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Ways to Honor Mom
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Contents
MAY 2008
Features
34 54 56
Got the Acting Bug?
Many theater groups demand long hours of rehearsal and parent participation, plus lots of money for tuition and costumes. Too much for your family? Relax. There are plenty of great local companies and classes that are both low-cost and low-stress.
Summer Camp for Every Budget
With a little research, parents in almost every income bracket can find a local camp that’s affordable. The secret, like so much in life, is to ask. Here’s where to start.
Literary Mamas Share Their Stories
Meet Meg, Nyree, Jami and Kristin, Bay Area moms who manage to write and parent at the same time. Plus, tips on how you can nourish your own creative side.
70
Family Activities for May 107 Highlights 114 Events to Honor Mom 116 Destinations 120 On Stage 128 Movie Reviews New! 134 First Person 138 Tween & Teen Events 146 Gardens 152 Parent Education & Support
62 70
Q&A with Author Peggy Orenstein
In her latest book, the noted Bay Area author tells the brutally honest story of her six-year battle with infertility and the toll it took on her marriage and her sense of self.
Calendar
Teen Focus: Blah, Blah, Blog
Like many things about the Internet, blogging raises parental concerns. But there’s also an upside. Some sound advice on how to encourage the positive aspects of blogging.
Departments
8 On the Web May’s Featured Web Content 12 Editor’s Note What’s Your Mother’s Day Dream? 18 Family ForumTM 22 Picture Me Mommy and Me 26 Family F.Y.I. 81 Ask the Doctor Children’s Shoes and Happy Feet 84 Above & Beyond Safety Around Dogs 91 Out & About Take a Hike! 98 Education Get Reading! 160 A Household Word Collecting Dust
South Valley
81
ON THE COVER
34 Got the Acting Bug? 41 Summer Camps 114 5 Ways to Honor Mom
Chloe Townsend, 11, of Morgan Hill dances with Lana’s Dance Studio.
PHOTO BY PORTRAITS BY REBECCA
75 Welcome to South Valley 77 Cinco de Mayo 78 South Valley Calendar
BayAreaParent.com
• Check out our new digital edition and get a free weekly newsletter • Parent Support Groups • Family-Friendly Business Directory • Award-Winning Articles
Advertising
32 Family Market & Resources 41 Camp Listings 80 South Valley Preschool/ Childcare Directory & Index 82 Parenthood.com 85 Preschool/Childcare Directory 122 Special Needs 155 Classifieds 158 Advertisers’ Index
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Bay Area Parent.com
Your Go-To Source for Parenting Information on the Web Spotlight
Parenthood.com
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Getting from A to B
Helping Your Child Make Daily Transitions
You say, “It’s time to go to the park!” Your child yelps with joy and races off to snag a pair of sneakers. Then, 10 minutes later, he is still there, shoeless, changed into pirate’s gear and building a block castle. What happened? Moving from one activity or location to the next can sometimes be a real challenge – no matter your child’s age. Here’s what you can do.
Your connection to parents like you! Plus tips and resources to meet all your parenting needs. VIDEO: Dating and Single Moms – The Go-To Mom offers tips on maintaining appropriate boundaries between family and friends and when, what and how to share info about dating relationships with younger children. Parenthood.com/video/go-to-mom.php
PODCAST: Helping a Child with Learning Difficulties – Veteran educator Judy Molland discusses parents’ typical concerns about their children’s learning difficulties and offers tips on what to do if you suspect a learning problem with your child. Parenthood.com/parenting/school-age-kids/podcasting.php Plus our popular columns: • A Household Word, by Carol Band: Parenthood.com/householdword.html • Family Man, by Gregory Keer: Parenthood.com/familyman.html Connect with Others: • Meet and share with other moms like you in our active community discussion boards! Forums.Parenthood.com Free Newsletters:
Plus... G The digital edition of this month’s magazine. G A searchable Calendar of Family Events. G Family-Friendly Business Directory. G Tips for your family on things to do and places to go this weekend in our free Bay Area Parent Weekly Update newsletter.
• Weekly Practical Parenting newsletter • Monthly Feeding Your Family newsletter Sign up today at Parenthood.com
Next Month in Print
The Secrets of Santa Cruz
From the beaches to the fun downtown, we tell you where to go and what to do in this favorite vacation town for families. Plus, meet surfing icon Jack O’Neill, a hero of kids and the community. G Picture Me – For Father’s Day, we honor the special bond between Silicon Valley dads and their loving kids. You might recognize someone you know! G One Last School Conference – Smart parents schedule a June talk with the teacher. Here’s what to ask to give your child a head start for next year. G Plus … Silicon Valley’s best Calendar for families and much more! Look for it starting April 28!
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Editor’s Note
What’s Your Mother’s Day Dream?
– Jill Wolfson, editor
“I would tell my kids to create a cupcake in my honor!”
I would definitely skip the Mother’s Day brunch, thank you. Restaurants are too crowded and too closed-in. Who wants to be eating under artificial lights when mid-May serves up some of our best weather of the year? My dream Mother’s Day would definitely include some kind of outing, perhaps a picnic at Vasona Park (goodies from Whole Foods) or a hike and lunch at a Big Basin waterfall. The holiday definitely involves flowers for me, but hold the generic store-bought tulips. I’d much rather see my kids gathering the first blooms of our backyard roses or wildflowers from a field and arranging them in an old canning jar.
In Appreciation of Mom
I invite you to turn the pages of this issue of Bay Area Parent, where you can meet some of the wonderful mothers who live in Silicon Valley. In our Picture Me department, we have two full pages of photos that reveal the strong bond between “mommy and me.” On page 56, we introduce some of the many “literary mamas” who live in this area. While raising kids, these women have also “given birth” to works of fiction, often drawing on their parenting experiences. They offer tips to other mom writers – whether you want to be published, or whether you want to write for your own creative fulfillment. And of course, check out our calendar section. This month, in addition to our listing of daily events, parenting education classes, theater happenings, and events for tweens and teens, we have a special listing on page 114 for Mother’s Day. Have the Mother’s Day of your dreams and a great May.
Moms Love Food and Flowers
I’d also head to Aptos, where Cabrillo College holds its annual three-day Mother’s Day plant sale. What a glut of horticultural wonders! There will be more than a thousand annuals, bedding plants, culinary and medicinal herbs, cut flowers, natives, perennials, salvias, fuchsias, succulents and vines. Even if you don’t buy anything, you and the kids will love wandering the grounds and soaking up the sights and smells. You can learn more at cabrillo.edu/academics/ horticulture/plantsale.html. I have always gotten a kick out of seeing my kids hard at work in the kitchen. For my dream day, I would point them to my favorite blog of the moment. It’s a must for all you foodies! The photos of cupcakes as works of art will make your eyes happy! This blog is about all cupCorrection cakes, all the time. http://cup cakestakethecake.blogspot.com. I In the April edition, an incorrect would tell my children to use this caption appeared with a photo on site for inspiration and to then crepage 48. The caption should read: ate a cupcake in my honor! And Children at Noddin Elementary, San then, we would all dig in together. Jose, recycle classroom paper daily. So, there’s part of my dream Photo Courtesy of City of San Jose. Mother’s Day. How about yours? 12
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
Don’t Just Read ...
Get involved with our Bay Area Parent Reader Advisory Board. No heavy lifting required. All you have to do is email me at Jill.Wolfson@parenthood.com with the subject line “Advisory Board.” You’ll get occasional email from us asking for your opinion or input on upcoming article topics, events and other things we’re up to. And you’ll get the happy feeling that comes from participating in a community of active, thoughtful parents.
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that while the woman has not yet decided to file, her spouse’s lawyer has advised him to begin liquidating his assets. If a woman is ready for divorce, she owes it to herself and her children (and she’ll probably have custody of them) to inquire about what her rights are. She should not believe what she’s being told by her friends and her husband. Most of what she’s being told is inaccurate.” Although the majority of his clients are women, Whitfield counsels many Bay Area men. “It’s important for men to see a lawyer who won’t tell them to be too generous, but, on the other hand, won’t be so combative that all their assets are ground up in the divorce. From the man’s standpoint, as quickly as the law allows, get the matter to court. The idea is, get everything on the table, make a reasonable offer and insist that the matter get to trial without delay. If you do that, you hold your overall costs down and the loss of equity down.” “It’s best for the children,” Whitfield states. This puts the man in a fairly new position in family court. “If a man insists on his rights, the court now allows equal sharing.” Whitfield sees a new breed of men who really do want to share the children. “Ten years ago, it was difficult to get equal sharing for a client. But today, if both parents are equally good parents, it’s possible to get shared custody.” California is a community property state which is supposed to guarantee a more equal result for both parties. In 1969, a law was passed which changed California into a non-fault-based state. In California, for example, proving a party has been adulterous is unnecessary. “I try not to be so harsh when my clients have a need to talk,” Whitfield continues. “And I listen to my clients. After the client has committed 20 years to a marriage and comes to see me—probably the first professional they’ve spoken to about the divorce—it would be cold for me to cut them and off and say. ‘Okay, let’s talk about community property; let’s talk about the divorce.’ So, I do listen to the anguish.” Whitfield doesn’t discriminate when it comes to his clients. There is one exception to this rule. “I will not defend a man who does not pay child support. It’s just not right.” “When an individual is considering divorce, especially a woman,” Whitfield warns, “time is of the essence. From a legal standpoint, I will not be able to do as good a job for the client who waits a year as for the client who acts promptly.”
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Mediation or traditional litigation? Mediation generally is most advantageous for the spouse who has the superior financial power. In short, if one spouse earns a large proportion of family income and controls most of the community assets that person would want to “mediate.” The spouse who has little knowledge of financial affairs, makes little or no family income, and has spent the marriage caring for children or a spouse, would generally suffer severely by mediating. The legal costs of traditional litigation are generally very low when compared to what the disadvantaged spouse may lose by mediating.
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Bay Area Parent, Silicon Valley Edition (ISSN 1935-9381) is published monthly by Dominion Media, a division of Dominion Enterprises. Please note that the advertisements in this magazine are paid for by the advertisers, which allows this magazine to be free to the consumer. Limit of one free copy per reader. Additional copies may be purchased for $5.00 per issue. Call 408-399-4842 to request additional copies. Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products or services are endorsed by the Publisher. All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertising are available on an equal opportunity basis. Editorial submissions are welcome. Bay Area Parent copyright 2008 Dominion Enterprises. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.
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Family Forum
Readers Share Their Thoughts, Opinions, Ideas & Reactions
From our March issue: Are you sending your child to a specialty camp this summer? I think specialty camps are wonderful and kids today are lucky to have them. Although traditional summer camps appeal to many people, they are not suitable for everyone, as I discovered when my daughter was in second grade. She didn’t care for the songs and crafts, and positively hated the mandatory outdoor sports. In response to my daughter’s needs, I did research each winter to find out what specialty camps were available for her age group, and allowed her to choose from among them. The sessions of specialty camps are typically not long, allowing families to combine specialty camp with family travel or a session of traditional camp. In our case, each summer her schedule allowed my daughter to enroll in two to five different specialty camps. In the elementary grades, she attended performing arts camps, visual arts camps and nature camps. In the middle school years, she enrolled in science enrichment, a film-making class and computer camps. She tended to repeat camps she liked best and not repeat others. During the high school years she has chosen a “Great Literature camp” (resident camp) for three years in a row, as well as the teen Shakespeare camp for three years in a row. Parents should know that none of these camps are eight solid hours of a single activity. Even the computer camps include some outdoor and physical activities. For ages 5-12, I highly recommend the Girl Scouts Camp Metro. There is a different specialty each week from ceramics to ice skating. Each 1-week session is enrolled separately. I have known kids of my friends to attend everything from horseback riding camp to gymnastics camp to circus camp. As the years go by and kids outgrow certain specialty camps, they typically try new specialty camps, and that’s great! However, in the few cases where kids keep the same passion year after year, they eventually become counselors at those camps, which is terrific too! It channels their passion into useful work. Alternatively, they use their professional connections from camp to secure a summer job in 18
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
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Silicon Valley Parents Respond: Questions of the Month
their area of passion! My opinion: As long as a child learns to swim prior to second or third grade, there is no bad way to spend the summer if the child enjoys it. The only bad thing would be never leaving home, playing video games or watching TV all day, with no interacting with peers.
– Sheryl Rattner of Los Altos, mom of kids ages 16 and 9
From our April issue: For Parents of Kids under Age 6: Do you plan to delay your child’s entrance into kindergarten? For Parents of Kids Age 6 and Older: Did you delay your child’s entry into kindergarten?
I am not planning on delaying entrance to kindergarten. I think that parents have been the subject of fearpromotion by academic preschools that tell parents that kids must be academically ahead to survive in kindergarten. If you actually read the kinder readiness guidelines, you realize how basic they are. My 3-year-old qualifies based on these guidelines. That being said, my son (born in June) is academically advanced, and holding back for kinder would only create more problems for him.
– Gretchen Ting of Los Gatos, mom of two
This is definitely a tough issue many parents are grappling with. In my case, it’s the question of a fall birthday and a boy. You hear about a lot of parents holding back their fall birthdays, and even summer birthdays, making
the age difference in today’s kindergarten classes as wide as 18 months apart. You don’t want your child to be disadvantaged by suddenly being at the young end. On top of that, we’re hearing that first grade is much more difficult than it used to be, with “teaching to the test” (as a result of “No Child Left Behind”) being the top priority. I will most likely hold back my son, who has an October birthday, because I’d rather give him an extra year to mature and gain confidence than throw him into it too soon.
– Anne Herreria of San Jose, children ages 4 and 2
I am glad to say that my decision to keep my son Johnny out of kindergarten until he was almost 6 was a success. His birthday is in October and I just wasn’t sure he was ready at 4+. He is now 14, in 8th grade and an A student. I was lucky to have a great preschool teacher, Marianne Swan, fantastic K teachers who advised me and wonderful friends who backed my decision. I am now considering the same for my youngest child. Her birthday is in August and I am waiting to make the choice when the time to send her gets closer. I like the dates other states use for their Ks. Many states require the child to be 5 by the start of school or sooner. I hope California considers this for the future of its children.
– Laura R.M. Davis of Campbell
Concerned About Our Education Cuts? Take Action
Dear Editor, Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed ignoring the wishes of California voters and the guidelines of Proposition 98 in order to cut $4.4 billion to kindergarten through 12th grade education. The Redwood City School District Board, where my children attend school, recently passed a resolution that states (in part): “The Getting Down to Facts studies show that billions more need to be invested in education in California to ensure the opportunity for all students to succeed now and in the future; and the $14 billion budget problem was not created by our students and fixing the problem should not come at the expense of their educational progress and success.” Our children live in a state where we spend $1,900 less per student than the national average. How can we support our children and their education without the proper resources? It’s as if a contractor says, “Well, your foundation is cracked but with your budget, we’ll have to reinforce it with bubble gum and Play-Doh.” The recently released movie (and 54-year-old book) Horton Hears a Who tells us that “a person’s a person, no matter how small.” We know that if the small people make enough noise, they’ll be heard, that’s the message of this wonderful work of literature. Ah, but if that small person can’t vote, do they have a voice then? It is up to us grown-ups to make the noise for these children. We need to make sure all those Wickersham Brothers and kangaroos (big and young) can hear us on behalf of our young, vulnerable Whos? This means writing, e-mailing and calling your elected officials. I, for one, cannot accept this “balancing” of the budget on the backs and shoulders of children. Here’s a great Web site for getting started. Just type in your zip code and it gives you your representatives and all their contact info. leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html – Sharon Levin, parent of two, Redwood City
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
I have a 3-year-old boy and I’ve heard from so many moms that they are planning on this delay. Our family is not going to do it. Our experience with our older boy, who is 12 now, was great. He went to the Challenger School K and he was doing great. I think if the child has a good preparation before entering K, it does not matter when to send him to school.
– Tatiana Levitsky of San Jose
May’s Question of the Month
From the minute our children begin to talk, we worry about what will come out of their mouths – from the 2-year-old who mimics our own worst language to the 4-year-old who picks up a few choice phrases at preschool to the teen who sees swearing as a rite of passage into adulthood. How do you respond when your little princess (or prince) cusses like a sailor? Do you have family rules around inappropriate language? Tell us a situation and how you responded. Email your answer and comments to: Jill.wolfson@parenthood.com Subject line: Question of the Month – May Or write: Bay Area Parent – Question of the Month – May 985 University Ave., Suite 30 Los Gatos, CA 95032 Please include your name, city in which you reside and number and ages of children. Also include contact information (email or phone number for verification purpose only).
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
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21
Picture Me
MOMMY AND ME
Happy Mother’s Day. Silicon Valley kids do love their moms all year round! To see more adorable photos, go online at BayAreaParent.com. In June, we honor fathers with Daddy and Me, pictures of fathers and kids expressing that special relationship. Deadline: May 1. In July, it’s Birthday Bonanzas, photos of kids celebrating and being honored on their special day. Deadline: June 1. In August, it’s Summer Splash, photos of children in the ocean and lakes, splashing in pools and sprinklers, staying cool and wet during this hot month.
Mom Vani and Hrisha, 4-1/2, of San Jose have a blast on the Ferris wheel at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Hrisha could not stop laughing about the tickling feeling in her stomach.
Santa Clara mom Karen, and her children Kalyn, 3-1/2, and Sydni, 15 months, enjoy the Danny the Dragon train ride at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo.
Kyoko and her daughter Mia of San Jose take time to smell the flowers. 22
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
Seven-year-old Calla, from Pleasanton, gives a “seal’s greeting” to her mommy, Lily. In San Jose, 4-year-old Marisa cuddles with her mom, Constance.
Mom Vandana and Akshat, 4, of San Jose share a wonderful moment together.
How to Submit Your Photo
Send digital photos to Pictureme@parenthood.com. Subject line: Picture Me (and the month for which the photo is intended). Photos must be of good quality, in focus and in high resolution. Send prints to: Picture Me (with intended month), Bay Area Parent, 985 University Ave., Ste. 30, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Please submit only 1-2 photos for each month. Choose your favorite! Please include the first names of everyone in the picture, children’s ages, the city in which you live and an email address and phone number for verification. We regret that we cannot return photo submissions.
Submission of photos implies permission to publish the photo in print or electronically, now or in the future. By submitting the photo, the submitter also represents and covenants that the photo does not violate the intellectual property rights, including but not limited to copyright, of any other person or entity.
Olivia, 7 months, and her mom Wendy of Los Gatos meet some feathered friends during a trip to Mexico.
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
23
HEALTH & FITNESS
DON’T SPEND ANOTHER DAY HIDING YOUR LEGS – GET RID OF PAINFUL AND EMBARRASING VARICOSE OR SPIDER VEINS.
At the South Bay Vascular Center and Vein Institute, we can help you achieve the legs you deserve… legs you can be proud of! Dr Polly Kokinos is the only board certified vascular and general surgeon in the bay area whose practice focuses on the treatment of all vein problems. Most treatments are done in the office under local anesthesia allowing you to return to most activities the following day. Other doctors may claim to be vein specialists…but no one has the training or the experience of Dr. Kokinos to “Rejuvenate your legs… revitalize your life!”SM
700 W. Parr Ave. Suite L, Second Floor South Bay Vascular Center Los Gatos, CA 95032 and Vein Institute Tel: 408.376.3626 Fax: 408.871.2377 Polly Kokinos, MD, PC www.southbayvascular.com
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
25
family F.Y.I.
Ready for Kindergarten?
