Sacramento Parent January 2016

parent January 2016

Is IQ Heritable?

Be Inspired with a Family Vision Board

ANNUAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

MIX UP YOUR NEXT MNO sacramentoparent.com

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JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

Rules for kindergarten enrollment: 1. Visit www.sanjuan.edu/kindergartenparents.

2. Explore our many offerings for your young learner.

3. Wipe away your tears.

4. Watch your kindergartner grow!

Accepting enrollment for the Class of 2028 starting Feb. 3. sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016

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Merryhill School

®

Preschools, Elementary & Middle Schools

Personalized learning in a nurturing community Merryhill Schools offer outstanding private education, from preschool through eighth grade, with a curriculum that prepares students for success. Our preschools offer the perfect balance of learning and play. Our elementary and middle schools continue to foster a love of learning by providing challenging academics along with specialty classes.

Preschool Open House Saturday, January 23, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Elementary & Middle School Open House Thursday, January 21, 5:00 – 7:00 pm Contact us to RSVP or schedule a private tour at a location near you!

discovermerryhill.com • 877-959-4187 SACRAMENTO

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ROSEVILLE

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JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

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12/14/15

8:43 AM

12/1/2015 12:03:16 PM

Introducing Dr. Jennifer Ryan

“We are excited to be working together after 14 years of friendship. We have similar philosophies, and treat our patients like we would our own children.”

–Dr. Joelle Speed

Dr. Jennifer Ryan grew up in the Bay Area, where she graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in psychology. She received her DDS degree with highest honors from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in 1997, where she was awarded the Charles Sweet Award for Clinical excellence in the treatment of children.

Dr. Ryan completed a three-year residency in pediatric dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco and received both her pediatric dentistry specialty certificate and a master’s degree in Oral Biology in 2000. Dr. Ryan believes that all cavities are preventable, and strives to provide parents with the knowledge to prevent cavities in their own children. Her philosophy of care is to treat every child the way she would want her own children treated.

Dr. Ryan was in private practice in Roseville for eight years, and then in Folsom for the past five years before deciding to come back to the Roseville community. We welcome Dr. Ryan back to Roseville!

"An Experience Worth Smiling About"

Dr. Joelle Speed Dr. Jennifer Ryan Specialists in Pediatric Dentistry smilegallerykidsdds.com (916) 782.5503

KINDERGARTEN ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS Nurturing healthy school habits and developing well-rounded children.

Licensed program with skilled staff, a Learning through Literacy program, clubs, open recreation and more.

Ask center about free registration for your Kindergartener or go to cdicdc.org for full rules/details.

Free and reduced programs for those that qualify.

CDI/CDC serves these localities:

Antelope

Davis

Sacramento

Dixon

Woodland

Elk Grove Rocklin

cdicdc.org License#434400406/300607157

sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016

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on our cover

parent January 2016

Cruise is one of four brothers who loves all sports! Cruise plays soccer, basketball, baseball and rides dirt bikes. When he’s not busy with those hobbies he loves watching the SF 49ers, Giants and Warriors.

He is quite the sports nut!

CONNECTING FAMILIES FOR 23 YEARS

Cover Photographer: ColeHearted Photography www.ColeHeartedPhotography.com

contents JANUARY 2016

12

18

29

departments

features

around town

11 CRAFTY

12

Fresh MNO Ideas

33 CALENDAR

29

Contra Dancing for Family Bonding

Create a Family Vision Board

18 NEXT DOOR

Meet Izzy

What’s Happening in January

40 SHOWS Lights, Camera, Action!

43 AROUND TOWN

42 EXHIBITS

Keeping Foster Kids Cozy

New Displays

15

What About the Genetic Standard?

special advertising section 23 23RD ANNUAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

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JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

Specialized Care for Kids New Pediatric Emergency Department We know that sometimes fear can get in the way of your children getting better. That’s why we’ve designed our new dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department with children, and their families, in mind. From “safe zones” for your kids to play in free of treatment, to doctors and nurses trained in techniques that minimize pain and anxiety, it’s how you plus us and we plus you.

suttermedicalcenter.org sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016

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She believed she could, so she did.

Sunrise Pediatric Dentistry Our Dentists Are Board Certified Pediatric Specialists • Friendly & Experienced Staff • State-Of-The-Art Dental Practice • First Visit Recommended By Age One • Networked With Many Insurance Companies

Ballet • Tap Jazz • Hip Hop Beginning at age 2.

Call Us Today!

(916) 863-7336 www.SunrisePediatricDentistry.com 7806 Madison Avenue, Suite 200, Fair Oaks

www.Facebook.com/SunrisePediatricDentistryInFairOaks

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JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

Granite Bay 791-4496 • Folsom 351-0024 Sacramento 481-4496 • www.tricksdance.com

dear readers Well, it’s a New Year…already! As I was settling in to write this, I had to look back at my 2015 Bucket List—and while I got to about half of my proclaimed to-do’s last year—my family didn’t make it to Disneyland and I’m still dreaming about new kitchen countertops. How’d you do?

If you haven’t already made any resolutions in 2016, try creating a family vision board together.

Learn how to get started on page 11.

publisher | SUE LETO COLE editor-in-chief | SHELLY BOKMAN editor | SHANNON SMITH art director | PATRICE VAN DAM, Studio PR administrative assistant | CHRISTINE QUARRY COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Colehearted Photography www.ColeheartedPhotography.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Memories by Michelle | www.MByMPhotos.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Michelle Kopkash | Michelle McDaid Christine Quarry | Amanda Schmidt Shannon Smith | Ethan Tse

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER

Jenee ´ Watts | (530) 889.6179 jenee@sacramentoparent.com

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

Raychell Sarcomo | (530) 889.6175 raychell@sacramentoparent.com Lindsay Trenz | (530) 889.6178 lindsay@sacramentoparent.com

instagram.com/ facebook.com/ SacParent SacramentoParent

As for the future at Sacramento Parent—it’s looking bright! The 2016 Source Book is hitting the stands along with this issue and it’s loaded with great local resources, punch lists and ideas for families. Be sure to grab a copy, it’s free as always. We’ve also got some really cool stories in the works, fantastic giveaways and a few new surprises to roll out in the year ahead! We’ll start with a challenge for parents—are you carving out time to do what makes you happy? Be inspired by the article on page 12 and look for a challenge post on our Facebook page later this month.

Free Face Painting Games & Activities Arts & Crafts

Fun & Discovery for all Ages!

Come explore a variety of critters and Become a BUGologist!

The next few months will focus on education options and we’re kicking it off with private schools. There is a guide on page 23 and we talked with a few amazing students attending local private schools. Meet Ethan on page 15 and Izzy on page 18.

Plus, Babies & Bumps is right around the corner and we can’t wait to see who comes out for the next Cover Kid Search in April! Maybe the motto this year should be, “There is no such thing as too much fun!”

Make it a great year!

pinterest.com/ SacParent

twitter.com/ SacParentMag

Shannon and the Sac Parent Team

FAMILY PUBLISHING, INC. Sacramento Parent Magazine Subscription Rate: one year, $30 457 Grass Valley Highway, Suite 5 Auburn, CA 95603 p (530) 888.0573 f (530) 888.1536 sacparenteditor@gmail.com | www.sacramentoparent.com

Sacramento Parent magazine is published monthly by Family Publishing, Inc. It is available free of charge at over 1,000 locations throughout Greater Sacramento. Sacramento Parent magazine welcomes letters, articles, artwork and photos from our readers.

Sacramento Parent is not responsible for the return of unsolicited materials. All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written permission.

Opinions expressed by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily the opinions of this publication.

sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016

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Sac Parent Music by Sergei Prokofiev January – April 2016 Choreography by Deirdre Hawkins 1/4 page 3.6875" x 4.87"20th • 7 PM SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4-color SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21st • 2 PM

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Jill Solberg Performing Arts Theatre Folsom High School Campus 10 JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

2016 Family Vision Board

By Michelle Kopkash This January, take advantage of the New Year momentum by creating a ‘2016 family vision board’ with your children. The board can be a combination of pictures and words that represent your family member’s ambitions and dreams, and can also include positive affirmations or inspiring mottos that your family loves. With a few simple supplies and some imaginative visions, you can help your family members come up with goals for the year.

Supplies: • Poster board • Scissors • Glue Stick • Magazines and newspapers

The Process: 1. Brainstorm ideas with your family members about some of the things they’d like to accomplish this year. Do they want to try a new sport, learn to read, ride a bike or play an instrument? Do you want to go camping or have more family dinners together?

2. Ask your children to help you cut pictures out from magazines and newspapers that represent these visions. Closely supervise younger children with scissors.

3. Once you’ve cut out a large selection of pictures and words, paste them onto the poster board using a glue stick.

4. Keep the vision board somewhere special so that you can review it throughout the year.

Michelle Kopkash is the publisher of Macaroni Kid Roseville-Rocklin-Lincoln, a local site dedicated to helping parents find family-friendly events to entertain and educate their kids each week: www.Roseville.Ca.MacaroniKid.com.

sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 11

A Merlot Mama’s Guide to a Whine-Free MNO

By Michelle McDaid

When you’re a mom, your time is not your own anymore. It’s spent feeding and rocking babies, corralling willful toddlers, hurrying-along kids, or shuttling them to and from activities. And when that’s all done, there’s still laundry and dishes to be done and mayyyybe, just maybe, you’ll have some time with your husband (if you can keep your eyes open).

When you finally make the time to do something for yourself, you’re overdue and ready to let it all go. You pull together your best girlfriends and head out to a bar or a restaurant to drink wine and complain about the kids and the man.

Then you get home late, wake up feeling a little worse for wear, and start all over again.

