to 5th grade.

Academic excellence, and social and emotional intelligence. All at one school.

More info at tuckermaxon.org/enrollment 34

February 2022

|

pdxparent.com

MICHA-EL SCHOOL

Weaving academics with creativity to inspire joyful learning!

OPEN HOUSE

March 19th, 2022 10am–12pm

(503) 882-3322 www.micha-elschool.org 13515A SE Rusk Rd, Milwaukie OR 97222

Visit our school open house calendar for

current open houses: pdxparent.com/school-open-houses.

OPEN HOUSE

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS The Choice that Makes a Difference!

Academic Excellence • Faith Formation • Rich Co-Curricular Activities • Before and After School Care Registered and Recognized by the State of Oregon • Accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA)

SAVE THE DATE:

All Saints School

Family Festival

601 NE Cesar E Chavez Blvd., Portland, OR 97232 503-236-6205 | allsaintsportland.com

PDX Parent's is back on,

June 18, 2022,

Oaks Amusement Park, 10am-2pm.

Accepting applications for the 22–23 school year

Cathedral School Accepting applications now for the 22–23 school year Virtual Open House: cathedralschoolopenhouse.org School tours by appointment 110 NW 17th Ave., Portland , OR 97209 503-275-9370 | cathedral-or.org

Holy Cross Catholic School Apply now for the 2022–2023 school year Open House 2022: January 30 10:30 am–1:30 pm 5202 N. Bowdoin St., Portland, Oregon 97203 503-289-3010 | holycrosspdx.org/school

St. Clare School Accepting applications now for the 22–23 school year!

Virtual Open House: stclarepdx.org/openhouse 1807 SW Freeman St., Portland, OR 97219 503-244-7600 | stclarepdx.org

St. John the Apostle Catholic School Open Enrollment Open House 2022: Feb. 8, 5–7 pm 516 Fifth St., Oregon City, OR 97045 503-742-8230 | sja-eagles.com

St. Rose School Accepting applications now for the 22–23 school year!

Visit strosepdx.org to apply online or watch our virtual open house.

5309 NE Alameda St., Portland, OR 97213 503-281-1912 | strosepdx.org

The Madeleine School - Grades K-8 Now Enrolling | Financial aid available

3240 NE 23rd Ave., Portland, OR 97212 503-288-9197 | themadeleine.edu/school

pdxparent.com

| February 2022

35