In just four months, your little one may be starting his elementary school career. Are you ready? Parents of children turning 5 on or before Dec. 2 should enroll them now in kindergarten and use the next few months to get prepared, officials of First 5 Santa Clara County say. Almost all Silicon Valley school districts are now accepting kindergarten registration. Parents should contact their district office for specific requirements, but most districts need the same documentation to enroll a child: a birth certificate and social security number, up-to-date immunization records, physical and dental exam proof, emergency contact numbers and proof of residence. Enrollment, however, is only the first step, and First 5 Santa Clara County is pushing to raise awareness of the need to prepare kids for kindergarten. A recent survey revealed that 27 percent of eligible kindergartners in Santa Clara County are ill-prepared. The Partnership for School Readiness Collaborative conducted the study. First 5 officials say that new kindergartners should be healthy, have good motor skills and be emotionally secure enough to interact effectively. They also must be curious and eager to learn new things, able to communicate their thoughts and needs, and have some fundamental general knowledge. Academic skills are less important, officials say. Other necessary skills include the ability to: • Perform self-help/self-care (dress self, use the bathroom independently) • Control impulses
• Use small manipulatives (crayons, pencils, scissors) • Pay attention For more information, contact First 5 Santa Clara County at 408-260-3700 or first5kids.org. First 5 funds and sponsors services for children ages 0 to 5. Enrollment offices in the area’s largest districts can be reached at the following numbers: Alum Rock Unified, 408-928-6800, arusd.org; Cupertino Union, 408-252-3000, cupertino.ca.campusgrid.net/home; Evergreen Elementary School District, 408-270-6800, www.eesd.org; San Jose Unified, 408-535-6000, sjusd.org; and Santa Clara Unified, 408-423-2000, santaclarausd.org.
– Angela Geiser
Bay Area Mompreneurs Simplify School Gift-Giving
Paula Cho and Michelle Nieda are Los Altos stay-at-home mothers who used to spend their spare time working out together at the local YMCA. Now, they have little time to spare. A couple years ago, the way the two friends tell it, they were side-by-side on the elliptical machines - sharing stories, commiserating over all the hurdles of how to organize the teacher’s appreciation gift. How, they asked each other, could such a thoughtful gesture become a time-consuming chore? There had to be a better way. Suddenly, they were struck with a brainstorm: a Web site for parents to turn to, one that would automate the entire process, from collecting the money to sending the gift. Cho and Nieda “went startup,” learning the nuts-to-bolts of creating an e-commerce site and invented a patent-pending solution to simplify the group gift giving process. Their solution, fromEveryone.com, officially launched April 7, just in time for the annual gift-giving season. – Sara Solovitch
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
Parent Recommended
“ “
“I can’t say enough great things about Cheeky Monkey Toys in Menlo Park. It has aisles big enough for double strollers, helpful staff (you can go in and say the age and gender of a child and they’ll give you a ton of suggestions for gifts), a great selection of toys, and they even do gift-wrapping, parties and special events. My kids (ages 5, 3 and 1) LOVE going to this store! What’s even better is that it is a momowned business!” (cheekymonkeytoys.com; 650-328-7975)
“
– Sarah (Bo) Kastelic of Redwood City
“Linden Tree in Los Altos is an outstanding children’s bookstore. The staff is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, and it has a wonderful selection of children’s books and sound recordings. (170 State St., Los Altos; 800-949-3313) “Also, Philadelphia Chickens is a terrific children’s CD. How can you go wrong with a CD featuring Broadway-style musical numbers about cows, pigs and chickens? This is kids’ music that an adult can listen to repeatedly without getting turned off!”
” ”
“As a working mom, the toughest thing (besides leaving my 1year-old son at daycare) is finding time to manage my household. Simplify Home Solutions is a great resource. They coordinate and manage all of my household needs, including cleaning and yard maintenance. They also offer laundry services, handymen, personal assistants, personal chefs and professional organizers. They are extremely responsive and I can count on them to recommend quality service providers.” (Simplifyhomesolutions.com; 408-689-7775)
– K. Kelly of San Jose
What Do You Recommend?
– Deborah Gronke Bennett of Palo Alto
Your recommendation can be anything from a great children’s book to a gem of a park to a great place to buy used kids’ clothing. Other ideas: interesting Web sites, parenting book, music CD for kids, take-out food place – anything that helps you parent better or makes your life easier and more enjoyable! All we need are the basics and a brief (1-2 sentences) reason why other parents should know about it. Include your name, number of kids and the town you live in. Send to: Sara.solovitch@parenthood.com Subject line: Parent Recommended Or: Bay Area Parent 985 University Ave., Suite 30 Los Gatos, CA 95032
”
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408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
family F.Y.I.
Putting Fear (of Fat) in Its Place
I first started thinking the low-fat movement was off its rocker back in the ’90s, when a chef I knew questioned my almost daily avocado habit. “There’s a lot of fat in avocados,” he said gravely. “You’d better watch out.” Of course, now we know that avocados are great for you. Meanwhile, the margarine that most of us were still being Feeding advised to eat a decade or so ago has been recognized as a source of unhealthy trans Your fats. Yet the low-fat push continues, and to Family this day the saturated fat in steak, eggs and bacon is widely seen as a direct route to a heart attack. But some researchers are questioning this logic, saying it’s a hypothesis that was never proven. In his book Good Calories, Bad Calories (Knopf, 2007), Science magazine writer Gary Taubes argues that much of the evidence that saturated fat causes heart disease is based on faulty science. He makes a convincing – and thoroughly unsettling – case that much of the conventional thinking around nutrition and health is wrong. The consumption of fat, he says – including saturated fat – does not cause heart disease, obesity or any of the so-called “diseases of civilization.” Taubes suggests that we go back to the wisdom that prevailed until about 40 years ago: that refined carbohydrates cause weight gain. It’s not the butter on the toast, or the sour cream on the potato, it’s the white bread, the potato and the white pasta. I’m open to considering Taubes’ argument. But one thing he doesn’t discuss is the quality of our current fats. The fats that people consumed 100 years ago did not come from animals raised on grain and antibiotics. Back then, cattle fed on grass and roamed more freely than the average industrial cow of today. This is significant, according to some researchers, because grass-fed beef may have a different nutritional composition than grain-fed beef. Grass-fed beef, for example, has two to four times the omega-3 fatty acids in it than grain-fed beef. This isn’t surprising; grass contains lots of omega-3’s. Grain contains lots of omega-6’s. Just as we are what we eat, so are cattle. These researchers say that we need equal amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids; but, by some estimates, the American diet has a ratio closer to 20 omega-6’s for every one omega-3. More research needs to be done. But instead of worrying about every gram of fat, I’m thinking about where the fat – and all my food – came from.
– Larissa Phillips
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Our certified teachers can find out what’s holding your child back and create an individualized program of instruction designed to fix the problem. Just a few hours a week at Huntington can improve your child’s learning skills, so your child can overcome frustration with school, as well as develop confidence and motivation. Call Huntington today. We’re nearby and affordable. We know your child can succeed in school, because we know your child can learn.
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
MOMMY & ME ON THE ROW
Second Tuesday of the month, May through December
Kickoff event: Tuesday, May 13, 10 AM - Noon Join us for a special appearance by Belle from American Musical Theatre of San Jose's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, live puppet shows, face painting, balloons and more!
GIVE YOUR KIDS A REAL TIME OUT!
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408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
29
family F.Y.I.
Getting Rid of Your Computer or TV? ‘E-Cycle’!
Computers, cell phones, TV sets, DVD players and other electronics are constantly updated. Your family may want the latest models, but what will you do with the electronics you already have? The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calls “e-waste” a growing problem. Green waste may Parenting Electronicof the “totalaccount for only 4 percent waste stream” in the United States, the EPA says, but it’s growing two to three times faster than any other kind of waste. Disposing of electronic devices impacts the environment in some dangerous ways: • Computers and older TV picture tubes can contain two to four pounds of lead and require special handling when disposed. • Electronics Schools often welcome donations may also contain of newer computers since the mercury, cadmium equipment they have may be old and brominated and outdated. flame retardants – all toxic materials. Instead of trying to toss that old computer or TV, the EPA urges us to: • Donate any newer, still functioning equipment. Schools, community organizations and charities may welcome these donations. • Ask the local public works department what kinds of electronics are collected on trash/recycling days and what is done with them. • Call or check the manufacturer’s or retailer’s Web sites to determine if they’ll take used products back for free or for a fee. Dell, for example, will accept old models of their computers for free, and even arrange to pick them up – regardless of whether you’re purchasing a new model. • Extend the life of electronics by purchasing upgraded software or accessories instead of a completely new model. For more information on safely recycling electronic equipment, visit epa.gov/region1/solidwaste/electronic/what-u-can-do.html.
– Deirdre Wilson
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
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408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
31
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Photo courtesy of imotion (www.imotionphotos.com)
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
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408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
33
g? Bu ng ti c A
e the Hav hild our C es Y Do
Try a Low-Impact Theater Experience
By Loureen Giordano
After weeks of kids warbling, tapping and turning, after nights of dads schlepping set pieces and moms scurrying behind stage with clipboards, opening night curtain falls. Applause rings, kids beam and parents smile. But such joy comes at a price. Many theater groups demand long hours of parent participation (20-plus per child) and a goodly sum of money for tuition and costumes – more for those who can’t afford the volunteer time. Some families thrive on the challenge. Not you? Relax. Kids and parents can enjoy theater with34
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
Children get a hands-on theater experience in a single afternoon with San Jose Rep’s Creative Playshops.
PHOTO BY LAUREN IVIE
out letting it taking over their lives. “Low-impact,” alternate groups cost little, make few demands on parents and create a fun and nurturing environment for kids, sans competition. Here’s a sample of what’s available in Silicon Valley.
The Programs
• Creative Playshops was developed by Karen Piemme, director of outreach at San Jose Repertory Theatre, as a way to give kids something fun and productive to do while allow-
Putting “Angels” in the Spotlight
As a little girl, DeAnna Pursai used to play on the sidelines while her sister, Angel, rehearsed with The Jesters, a drama group for young performers with disabilities, at the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. “There was a lot of electricity and excitement in the air,” recalls Pursai, who was so inspired by those rehearsals that she went on to volunteer with the theater troupe – coaching actors with their lines, offering support and helping her sister. Today, the San Jose mother of two is drawing on that experience to launch a Silicon Valley version, named – in honor of her sister, who has Down syndrome – Angels on Stage, a Theatre Troupe of Children with Differing Abilities. A former special education teacher, Pursai predicts that the group will prove “a safe stage for kids of all different abilities. “I saw what happened when they focused on their abilities,” she says. “It was marvelous.” Pursai, who says she talks with her daughters about what disabled kids can do, wants the Angels to experience similar triumphs. How? By using the same strategy as The Jesters’ founders. “We’ll build the script on what we can do with the children who show up,” Pursai explains. “There will be a lot of different ways of expressing the story. Heroes can use wheelchairs, for example. Kids with physical disabilities can still have gorgeous voices. When kids realize that they’re free to do what they can, the results are amazing.” She has spent the past two years working towards this goal, and it came to fruition last month with a fundraiser. Pursai hopes to raise $15,000 before the troupe begins rehearsals on Oct. 4 for their first show, “The Wizard of Oz.” For more information, contact Pursai at 408-394-6816, deanna@angelsonstage.org or see angelsonstage.org. – Loureen Giordano
The Jesters of the University of St. Francis, a theater group of differently-abled kids, inspired the newly forming Angels on Stage, a group for ages 5 to 22.
ing their parents to sit back and enjoy a performance in the main playhouse. The Saturday workshops run during San Jose Rep matinees. Kids explore elements of theater, act out scenes, play games and make crafts. Recent activities focused on the themes of memory and mystery during a recent run of “Tranced.” Piemme calls the program “the best kept secret in San Jose.” It’s open to kids ages 6 to 12 and costs $10 per child, with reduced packages available. While reservations are requested, children can drop in as space allows. Staffing keeps teacher-child ratio low and no preparation or volunteering is required. • Willow Glen Children’s Theatre (WGCT) combines theater workshops and an original play performance—with a twist. Performers actually help create the middle of the script as they improvise scenes. Sound complicated? Not at all, says Director Gavin Coffing, who has composed nearly 60 plays for more than a generation of kids, developing a unique part for each. “I just expect people to be as good as they can be,” Coffing explains. “But you have to draw it out of them … It’s a collaboration” born of acceptance. Kids like Amy Shackelford, who at 10 was “extremely” shy, are drawn to the improvisational style because “I could
be myself and have fun.” Amy, now 26, is currently a WGCT staffer. “We don’t reject anybody.” The staff (all WGCT veterans) and Coffing take a firm stand against any gossip or elitism. “Theater should be fun,” Coffing says. “It’s not helpful to have theater that demands too much.” He is flexible with rehearsal schedules and asks for a $65 fee. No costume fees, no volunteer hours. Parents do pitch in—of their own volition. • At Roberta Jones Junior Theatre (RJJT) in Santa Clara, kids ages 8 to 18 get a full theater experience from audition to performance in the sparkling new Mission City Center of the Performing Arts. “It gives the kids a taste of a real theater,” notes Director Kevin Cornelius. Children don’t need an acting resume. “We get all levels of experience and ability.” The “no stars” program is inclusive; all who audition get a part. Cornelius instills in his cast what he learned from founder Roberta Jones: “Every child belongs here. No matter what role, they’re all equal.” Another bonus: kids do the tech work, operating the lights and sound and doing backstage tasks. Parents pay $51 or $66 per child, depending on Santa Clara residency, and must spend five hours per child helping.
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
35
Helping Your Child Get the Most Out of Theater
Some advice from local theater directors Gavin Coffin of Willow Glen Children’s Theatre, Kevin Cornelius of Roberta Jones Junior Theatre, Karen Piemme of San Jose Repertory Theatre’s Creative Playshops and Lindsey Chester, artistic director of All About Theatre:
In the Audience
• Introduce your child to theater when he’s really young. • Talk with your young child about the story before seeing the show. Read the book, watch the movie or tell it as a bedtime story. This creates anticipation. • Make sure he sees other children onstage. Santa Clara’s summer Shakespeare in the Park features kids speaking real Elizabethan lines in shortened versions of the Bard’s plays. • Realize that if you are not enjoying the performance, you are not obligated to stay. If you decide to leave, leave quietly and try to leave during a blackout, between scenes or during intermission. • After the play, talk about what you saw. Encourage your child to ask questions. Find out what he learned, retained, understood and thinks. Hear him out and don’t judge his perspective.
Onstage
• Encourage both your shrinking violet and your lifeof-the-party ham to perform. Shy people often find the stage a perfect vehicle of expression. • Theater is physical, so your kids will be doing a whole lot of moving. Make sure they dress comfortably and eat ahead of time. • Learn as much as you can about what your child is doing so you can ask pertinent questions and continue their experience later.
The Benefits of a Theater Experience
Praise for these groups bubbles over from all participants. Cornelius says that theater is a sure self-esteem booster for kids, who also learn public speaking and time management skills. Coffing adds that the self-discipline of learning lines and attending rehearsals is great. “It’s good preparation for life,” says Lisa Rogers, whose daughter Sarah, 18, and son Alex, 13, have both been in RJJT for years. She points to friendships gained as well as responsibility and commitment. Bob La Planca, father of four RJJT members, confirms the social benefits. His kids work with others of different ages and backgrounds. He and his wife Karen, who both volunteer beyond their required time, have also made friends with fellow RJJT parents. When Diane De Soto came to WGCT, “I was the shyest, most self-conscious kid on the planet.” Years later, her son Hunter joined. Her hands full with a very young daughter, De Soto is grateful to see him happy, his vocabulary growing, 36
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
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The cast of Roberta Jones Junior Theatre’s production of Frog and Toad, which played earlier this year.
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while she is free from extraneous volunteer commitments. Young actors point to making friends as their biggest reward. WGCT members Sarah and Elizabeth, 10, and Rachel, 7, all cite being with friends and family as their favorite thing about participating. Alex Rogers agrees. “It’s a good experience meeting kids from other schools” he wouldn’t otherwise know. He credits theater with his increased ability to make friends.
The Show Goes On
Gavin Coffing tells his actors that they’re giving a gift to the audience—the show. It’s also a gift they give themselves. Fourteen-year-old Emma likes portraying people who are unlike herself. Julia, 13, says, “I really enjoy acting…As long as I get a part, I’m pretty happy.” !
Loureen Giordano is a freelance writer who lives in San Jose.
330-0999 333-9970
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RESOURCES
Featured Programs and Options Worth Exploring • All About Theatre - 831-345-6340; allabouttheatre.org. • Children’s Playhouse (Almaden, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, San Jose) - 408-578-PLAY (7529); childrensplayhouse.org. • Creative Playshops - 408-367-7255; sjrep.com.
www.clubztutoring.com
408-399-4842
• Los Altos Youth Theatre - 650 947-2796; ci.los-altos.ca.us/recreation/layt/index.html • Milpitas Rainbow Theatre - 408-586-3210; ci.milpitas.ca.gov. • Roberta Jones Junior Theatre – 408-615-3161; rjjt.org. • South Valley Civic Theatre - 408-779-5120; svct.org. • Tabard Theatre - 408-979-0231; tabardtheatre.org.
Image courtesy of imotion (www.imotionphotos.com)
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
• Willow Glen Children’s Theatre – 408-275 6972; wgct.org.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECT ION
Summer Camps
Camp Index
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - Page 39 Science & Technology Summer Schools Tutoring Programs Writing & Language SPECIAL NEEDS - Page 46 SPORTS - Page 48 Basketball Cheerleading Combo/Sports Camps Golf Gymnastics COMBINATION - Page 41 Ice Skating Academic, Arts & Fitness Martial Arts Overnight / Away Camps Soccer COMMUNITY SERVICE - Page 44 Swimming Tennis CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS-Page 44 Art Cooking Dance Music Theater
Photo courtesy of Portraits by Rebecca
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, SCIENCE, MATH & TECHNOLOGY
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
AVIATION DAY CAMP San Carlos (650) 654-0200 www.hiller.org Hands on experiments, building and flying model aircraft, guided tours of historic and futuristic museum collection, presentations by professional pilots, craft, games and much more. COGSWELL POLYTECHNICAL COLLEGE Sunnyvale (800) 264-7955 www.cogswell.edu 10-13 & 14-18 yrs. Each thrilling session is space-limited, highly focused, completely hands-on & taught by industry experts! DESTINATION SCIENCE – THE ULTIMATE CAMP EXPERIENCE 2008 Many neighborhood locations
(888) 909-2822 www.destinationscience.org Exciting, hands-on science day camps. Wild Animal Physics Fun Park, Techno Robo Transformers, Zero G Rocket Science, Craz-ECool Electro Inventors. Ages 5-11 years, M-F, 9am-3:30pm, extended care available, great neighborhood locations. Early Bird Savings online. DIGITAL MEDIA ACADEMY Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Claremont Colleges, & More! (866) 656-3342 www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org www.DigitalMediaAdventures.com Adventures = 9-13, Academy = 13 - all above ages Video Game Design, Robotics, Filmmaking, Photography, Web Design, Flash, & More! ID TECH CAMPS 1-888-709-TECH (8324) www.internalDrive.com
Week-long day and overnight summer technology programs for ages 7-17 at 50 universities including Santa Clara, Stanford, UC Santa Cruz, and UC Berkeley. Create video games, digital movies, websites, robots, and more. Mention code CA48. MAD SCIENCE OF THE SOUTH BAY Bay Area Locations (877) 390-KIDS www.madscience.org/southbay Sparking imaginative learning by providing educational, entertaining activities that instill a clear understanding of what science is really about! We offer ten weeks of fun-crazy-wild science for ages 5-12 with locations throughout the Bay Area. MASTERY OF MATH 4000 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto (650) 464-4872 www.masteryofmath.com Ages 9-16
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CAMP DIRECTORY
MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM (866) 648-4800 www.montereybayaquarium.org 3 yrs to adult. The Aquarium Adventures programs give your children and your family many opportunities to experience the wonders of ocean life - on the bay and behind the scenes. SINGAPORE MATH Palo Alto (650) 922-0333 6-13 Math Enrichment Books. TECHKNOWHOW COMPUTER & LEGO CAMPS Locations in South & East Bay, San Francisco & Peninsula, San Carlos (650) 620-9300 www.techknowhowkids.com Fun and enriching technology classes for students ages 5-16 years. Camps include Game Design, LEGO Construction with Motors, Robotics and Hollywood Video Effects. www.classicmath.org Well-balanced program: Academic mornings with unique MATHCENTERED curriculum (Math, English, Science, Art) and SPORT afternoons (Chess, Tennis, Swimming, Games) Ages K-10. HARKER SUMMER INSTITUTE San Jose (408) 871-4626 www.harker.org Grades 9-12. Elective and for-credit courses in math, sciences, English, debate, economics and more. HARKER SUMMER PROGRAMS San Jose (408) 871-4600 www.harker.org Fun, learning-filled programs for K-8th students. Offerings include: 4-week academic enrichment program with recreation component; Project Zoom where campers focus on a favorite subject area for two fun-filled weeks; Kindercamp, where the littlest campers learn and grow in an environment of fun and laughter; and exciting tennis programs, from 1-week camps to 7-week training. KNOWLEDGE PRESCHOOL 2192 Hunter Place, Santa Clara (408) 727-6764 www.knowledgepreschool.com 2.5 to 5 yrs. Academically-based, stress-free, fun environment recognizing each child as a unique individual ready to learn, discover and be happy. A natural extension of the loving, supportive home environment. Year-round, full-time home day care. MONTECITO PRESCHOOL Los Altos (650) 968-5957 www.montecitopreschool.com Summer includes 8 weeks of developmental preschool programs for children ages 2 to 6. Programs include age-appropriate classes and specialty summer themes.
