PDX Parent November 2024 by PDX Parent

The rise of AI in SCHOOLS

A Generation of Oregon Lottery Funding

A little bit of Lottery play adds up to good things for Public Education

Oregon's students are heading back-to-school, which may bring back memories of your own educational experiences. Growing up in the 90's, you may have laced up a pristine pair of high-tops, a blue canvas binder with some scented pencil erasers tucked into your pencil pouch and a fresh strategy to reach the end of "The Oregon Trail" (gotta start as a doctor). And if you grew up in Oregon, your school received funding support driven by Oregon Lottery game play.

A Little Bit of Fun Makes a Big Difference

Since 1995, Oregon Lottery transfers have added up to more than $10 billion to help support public schools across the state. In 2022 alone, Multnomah County’s public schools received more than $63 million in Lottery proceeds. Those dollars help to provide a multitude of benefits for every public school across the state. Students, educators and support staff receive greater access to modern tools, resources and experience that help light up learning for the next generation of Oregonians. It’s a little bit from each player, but it adds up to a big difference for students and educators.

You’re Part of a Tradition

Since 1995, Oregon Lottery has helped fund schools in your community. Next time you grab a Powerball ticket or a Scratch-it, you’re helping support public schools in your neighborhood and across the entire state.

Much has changed since 1995. One thing that hasn’t? A few dollars of lottery game play from many Oregonians adds up to a big difference for public education.

Get in the holiday spirit with wintry road trips to these charming towns that go all out for the season. By

Catherine Ryan Gregory.

about a

Robin Lanehurst.

noodles in North Portland, plus a cool treat for dessert a short walk away.

Denise Castañon.

pretend play opportunities at this new indoor playspace in Vancouver.

the

Times Change

There’s one thing all parents know — things change fast. One day your squishy little baby can barely hold their head up, you blink and they are suddenly running through the house, bravely exploring their domain on wobbly legs. The next thing you know, they are giving you the middle-school stink eye, then driving, then going to college.

What is your family’s favorite winter or holiday tradition?

Things change fast, and that’s true when it comes to our kids’ education, too. Think about your own school experience and how it compares to your child’s. For this year’s annual Education Issue, writer Robin Lanehurst takes an in-depth look at what feels like one of the biggest changes in recent years — the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI). The thing is, most of us have been using AI tools for some time already (think spell check and autocorrect). But ChatGPT has changed the landscape again. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Teaching with Tech on page 20 sheds light on how educators and administrators are making AI work best for them and teaching students how to use the new technology responsibly. It’s a really interesting read! And be sure to check out the helpful listings starting on page 25 to explore all your local education options. And with so much changing in our world, it feels comforting to celebrate tried

and true winter holidays and traditions. Whether that’s lighting a menorah, decorating a Christmas tree or reciting the hilarious quotes from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I find myself jokingly saying Ellen Griswold’s line “Audrey … it’s Christmas — and we’re all in misery” at least once every holiday season. If your family tradition is to take a family trip over winter break, we’ve got a list of the most festive and “hap-hap-happiest” destinations in the Pacific Northwest on page 14. And if it’s not, you’ll want to make it one after reading about these spots where your family can eat gingerbread cookies, watch whales, take a train ride with Santa’s helpers, or see bright lights shining during dark nights.

So change isn’t all bad. Your child picking up a new motor skill, finding a new way to learn in school or making new winter memories — that’s all good.

After Christmas Eve dinner, the kids (youngest are now 14!) and believer adults bundle up and go for a walk around the neighborhood looking for the lights of Santa’s sleigh. Upon return we gather around the tree to open gifts.

For 17 years we’ve been doing a Turkey’s Last Trot “relay race” on Thanksgiving. It’s more about the crazy costumes than running. Some years we pass each other a defrosting turkey, some years we toss a fake, inflatable turkey. Either way, there’s always a lot of laughing!

My husband is Jewish so we host family and friends one night during Hanukkah. We make loads of latkes, play games and light the candles.

We love enjoying the beautiful displays at ZooLights each year!

We do one of those fabric calendars with the pockets for DIY tokens with family activities written for each day. The kids take turns choosing the day’s token and it could be anything from “drink hot cocoa” to “do something kind for someone.”

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Preschool, Kindergarten & Childcare Center 4845 SW Murray Boulevard, Beaverton, OR 97005 503-644-1466 | sunshine-montessori.com

Ages: 2 years through Kindergarten

Hours: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm (Mon - Fri)

• Locally owned and operated

• Serving the community since 1996

• Qualified & consistent staff

• Snacks & lunch prepared and served daily Visit pdxparent.com for the latest info on holiday tree lightings and parades, twinkling light displays, visits with Santa and u-cut tree farms!

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Ages: Infant through Kindergarten Hours: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm (Mon - Fri)

Early Learning School 14950 SW Osprey Drive, Beaverton, OR 97007 503-579-0600 | childs-place.com

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• Large outdoor play areas

Preschool, Kindergarten & Childcare Center 17650 SW Alexander Street, Aloha, OR 97003 503-591-9660 | www.mayflower-montessori.com

Ages: Infant through Kindergarten

Hours: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm (Mon - Fri)

Top 5: Places to Volunteer This Thanksgiving

Giving back is good to do any time of the year, but there’s something about volunteering during the holidays that feels extra impactful. Here are five places across the Portland area to volunteer with the family around Thanksgiving. 1. Blanchet House. Volunteer at home (especially great for families with younger kids) by making hygiene kits or sack lunches. Blanchethouse.org 2. Oregon Food Bank. Kids ages 8 and up, along with their grown-ups, can help organize, sort and pack donated food at the nonprofit’s Northeast warehouse. Oregonfoodbank.com 3. Potluck in the Park. Serving free, hot meals every Sunday — rain or shine — at the North Park Blocks, this organization serves 400 to 600 folks weekly. Volunteers must be at least 12 to volunteer for the Sunday meal service. Potluckinthepark.org 4. Sunshine Division. Thanks to a partnership with Safeway Albertsons, this year the nonprofit will be delivering meals to 2,000 households the week of Thanksgiving. Volunteers can help sort and pack these Thanksgiving meal boxes at the Wilsonville warehouse. Sunshinedivision.org 5. Meals on Wheels People. The organization makes giving back simple with its Donate Dinner program. From November 20-27, volunteers will be at New Seasons locations soliciting meal donations for homebound, older adults. Last year, shoppers donated over $425,000. Mowp.org/donate-dinner

— Tiffany Hill

For more ways to volunteer with your family, visit pdxparent.com/family-friendly-volunteering-portland.

Playlist: Howling Good Time

If indie folk rock is your jam, Little Coyotes new album Songs to Howl & Sing will be on repeat for your preschoolers. There’s plenty of sneaky education worming its way into little ears with songs I Love All the Months, Shapes Are Everywhere and AEIOU. But the album’s vibe is sweet and mellow — the musical equivalent of a prairie dress, floppy felt hat and macrame vest. There’s also plenty of celebration of exploring nature as a family and reverence for the natural world. If your family has ever seen the wondrous blue of Crater Lake or magnificent reds of Bryce Canyon, you’ll appreciate the song National Parks. Songs Little Adventure and Little Campfire also salute the outdoors. Part Schoolhouse Rock!, part mellow ’60s folk music, Songs to Howl & Sing shines bright as a fun and educational album for young children. Calheightsmusic.com/littlecoyotes — Denise Castañon

We Recommend: New Local Book

You may be familiar with Blanchet House for the meaningful work its staff and volunteers do throughout Portland for our unhoused neighbors. And now there’s a children’s book about it! Toby Finds a Home tells the story of Toby, the orange tabby who befriends the staff and clients at Blanchet House. The book is co-authored by Julie Showers, who is the nonprofit’s communications and public relations director, and her mom, Marie. It’s a sweet story about the importance of helping others, and a great way to talk to kids about homelessness.