If at some point, wine and girl talk just aren’t doing it for you anymore, try adding something with a little more substance.

That’s what my girlfriends and I agreed on this year.

It all began when one of my friends invited us over to her house early in the New Year and, ahead of time, asked us to email her with one quality we loved about each of the other friends in our group. She was then going to write all those things on a card and give us our cards of anonymous appreciations to take home with us.

We were teary-eyed, we were loved and appreciated and seen. It was better than any bottle of wine.

Hey, no judgment, been there, done that, MADE the T-shirts.

Do you find yourself longing for something that’s not just a temporary distraction from the stresses of everyday life, but something that truly feeds your soul—giving you the grace, renewed energy and refreshed-perspective to not only tackle responsibilities—but to transcend them?

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I have to admit, I thought it was a bit cheesy. But I did it anyway—this friend has a big heart and loving spirit— I’ll follow her lead any day.

Something happened, however, in this writing down of love and thankfulness.

When we showed-up at her house that evening, the tenor of the night was different. Instead of working our way through bottles of wine, we began the

night receiving our cards full of love. “I love your joy of experiencing life and taking me along,” said one of mine. “I love your courage to follow your dreams and accept challenges with an open appetite,” said another. We stood side-byside accepting these compliments that we probably never would have thought to say out loud and probably would have demurred anyway.

We were teary-eyed, we were loved and appreciated and seen. It was better than any bottle of wine.

Then, we sat down on the floor and banged on some bongo drums and sang karaoke songs really badly. We were (almost) completely sober.

A couple of months later we got together again at my house and I set up another activity to remind us of all the good we could manifest in our lives. I gave each of us a piece of paper with two columns and 20 lines: the first column was for writing down things that we love to do, the second for recording the last time we actually allowed ourselves to do it.

Then, with these thoughts fresh in our minds, we had 2 minutes to rip through a pile of magazines, pulling out images that reminded of us of things that made us happy, and we turned those clippings into a collage of happiness. It’s amazing how many things we slowly, unconsciously give up when we become wives and mothers; activities, hobbies, habits and even secret little dreams that we harbored, fall by the wayside, one-byone. But now, each of us has that collage in our office or closet as a daily reminder to work on things that bring us joy.

Photo by Memories by Michelle | www.MByMPhotos.com

These are just a couple examples of the ways in which we have begun to share moments together that are positive and meaningful. Although, we still get together and gripe over a bottle of wine sometimes, too.

Here are some other ways you, too can mix up your next night out with friends: • My ideal evening. Each get together, a girlfriend chooses their ideal evening out—activities, location, food—and everyone else goes along for the ride, no questions asked. This is a great way to give everyone the opportunity to plan something they will enjoy, share something they love with their friends, and maybe even do something different than what might occur when decisions are made to please the group as a whole.

• Outside your comfort zone. As a group, make a list of things each of you would love to try but are too scared to do by yourself, for instance, a pole-dancing class or zip lining or just trying a new cuisine. Then make a commitment as a group to do one of those things each time you get together.

• Get unstuck with your goals. Before you get together, write down something you’ve been trying to achieve, a goal you have that you seem unable to reach, or don’t know where to begin. Then when you get together, each mom reads their goal aloud to the group and everyone else helps them brainstorm ideas to make it happen. As an extra bonus, you could check back in again with one another in 3 or 6 months to hold each other accountable.

• Let something go. Everyone writes down a list of their tasks, activities and priorities, including specific tasks you do for your family, around the home, for others and yourself, etc... Then label each activity as either Enjoyable, Meaningful, Necessary, or none of the above.

Next, have the group vote on giving you permission to eliminate one of the items on the “none of the above” list from your life. Learning to say “no” can be hard and sometimes it helps to have others’ permission to let the things go that don’t serve us anymore.

As women, our friendships are often our greatest sources of strength and support.

Using the precious time we have together in a positive and affirmational way can lead to deeper connections and a greater source of joy that spreads into other areas of our lives, too.

sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 13

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, January 31 • 10am to 2pm

St. Philomene Catholic School 2320 El Camino Avenue Sacramento, CA 95821

www.stphilomene.org

New Students T.K. through 8th Grade

Contact us for more information or a school tour.

(916) 489-1506

WASC Accredited/WCEA member

St. Philomene provides a balanced, high-quality education focused on the Gospel values and teachings of Jesus Christ.

14 JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

What about the Genetic Standard?

By Ethan Tse

“I want to go to Stanford when I grow up,” said my wide-eyed freshman self, seeing college as an opportunity, rather than— what I’d later find out to be—a gift for the few.

As I grew accustomed to laboriously studying, late night cramming and meal-skipping, I was also building a nonprofit, playing golf, learning three foreign languages, and competing in speech and debate tournaments.

My first three years of high school were nothing short of constant hard work; and my dreams of going to Stanford seemed to coincide with my passions.

However, as senior year approached, my standardized tests (SAT and ACT) scores weren't even near the percentile required of Stanford, or any of my dream schools.

And even though advisors had told me that universities look at an applicant holistically, it was pretty apparent from

constant score numbers on brochures to talks about scoring at information sessions, that mediocre test scores could shed a dim light on my portfolio.

Academically, a conflict arose. I had a 4.8 cumulative GPA and being one of the top five students at my school of 260 showed that I was a good student, yet the SAT marked me an “average test-taker.”

According to Professor of Psychology, Robert Plomin, the scientific community has come to the consensus that “intelligence is on some level the product of your genes” and IQ is nearly 50 percent heritable. Unlike society’s acceptance of physical traits such as height and eye color as genetic, intelligence as a genetic

trait does not demand the same degree of prominence because it is difficult to identify these genes.

With the SAT only measuring partial genetic ability, those like me (with high achieving abilities, but without standard IQ genetic favor), are scaled inaccurately.

Moreover, the standard at which the SAT places itself seems to be partial to circular, intellectual genes and this makes it difficult for hard-workers with a lineage of disadvantaged genes.

Richard Nisbett, graduate of Columbia University and prominent professor of psychology at the University of Michigan discovered that an individual’s IQ is a combination of genetics and continued on page 16 sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 15

Ethan continued from page 15

environment. When isolating people in similar environments, you can see that an IQ score, much like the SAT, doesn’t measure your practical intelligence, nor does it measure creativity, curiosity and hard work. Standardized testing that focuses on isolated learning styles like the SAT or IQ test just don’t add up for testing the variety of students who take them.

With only marginal predictive worth for performance in college, standardized scores do little to nothing to suggest what a student might contribute to the character and vitality of an intellectual community.

While the current system of college admissions rewards disadvantaged environments, like household income, they do not take into consideration disadvantaged genetics, leading to marginal test taking skills. Sure, this idea of a gene allowing others to do better on tests may seem farfetched, but it’s no different than the advantages of a wealthy environment.

In my case, both my Aunt and Sister are diagnosed with Phonics Dyslexia and my cousin has a severe learning disability.

I always had trouble reading out loud in class and took longer to study for exams or complete reading assignments.

Although, I seemed to do very well in school despite my difficulties and my parents did not feel that I should go through the rigorous and expensive Psychological testing only to be denied extra time on the SAT by the College Board; a mere two percent of people with learning disabilities are granted these accommodations (College Board). Further, my inability to quickly decipher between “their” and “they’re” or “between” and “among” has not hindered the relative caliber of work ethic.

colleges to compute scores and easily eliminate “unfit” students from monsoon applicant pools. By relying on standardized tests to determine the future of our children, we are propagating the problematic notion that intellectual potential is innate—that you and I are born with a fixed inheritance that will determine our future, and there's nothing we can do about it. Standardized tests were never intended to measure the complexities of intelligence, and over time they have drawn the center of gravity in college admissions away from things we value.

Without SAT and other standardized test scores, higher education could return its focus on identifying true and brilliant thinkers and developing them to their fullest potential.

When colleges narrow their selection of students to only those with soaring SAT or ACT scores, their admission boards are inevitably skipping over some excellent students. Yet, these tests are allowing

Ethan is a senior at Jesuit High School of Sacramento and currently applying for college.

Moms go back to school too!

Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral Programs designed for busy adults.

evan.blair@myunion.edu | 916.692.7832

16 JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

Be involved in your child’s education!

Parent Participation Child-Centered Hands-On Innovative Curriculum Dynamic Environment Progressive Education Small Class Sizes

Open House January 30th 12:30-2pm

Or schedule a tour today! www.RosevilleCommunitySchool.org (916)786-6906

sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 17

MEET ISABELLA

next door

Your not-so-average track star, super student and extra-humble kid next door...

Photography by Har Rai Khalsa | www.Harrai.com

next door

It’s not often that we receive a recommendation from a school, but as much as Isabella’s family considers her “just Izzy” it’s no wonder this 13 year-old has been getting noticed. She’s an eighth-grader at St. Rose School, who not only maintains a 4.0 GPA, but has recently been featured in Youth Runner Magazine and by the time you read this, she will have competed in the Cross Country Jr. Olympics in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

We talked with Izzy and her parents to learn more about her energy, her drive and her accomplishments.

Q&A WITH IZZY IF YOU COULD CHOOSE A SUPERPOWER WHAT WOULD IT BE, AND WHY? I would like to be able to stop time, so I wouldn’t lose time on some of the things I really want to do.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL? Lunch, ha ha…probably English.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO WITH YOUR FRIENDS? I have fun just hanging out with my friends, it doesn’t matter where we go or what we do— we always have fun together.

HOW MANY MILES DO YOU RUN A DAY? ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT EAST SACRAMENTO RUNNING ACADEMY, OR YOUR COACH? I run about five days a week, anywhere from 4 to 8 miles per day. My Coach, Aaron Rios makes practice fun, but works me hard. My ESRA team is like my second family.