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SCHOLARS ACADEMY San Jose (408) 238-0486 www.scholarsacademyschool.com 4-12 yrs. Academic review, book club, arts & crafts, Dancercise, indoor and outdoor games. SIERRA SCHOOL Santa Clara (408) 247-4740 www.sierraschool.com Grades K-6th. Sierra offers the perfect balance of academics & recreation. Two four-week sessions offer morning academics and afternoons full of sports, art, drama, cooking and fun. STRATFORD SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM San Jose (408) 363-2130 Los Gatos (408) 371-3020 Middle School (408) 626-0001 Palo Alto (650) 493-1151 Sunnyvale-De Anza Park (408) 732-4424 Sunnyvale-Washington Park (408) 737-1500 www.stratfordschools.com Stratford will offer a 6-week summer program for half-day students (June 25-August 3) and 6-week and 8-week program for full-day students (June 25-August 3 & June 25-August17). The summer program will help students maintain knowledge gained during the school year and prepare them for the fall. The preschool and pre-kindergarten programs are full of fun, creative activities with weekly themes. Elementary programs will explore art, music, science and various outdoor activities in addition to the summer academic readiness program. WESTERN MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL Mountain View (650) 961-4131 www.western-montessori.com We offer a summer program from June 25-August 17. In addition to our regular curriculum we offer other fun activities.
SUMMER SCHOOLS
ALMADEN COUNTRY School Summer Camp San Jose (408) 997-0424 www.a-cs.org/summercamp.htm Grades Jr. Kindergarten-5th. Weekly camps June 23 - August 1st from 9am-1pm. Art, sports, exploration, water play. Hansel & Gretel: July 14 - Aug. 1 9am-11:30am. Robin Hood: July 14 Aug. 1 1pm-3:30pm. Musical Theatre Camp July 7-14 to 8-1. Drama & play 9:30-11:30am & 12-2pm. Weekly Camps June 23 - Aug. 1st. BELLARMINE CAMPS (408) 293-3470, San Jose www.bcp.org Bellarmine offers a full range of academic and enrichment courses for students entering 6th grade to students entering 12th grade. June 17- July 14. 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CALDER ACADEMY SUMMER Programs 2007 San Jose (408) 777-8779 www.calderAcademy.com Grades K-8th. Knowledge & Discovery Program, English Speech & Writing, ESL, Math Boot Camp, Chinese Language & History, Science & Robotics - all include daily exercise: Yoga, etc. CHALLENGER SCHOOL 12 Bay Area Locations, www.challengerschool.com Preschool-Grade 8. Join Challenger School this summer for Preschool Adventureland, Kindergarten Prep, or to prepare your child for the upcoming school year (through 8th grade). CHAMPION SCHOOL San Jose (408) 973-8696 www.championschool.org Grades 1st-8th. Call for information on our fun summer camp. CHILDRENS’ CREATIVE LEARNING CENTER Los Altos (408) 736-7400 Burlingame (650) 697-7400 Atherton (650) 233-1860 Palo Alto (650) 493-5770 www.cclc.com CCLC offers dynamic Summer Camps for children 3.5-12 years. 9 Weekly Themes. Full and Part Time. Weekly guests and fieldtrips enhance curriculum, keeping children having fun all summer long! CLEMENT SUMMER CAMP San Jose (408) 265-2226 www.clementschool.com 2.5-5 yrs. Summer camp June 23-July 30, 8:45-11:40 am. “Hooked on Books” special academic accents for KG readiness preparation. See you in the summer! COMMUNICATION ACADEMY (408) 777-8876 Public Speaking and Debate Camps & Classes for ages 5-17 Check website for scheduled classes www.communicationacademy.com CLASSIC MATH SCHOOL Summer Math Camp Fremont (510) 440-0929 Palo Alto (650) 224-4226
TUTORING PROGRAMS
ACADEMIC SUMMER CAMP at Learning Plus San Jose (408) 377-4114 www.learningplustutoring.com 7-13 yrs. June 23-July 18 from 9 am-Noon. Energetic and fun, this camp is designed to prepare students for the next year. Interactive learning, so students are involved and interested. Writing, Math, Reading, Comprehension and Vocabulary. Writing Camp July 30-August 10. Back-to-School Camp August 617. CASSMANN READING CAMP Morgan Hill (408) 842-7912 Readingtutor@hotmail.com Summer workshops from July 14 to Aug. 22 for early readers, getting ready for first grade and to focus on fluency and comprehension. Nadine is an experienced teacher and tutor excited to teach your child the love of reading! EDUCATION UNLIMITED (800) 548-6612, www.educationunlimited.com Education Unlimited offers a variety of unique summer programs including Computer Camp, Public Speaking Institute, The Actors Workshop, The College Admission Prep Camp, Prep Camp Excel, Summer Focus at Berkeley, the East Coast College Tour and our Speech and Debate Camps. Our camps are offered at various east and west coast locations. For more information call or visit our website. FASTRACKIDS Los Altos (650) 947-9550 www.fastrackids.com 3-8 yrs. Astronomy, Earth Science, Biology, Creative Literature, Goal & Life Lessons, Music. KEPLER LEARNING CENTER 305 Piercy Road (408) 363-0222 www.keplerlc.com Grades 1-8. Half-day and Full day sessions. Academic enrichment, art, clay, field trips, hip-hop and music. Morning sessions 9am -12 pm. Afternoon sessions 1-4pm. Call today! LEGEND LEARNING CENTER (408) 253-6944 www.legendlearningcenter.com/summer Grades K-8 June 16 – August 22 Morning Academics: Reading, Math, Writing, & Chinese. Afternoon Hands-on Learning: Digital Computer, Science Lab, Arts & Field Trips. Full and Half day options.
MONTESSORI ACADEMY San Jose (408) 259-5736 www.mymontessoriacademy.com Grades K-1st. Reading and math. Full and part-time programs. Individual attention, summer beach party, dress-up day, ice cream party and international night and much more fun! MULBERRY SCHOOL Los Gatos (408) 358-9080 www.mulberry.org Elementary camps (Junior Kindergarten - 6th grade) run 9:30 am-2:30 pm and cost $200/week. Preschool camps (ages 3-5) run 9:30 am-1:00 pm and cost $140 week. Extended care is available for children ages 5-12, from 7:30-9:30 am and 2:306:30 pm. There is no extended care available for preschool campers. ONE WORLD MONTESSORI SUMMER PROGRAM San Jose (408) 723-5140 Santa Clara (408) 615-1254 www.oneworldmontessori.org 9am-3pm or 7:30am-6:30pm. 2 week sessions combine a AM work period with field trips, swimming, gymnastics, music, arts & crafts.
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECT ION
SASO HIGH SCHOOL PREP (408) 821-4790 www.sasohighschoolprep.com steve@sasohsp.com Start preparing your child today for their high school placement test! Tutorials include math, english, and essay writing. Help shape their academic future for high school and college. Register now for the summer and fall sessions. www.actiondayprimaryplus.com 5-14 years. Field trips & Assemblies, Sports Camps, Bike & Skate Days, Swimming, Weekly Themes, Specialty Camps CAMP ADVENTURE AT KIDDIE ACADEMY Morgan Hill (408) 776-6800 San Jose (408) 978-1500 www.kiddieacademy.com School age children. Language arts, creative arts, Mad Science, waterplay, cooking projects, jump house, sports and games. CAMP GALILEO San Jose/Evergreen, San Jose/Almaden Valley, Saratoga, & Sunnyvale (800) 854-3684 An Art, Science & Outdoor summer day camp for kids entering K5th grades. Kids rotate daily between art, science and outdoor programming blended with time for kids, cheers and games. Hands-on activities delivered by experienced educators make Camp Galileo a favorite! CAMP ZONE San Jose (408) 254-1280 (4-10 yrs) http://sanjose.merryhillschool.com Milpitas (408) 945-9090 (4-13 yrs) http://milpitas.merryhillschool.com In addition to our basic camp programs, we also offer specialty classes such as cooking, cheerleading, sports camp, science camp, writer’s workshop, K-readiness for children going into Kindergarten this fall, swimming and field trips. We also offer a technology camp. CARDEN ACADEMY MORGAN HILL Morgan Hill (408) 776-8801 www.cardenacademymh.com Send your child around the world in 40 days!! Each week they will discover the art, dress, cooking, stories & traditions of different countries. CENTRO ARMONIA Spanish Immersion Preschool Campbell (408) 366-2585 www.armoniapreschool.com 2.5-7 yrs. Music & movement, language development, exploration time, outdoor activities, water play. Complete immersion in Spanish. Great preparation for elementary school. CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Call for the location nearest you (408) 556-7300 ex. 237 www.cdicdc.org 5-12 years. Arts, Crafts, Sports, Science & Field Trips CHILDREN’S DAY CAMP – CHILDREN BECOMING AWESOME HUMAN BEINGS South & West San Jose (408) 927-7800 www.saintandrewchurch.org Kindergarten-5 yrs. Two-week sessions include fine arts, science, recreational sports and performing arts. CHRYSALLIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL San Jose (408) 445-8432 4 years, 9 mos.-12 yrs. Morning academics, hiking, crafts, field trips, swimming and more. CITY OF SUNNYVALE 550 E. Remington Dr., Sunnyvale (408) 730-7338 www.recreationinsunnyvale.com 3-17 Day trips, general recreation camps, sports, dance, music and science camps, swimming and cooking classes. DE ANZA COMMUNITY EDUCATION EXTENDED YEAR PROGRAM Cupertino (408) 864-8441 www.extendedyear.deanza.edu Entering Grades 1-10. Art, computers, robotics, PSAT prep, drama, languages, math and science.
CAMP DIRECTORY
DELPHI ACADEMY Santa Clara (408) 260-2300 www.bestsummerever.org Ages 4-13 Camping trips, water slides, rock climbing, amusement parks, county fair, soccer camp, weekly swimming, horseback riding, archery, jr. engineering, silent movie making, animals and habitats. DISCOVERY YEARS, THE San Jose-Almaden (408) 268-5165 San Jose-Berryessa (408)926-1234 www.thediscoveryears.com Fun summer activities include water play, picnics, cooking, painting, arts & crafts. Enroll now for Summer and Fall – FREE Registration. ELAN ESPRIT PRESCHOOL Milpitas (408) 262-3848 Santa Clara (408) 247-9263 www.mypreschool.com 2-5 yrs. Activities include field trips, dance, art, music, science, cooking, physical skills. Academics include reading, phonics, math, printing, researching & more. FOR PETE'S SAKE STUDIOS - SUMMER FUN! 4188 Jarvis Ave., San Jose (408) 269-1210 www.forpetesakestudios.com Variety - Ages 7 to 12. Each week is different! Pirates! Cartooning! Abracadabra Science! All About Disney! Puppets! Jewelry Making! Creative Drama - Mornings & Afternoons available. JOURNEY TO CHINA: AN ADVENTURE IN IMAGINATION Mountain View (650) 903-0986 areall@sv.ycef.com 6-10 yrs. Students will participate in a wide range of cultural activities, including crafts, stores, games, cooking, music, theater & sports, all taught in Mandarin - bringing China alive in the mind of your child. J & R LEARNING CENTER (408) 221-0452 www.jrlearning.com Bilingual Mandarin/English Full day/Half day/Weekly. Ages 4-10. Class, Activities, Swimming, Field Trips, Hot Meals. KIDSPARK Two San Jose Locations: 5440 Thornwood Dr., (408) 281-8880 2858 Stevens Creek Blvd., (408) 985-2599 www.kidspark.com 2-12 yrs. Art, games, cooking, drama, music, tournaments and special events are just a few of the fun things happening at KidsPark this summer. Something for everyone! MARIPOSA MONTESSORI Los Gatos (408) 356-8816 www.mariposamontessori.org 2 yrs-1st grade. Montessori activities & curriculum, arts & crafts, science, cooking, water play and weekly special events.
WRITING & LANGUAGE
GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SILICON VALLEY Mountain View (650) 254-0748 www.gissv.org Ages 6-9. German language immersion Summer Camp. Practiceoriented language development embedded in a day full of activities. No prior language skills are necessary to participate. First session starts June 16. HARKER ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE San Jose (408) 249-2510 www.harker.org 9-15 yrs. Boarding school prep and ESL programs for international students. Includes sightseeing and family residency in nearby apartments. HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER – CUPERTINO (408) 996-1200 Summer Programs Please call for class schedule. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE PENINSULA Palo Alto (650) 251-8519 www.istp.org Language Immersion Camp, June 23 – August 1 for ages 3-14 in French, Chinese, Spanish or English as a Second Language (ESL). Two-week themes are: Globetrotters, Food delights, and Under the Tropics. LEKHA SCHOOL OF CREATIVE WRITING Summer Camp Programs. www.lekhapublishers.com NEW CONCEPT CHINESE SCHOOL Sunnyvale (408) 296-6668 www.newconcept.com 5-17 yrs. Summer camp, bilingual in Chinese & English, Chinese culture & language, youth waistdrum team, lots of fun activities. PASITOS BILINGUAL SCHOOL West San Jose (408) 244-3551 www.pasitosschool.com Six-week summer program, June 30 – August 8 for Preschool and Kindergarten; Spanish immersion, exploring all content areas (Reading, Science, Math, Social Studies, Music, Drama, Dance), variety of learning centers both indoors and outdoors. Open year-round for preschool! PREMIER INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE ACADEMY San Jose (408) 728-5441 (408) 866-8234 www.premiermandarinschool.com June 30-Aug 1 Five one-week camps for ages 4-11. Full or half-day programs in English and/or Mandarin. WRITE NOW! SUMMER WRITING PROGRAM Hacienda School, Pleasanton (925) 485-5750 Emerson School, Palo Alto (650) 424-1267 www.headsup.org Grades 2nd-8th. Week-long day camps prepare students to master the discipline of writing well & public speaking. Three sessions at each location: Expository Writing, Creative Writing, and Presentation Techniques.
COMBINATION
ACADEMIC, ARTS & FITNESS
A CHILDREN’S GARDEN Morgan Hill (408) 778-1977 www.achildrensgarden.org NAEYC accredited. Grades K-6th. Hands-on curriculum in science, math, creative arts, Spanish & gardening. Weekly special visitors and field trips. Enriching programs for infants to preschool ages. Welcoming environment focusing on the child’s social-emotional development. Open year-round 7 am-6:30 pm. ACTION DAY / PRIMARY PLUS 3550 Amber Dr., San Jose (408) 248-2464
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CAMP DIRECTORY
MEMORIES LIVE ON SCRAPBOOKING (408) 446-9901 For ages 4 through adult. Come experience the FUN of scrap booking. Check our website for class schedule www.memoriesliveon.com MONARCH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Los Altos (408) 735-9409 Milpitas (408) 263-4840 Fremont (510) 494-1221 www.monarchchristian.com 2-6 yrs. Themes & Activities: Bears/Teddy Bear Picnic, Transportation/Fire Engine, Insects/Insect Discovery, Sea Creatures/Monterey Bay Aquarium, Farm/Live Pony, Zoo Safari/Happy Birds, Water/Bubbles/Astrojump, All About Me/Theater Fun. MOUNT MADONNA SCHOOL’S SUMMER PROGRAM (408) 847-2717 www.MountMadonnaSchool.org Digital storytelling, songwriting, outdoor science and discovery, performing and studio arts, volleyball, Haiku Hiking, and more. Call for brochure; Register early for discount. Transportation available. Grades 1-12. July 21-Aug. 1, 9am – 4pm. MY DREAM ACADEMY Sunnyvale (408) 730-9600 www.mydreamacademy.com 5-13 years. Academic review, field trips, swimming, hiking, biking, movies & more. NEIGHBORHOOD CHRISTIAN SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMP San Jose (408) 371-4222 Santa Clara (408) 984-3418 www.neighborhoodchristiancenter.org Grades K-6th. Electronics, hand crafts, culinary arts, sports, robotics, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, theater and awesome field trips. Now hiring summer and fall staff. PEPPERTREE SCHOOLS SUMMER CAMP Los Gatos (408) 356-3211 www.peppertreeschools.com 2-9 yrs. Weekly camp/flex schedules/full & part time. Field trips, art, music, light academics, sports, I Can Gymnastics, swim & cooking. RC UNLIMITED - SLOT CAR RACING San Jose (408) 377-3771 1/2 day summer camps, slot car racing, birthday parties! Call today for details! SANTA CLARA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 3421 Monroe St. Santa Clara, CA 95051 www.scchristian.org Summer Camps with sports and academics, field trips, special events, performing arts Teacher run programs, come and see our campus and meet our great staff 4 sessions, June 2- Aug 15th, K-6th SARATOGA SPRINGS Saratoga (408) 867-1591 x826 www.saratoga-springs.com 5-13 yrs. Swimming, sports, arts & crafts, nature hikes, creek walks, weekly themes. For boys and girls Mon-Fri 8 am-6 pm, extended care available. SONSHINE CLUB AT CATHEDRAL OF FAITH San Jose (408) 979-3044 www.cathedraloffaith.org Day camp for children grades 1st-6th from June 25-August 17, 9 am-5 pm. Extended care available for $25/wk. ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL PRESCHOOL SUMMER CAMP 17740 Peak Ave., Morgan Hill (408) 782-9994 www.stjohndivinemorganhill.org 2.5 -5 years Water and Sand play, sprinkler and wading pool days, lots of arts and crafts projects, reading, games, circle times, music and great socialization for all. ST. TIMOTHY’S LUTHERAN SCHOOL 5100 Camden Ave., San Jose (408) 265-0244 www.st-tims-lutheran.org Grades 1st-5th Join us for Summer Fun at St. Timothy’s! A different camp theme each week from June 16- August 1. SUNNYVALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (408) 736-3286 www.sunnyvalechristianschool.com Grades K-6th. Join us for a summer of friendship, praise and lots of adventures. Weekly field trips, arts & crafts, fiesta, VBS, chapel, musical, water play, computer lab, games, world fair, sports, cooking, games and more. Preschool Summer Camp also available. SUMMER AT SAINT FRANCIS Mountain View (650) 968-1213 x446 www.sfhs.com 6-17 yrs. A variety of academic and athletic programs for students of all ages. SUMMER KIDS CAMP 2008 AT THE DECATHLON CLUB Santa Clara (408) 331-2963 www.decathlon-club.com Summer Kids Camp at Decathlon Club offers tennis, swimming, court games, arts & crafts and drama lessons all in one week. Decathlon Club offers a safe and nurturing environment for all kids. TLC OF CUPERTINO SUMMER PROGRAMS Cupertino (408) 996-1866 www.tlcfcupertino.com 7:30am-6pm. Arts & crafts, hands-on science, music & movement.
