PDX Parent August 2020

Your opinions on distance learning, pg. 8

An old favorite reopens for takeout, pg. 34

FREE

New safety steps at the pediatrician’s office, pg. 6

for the long days and short years

Shop

Your Options:

Private School Guide 2020, pg. 17

Everyday Heroes

A salute to Portlanders who have stepped up during the pandemic

PDXPARENT.COM

PORTLAND | VANCOUVER | AUGUST 2020

PDX Parent stands with families.

But we know that Black, Indigenous and Latinx families, and families experiencing homelessness face more obstacles and inequities than many other families, something that COVID-19 has brought into sharp focus. We know that working parents have been pushed into an unsustainable situation and many other parents are still waiting on relief from the Oregon Employment Department. While we also remain the best source for ideas for family fun, PDX Parent has not shied away from addressing social injustice issues — and we’re not going to stop now. We will continue to publish stories about inequities in housing, education and health, the need for child care that works for working parents, and more to make sure that we can all move toward having a community that truly supports every single family in it.

contents NIKKI HART

Read about a generous PNW family that provided a home base for a stranded international children’s choir, page 12.

12 FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

The Helpers................................................................10

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

Iconic kids’ TV host Mr. Rogers said to look for the helpers during scary moments. So we did. And we found so many people digging in to help others in our community during these uncertain times.

By Denise Castañon.

PDX Parent Picks: Health & Wellness............................................28

Play Room............................................................................... 6 A poster for allies, COVID-19 protocols at the pediatrician’s office, how parents

Hands On.............................................................................. 32 Bring the butterflies to your yard with this fun planting project for kids.

By Amy Bigej.

really feel about distance learning, and

Family Supper................................................................34

new tunes from Red Yarn.

Dive into yummy Peruvian dishes

Field Trip................................................................................30 Wands at the ready with Wizards

at El Inka’s new location.

By Denise Castañon.

Unite, an augmented reality game for Potterheads. By Denise Castañon.

RESOURCES Private School Guide......................................... 17-26 Health & Wellness..........................................................29

* cover stories pdxparent.com

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e d i t o r ’ s n ot e

Salute the helpers. Be the helpers.

S

for the long days and short years

o my mantra for the year, Keep It Easy 2020, sure went sideways. While I consider my family lucky to have, so far, avoided the worst the coronavirus has thrown at all of us, nothing has been easy since March 16, the first day schools shuttered in Oregon.

And that includes publishing this magazine. PDX Parent had to immediately stop producing issues, since so many of our advertising partners abruptly had to close their doors and we could no longer safely distribute the magazine. But PDX Parent is back, and in this issue we are celebrating the helpers. There’s a famous quote attributed to television icon Mr. Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.” From the Portland TREVOR PARKER Saturday Market vendor and mom who has sewn more than 5,000 masks for donation, to the newborn team at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center that has developed an ingenious and safe way for parents to bring their babies to infant weigh-ins, we’ve highlighted some of the people and businesses who saw a crisis and answered with kindness and compassion, page 10.

But also we want to show you how you can be the helpers and raise the helpers. As if economic freefall and a global pandemic weren’t enough, we also saw the heinous video of a police officer extinguishing the life of George Floyd. When George Floyd called out for his mama, I felt it viscerally. My kids call me mama. While our society values the ideals of freedom and equality, many of our community members do not experience those ideals in their daily lives.

As a Latina, I’ve experienced some overt racism and so. many. microaggressions. In my work here at PDX Parent, I — along with the editorial staff — have strived to shine a spotlight on the inequities in housing, health care and education that hurt all families, but especially families of color. Because you can’t help to fix a problem if you don’t know it exists. And the cries for justice that have rolled across the country have pushed us even further. We’ve been publishing stories on our website about anti-racist actions, and you, our readers, have given us a landslide of overwhelmingly positive feedback. We know you want to truly make our community fair and just for all. So we will continue to spotlight actions your family can take and BIPOC businesses for you to check out. In this issue, take a look at the takeout goodness in this month’s Family Supper column, page 34, or the awesome awareness-raising poster designed by local mom Taimani Emerald, on page 9. We are raising the future, and together we can reshape our community.

PDX Parent P.O. Box 13660 Portland, OR 97213-0660 Phone: 503-460-2774 Publisher Rose Caudillo, 503-460-2774 publisher@pdxparent.com Editor Denise Castañon, 503-922-0893 denise.castanon@pdxparent.com Art Director Susan Bard Web Director Michelle Carew, 503-914-6151 michelle.carew@pdxparent.com Eastside Account Executive Lauren Wylie, 503-331-8184 lauren.wylie@pdxparent.com Westside Account Executive Jill Weisensee, 503-309-8272 jill.weisensee@pdxparent.com Calendar Editor Briauna Skye McKizzie calendar@pdxparent.com Newsletter Editor Melissa Light melissa.light@pdxparent.com Business Manager Christie Kline, 503-810-9817 christie.kline@pdxparent.com 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 2020 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 advertising for any reason. Distribution

On our cover: Photographer Natalie Gildersleeve started taking social-distancing family portraits as a way to capture this unprecedented time. Read more about it on page 14.

Safina Koreishi, a local doctor, and her kids are just one of the 20-plus families Gildersleeve photographed. Koreishi described to Gildersleeve some of what she has been feeling during this time: “Coping with the enormity and reality of COVID-19, and parenting in a gentle, present way seems too much and incongruent. We all do what we can. I am grateful to have an amazing job and can positively contribute during this time.

I’m also grateful for my current health, my family, my amazing kiddos, my friends, the fact I get to grocery shop, have a home, feel safe — and for the resilience to repeatedly grow, even in tiny ways, every time this pandemic brings me to my knees.”

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of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services 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.

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p l ay r o o m

In those first few weeks of shutdown, the last place most parents wanted to be with their kids was a doctor’s office. But pediatric clinics around the metro area are taking COVID-19 safety and prevention seriously, and say parents should bring in kids to well-child checks and other routine appointments.

Here’s a look at just a few of the COVID-19 protocols five local practices are following to keep their young patients safe.

➊ Among many other measures, Pediatric Associates of the Northwest is scheduling COVID-19 asymptomatic visits and sick/symptomatic visits at

different times per day and in different locations within the clinic, with nearly half an hour in between to avoid exposure to well children. The practice also has strict return-to-work policies for staff and gifted paid time off to promote a culture of staying home when sick.

➋ In addition to other

measures, OHSU has implemented physical distancing processes,

including limiting the number of patients scheduled for visits at one time and identifying designated waiting areas.

TOP 5 ...

METROPOLITAN PEDIATRICS

➌ Some of Sellwood Medical

Clinic’s new procedures include separate doors for entry and exit, and scheduling newborn visits in the morning as much as possible.