I love running and hanging out with them.

WHO INSPIRES YOU AND WHY? My family, because they encourage me to follow my dreams and to have fun while running.

AS YOU ARE PREPARING FOR A BIG MEET, HOW DO YOU GET YOURSELF READY MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY FOR THE CHALLENGE? I make sure I have plenty of sleep and water and I eat healthy meals two days before the race. A couple of minutes before the race, I mentally get ready.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE QUALIFICATION PROCESS LEADING UP TO THE CROSS COUNTRY JR. OLYMPICS? There are two qualifying meets. First the Pacific Association held at Folsom High School and then the Region 14 meet at Woodward Park in Fresno.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER THE CROSS COUNTRY JR. OLYMPICS? I will take a break from running for a couple weeks, then I’ll start training for the track season. I will also start playing basketball for St. Rose on the Varsity team.

continued on page 21

sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 19

We

CHALLENGE

each student to strive for

EXCELLENCE

in every endeavor

Whispering Oak Montessori Academy

Fostering Growth Nurturing Peace Inspiring Curiosity

Are you searching for something more than just an early learning center or for a better education for your children?

Whispering Oak Montessori Academy offers a rich, nurturing and stimulating environment firmly grounded in the Montessori Method and designed to lay the foundation for a life long love of learning.

Students are encouraged to grow to their full potential in a program designed to educate the whole child.

Call us for a tour and more information!

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next door

Izzy continued from page 19

PARENTS PERSPECTIVE WHAT WAS YOUR PROCESS IN CHOOSING A PRIVATE SCHOOL? We have an older daughter who went to a parochial school, also. We were happy with the education and experience she received and wanted Izzy to have that same foundation and values in a parochial school. As parents, we have enjoyed our involvement with the school and community and will miss the staff and teachers at St. Rose when Izzy graduates.

PLEASE SHARE A FEW OF HER ACCOLADES/ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN SPORTS AND SCHOOL? Izzy holds multiple PAL (Parochial Athletic League) records in Cross Country and Track & Field. She has participated in five Junior Olympics and has won four National Championship Titles.

Izzy has participated in Student Government for two years and is currently the Student Body President of St. Rose School. She has been an Alter Servicer for five years and has participated in the Diocese’s Altar Server Olympics for the last two years. This year, the St. Rose Parish team took first place and as the winning team, they will be serving Mass for Bishop Soto.

WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE HER DEDICATION AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO AND WHY? Isabella has always been a competitive and self-confident individual. From the time she was old enough to talk and walk, she always wanted to do things on her own. Whether it was sports, board games or playing at the playground, she wanted to do it herself. This confidence has just continued into other parts of life.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE DOING QUITE A BIT OF TRAVELLING IN SUPPORT OF IZZY'S SPORT, HOW DO YOU BALANCE THIS WITH OTHER OBLIGATIONS? It takes a little planning. With only one child at home, we are fortunate. We see many families juggling multiple children and multiple activities.

WE SPOKE ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS ON NOT BEING BOASTFUL AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT IZZY STAY GROUNDED, HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE THAT TO HER? We don’t treat Isabella any different than our other child or provide any special treatment. She is just Izzy to us.

We think this St. Rose student from Roseville has had some amazing and noteworthy accomplishments both in and out of school. Keep up the good work Izzy, may the course be with you!

sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 21

CREATE EXPLORE ENGAGE EVERY DAY Math comes alive in our kindergarten “100th Day” parade.

Infant • Toddler • Preschool • Pre-K • Kindergarten Half Day • Full Day • 3 & 2 Day Programs AMI, AMS, MIA Qualified Teachers Hot Meals • Year Round

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2075 Arena Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95834

(916) 515-0550

Contact Lonna at lbloedau@saccds.org to schedule a tour.

LEARN MORE AT SACCDS.ORG Academics. The Arts. Athletics. Every Day.

saccds.org

Open 7am-6pm

Before & After Extended Day Care

www.LittleBlossom.org • info@littleblossom.org

22 JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

2636 Latham Drive, Sacramento, CA 95864 • 916.481.8811

PRIVATE SCHOOL LISTING 2016 California Montessori Project The California Montessori Project (CMP) is a TK-8 public charter school network consisting of seven campuses, located in Sacramento, Orangevale, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Elk Grove and Shingle Springs. The Montessori approach focuses primarily on the development of the whole child, while providing a rigorous academic program. Utilizing hands-on materials and experiential learning, CMP promotes a community where children are respectful of others, take responsibility for their own actions, and develop a love of learning.

www.CaCMP.org 916-971-2432

es una red de escuelas publicas charter TK-8 en Sacramento, Orangevale, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Elk Grove, Shingle Springs. Provee un programa academico rigoroso, una comunidad respetuosa, responsable con amor al aprendizaje.

Adventure Christian School Preschool · Elementary · Junior High. Private Christian school that will challenge and inspire.

Before and after school care. Enrichment programs. Drama, computer programming, web design, band and athletics. Your child deserves something more, something better.

www.AdventureChristianSchool.org 916-781-2986

Child Development Centers

www.CdiCdc.org 916-286-7865

Provides licensed child development programs on local elementary school campuses, currently serving families in Antelope, Davis, Dixon, Elk Grove, Fairfield, Modesto, Mountain House, Natomas, Suisun City, Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe, Tracy and Woodland. The program meets the developmental needs of children preschool to sixth grade. CDI/CDC provides summer camps, year round before and after school programs that balance educational and recreational activities. We allow children to be creative, productive, and encourage a positive self-concept. Children take responsibility for community living tasks, work in cooperation with others and are encouraged to develop decision-making skills that promote independence.

Courtyard School

www.Courtyard.org 916-442-5395

Magic happens every day at Courtyard. Our TK-8th grade school provides small class sizes and a balanced, student-centered curriculum that includes language arts, math, science, Spanish and PE. Our Midtown location and all-day program (6:30am - 6:00pm) are especially convenient for working families. Learn how Courtyard sparks leadership, artistry and scholarship in students by calling for a tour or more information. Now enrolling for all grades.

Little Folks University Little Folks University takes pride in offering a stimulating, educational program for ages 6 weeks through 12 years. We embrace each child as the unique and special individual they are.

Stop in for a tour!

www.LittleFolksU.com 916-985-7055

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Excellence In Education Granite Bay Montessori has provided a warm, family environment for 24 years. Please come by and tour our park like campus.

Now Enroll ing 2Y ears - 8 th Grade

Call t a tourotset up oday!

Preschool - Pre Kindergarten - Before & After School Care

Action Day Learning Center offers a safe nurturing environment for your child's early learning and development. Our teachers are highly educated and maintain their education requirements far above the required standards for the state of California.

Our non-institutional, family-owned and operated schools have been teaching students in the area for over three decades.

ACTIONDAYLEARNINGCENTER.COM

Orangevale

6822 Kenneth Ave 9371 Elm Ave 916.988.9689 916.988.9633

Folsom

400 Stafford St 916.985.0976

American Montessori Academy of Roseville

SCHOOL STARTS SEPTEMBER 6th

• Montessori Experienced & Certified • Excellent Developmental Foundation for Children (ages 2-6) • Beautiful Classrooms & Spacious Outdoor Play Areas • Now Accepting Non Potty Trained 2 Year Old Children

Call to schedule a personal tour to fully appreciate the Montessori environment.

M-F 6:30am - 6:30pm • Est. 1981

www.AmericanMontessoriAcademy.com

(916) 786-3636 1050 Douglas Blvd. • Roseville

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Affordable Tuition Based Private Montessori School Open 7:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Low Student Teacher Ratio (12:1) Individualized Hands-On Learning (Language Arts, Mathematics, Spanish, Music, Physical Education, Granite Botany, Zoology, Practical Life Skills at all ages)

Bay Montessori

After School Enrichment Classes

(916) 791-7849 www.gbmontessori.com 9330 Sierra College Blvd., Roseville, CA 95661

OPEN HOUSE

Thursday February 4, 7:00 - 8:00 PM

GOLDEN HILLS SCHOOL I N S PI R E • E N R I C H • E M P OW E R

GOLDEN HILLS SCHOOL I N S PI R E • E N R I C H • E M P OW E R

Fully-Accredited Jr. K to 8th Grade Private School A Secure and Well Equipped Campus

GOLDEN HILLS SCHOOL

Small Classes • Strong Academics •Credentialed Faculty I NCharacter S P I R E •and E NLeadership R I C H • EPrograms M P OW E R Computer Science, Fine Arts and Foreign Language Programs

1060 Suncast Lane, El Dorado Hills • 916.933.0100 OLDEN ILLS CHOOL www.goldenhillsschool.net

G

H

S

I N S PI R E • E N R I C H • E M P OW E R

GOLDEN HILLS SCHOOL

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Inspir

Merryhill School

www.MerryhillSchool.com 877-959-4187

Merryhill School Offers outstanding private education, from preschool through eighth grade, with a curriculum that prepares students for success. Our preschools offer the perfect balance of learning and play. Our elementary & middle schools continue to foster a love of learning by providing challenging academics along with specialty classes. Please call or visit our website to find a school near you and schedule a private tour!