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WAHA MONTESSORI Santa Clara (408) 247-0286 www.wahamontessori.com 12 months-6 yrs. Abacus, Chinese, dancing, drawing, English and music classes. WALDORF SUMMER CAMP Los Altos (650) 948-8433 www.waldorfpeninsula.org 4.9 – 12yrs Early Childhood Camp, Nature Hikes, Art, Gymnastics and more. WEST VALLEY COLLEGE FOR KIDS Saratoga (408) 741-2096 www.summercollege4kids.org Monday-Friday 8:30 am-1:45 pm and daily after school program 2-4 pm. Session 1: June 25-July 13; Session 2: July 16-August 2. Courses include a wide variety of summer classes: academics, sports, crafts, music and much more. YIKES TIKES! CHILDREN’S LEARNING & EXPLORATION 3775 Beacon Ave. Suite C Fremont 510-794-1912 1571 Carob Ln. Los Altos 650-917-8453 www.yikestikes.com 2 week sessions-3 times a week. Art themes, Music & Movement, Story Time, Puppet Shows and Large Group Activites. ZOO CAMPS FOR KIDS San Francisco Zoo (415) 753-7073 www.sfzoo.org Zoo Camp is for kids ages 4 to 12 and is an exciting variety of games, lessons, zoo walks, tours and much, much more.
OVERNIGHT / AWAY CAMPS
SAN JOSE FAMILY CAMP (408) 871-3820 www.sanjoseca.gov/prns/familycamp.asp 40-acre campground located in the heart of the Sierras near the west gate of Yosemite National Park. San Jose Family Overnight Camp offers fun and relaxation for everyone in your family. June 13-Aug 10 SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara (408) 554-4691 www.santaclarabroncos.com Father/Son Camp • Offensive Skills I & II Camps • Little Broncos Camp • Overnight Camp
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
CAMPS
Exciting Science Programs at the Intel Museum
Schematics, switches, and circuits? Binary beading? What’s that? Find out at the Intel Museum’s FREE classes. Hands-on labs use fun, interactive activities to teach children about computer chip science. Open Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays. Free admission and parking. For more information and the latest class schedule, call 408.765.0503, or visit www.intel.com/museum
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CAMP DIRECTORY
SKYLAKE YOSEMITE CAMP Bass Lake (559) 642-3720 www.skylake.com 7-14 yrs. Full range of waterfront and land activities ranging from water skiing, horseback riding, sports, drama and arts & crafts. Campers select their own activities. PEGGY ANN JOHNSTON STUDIO Cupertino (408) 863-0589 www.pajart.home.net Children to adults. Experience your creativity in a fun, nurturing, small private art studio! Clay, Paper Mache, Wire, Watercolor, Mosaic, Printmaking, Drawing, Music. A WORK OF HEART A Crafty Life from A - Z Kids Camp (408) 266-1005 http://www.aworkofheart.com Kids 6+ explore mixed media, scrapbooking, clay, jewelry design, altered-arts and more daily. June 16 - August 22, 10 am to 4 pm. Hourly, Daily & Weekly rates available. Participants are invited to join in the Summer End Art Show YOUNG AT ART SUMMER Programs for 2008 Cupertino (408) 255-1414 www.yaainc.net June 18 - August 10. Learn to draw, paint and sculpt in a fun environment. All ages welcome, sign up early.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECT ION
DANCE
DANCE ACADEMY USA Cupertino (408) 257-3211 Day Camps include Musical Theatre, Pep Squad, Jazz/Hip-Hop and Intensive Jazz/Dance technique for intermediate/advanced dancers. Summer session is July 7 - Aug 7. DANCE ATTACK Sunnyvale (408) 245-5432 www.danceattack.com 2 yrs & up. A variety of camps and workshops. Call for a summer brochure. DANCE ATTACK! Los Gatos (408) 356-6456 3-18 yrs. Ballet, tap, hip hop and theater. Partial-day dance clinics 9:30 am-4:00 pm. EAST*WEST MUSIC AND DANCE (408) 865-0654 (408) 287-5678 www.eastwestmusicanddance.com Dance classes and music lessons for all ages available now. In addition, weekly dance camps during summer session July 7 August 16.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY MUSEUM SUMMER OF SERVICE San Jose (408) 298-5437 x243 www.cdm.org/sos Entering Grades 7th-10th. Innovative community service program. Themes: Environment & Ecology, Media & Museum, Early Childhood Education, Leadership & Outreach. SASS: SUMMER OF ART, SCIENCE AND SERVICE Mills College in Oakland (510) 632-6000 x 115 www.summerartscienceservice.org A unique residential program on Mills College campus for girls entering 9th, 10th and 11th grades. The handson, project-based curriculum integrates art, science and service learning around the theme of nature and understanding one’s place in the web of life.
COOKING
CUCINA BAMBINI Cooking Fun for Everyone! (408) 564-7773 www.cucinabambini.com Classes begin April 28th Half day Summer Camps, Ages 8 and up. Birthday parties, special events, parent/child classes too! YOUNG CHEFS ACADEMY Sunnyvale (408) 738-CHEF www.youngchefsacademy.com/sunnyvale 5+yrs. Young Chefs Academy is teaching children the lifelong skill and joy of cooking in a fun, educational and safe environment. Budding chefs will learn basic kitchen safety, proper food handling, food preparation & presentation, cooking and baking techniques, nutrition, table setting and manners…and all while having fun!
CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS
ART
CLAYGROUND/CERAMIC ART San Jose (408) 343-3919 www.chineseclayart.com 5 yrs & up. Clay classes and supplies. Birthday parties and summer camps. KIDSART - LOS ALTOS Los Altos (650) 948-4719 www.kidsartclasses.com In the months of June through August, KidsArt offers workshops for students ages 6 & above. We will be offering clay sculpture, anime & cartooning, figure drawing, and animation.
SIGN UP TODAY FOR OUR 2008 SUMMER DAY ART CAMPS
YOUNG AT ART
June 16th - Aug 8th Week Long Day Camps Sign up for one or all classes in painting, sculpture, drawing & crafts See our website for details www.yaainc.net
408.255.1414
19701 Stevens Creek Blvd.,Cupertino CA 95014
Summer Science Camps
San Jose, Saratoga & Los Gatos
ENROLL IN OUR WEEKLY SUMMER PROGRAM TODAY!
June 30-August 15
June 16-Aug. 15 Ages 3 1/2 - 12
Weekly fun in the park! Experiments, games, crafts, nature walks, animals & more.
{ Grades 1-8 { Half-day and Full-day sessions available { ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, Art, Clay,
Hip Hop Dance
{ Coaching Sessions for learning difficulties
305 Piercy Road • Silver Creek/Evergreen area in San Jose
408.356.4945 • youthscience.org
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
www.keplerlc.com
408-363-0222
www.skylake.com (559) 642-3720
CAMP DIRECTORY
MUSIC
CANTABILE SUMMER DAY CAMP Foothill Church 461 Orange Ave., Los Altos (650) 424-1410 www.cantabile.org Music, Art, Movement & Drama COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC & ARTS Mountain View (650) 917-6800 www.arts4all.org 5-13 yrs. Variety of camps taught by our faculty of professional artists, musicians and art educators. DAY JAMS ROCK MUSIC DAY CAMP Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont (800) 295-5956 www.dayjams.com 8-15 yrs. Band rehearsals, instrument classes, art classes, recreative periods, live concert performance. KIWANIS CLUB OF CAMBRIAN PARK SUMMER MUSIC CAMP San Jose (408) 206-5139 kristinengineer@yahoo.com The 5th Annual Summer Music Camp is Aug. 4-5. Instrumental and vocal camp. LONGAY CONSERVATORY OF GUITAR Santa Clara (408) 343-0933 www.longay.com 5-16 yrs. Join our guitar day camp for a fun and eclectic week of music making! Guitar and ensemble, drumming, yoga and much more. MUSIC PLACE FOR CHILDREN, THE San Jose (408) 445-2787 www.musicplace.com 3 yrs and up. Summer day camps with lots of fun! Percussion & drums, singing, vacation bible school, arts & crafts, prop making, scenery, and costumes. Themes include animals, ocean, travel, and worship. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA SCHOOL OF MUSIC (408) 777-0740 Summer Music Arts Camp Expanding the Mind Through Music. Check our website for more info on classes www.ncsm.net VIVACE YOUTH CHORUS San Jose (408) 885-1746 www.vivaceyouthchorus.org A Few of My Favorite Songs. Ages 6-10. Camp is Aug. 4 – 8th. Experience the unique connection of art & music. Singing, games and creative expressions. WORLD OF MUSIC Cupertino, CA (408) 252-8264 Summer Classes for all ages – piano, guitar, violins, lots more.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECT ION
Session III: 8-10 year olds July 21-Aug 1, 2008 9am-12pm Session IV: 14-16 year olds July 21-Aug 1, 2008 1:30pm4:30pm
SPECIAL NEEDS
ATTENTION & ACHIEVEMENT CENTER SUMMER READING CAMP Walnut Creek, Fremont & Pleasanton (925) 280-9100 www.idealu.com Advance one full year in 6 weeks, guaranteed! Using our combined techniques developed by leading scientist and professionals, your child can advance his or her reading skills by one full year in just six weeks while attending our summer reading program- or we refund your money. Call or visit our website for more details. BRIGHT MINDS INSTITUTE SUMMER SCIENCE CAMP The Presidio, San Francisco (415) 561-6755 www.brightmindsinstitute.com We accommodate children ages 5-12 with mild learning difficulties such as ADD/ADHD or dyslexia. Ecology, outdoor education, conservation ethics, art and science concepts based on CA State standards. 9 am-4pm, June 12September 1. Extended care available. $375 week.
THEATER
CHILDREN’S MUSICAL THEATER’S SUMMER COPA (Conservatory of Performing Arts) San Jose (408) 288-5437 www.cmtsj.org 4-18 yrs. Musical theater, acting, singing, dancing. Also specialty rates: sign language, acrobatics, puppetry. PENINSULA YOUTH THEATRE (650) 988-8798 www.pytnet.org Peninsula Youth Theatre offers a variety of classes for children ages 3.5 and up. From traditional acting and singing classes to intensive camps, we are proud to offer classes and camps voted “Family Favorite” by the readers of Bay Area Parent Magazine in 2007. SAN JOSE REPARATORY CREATIVE CAMPS San Jose Rep’s Creative Dramatics Summer Workshops for kids and youth is an exciting, fun filled, two-week improvisational theatre workshop which will awaken the imagination! Session I: 5-7 year olds July 7-18, 2008 9am-12pm Session II: 11-13 year olds July 7-18, 2008 1:30pm-4:30pm
Ages 5–13 Horseback Riding, Swimming, Fencing, High Ropes and more! Nurse on duty Accredited private 240 acre site Transportation provided Come on a Friday for FREE
Open Houses: April 26–27 & May 10
831-479-6714
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www.kennolyn.com
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
CAMPS
The Perfect Balance of Academics and Recreation
2 Sessions June 23 - July 18 • July 21 - August 15
ew ke N his Ma ds t n Frie mer! Sum
AM - Academics PM - Recreation 7AM - 6PM K-6th Grade
• • • • • •
SUMMER OL YMPICS 2008
Strong Academic Program Small Class Size Drama/Cooking Art/Outdoor Activities New Play Structure Air Conditioned Classrooms
Academic Excellence Life Enrichment
wild wild west
Since 1974
Call for Brochure
(408) 247-4740
220 Blake, Santa Clara www.sierraschool.com
off Stevens Creek between Lawrence and San Tomas
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
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CAMP DIRECTORY
CAMP CHATTERBOX AT PROGRESSIVE SPEECH San Jose (408) 377-3064 www.progressivespeech.com 3-18 yrs. Camp begins June 26. A social skills camp for children ages 3 years and up. Children learn skills necessary for success within the community. Maximum of 6 campers per session. LEARNING RX Walnut Creek, Pleasanton & Fremont (925) 416-1400 www.learningrx.com We specialize in helping children overcome all types of learning challenges. Our program, designed by leading experts in learning disorders, consists of intensive one-on-one training that helps children with learning or reading difficulties attend to and process information. Call of visit our website today! LISTENING CENTER, THE Walnut Creek (925) 952-4724 www.thelisteningcenter.net For all Ages. Advanced treatment for listening, communicating and learning. Now registering for summer learning enhancement programs. Please call or visit our website for a complimentary consultation. FUNDAMENTALS BASKETBALL CAMP Sunnyvale, 650 630-0009, www.gbfsv.org Grades 1st-5th. Basketball drills, shooting games, fun and daily snacks.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECT ION
CALIFORNIA SPORTS CENTER 6 summer camp locations to serve you! San Jose, Santa Clara, & Sunnyvale (408) 269-5437 www.calsportscenter.com 3 - 16 yrs (boys & girls). Gymnastics, swim, dance, cheer, games, arts & crafts, & end of week performance! Each camp week has individual themes & activities! GOLDEN EAGLE SUMMER SPORTS CAMP P.O. Box 896, Los Altos (650) 298-9740 K – 8th Grade All sports including daily instructional swimming, soccer, tennis, volleyball, softball, badminton,frisbee, street hockey, wrestling, dance, swimming, water polo, diving, arts & crafts, chess, large group activities, basketball. HILLBROOK SUMMER CAMP Los Gatos (408) 356-6116 www.hillbrook.org 4-20 yrs. Sports camps for boys and girls HONU FAMILY SPORTS CAMP (408) 846-1005 Gilroy & Hollister locations www.camplhswimschool.com We offer Multi-Sports including swimming, soccer, flag football, basketball, volleyball, kickball and more! Full and Half day options available with breakfast and lunch provided. Ages 5-13. ICE CENTER COOL CAMP Cupertino (408) 446-2906 www.icecenter.net This summer, come play at the Bay Area’s coolest camp! Ice skating instruction, arts & crafts, games, amazing snack time, movies, Zamboni and fun, fun, fun!
CHEERLEADING
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS JUNIOR GOLD RUSH CHEERLEADERS (650) 336-1049 www.49ers.com Rehearsals with a Gold Rush Choreographer Activities & Performance with the Gold Rush Cheerleaders. Meet other Jr. Gold Rush from throughout California!
SPORTS
BASKETBALL
BASKETBALL JONES HOOP CAMPS Watsonville, San Jose, Hollister, Gilroy, Aptos & Santa Cruz (800) 348-3803 www.basketballjonescamps.com Our high-quality day camps are open to boys and girls aged 715. Youth basketball instruction with strong emphasis on fundamentals for beginners and advanced players. Camps run Monday to Friday 8 am-4 pm.
COMBO/TRADITIONAL/SPORTS CAMPS
BELLARMINE SPORTS CAMPS San Jose (408) 291-3783 www.bcp.org A variety of co-ed one-week & multi-week camps offered throughout the summer for ages 10-14. “Introduction to Sports” camps are a series of camps designed for boys and girls ages 6-10.
Enroll now for Summer Camp pick your weeks & days. Now Enrolling in our private K starting at 4.6 years old.
Peppertree Schools of Los Gatos
Offering a balanced, educational environment since 1982 Low Ratios • Full & Part-time Schedules • Year Round School
• Infant • Toddler – Individual Cozy Rooms, Interactive Programs • Terrific 2’s – Potty Training & Diapering Supplies Available • Preschool - Excellent Academic & Developmental Program • Kindergarten – Individualized Academic Program • School-Age – Before and After Care with Transportation and Tutored Homework Time
Infant/Toddler/Preschool (6 weeks – 4 Years) 14969 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd. Los Gatos (at Union Ave.)
Lic# 434408764 • Lic# 434408765 • Lic # 430703423
Private Kindergarten School-Age (4.9 – 9 Yrs) 15080 Los Gatos Blvd. (Between Lark & Hwy 85) New Location!
www.PeppertreeSchools.com
408.356.3211
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
CAMPS
D I S C O V E R .
L E A R N .
G R O W .
50 Years Helping Children Discover, Learn, and Grow... Come See What Makes Us Unique! Summer School June 17th - August 8th, 2008
• Your choice of 4 exciting summer themes • Specialty Camps and Family Events include Dance Camp, Music & Magic Camp, Twilight Time and Bay Area Backyard • Open Enrollment begins April 7th, 2008 • Choose up to 8 weeks of summer school classes and special programs • Full-time Enrichment and drop-in care open to the public June 9th through August 22nd, 2008 (7:30am to 5:30pm M-F)
MAY 9TH TO SF ZOO FIELD TRIP pen to the Public
O o from the Zo trip to and school bus a fun ing • A fun Zoo includ tour of the • A guided ffer Train Little Pu ride on the f caring staf ell trained •W D
BUY FIEL ATION & TO 57 RE INFORM 50) 968-59 FOR MO CALL US! (6 IP TICKETS, TR
NT SCHO OL EME CL
ng Enrolli Now
A CONCER UNDER THE T OAKS
Friday, May 16 th 5:30-7pm
Montecito Preschool • 1468 Grant Road • Los Altos, California 94024 (650) 968-5957 • www.montecitopreschool.com Lic. #430709132
MONTECITO PRESENTS:
Starring DOCTOR NO IZE!
SUMMER LOOK AT BOOKS!
Mon. - Wed. - Fri. • 8:45am - 11:40am
HOOKED ON BOOKS
Session A: June 23 – July 11 Session B: July 14 – July 30 Session C: A & B – June 23 – July 30
Special Academic Accents for KG readiness preparation.
Call the office or stop by and pick-up an application today!