Pediatrics Practice Pivots

➍ At

Metropolitan Pediatrics, well-visit patients have significant pre-screening before families arrive to make sure clinic visitors are healthy. They also have a separate location for kids with cold and flu-like symptoms where patients are roomed immediately, and providers and medical assistants wear extra protective gear.

➎ Among other measures at Portland’s Shriners

Hospitals for Children, anyone entering the hospital (or the pediatric

sports injury and fracture clinic) is screened upon arrival and must wear a mask. It’s also started a new telehealth program that even new patients can utilize. — Denise Castañon

Recent Roosevelt graduate Kaiya

Laguardia of Portland and 13-year-old Jacob Van of Beaverton were named

Oregon’s top youth volunteers of 2020

by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.

Kaiya produced a 16-minute documentary video on the movement

KAIYA LAGUARDIA

Kids to Know:

Oregon’s Top Volunteers

opposing the construction of a military base in Okinawa, Japan,

As State Honorees, Kaiya and Jacob each received $1,000 and

where her mother was born. Kaiya went to Okinawa for her 2019

an engraved silver medallion. They were supposed to also go on an

spring break and spent every day interviewing people for the film.

all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to meet their counterparts

“The editing process was tough, especially because I don’t have

from across the nation for a four-day program. Instead, the program

access to that kind of equipment at home, so I had to stay in the

was held virtually due to COVID-19. “It was sad not being able to

computer lab at school late every night,” says Kaiya. “It took well

physically meet everyone who has been recognized, but it was still

over 500 hours to go through all the footage and decide what to

a great experience,” says Kaiya. “It made me excited for what the

include.”

future holds when it comes to leadership and community organizing.”

And Jacob Van, a student at The International School of

6

JACOB VAN

Kaiya and Jacob also received an extra $2,500 each to donate

Beaverton, has been fundraising for causes dear to him — cancer

to a COVID-19-related nonprofit. Jacob gave to Michelle’s Love,

patients who can’t afford treatment and people experiencing

which specifically helps single parents dealing with cancer,

homelessness who need warm winter gear. “When I was 6 years

because immunosuppressed people are at higher risk of COVID-19

old, I started reading biographies about Mother Teresa. And one

complications. And Kaiya is donating to 350 Pacific, a network of

particular quote that stuck with me is, ‘I alone cannot change the

Pacific Islander activists fighting climate change and helping to

world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many

organize communities hit by storms and emergencies during this

ripples,’” says Jacob.

pandemic. — D.C.

August 2020

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Who:

Playlist: Rockabilly Baby

Nicole Issler,

is a mom to two sons and the owner and CEO of Hello

Hang onto your

Highchair, a company that

boots, cause Red

sells fresh, handcrafted baby

Yarn has got a new album of swinging

food at local farmers’ markets

rockabilly tunes your whole family will

and through a service that

love. (Seriously, Red Yarn is one of

delivers to Portland and

the few kindie artists I can play whom

Vancouver. Find out more at

my husband will not object to!) Even

hellohighchair.com.

What:

though Backyard Bop feels more effervescent than his past albums,

Issler

it’s still got that folk-rock flavor Red’s

creates

young Portland fans have been NICOLE ISSLER

fresh and nutritious baby and toddler foods with no additives.

They’re available in vegetable or fruit blends, such as organic

clamoring for for years. And, more important, Red Yarn is still committed to social justice; the track Jump for Joy encourages kids to “Stand right

blueberries, beets and chia

up, raise your voice, get up with me,

seeds. The purées are fresh-frozen. “I

and jump for joy!” — D.C.

created this baby food for my now21-month-old son. A child deserves the best nutritional start in life, and that’s just what I’m striving to provide for mine

Why:

NICOLE ISSLER

and yours,” she says.

“Baby food you buy in the stores has preservatives; that’s

why it can sit on the shelf, unrefrigerated for years. When I had my first son … I knew I didn’t want that for him. My food has no preservatives whatsoever. It’s immediately frozen once it is prepared, so it stays fresh in your freezer for up to 3 months.”

— Brooke Strickland

Play Outside!

Gear Guide: Go

Staying at home does not mean your kids have to be bored. (Or even in the house.) Send them outside with these outdoor toys and games to keep them busy.

Stomp Rockets There’s a bit of a learning

StarLux Games Wizards &

Rollors This outdoor game combines

curve to master launching these foam

Werewolves Get ready for an

rockets, but once you nail it, they are

epic glow-in-the-dark fantasy

horseshoe toss. It takes skill and a bit

fantastic fun. Pro tip: There are many

battle with this light-up game

of luck to get the wooden discs closest

aspects of bocce, bowling and

versions of this high-flying toy; for ages 3

for ages 8 and up. Players race

to the goal. Bonus: Rollors even sneaks

and up, check out the Jr. Glow version. And

around hunting for crystals and

in a bit of math practice. $49.95.

be sure your kids are in

howling at the moon! $34.90. At

At rollors.com — Erin J. Bernard and

a large yard or wide-

Piccolo

Denise Castañon

open space because

Mondo

these babies really fly!

Toys.

At Oodles 4 Kids and Thinker Toys. $16-$29.99.

STOMP ROCKET

STARLUX GAMES

ROLLERS

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p l ay r o o m

Bookshelf: Reads

to Calm Worries

The pandemic, shutdown, economic turmoil and very violent images of police brutality we’ve experienced over the past few months — that’s more than enough to make anyone feel worried and anxious. And kids are not immune to anxiety. So we asked Kim Tano, the children’s-book buyer at Portland institution Powell’s City of Books, to recommend some kids’ books that can help preschoolers and older children manage their worries. (And while you can’t get lost in the stacks at Powell’s these days, they are taking online orders and offering curbside pickup through powells.com!)

Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival

What Do You Do With a Problem?

One day, Ruby discovers a worry that grows and

by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom

follows her everywhere she goes. As much as

Kobi Yamada’s books are always so

she tries to ignore it, it never seems to go away.

amazing, with great messages and

starts talking about them, her worries shrink in size until they’re almost gone. A great lesson in acknowledging feelings and dealing with them for ages 3 and up!

how this one explores using problems as an opportunity to learn and be brave, knowing that some chances only come once. A great

$17.99.

lesson in converting a dilemma into something good. Highly recommended for all ages, but perfect for 6 and up. $16.95.

Little Unicorn Is Scared LITTLE, BROWN AND COMPANY

beautifully detailed illustrations! I love

COMPENDIUM

BLOOMSBURY

Once she notices other people have worries and

by Aurélie Chien Chow Chine

Guts by Raina Telgemeier

The Little Unicorn books by French author Aurélie

I can’t recommend this book enough!

Chien Chow Chine are always a hit for kids. They

Graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier shares

help children identify feelings and teach them

her own childhood experiences with fear

how to deal with them in an approachable way.

and anxiety through warm illustrations,

Little Unicorn imagines a golden armor that gives him courage, and Great imagery and helpful tools for ages 4 and up! $12.99.