Proceeds from Toby Finds a Home ($19.95) benefit Blanchet House. Order one online at blanchethouse.org/product/childrens-book-tobyfinds-a-home. —T.H.

miss a reading of this book on Saturday, November 16

Ask Dr. Baynham: Vitamin D Supplements

Q: Do my kids need to take Vitamin D supplements? Should they take them all year?

A: Vitamin D is important for bone health, especially in growing children, and has been linked to immune health and mental health. It helps bones absorb calcium and phosphorous (minerals which make them harden). It is made in the skin from sun exposure and is found in a few foods. Studies have shown that around 15% of children from infants to adolescents are deficient in vitamin D. This is partly due to the increased use of sunscreen. To compensate, it is recommended to supplement with vitamin D all year long.

In younger children, vitamin D deficiency can lead to a disease called rickets where the bones are too soft. Rickets can be diagnosed with a physical exam (leg bowing), X-rays and lab tests showing low vitamin D. Signs of vitamin D deficiency in older children and adolescents include bone fractures or sometimes depression.

Infants need 400 IU of vitamin D daily through 12 months old. At 12 months, the dosage increases to 600 IU daily.

Formula-fed infants still need 400 IU daily until they are drinking around 28 to 32 ounces of formula per day. Vitamin D comes in a liquid form for infants and there are lots of chewable and gummy options for older kids and adolescents.

Luckily for us in Oregon, the sun isn’t the only source of vitamin D. Foods that are good sources include dairy, salmon, tuna, shitake mushrooms and eggs. (All the kid faves!) Some nondairy milks and cereals may also be fortified with vitamin D, so it’s important to check the label.

Back to what I said above — it is still very important to use sunscreen since UV exposure remains the number one preventable cause of skin cancer. Keep up the great work with sun protection and just make sure you’re adding in a vitamin D supplement, especially during Pacific Northwest winters.

Pediatrician, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and mom of two, Allison Baynham, M.D., knows what it takes to raise healthy, resilient children. Come bond, share your struggles and team with her for great care at Metropolitan Pediatrics in Tigard.

GAIL PARK

Don’t

at Powell’s on Burnside.

BLANCHET HOUSE

Chalkboard: Measuring Kids’ Well-being

Oregon is home to over 860,000 children under the age of 18. Each year, the Annie E. Casey Foundation partners with Our Children Oregon and crunches the numbers on the well-being of children in our state and compares them to the rest of the country. For overall children’s well-being, Oregon held the same spot of 26th as in 2023, again ranking in the bottom half of states. But there are a few bright spots for 2024: Oregon jumped up one spot in economic well-being of its children from 30th to 29th. And also squeaked up in education from 44th to 43rd. Oregon also ranks relatively high in the family and community measurement at 16th, the same spot it occupied last year.

with unmet mental health needs 16.1%

Students lacking stable housing 3.3%

Washington overall wellbeing 14th spot

That said, the state of Washington, again, outperformed Oregon in every metric, jumping up two spots for overall children’s wellbeing to 14th in the country. Most notably, Washington state ranks 26th in education and 4th in health and wellness of its children.

But another bit of good news for Oregon: Our Children Oregon uses the yearly data to determine areas children in our state need the most help and then advocates with the state legislature for policy change. Last year 8 out of 10 of their legislative priorities passed, including more funding for

Employment Related Day Care (ERDC), rental assistance to keep families in their homes, and early childhood special education. Ourchildrenoregon.org/publications/national-kids-count — D.C.

Kid to Know: The Cancer Researcher

Few teenagers can say they’ve been studying cancer … for years. But 17-year-old former Westview High School student Ekansh Mittal can. In sixth grade, his science teacher Dr. Duncan took students to OHSU’s Primate Center to conduct wet-lab experiments. As a sixth grader, Ekansh proposed a project to test if natural herbs and spices impacted the growth of bacteria. “Dr. Duncan approved my proposal, so I got a very early exposure to microbiology techniques like pipetting and lab safety,” says Ekansh. “I had a ton of fun with this first project, and it set the foundation for everything that came after.”

Everything that came after includes being named a winner of the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes award, which comes with a $10,000 prize. Ekansh was awarded the prize for his extraordinary scientific research on personalized cancer treatments to target genes, which he started when he was 14. Using machine learning, he developed a way to identify genes

responsible for resistance to cancer-fighting drugs and created an original 3D model to validate the effectiveness of targeting these genes. Ekansh found his method was significantly more effective than traditional chemotherapy in killing cancer cells while safeguarding healthy cells. His methodology could improve individual patient treatment plans as well as the process by which drugs are selected for clinical trials. Ekansh was 15 when he first published his research and has since presented it at the American Association for Cancer Research conference.

Not only that, he founded STEMUniverse.net, which provides science and math workshops to underserved students in five countries. Ekansh is currently a student at Stanford University and plans to study computer science.

“Research was always exciting since I was always learning and doing something new,” says Ekansh. “I also participated in research competitions, including the International Science and Engineering Fair and Regeneron Science Talent Search, so I aimed to do well in these competitions. Finally, I felt I was doing my part to contribute to society, giving me a sense of fulfillment. All these factors motivated me to continue research throughout my teenage years and beyond.” — D.C.

SOURCE: Our Children Oregon/Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT databook 2023/2024

EKANSH MITTAL

Good Deeds: Supporting Our Teachers

Parents and educators know that the annual school supply shopping trip can quickly get pricey. In 1999, the nonprofit Schoolhouse Supplies was established to offset that burden by providing free school supplies.

It continues to fulfill its mission — nearly $55 million in donated supplies to date — with two programs. It’s oldest, and the heart of the organization, says executive director Alice Forbes, is The Free Store. Educators at eligible schools in the Centennial, David Douglas, Gresham-Barlow, Parkrose, Portland Public and Reynolds school districts can shop year-round at the nonprofit’s “store” in the Parkrose neighborhood. (Schools qualify when 50% or more of the students qualify for the National School Lunch Program.)

The Free Store has everything teachers need for their students, from everyday essentials like pencils, pens, notebook paper and binders, to art supplies and fun extras like classroom decor and small toys and objects used for rewards.

The store also stocks reading books and office supplies like printer ink. Schoolhouse Supplies’ newer program, Tools for Schools kickstarts each new school year by equipping students with a backpack stuffed with new supplies. Forbes says this school year, 27 schools with a combined enrollment of 10,000 students participated in the Tools for Schools program.

Kids ages 12 and older can volunteer by sorting through donated supplies and stocking The Free Store shelves. Schoolhousesupplies.org — T.H.

Parents to Know: Story App Creators

If you stall out at “once upon a time” when telling your child bedtime stories, the new Paramithi app developed by local parents Kaya Keutler and Raphael Kirchgaessner of Inventiraya Studios will have you double clicking, double quick.

“I have tried to come up with my own stories, but it has been very challenging to come up with a good and engaging story on the fly,” says Keutler. “That’s when it came to me that if I had a starting point, I’d be able to continue from there, which is how Paramithi was born.”

The app ($.99 for iPhone or iPad) features an array of engaging story starters tailored for children ages 2 to 8. The story prompts are designed to spark creativity, offering both parents and children a launchpad for telling captivating stories and come in 11 categories including fairytale, mythology, Black history and outer space. The ideas are conveniently categorized by age as well.

The app currently has more than 400 story starters in English; and Keutler plans to add new story ideas monthly. Story starters are available in three languages: English, Greek and German. The couple hopes to eventually include additional languages and develop an Androidcompatible version as well. Inventirayastudios.com — D.C.

RAPHAEL

Kangmi Kim and Ruby Mae Lefebvre

Peddecord

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Juliette Ochoa | Photo by Christopher Peddecord

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Tinsel Towns

Pack the kids in the car and road trip to these Pacific Northwest towns that go all-out for the holidays.

BY CATHERINE RYAN GREGORY

There may be no place like home for the holidays, but when you’re looking to bust out of a cabin fever-y rut — without braving the gauntlet of the airport — plan a trip to one of these PNW destinations. We’ve found five holly, jolly locations that go big and bold with winter festivities.