955 Branham Lane, San Jose, CA 95136
All campers get a cool t-shirt, healthy snack, professional individual instruction, & loads of fun! Only $80!
d ml n NkeabaleCatals Uas t F mp
B
Sponsored by Grace Bible Fellowship
408-265-2226
www.ClementSchool.com
Lic. #430710053
July 7-11 (M-Friday) • 9am-12 noon AMD Neighborhood Center Sunnyvale 1st-5th grades
www.GBFSV.org
650.630.0009
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CAMP DIRECTORY
INDIA COMMUNITY CENTER SUMMER CAMPS Milpitas, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Saratoga, San Jose, Fremont, Foster City (408) 934-1130 www.indiacc.org Ages 5-15 Yoga, Table Tennis, Bollywood Dance, Hindi, Cricket, Field trips & more. LITTLE GYM, THE San Jose/West (408) 366-2222 San Jose/South (408) 723-7222 Sunnyvale (408) 739-7222 Mountain View (650) 961-8100 Milpitas (408) 262-3333 Morgan Hill (408) 776-8125 www.thelittlegym.com 3-12 yrs. Theme-based camps including gymnastics, fitness, games, arts & crafts and much more! MIGHTY CUBS HALF-DAY CAMP Silver Creek Sportsplex in San Jose (408) 225-1843 www.silvercreeksportsplex.com/camps A camp for 5 & 6 year-olds, based on our Mighty Cubs child development program; a mix of soccer, martial arts, and lots of fun! MINIGYM EXPLORATIONS San Jose (408) 559-4616 www.minigymexplorations.com 3-6 yrs. Call today about our camps July 2-August 24. Exciting themes. Group A (3-4 yrs) Tues & Thurs 9 am-Noon. Group B (36 yrs) Monday, Wed & Thurs 12:30-3:30 pm. Ask about our special birthday packages. MORGAN HILL RECREATION COOL KIDS DAY & SPORTS CAMPS 171 W. Edmundson, Morgan Hill (408) 782-2128 www.mhcamps.com Ages 4.5 to 11 yrs. Learn fundamentals of a variety of sports ending week w/sports. Camp Challenge or have with nature adventures, weekly field trips, arts and crafts. MY GYM SUMMER CAMP 2007 Palo Alto (650) 330-1760 www.my-gym.com 1.5-9 yrs. Gymnastics instruction, fitness, PE games, motor games, creative arts and crafts. Camp for ages 1.5 to 3.5 yrs is from 9-11 am. Camp for ages 3 to 9 yrs is from 1-4 pm. SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara (408) 554-4691 www.santaclarabroncos.com Father/Son Camp • Offensive Skills I & II Camps • Little Broncos Camp • Overnight Camp SAINT MARY’S ATHLETIC SUMMER CAMPS 1928 Saint Mary’s Rd., Moranga (925) 631-4086 Summer will be here before you know it! It is time to register for Saint Mary’s College Athletic Summer Camps. With 39 years of excellence, SMC offers 30+ sports camps on one of the most picturesque campuses on the West Coast. Saint Mary’s offers boys and girls Overnight, Day, Team, and Specialty Camps for ages 518. Summer 2008 Offers All Sports, Baseball, Basketball, Flag Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball. Click Summer Camps at www.smcoasis.com for detailed information and to register online. SHARKS ICE San Jose, (408) 279-6000, www.logitechice.com All ages, 12 week sessions of ice skating and hockey classes for all skill levels. Public skating sessions 7 days a week and birthday parties packages available. SUMMER SPORTS CAMP Silver Creek Sportsplex in San Jose (408) 225-1843 www.silvercreeksportsplex.com/camps A fun-filled program for ages 7-14 years with a focus on teamwork, skills, fitness and fun. Extraordinary facilities and expert, caring staff all add up to an unparalleled camp experience! SOUTH VALLEY FAMILY YMCA
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECT ION
San Jose (408) 226-9622 www.scvymca.org/southvalley Sports, enrichment, field trips, science, gymnastics, swimming & more! ACA accreditation. SUMMER ADVENTURE: breaking out of the ordinary. TOT BALL AT MVP ARENA San Jose (408) 750-0929 www.mvparena.com 2-5 yrs. Tot-ball is a child physical development program that uses the game of T-ball as a foundation. The game is professionally designed to develop hand-eye coordination, create self-confidence and teach the fundamentals of baseball. YMCA OF SANTA CLARA VALLEY (408) 288-YMCA www.scvymca.org From Robotics to rock climbing, the YMCA offers your child a wide choice of fun and enriching summer activities! Call for a free summer catalog. YWCA FUN IN THE SUN (408) 295-4011 x215 www.ywca-sv.org Locations: Canoas, K-12th grade, 880 Wren Drive, 408-2650965. Frost, K-12th grade, 530 Gettysburg Drive, 408-5784535. Horace Mann, K-5th grade, 55 N. 7th Street, 408-9984204. Lynhaven, 5-11 yrs, 881 S. Cypress Avenue, 408-2471693. West Valley, 2-12 yrs, 4343 Leigh Avenue, 408-269-7534. Taylor, 410 Sautner, 408-225-0502.
GOLF
PRUNERIDGE GOLF CLUB 400 N. Saratoga Ave., Santa Clara (408) 248-4424 www.pruneridgegolfclub.com 17 years old and under. Free golf clinics and junior golf summer camps.
GYMNASTICS
AERIAL TUMBLING & ACROBATICS
SUMMER FUN!
Check out www.st-tims-lutheran.org for Summer Schedule and Themes • Grades 1st-5th
Camp Registration 50
408-265-0244
5100 Camden Ave., San Jose, 95124
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
CAMPS
Is your Camp Enrollment Low?
The Best Place to Fill Up your Camps!
To advertise in our camp issues
(408)
399-4842
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
51
CAMP DIRECTORY
Gymnastics for Kids (408) 224-5437 Sign up for our GREAT Summer Camps. www.atagymnastics.com AIRBORNE GYMNASTICS Santa Clara (408) 986-8226 www.airborne-gymnastics.com 3-5 yrs. Gym-Mini Crickets; 6 & up Summer Camp 2008. Tumbling, foam pit, trampoline, recreational programs, craft corner & more! WEST VALLEY GYMNASTICS SCHOOL Campbell (408) 374-8692 wvgs@wvgs.com 3-17 yrs. Gymnastics, arts & crafts, dance instruction, games, snacks, pizza party, trampoline, exploration time and much more. Teaching self-esteem, confidence, and discipline in a fun and positive environment. All summer camps are 8 am-2 pm. Limited space-call today for reservations! WEST COAST MARTIAL ARTS Santa Clara (408) 984-1988 Cambrian (408) 371-8122 Campbell (408) 374-1177 Berryessa (408) 262-4322 Sunnyvale (408) 773-8095 www.erniereyes.com 4 yrs-Adult. Martial arts training for children and adults. Builds good character while developing physically, mentally and spiritually. WUSHU CENTRAL MARTIAL ARTS Santa Clara (408) 850-9479 www.wushucentral.com Session I: June 16-20, Session II: July 7-11, Session III: July 2125, Session IV: August 4-8. 2 yrs & up. Fun and beneficial martial arts classes developing better focus, discipline and fitness for children and adults. Camps from June18-22, July 16-20 and August 6-10.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECT ION
DACA SWIM SCHOOL (408) 446-5600 Learn to swim the Daca way. Summer Swim 2 week intensive sessions/every day. Mon-Thur. 1/2 Hour Lessons. Great for ALL ages. www.DACA.org MAKI SWIM CENTER San Jose (408) 358-7049 www.makiswim.com All ages. Summer swim classes available at reasonable rates. Ask about our birthday party packages. SANTA CLARA AQUAMAIDS “Synch” into Summer 1840 Benton St., Santa Clara (408) 988-9936 www.aquamaids.org Ages 7-12. Learning the basics of synchronized swimming. Each child must be able to swim 25 yards. SUTTON SWIM SCHOOL Cupertino (408) 996-9800 www.suttonswim.com Lessons for baby to adult. Discover why our students love our year-round swim classes. Indoor pool. All levels welcome. WEST COAST AQUATICS 625 N. Jackson Ave., San Jose (408) 259-4522 www.westcoastaquatics.com Ages 4-12. Swim lessons, free swim, arts & crafts, sports, and field trips.
ICE SKATING
SHARKS ICE AT SAN JOSE San Jose (408) 279-6000 www.logitechice.com All ages. 12-week sessions of ice skating and hockey classes for all skill levels. Public skating sessions 7 days a week and birthday parties packages available.
SOCCER
OFF THE WALL SOCCER Santa Clara (408) 988-6900 www.offthewallsoccer.com 6-16 yrs. Indoor soccer, fun, technical training & daily games. All campers receive a ball, T-shirt, water bottle and participation ribbon.
MARTIAL ARTS
DON’TBULLYMYKIDS.COM 5156 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose (408) 984-0777 www.dontbullymykids.com Ages 5-17. Self-Defense & Fitness Day Camp VICTORY MARTIAL ARTS Almaden Valley School (408) 269-5425 Willow Glen School (408) 264-1400
SWIMMING
AVAC SWIM SCHOOL San Jose (408) 267-4032 www.avac.us 6 months to Adult. Indoor pool open year-round. Small group lessons by age and ability.
TENNIS
AVAC JUNIOR TENNIS ACADEMY San Jose (408) 445-4915 www.avac.us 4 yrs & up. All levels and abilities. Fun and challenging learning environment. Promotes confidence and fitness.
At Child Development Centers we are getting ready to offer a summer full of enriching activities and exciting events. Our centers are buzzing with anticipation as we work on new silly camp songs and arrange our fresh, bright summer environments. We are choosing the fascinating guest speakers and captivating center-based projects that will highlight the fun of summer for your child! At CDC we know that summer is the ideal time to be a child!
Are you ready for summer?
CALL NOW TO SIGN UP! (408) 556-7300 Ext. 237
www.cdicdc.org
non-profit organization
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
CAMPS
The Ideal Vacation Setting Youth Camp Teen Camp Basketball Camp Family Camp Off Season Group Rentals
Youth, T een & Family Camping Since 1967 camp@ci.concord.ca.us www.campconcord.org
Ages 8-14 or entering 3rd-9th grade in Sept. One week long programs June 21 to Aug. 2.
Ages 14-17 or entering 9th-12th grade in Sept. Two week long programs June 21 to Aug. 2. Ages 10-14 or entering 5th-9th grade in Sept. One week June 15-21.
All Ages Welcome. June 15 to Aug. 2.
925-671-3273
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There’s a
Summer Camp for Every Budget
According to the ACA, the median weekly fee for day camps is $182; for overnight camps, it’s $390. • Don’t be shy asking about financial assistance. Ninety percent of camps offer some sort of help in the form of “camperships,” which may cover a portion or all of the camp enrollment fees. Although usually based on need, parents should not assume that their income level doesn’t qualify. You’ll never know unless you ask. • Check to see if the camp offers special discounts for early registration, full season enrollment or more than one camper per family. Again, ask! • Find out the camp’s refund policy. Refund policies vary greatly from camp to camp. Some give a total refund prior to a cutoff date; others refund only in the case of illness. And some don’t offer refunds at all. • When planning your camp budget, determine what’s included in the enrollment fee. Day camps typically include transportation in their fee; resident camps may offer more limited transportation. Also make sure to inquire about fees for special programs and trips, equipment, laundry service and the camp canteen. • It may be tax deductible! The IRS allows an income tax credit of dependent care expenses, which may apply to day camp. The amount of the credit is based on adjusted gross income and applies only to federal taxes. For more information, visit the IRS web site: irs.gov. • A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account allows parents to be reimbursed on a pre-tax basis for childcare expenses necessary to allow parents to work, look for work or attend school full-time. Camp may fall within those guidelines. See the FSA Feds Web site fsafeds.com/fsafeds/ SummaryOfBenefits.asp for more information. With so many options and a lot of planning, a camp experience is possible for every child who wants it. It’s either that or Paris. !
Sara Solovitch is an associate editor of Bay Area Parent – Silicon Valley edition.
By Sara Solovitch
N
obody wants to put a price tag on their child’s personal growth and development, but let’s face it: a week of roughing it in summer camp can cost as much as a romantic trip (for two) to Paris. You say you still want to send the kid away? Okay. The good news is there’s a camp to fit nearly every budget. Though a 10-day stay in a private resident camp will set you back approximately $3,000, there are some wonderful camps run by a variety of agencies – from the Girl Scouts and YMCA to the Boys & Girls Clubs – that cost a fraction of the price. Many churches own or operate their own camp programs. And some branches of the military foot the entire bill for private residential camp for the children of servicemen and women. With a little research, parents in almost every income bracket can find a camp that’s affordable. The secret, like so much in life, is to ask. Use your social networks and resources to find out what’s available. And if you have your heart set on a particular private and very pricey overnight camp, don’t be embarrassed to pick up the phone and talk to the director. Most of the more expensive camps have some source of financial aid,” says Andrew Townsend, director of Kennolyn Camps in Soquel. “Even for the camps that seem out of reach, I would strongly encourage people to call up and ask. Extended payments can make a difference for some families. Don’t be afraid to ask. It’s a tough business climate for everybody.” Here are seven tips, as suggested by the American Camp Association (ACA), for finding the right camp at the right price. • Research camps according to cost. For example, the ACA family-dedicated Web site (CampParents.org) provides a database for searching camps by price tag, as well as by location, special needs, activities, age and length of session.
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CAMPS
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408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
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Could YOU Become a
Mom-Writer, Too?
Four South Bay Literary Mamas Share Their Stories
By Linda Childers
eg Waite Clayton never dreamed that she would one day be a published author. The Palo Alto mother of two worked as an attorney until shortly after her two sons, Christopher and Nick, now 18 and 15, were born. “I had always enjoyed writing but I was raised in a family of lawyers and doctors, and I never thought of writing as something I could do as a full-time job,” Clayton says. “It was just after the birth of my second son when my husband convinced me to pursue my dream of getting published. He said, ‘How will you ever know if you can write a novel unless you try?’” A voracious reader, Clayton began taking writing classes, attending writer’s conferences and meeting with a writing group. She had several magazine articles published and began writing a short story that would ultimately become her first novel, The Language of Light. “My first book was published in 2003, but I could probably wallpaper a McMansion with the number of rejections that I received beforehand,” Clayton says with a laugh. “My advice to aspiring writers is to be tenacious, develop a thick skin and never quit believing in yourself.” Clayton’s second book, The Wednesday Sisters, is slated for release in June and tells the story of four young mothers who meet in Palo Alto in the 1960s. As the years go on and their 56
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
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children grow, the women form a writer’s circle to parlay their hopes and dreams through poems, stories and books. While Clayton says the book isn’t autobiographical, she does draw on her own experience of juggling a writing career and family. “There were days when my sons were very young when I would find myself writing while they played at Chuck E. Cheese,” Clayton says. “Sometimes I would wake up at 4 a.m. to give myself a couple hours to write before the rest of my family was awake.” Clayton credits her writing group with keeping her motivated and giving her support and critiques. She also takes a disciplined approach to her writing. “I write while my sons are in school and I have a daily goal of reaching 2,000 words or two o’clock,” she says. “During that time, I don’t answer the phone, pay bills or go to the grocery store.” In addition to the joys of being published, Clayton notes that being a writer offers moms many other less tangible rewards. “I have come to understand myself better through writing, and that has been an enormously positive thing for me,” she says. “I think my own best writing comes from going to the places that evoke great emotion in me – good or bad – and exploring them.”
Writing Romance
South Bay writer Nyree Belleville, who writes under the
pseudonym Bella Andre, wrote her first nonfiction book on the music industry, Booking, Promoting & Marketing Your Music, in 2000. Her second nonfiction book, The Complete Guide to House Concerts, was published in 2002. “I didn’t think about writing fiction until I hooked back up with my Stanford college roommate, Jami Worthington, and together we attended our first Romance Writers of America meeting in Berkeley in late 2003,” she says. “I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with my first child when I got the call from Simon and Schuster that they wanted to publish my first book, Take Me. My kids are 1 and 3 now.” To date, Belleville has sold five books to Simon and Schuster. Her fourth book will be released in July and her fifth in September. She has also recently sold a romantic suspense trilogy to Random House. On days that she’s writing, Belleville divvies up childcare duties by having her parents watch her children one day a week, her mother-in-law care for them one day a week, and a daycare provider care for them the other three days. She attributes her success as a writer to her ability to stay focused and to separate work and family time. “When I was first starting out, I worked on two books a day (2,000 words on one in the morning and 2,000 words on the other in the afternoon) until I was published,” she says. “I remain very focused and work hard while my children are in daycare. When they’re home, it’s family time and I stay away from the computer.” Belleville encourages other mom-writers to make an effort to meet with other writers and to join a writing organization. “Professional writing groups can provide you with a wealth of information,” she says. “Some of the smartest women that I know belong to the local chapter of the Romance Writers of America.” She also credits fellow mom-writer Jami Worthington with helping her to stay sane and focused. “I always believed it was possible to get published and I had great friends, like Jami, to help inspire me and critique my work,” Belleville says. “It took me a couple of years to get published in fiction but I never gave up.” Although she has primarily been writing super sexy romances, Belleville would ultimately like to tackle other genres. “I have a couple of nonfiction ideas I keep bugging my literary agent about and I’d also like to write young adult fiction, women’s fiction and a psychological thriller,” she says. “Now if I could only find the time!”
Finding Support from Friends and Colleagues
Belleville’s writing partner-in-crime Jami Worthington of Portola Valley, who writes under the pseudonym Jami Alden, began her own literary career after she was laid off from her job as a marketing manager at a software company in 2001. “I had dabbled in writing in the past, and always wanted to focus on it full time,” Worthington says. “Since I supported my husband when he started his company, we decided it was my turn to pursue my dream career.” It took Worthington two and a half years from the time she completed her first manuscript to the time it was sold.
Top, South Bay writer Nyree Belleville balances her writing career with caring for her two children. Center, Meg Waite Clayton left her career as an attorney in order to write when her sons, now 18 and 15, were babies. Her second novel is slated for release in June. Bottom, Kristin Billerbeck, one of the founding mothers of “Christian chick lit,” grew up in the South Bay.
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CAMPS
“My oldest son was 2 months old at the time and I was ready to take a long break, since I didn’t feel right about spending money on a babysitter so I could write books that weren’t selling,” she says. “Then I pitched to an editor at a conference, sold my book and I’ve been busy with books and deadlines ever since.” Worthington’s sons are now 2 1/2 years old and 8 months old, and she writes three days a week while the boys are in daycare. “I occasionally try to get work done while they nap, but there are always piles of dishes and laundry to tackle during that time,” she says. “Also, because I write romantic fiction it can be difficult to switch into work/creative mode when I’ve been playing with the boys all morning.” Worthington encourages other moms who would like to write romantic fiction to make writing a priority and to surround themselves with people who support their writing efforts. “I think a lot of writers, including myself when I first started, waste a lot of time treating writing like a hobby. But if you want to make it your career and be taken seriously, you need to take it seriously yourself,” she says. “It’s also important to cultivate patience and grow a thick hide!” To date, Worthington has published three romances and is working on Caught, her first book in a romantic suspense trilogy, which will be released in October. For Worthington, writing a book can take just a few months, if all goes well. “[If] I really know where I’m going with the characters and story, my two kids are sleeping well and I’m well rested, the kids aren’t sick so I don’t have to take time off, and there are no major family interruptions like holidays and visitors, it takes me about three months to write the first draft of a book, and another month or so to revise,” she says. “Anything and everything can spark an idea, from a conversation with a friend to a magazine article to a TV show or movie. Other times a character will pop into my head, and I start thinking about who would be a great match for him or her, then I’ll build a story around them.”
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Crafting Chick Lit
Kristin Billerbeck of Saratoga has established a solid reputation as a writer of “Christian chick lit.” A Bay Area native, Billerbeck was raised in Redwood City and graduated with a journalism degree from San Jose State University. She is the mother of four children and has written more than 20 novels. She has two new books set for release this year, Calm, Cool and Adjusted, due out in March, and Back to Life, due out in September. Despite being featured in The New York Times, USA Today and The Today Show, Billerbeck admits that she still has selfdoubts. “I’ve found it’s important to be passionate about what I’m writing because then it’s easier to withstand any criticism,” she says. “No book is going to please everyone, so know the reason you’re writing it and feel good about the book.” Billerbeck says the best writing advice she ever received was to read everything. “I think it’s impossible to write well without reading what’s out there and knowing what appeals to the world,” she says. “See what publishers are putting on their shelves and what’s selling.”