Survey on Distance Learning SOURCE: PDX PARENT’S ONLINE SURVEY ON DISTANCE LEARNING, JUNE 28 TO JULY 8.

for coping with stress. Great for ages 10 and up. $12.99.

35

Chalkboard: PDX Parent

and provides helpful tools and methods SCHOLASTIC

learns breathing exercises to help him calm down and face his fears.

40

percent of parents in our survey described their family’s online distance learning experience as “Just OK.”

80 percent of parents

said they would NOT choose 100 percent virtual learning in the fall if they had a choice.

percent of respondents had kids enrolled in PPS.

1-6 days: the time

47

percent of parents surveyed had to wait to borrow a device from their school district.

23 percent had to wait 3 weeks or more.

66 percent of private and charter

school parents described their experience as “good” or “excellent.”

72 percent

of parents were working from home or outside the home while their kids were expected to complete online assignments.

As of press time, it’s still up in the air what school will look like in 2020-2021. But we do know that for many parents in our online reader survey on distance learning, this spring’s abrupt pivot to online learning did not go well. A little over 30 percent described it as a bad experience. Many parents praised teachers, but disliked the online format. “Our kids’ teachers did a great job — but learning and school are much better in-person for everyone,” said one respondent. And part of that dissatisfaction may have come from the fact that the vast majority of parents surveyed had to work either from home or outside the home during the spring. An overwhelming percentage of parents said they would not choose full-time distance learning for the fall if given the choice. (But since COVID-19 cases in Oregon have sharply increased since the time our survey went out, some parents may be feeling differently.) At press time, the Los Angeles and San Diego school districts had just announced their decision to go to online learning only for the fall. So it may boil down to the fact public school parents may not have any choice, unless they have the means to look for other options. It’s worth noting that while just a small sample of our survey respondents were private or charter school families, they reported a higher rate of positive experiences with online learning. — D.C.

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Ask Dr. Doug

Q

: I f the kids go back to in-person school at least part time, how do

A

I not completely freak out when my kid comes home with that first runny nose? How can I tell the difference between a regular cold my child might get and COVID-19?

: We have been on quite a journey since March, haven’t we? Our next

hurdle this fall is going to be balancing the very important academic, social, and emotional learning that happens at school with trying to limit the spread of coronavirus. And making that decision based on very imperfect data.

The short answer to your question is we just aren’t going to know if it’s coronavirus or not with that first runny nose. I would have a low threshold to swab a kiddo with any symptoms, or with any close contact to a known case. This is just going to be our reality until we get a vaccine. The good news is our testing capacity has increased a lot from April, and Metropolitan Pediatrics is moving quickly to get rapid testing in our clinics that can give us a result in 15 minutes or so.

Got a question for Caring for symptoms hasn’t changed. If Dr. Doug? Send it to your child feels bad, has a temperature over AsktheDr@pdxparent.com.

100 o F, or has any cough or runny nose, they need to stay out of school and see their pediatrician. As always, trouble breathing, dehydration, or a rash with red eyes or tongue needs an evaluation right away.

Thankfully — as of press time — children make up a small percentage of cases in Oregon, and most of them have no or mild symptoms. Based on the small groups of data we have, kids are less likely to have severe disease and are less likely to spread the disease. It looks like most children who have swabbed positive got sick from household contacts, not from other kids. We don’t know how that might change as schools reopen and we gather more data.

It is very important we all get immunized against the flu this fall. Large numbers of people with influenza this winter means hospitals will be that much closer to being overwhelmed and we increase the chance of more severe disease.

At Metropolitan Pediatrics any parent or caretaker can get their flu shot at the same time as their kids, which is a great way to both stay healthy and show solidarity with your littles.

And make sure you stay up to date on well-child care. In addition to making sure kids are growing well and are up to date on immunizations, I have been taking care of more and more behavioral health needs. Kids are both remarkably resilient and very sensitive to what we’re all going through.

Last, remember to try and control what we have control over. I strongly believe we have to take care of ourselves before we can take care of our kids.

Prioritize your sleep, diet, exercise, and mental health in these tough times. And remember we’ll get through this together, and we will be stronger because of it.

Stay healthy!

TAIMANI EMERALD

?

We Recommend:

A

is for

Ally poster Local mom and creative genius Taimani Emerald illustrated an ABCs poster that should be hanging in every kid’s room — A is for Ally. Each letter of the alphabet represents a talking point: G for gentrification, O for oppression. The words came from discussions Emerald had with other BIPOC moms. In an Instagram post, Emerald says this poster was the hardest illustration she’s ever done, especially trying to come up with images for oppression and colonization that weren’t too scary. But she’s proud Hoot-N-Annie’s Children’s Boutique or on her website, emeraldcreative.org, in the “Illustrious Shop.” — D.C.

Dr. Doug Lincoln practices general pediatrics at Metropolitan Pediatrics in Happy Valley. He is board certified in both pediatrics and preventive medicine, with special interests in helping parents meet their breastfeeding goals, caring for neurodiverse children with behavioral health needs, and advocating for children via teaching and policy. As a dad of two boys, he understands the joy and hard work that comes with parenting. Find out more about Dr. Doug and Metropolitan Pediatrics at metropediatrics.com.

pdxparent.com

DR. DOUG

of the work. Find prints of the poster at

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Helpers

the

[ Toys for All ] » If we didn’t already love our local independently owned toy shops before COVID-19, we have all the more reason to love them now. While they had to completely shift their business models, they also came up with ways to give back to our community, knowing that not every family had the money to buy new toys to keep kids busy during shelter in place. Sellwood’s Oodles 4 Kids asked patrons to purchase and donate toys for kids at Raphael House domestic violence shelter. Piccolo Mondo Toys did something similar, with bags of activity toys, games and stickers going to families at Title 1 schools in Beaverton and Hillsboro. And when toy companies Djeco and Peaceable Kingdom heard about the distribution of donations, they donated product as well! And Piccolo Mondo’s actions inspired Thinker Toys to partner with Meals on Wheels to get donated 300-piece puzzles to homebound seniors and also let shoppers buy activity bags for families connected to Neighborhood House Head Start. “Both of us have been drivers for [Meals on Wheels] and recognize that even in normal times, many of these people are not only food insecure, but also socially isolated,” says Joan Steinbach, who is the owner of Thinker Toys along with her husband, Tye. “So this seemed like a perfect way for us to leverage our access to puzzles — an absolutely hot category right now — to add a little stimulation to their lives.” And if that weren’t enough, the Steinbachs even donated an extra puzzle or activity bag for every 10 donated by customers.