Leavenworth, Washington

Did you know that many Christmas traditions originated in Germany? Whether you celebrate this winter holiday or just want an excuse to eat an obscene amount of gingerbread cookies, you don’t have to cross the Atlantic. Simply head to Leavenworth, the Bavarian-themed town in Washington.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES:

From Thanksgiving through December, Christmastown brings near-constant festivities to Leavenworth’s quaint downtown. Say hi to Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph, sing along to live music and carolers, listen to a holiday-themed read-aloud and craft a souvenir to take home. Admire the gabled roofs and decorative balconies of the area’s shops, then check out the pint-sized architectural displays of the gingerbread house exhibition in the Leavenworth Festhalle. Take a spin through the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum (kids can do a scavenger hunt) or simply stroll outside among the half-million lights that adorn downtown. Pro tip: Traffic and parking can be as stressful as assembling a million-piece toy before your kids melt down, so park behind the Safeway and ride the free Link Bus. Baby, it’s cold outside, but you’ll still love visiting Sven and his buddies, and warming up around the campfires at the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm (advance tickets required, from $40). Dash through the snow on a sleigh ride with Icicle Outfitters or Eagle Creek Ranch. Or head to the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club for sledding, tubing, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing (from $13).

EAT: Transport your taste buds to Bavaria at the Andreas Keller Restaurant, which hosts live music (cue the euphonium!) and serves traditional fare like pretzels and sausages as well as a gluten-free menu. Blow your kids’ minds with a Coned Bros. “pizza cone” — handheld cones of pizza dough filled with sauce, cheese and your fave fixings. Finish off a meal with a visit to the Gingerbread Factory, which bakes much more than molassesfilled treats.

STAY: Splurge on a family-friendly cabin booked via Love Leavenworth or your favorite home rental platform. Stay mere minutes from Christmastown events at the pet-friendly Evergreen Inn. Or plunge into the year-round outdoor pool before getting cozy in the Bavarian Lodge’s rooms and family suites.

Silverton, Oregon

Best known as the gateway to Silver Falls State Park, Silverton also gets a major glow-up in the winter.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES: The Silverton Christmas Market, held outside in The Oregon Garden, is undoubtedly this town’s seasonal main attraction. With more than a million lights, the event brightens up even the dreariest winter night. Sip a hot cocoa or traditional mulled wine while you stroll past the light displays (most paths are ADA-accessible), buy treats and gifts from independent vendors, zoom down a snowless tubing hill and put in a good word with Santa. Pay for entry and parking ahead of time online.

During the day, check out the public Christmas tree in Town Square Park and burn off steam at All Abilities

Park or Coolidge McClaine Park. Walk all or a section of the self-guided tour of the town’s murals, many of which celebrate Silverton’s history (silvertonmuralsociety. org). Or take a hike at Silver Falls State Park, which runs a Winter Festival with guided nature hikes, winterthemed crafts and outdoor education most years (check friendsofsilverfalls.net for details, free with park entry, $5 per car).

EAT: When your crew gets hungry, pick one of the many restaurants along N Water Street. Our picks: People’s Taphouse (wood-fired pies come in mini sizes in case some folks want conventional toppings and others want something more adventurous, like the lemon pizza) and the local favorite Mac’s Place (kid-pleasing pub fare can be leveled-up; think elk burgers and tots with marionberry ketchup).

STAY: The Oregon Garden Resort offers complimentary breakfast, great happy hour bites at the Fireside Lounge and a package that includes admission to the Silverton Christmas Market. Pets are welcome in some rooms. Your furry friends can also sleep with you at the Silverton Inn & Suites, which offers some rooms with kitchenettes and lots of space for families that need to stretch out.

Ashland, Oregon

Ashland packs a cultural punch throughout the year, including the winter months, making this town well worth the 4.5-hour drive from Portland.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES: Ashland’s Festival of Light kicks off in November and lasts through the end of the year. The celebration starts with a tree lighting and parade the Friday after Thanksgiving, then fills the calendar with holidaythemed performing arts, including carolers and pop-up concerts downtown. Enjoy the roughly million lights strung throughout this Southern Oregon town and join the Chabad Jewish Center of Southern Oregon’s Public Menorah Lighting during Hanukkah. Or meet Santa during one of his many public appearances and grab a ticket to A Gospel Christmas produced by the Rogue Valley Symphony.

To take advantage of chilly days, skate your heart out at the Rotary Centennial Ice Rink in Lithia Park or strap on your skis, snowboard or snowshoes at the Mt. Ashland Ski Area. Kids 6 and under get free lift tickets! For those of you who are more indoor cats, explore interactive science exhibits at the ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum. Pro tip: The museum is free to OMSI members — just show your membership card — and starts at $10.50 without. Or go all-out with the sprinkles at the Ashland Food Co-op’s annual Cookie Party (December 14, free with food bank donation).

EAT: Fuel a day of fun at Morning Glory, where you’ll order homey favorites like sourdough pancakes, house-smoked salmon scrambles and crepes. Enjoy Saturday morning live tunes alongside breakfast like challah french toast and pastries at La Baguette Music Cafe. Just don’t blame us if your kids sing 99 Bottles of (Root) Beer on the Wall for days after eating personal pizzas, pretzel bites and fish tacos at Caldera Brewing, with its display of countless bottles above the fabulously purple dining area.

STAY: Rest up in the budget-friendly Stratford Inn within sight of Grizzly Peak — and remember to pack your swimming suits to take advantage of the pool. Go retro-kitsch at The Palm’s quirky cottages, some of which include kitchenettes. Or stay a stone’s throw away from Lithia Park at the schmancy Ashland Springs Hotel

Newport, Oregon

We love the Oregon Coast in the winter: all the big-wave beach drama without the crowds and traffic. It’s perfect for a holiday-themed change of scenery!

FAMILY ACTIVITIES: Wander among larger-than-life, lit-up sea lions, jellyfish, sharks and more at the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s Sea of Lights ($10/person; free with same-day aquarium admission). The aquarium’s Passage of the Deep is open during this evening event, which runs on Fridays and Saturdays throughout December.

Sneak a peek of the Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, December 7 at 5 pm, in which decorated watercraft circle Yaquina Bay. Or buy tickets to the musical and sketch comedy performance The Christmas Show (December 20-22) or the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life (December 6-22), both at the Newport Performing Arts Center

During the day, head to Artsea Craftsea to DIY a gift; you can choose from ceramics, paintings and other craft projects. Then button up your rain coat and find an Oregon Whale Watch volunteer at Yaquina Head Lighthouse, who can help you spot gray whales migrating south December 27-31.

EAT: Bring your appetite to the newly opened Wilds Taphouse, where you can order a variety of smoky BBQ meats and sides to share family-style (Thursdays to Saturdays). Or eat kid-friendly pub fare like burgers, tots and tacos alongside vibrant sea-themed murals at the Newport Brewing Company near the Historic Bayfront. Whatever you do, don’t skip the cinnamon rolls at the Blue Pig Bakery

STAY: We love snagging a home rental in this Central Oregon Coast town (Nye Beach is a walkable, beach-hugging neighborhood). Or dive into the indoor saltwater pools in the Best Western Plus Agate Beach Inn and the Embarcadero Resort Hotel

Hood River, Oregon

Forget the North Pole. This Columbia River Gorge town is one of the most happening spots for the holidays.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES: At the top of the Hood River holiday bucket list: a jolly joyride on Mt. Hood Railroad’s Polar Express (from $49). Carol-singing elves, complimentary hot cocoa and a visit from Mr. Claus himself round out the 1.5-hour-long trip. To feast your eyes on holiday lights, stop by the Columbia Gorge Hotel’s Festival of Lights to see allwhite bulbs sparkle against the snow.