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Sunnyvale Community Center
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Billerbeck also finds that joining a local writer’s group provides many benefits. “One of the hardest things about learning to write is allowing your baby to go out in public and hearing it’s ugly,” she says with a laugh. “Glean what you can from critiques and move on, get better and get revenge by getting a bigger advance!” The most important piece of advice that Billerbeck gives to aspiring mom-writers is to get writing. “If you really want to be a writer, you need to quit making excuses and start writing,” she says. “A badly finished manuscript can be fixed, but a blank sheet of paper? Not so much.” !
Linda Childers is a freelance writer and the calendar editor of the East Bay edition of Bay Area Parent.
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COME SEE OUR CAMPUS AND MEET OUR GREAT STAFF!
RESOURCES
• Children’s Writing Workshop – Learn how to write for children and meet with editors and literary agents at this workshop, to be held Dec 5-7 in Big Sur. henrymiller.org. • San Francisco/Peninsula Writers’ Group – Holds monthly meetings with speakers on various writing topics. 650615-8331. sfpeninsulawriters.com. • South Bay Writers – Connect with other writers and hear great speakers. Meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 6-9pm. $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers, includes buffet dinner. southbaywriters.com. • South Bay Ink – Meets once a month for coffee and to discuss manuscripts and queries, and offers an online Yahoo group for members to connect. Groups.yahoo.com/group/SouthBayInk. • Romance Writers of America (RWA) – The group’s national conference comes to San Francisco July 30-Aug. 2. RWA also has local chapters that meet in Silicon Valley, San Francisco and Monterey. Although the group is primarily focused on romance writers, it is a good resource for learning everything from writing craft to the ins and outs of the publishing business. rwanational.org. • Litquake Festival – San Francisco’s Litquake festival is in its sixth year. Last year’s conference drew more than 10,000 guests and 350 authors. This year’s event is being held Oct. 4-11. litquake.org. • De Anza College – De Anza College in Cupertino offers a number of courses in creative writing including “Introduction to Fiction” and “Creative Nonfiction and Memoir.” Classes are only $13 a unit. 408-864-8600. deanza.edu. • Bella Andre Workshops – South Bay author Bella Andre offers online workshops for writers. bellaandre.com. • Publishers’ Marketplace – A good resource on getting published. publishersmarketplace.com. (Recommended by Jami Worthington.) • Mt. Hermon Writers’ Conference – Conference is held every year near Santa Cruz. mthermon.org. (Recommended by Kristin Billerbeck.) • American Christian Fiction Writers Group – acrw.net. (Recommended by Kristin Billerbeck.)
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The
Wait
is
Over
Author Peggy Orenstein Speaks Candidly About Her Long Journey to Motherhood
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE RAUSSER
By Janine DeFao
Bay Area author Peggy Orenstein has spent more than a decade chronicling the issues faced by women and girls, and the choices they make, interviewing hundreds of women and adolescents about such personal topics as self-esteem, sex, careers and motherhood. Her 2000 book, Flux: Women on Sex, Work, Love, Kids, and Life in a Half-Changed World (Doubleday/Anchor), explores the dilemma faced by women taught that “they can do it all” when they realize just how difficult it is to do it all well. In her latest book, Orenstein turns her lens inward to tell the brutally honest story of her six-year battle with infertility and the toll the struggle took on her marriage and her sense of self. In the New York Times bestseller Waiting for Daisy: A Tale of Two Continents, Three Religions, Five Infertility Doctors, an Oscar, an Atomic Bomb, a Romantic Night, and One Woman’s Quest to Become a Mother (Bloomsbury, 2007), available in paperback this month, Orenstein details her increasing obsession and escalating attempts to have a baby. It’s a revealing journey through breast cancer, scheduled sex, miscarriage, in vitro fertilization (IVF), egg donation and international adoption, all traveled by a woman who wasn’t even sure she wanted a baby in the first place. Orenstein, 46, lives with her husband, Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Steven Okazaki, and their 4-year-old daughter, Daisy, in Berkeley. She spoke recently with Bay Area Parent. Bay Area Parent: You wrote in both Flux and Waiting for Daisy about your ambivalence over becoming a mother. Did having a child make it magically disappear, or are there still times you struggle with this new definition of self? Peggy Orenstein: I actually am not an ambivalent mother, as it turns out. A lot of it has less to do with me than the role my husband has taken. Having a husband who is a 100 percent full-on partner in parenting has made just an enormous difference. One idea I wanted to express in Waiting for Daisy is that you can retain that ambivalence even when going through extremes to have a child. Even when I was doing IVF and donor eggs and all those things that were expensive and invasive, I still worried about it. Most women think, “Maybe I’ll have a kid,” and they throw away the condom or whatever, and they get pregnant. You either work it out when you’re a mother or you get over it fast, but you can’t sit there and think, “Do I want to have a baby or not?” because it’s too late. I had six years where I could say, “Well, maybe I don’t,
“I wish I had realized the things I had built over the years were the very things that could support me when things went amiss. My relationship with my husband, my success at work, my community of friends — those were the things I should have used to support me, and instead they became the things I turned against or felt had turned against me.”
maybe I do.” BAP: You call Steven a “full-on partner in parenting.” How do you manage the elusive “equal marriage” when so many women shoulder the brunt of the burden at home? PO: Typically, if we’re both in town, I get up early and work out or go straight to my office in the backyard. He gets Daisy up, makes her lunch, gets her dressed, gets her breakfast and takes her to preschool, and then he goes to work. I pick her up at 3:30. I knock off work then. I assemble or pick up dinner. He cooks on weekends. He does bath. I do bedtime. Do we do every single thing 50-50? I couldn’t say. I feel that over the long haul, it works out equitably. We’re really lucky we’re self-employed. On the one hand, that means if you don’t work, you don’t eat. But it also means, to a degree, we can arrange our work around each other more. BAP: The women in your books, yourself included, agonize over and often second-guess their choices as they strive to balance their careers and personal lives. Today’s men are expected to be more involved in parenting than their fathers were. Is work-life balance easier for men, are they more accepting of their roles, or do they just talk about it less? PO: I don’t think they’re expected to or obligated to in the same way. And they also have the gift of feeling like superior fathers almost regardless of what they do because they, almost by definition, are more involved than their own father was. Women all feel the specter of this Harriet Nelson person or Carol Brady person — although Carol Brady had a maid. We, for some reason, still cling to the idea that the gold standard is the stay-at-home mom who does everything, which I’m not sure ever actually existed. Many women feel they inevitably fall short. BAP: You write about looking at an age chart that showed fertility plummet at 35, yet you say women are unfairly blamed for “waiting too long” to try to get pregnant. Aren’t some women waiting too long? PO: While fertility declines with age — and I’d be the last one to dispute that — two-thirds of women at 35 will not have a problem getting pregnant. You just don’t know which one you’re going to be. It’s just so punitive blaming women. It’s really a way to blame women for structural problems. Careers are not set up now for female bodies to have babies at the optimal time. I
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who specializes in infertility, think the punitive thing scares which I never did. I always young women and urges them thought I could handle it. to put the baby before everyBAP: Are you concerned thing else. And I think we that the book’s ending, with know that putting the baby you getting pregnant naturally, before everything else is not will give some women false the makings of a happy life. hope? That said, the fertility PO: Not so much that it decline is real. I wouldn’t would give them false hope but encourage someone who wants that it would be a betrayal of to have a baby to wait until the experience of most women they’re 40 to start trying if who go through this. One they’re in a position to do so at thing I do say is that everyone a younger age. I’ve talked to ended up OK on BAP: You write in very raw Peggy Orenstein cradles daughter Daisy minutes after the other side of this. terms about the toll fertility her long-awaited birth. PHOTO COURTESY OF PEGGY ORENSTEIN Regardless of how it resolves, treatments had on your marwomen find peace and move riage. How common is that? forward, and get their lives back again. I’ve found the most PO: Very common. It undermines your sense of yourself important thing I can tell women who are in the midst of this as a woman. Sex becomes a reminder of what you’re not, of is, “It’s not forever, and it will be OK. I can’t say how it will its main purpose, which is reproduction. That aspect of the be OK, but it will be OK.” relationship can be damaged. BAP: Is there anything that’s off limits to you, as a writer, Neither Steven nor I was the most fertile person, but I about your family? was the one getting pregnant and miscarrying in my body. I PO: This book, in many ways, was more Steven’s idea was the one shooting up the drugs, and I was the one having than mine. He said, “I only have one condition, and that’s the procedures, and going to the doctor’s office every other that you be absolutely honest about what happened. About 30 seconds, and having the ultrasounds. I think it gets more what happened in our marriage, about what you were like, all-consuming for women, even for someone like me. I didn’t think having a child was central to my identity as a woman or about the whole thing. If you’re anything less than honest, I will be very disappointed.” So that was my challenge. as a person, but not being able to have a child ended up People say it was very courageous to write a book like being devastating in ways I never imagined. this. No. I think it was courageous of him. He’s a character in BAP: How can people avoid the pitfalls? my book. He literally put his life in my hands and made it PO: I wish I had realized that the relationships I had built public, and that’s an enormous amount of trust and love to do over the years were the very things that could support me that. In a way, it’s surprising to me because Steven is really when things went amiss. And instead, I blamed them because private. of this notion of waiting too long. My relationship with my He did come home one day and say, “Should I not have husband, my success at work, my community of friends – let you do this?” And I was like, why? He said, “I just talked those were what I should have used to support me, and to my friend and he said, ‘Whoa, I know your sperm count, a instead they became the things I turned against or felt had little too much information.’ ” He is very private, but at the turned against me. same time, he doesn’t care about what anybody thinks. He’s I would also encourage someone to go to a good therapist
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
CAMPS
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CAMPS
very solid. BAP: You’ve written about how dropping out of the workforce puts women in financial jeopardy in the short term and even more in the long term. Do you think mothers should not stay at home? PO: One way going through infertility and cancer stuff changed me as a writer and a thinker is that I’m less judgmental. So when women make the decision to opt out and I’m a working mom, I don’t think, “stay-at-home mom vs. me.” There are good reasons they opt out of the workforce, such as if their husband has a high-powered job and it’s too much for any human being to do everything at home and still keep that kind of work going. They do it because they want to be with the baby. And I get that. We have lousy maternity and paternity policies in this country. Some women haven’t found or felt compelled to find the right career. There’s a combination of push and pull that encourages women to leave the workforce. But I think it’s hard when you are a young mother to recognize that things may not go well later. I interviewed women for Flux who said, “I don’t even want to think about my husband potentially dying.” I have a friend right now who’s been married for 20 years, and they’re splitting up. Nobody ever would have thought they would split up, and she hasn’t worked in 17 years. What’s she going to do? It’s a gamble many women take without realizing. BAP: Is there also a risk that women who stay at home become consumed with raising their children? PO: There is the risk of living too much through your kids and making them a reflection of yourself, and their success a measure of your success. I think it’s the challenge of stay-at-home moms not to do that. When my kid runs amok, you can say, “Well, she’s a working mom.” What if your kid runs amok? What’s your excuse? You were the perfect mother, right? And to assume that kids are better for it, that may or may not be true. BAP: Has anything changed in the eight years since you wrote Flux? PO: I don’t think so. I think the pressures on motherhood are getting more and more extreme. I don’t think there has been more momentum in family-friendly policies. In a more difficult economy, that’s the first thing that goes. It’s always a little bit up and a little bit back. BAP: Do you think things will be easier for Daisy’s generation? What can we do to effect change? PO: I hope so. We can raise our boys differently. That would be a big thing. I feel like we keep posing this question to women and girls, and as long as we leave men and boys out of the equation, I don’t think that much can change. I think boys and men can and should be made to see what they gain by being more involved in their children’s lives and their home lives. We can continue to push in our own workplaces. It’s hard, though. But I think that can happen. !
Janine DeFao is an associate editor at Bay Area Parent.
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
CAMPS
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CAMPS
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
Summer 2008
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY 25 F3/4/5 - Beach Trip JUNE 23 24 F1 - Memorial B1 - Happy Hollow Park Hike Park & Zoo F3/4/5 - Soccer Starts F3/4/5 - Jr. Engineering Beings! 30 F1 - Natural Bridges Tidepools B1 - Soccer Starts JULY 1 B1 - Build-A-Bear Workshop 2 F3 - Ice Cream Making F4/5 - Horseback Riding 9 F3 - Horseback Riding F4/5 - Ice Cream Making
DELPHI ACADEMY™ of San Francisco Bay
THURSDAY 26 B2 - Oakland Zoo FRIDAY 27 F2 - Pier 39, 45 & Hyde St. Pier
3 B2 - Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
4 HOLIDAY
7 8 F1 - Water Day B1 - Tidepools at Bean Hollow & All School - Rock Pescadero Climbing on Campus B2 - Soccer Starts
10 11 B2 - Berry Picking at F3/4/5 - Soccer Game Phipps Ranch F3/4/5 - Jr. Engineering Fair
F1/2 - Camping at Saratoga Springs 14 F1 - Seabright Beach Trip 15 B1 - Berry Picking at Phipps Ranch 16 17 B2 - Build-A-Bear Workshop 18 F2 - Seymour Marine Lab & Tidepools B1 - Soccer Game B2 - Sleepover!
F3/4/5 - Camping at Marble Quarry 21 F1 - Berry Picking at Phipps Ranch & Beach F3/4/5 - Silent Film Museum 28 F1 - SF Zoo F2 - Soccer Starts 4 F1 - Monterey Bay Aquarium F3/4/5 - Waterslides 11 F1 - San Mateo County Fair 22 23 24 25 B1 - Carmichael B1/2 - Waterslide B2 - Hike at Villa B2 - Soccer Game on Campus Montalvo Park F1 - Soccer Starts F3/4/5 - Movie F2 - Camping at Memorial Park Making Begins! 29 B1 - Hike at Villa Montalvo 5 B1 - Oakland Zoo 30 31 F3/4/5 - Sky High B2 - Morgan Hill Trampoline Gym Aquatic Center 6 7 B2 - Tidepools at Bean Hollow & Pescadero AUGUST 1 F2 - Monterey Bay Aquarium 8 F1 - Soccer Game F2 - Phipps Ranch & Pescadero Beach 15 Circus Day! F2 - San Mateo County Fair F3/4/5 - Great America
F3 (Form 3) = Grades 4/5
F3/4/5 - Camping at Manresa State Beach 12 B1 - San Mateo County Fair 13 F2 - Soccer Game F3/4/5 - Archery 14 B2 - San Mateo County Fair F3/4/5 - Movie Premiere!
LEGEND:
B1 (Beginners 1) = ages 4-5 F1 (Form 1) = Grade 2 F4 (Form 4) = Grades 5/6
B2 (Beginners 2) = ages 5-6 F2 (Form 2) = Grade 3 F5 (Form 5) = Grades 7/8
Teen Focus
Blah, Blah,
Blog
The Pros and Cons of Blogging for Teens
By Erik Fisher
T
hese days, it seems like everyone’s got their own blog. Whether you’re a professional, a celebrity wannabe or a teenager seeking an identity, blogging is supposed to be the next great way to get noticed. As with any internet enterprise, blogs raise some parental concerns. As a family psychologist, I get these questions a lot. Here are four pros and four cons:
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
CONS
1 The “Me” Attitude
It’s an understatement to say that reality TV has given us an insider view into the lives of so many. We grant “everyday” people unnatural amounts of attention when we tune in each week. Similarly, does your child want to be in the spotlight? We all want to feel important. The idea that millions of people may be logging on to read what your child has written can create a heightened sense of importance. Examine your own behavior, and talk to your child about their attitudes toward him or herself. You may find that your child’s grandstanding blog compensates for other areas in life where he or she feels very insecure.
PROS
1 The Art of “Blogger-sation”
Blogs can be extremely useful in increasing your child’s writing ability. In school, your kids may often not feel as free as they want to express themselves, and blogs can be a very liberating format for written self-expression. Do know, however, that blogs can also be used as a tool to avoid face-to-face communication. The more we rely on communicating through computers, the more we risk decreasing our ability to interact with others directly in relationships.
2 Internet Bullying
Just like real-life bullying, blogs can become a haven for internet bullies. It’s often easier to be really nasty on the other side of a computer screen, and kids may blog to demean or humiliate others. If your child is a victim of internet bullying, or an internet bully him or herself, address the issue immediately. Make sure your child understands the wisdom of respecting other people.
2 Establishing Independence
Many teens are seeking places on the internet with fewer rules and regulations. Despite the best internet safeguards, some kids will rebel. Rather than tell your child what can or can’t been done on a blog, help him or her to see all they are capable of: exploring creativity, relaxing, releasing frustration – all through the written word.
3 Misinformation
While some blogs can be educational or informational, many times the accuracy of information isn’t checked. Children often don’t discern between what is opinion and what is fact, and it may be easy for them to be swayed by the content of blogs. The more you maintain open communication with your kids, the more likely they are to talk to you if they have a question about something they’ve read.
3 Teachable Moments
As a parent, you can use the blogging experience as a teaching and talking point. Take a look at some of the blogs out there with your kids. Look at informational blogs, educational blogs and even the less “productive” blogs – i.e., personal rants. Talk about these with your kids and help them to understand the ins and outs of productive communication.
4 Online Predators
It is not possible to know who is often writing these blogs, and therefore one cannot be sure of the motivations of individuals who are writing them. While you don’t want to live in fear of what your kids are doing and whom they are talking to, it is prudent to take a look at their online community. Give them the space to have some privacy, but know that they also need guidance and/or your supervision in discerning who may be safe and unsafe to talk to.
4 Join Forces
If you do blogging yourself, allow your child to take a look at what you write. This will help you become a model for internet accountability. Be willing to live by the same rules you ask your kids to live by. I will never forget the story about a parent who had a page on MySpace and advertised himself as being single with no kids, when in fact he was married and had kids. And the kids had profiles on MySpace also! !
Erik Fisher, Ph.D., has been a public speaker and family therapist for 13 years and is the author of The Art of Empowered Parenting: The Manual You Wish Your Kids Came With (Ovation Books, October 2007.) To learn more, visit erikfisher.com.
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
71
CAMPS
MAY SPECIAL
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Image courtesy of imotion (www.imotionphotos.com)
Visit our New Website! www.bayareaparent.com
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
CAMPS / SCHOOLS
BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER at the Coolest Camps in the Bay Area!
COOL CAMPS
COST $290
per week
2008 Camp Dates San Mateo & Cupertino locations:
June 23-27 • July 7-11 • July 21-25 • Aug. 4-8 • Aug. 11-15
• Ice Skating • Arts & Crafts • Movies • Games & more!
Reservations are due by June 1st, but class size is limited. Weekly camps. Ages 6-12 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ice Center @ Cupertino Ice Center @ San Mateo 10123 N. Wolfe Road 2202 Bridgepoint Pkwy. 408-446-2906 650-574-1616 www.icecenter .net
nt Waha Mo essori ef
• Bilingual in English and Chinese • Strong Academic curriculum • Highly Experienced & Credentialed Montessori Staff • Full and Part-time Programs - Potty Training Available • Toddler & Preschool
License# 434406694
Hours: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Ind P r ivi
: tivity i ng rea m ot o lity,
,
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220 Blake Ave. • Santa Clara, Ca 95051
Located in Luther Elementary School, Cupertino District
(408) 247-0286
Call for more information or to schedule an individual tour.