THINKER TOYS

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s

Global pandemic. Economic collapse. Mass protests against a nother police killing of an unarmed Black man. It’s been the most uncertain few months in our lifetimes — and definitely our kids’ lifetimes. But even in the midst of so much turmoil, many people have stepped up to help others. From donating toys to kids in need to preparing a hospital for an influx of sick patients, some extraordinary people in our community have made this a moment to give back. BY DENISE CASTAÑON

KARINA POTESTIO

[ Doctor on the Front Line ]

»

If you made a big noise at 7 pm for health care workers during lockdown, then Dawn Nolt, M.D., M.P.H. was one of those people you were cheering for. As an associate professor of pediatric infectious diseases at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), she was part of the team that started preparing the hospital for the impact of COVID-19 in late February.

“My specific role at the hospital is to always look out for the needs of children during this pandemic,” says Nolt.

What a typical work day at OHSU looks like for her has shifted over the course of the pandemic. “In the beginning, the frenzy and attention around the pandemic was reflected in the work we did at the hospital. Meetings and projects (and emails!) were solely focused on COVID-19,” says Nolt. “As the pandemic

[ Put a Mask on It ] » When COVID closures started rolling out, local mom Karina Potestio couldn’t sell her hip warmers, velvet jumpsuits or bird-appliqué-adorned skirts at Portland Saturday Market or any of the other local craft fairs that connect her to customers. But she didn’t stop sewing.

She just switched focus. “I saw the need for masks; I had all materials needed to make them in my studio and just started making them,” she says. With a few other volunteers, Potestio has put her electric cutter, industrial sewing machines, serger and straight-stitch machine to work, donating 5,500 fabric masks to health care workers and nonprofits so far. (She’s also selling some masks and her clothing line at etsy.com/shop/ KARINA POTESTIO karinapotestio.) Potestio and her crew aren’t the only ones to start sewing for the cause. The Facebook group Crafters Against COVID-19 *PDX* rallied more than 8,000 stitchers to make face masks to donate, at first to hospitals and then eventually to Multnomah County for distribution to organizations such as Sisters of the Road, Impact NW and Hollywood Senior Center.

seems to have slowed down, the COVID-19 effort has shifted to a maintenance phase.

We still have our attention on COVID-19, but now are able to pick up on other projects and issues.” [Editor’s note: We interviewed Dr. Nolt prior to the surge in cases in Oregon.]

And the anxiety all of us have felt around this crisis? Nolt, mother to 12-year-old Mae, has felt it, too. “The biggest challenge has been to make sure that my mental and physical health, and that of my family, is stable and strong. It’s hard to leave work at work, but I have been getting better at being ‘in the moment’ when I’m with my family,” says Nolt. “I have truly realized that self-care (including drinking more water than caffeine, doing exercise every day that makes me sweat and need to take a shower, and having some hours of uninterrupted sleep) is important to keep going.”

DAWN NOLT

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ALYSSA SCHOONOVER

[ Kindness of Strangers ] » As the world started to realize the severity of COVID-19, many countries closed their borders. And this presented a huge problem for the members of The Children of the World International Children’s Choir. The choir members from Nepal, the Philippines and Uganda, and their chaperones, were on a tour to raise funds for World Help, a Christian children’s humanitarian aid organization based in Virginia. And suddenly, the group couldn’t go home to their families. The 15 kids, three chaperones and two team leaders were on the West Coast and needed a spot where they could all shelter in place together.

A family from Woodland, Washington, about 20 miles north of Vancouver, Washington, with ties to World Help stepped up and offered to house the stranded choir and their companions in an event center on their property. The family wishes to remain anonymous, but they did tell PDX Parent about this act of kindness and how the community of Woodland has rallied around the choir. “The school district added the children to their lunch delivery program, which they had up and running just a few days after the schools were closed. Every weekday they drop off lunch and breakfast for the next morning. Many members of our community have dropped off food items as well as meals and cookies for the team. They have also provided games, puzzles, soccer balls and lots of different activities for the kids.”

And as of press time the choir is still in Woodland, but the kids are holding up well.

They’ve been studying, playing and putting on talent shows because they love to perform. “I asked one of the chaperones if she thought the kids were homesick or anxious to go home, and she told me, ‘Not at all. They love it here!’ Many of them are aware that life is even more difficult in their home countries right now. In many of these places, people work for day wages and with quarantine, they have zero income.”

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[ Beyond Babysitters ]

[ The Educators ]

» While parents were scrambling to

make things work when Oregon schools shifted to distance learning, teachers and administrators were scrambling, too. What works when you are in a classroom doesn’t always translate well to a Google Meet.

So we tip our hats to all the teachers and staff who made the best of this huge pivot — all while trying to juggle their own worries over a pandemic and often stuck at home with their kids, too. Some educators stepped up to creatively connect with students. Scott Elementary Principal Megan McCarter became a TikTok star to her students, posting videos of herself dancing. Kali Thorne Ladd, executive director of KairosPDX, a culturally responsive charter school, not only stood out as a leader during the early stages of the pandemic, but when Portlanders were taking to the streets to protest police brutality and the killing of George Floyd, as well. In her We’re in This Together YouTube video, she talked about the impact of trauma on children’s brains and how to reframe the pandemic as a time to build resilience through connection. And on a larger stage with Mayor Ted Wheeler and other community leaders, she delivered an exceptional speech on how our children need us to talk to them about racism because they are our greatest hope for a more just future.

[ Soothing New-mom Nerves ]

»

Giving birth during a pandemic is not for the faint of heart. And caring for a new baby when the world is shut down is undoubtedly nerve-wracking. How are you even supposed to get to all those wellbaby appointments? But the mom-and-baby team at Providence St. Vincent developed an ingenious way for parents to bring their newborns in for weight-gain checks: a no-contract newborn checkup.

First, parents drive to a building apart from the main hospital, park, and call to let the staff know they’ve arrived for their appointment. Then a health care worker (sometimes nurse Doris Onnis, who has achieved epic status on FB mom groups as a lactation consultant legend) comes out to take the temperatures of the adults. No fever means they can bring their infant inside. The nurses instruct parents how to weigh their babies, and help moms take their own blood pressure. Nurses are still getting eyes on babies and able to answer questions, and new parents are able to get some peace of mind.

So in the fall of 2019, Trachsel and her business partner, Christopher Eaton, launched Tokka, an app that allows parents to connect to other parents they knew to help each other out with child care. But Trachsel and Eaton realized they needed to broaden circles for helping parents connect, so they planned a relaunch for March 2020. As COVID-19 started spreading through Washington state, Trachsel knew an on-demand babysitting app would not be safe. So they switched tracks. While she was always conscious of how much screen time her now-2-yearold son consumes, she sometimes asked her parents, who live abroad, to connect with her son over video chat to keep him busy. “Him being young they would not last longer than 20 minutes, but sometimes that would be just enough for me to send a couple of critical emails,” TOKKA says Trachsel. “And that’s when I thought that if [Tokka] can’t provide full-time support for working parents, maybe there is a way for us to help cover short times with virtual support.”