During the daylight, stop by Christmas on the Farm at Cedar Creek Alpacas, where you can walk around the decorations and, of course, make new four-legged friends. (Reindeer, eat your heart out!)

When you’ve had your fill of holiday events, snowshoe through the winter wonderland. We love the trails at Pocket Creek SnoPark, which is about a half-hour drive from Hood River, for the snow-draped firs and mostly flat trails ideal for little legs. You can rent gear from Doug’s Hood River.

EAT: We love the wood-fired pizza at Solstice and the kids’ menu at pFriem (nom on their house-made Nutella-like spread with apples or spoon it directly into your mouth — we won’t judge).

STAY: Cozy up in the historic Hood River Hotel, where you and your pets are within shouting distance of downtown restaurants and shops. For families who love to swim, book the Best Western Plus (with a heated outdoor pool and many rooms that overlook the Columbia) or the Hampton Inn & Suites (with an indoor pool and a free hot breakfast).

You can find Catherine Ryan Gregory exploring the PNW and beyond with her two kids, husband and dogs, Finn and Holly. She’s the author of three family travel books, including the Amazon best-seller Road Trip Games & Activities for Kids. Check out more of her family travel recommendations at ToAndFroFam.com

Teaching with T e ch

How educators are cautiously embracing AI use in the classroom.

BY ROBIN LANEHURST

Imagine: a new technology is introduced into your child’s classroom. Many are concerned that it will be used incorrectly, or that it will harm students. Studies are in progress, but the outcomes are unknown. Some are quick to embrace this new technology, hoping it will motivate students and provide real-world learning; others worry it will replace practical skills and undermine students’ mastery of material.

The year? 1975. The technology? The calculator.

In 2024, the same paragraph could have been written about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Broadly, AI is any technology that simulates human thinking — like problem-solving or decision-making. Its newest iteration, generative AI, can create original images, text and video.

We know what happened with the calculator — it became ubiquitous. But as Carrie Foster, the K-12 curriculum coordinator at David Douglas School District, shared, it took seven years for Facebook to hit 50 million users, but only five weeks for ChatGPT to reach that milestone. This is a big sign that parents, teachers and students in the Portland area should be prepared for AI to follow the calculator’s trajectory — and much more quickly.

Last year, the Oregon Department of Education released a guidance document regarding AI in schools. As of now, only a handful of districts across the state have adopted their own use guidelines for AI, including Tigard-Tualatin, Eugene and Medford.

We spoke to educators across the Portland area to understand how AI is being used in local classrooms — and whether the benefits outweigh the challenges posed with this new technology.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE CLASSROOM

According to Don Wolff, Chief Technology Officer in Portland Public Schools, AI isn’t new. Tools that we associate with AI, like spell-check and translation functions have been used in schools “for decades.” What’s new are large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. Because the most popular AI chatbots are restricted to age 18+, they aren’t available for students to access on district Chromebooks.

Programs that students already use day to day, like Adobe Creative Suite, Google Suite and Canva have updated AI capabilities: Students can activate predictive text in Google Docs, for example, or ask Canva to “create a background for me.”

Chris Brida, the Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Portland Public Schools, is working with CTE and Advanced Placement (AP) teachers to integrate AI into their classrooms in focused, strategic ways. “Instead of giving [students] the whole library,” he says, “we’re focusing on a single book.” His department is launching a pilot program next semester for interested AP teachers using a platform called Magna Education, which utilizes the questions and answers from previous AP tests to create tests, and score them, in turn offering a more targeted practice for students. Another program, Packback, is an AI writing tool that pushes students to ask more engaging, rigorous questions during class discussions and group work.

Younger learners, like the elementary students in David Douglas School District, are also accessing AI. While language arts teachers are doing small group lessons, the students who aren’t working face-toface with their teacher can engage in an AI-based program that offers additional “micro-instruction” based on their individual needs. Teachers can then pull reports of each student’s work and use that data to target instructional plans.

USING AI TO LEARN

Carrie Foster describes a common scenario that many students face: “My teacher is busy talking to someone right now, but I need help with this answer — I don’t want to sit here waiting for them.” Now, students can ask AI for the help they need, then follow up with a teacher. Instead of using a search engine to deliver the answer, educational AI programs can help tutor a student by asking the same kinds of questions a teacher might.

Self-learning has also helped Christine Walker’s students. A German language teacher at McMinnville High School, Walker’s classes are part of a program called Modern Classrooms Project, which is a system that focuses on self-paced curriculum, among other strategies. This element of her classroom has greatly benefited from AI technology, because students can use it to learn new material ahead of the class and to access individualized support depending on where they are in the curriculum. Walker emphasizes the use of AI as a “conversation partner” for her students to bounce ideas off of, practice their language skills, and direct their own learning.

This functionality has also made a huge difference for homeschoolers. Portland parent, Amy Simpson homeschools her 7-year-old daughter, Rosie, who is autistic and struggled to function in a school setting, to the point of experiencing suicidal ideation. Simpson uses ChatGPT to do “deep dives into [her daughter’s] super niche interests” in a conversational, child-led way to expand her learning into various subjects. She says that AI has helped Rosie grow her knowledge and skills at her own pace, and that Rosie is currently co-authoring a series of ghost stories with “Jack Pitty,” as she calls ChatGPT.

HOW AI AIDS TEACHERS

Any teacher will tell you that time is on the forefront of their mind, and AI technology has the ability to make huge impacts on teacher efficiency. “Teachers don’t have time to scour the internet,” says Chris Brida. Christine Walker echoes this, emphasizing that she wants to “spend teaching time on being with students,” not on administrative tasks.

Debbie Brockett, the Superintendent of McMinnville School District, says that rather than turning over lesson planning and

assessment writing entirely to AI, “we need teacher’s minds and creativity and thoughts” to partner with technology in efficient ways so that teachers can be “more impactful with less time.”

Changing the lexile, or reading-level of a text, or translating material entirely into a different language is another task that AI can tackle. Brockett remembers having to do these tasks by hand as a young teacher. Nowadays, AI can quickly adjust material while not taking away from the content or rigor of the assignment.

Walker takes this one step further, asserting that her ability to effectively translate material for Spanish-speaking families allows her to “foster those connections and build human contact” for a community that has traditionally experienced exclusion in the school system. AI can also support teacher efficiency in the classroom. Students can get instant feedback on assignments, or be reminded of key information, so teachers can focus on instruction. And when it comes to teacher learning, Carrie Foster explains how her district has begun to use AI-generated transcripts of meetings and professional developments, to provide asynchronous learning opportunities.

THE CHALLENGES OF AI

Since ChatGPT’s release in fall 2022, the growth of similar programs has been exponential. This poses a near impossible undertaking for teachers and school districts: keeping up. “Trying to stay just a half a step ahead is challenging,” says Foster. Rapid changes can be disorienting for students as well as teachers, even seemingly innocuous ones.

Rosie Simpson still isn’t used to ChatGPT’s new “voice.” “I’m really sad that they took Sky away,” she says. “It was like she lost a real connection,” adds her mom, Amy.

Finding a balance between due diligence and falling behind the curve of technological advancements is an ever-evolving task. Brockett says she doesn’t want her teachers to feel burdened by a directive to use AI, instead hoping that they will be simply “willing to dabble.”

Teachers are also aware of just how difficult it is to prepare students for a world

and workforce that will use technology in ways we can’t even imagine. Today’s students will need skill sets that are “different than what we’re used to,” says Foster. “We need to start thinking about the future.”

Although this technology continues to improve, Don Wolff points out that sometimes you can input a reasonable question into an LLM and get a “ridiculous, foolish response.” This is called a hallucination. These kinds of errors, along with biases and historically inaccurate information, pose a huge challenge in the use of AI for students and teachers. Ensuring the responsible use of this technology is key; teachers and students alike need to learn how to analyze results and use multiple sources instead of relying on a single output. “It isn’t meant to be this perfect silver bullet,” says Chris Brida.