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TEACHERS NEEDED
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408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
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CONSIDER A CHRISTIAN A CHOOL S C S
HRISTIAN CHOOL SSOCIATION
www.ChristianSchoolAssociation.com
• Christ-Centered • Integrated Biblical Values • Academic Excellence • Dedicated and Qualified Faculty • Structured Environment • Extracurricular School Activities • Extended Child Care • Nurturing Environment
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11 Achiever Christian School
Denise Chester, Director/Principal 540 Sands Dr., San Jose, 95125 408-264-6789, Preschool - 8th grade PS begins at 2yrs 9mos Lic.#430700006 www.achieverchristian.com
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17 7 6 15 12 11 8
12 Milpitas Christian School
Ken Van Meter, Superintendent Judy Morasci, Principal 3435 Birchwood Lane, San Jose 408-945-6530, Jr. K - 8th grade www.mcsi.org
4 16 5
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13 Milpitas Christian Preschool
Sheila Tanimura, Director 1000 S.Park Victoria Dr., Milpitas 408-262-2630 www.mcsi.org Lic.#430709420
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14 Santa Clara Christian Schools
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Los Altos Christian School Susan Torode, Principal 625 Magdalena Ave., Los Altos 650-948-3738, Preschool - 8th grade LD and Gifted Programs. www.lacs.com Lic.#430701756
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6 San Jose Christian School
Al Kosters, Superintendent Carol Vander Baan, Principal 1300 Sheffield Ave. Campbell 408-371-7741, Jr. K - 8th grade www.sjchristian.org Valley Christian Elementary Shirley Hitchcock, Principal 1450 Leigh Ave. (Just off of Hamilton) San Jose, CA 95125 408-559-4400, K - 6th grade www.vcs.net Robert Bridges, JH Principal 408-513-2460 Dr. Joel Torode, HS Principal 408-513-2400 • www.vcs.net 100 Skyway Dr., San Jose 95111
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Stuart Nice, Principal 3421 Monroe Street, Santa Clara 408-246-5423, Preschool - 5th grade www.scchristian.org Lic.#434400031
15 Willow Vale Christian School
Carollyn Ellis, Administrator 1730 Curtner Ave., San Jose, 95125 408-448-0656 • www.wvministry.com Preschool - 8th Grade Lic. #434400259 Supervised Independent Study Gr. 9-12
2 Sunnyvale Christian School
Jerry Ingalls, Principal Margo Dickson, Preschool Director 445 S. Mary Ave., Sunnyvale 408-736-3286, Pre - 5th Gr. Lic.#430702027 www.sunnyvalechristianschool.com Bob Kellogg, Principal 562 Britton Ave., Sunnyvale, 94085 408-481-9900, 6th - 12th grade www.tka.org Mary Barbara Zorio, Interim Principal 10181 Finch Ave., Cupertino, 95014 408-252-8512 x118, Preschool - 6th grade www.bethells.org Lic.#430700068
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16 Veritas Christian Academy
David Wallace, Administrator Greg Hardie, Headmaster 400 Llewellyn Ave., Unit #2, Campbell 408-984-1255, K - 12th grade www.veritaschristian.org
3 The King's Academy
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8 Valley Christian Jr. & Sr. High
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17 Liberty Baptist School
Russel Barnes, Administrator Charilyn Damigo, Elementary Prinicpal 2790 S. King Rd., San Jose 95122 408-274-5613, K4 - 12th grade www.libertybaptist.org
4 Bethel Lutheran School
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Gayle Renken, Principal 5100 Camden Ave. San Jose, 95124 408-265-0244, Preschool - 5th grade www.st-tims-lutheran.org Lic.#430701997 18 Pacific West Christian Academy Campbell Christian Schools Donna Garcia, Principal Dr. Shawn Stuart, Principal 10 Los Gatos Christian School Karen Moon, Assistant Principal Melissa Sisson, Vice Principal Treva Black, Director/Principal 1575A Mantelli Drive, Gilroy, 95020 1075 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell 16845 Hicks Rd. Los Gatos, 95032 408-847-7922, K - 8th grade 408-370-4900 ext. 221, Infant - 5th grade 408-997-4681, JK - 8th grade www.pwca-edu.org www.campbellchristian.org Lic. #430706089 www.losgatoschristian.org
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9 St. Timothy's Lutheran School
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South Valley Parent
Featuring
Morgan Hill, Gilroy and San Martin…
Celebrating the Artichoke -and More!
From the Artichoke Festival in Castroville to Cinco de Mayo parades to the annual open house at the Wings of History Museum, May is a month of festivals throughout the South Valley.
. . . . . .Pages
77 & 78
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South Valley Parent
Once Upon a Pony
Pony Rides 408-607-1977
• Schools • Corporate Events • Churches • Brought to Your • Day Care Location • Birthday Parties • Licensed and Insured www.onceuponapony.info
Photos
Fun
KINDERGARTEN JUMP START
Is your child starting Kindergarten this Fall?
!
St. John’s Preschool of Morgan Hill will be offering a 3 week summer learning program to help review, prepare, and “jump start” their entry into kindergarten. Activities: Language, Art, Math, Circle Time, Phonics, Music, Writing and Great Socialization for all! July 21 - August 7 • Mon.-Thurs. • 9am - 1pm
*Please provide a “sack lunch” for your child. Cost is $350. There is a $50 non-refundable deposit to hold spots. Full payment of tuition due on child’s first day. 10% off tuition when paid in full by May 16th, 2008.
ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL PRESCHOOL
17740 Peak Ave., Morgan Hill • (408) 782-9994 www.stjohndivinemorganhill.org 76
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
South Valley Parent
Cinco de Mayo Celebrated All Over Silicon Valley
By Christine West iors, children 12 and under, free. 408-288-9470. On the first weekend of May (and beyond), people Music Festival. Various musical artists to perform noonthroughout the Bay Area celebrate Mexican culture and 6pm at the Santa Clara County Fair Grounds, 344 Tully Rd Latino unity with Cinco de Mayo, the 146th anniversary of in San Jose. The event is sponsored by Univision. Cost is $5 the Battle of Puebla, when Mexican troops defeated French for the festival and $8 to park. There will be food and cominvaders. mercial booths as well. thefair.org. For many Mexican-Americans, the Watsonville Celebration. annual celebrations are a time to pass on Celebrations include cultural music, comthe traditions and history of their culture mercial booths, food, dancing and other through music, dance, stories, food and activities at the Downtown Plaza at the celebration. corner of Main and Peck Streets in “I remember going to Gilroy’s Cinco Watsonville, 11am-6pm. Free. 831-761de Mayo celebration every year as a kid,” 0861. says Alex Serros, a life-long resident of Friday, May 9 the garlic city. “There was a queen and a Carnival Night. In celebration of royal court and everything. It was bigger Cinco de Mayo, the GHWR Youth than the Garlic Festival at the time.” Center, 30 Maple Ave. in Watsonville, But times have changed and old events hosts a Carnival Night 7-9pm, Fri., May have given way to new ones. While there 9 for teens ages 15-19. Free. There will may not be as many family-oriented be Mexican snacks, games, races, a raffle, Cinco de Mayo events as there once was, and other activities, as well as educational there are still plenty of ways to celebrate booths from local non-profit agencies. the Mexican culture. Israel Tirado at 831-768-3247. Here are some: A mural at San Jose's Mexican Heritage Plaza pays tribute to the watsonvillerec.com. Saturday, May 3 country's rich art tradition. PHOTO BY Celebration. Egg hunts, carnival All Year Round KATE BLOOD. Mexican Heritage Plaza of San games and food for purchase. 9am-1pm. Jose. The Plaza’s mission is to affirm, celebrate and preFree. Bellevue Park at Alma Community Center, serve the rich cultural heritage of the Mexican community 136 W. Alma Ave., San Jose. 408-275-1316. and showcase multicultural arts within the region. This Carolyn.johnson@sanjoseca.gov. 55,000 square-foot cultural center with state-of-the-art theShakers. Kids will shake up a fun fiesta with vibrant atrical venues, a Smithsonian-affiliate gallery space and therhythm instruments they make themselves! Ages 3 and up. matic gardens serves as a regional resource for cultural pro11am-3pm. Free. Lakeshore Learning, 1099 Bascom Ave., gramming and education. Built in association with the City Campbell. 408-998-0794. lakeshorelearning.com. of San Jose and the San Jose Redevelopment Agency, it is Storytime. Blingual stories, songs and fun for the whole one of the largest Latino cultural centers in the nation. family. 11:30am-12:30pm. Free. Evergreen Library, 2635 Located at 1700 Alum Rock Ave. San Jose, Hours are Mon.Aborn Rd., San Jose. 408-808-3060.sjlibrary.org. Fri., 9am-5pm. General Information at 408-928-5500. Music. Children’s author and recording artist Jose-Luis Event Hot Line 408-928-5564. mhcviva.org. Orozco blends traditional Latin American children’s songs with original compositions to introduce youth to oral traditions and concepts. 1pm. Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Mariachi San Jose. The Mariachi San Jose Youth Music Montalvo Road, Saratoga, CA. Tickets $8 - $16. 408-961Program is a Santa Clara County-based non-profit, after5858. montalvoarts.org. school cultural arts education music program. The program provides the opportunity for musical training to youth of Sunday, May 4 elementary, middle, and high school age who want to preParade and Festival. This annual event draws tens of serve their heritage, Mariachi music, promote cultural awareness and diversity and use it as a means of self-expresthousands of spectators. The parade begins at Market and sion. 408-266-3068. mariachisanjose.org ! Julian Streets at 10 a.m. and ends at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Parade is Free. The outdoor festival at Discovery Meadows, Christine West is a South Valley parent and freelance writer. Woz Way and San Carlos St. 10am-6pm. Includes craft and commercial booths, food and lots of music. Adults, $2; sen408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
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South Valley Parent
Calendar
Your Leisure Activity Guide for the South Valley
By Anita La Bombarda
1 Thursday
Oklahoma! Monte Vista Christian School presents this award-winning Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. The show will be performed at the Monte Vista Equestrian Center, lending some extra authenticity. A Western BBQ is offered before each evening show. 6pm barbecue and 7:30pm show today-Sat., May 3. Also, 2pm Sat. $7.50-$25. BBQ: $5-$7. Monte Vista Christian School, 2 School Way, Watsonville. 831-722-8178 ext.151. mvcs.org.
2 Friday
Kids Night Out. A fun night of games, crafts and pizza. Ages 5-17. 6-10pm every Fri., and Sat. $18. Extreme Learning Center, 155 E. Main Ave., Suite 170, Morgan Hill. 408-782-5045. Pinocchio. A musical adaption of the classic tale where a wooden puppet yearns to become a real boy. 8pm today-Sat. Also, 2pm April 27. $14-$18. Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17000 Monterey Rd., Morgan Hill. 408-842-7828. svct.org.
Children enjoy the many activities offered at Morgan Hill’s Art a la Carte on May 3.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MORGAN HILL COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL CENTER
Recreation Center Kids Zone, 171 W. Edmundson Ave., Morgan Hill. 408-782-2128 ext. 806. Andrea.nicolette@mhcrc.com. Morgan Hill Police Dept. Open House. The Morgan Hill Police Dept. will hold an open house and Public Safety Day. 9am-4pm. Free. Morgan Hill Police Dept., 16200 Vineyard Blvd., Morgan Hill. 408-607-4277. AKC Dog Agility Trials. Bring a chair or blanket and sit and watch as hundreds of dogs run, jump, climb and weave at top speeds. 8am-3pm. Free. Casa de Fruta, 10021 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Hollister. 408-842-7282. casadefruta.com.
3 Saturday
Spring Fest. Sponsored by the PacRep Theater, this event features crafts of many artisans, international food booths and live entertainment. 9am-5pm through Sun. Free. Custom House Plaza, next to Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey. 831-622-0700. pacrep.org. Elkhorn Slough Tours. Meet at the reserve and take a docent-led tour of Elkhorn Slough and learn about this unique area. Weekends. Call for times. Free. Elkhorn Slough, 1700 Elkhorn Rd., Watsonville. 831-728-2822. elkhornslough.org. Storytime at Booksmart. 11am every Saturday. Free. Booksmart, 80 East 2nd St., Morgan Hill. 408-778-6467. mybooksmart.com. Art a la Carte-Earth Art. A fun-filled day of earth-friendly activities. This event is designed to promote art and culture for children. Ages 2-10. 11am-3pm. Free. Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey St., Morgan Hill. 408-782-0008 ext.506. mhcommunitycenter.com.
23 Friday
Watsonville Fly In and Air Show. This event features antique, classic and military aircraft and much more. Enjoy Biplane or helicopter rides, many food vendors and the popular kid zone. noon-8pm Fri.; 9am-5pm Sat.-Sun. $5-$15. Watsonville Municipal Airport, 100 Aviation Way, Watsonville. 831-763-5600. watsonvilleflyin.org.
24 Saturday
Oh Baby What A Hike. You and your young child explore park trails with an experienced park ranger-parent. Learn how to venture out into nature with small children and what to bring to make it a safe and fun experience. Bring a sturdy-wheeled stroller, sun protection, water and snacks. Reservations required. Meet at the Calero County Park Office. 10am-noon. Free. 23205 McKean Road, San Jose. 408-268-3883. parkhere.org. Splash is Free Opening Day! Morgan Hill Aquatics opens its summer season, and admission is free all day. Enjoy food, fun and entertainment. noon-5pm. Free. Morgan Hill Aquatics Center, 16200 Condit Road, Morgan Hill. 408-782-2134. mhaquaticscenter.com. Family Day. Families are invited to check out what’s happening at the Teen Center. All ages welcome with adult supervision. 2:306pm. Free. Centennial Recreation Teen Center, 171 West Edmundson, Morgan Hill. 408-782-2128.
10 Saturday
Wings of History Museum Open House. Annual event includes free Young Eagle airplane rides for ages 8-17, (10am-noon), tethered hot air balloon rides, airplane simulator rides at 7am, free museum tours, displays of model aircraft, antique cars and more. 8am4pm. Free. South County Airport, 12777 Murphy Ave., San Martin. 408-683-2290. www.wingsofhistory.org.
17 Saturday
Artichoke Festival. This popular annual event features many food booths, live entertainment, arts and crafts, field tours, children’s activities and much more. 10am-6pm today and 9am-5pm Sun. $4$8. Hwy 183, Castroville. 831-633-2465. artichoke-festival.org. Purrrfect Project Tours. Kids and families are invited to participate in fun animal-related arts and crafts projects prior to the tour. This is a fun and educational experience for the entire family. 11:30am. $20 children, $15 adults. Price includes tour. Reservations required. Wild Things, 1400 River Rd., Salinas. 831-455-1901. wildthingsinc.com. Parents Night Out. Kids will enjoy a fun night of indoor swimming, movies, dinner and games. You will feel confident that your child is in a safe and fun environment. 5-10pm. $25-40. Centennial
31 Saturday
Las Madres New Members Brunch. New and Expectant Moms are invited to join the Gilroy Las Madres for their annual New Members Brunch. 11am-1pm. Free. Moms only, please RSVP. Goldsmith Seeds, 2280 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy. 831-245-6844.
Submissions
Have a listing for the South Valley Parent Calendar? Email it to anita.labombarda@parenthood.com or fax to 408-399-1824.
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
South Valley Parent
Casmann Reading Academy
Reading Tutor
Summer Workshops
• Early readers
• Getting ready for first grade • Sounds to words • Let’s Read: Fluency & Comprehension EXPERIENCED TEACHER & TUTOR
NADINE CASSARINO
408-842-7915
July 14-Aug. 22 Morgan Hill
readingtutor@hotmail.com
A Flying Museum
Open House Event Sat., May 10th
• Free Young Eagles plane rides for ages 8-17; bring parent 10am-2pm • Hot Air Balloons (7am) • Free Museum Tours • Flight Simulator • Antique Planes & Cars Museum offers: • Family Memberships • Free Admission for kids under 6 12777 Murphy Ave., San Martin, CA
GLAZED CREATIONS
“Paint Your Own Pottery Studio”
fu Experie nce the
Pik-Yor-Self
• Birthday Partie(s)/Packages • Mom’s Nite Out • Baby Keepsakes • Personalized gifts • Homeschooler Packages • Teacher Gifts/Fundraisers • Home Parties/Group Events
Strawberries
Starting May 1st • 8am-5pm
◆ Fresh Pressed Apple Juice ◆ Fresh Fruit Pies Baked or Frozen ◆ Deli Sandwiches ◆ Picnic Area ◆ Collectibles ◆ Gift Baskets ◆ Jams ◆ Fund Raisers
408-683-2290
408-399-4842
nt
ime !
Daily 9-5 Hwy 101 exit 152 West or Hwy 129
Have fun and spend quality time with your family and friends creating your own masterpieces.
Walk in or by Appointment 17245 Monterey Rd. Downtown Morgan Hill
GIZDICH RANCH
Image courtesy of imotion (www.imotionphotos.com)
55 Peckham Road Watsonville, CA
Visit our New Website! www.bayareaparent.com
831-722-1056
www.gizdich-ranch.com
778-0441
www.glazedcreations.net
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
79
South Valley Parent
MEALS PROVIDED (MP) DIAPERS ACCEPTED (DA)
South Valley Parent’s Preschool/Childcare Directory
TRANSPORTATION HOMEBASED (T) (HB)
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Comments Name, Address, Phone
Kiddie Academy of Morgan Hill 15750 Monterey Rd., Morgan Hill 408-776-6800 (MP, DA)
Name, Address, Phone
Ages
Hours
Size
175
Ages
Hours
Size
128
Comments
The emphasis is on a safe, nurturing place w/ a strong educational appeal. Web cam viewing available for parents. www.kiddieacademy.com
7 a.m. Infant A Children’s Garden to to Child Care & Learning 6:30 p.m. SA Center 610 E. Dunne Ave., Morgan Hill 408-778-1977 (T, MP, DA)
Enriching & educational child care in a secure environment by state-certified, nurturing teachers. A shared-values based curriculum is offered in a low ratio setting. Individualized care. NAEYC accredited. Lic. #434403591, 434403592, 434403593. www.bachild.com Christian-based non-demoninational childcare facility providing your child with quality care. Nutritious meals, diapers, wipes provided. Bright Beginnings lead to excellent endings! Lic.#434407548, 434407549, 434407550 www.brightbeginningspd.com NAEYC accredited. Child-centered curriculum. State of the art facility with large outdoor play area. Professional, caring staff. Hikes & nature walks on beautiful college campus. www.gavilan.edu/cdc Beautiful facility in park setting. Trained and experienced professionals. Age-appropriate learning activities. Low teacher to child ratios. Small group sizes. www.gokids.org Nestled within Galvan Park, Go Kids Club in Morgan Hill provides a wonderful atmosphere for your child to interact and play. www.gokids.org Beautiful facility in park setting Trained and experienced professionals. Age-appropriate learning activities. Low teacher to child ratios. Small group sizes www.gokids.org
6 wks 6:30 a.m. to to 12 yrs 6:30 p.m.
Bright Beginnings Preschool and Daycare 15345 Calle Enrique Morgan Hill (408) 776-9000 (T, MP, DA)
6 wks- 6:30 a.m.12 yrs 6 p.m.
58
Kid's World Child Care Center 17535 Del Monte Ave. Morgan Hill (408) 779-7678 (T, DA)
Infant- 6:30amschool 6:00pm age
104
"A safe, loving place for kids." Preparing for kindergarten from infant to Pre-K. Schoolage program and transporation. One-time registration fee and no hidden costs. Lic.#434403548, 434403547, 434403549 www.kidsworldccc.com
Gavilan College Child Development Center 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Gilroy (408) 848-4815
2 yrs to 5 yrs
6 a.m. 6:30 p.m.