SONYA TRACHSEL

KAIROSPDX

»

Software engineer Sonya Trachsel knew firsthand the pre-COVID-19 difficulties of finding backup child care for all those common complications that working parents have to deal with: a babysitter canceling at the last minute, a sick child or having to stay late at work.

“I thought, What if there was a way to contact everyone you know at once and make a true on-demand solution? Similarly how Lyft does it with commuting,” says Trachsel.

Tokka has gone even further now, to provide not just virtual babysitting, but an enhanced one-on-one experience for kids.

Parents will find more than 70 of what Tokka calls “heroes” in Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.

The heroes are performers, artists and other professionals who love entertaining kids. Trachsel says one of the sitters in the Portland area is a botanist who can talk science with older kids or just take younger kids on a tour of her garden, asking them about their favorite colors. (All Tokka sitters must pass background checks.) Prices vary, but an hour costs anywhere from $15 to $40. It’s not a true substitute for in-person child care or school (man, we miss school), but it can mean you get a few precious uninterrupted minutes while your child gets a fun and educational virtual playdate.

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THE PORTLAND CHILD ART STUDIO

[ Art for This Time ] » It’s no coincidence that all those art-making videos and kindie musician virtual sing-alongs popped up in your news feeds as Oregon first went into lockdown. Medical studies have shown that creative pursuits such as drawing or making music — even listening to it — can help alleviate anxiety, depression and mood disturbances. The artists instinctively knew what we needed to get through this. The Portland Child Art Studio put a call out to the city’s children to reflect on the time we are living in and create art about it. They gathered submissions in a virtual gallery: portlandchildart. org/gallery-of-art-about-this-time. They plan to continue accepting submissions and giving out free art supplies to kids who drop off art.

They’ll also be offering new creative prompts as well. Visit facebook. com/Portland-Child-Art-Studio for more details on when and where to drop off art. Cover photographer Natalie Gildersleeve started her social distancing family portrait project in Portland, capturing families in this strange moment and inspiring other photographers to get in on the act. “The project really started as a way for me to capture some of the mood I think a lot of us were — and still are — experiencing during this unprecedented time: the isolation, beauty, hope, uncertainty, loneliness — and, most of all, our shared humanity,” says Gildersleeve. “We are all experiencing this in a different way and it felt important to capture that.”

And grown-up artists all over the city turned boarded-up shop windows into canvases for murals, spreading beauty along with calls for justice and messages of hope and support.

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[ Feeding Families ] » As jobs evaporated in March, many parents were faced with the very real possibility of not having enough food for their families.

So restaurants like Laughing Planet stepped up to offer free lunch for kids. Nate Snell of Pip’s Original Doughnuts and Chai turned off the deep fryer and focused on selling jugs of chai tea — and giving 10 percent of the proceeds to restaurant-industry folks out of work. Feed the Mass Executive Director, Jacob Valentine, switched over from offering low-cost cooking classes to providing free meals three days a week from The Redd in Southeast. James Beardwinner Gabriel Rucker of Le Pigeon volunteered with Valentine, bringing his formidable culinary skills to help feed fellow Portlanders. More recently, Equitable Giving Circle dreamed up a way to help both BIPOC farmers and families experiencing food insecurity with their CSA program. Supporters can donate to the program to purchase vegetables and proteins from farmers and food purveyors. And then free food boxes get distributed to BIPOC families who need them. And Grocery Outlet set up a food drive for its shoppers, with donations going to numerous organizations including Blessings in a Backpack, Gladstone Food Bank, Oregon Food Bank and many others. If you need help accessing food resources, please visit Partners for a Hunger-free Oregon at oregonhunger.org.

JAMIE THROWER

[ Books Heal ]

»

Since libraries shut down in March, librarians have been physically separated from the communities they serve. (As of press time some libraries have started appointment-only curbside pickup.) But it takes more than a global pandemic to keep librarians from spreading their love of literature and doing good for the people who used to come through their building’s doors. Gladstone Public Library has mailed seeds to patrons through its Seeds for Sharing program — and kept families updated on where to find free food giveaways. The Fort Vancouver Regional Library’s experiential learning librarian posted Creation Lab YouTube videos. In one she showed kids how to turn an empty box, black construction paper and a flashlight into a glowing constellation.

Washington County Library Services has hosted everything from online shows from The Alphabeticians

and Penny’s Puppets to virtual read-alouds of Oregon Battle of the Books titles in English and Spanish. And the mammoth Multnomah County Library system has churned out video after video on YouTube. Our beloved leaders of Book Babies and Tiny Tots read, sang and bounced their way through the favorite songs and books of their tiniest patrons. And they put out their videos for children in numerous languages — Mandarin, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese and more. And they didn’t forget about the grown-ups. Their social media was awash in author readings and online tutorials on how to do things like make a self-care zine. MCL’s virtual library card program opened up a vast e-book and audio book collection for Portlanders big and small.

MCL has even worked to get their Summer Reading game online so your kids could still earn their summer reading T-shirts!

As hard as the fallout of COVID-19 has been, editor Denise Castañon feels lucky to be surviving self-isolation with a flexible work schedule, stress-baking, gardening, art projects with the kids and an awesome, hands-on teacher husband who color-coded a distance-learning schedule in the spring. She hopes this roundup of amazing Portlanders helps you feel a little bit better about everything.

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School Options

PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE 2020

THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

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Private School Guide

Bridges Middle School School Type

Independent, private, special education Grades Offered

Fifth to eighth Religious Affiliation

None Number of Students

50 Student/Teacher Ratio

12-1 Average Class Size

10 students Staff with Master’s Degrees

5 Percentage of Students of Color

30 ADD/ADHD Support

Yes Admission Deadline

Feb. 15 of previous school year, then rolling as space allows

Our small class settings for fifth to eighth graders incorporate individualized academics with social skills, therapies, and support that set the foundation for future success. 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.

For many Bridges students, this means the difference between effective learning and being passed along. It means positive social and emotional growth rather than isolation or, worse, bullying.

Address 2510 SW 1st Ave., Portland, OR 97201

Tuition

$24,500

Website BridgesMS.org Phone 503-688-2922

Financial Aid Available

Yes Summer School Offered

No Before/After Care

No

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School Overview: School Type Independent, private, special education Grades Offered Fifth to eighth Religious Affiliation None School Memberships COGNIA, Oregon Department of Education

Private School Guide

Oregon Episcopal School Year Founded

1869 School Type

Private, independent, co-ed, day, boarding Grades Offered

Pre-K to 12 Religious Affiliation

Episcopal Languages Taught

Chinese, Spanish, French School Memberships and Accreditations

Northwest Association of Accredited Schools Number of Students

870, including 60 boarders Student/Teacher Ratio

7:1 Average Class Size

16 students Percentage of Students of Color

46 Campus Size

59 wooded acres Open House

Go to oes.edu/admissions Financial Aid Available

Yes Activities

Art, music, theater, no-cut sports Before/After Care

Yes

Oregon Episcopal School prepares 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.