“AI plus a person does the most powerful work.” adds Brockett. “[AI] is a way to expand [student] thinking, not be their thinker.”

According to survey data Carrie Foster compiled at David Douglas School, teachers and staff are most concerned about cheating and disagree about what constitutes appropriate use versus cheating. For example, in the survey question, “Can students use

AI for help when they get stuck on a school assignment?” adult respondents were split equally between yes, neutral or no —but the majority of students responded yes. Christine Walker agrees that students using AI to complete assignments is an issue. “Every year,” she says, “some kid [has tried] to test whether or not I can tell that they cheated.” Most educators agreed that students need to learn that AI is a tool for learning, not a source of the answers. Dealing with these debates requires patience, nuance, clear communication and time, a resource that schools rarely have.

Another resource is at play when it comes to AI: Energy. “The power consumption and cooling consumption to support these AI farms that are in place is real, and there is a direct conflict with the PPS environmental stance and our values [of environmental awareness],” says Don Wolff. Schools that run AI programs can face slow internet speeds and even technology crashes due to increased bandwidth needs.

“Dealing with tech issues can make or break a lesson,” says Foster. “We’re trying to balance the time that students are using [versus not using] AI so that it doesn’t throw everyone off.”

“Dealing with tech issues can make or break a lesson. We’re trying to balance the time that students are using AI so that it doesn’t throw everyone off.”

— Carrie Foster, the K-12 curriculum coordinator at David Douglas School District

MOVING FORWARD

For Don Wolff, there are lingering questions concerning data privacy and protection. “We are going slowly,” he emphasizes. This is a shared theme across districts; Brockett doesn’t want to make any quick decisions without teacher buy-in in McMinnville. For now, Brockett has started a casual book study and is working on expanding participation in the Modern Classroom Project and other tech-heavy programs. The Ed Tech team in David Douglas is looking at ODE’s guidance and partnering with the Multnomah Education Service District, but also focusing on uplifting the voices of teachers and students through survey data. Policies will certainly also address cyberbullying and safety, two concerns high on parents’ radar.

It’s the ongoing job of teachers and parents to try and stay ahead of the curve when it comes to guiding our students towards responsible use of this new technology — because AI, like its ancestor the calculator, is here to stay.

Robin Lanehurst grew up in St. Louis, Missouri but is currently writing from North Portland, where they live with their wife, preschoolers and a small menagerie of pets. A former public school teacher and counselor, Robin is white, queer, non-binary, and neurodivergent, and writes at the intersections of mental health, education, parenthood and social justice. You can find her on Instagram @robin_lanehurst or at robinlanehurst.com.

“AI plus a person does the most powerful work. [AI] is a way to expand [student] thinking, not be their thinker.”

— Debbie Brockett, Superintendent of the McMinnville School District

Visit www.FMES.org to schedule a virtual or in-person TOUR!

Our Children’s House Program nurtures your child’s intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and social development through a beautifully prepared environment, experiential education, and cultivating a safe, respectful climate for independent choice.

• Small class size

• Pre-K to 8th grade

• Foreign language programs

• Earth experiences

• Before and after care

• 10 acres campus with extensive gardens

The 2024 Education Guide

After School/Enrichment Activities

Aim High Martial Arts & Events

aimhighma.org

From school-break camps to family inclusive fitness, we’re here to support your family’s journey! Stay active and have fun while doing it. Stop by for a free trial or sign up for our next kids camp! 16205 NW Bethany Ct., 100, Beaverton, OR 97006.

Fine Art Starts! fineartstarts.com

Hands-on ART for kids & adults in our Raleigh Hills studio! Get your hands into clay, pottery, digital art, animation and traditional media. Short workshops and ongoing classes. Small groups and skilled staff! 6500 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy., Bldg. 2, Portland, OR 97225.

Sellwood Community House sellwoodcommunityhouse.org | 503-894-9496 info@sellwoodcommunityhouse.org

Meet Friends. Make Friends. Build Community. From our Montessori inspired Preschool (3-5y), to programming for toddlers through teens (including Afterschool Enrichment and Volunteering Opportunities). SCH is a safe and connective space for the whole family. 1436 SE Spokane St., Portland, OR 97202.

Vibe of Portland vibepdx.org

Child Care Services

KLA Schools of Hillsboro

503-333-2002 | shlomit@klaschools.com klaschools.com/hillsboro

We offer children endless opportunities and empower them to positively influence the world. We spend each day making it our mission to foster a safe, inviting and innovative environment and high-quality education, inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. 1855 NE 48th Ave., Hillsboro, OR 97124.

Foreign Language Lessons

Adventures in Spanish adventuresinspanish.org

Adventures in Spanish offers fun, play-based Spanish programs for kids and adults. With after school classes, Saturday activities, adult conversational lessons, parent-child sessions and camps!

Gymnastics/Dance

OMEGA Gymnastics

omega-gymnastics.com | 503-466-4872

Vibe encourages imaginative thinking, inspiring youth to look at the world from new perspectives. We learn a variety of techniques, hone artistic skills, & make friends creating art from the world around us. Multiple Locations in Portland.

Yoga Playgrounds

yogaplaygrounds.com

School based yoga and mindfulness classes for kids ages 2+. Packed with playfulness, positivity and fun, classes give kids tools to manage their behaviors to lead happier, healthier and more peaceful lives. Multiple schools in the Portland metro area.

Art/Theater Instruction

Fine Art Starts! fineartstarts.com

Northwest Children’s Theater nwcts.org

NWCT's mission is to educate, entertain, and enrich the lives of young audiences through award-winning shows and classes! Visit them at The Judy or look for classes in your neighborhood. 1000 SW Broadway T-100, Portland, OR 97205.

OMEGA Gymnastics keeps kids moving with programs that encourage skill development and progressions from Discovery Preschool and weekly Recreational Gymnastics classes to active School’s Out Camps, Birthday Parties and Parent’s Great Escape Nights. 9700 SW Harvest CT, STE 180., Beaverton, OR 97005.

Oregon Ballet Theatre School

SchoolofOBT@obt.org

The professional training ground of Oregon Ballet Theatre, offering a variety of year-round classes for all ages and levels. Rolling admission and scholarships available. 720 S Bancroft St., Portland, OR 97239.

Language Immersion

International School of Portland intlschool.org

Embrace the World! Since 1990, we’ve offered full language and cultural immersion in a warm, loving environment that encourages curiosity and kindness. Mandarin, Spanish, and Japanese tracks. IB World School! 2305 S Water Ave., Portland, OR 97201.

French International School of Oregon

frenchintl.org

French International School of Oregon is an independent, language immersion, IB World School. Students are prepared to engage with inclusivity, achieve with integrity and excel with distinction. 8500 NW Johnson St., Portland, OR 97229.

German International School admissions@gspdx.org

GIS is a language immersion school offering German and Chinese programs for children two years-8th grade. As an IB World School our students are globally-minded, adaptive, independent thinkers. 3900 SW Murray Blvd., Beaverton, OR 97005-2454.

THE CIRCUIT WINTER CAMPS

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AGES 6-12

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Scuola Italiana di Portland scuola.us/preschool

Scuola Italiana offers a part-time Italian language and cultural immersion preschool in NW Portland, mirroring the scuola dell’infanzia (preschool) in Italy. 1542 NW 14th Ave., Portland, OR 97209.

Music

Instruction

Music Together of Portland musictogether-pdx.com

Music & movement classes for children, ages birth to 8, and the grown-ups who love them. Find joy, connection, and community as you sing, dance, learn and play together in a fun, musically rich environment! Multiple Locations around Portland Metro Area

ORS Youth Choir orsingers.org/youth-choir

ORS Youth Choir provides enjoyable, enriching and musically excellent experiences to kinder–12th grade singers in the greater Portland and SW Washington area. No audition required. Financial Aid Available.

Outdoor Education

EdenAcres Nature School edenacres.org

We’re on a mission to create curious, confident, and compassionate young learners. Our naturecentered philosophy encourages children to explore, inquire and discover the wonders of the world around them. 16528 NW Johnson Rd., Hillsboro, OR 97124.