St. Philomene Catholic School

www.StPhilomene.org 916-489-1506

St. Philomene Catholic School offers a balanced, high-quality education focused on the Gospel values and teachings of Jesus Christ for students in Transitional Kindergarten through eighth grade. We provide Chrome book laptops to students in grades K-8th and an after school enrichment program for all students. We are currently accepting new students in grades TK-8. Attend our open house on Sunday, January 31, 2016 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Action Day Learning Center

Action Day Learning Center offers a safe nurturing environment for your child’s early learning and development. Our non-institutional, family-owned and operated schools have been teaching students in the area for over three decades. www.ActionDayLearningcenter.com Folsom 916-985-0976 Orangevale 916-988-9633 & 916-988-9689

Camellia Waldorf School

An independent, co-educational Offering Parent-Toddler classes through 8th Grade. Children experiencs music, art, language, Hours: 8:15am – 3:15pm athletics and academics in a Extended Care 7:30am– 6pm developmentally appropriate setting. Small class sizes. www.CamelliaWaldorf.org 916-427-5022

Aspire Capitol Heights Academy K-5 High Performing public K-5 school with small class sizes, individualized instruction, college for certain program, music, enrichment activities, library, physical education, and STEM activities. www.AspirePublicSchools.org 916-739-8520

Carden School

The Carden Method employs a phonetic approach to reading which builds strong skills in composition, spelling, writing and grammar. Students receive a solid foundation in classical literature, science, mathematics, plus French, music, computer science, and physical education. www.CardenSac.com 916-488-1313

Cedar Springs Waldorf

Over 25 years of academic excellence and a love for learning in a wholesome, natural setting for children Preschool through Eighth Grade, Cedar Springs Waldorf School is nonsectarian, nonprofit, & AWSNA Accredited. www.cedarspringsonline.com 530-642-9903

The Gift of Kids El Dorado Hills

The Gift of Kids offers a structured, fun, loving program that fits every family's needs. They offer daycare, preschool, before and after school care, summer camps and date nights. www.TheGiftOfKids.net 916-521-1835

Davis Waldorf

The Davis Waldorf School educates the whole child, through academics, art and more, serving 205 preschool to 8th grade children. daviswaldorf.org 530-753-1651

Golden Hills School

The only fully-accredited, Junior-K to 8th grade, independent school in EDH. Small classes, integrated character education and parent involvement create confident, well-prepared graduates.

Foreign language, technology instruction, PE/athletics, art, music, drama. www.GoldenHillsSchool.net 916-933-0100 sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 25

Davis Waldorf School PrEschool–8th gradE Est. 1986

We invite you to consider

Natomas Christian School!

QUESTIONS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING? WE’VE GOT ANSWERS! One-on-one appointments now available! Call to schedule today!

Now ENrolliNg, JoiN us for a tour!

(530) 753-1651

www.daviswaldorf.org

26 JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

As Abouk Our O t Classne-Site s! for Parents, Teachers, & Homeschoolers

Educational Supplies Books and Educational Supplies

Toys • Books • Games • Software • Christian Materials Over 14,000 Educational Books & Toys to Choose From!

8137 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks 95628 • 722-2228 • www.ABrighterChild.com

Holy Family Catholic School

Granite Bay Montessori

Granite Bay Montessori

We educate the whole child - Academically, Spiritually and Socially. Our graduates are fully prepared for College Preparatory High School. Contact us and see why Holy Family is more than just our name!

Founded in 1991, Granite Bay Montessori is a non-profit, non-denominational private school, serving students 2 yrs to eighth grade. Open Enrollment for Fall 2016 begins March 7th. Call to schedule a tour today! www.GBMontessori.com 916-791-7849

www.HolyFamilyCa.org 916-722-7788

Live Oak Waldorf Little Blossom Montessori

Little Blossom Montessori School is an independent learning environment specifically designed for young children and their individual needs. Our methods and techniques are in conformity with the unique education theory propounded by the Montessori Philosophy.

Live Oak Waldorf

Nestled in the Sierra foothills offering preschool - eighth grade including experiential science, art, and music. Our new tuition model strives to make an authentic Waldorf education accessible to all. www.LiveOakWaldorf.org 530-878-8720

www.LittleBlossom.org 916-515-0550

Natomas Christian School

River City Christian Preschool

A fully accredited preschool through 12th grade hi-tech school that is Biblically based, family centered, academically excellent, individually tailored and financially affordable. www.NCSLions.com 916-246-3320

Our school is a warm and caring place where childhood is cherished, learning is by doing, and families are encouraged. We offer halfday programs for children ages 2.5 through Transitional Kindergarten. www.rivercitychristian.org/preschool 916.861.1625

Roseville Community School

RCS is a K-6 parent participation school offering an alternative, child-centered education. Students learn in a dynamic, hands-on environment, with an innovative curriculum and small class sizes.

Space is limited.

Sacramento Adventist Academy

Sacramento Adventist Academy honors God by preparing students for academic success and a lifetime of service. www.SACAA.org 916-481-2300

www.RosevilleCommunitySchool.org 916-786-6906

Sacramento Country Day School

Founded in 1964, Country Day is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school for Students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. www.SacCDS.org 916-481-8811

Sacramento Waldorf

Beautiful 22-acre campus includes state-of-the-art science labs, three performance halls, a gymnasium, athletic fields, and a 5-acre farm. Sacramento Waldorf School provides a comprehensive and well-rounded inter-disciplinary Waldorf curriculum. www.SacWaldorf.org 916-860-2518

Saint Mary School

We are a loving East Sacramento TK8th Catholic school where students are instructed in science, art, music, computers, Spanish, leadership, and much more. Call us for a tour! www.SaintMarySchool.com 916-452-1100

Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina is an independent, college preparatory boarding and day school in Monterey, for girls in grades 9-12. We offer academics with honors and AP classes, fine and performing arts, an advisory program, athletic teams, and student clubs. www.SantaCatalina.org 831-655-9356 sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 27

St. Patrick Academy

St. Mark’s Lutheran School

St. Mark's Lutheran School (Jr. K - 8th grade) strives to serve families with excellence in Christian education. Call to schedule a campus visit today! www.School.StMarksLutheran.com 916-961-7891

A preschool through 8th grade 21st century Catholic school experience through excellence in an arts integrated curriculum while providing students with tools to be self-motivated critical thinkers. www.SaintPatrickAcademy.net 916-421-4963

Victory Christian Schools Town and Country Christian Academy

Offering a well-rounded curriculum including art, instrumental music, technology, athletics, choir, and drama. The strong academic foundation continues from K to 8th Grade for an effective transition to the best Sacramento high schools. www.TCChristianAcademy.org 916-481-2542

VCS is a K-12 school with over 50 years of educational excellence. Art and music complement our academic curriculum. We provide after school care. Call to schedule your tour today! www.VictoryCS.org 916-488-5601

Whispering Oak Montessori Academy Warner’s Granite Bay Country Day School

A beautiful country farm setting where children can explore nature while receiving excellant academic preparation and celebrating childhood daily! www.GraniteBayCountryDaySchool.com 916-797-0222

ASPIRE CAPITOL HEIGHTS ACADEMY College for Certain!

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

• Free & public K-5 school of choice • Small school, small class sizes • Individualized instruction • College prep program • Committed teachers & staff • Technology Ed, Art, Library & Physical Ed To apply for enrollment go to:

http://aspire.schoolmint.net For questions or help with schoolmint please email: support@schoolmint.net

(916) 739-8520 Aspirepublicschools.org 28 JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

Encouraging independent, self-directed learning for life in a child-centered environment.

Offering care for Infant through Kindergarten while promoting an international community valuing peace, respect for others and pride in individual differences. www.WhisperingOakMontessori.com 916-722-8118

Contra Dancing for Family Bonding

By Amanda L. H. Schmidt Looking for a way to connect as a family?

Do you need a fun way to get your family some exercise while challenging your brains? Then you might want to give contra dancing a try! Our family has been contra dancing together for several years, and it is one of our favorite ways to bond together.

What is contra dancing? It’s a community dance with a caller and live musicians, a bit like square dancing, only to better music (think Riverdance + bluegrass) and more fun, in my opinion. The dance moves are easy, and the caller teaches them beforehand and calls them during the dance to remind everyone of the sequence. You and your partner dance with everyone in the line of couples by the end of the song. Contra dancing derives from British and French folk dances brought to the U.S. by immigrants. Today there is a large contra dance community spread across the U.S.

Benefits of Contra Dancing to Kids (& Grownups!)

1. It is clean old-fashioned fun, and excellent exercise. Contra dancing is one of the most wholesome family activities we’ve ever done—alcohol-free, family-friendly, safe, and full of nice people (many of whom are Grandma/Grandpa age and LOVE kids!) And it’s a workout!

2. It teaches you to laugh at yourself. When you get confused or make mistakes in contra dancing, the best reaction is to crack up, and then help each other get back on track. Mistakes are not only OK, they’re hilarious! Perfectionists, and everyone really, can benefit enormously from this positive message.

3. It connects you as a family and builds community. One of the nicest things about contra dancing is that you become part of a wonderful group of people. When we dance, our girls feel safe, welcome, and connected to us and the contra dance community.

We never feel so close as a family as when we’re dancing together.

4. It develops listening skills, memory, and teamwork. In contra dancing, you’re part of a pattern that is woven together by the dancers. Every dancer has to do their part to pay attention, listen to the caller, and eventually learn the series of moves. Everyone works together as a team to solve confusion or mistakes. The brain develops most dramatically through physical-social activities like contra dancing, which combine social skills, memory and movement.

5. It builds self-confidence. Successfully learning a new skill is a boost to self-confidence, and the contra dancing community is a friendly, encouraging community that supports that development. Our girls have never gotten so much positive feedback and appreciation in any other context—contra dancers positively rave about them! This has really helped our 6th grader, who struggles in the rough social environment of school. When she’s contra dancing, she feels confident, happy and loved. It’s her oasis. continued on page 31

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EXPERIENCE the Difference of a Waldorf Education Call for a Tour Today (530)642-9903 Parent Child Classes Pre-Kindergarten Kindergarten Grades 1-8 Robust Academics Foreign Language Music Art Drama Physical Education Woodworking Gardening

www.CedarSpringsWaldorf.org 6029 Gold Meadows Rd., Placerville, CA 95667 Our five acre wooded campus is located off Highway 50 between Placerville and Shingle Springs.