Nestled within 59 wooded acres that include natural wetlands, nature trails, ropes courses and gardens in southwest Portland, OES offers an outstanding educational experience for Pre-K through Grade 12 students, including Grade 9-12 boarding students.

Address 6300 SW Nicol Rd., Portland, OR 97223 Website oes.edu Phone 503-246-7771

School Overview: School Type Private, independent, co-ed, day, boarding Grades Offered Pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 Religious Affiliation Episcopal School Memberships Northwest Association of Accredited Schools Summer School Offered Yes, oes.edu/ summer

Graduates

99% attend four-year colleges

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Private School Guide

Cathedral School School Type

Premier Comprehensive Catholic school Grades Offered

Pre-Kindergarten to Eighth Grade Religious Affiliation

Catholic

Languages Taught

Spanish

Number of Students

250

Student / Teacher Ratio

13-1

Admission Deadline

None / rolling Tuition

$6,936-$9,946 Open House Date

October 18, 10 am-12:30 pm

An Apple distinguished school where academic excellence meets Catholic tradition in NW Portland. Our mission is to instill a lifelong love for learning and a respect for each person and all creations as gifts of God. Small class sizes, 1-1 iPad-to-student ratio, before/after care, welcoming all faiths.

Address 110 NW 17th Ave., Portland, OR 97209 Website Cathedral-or.org Phone 503-275-9370

Cedarwood Waldorf School School Type

Waldorf

Grades Offered

Pre-kindergarten to eighth Languages Taught

Spanish, Japanese Number of Students

260

Student / Teacher Ratio

13-1

Extracurricular Activities

Orchestral & choral music, Handwork & practical arts

Cedarwood Waldorf School has been helping children develop a richly well-rounded set of skills, creativity, inner strength and capability, and connection to community since 1997. Cedarwood is committed to continuing this tradition of education and supporting children in Pre-K to grade eight in new and creative ways.

Address 3030 SW 2nd Ave., Portland, OR 97201 Website Cedarwoodschool.org Phone 503-245-1477

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Private School Guide

Franciscan Montessori Earth School School Type

Montessori Grades Offered

Pre-K to eighth Religious Affiliation

Catholic

Languages Taught

German, Spanish Number of Students

300

Student / Teacher Ratio

12-1

Average Class Size

20 students

Inclusive / Accessible Supports

Yes

The Franciscan Montessori Earth School has offered a quality Montessori education since 1977. The Franciscan Montessori Earth School strives to inspire children to expand their minds, nurture their spirits, and steward the earth.

Call or visit our website today!

Address 14750 SE Clinton St. Portland, OR 97236

Website Fmes.org Phone 503-760-8220

Admission Deadline

Rolling Tuition

Varies Extracurricular Activities

Sports, music, chess

French American International School School Type

Language Immersion / International Baccalaureate Grades Offered

Preschool to 8th Languages Taught

English, French, German, Mandarin, Spanish Number of students

520

Student / Teacher Ratio

9 /1

Average Class Size

15 students

Admission Deadline

Rolling (Feb 1: priority consideration)

PREPARED TO RETURN TO CAMPUS. PREPARED IF THINGS CHANGE. Discover why immersion is so much more than learning another language, and how community transcends a campus at FAIS — Portland’s longest- established immersion school and only IB school for preschool to eighth grade.

Address 8500 NW Johnson St., Portland OR 97229 Website faispdx.org Phone 503-292-7776

Tuition

$15,615 (half days)-$22,116

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Private School Guide

German International School School Type

Immersion & International Baccalaureate Grades Offered

Preschool to fifth Languages Taught

German, Mandarin Number of Students

200

Student / Teacher Ratio

9-1

Average Class Size

15 students

Admission Deadline

Rolling for twos & preschool Tuition

$11,585-$15,650 annual Extracurricular Activities

Clubs, music lessons

At German International School we give our students the tools and perspectives they need to be active participants in a global community by nurturing their curiosity with inquiry-based learning. As an IB World School, we provide a high-quality German and Chinese language education by immersing students in language and culture.

Address 3900 SW Murray Blvd., Beaverton, OR 97005 Website Gspdx.org Phone 503-626-9089

The International School School Type

Language immersion, International Baccalaureate Grades Offered

Preschool to fifth Languages Taught

Mandarin, Spanish, Japanese Number of Students

400

Student/Teacher Ratio

9-1

Average Class Size

14 students

Admission Deadline

Rolling

Additional

We are well-prepared to provide a quality education this fall – in-person or remotely!

How would The International School benefit your child? Schedule a personalized virtual tour to learn more!

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Get an education bigger than a neighborhood!

For 30 years, we’ve provided our unique blend of full language immersion, dynamic academics, and multicultural community.

Chinese, Japanese or Spanish immersion. International Baccalaureate.

Address 2305 S Water Ave., Portland, OR 97201 Website Intlschool.org Phone 503-226-2496

Private School Guide

Portland Forest School School Type

Traditional private school Grades Offered

Kindergarten to 12th Number of Students

55

Student/Teacher Ratio

9-1

Average Class Size

8 students

Admission Deadline

Rolling Tuition

$13,399

We are a school of community and nature. Students journey outside and into the forest every day.

We dive into naturalist studies and life sciences, fostering research skills that last a lifetime. The students of the Portland Forest School grow with the land, plants and animals who share our world.

Address 4617 SE Milwaukie Ave., Portland, OR 97202 Website Trackerspdx.com/forest-school Phone 503-858-8423

Portland Jewish Academy School Type

Independent school Grades Offered

Infant to eighth Religious Affiliation

Jewish

Languages Taught

Hebrew, Spanish Student/Teacher Ratio

10-1

Average Class Size

18 students

Inclusive / Accessible Supports

Academic supports, enrichment supports, differentiation within the classroom setting Admission Deadline

Rolling

Extracurricular Activities

Cross country and basketball teams, Work for the World Club, Living as a Writer Workshop

PJA is an independent, progressive Jewish community school. Our hands-on interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizes collaborative learning, critical thinking, character development, and community engagement. Our values-based approach and commitment to service-learning empower our students to think for themselves and work for the world.

Address 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland, OR 97219 Website Pjaproud.org Phone 503-244-0126 pdxparent.com

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Private School Guide

Swallowtail Waldorf School & Farm School Type

Waldorf

Grades Offered

Pre-K to 8th

Languages Taught

Spanish

Number of Students

140

Class Size

15 students Admission Deadline

Rolling Tuition

$8,725-$12,450 Tuition Assistance

Yes

Outdoor education on our farm campus is what sets Swallowtail School apart. Swallowtail offers small class sizes for pre-K to eighth grade. Caring teachers deliver a Waldorf curriculum that nurtures curiosity and critical thinking. At the heart of Swallowtail is an active and supportive community.