Preschools

Cedarwood Waldorf School cedarwoodschool.org/about-admissions

Cedarwood is more than a school. It’s a community for families. Minutes from downtown Portland, we nurture children’s skills, creativity and inner strength, blending arts, academics and movement. 3030 SW 2nd Ave., Portland, OR 97201.

International School of Portland intlschool.org

KLA Schools of Hillsboro

klaschools.com/hillsboro | 503-333-2002

shlomit@klaschools.com

OMEGA Gymnastics

omega-gymnastics.com | 503-466-4872

Rosebud Preschool rosebudpreschoolpdx.org | 503-652-3201 preschool@rosevilla.org

Reggio-inspired intergenerational preschool in Portland, OR! Located on the campus of Rose Villa Senior Living, we combine the colorful, creative, child-centered approach of Reggio education with meaningful programming that includes Rose Villa residents. 13505 SE River Rd., Portland, OR 97222.

Sellwood Community House

sellwoodcommunityhouse.org | 503-894-9496 info@sellwoodcommunityhouse.org

Private Schools

Catlin Gabel School

catlin.edu | 503-297-1894 | knightd@catlin.edu

A Catlin Gabel K-12 education goes deeper than just knowledge. It fosters courage, confidence, and curiosity. It harnesses joy through connection and community. It develops lifelong learners and leaders who are ready to make a positive impact in the world. 8825 SW Barnes Rd., Portland, OR 97225.

Cedarwood Waldorf School cedarwoodschool.org/about-admissions

Cedarwood is more than a school. It’s a community for families. Minutes from downtown Portland, we nurture children’s skills, creativity and inner strength, blending arts, academics, and movement. 3030 SW 2nd Ave., Portland, OR 97201.

Childpeace Montessori School childpeace.org

Empowering children from 12 months through 8th grade, Childpeace Montessori School is developing champions of positive change, one child at a time. 1516 NW Thurman St., Portland, OR 97209.

CLASS Academy

info@classacademy.com

Year round Preschool-5th grade private school. Before & after care included with tuition. Daily arts and sciences. Artistic expression alongside global awareness. Tailored academics. 2730 NW Vaughn St., Portland, OR 97210.

Franciscan Montessori Earth School fmes.org

Founded by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, the Franciscan Montessori Earth School has been inspiring children to expand their mind, nurture their spirit and steward the Earth since 1977. 14750 SE Clinton St., Portland, OR 97236.

International School of Portland intlschool.org

The Marylhurst School

themarylhurstschool.org/admission-events

Register now for our Open House on Dec 7! Explore our 38-acre campus in Oregon City and learn how we nurture confident learners, explorers, creators and engaged citizens. 15544 S Clackamas River Dr., Oregon City, OR 97045.

Montessori School of Beaverton msb.org

MSB is an independent Montessori school West of Portland. We specialize in child-centered learning and offer ample access to nature on our 6-acre campus. Serving children ages 3-12 since 1977. 11065 NW Crystal Creek Ln., Portland, OR 97229.

Oregon Episcopal School

oes.edu | 503-768-3115 | admit@oes.edu

OES offers a distinctive Pre-K–Grade 12 educational experience. Students learn by doing as they engage in thought-provoking, inquirybased programs designed to nurture their growth and unlock their full potential. 6300 SW Nicol Rd. Portland, OR 97223.

Portland Jewish Academy pjaproud.org | 503-244-0126 | sglass@pjaproud.org

Portland Jewish Academy is an inclusive Jewish community school that welcomes families of all backgrounds. PJA offers a well-rounded education infused with Jewish values that emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, and character development. 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland, OR 97219.

A Renaissance School of Arts and Sciences renpdx.org

At A Renaissance School, art, design, engineering, and the sciences are lively, natural contexts for the introduction, development and application of skills. We have rolling admissions, enrolling years K-8. 234 S. Bancroft St., Portland, OR 97239.

St. Rose School

info@strosepdx.org

Located in the heart of NE Portland, St. Rose School helps raise saints and scholars in a small community centered on Catholic faith and values. Grades offered: PreK-8. 5309 NE Alameda St., Portland, OR 97213.

Tucker Maxon School

tuckermaxon.org | 503-235-6551

Tucker Maxon has it all: amazing teachers, small classes, happy children, academic excellence, literacy focus, social/emotional learning, big library, top-notch facilities + playground, STEM, art, music, PE, caring community, before/aftercare and low tuition. 2860 SE Holgate Blvd Portland, OR 97202

Valley Catholic School

info@valleycatholic.org | 503-718-6501 ssmo.org/vcs/schools/elementary Valley Catholic Elementary provides an interactive, engaging, supportive and faith-based education for your child. 4440 SW 148th Ave., Beaverton, OR 97078.

West Hills Montessori School westhills-montessori.com

For over 50 years, West Hills Montessori fosters a love of learning in children ages 15 months to 12 years. Visit our website to schedule a tour at our locations in SW Portland & Lake Oswego. 4920 SW Vermont St., Portland, OR 97219 | 4515 Parkview Dr., Lake Oswego, OR 97035.

Public & Charter Schools

City View Charter School cityviewcharter.org | 503-844-9424 | info@cityviewcharter.org

City View, a K-8 public tuition-free charter school in Hillsboro, focuses on hands-on learning to foster curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration as an EL Education School. Our new campus also offers a Cub Crew Preschool for children ages 3-6. 1920 NE Stucki Ave., Beaverton, OR 97006.

The Emerson School emersonschool.org | 503-525-6124 | info@emersonschool.org

The Emerson School is a tuition-free K-5 public charter school where students thrive! Through engaging Project Work, kids explore their surroundings and build social-emotional skills with Positive Discipline. At Emerson, peace is the rule! 1800 SW 1st Ave., Suite 1, Portland, OR 97201.

Evergreen Virtual Academy

541-751-8060 | info@evergreenvirtual.org

EVA is a PreK-12th grade online public charter school option for Oregon students. We provide high-quality curriculum, daily live classes, a laptop with tech support, and engaging student events and activities all tuition-free. Join us today!

MLA K-8 Public Charter School

mla.k12.or.us

MLA will provide a safe, caring, learning community that allows children to reach their educational and personal potential while nurturing their self-confidence. 22565 NE Halsey St., Fairview, OR 97024-2642.

Multnomah Learning Academy K-8

mla.k12.or.us

MLA will provide a safe, caring, learning community that allows children to reach their educational and personal potential while nurturing their self confidence. 22565 NE Halsey St, .Fairview, OR 97024-2642.

Portland Village School

portlandvillageschool.org | 503-445-0056 admissions@portlandvillageschool.org

A tuition-free, public Waldorf school serving grades K-8, PVS offers an arts-integrated curriculum with Spanish language, movement, music, and handwork. The Waldorf model educates and nurtures the whole child: head, heart and hands. 4650 S Macadam Ave., Portland, OR 97239.

The 2024 Education Guide

Special Education

Bridges Middle School

bridgesms.org/about | 503-688-2922 info@bridgesms.org

Bridges is the only middle school in Oregon specifically designed for students with learning differences to reach their maximum potential in a loving, nurturing atmosphere centrally located in downtown Portland. We build confidence and competence. 2510 SW 1st Ave., Portland, OR 97201.

Sports/Fitness

Children of the Sea Swim School childrenofthesea.com

Swim lessons for children 4 months to approximately 10 years of age. Come join our 91 degree water and small class sizes! Visit our website for more information. 10225 SW Park Way, Portland, OR 97225.

The Circuit Bouldering Gym thecircuitgym.com

The Circuit is proud to offer bouldering camps at all locations! Sign up to climb in a fun, social environment led by our instructors, where they will problem solve and build confidence on and off the wall. 6050 S Macadam Ave., Portland, OR 97239.