Located in Fair Oaks on 22 acres

Preschool & Kindergarten Open House for Parents & Children Saturday, January 9, 10:00am-12:00noon For children ages 3 years to 6 years old.

• Play and Nature based • Children’s activities • Tours of the classrooms • Meet the teachers • Visit our working 5-acre organic farm RSVP required, admissions@sacwaldorf.org or 916 860-2518 3750 Bannister Road Fair Oaks, CA 95628 www.sacwaldorf.org 30 JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

Contra continued from page 29

6. It creates a love of music and rhythm. If your kids don’t have rhythm yet, contra dancing can definitely help teach it. The music is infectious, and seeing live musicians going at it while the crowd stomps and hollers is a great way to develop a love for music. Our girls have been inspired by some excellent fiddlers and other professional musicians and are learning to play music themselves.

Overall, contra dancing has been a huge part of our family’s life.

It has helped bond our family and build our girls’ dance skills, social graces, confidence, flexibility and musicality. We highly recommend it!

Amanda is a work-from-home homeschooling mom and environmentalist who lives in Fair Oaks with her two daughters. She loves dance, travelling, and languages, especially the international language Esperanto.

How To Get Started?

A good age to try contra dancing is 6 to 8 years-old, depending on your child’s listening skills and coordination. Our older daughter went to her first dance at 8, but our younger one picked it up at age 5, after dancing with us in an Ergo carrier since babyhood. Dancing with a kid on your back is tiring for the parent, but helps the child absorb the flow and rhythm of contra dancing.

There are local contra dances in East Sac and Newcastle about 2-3 times a month. Occasionally there is a Family Contra Dance, the best ones to start with—the dances are easier, and they are often in the afternoon or early evening, unlike the regular 8-11pm contra dances. For dates and times of the next Family Dance, see https://sactocds.wordpress.com and www.foothilldancers.org.

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32 JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

calendar

! y r a Janu

Hello 2016! If you have vowed to participate in more activities as a family this year, you’re looking in the right place! Pick a few of the local events listed below in our ever-popular calendar section...and go play! We wish you a wonderful year ahead!

We recommend confirming events before you go. All phone numbers are area code (916) unless otherwise noted. See our full calendar listings at www.sacramentoparent.com.

1 FRIDAY

2 SATURDAY

5k Resolution 11am at Crocker Park, Sacramento 5K Resolution is a race to help runners and walkers in the Sacramento region kick start the New Year with a resolution to be more committed to their health and their communities.

800-2874 | www.5kResolution.org Children’s Skate Lesson 9:30 at Roller King, Roseville Children’s Lesson & Session – every Saturday morning 9:30-10:00am Lesson, 10:00-11:30 Session. For kids 12 and under and parents only. www.RollerKingRoseville.com Final Days of Space Quest! (1/2 & 3) 12:30pm at Discovery Museum, Sacramento It’s the final weekend for the Space Quest! exhibit! Enjoy the rocket play space, Cosmic Cafe and space memorabilia one more time. Children 12 and younger receive a Mars-themed activity book to work on in the classroom, or take home if they are too busy exploring the museum.

Planetarium shows for ages 4 and older are at 1pm and 3pm.

808-3942 | www.TheDiscovery.org Kids & Company Gallery Adventure 10:30am at Crocker Art Museum Amusing and educational, this tour is the perfect way to introduce art to children ages 5

and older (and the adults who tag along with them). Free for Museum members and free with general admission for nonmembers.This program takes place every first Saturday and third Sunday of the month.

808-1182 | www.CrockerArtMuseum.org LEGO Mania!

2pm at McClatchy Library, Sacramento Like building with Legos? Join the library for a monthly Lego free play afternoon. Legos and Duplo Legos will be provided.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org New Year’s Stroll 10:30am at Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael Join a Naturalist for the first guided hike of the year! You may hear the splash of a fish, the call of a circling hawk or maybe even the ruby red head of an acorn woodpecker will catch your eye. You never know what kinds of sights and sounds await you on a hike through the Nature Preserve.

489-4918 | www.SacNatureCenter.net Post-Holiday E-Waste Drop-Off Event 9am at Roseville Utility Exploration Center Bring your e-waste to the Roseville Utility Exploration Center and they will recycle it for free.

The e-waste will be recycled by SIMS Recycling Solutions, an international recycling company with a sorting and shredding facility in Roseville.

There will be no paper shredding at this event.

746-1550 | www.Roseville.Ca.Us Saturday Morning Family Storytime 11am at Valley Hi - North Laguna Library, Sacramento Head down to the Valley Hi North Laguna Library on the 1st Saturday of every month for stories, songs and activities the whole family will love. Stick around for a stay and play and process art projects afterwards. This week after story time they will be making collages. If you have any cards, calendars or wrapping paper from last year that you’d like to repurpose feel free to bring them along.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Teen Volunteer Training 11am at Sylvan Oaks Library, Citrus Heights Want to help out at Sylvan Oaks Library? Let us

show you the ropes! Teens between the ages of 13 to 17 are required to undergo training before volunteering at the library.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

3 SUNDAY 2016 Celebration Fun Run 8:30am at Mama Bootcamp Folsom Studio Participate in Mama Bootcamp’s 5K and 10K Fun Run. There will be a watch, but this isn’t a timed race, this race is for fun. Open to runners, walkers, strollers, and friendly pets.

300-8576 | www.MamaBootCamp.com Kestrel Connection 1:30pm at Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael Meet Rocky, the Nature Center’s resident Kestrel, hear his story and what makes him North America’s smallest falcon. After a good look at this handsome bird, make a Kestrel bracelet to remember your new friend! All ages welcome.

489-4918 | www.SacNatureCenter.net Luxury Wedding Show 2016 12pm at Tsakopoulos Library Galleria, Sacramento The Luxury Wedding Show is the only bridal show transformed into a wedding featuring a ceremony and reception showcase, couture mock wedding fashion shows, hundreds of wedding planning ideas, wine and cake tastings, lavish prize giveaways, and a chance to meet hundreds of award winning wedding professionals.

866-931-8508 www.LuxuryWeddingShows.com

5 TUESDAY Artful Tot 10:30am at Crocker Art Museum Every month, toddlers explore art-making with different materials in new ways, from printmaking and color mixing to clay and fabric. Adults learn how to encourage experimentation and self-expression while nurturing their child’s creativity. Families are welcome to arrive anytime during this drop-in program. Please dress for mess.

808-1182 | www.CrockerArtMuseum.org sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 33

calendar Books at Lunch for Middleschoolers 11:10 am at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, Sacramento 7th and 8th grades are invited to join a book discussion in the Teen Room at the library during lunch period (11:10-11:40). Homeschoolers are welcome too!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Teen Space 3:30pm at Belle Cooledge Library, Sacramento Grab your friends, hit up the library to hang out, mess around or try a variety of fun activities planned for you - this space is yours! A light snack will be provided. TeenSpace is intended for teens ages 12 to 18.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

6 WEDNESDAY Middle School Makers Club 4pm at Arcade Library, Sacramento Join the library for a different, wild, gross, outrageous or awesome STEM-related activity for kids every Wednesday! Every participant gets a unique 3D-printed item from the Design Spot.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Sing Along with Mister Cooper 4pm at Belle Cooledge Library, Sacramento Join neighborhood favorite Mr. Cooper for 30 minutes of music time and freeze dancing for ages 3 to 7 years.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Stuffed Animal Sleepover All day at McKinley Library, Sacramento Ever wonder what your stuffed animals like to do at night? Find out by bringing your stuffed animal buddy to the library’s Stuffed Animal Sleepover! Drop-off the stuffed animal of your choice to the library any time on Wednesday, January 6. You can then pick them up on Friday, January 8 where you will receive pictures of their activities during their sleepover at the library.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Wee Wednesday 10:30 & 11am at Crocker Art Museum Bring your little one and yourself to this gallery-based art experience for children ages 3 to 5. The adventure begins in Tot Land with groups leaving at 10:30 and 11 a.m. This program takes place every Wednesday of the month.

808-1182 | www.CrockerArtMuseum.org

7 THURSDAY Art Studio: Drawing Anime Manga and Famous Animation Characters 4pm at Galt - Marian O. Lawrence Library Do you have a teen that likes to draw? Join a weekly art studio in which art supplies and snacks are provided. This event is led by someone who loves to draw and who will share drawing tips. A gallery of finished work will be displayed in the library.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Jungle James Animal Adventures 3pm at Belle Cooledge Library, Sacramento Do you like snakes, iguanas, centipedes and other exotic animals and insects? Then join 34 JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

the library for this fun interactive show! Jungle James shares several reptiles, amphibians and insects and lets everyone interested pet these interesting and exotic animals!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Minecraft 3:30pm at Elk Grove Library Come play Minecraft at the library!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

8 FRIDAY After School Book Club 4pm at Carmichael Library Join the library on the Second Friday of every month to talk about the book, play trivia games, and have fun!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Art Lab with Art Beast 3:30pm at Belle Cooledge Library, Sacramento Art Lab is a drop-in art experience for all ages and skill levels. Get messy and creative each month with themes highlighting a medium or technique. Each skill level is accommodated through a variety of activities intended to encourage advanced artists (teens/adults) and younger “art scientists” to create and explore the art making process!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Sci Fri 3:30pm at Fair Oaks Library Are you a kid who loves science experiments?

Head to Fair Oaks Library for Sci-Fri! Each month they’ll make some hypotheses, conduct hands on experiments and more. Check out the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) program every month!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

California features a event for the whole family: healthy recipes, fitness, health and wellness tips, and a kid zone.