Address 460 S. Heather St., Cornelius, OR 97113 Website Swallowtailschool.org Phone 503-846-0336

Tucker Maxon School School Type

Communication, academic excellence, Social and Emotional Learning Grades Offered

Preschool to fifth Number of Students

100

Student/Teacher Ratio

8-1 average

Average Class Size

10-12 students

Admission Deadline

August 21 (rolling, as space available) Tuition

$860/month elementary, $925/month preschool (other services see website) Highlights

Sports, ASL club, art/music, PE/outdoor education, STEM, deaf/hard of hearing, dyslexia, and reading focus

We’re ready, no matter what!

We will welcome your children safely back to campus on Sept. 8th!

Our teachers and technology are ready to pivot to distance learning if necessary. We will have stable cohorts in small classes with an all-new, state-of-the-art HVAC, and a large playground with a greenhouse and treehouse classroom.

Address 2860 SE Holgate Blvd., Portland, OR 97202 Website Tuckermaxon.org Phone 503-235-6551

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Private School Guide

Westside Christian High School School Type

Private high school Grades Offered

Ninth to 12th

Religious Affiliation

Christian

Languages Taught

2

Number of Students

180

Student/Teacher ratio

11-1

Average Class Size

16 students

Admission Deadline

January 31, 2021

Westside Christian High School (WCHS) is a private Christian school with a mission to inspire godly transformation and Christ-like character through exceptional education and intentional discipleship to impact the world for Christ.

WCHS plans to have in-person classes five days a week.

There are limited spots available for the 2020-2021 school year.

Tuition

$13,500 Extracurricular Activities

Athletics, music, drama

Address 8200 SW Pfaffle St., Tigard, OR 97223 Website Wchsonline.org Phone 503-697-4711

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Private School Guide

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t’s n e r a P X D P r a d n e l a C e O p e n H o unsl y a t o om c . t n e r a p pdx

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PD X

RENT P PA I

Health & Wellness 2020

This year, staying healthy is on everyone’s mind. Here are our readers’ picks for the best in family Health & Wellness. View the full results from our readers’ poll at pdxparent.com/picks-winners.

FAMILY- FRIENDLY FITNESS

PEDIATRICIAN Winner OHSU

Winner Fit4Mom

Multiple locations, ohsu.edu/primary-care/pediatric-primary-care

Multiple locations, fit4mom.com

Whether you head to the main campus on Marquam Hill or a

Another repeat winner, moms have loved the no-

neighborhood clinic in Richmond or Gabriel Park, you’ll find that

judgment vibe of Fit4Mom workout classes for a long

OHSU pediatricians work to build a long-term relationship with your

time. And as of press time, the Portland chapters of

family. And should your child ever need it, you’ll have access to the

Fit4Mom have all gone virtual with online workouts

specialists at the top-rated OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

and playgroups. But this actually could make it easier

See page 6 for some of the ways they (and many of our Top 5

for new moms to get their sweat on — cause we all

winners) have adapted for COVID-19.

know that getting out the door with a baby in tow can sometimes take superhuman abilities. The good news

Top 5

— at-home workouts can be done in your pajamas!

Broadway Medical Clinic Metropolitan Pediatrics, LLC

Top 5

Pediatric Associates of the Northwest

Bikes for Humanity PDX

Sellwood Medical Clinic

Baby Boot Camp

Sunset Pediatrics

Barre3 Hike It Baby Luna Wellness Ready Set GROW Yoga and Dance Studio

DENTIST FOR KIDS

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE RESOURCES

Winner

World of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

Winner The Hello Clinic One Lincoln Center, Suite 410, 10300 SW Greenburg Rd., thehellofoundation.com/clinic

11790 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 280, visitworldofsmiles.com

This is a new category this year! And The Hello

Clinic, which provides speech-language therapy and occupational therapy, claimed the top spot by

Repeat winner World of

Smiles Dentistry is doing

putting kids first no matter what. For years before the COVID-19 crisis, The Hello Clinic’s speech pathologists

all it can to keep patients safe and healthy. The practice is decreasing the

WORLD OF SMILES

number of kids seen, has installed air purification units in the office, and does frequent deep cleans of the waiting room — among other safety measures. And, yes, the office is still managing to make visiting the dentist fun for kids and teens! Need proof? Check out the dancing dentist and staff member videos on its Instagram account @pdxkidsdentist.

Top 5 Dr. Pike Dentistry for Children Garfinkle Orthodontics Hollywood Children’s Dentistry Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics 28

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and occupational therapists utilized one-on-one

teletherapy appointments for many patients. Right

now, all appointments are virtual to protect families, but the staff is looking for ways to safely provide in-

person appointments for kids who just aren’t into video treatment. Interested in learning more? The Hello Clinic provides free consultations.

Top 5 Albertina Kerr’s Children’s Developmental Health Services Gather and Grow PDX Northwest Family Services Sensory Kids, LLC Therapy Solutions for Kids

H E A LT H & W E E S S

Be sure to check out pdxparent.com for the latest resources and ideas that will help families through these uncertain times. pdxparent.com

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field trip

Wands Out! Harry Potter fans will dive right into the augmented reality game Wizards Unite.

STORY AND PHOTOS

BY DENISE CASTAÑON

W

ith limited places to go with my 5-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter, I decided it was finally time to try the augmented reality mobile game app Harry Potter Wizards Unite — think of it as the marriage of Pokémon Go with the Harry Potter world. In fact, the developer Niantic produces both games. Wizards Unite builds on the storyline built in the Harry Potter books and gives players the chance to find and battle “Confoundables” where they are in the real world to keep Muggles from discovering the existence of wizards.

So, I’m no techie, but I can usually figure out pretty quickly how mobile games work. That said, the learning curve is very steep with Wizards Unite.

There are so many things to keep track of and so many layers to the game.

After playing a few times, I eventually had to watch a YouTube tutorial to better understand how it all worked!

But for younger kids, the story and point-boosting strategies are not nearly as important as seeing Luna Lovegood with a fire-breathing chicken. So, if your kids would find saving Sirius Black from dementors to be great fun, you can simply play to cast spells and save various characters and objects. This is how we chose to go.

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For more ideas for fun outings, visit: pdxparent.com/ field-trip.

The details. Find out more at harrypotterwizardsunite.com.

Available for download through the App Store, Google Play and Samsung Galaxy Store. Free, but in-game purchase options often pop up.