Tutorial/Learning Services

Huntington Learning Center

503-533-5700

Located in Bethany Village, Huntington develops a personalized learning plan for each student. Our certified teachers provide 1:1 instruction in academic fundamentals, individual subjects, and SAT/ACT prep. 15220 NW Laidlaw Rd., Ste. 110, Portland, OR 97229.

My Reading Tutors myreadingtutors.com

My Reading Tutors offers personalized, one-on-one reading tutoring sessions to children and adults. We specialize in using the Orton-Gillingham approach to help master reading, writing and spelling. 9620 NE Tanasbourne Dr., Hillsboro, OR 97124.

Accepting Applications for 2024-2025

6:00-7:30 pm October 29 and December 10

A Small K–8 Learning Community Cultivating Imagination, Intellect, and Insight

Learners are challenged, contribute to the community, and discover areas of personal interest. Enrolling ages 4+ to 14.

234 S. Bancroft Street, Portland Schedule a tour today! admissions@renpdx.org 971.221.2311 renpdx.org

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Oodles of Noodles

If You Go

Ba Mee Thai Noodle House, 4120 N Williams Ave. bameethainoodle.com Snowy Village, 3912 N Vancouver Ave. instagram.com/ snowyvillagepnw

The delicious noodle dishes at Ba Mee Thai Noodle House will stay on your mind for a long time. So will the fluffy shaved ice from Snowy Village.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY

DENISE CASTAÑON

Trying new restaurants

with my family is one of the most fun parts of my job. And when we hit an exceptional new spot, it’s even better.

When I heard that Ba Mee Thai Noodle House in North Portland makes hand-pulled noodles in house, I knew my family had to check it out. My husband and I are big fans of the Korean handpulled noodles at The Bulgogi in the Hollywood district.

We ventured over to North Williams Avenue just before 5 pm on a Saturday evening and got seated immediately. The space had big garage doors rolled up so patrons could enjoy the last bit of beautiful fall weather. My kids immediately noticed how nice the interior was — walls covered in shiny white tiles, new upholstered chairs — and declared it all to be

“fancy!” In one section of the dining room, there was a glass-walled room that allowed diners to watch the cooks as they crafted fresh egg noodles and wontons. Pro tip: While we saw plenty of kids dining there, we did not spy any high chairs and the bathroom does not have a diaper-changing station.

My family started with two orders of crispy egg rolls ($6 for three). They were superb. Perfectly fried so the wrappers were shatteringly crisp with a really fresh filling. We were very hopeful about the quality of the rest of our meal after tasting those egg rolls.

My 12-year-old, Adela, decided on beef noodle soup with house made egg noodles ($16, pictured above). Her little brother, Cruz, decided to split it with her. They both love pho, Vietnamese noodle soup, and said this was similar, but with a few noticeable differences. “This broth is very sweet, it’s kind of intense,” said Adela. It did taste very much of sweet hoisin sauce. She and Cruz both noted how tender the thick slabs of beef in the soup were. I had divvied up the soup, but

only gave Cruz one slice of beef. Adela loved the beef so much she ate it all before realizing she should give Cruz another piece. “The beef was magical,” she said. We’re not exactly sure how many thick slices of beef there were in the soup, somewhere between three and five. It also came with two meatballs that Cruz passed on, but Adela eagerly ate.

The kids weren’t the only ones raving about their meals. Seconds after my husband tasted his Pad Kee Mao with shrimp ($17), he speared a square, flat rice noodle on his fork and said to me, “You have to try this!” The noodle stir-fry with vegetables had a touch of smoky char to it and was so delicious. You can specify your heat level for your dish from zero no spice to five very spicy. My husband went with a three and found the level was just what he was hoping for, quite spicy — but not inedible.

I had ordered the hand-pulled noodle stir fry, which came with cabbage, bok choy and crispy-topped pork belly ($16). The house made noodles did not disappoint. They were thick, chewy and so satisfying. I might have sighed in happiness after I took my first bite. The level one spiciness was the perfect amount of heat for me. The dish was so good it was actually the first thing I thought about when I woke up the next morning!

When mapping our route to the restaurant we remembered that Snowy Village shaved ice was nearby. So after dinner we walked over to Vancouver Avenue and then a few blocks south to find bingsoo, or milky Korean shaved ice dessert (pictured right). These Instagramworthy cool treats veered from the traditional red bean flavor to incorporate flavors such as green tea, mango and black sesame. We let the kids pick the flavors. Cruz went with Fruity Pebbles and Adela

decided on the “Piggy Bar,” which was a combination of powdered Oreos and strawberry.

“My dream of eating a cloud has finally come true!” exclaimed Adela. The texture of the bingsoo was indeed fluffy and airy. The sweet, milky flavor of the shaved idea was an ideal backdrop for toppings. Pro tip: The cups are served on a tray, keep them on the tray as you are devouring them because they are super messy to eat — especially when four spoons are diving in and out. The dessert is on the pricey side with the “lite” size starting at $9.99. That said, we easily split two lite sizes between the four of us. My husband was less impressed by the bingsoo as the kids and I were. Given his choice, he’d have ordered another bowl of Pad Kee Mao instead of getting dessert.

Editor Denise Castañon loves exploring Portland's family-friendly dining scene with her husband, 12-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son.

Child’s Play

WhenChicky

Play Museum, one of

Vancouver’s newest indoor playspaces, is creative, clean and loads of fun for littles.

PDX Parent covered the opening

of Chicky Play Museum on Instagram this summer, I immediately knew that a visit with my 14-month-old son was in our near future. Located in a strip mall in Vancouver, Chicky Play isn’t a museum, but rather a thoughtfully designed indoor playspace.

With rainy fall weather in full force, we determined that now was the perfect time to take advantage of this new spot. My husband and I along with our son ventured north on a cloudy morning.

I knew from working at the magazine that before my son could play, indoor venues like Chicky Play required participants to sign a waiver, and wear socks. Pro tip: Save time — especially if you’re visiting on a weekend day — by signing the waiver online before you arrive. But you don’t have to make reservations to visit, a bonus if you decide that everyone needs a change of venue now

If You Go

Chicky Play Museum

Suite A NE Vancouver Mall

Vancouver

After checking in, we stowed our shoes and the diaper bag in an empty cubby and set my son down to explore. Chicky Play looks like a movie set of an adorable, miniature town. There’s a cafe, grocery store, veterinarian, construction site, fire station (complete with a slide and an ambulance) and a living room. Each place comes with its own accessories, from wooden foods and a shopping

cart, to dog stuffies, hammers and firefighter helmets. For kiddos who love pretend play, it’s a dream set up.

My son, who is a speed crawler and confident cruiser, made the rounds through town, zooming from place to place exploring each new setting. I appreciated how thoughtfully designed each “business” was — and how clean!

Chicky Play closes from 12:30 to 1 pm daily to clean and sanitize, and I noticed an employee walking around wiping down toys and stations. Pro tip: There’s also a bin to drop items in if something gets particularly germy.

My husband and I enjoyed watching our son discover new toys. His favorites: a large German Shepherd stuffie that he waved to and said oggie, oggie, oggie (his word for doggie) and a pretend play band aid, also found in the vet’s office.

While the town is the main attraction of Chicky Play, the indoor space also features wooden train tracks, colorful wooden blocks, bells and kid-size tables and chairs with sensory stations and

STORY AND PHOTOS BY TIFFANY HILL

Playtime Pro Tips

• Admission is $18.50 per child for two hours of play time. Two adults can join their kid for playtime. Pro tip: You’ll be notified via email and text when your time is up.

• Five or 10-visit passes are available and lower admission to $16 and $15 per visit.

• Socks (grippy ones are preferred) are required for adults and children in the play area.

• No outside food or drink is permitted (except for breastmilk, formula or baby food), and no food or drink inside the play area.

coloring pages. (For fall, the sensory bins were full of pinecones, beaded corn cobs and felt pumpkins.) While our son was too young to appreciate it, my husband’s favorite feature was the interactive sandbox, with a colored topographic overlay that changed as you moved the sand.