866-931-8508 | www.HealthyLivingExpoCa.com Kids Winter Bird Count 9am at Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael Come and join Sacramento Audubon for this international event that has been a tradition for over 65 years! Kids aged 5 – 16 can participate with their families to provide information used by scientists and many others who study birds.

Space is limited, reservations required.

480-4918 |www.SacNatureCenter.net Minions Party 1pm at Carmichael Library Do you love the Minions? Come for a fun event celebrating the yellow henchman! The library will do a few crafts with you and then settle in to watch the film with a tasty snack. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Parenting Workshop for Women 9am at City Church Sacramento It’s often said, “Parenting isn’t for cowards.”

Without the right tools, training, help, and encouragement, parenting can seem like a hopeless journey. Ladies (mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, or aspiring mothers) are invited to attend this parenting workshop for women.

Enjoy and be inspired by speakers and experts in a variety of parenting areas: educational, relational, and spiritual. Childcare and lunch will be provided.

468-4545 | www.CityChurchSac.org

9 SATURDAY Art Blast 10:30am at Crocker Art Museum Each month a different work of art provides the inspiration for a memorable art-making activity for families with children ages 7 to 12. Families are welcome to drop in any time during the program.

808-1182 | www.CrockerArtMuseum.org Family Blanket-Fort Storytime 11am at Belle Cooledge Library, Sacramento Families are welcome to join the library in the comfy confines of a blanket-fort complete with flashlights. Children will hear stories, songs, and are welcome to stay and play afterward. A limited number of flashlights will be on hand if you have one, bring it! This program is designed for ages 2 - 7.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Healthy Living Expo 11am at McClellan Conference Center, Sacramento The Healthy Living Expo California is the area’s largest event tailored to good nutrition, healthy lifestyles, clean eating, fitness, and wellness tips.

This family friendly event brings together all the tools and resources to help you start or continue a healthy lifestyle. The Healthy Living Expo

Salamander Storytime 10:30am at Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael Head over to the Nature Center and enjoy exciting stories about these amazing amphibians, learn all about their double lives, and meet one up close!

489-4918 | www.SacNatureCenter.net SAT Practice Test 10am at Fair Oaks Library The SAT format will change in March of 2016.

This program will cover the new SAT current SAT and the required essay from the current SAT. Practice testing provided by Kaplan Test Prep. Registration is required.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Stuffed Animal Sleepover All day at McClatchy Library, Sacramento Ever wonder what your stuffed animals like to do at night? Find out by bringing your stuffed animal buddy to the library’s Stuffed Animal

calendar Sleepover! Drop-off the stuffed animal of your choice to the library any time on Saturday, January 9. You can then pick them up on Tuesday, January 12, where you will receive pictures of their activities during their sleepover at the library.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

10 SUNDAY A Day in the Life of the Nisenan 1:30pm at Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael Step back in time to learn how the Nisenan might have spent their days over 300 years ago.

What do you think is different today?

489-4918 | www.SacNatureCenter.net The Okee Dokee Brothers 3pm at Mondavi Center - Jackson Hall, Davis The Grammy Award-winning The Okee Dokee Brothers (2013 Best Children’s Album, Can You Canoe?), have put their passion for the outdoors at the heart of their Americana folk music. Through the Woods is their latest adventure album, inspired by their month-long trek along the Appalachian Trail.

530-754-2787 | www.MondaviArts.org

12 TUESDAY Homeschool Day: Let’s Move 12pm at Crocker Art Museum The museum will provide the costumes and props, you bring the energy! From silly to serious, explore composition and kinesthetic learning by dramatically recreating poses (tableau) seen in art. Materials are provided, and all skill levels are welcome. One chaperone is required for every five students.

808-1182 | www.CrockerArtMuseum.org Homework Zone @ Valley Hi-North Laguna 3:30PM at Valley Hi - North Laguna Library Get drop-in homework help for school-age students on Tuesdays from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Volunteer homework coaches will be available to help students in grades K-12 with homework assignments.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Teen Space 3:30pm at Belle Cooledge Library, Sacramento Grab your friends, hit up the library to hang out, mess around, or try a variety of fun activities planned for you - this space is yours! A light snack will be provided. TeenSpace is intended for teens ages 12 – 18.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

13 WEDNESDAY Police Officer Storytime 4pm at Martin Luther King Jr. Library, Sacramento An officer from the Sacramento Police Department will be at the library to read stories (or listen to stories) for children and families each Wednesday in the Kids Area of the Martin Luther King Jr. Library.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

Sing Along with Mister Cooper 4pm at Belle Cooledge Library, Sacramento Join neighborhood favorite Mr. Cooper for 30 minutes of music time and freeze dancing for ages 3 to 7 years.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org The COLORistas 4pm at N. Highlands-Antelope Library Reduce stress and explore your creativity.

Adults and young adults join the coloring group to discover the benefits of coloring fun and imaginative conversation! Exciting coloring pages crayons, colored, pencils and markers are provided.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Wee Wednesday 10:30 & 11am at Crocker Art Museum Bring your little one and yourself to this gallery-based art experience for children ages 3 to 5. The adventure begins in Tot Land with groups leaving at 10:30 and 11 a.m. This program takes place every Wednesday of the month.

808-1182 | www.CrockerArtMuseum.org

14 THURSDAY Cork Penguins 4pm at N. Highlands-Antelope Library Celebrate Penguin Awareness Day with cork penguin crafts and the library’s favorite Tacky the Penguin stories. Free admission.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Family Movie Night 5:30pm at Franklin Community Library, Elk Grove Join the library for a free movie and popcorn for all ages! This program is hosted by Franklin Community Library.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Owen Baker-Flynn’s World Premiere 4pm at Arcade Library, Sacramento In the mood for something fun and silly for the whole family? Bring the whole family to the Arcade Library for Owen Baker-Flynn’s World Premiere! Owen will put on an extravaganza of juggling, magic, goofy stuff, inspired silliness, balancing and possible accordion playing.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 35

calendar

15 FRIDAY California State Home and Garden Show (1/15-17) 12pm at Sacramento Convention Center Amazing products, the finest craftsmen, informative workshops, fantastic landscaping ideas... you’ll find it all at the California State Home and Garden Show! Join the fun and get inspired.

808-5181 | www.CalStateShows.com Lego Mania!

3:30pm at McKinley Library, Sacramento Like building with Legos? Join the library for a monthly Lego free play afternoon. Legos and Lego building books will be provided.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Minecraft 6:15pm at Carmichael Library Play Minecraft at the library AFTER THEY CLOSE! Battle one another in Survival Mode or build your own world in Creative Mode.

Ages 12-19 welcome and all experience levels.

Registration is required and begins 1 month in advance.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

16 SATURDAY Birding for Families 10:30am at Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael Take the family out for a birding and nature walk led by a Naturalist and special guest guides from the Sacramento Audubon Society. Birdwatchers of all levels welcomed. Make sure to bring your binoculars, or the Nature Center can loan you a pair.

489-4918 | www.SacNatureCenter.net LEGO Builder’s Ball 1pm at Belle Cooledge Library, Sacramento Join the library’s monthly block party and make a mess creatively with an amazing selection of Legos, Duplos and Megablocks. Engineer something new or build something classic! For builders of all ages!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Sensory Storytime 10:30am at Sylvan Oaks Library, Citrus Heights Join the library for a special storytime for kids with autism and/or sensory disorders featuring books, music, fidget toys, crafts and more! The presenter is the parent of a young man with autism and there will lots of time for parents to network with others. Noise and/or behaviors are never a problem at the library!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Xbox 360 Gaming 2pm at Colonial Heights Library, Sacramento Game with the library! This week the teen gaming space features Xbox 360. Teens are also welcome to bring their own Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokemon cards to the gaming space. This program is for ages 12 and up.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

36 JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

17 SUNDAY

The Harlem Globetrotters 2pm at Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento The Harlem Globetrotters are preparing for their most epic tour in history, as the world famous team celebrates its 90th anniversary world tour, with over 320 games in North America alone. A star-studded roster will have fans on the edge of their seats to witness the ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that thrills fans of all ages.

928-0000 | www.SleepTrainArena.com Slimy or Smooth?

1:30pm at Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael What do snakes feel like? Meet a snake and learn how their scaly skins help them survive!

489-4918 | www.SacNatureCenter.net Super Smash Bros. for WiiU Tournament 2pm at Central Library, Sacramento Test your Smash Bros. skills in the Central Library’s tournament! Enter yourself in the single elimination 1-on-1 tournament. Both tournaments are open to all ages. No pre-registration is required. Entry is free.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

18 MONDAY Martin Luther King Jr. Day 10am at Fairytale Town, Sacramento Fairytale Town will be open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. Holiday admission is $5.50 per person.

Children ages 1 and under are free.

808-7462 | www.FairytaleTown.org

19 TUESDAY Baby Loves Art 10:30am at Crocker Art Museum Baby Loves Art engages babies (up to 18 months old) in a visually stimulating gallery walk and gives parents and caregivers a fun opportunity to connect with their babies and each other. All baby noises are expected and welcome. For the best art view, front carriers are recommended. Strollers are allowed, but please no backpacks.