You start the game on a map that shows various challenges and potion ingredients in your actual location. I thought the game would be more dependent on walking, but you can often be in one location and come across various objects. The busier the place, the more goodies around. Pro tip: It’s a good idea to start playing the game at a busier location, so you can get more practice casting spells. For example, we played at Trillium Lake (socially distanced, of course) and our map lit up with “Foundables.” Whereas in our neighborhood, there were a lot fewer Foundables right around our house. But a short walk did lead us to a fortress, where you can fight against dark wizards alone or with other friends who also play the game.

To cast spells, you use your finger to trace a shape on your smartphone screen — such as a lowercase e for the spell “ebublio.” You have more than one attempt to save an object. My son had a harder time with the tracing. I’d end up helping him if his attempts were unsuccessful. My daughter picked it up quickly enough. (Each successful defeat of a Confoundable earns the player points and other rewards.)

Pro tip: Think of a really unique “code name” before you start playing for the first time. After downloading and registering, the game allows you to play a bit before you need to create a code name. You cannot move forward or do anything else in the game until your code name is accepted! It took me at least 12 tries.

Wizards Unite also allows you to play with friends, but I didn’t want to add that layer of complexity while playing with my kids. But I can see how it would be really fun for older kids playing on their own to virtually connect with their friends for battles and to earn rewards.

So while the game is super complicated, my kids love playing. And since playgrounds aren’t open yet, I found Wizards Unite to be a great way to take my kids to our neighborhood park, but keep them away from the play equipment and other kids. And I am not above using it as a bribe to get them out for a walk around the neighborhood! (And dear J.K. Rowling, please reconsider your TERF stance. We all know Hermione Granger would ally with trans women.)

Editor Denise Castañon read the Harry Potter series long before she had children. She’s raising a Hermione Granger and a James Potter.

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hands on

A All Aflutter

Try this fun planting project from Al’s Garden Center to bring more butterflies into your yard!

BY AMY BIGEJ

K

ids love butterflies! So encourage your child’s sense of connection to the natural world and invite butterflies into your backyard by planting a butterfly garden. This project calls for a summery beach bucket as a planter, but if you have the time and space, consider dedicating an area in your landscape as a butterfly oasis.

Butterflies love a colorful array of nectar-producing plants. Be sure to also include host plants to feed the caterpillar stage of their life cycles. Cosmos, dianthus, sweet alyssum, asters, nicotiana, nasturtiums, snapdragons, petunias, lantana, daisies and sunflowers are all great choices for your garden. With the appropriate plantings, a butterfly garden provides opportunities to educate your children about the life cycle of the butterfly, allowing them to view each stage of growth and explore the intricate relationships of plants and animals.

Materials Colorful beach bucket with shovel

For more kid-friendly projects, visit: pdxparent.com /hands-on

EVE HANSEN

Potting soil

32

Flowers that attract butterflies and/or host plants for caterpillars (see above)

Instructions

Fun Facts about

Butterflies

› A butterfly’s life cycle is made up of four parts: egg, larva (caterpillars), pupa (chrysalis) and adult. › Butterflies attach their eggs to leaves with a special glue.

1. Fill your bucket with potting soil.

2. Plant taller flowers such as cosmos or daisies toward the back or center of your bucket.

3. Fill in the outside edges with clumping plants (such as dianthus) or trailing flowers (such as alyssum).

4. Place your planter outdoors in a sunny location.

5. Water your planter as needed. Watch for butterflies and keep a journal of your discoveries. Transplant your flowers into an outdoor garden bed if they become too crowded in the bucket.

› Most caterpillars are plant eaters (herbivores). › Butterflies can live in the adult stage anywhere between a week and a year, depending on the species. › Butterflies have four wings.

Go to youtube.com and search for “Al’s Garden & Home” to find videos for more Kids’ Club projects!

› Butterflies have taste receptors on their feet. › Scientists estimate there are between 15,000 and 20,000 different species of butterflies.

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Amy Bigej is the education coordinator for Al’s Garden & Home. She loves working on fun, educational and gardening-themed kids’ projects for the monthly Kids’ Club.

Sign up for our twice-a-week newsletter and get the latest parenting tips, tricks, activities and more delivered right to your inbox.

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fa m i ly s u p p e R

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

Peruvian dishes from the reopened El Inka please the whole family, especially a starch-loving mom and kid.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DENISE CASTAĂ‘ON

A Carb-lover’s over’s Dream

P

ollos a la Brasa El Inka, or El Inka, a popular Peruvian restaurant in Gresham known for stellar spice-rubbed rotisserie chicken, closed in 2019. But the husband-and-wife team of Luis Cabrera and Claudia Fernandez recently reopened, this time in outer Southeast right as restaurant dining had resumed in Multnomah County. My family is fond of Peruvian cuisine, especially lomo saltado, so we placed an order for pickup on a recent weeknight.

El Inka’s website helpfully provides pictures and descriptions of the various dishes. (And it’s in English and Spanish.) But I was unclear on whether I could order pickup through the site, so I just called in our order. (Sadly, they don’t have a rotisserie roaster yet, so their specialty chicken is not on the menu at this time.)

Pro tip: El Inka is located in an orange building on the south side of Division, right in front of a garden-accessories lot. I initially missed it and circled around the block looking for the right spot — more than once. Hint, park on 85th Avenue and walk east on Division.

Our food was waiting when I got there (actually they’d called letting me know it was ready, round the time I was driving right past ). And it smelled delicious.

I ordered an appetizer called salchipapas ($5.99) for my 5-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter to share — basically thick, fried potato wedges and cut-up franks. Is that not the perfect slightly picky kid food? They devoured the fries and ate most of the hot dogs.

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My husband ordered the lomo saltado, strips of steak stir-fried with onions and peppers and tossed with thick-cut fries and served with white rice ($14.99). Since we brought the food home, the fries were a little soggy, but it was no less tasty. My husband especially liked the way the spicy red rocoto chile sauce, one of a rainbow of sauces that came in little containers with our food, brought the whole plate together. I ordered the pollo saltado, the same dish, but with chicken instead of beef ($12.99). I ended up giving most of the chicken to my son. “This chicken is good,� he said as I passed him another piece. He also shared my rice. The meal was starch-heavy — exactly what he likes. And who am I kidding — he gets that from me. I had no problem eating fries and rice either, especially rice that had soaked up the savory juices from the chicken. (Even my husband, usually a bastion of healthy eating, didn’t leave so much as a grain of rice on his plate.)

Also, I really enjoyed the zing the green and yellow sauces added to the pollo saltado.

We ended our meal with alfajores cookies ($2.50 each), two crunchy shortbread slabs with dulce de leche sandwiched in the middle. The kids approved, purposely squishing out the creamy dulce de leche to lick between bites. My husband summed it up by saying, “I’d definitely order from them again.�

El Inka: 8560 SE Division St., 503-432-8270, inkafood.vivenature.com/en/

Editor Denise Castaùon loves exploring Portland’s family-friendly dining scene with her husband, 8-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son.

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August 2020

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