The open layout of the playspace makes it easier for kids to explore and play with each other. One kid enjoyed unloading his grocery cart to hand my son his collection of fruits and veggies. Two other siblings hammered and sawed at the construction site. Chicky Play is made for kids ages 0 to 8, but on our visit the majority of kids playing were toddlers.

Chicky Play’s cafe is also enticing to kids: Ice cream, milkshakes, sweet waffles and waffle hotdogs. My husband and I took turns getting more caffeine while the other one supervised play time. I had a tasty dirty chai, and my husband reported his drink was flavorful, and that his waffle dog satiated his need to visit Costco for a hot dog.

Before heading out, we grabbed a yellow balloon, a fun parting bonus. A complimentary snack, like a mini bag of Goldfish or gummy bears, is also available for kids to enjoy.

We all had a great time at our first indoor playspace experience. While the $18.50 admission prevents it from being a weekly outing, we’ll definitely be back. Our son played with his balloon on the drive home, and is still batting it around our living room.

You can find Managing Editor Tiffany Hill and her 14-month-old son familiarizing themselves with all the city’s indoor playspaces this winter as they look for ways to have fun, and get out of the house.

OREGON EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

THURSDAY, JAN. 16 • 7 p.m.

Grades 6 to 12: Parents/Guardians & students Pre-K to Grade 5: Parents/Guardians only

oes.edu/infoevening 503-768-3115

Pre-K through Grade 12

NOVEMBER 2024

Go. Play. Explore.

natural beauties

Art and the natural world collide in the new OMSI exhibit Exquisite Creatures Revealed by Christopher Marley. The exhibit will give visitors the opportunity to see an artfully arranged array of preserved specimens such as a leafy sea dragon, a 10-foot-long Japanese spider crab, iridescent beetles and much more. Pro tip: None of the vertebrates featured were killed for the exhibit. Open now through February 17, 2025. Included with OMSI admission or membership. Omsi.edu — Denise Castañon

train trip

The annual Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Club open house is not only a must-do for train-obsessed preschoolers — it’s a great multigenerational activity to do with grandparents. Everyone will marvel at the intricate scenes produced by the club and kids won’t be the only ones delighted by finding the hidden-in-plain-sight items on the club’s scavenger hunt list. Saturday and Sunday, November 16-17, 23-24, 30 and December 1, 7-8. Timed entry, 10 am-4:30 pm. Kids 3-11: $5; 12 and older: $12. VIP tickets 8:30-9:30 am: $25. 2505 N Vancouver Ave. Visit cgmrc.com for tickets. — D.C.

Find more family fun on our online calendar: pdxparent.com/events-calendar. Be sure to confirm the most up-to-date info with event organizers before heading out.

COLUMBIA GORGE MODEL RAILROAD CLUB

ANNIE BLOOM’S BOOKS

bookworms

What goes best with a rainy fall day? A good book! Don’t miss this year’s lineup of stellar author talks and readings, bustling book marketplace and more at the annual Portland Book Festival. Kiddos will love the singalongs and storytimes. Saturday, November 2 at various downtown venues. Passes are $18 for adults, free for kids 17 and under, and include a $5 voucher to be used at the book marketplace. Pdxbookfest.org — Tiffany Hill

trot it out

Before you indulge in turkey, gravy and pie, run around the Oregon Zoo at the annual Turkey Trot at the Zoo Adults and older kids can run in the 5K run, while littles will enjoy the Tot Trot and Gobble Gallop, held around the elephant enclosure. Thursday, November 28. Tickets start at $25. Runsignup.com/Race/OR/Portland/ ORRCTurkeyTrotattheZoo — T.H.

Top 3 Free Fun stuff for

zero dollars!

Tree lightings. Kick off the holiday season with community tree lightings around the Portland metro area. Some of our faves happening this month include the Hillsboro Holly Days Celebration with Santa, special performances, holiday marketplace and the tree lighting at 6 pm on Saturday, November 23; the 40th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse Square at 5:30 pm on Friday, November 29; and the Vancouver Rotary Tree Lighting light parade and tree lighting at Esther Short Park on Friday, November 29 at 6 pm. — T.H.

Storytime! Looking to get out of the house? Portland has fantastic weekly storytimes — for free! Don’t miss the weekly storytimes at Wonderwood Springs on Saturdays at 11 am, at Annie Bloom’s Books the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 10:30 am and at Sunrise Books, there’s toddler storytime every Thursday at 10 am and baby storytime every Tuesday at 10 am. — T.H.

Veterans Day. This year families can hit one of two local parades honoring vets on Monday, November 11. Head to Northeast Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and NE Beech Street for the start of the Portland Veterans Day Parade, which marches north along MLK Boulevard and ends at Northeast Emerson Street. Parade starts at 10 am. Hit the Vendor and Resource Fair immediately after at the Walnut Park complex parking lot, 5305 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Veteransdayportland.org Also on Monday, November 11, the Lough Legacy Veterans Day Parade winds around Fort Vancouver Historic Site in Washington. Expect marching bands, scout troops, veterans’ groups and more. Starts at 11 am. Thehistorictrust.org/lough-legacyveterans-parade — D.C.

star power

Your child can watch their favorite Disney characters glide, spin and fly through the air at Disney on Ice Magic in the Stars. The thrilling spectacular features just about every classic Disney princess in addition to the debut of the Frozen 2 storyline, Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon, and Asha from Wish. Eight shows, Thursday to Sunday, November 7-10. Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Tickets start at $34. Ticketmaster.com — D.C.

buzzy tunes

Join the Oregon Symphony for a wild ride during this month’s Music for Families Series concert, Melodies of the Animal Kingdom. This interactive performance features Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate’s Spirit Chief Names the Animal People, Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee, selections from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and more. Sunday, November 10 at 4 pm. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets start at $12. Orsymphony.org/concerts-tickets — T.H.

pnw pickers

If you can’t resist rummaging through a neighborhood garage sale, then set your alarm for the NW’s Largest Garage Sale & Vintage Sale in Ridgefield, Washington. Peruse the wares of more than 600 vendors, including furniture, tools, toys, baby and kids’ clothing, jewelry, books, homegoods and much more. Saturday, November 2, 8 am-5 pm. Clark County Event Center; 17402 NE Delfel Rd., Ridgefield. Admission is $8 per person; kids 12 and under are free. Nwgsales.com — T.H.

snack time

You know you live in a foodie town when there’s a three-day festival dedicated to tasty snacks. During Snack Fest, sample treats from local food vendors, food trucks and more, listen to live entertainment and then eat some more. Friday to Sunday, November 15-17. 100 SE Alder St. Letsnack.com — T.H.

Learning

to save is a

that lasts a

skill

lifetime.

We started the OnPoint Savers Account for children 17 and under so that kids can get a head start on learning healthy savings habits. Just open your child’s membership with a minimum of $25 and we’ll deposit an additional $55*. Plus, they’ll earn 5.00%* on the first $500. Not a bad way to start for a beginner, don’t you think?

Get started today. Visit onpointcu.com/onpoint-savers 57 branches with one near you!

*Rates subject to change. Stated APY (Annual Percentage Yield) is for balances up to $500; balances over $500 earn posted Regular Savings Account rate. Account must be established for members age 17 or younger by parent or guardian with a minimum $25 deposit. Parent or legal guardian must be on the membership and present to open the OnPoint Savers Account. When primary member attains the age of 18, accounts will be converted to Regular Savings Account, earning that account’s published rate at that time. Fiduciary memberships, including UTTMA and Minor Settlement Accounts are not eligible for OnPoint Savers. One OnPoint Savers Account per member/TIN. One $55 bonus per tax ID for new members only. Bonus will be included on a 1099-INT for tax purposes. Cannot be combined with other offers for opening a new membership, such as new branch promotions or Refer a Friend. Federally insured by NCUA. 4/24