808-1182 | www.CrockerArtMuseum.org Build Amazing Lego Ninjago© Creations 3:30pm at Galt - Marian O. Lawrence Library All week long build your own amazing Lego Ninjago© creations. Creations will be displayed

until 3:30 p.m. the next day at which time the creations will then be dismantled in order to make something new. Each day a picture of each person’s Lego Ninjago© model will be posted on the wall of the library so that it can be admired by all!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Minecraft 3:30pm at South Natomas Library, Sacramento Head to the South Natomas Library and play some Minecraft! You may even win an official Minecraft book!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

20 WEDNESDAY Family Storytime 10:30am at Orangevale Library Toddlers, Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to join the library for songs, rhymes, and stories designed to build early literacy skills.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Kids’ Chess Club 4pm Rancho Cordova Library, Sacramento Here’s a chance for school-age chess players of all skill levels to play against each other free. Beginning chess lessons provided. Challengers and visitors are welcome to gather around to watch and learn from games in progress.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Sing Along with Mister Cooper 4pm Belle Cooledge Library, Sacramento Join neighborhood favorite Mr. Cooper for 30 minutes of music time and freeze dancing for ages 3 to 7 years.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Wee Wednesday 10:30 & 11am at Crocker Art Museum Bring your little one and yourself to this gallery-based art experience for children ages 3 to 5. The adventure begins in Tot Land with groups leaving at 10:30 and 11 a.m. This program takes place every Wednesday of the month.

808-1182 | www.CrockerArtMuseum.org

21 THURSDAY Carmichael Movie Matinee 3pm at Carmichael Library Bring your friends to the library and enjoy a movie - Free! Visit Carmichael Library for a list of up-coming movie titles.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Minecraft for Kids 4pm at Franklin Community Library, Elk Grove Play Minecraft at the library! Children ages 6-12 years with all levels of Minecraft experience are welcome! Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied at all times in the library. Space is limited and registration is required.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Storytime Music & Movement 10:30am at Sylvan Oaks Library, Citrus Heights Join the library for a fun program using music and movement activities to wake up your body improve your literacy skills and play. Designed for kids ages 1-6 no registration required.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

calendar

22 FRIDAY Carmichael Teen Book Club 3:30pm at Carmichael Library Love to read? Join other teens discussing their favorite books. Pick one of the library’s suggestions or read your own choice. Bring a snack and share your insights.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Fridays Unplugged! Board Game Fun 4pm at N.Highlands-Antelope Library Raid the library’s game cupboard on the fourth Friday of each month! From the classics to games you may never have heard of - you’re sure to find something fun. All you need to bring is yourself and some family or friends and it’s a game party!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Homeschool Mixer 3:30pm at Fair Oaks Library Ring in the New Year by meeting other homeschool families and the new Fair Oaks children’s librarian! Enjoy some snacks a craft and learning about library resources relevant to homeschool families!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Shadow Puppets with Daniel Barash 3:30pm at McKinley Library, Sacramento Learn about the art of shadow puppetry with Daniel Barash! Daniel will demonstrate how shadow puppets work and then give a shadow puppet performance of world folk tales. He will then invite volunteers from the audience to help participate in the performance.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

23 SATURDAY Beaver vs Otter 10:30am at Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael These two are not related, but are often mistaken for each other. Did you know that otters are highly intelligent and that beavers are actually rodents? Learn some fun facts about these creatures who roam our local waters. All ages welcome.

489-4918 | www.SacNatureCenter.net Bugology 10am at the World of Wonders Science Museum, Lodi Become a Bugologist! The WOW Science Museum will be filled with a variety of creepy-crawlers brought to you by local stores and museums. In addition to the chance to touch some of their bugs, the WOW will offer temporary bug tattoos, arts and crafts, and other bug related activities.

209-368-0969 www.WOWScienceMuseum.org Japanese Dance 2pm at McClatchy Library, Sacramento Celebrate the New Year with traditional Japanese dancer Shiho Tendou. Ms Tendou will perform her dances in McClatchy’s large upstairs community room.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

It’s Here!

First Covenant Preschool is now River City Christian Preschool!

Same great program, just a new name!

Classes for children ages 2.5-5 including TK

Registration begins March 7th Call (916) 861.1625 for more information and to schedule a tour.

Pick up your free copy at a location near you! www.SacramentoParent.com

Sacramentoʻs Super Party Center!

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ANY BOUNCE PARTY Coupon must be used at time of booking. Expires 01/31/16

ALL AGES & THEMES

OPEN PLAY

Tuesday-Friday 9-11am, & Friday 6-9pm Please visit website for play times when kids are on school break.

916.371.2386

2939 Promenade St., W. Sacramento

www.TheBounceSpot.com

The No.1 Indoor Bounce House in Sacramento Since 2005 $5 Flat Admission Up to 2 kids $30 Off Any Weekend Party Packages* *Not valid with any other offers or coupons Expires on 03/31/16

Check our website for open hours! www.AwesomePartyPalace.com

Call Now and Book Your Party!

(916) 422-4244

3147 Dwight Rd., Ste #100 • Elk Grove sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 37

calendar Make Your Own Playdough 2pm at South Natomas Library, Sacramento The Library will be measuring, mixing and kneading their own homemade playdough.

Help them and wear something you don’t mind getting grubby because this is going to be messy fun! Sponsored by the Friends of the South Natomas Library.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Maker Camp Teen program 2pm at Carmichael Library Join the teen program for building, tinkering and exploring.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary Smorgasbord Craft Program 3pm at Arcade Library, Sacramento Feeling crafty? The Arcade Library has you covered. They will have a variety of crafts: perler beads (aka fuse beads) kokeshi dolls, origami rainbow looms and more! The only limit is your imagination!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

24 SUNDAY Nature’s Art Box 1:30pm at Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael Expert artists not required! Find out what inspires you in nature and learn some simple skills to capture it on paper. Supplies provided, all ages welcome.

489-4918 | www.SacNatureCenter.net Sketch It 11am at Crocker Art Museum Visitors ages 5 and older can sketch at their own pace while receiving drawing instruction. This drop-in program meets in a different gallery each month. No experience necessary, and all supplies are provided by the museum.

808-1182 | www.CrockerArtMuseum.org

Sing Along with Mister Cooper 4pm at Belle Cooledge Library, Sacramento Join neighborhood favorite Mr. Cooper for 30 minutes of music time and freeze dancing for ages 3 to 7 years.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Wee Wednesday 10:30 & 11am at Crocker Art Museum Bring your little one and yourself to this gallery-based art experience for children ages 3 to 5. The adventure begins in Tot Land with groups leaving at 10:30 and 11am. This program takes place every Wednesday of the month.

808-1182 | www.CrockerArtMuseum.org

28 THURSDAY Kids Craft: Bottle Cap Magnets 4pm at Franklin Community Library, Elk Grove Get your inner DIY on and make buttons and magnets out of recycled materials! Old magazines and comics are waiting to become cool decorations and all they need is your help!

This program is designed for children ages 6-12 and all materials will be provided. This is a free program hosted by the Franklin Community Library.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Science Storytime for Toddlers 9:30am at Belle Cooledge Library, Sacramento Time to trade-in storybooks for lab coats!

All toddlers are invited to join the fun of art and science crafts emphasizing process based learning that will engage creativity and expand curiosity. Toddlers, ages 18 - 36 months are welcome to bring their grownups and make a mess with the library!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

29 FRIDAY

26 TUESDAY Mr. Cooper’s Sing-a-Long Club 11am at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, Sacramento A family-friendly performance by local singer/ guitarist Mr. Ken Cooper. This program is made possible by the Pocket-Greenhaven Friends of the Library.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

27 WEDNESDAY Movie Madness 6pm at Arden-Dimick Library, Sacramento It’s family movie night at the library! Free film, free popcorn!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Movie Matinee: Inside Out 3:30pm at Elk Grove Library Join the library to view ”Inside Out” (PG). Feel free to bring your own (non-messy) snack!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

38 JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

Monster Jam 7:30pm at Sleep Train Arena The widely popular Monster Jam® tour is heading back to Sacramento’s Sleep Train Arena! Unlike any other Monster Jam show seen before, this exclusive showcase of endurance, versatility and extreme driving skills will feature the best Monster Jam truck line-up ever highlighted by more racing, more freestyle, more donuts, more wheelies and more action.

800-745-3000 | www.SleepTrainArena.com

Minecraft Gaming 3:30pm at McKinley Library, Sacramento Like building and creating new worlds in Minecraft? Join the library for an afternoon of Minecraft gaming! Each player will be given their own computer to build new creations and in creative survival or hardcore mode. Teen players of any level of experience are welcome to join.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Pizza and a Movie 4pm at Fair Oaks Library Chillax after class with a teen picked flick and stuff your gob with some delicious cheesy pizza.

Today’s movie will either be: The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off or The Goonies. It’s teens’ choice once everyone arrives. Ages 13-18 welcome!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

30 SATURDAY 2016 Chinese New Year 12pm at Hiram Johnson High School, Sacramento Help celebrate the Year of the Monkey. This event will feature a dragon dance, martial arts, cultural entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts, community organization exhibits, and children’s games.

601-7511 Chinese New Year Celebration 11am at North Natomas Library, Sacramento Join friends and family at the library to welcome the Year of the Monkey. Bring one dish to share for the pot luck. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the North Natomas Library.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Meet the 3D Printer 1pm at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, Sacramento Are you interested in 3D Printing? Want to learn more about the process and technology involved? Do you have a 3D Printer that’s giving you trouble? Join the library at our Meet the 3D Printer class offered at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven.

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Nature Detectives 10:30am at Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael There are many animal-made signs in the woods that reveal they have used the trail before you.

Become a nature detective and search for some animal tracks, scat and signs in the Nature Preserve. All ages welcome.

489-4918 | www.SacNatureCenter.net Safe Sleep Baby 10am at South Natomas Library, Sacramento The Center for Community Health and Well Being will present a program for parents and caregivers on how to keep your baby safe while sleeping. All families who attend the presentation will get a free pack & play!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org

calendar Singing Basics for Teens and Tweens 11am at Arcade Library, Sacramento Want to get started with singing? Stop by the library for a crash course in good practices from breathing to posture and more!

264-2920 | www.SacLibrary.org Terrific Triceratops (1/30-31) 12:30pm at Discovery Museum Science & Space Center Everyone loves the triceratops, and this weekend you can make one to take home. Children can participate in one of the museum’s most popular crafts, the paper triceratops pillow.

Craft this little beast to take home as a souvenir.

808-3942 | www.TheDiscovery.org

“Planting the seeds of success for the 21st Century”

31 SUNDAY Critter Close Up 1:30pm at Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Carmichael Meet a couple of small animal residents at the Nature Center up close. Learn about each of their unique journeys and how they became an educational ambassador for the Nature Center.

All ages welcome.

489-4918 | www.SacNatureCenter.net

• • • • • • •

Preschool – 8th Grade Catholic-based Spiritual Formation OPEN HOUSE State of the Art Technology January 31, 2016 Art & Music Programs 10am-Noon Hands-on Science Lab Full Recreation & Competitive Sports program Safe & Secure Campus

5945 Franklin Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95824 P: (916)421-4963 F: (916)421-1379 | www.saintpatricksacademy.net

Give the Gift of Life

Become an NCFMC Egg Donor

Why NCFMC? • Compensation starting at $7,000 • Board-certified reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialists with five decades of combined experience • Over 22 years doing business in Northern CA • Local clinic, so you can continue your education or career while supplementing your income • Support from experienced Nurse Case Managers to guide you through the process What does it take to qualify?

• Be between the ages of 21-31 • Be in good general health, with knowledge of your family’s medical history • Be a non-smoker and drug free • Open Availability • Live within two hours of our Roseville, CA clinic

Discovery Museum

Dinosaurs return

January 16!

Apply online at www.ncfmc.com

Click Egg Donation – Become an Egg Donor 1130 Conroy Ln., #100, Roseville (916) 773.2229 Janice L. Andreyko, M.D. Michael M. Murray, M.D. Carlos E. Soto-Albors, M.D. Sahar M. Stephens, M.D.

3615 Auburn Blvd. Sacramento 916.808.3942 TheDiscovery.org sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 39

calendar/shows

All phone numbers are area code (916) unless otherwise noted

Pippin, www.CaliforniaMusicalTheatre.com

Big Fish

January 8-31 at 24th Street Theatre, Sacramento Overflowing with heart, humor, and spectacular stagecraft, Big Fish is an extraordinary new Broadway musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre—for an experience that’s richer, funnier, and bigger than life itself. Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed Columbia Pictures film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest; and then some.

207-1226 | www.RunawayStage.com

Driving Miss Daisy

January 6-February 14 at Sacramento Theatre Company This heart-warming, Pulitzer Prize-winning play deals with the relationship of a Southern Jewish woman, Miss Daisy, and her black chauffeur, Hoke, from 1948 to 1973. While Daisy initially views Hoke’s presence as an imposition, the two unlikely foes eventually find ways to care for each other in this touching story about the meaning of friendship and, ultimately, family.

443-6722 | www.SacTheatre.org

James and the Giant Peach

January 15-17 at Sacramento Theatre Company Performed by STC School of the Arts Pre-professional Ensemble and Young Professionals Conservatory students, James and the Giant Peach is Roald Dahl’s fantastical musical tale of a boy, his insect friends, and their amazing journey across the ocean on a giant peach.

443-6722 | www.SacTheatre.org

40 JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

Pippin

January 1-3 at Community Center Theatre, Sacramento Presented by Sacramento Convention Center Complex and Broadway Sacramento, PIPPIN is Broadway’s high-flying, death-defying hit musical!

Full of extraordinary acrobatics, wondrous magical feats and soaring songs from the composer of Wicked, PIPPIN will lift you up and leave you smiling.

808-5181 | www.CaliforniaMusicalTheatre.com

Shen Yun

January 12-13 at Community Center Theater, Sacramento There was a time when the world was full of splendor as if everything on earth was inspired by the heavens. You could feel it in the arts and hear it in the music. Shen Yun brings this lost world to life with unrivaled mastery. Every gesture, every musical note, makes this a stunning visual and emotional experience you won’t find anywhere else!

888-633-6999 | www.ShenYun.com/sacramento

STOMP

January 21-23 at Harris Center for the Arts, Folsom STOMP returns to Harris Center with their explosive, inventive, provocative, witty, and utterly unique experience for audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered armfuls of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows.

608-6888 | www.HarrisCenter.net

The Producers a Mel Brooks Musical

January 8-31 at Davis Musical Theatre Company Producers tells the story of a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer, Max Bialystock, and a nerdy, young accountant, Leo Bloom, who concoct a scheme to raise thousands of dollars from backers and then put on a flop of a show. With all the money that will be leftover, the pair will be rich!

Only one thing goes wrong: the show is a gigantic hit! Some of Mel Brooks’ irreverent humor!

530-756-3682 | www.DMTC.org

PARTY

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SEWING CLASSES

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sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 41

calendar/exhibits

All phone numbers are area code (916) unless otherwise noted “Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads” January 24 through May 1 at Crocker Art Museum Internationally acclaimed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s monumental zodiac animal heads reinterpret those that once adorned the famed 18th-century fountain-clock of the Yuanming Yuan (Old Summer Palace), an imperial retreat outside Beijing. In creating contemporary versions of these 12 Chinese zodiac animals on an oversized scale, Ai Weiwei focuses attention on issues of the repatriation while extending his ongoing exploration of what constitutes Chinese art and identity.

808-1182 www.CrockerArtMuseum.org Blast from the Past Opening January 16-18 at Discovery Museum Science & Space Center, Sacramento

It’s opening weekend for the “Blast from the Past!” exhibit with loads of rocks, crystals, fossils, and dinosaurs for you to explore. Take your camera to catch your little ones transform into dinos in the costume corner.

Children can craft a dinosaur diorama in the classroom and take-home activities help kids remember this great experience.

808-3942 | www.TheDiscovery.org

By Hand January 16 through February 27 at Blue Line Arts, Roseville This exhibit will feature contemporary craft work that is cutting-edge with the highest level of workmanship.

Innovative uses of wood, glass, clay, jewelry, metal, fiber, mixed media and more will make up this phenomenal exhibit.

783-4117 | www.BlueLineArts.org

Christmas Dreams Exhibit Through January 31 Museum of Wonder and Delight, Folsom Visit a world of holiday wonder where you’ll find a mesmerizing collection of antique Christmas decorations, toys, figures, and artifacts that have been uniquely displayed, creating dozens of exquisite vignettes that allow you to peer into a world of holiday wonderment like nothing you’ve ever seen before! It’s a new holiday tradition that the whole family will enjoy!

985-4871 www.MuseumOfWonderAndDelight.org Fast Tracks: The World of HighSpeed Rail Exhibit January 2 through March at California State Railroad Museum The California State Railroad Museum is proud to debut an all-new, interactive exhibit titled Fast Tracks:

The World of High-Speed Rail. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a highspeed train simulator with interactive controls and a digital projector that will allow museum guests to simulate the experience of piloting a modern high-speed train.

323-9280 | www.CSRMF.org

JOIN THE SIERRA FAMILY

Child Season Passes (5-12) only $149 Young Adult Season Passes (13-22) only $309 Find out why Sierra-at-Tahoe is the best value for your whole family at SIERRAATTAHOE.COM 42 JANUARY 2016 sacramentoparent.com

Feeling Charitable?

Sleep Train’s Pajama Drive for Foster Kids starts January 5th!

You can help foster kids have sweet dreams by donating new PJs to a local Sleep Train store. When foster children enter a new and unfamiliar home, something as simple as a new pair of pajamas can help ease their anxiety and help them sleep soundly.

HOW TO DONATE: 1. Drop off new pajamas in all sizes (infant to teen) at any Sleep Train. Find your nearest location by using their store locator at www.SleepTrain.com.

2. You can also donate online and Sleep Train representatives will shop for donations on your behalf.

3. Community members and businesses can host their own drive at work, school, church, or among friends and family, using the needed tools at www.SleepTrainFosterKids.org.

All donations are distributed to Sleep Train’s local non-profit foster organizations. In Sacramento, these include River Oak Center for Children, Sacramento Children’s Home, and Sierra Forever Families. For more information on the drive and the Foster Kids program, readers can visit www.SleepTrainFosterKids.org.

Thank you so much for the new PJs. They are fuzzy and keep me warm!

– Foster Child I’ve never had matching pajamas! – Foster Child

sacramentoparent.com JANUARY 2016 43

2016 New Year’s Resolutions #1 Resolution:

FINALLY solve my child’s school & learning difficulties

❑ Visit Keepingpacelearningcenter.com ❑ Call Keeping Pace to schedule an assessment ❑ Attend a Parent Information Night ❑ Read the book “At Wit's End” that I will get at Parent Night ❑ Enroll at Keeping Pace so my child can become a confident, independent learner

FREE PARENT INFORMATION AND TRAINING Parent Information Night Monday, January 11th 6:30 PM Dyslexia Parent Training Tuesday, January 26th 6:30 PM

FEBRUARY 2016

Parent Information Night Tuesday, February 16th 6:30 PM Auditory Processing Parent Training Monday, February 29th 6:30 PM

MARCH 2016

Parent Information Night Monday, March 7th 6:30 PM Executive Function Parent Training Wednesday, March 16th 6:30 PM

CALL 916-686-1619 TO RESERVE SPACE OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Keeping Pace Learning Center and Reading Clinic (916) 686-1619 | www.keepingpacelearningcenter.com

2016 is the year to PERMANenTLY SOLVE your child’s learning difficulties.

✄ cut along dotted line and hang on fridge

JANUARY 2016