117
KidsPark 3163 E. 10th Gilroy (408) 852-0620 (MP, DA) KinderCare Learning Center 605 E. Dunne Ave. Morgan Hill (408) 778-1237 (T, MP, DA)
2 - 12 years
Call for varies Childcare without an appointment. Limit of 5 hours per visit or 15 hours Days & per week. Preschool Monday Hours through Friday. Birthday parties too. www.kidspark.com Committed to provide high quality educational preschool programs. We believe that children should learn, grow and develop through play in a secure and nurturing environment. Infant formula and food provided. NAEYC www.kindercare.com Traditional part and full time preschool program options. Will assist with potty training. Academic program for kindergarten readiness. One-time registration fee and no hidden costs. Lic. #434400443 www.morganhillpreschool.com Our Montessori-based program provides a loving, safe & stimulating learning environment where children are encouraged to develop at their own pace. Lic. #440709549 www.mountmadonnaschool.org
6 wks- 6:15 a.m.- 154 12 yrs 6:15 p.m.
Go Kids Child Development Center @ Los Arroyos 885 Moro Drive Gilroy (408) 843-9005 Go Kids Club @ Morgan Hill 17666 Crest Ave., Morgan Hill (408) 779-6553 Go Kids Preschool @ Jasmine Square 16560 Monterey Road Morgan Hill (408) 779-0399
18 6:30 a.m.- 114 months 6 p.m. - 12 years
5-12 6:30 a.m.years 6 p.m.
28
Morgan Hill Preschool Academy 17780 Monterey Rd. Morgan Hill (408) 779-5333 (DA)
Age2-6 7:00amyears 6:00pm
39
2.9 - K 6:30 a.m.6 p.m.
48
Mount Madonna School 491 Summit Rd., Between Gilroy & Watsonville 408-847-2717 (T)
9 a.m. PreK to to 12th 3:20 p.m. grade
175
SOUTH VALLEY PARENT ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
Attractions & Events Gizdich Ranch.......................................................79 Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras ...................79 Wings of History ..................................................79 Kids Classes Morgan Hill Aquatic Center ................................76 Glazed Creations ..................................................79 Little Honu Swim School .....................................79 Parties & Entertainment Once Upon a Pony ...............................................76 Schools St. John’s Episcopal .......................................................76 Mount Madonna..................................................76 Tutoring Services Nadine Cassarino..................................................79
Call today to advertise your event or family-friendly business. Please contact: Carrie Vawter-Yousfi, 408-399-4842 x25, carrie.vawteryousfi@parenthood.com
80
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
Ask the Doctor
By Amy Heneghan, M.D.
Children’s Shoes and Healthy Feet
Q: My 1-year-old son is cruising but not yet walking. Is there a style of shoe that could help him walk sooner? A: Walking is an exciting milestone, but
not one that you can rush with special footwear. In fact, the best type of shoe for learning to walk is no shoe at all. Of course, there are many situations when bare feet need some added protection. In these cases, choose lightweight ones with soft flat soles, plenty of wiggle room in the toes, and an upper material that allows air to circulate, like cloth or leather. Avoid shoes with slippery soles as well as shoes with extra “sport shoe” traction on the bottom. Too much traction can grab the floor and cause a child to fall forward. long enough and wide enough. Shoes that are too small can cause ingrown toenails, hammer toes, blisters, calluses and bunions, as well as more permanent damage to the shape of the feet and your child’s posture. See your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns.
Q: My 8-year-old daughter begs for a pair of roller shoes like her friends wear. Is it OK to buy her a pair? A: Roller shoes, which are tennis shoes
with roller skate-type wheels protruding partially from the sole, are wildly popular, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind before buying a pair for your child. Unlike normal roller skates, roller shoes are marketed as street wear and Q: Are expensive toddler shoes best? not sports equipment. As a result, few children follow the A: Not necessarily. Instead of looking at the price tag, look manufacturers’ recommendations to wear a helmet, wrist at the shoe. A good toddler or child shoe has the following guards and knee and elbow pads. Last year, the American characteristics: Academy of Pediatrics published a study that found that • Plenty of room in the toe. Children’s feet are shaped most roller shoe-related injuries requiring medical attention differently than those of adults and teens, and their shoes occurred in children who had only worn the shoes a few should be designed with a wider sole and more toe room. times. Therefore, if you do buy your daughter the shoes, • Slip-resistant, shock-absorbing and flexible flat soles make sure to purchase the right protective gear to go with without heels, arch supports or other molding features. them and insist that she wears the pads, guards and helmet • Breathable upper materials. Children’s feet sweat more while practicing gliding in her new shoes. than adults - up to a cup of moisture per day - making nylon You would not let your child walk around in high heels all or plastic materials a poor option. day; ditto for roller shoes. They can alter a child’s posture • A soft interior without rough seams that can chafe and much like high-heels alter a woman’s posture. They encourcause blisters. This is especially age children to overextend their important for summer sandals that joints and, if the pair lacks will be worn without socks. retractable wheels, make children walk on tiptoe when not gliding. Do you have a child/family-oriented Q: My 2-year-old son develReserve their use for play and have a health concern? We will publish questions and answers of interest to readers. Send oped ingrown toenails. What good pair of normal shoes for reguyour question, along with your contact can I do to prevent this from lar walking. !
Ask the Doctor
happening again? A: His shoes may have become too
small. Toddlers grow very quickly, typically going up one and a half foot sizes every three months between the ages of 16 and 24 months. Check shoes regularly to make sure they are
information (for confirmation only, not for publication), to: Ask the Doctor Bay Area Parent 985 University Ave., Suite 30 Los Gatos, CA 95032 jill.wolfson@parenthood.com
Amy Heneghan, M.D., a pediatrician with the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, provided this month’s medical responses. Advice is not intended to take the place of an exam or diagnosis by a physician.
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
81
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408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
Above & Beyond
By Linda Childers
Kris Crawford
Teaching Kids How to Be Safe Around Dogs
Kris Crawford of Saratoga has devoted much of her life to dogs and safety. A retired search-and-rescue handler, Crawford and her dog, Dakota, have spent years working as one of the most active search-dog teams in California. The two have participated in more than 200 searches including high-profile missions such as the search for pregnant mom Laci Peterson. In 1997, Crawford founded For Pits’ Sake, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safety and educational programs for children and adults, assisting in emergency situations and brightening the lives of others. “I divided my organization’s efforts into three areas,” Crawford says. “Our search-and-rescue training seeks to reunite those who are lost or missing with the people that love them; our educational programs reach out to protect the children of our community; and our therapy dog work seeks to reunite those who are lost in spirit with the world around them.” The therapy part of Crawford’s program involves working with children who have disabilities or who have been physically or emotionally abused. Two years ago, after hearing numerous news stories about children bitten by dogs, Crawford developed Safety Around Dogs (safetyarounddogs.org). The program teaches children in classrooms throughout the state. dogs; how to determine if a dog is friendly; how to approach a dog; and what to do if a dog chases or bites you. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that half of all children 12-years-old and younger have been bitten by a dog,” Crawford says. “Seventy-nine percent of fatal dog attacks are on children; dog bite injuries are the second-most-frequent cause of emergency room visits for children.”
Bringing the Message into the Classroom
Spurred by these statistics, Crawford decided to implement a fun safety program that engages children while also teaching them important lessons. The program is offered free to schools and is funded by Crawford’s personal contributions and donations from businesses and individuals. “By adopting a class or scout troop, businesses can provide dog-bite prevention tips and program materials at no cost to the student, school or the district,” Crawford says. “All proceeds from the sale of our Safety around Dogs materials go to a medical fund we established to assist low-income families with medical bills for children who have been seriously injured by a dog.” As the owner of three American pit bull terriers (Cheyenne, Dakota and Tahoe), Crawford also takes the opportunity to educate groups about the many myths and stereotypes surrounding the breed. Her three dogs are now the animated stars of Crawford’s safety program and will be featured as Deputy Dakota, Trooper Tahoe and Sergeant Cheyenne in a new safety video for children. Celebrities have also helped produce the video and PSA for the program; they include Barbara Niven from Pensacola Wings of Gold, Cliff Simon from Stargate SG-1 and Debi Derryberry, best known as the voice of Jimmy Neutron. “As search-and-rescue dogs, my dogs could only save one child at a time,” Crawford says. “But now Dakota, Tahoe and Sergeant Cheyenne can save entire classrooms at a time!” !
Linda Childers is a freelance writer and the calendar editor of the East Bay edition of Bay Area Parent.
Taming the Statistics – Half of All Children 12 and Younger Bitten by Dogs
“Every year, nearly 2.8 million children are bitten by a dog,” Crawford says. “Statistics show that half of all dog bites come from the family’s own dog and another 40 percent from a friend’s or neighbor’s dog. Even the nicest, besttrained dog can snap if it’s startled, scared, feels threatened or is hungry.” Since young children inadvertently treat dogs as their peers, Crawford says they are more at risk from injury. Most dog bites occur when an adult isn’t present. “How to prevent dog bites is a safety skill every child should learn,” she says. “It’s just as important as learning how to swim, crossing the street or knowing what to do in case of a fire.” Her workshops teach children safety lessons, including how dogs benefit our lives; an overview of the duties of search-and-rescue, law-enforcement and service 84
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
Check It Out!
To learn more about Kris Crawford and her dogsafety program, go to safetyarounddogs.org.
Bay Area Parent’s Preschool/Childcare Directory
MEALS PROVIDED (MP) DIAPERS ACCEPTED (DA) TRANSPORTATION (T) HOMEBASED (HB)
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Advertise in the Childcare Directory for as little as $80.00 per month. Call your Sales Rep or Bay Area Parent at (408) 399-4842.
Ages
2 yrs to 5 yrs
Name, Address, Phone
3D Preschool 5370 Snell Ave., San Jose (408) 227-2840 (MP, DA) A Place to Grow 3001 Ross Ave. #9, San Jose (408) 265-2994
Hours
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Size
47
Comments
We provide a quality preschool program, age-appropriate curriculum, small class sizes, very well-qualified loving staff. A fun-loving school. Lic. #434408786 www.3dpreschool.org Providing quality preschool & schoolage care for over 9 yrs. Nurturing, home-like, clean environment. Small class size. Mature, experienced staff. Potty training available. Free registration when mentioning this ad. Lic. #43440435 & 434400191 Providing quality & loving care for toddlers & preschoolers. Excellence in preschool education. Small class sizes. FT/PT AM & PM programs. Qualified & dedicated staff. Call for a tour. Lic. #434407563 www.abclearningmontessori.com Providing quality infant, toddler & preschool programs for over 33 years. We offer on-site dance & computer classes. Fully accredited staff and facilities. Lic. #430700960 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com Providing quality infant, toddler & preschool programs for over 33 years. We offer on-site dance & computer classes. Fully accredited staff and facilities. Lic. #430701361 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com Providing quality infant, toddler & preschool programs for over 33 years. We offer on-site dance & computer classes. Fully accredited staff and facilities. Lic. #430700960 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com Providing quality infant, toddler & preschool programs for over 33 years. We offer on-site dance & computer classes. Fully accredited staff and facilities. Lic. #430700960 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com
Name, Address, Phone
Calvary Chapel Christian School 1175 Hillsdale Ave., San Jose (408) 269-2222
Ages
3 yrs to K
Hours
7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Size
90
Comments
Provides quality & enriched academic preschool & Kindergarten. Warm, nurturing environment promoting Jesus First. Dedicated & qualified staff with small class sizes. ACSI member. Lic. #430710385. www.calvarysj.org Academic excellence, individual achievement, strong logic and thinking skills, self reliance, values. Lic # 434400459, 434403574 www.challengerschool.com
SOUTH & CENTRAL SAN JOSE
2 yrs 6:30 a.m. to to 12 yrs 6 p.m.
53
ABC Learning Montessori 2 yrs 1115 Kimberly Dr., to San Jose 6 yrs (408) 448-4578 (MP, DA)
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
48
Challenger School – Almaden Campus 19950 McKean Rd., San Jose (408) 927-5771 Harwood Campus 4949 Harwood Road, San Jose (408) 723-0111 Pomeroy Campus 890 Pomeroy Ave., Santa Clara (408) 243-6190 Shawnee Campus 500 Shawnee Lane (408) 365-9298 Clement School 955 Branham Lane (408) 265-2226 Precious Preschool 12360 Redmond Ave. (408) 268-9000 DeColores Montessori Children’s Center 7026 Santa Teresa Blvd. (408) 229-2000 (MP, DA)
3 yrs PS to 8th grade
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Action Day/ Primary Plus 3030 Moorpark (408) 247-6972 (DA)
3 mos 6:30 a.m. to to 6 p.m. 5 yrs
300
2.5 yrs to 5 yrs
9 a.m.- 400 Noon & 12:453:30 p.m. Varies by 120 program. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 74
Our school provides a safe, fun place for your children to develop their social, emotional, physical, creative & cognitive skills. Stop by and visit us! Lic. #430710053 & #430700522. www.clementschool.com & www.preciouspreschool.com Spanish Immersion Program. A quality childcare program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. A rich, warm environment with professionals who are capable of supporting you in nurturing your children to their fullest potential. Hot meals provided. English & Spanish Immersion programs. Nutritious meals provided. Individualized teaching using Montessori materials, plus phonics, pre-reading, pre-writing, math, social skills, creative arts & more. The perfect balance of learning & play! PT & FT. Lic. # 434408891 www.firstdiscoveries.org A caring, nurturing & safe environment offering a creative, developmentally appropriate curriculum. NAEYC ratios & standards. FT & PT programs, before & after school-age care available. NAEYC. www.kiddieacademy.com Days, Evenings, and Weekends Preschool weekdays 9am-11:30am. Create your own schedule; pay as you go. Our curriculum focuses on building their knowledge base, daily life skills and world awareness. www.kidspark.com
Action Day/ Primary Plus 2148 Lincoln (408) 266-8952 (DA)
3 mos to 5 yrs
6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
150
6 wks to 6 yrs
Action Day/ Primary Plus 801 Hibiscus Lane (408) 985-5998 (DA)
3 mos 6:30 a.m. to to 6 p.m. 5 yrs
150
First Discoveries Christian Preschool 2177 Cottle Ave., San Jose (408) 625-3773 (MP)
2.5 yrs 7:30 a.m. to to 6 p.m. 6 yrs
30
Action Day/ Primary Plus 5845 Allen Ave. (408) 629-6020 (DA) Action Day/Primary Plus and West Valley Middle School 3500 Amber Dr., San Jose (408) 248-2462
Birth 6:30 a.m. to to 12 yrs 6 p.m.
2 yrs 6:30 a.m. to to 14 yrs 6 p.m.
350
Fully accredited private preschool, elementary and middle school for grades K-8th grade. Enrichment programs including dance, computers, sports, spanish & clubs offered. Lic. #430709377 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com Providing academic excellence, developmentally appropriate curriculum & environment. We focus on enhanced logic-mathematical skills, language & literacy with 21st century technology. www.americaed.org Learning can be so much fun! Nurturing, caring, clean environment. Nutritional meals provided. CPR certified. Teaching responsibility and Independence. Over 20 years experience. Oak Grove district. Before & after school care. FT/ PT and subsidized welcome. Year-round program. Lic. # 434407759
Kiddie Academy 521 W. Capitol Expwy., San Jose (408) 978-1500 (MP, DA)
7 a.m. 5 wks to to 12 yrs 6:30 p.m.
136
AmericaEd Learning Center 762 Sunset Glen Dr. #3, San Jose (408) 629-8442 (T) Angelikkare Centrally located between Branham & Blossom Hill off Snell, San Jose (408) 229-9600
2 yrs to K
6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
84
KidsPark 5440 Thornwood Drive (408) 281-8880 2858 Stevens Creek Blvd. (408) 985-2599 363 E. 10th St., Gilroy (408) 852-0620 (MA, DA) Learning Company & Academy, The 1200 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose (408) 723-1131 Momina Day Care 15 Golden Rain Dr., San Jose (408) 363-1881 A Place to Play & Learn!
2-11
46
55
2 yrs, 9 mos to 6 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
30
2 to 12 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
8
Enriched academic preschool & Kindergarten in a creative & stimulating environment. Guaranteed reading & math success. Music, art, PE & foreign language. Lic. #434408034.
www.thelearningcompanyandacademy.com
Infant 7:00 a.m. to to 11 yrs 6 p.m.
14
Loving, nurturing environment. 20+ years experience. PS curriculum. Hot Meals. CPR certified. Transportation provided, pick up from Challenger, Hayes Elementary & more. Beautiful Yard & playground. FT/ PT. Flexible hours. Lic. # 434405191
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
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Name, Address, Phone
Montessori Way 6453 Little Falls Dr., San Jose (408) 607-8640 (MP, DA, HB) Neighborhood Christian Preschool & Care Centers 1670 Moorpark Ave., San Jose (408) 286-0901 Rosa Elena Childcare Center 2380 Enborg Lane, San Jose (408) 279-7515 (DA)
Ages
2 yrs to 6 yrs
Hours
7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Size
12
Comments
We offer an excellent learning environment in which your child receives individual attention and is able to grow academically, physically, and socially. 20 years experience. Lic.# 434409532 www.montessoriway.org Warm, nurturing environment that promotes self confidence, caring for others and honor to God. Quality age level experiences with dedicated and qualified staff. Since 1991. Breakfast and two snacks provided. Full and Part-time spots available. A safe, play-based nurturing environment that develops confident, happy children. Wonderful outdoor & indoor spaces. Caring teachers, low ratio. Featuring K readiness & intergenerational programs. Now offering potty training. Lic. # 434404883 rbarneond@alzdaycare.org Theme-based development. Curriculum includes art,music,imagination,science investigation, citizenship,special events &more. www.st-tims-lutheran.org We provide a quality education taught from a Biblical perspective. We have low student/teacher ratios and provide a structured learning environment to prepare children for kindergarten. www.sunrisevbc.org
Name, Address, Phone
Have a Nice Day! Child Care 902 Dempsey Rd., Milpitas (408) 656-1764 (MP, DA, T, HB) HeadsUp! Child Development Center 2841 Junction Ave., Suite 100, San Jose (408) 432-1644 (DA)
Ages
Hours
Size
8
Comments
First Aid/CPR certified personnel. Meals & snacks provided. FT/PT. Morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up available for local schools. Premises alarmed for safety. Lic. #434409402 www.HaveaNiceDayCare.com The Montessori curriculum encourages development of fundamental thinking skills thru art, music, imaginative play, practical life skills, language, mathematics, science & cultural activities. Exceeds min. staffing ratios required by state law. Lic. #430709672-4 www.headsup.org A Christian curriculum & literacy-rich program to meet the developmental & spiritual needs of children. Family style lunch & two snacks. www.kidschristiancenter.com Over 30 years of experience with preschool age children. Fun, caring, nurturing environment for 3 & 4 year olds. ACSI accredited. www.mcsi.org
Infant 6 a.m. to to 6 p.m. 12 yrs
0 yrs to 6 yrs
6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
138
0 to 6 yrs
7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
43
12 mos 7:30 a.m. to to Jr. H 5:30 p.m.
28
Kids Korner Christian Center 2920 Fowler Rd., San Jose (408) 270-2000 Milpitas Christian School 1000 S. Park Victoria, Milpitas (408) 262-2630 (DA) Milpitas Discoveryland Preschool 1991 Landess Ave., Milpitas (408) 263-7626 (MP, DA)
2 yrs to 6 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
74
St. Timothy's Lutheran 5100 Camden Ave,. San Jose (408) 265-0244 Sunrise Kiddie Korral 5860 Blossom Ave., San Jose (408) 227-0831 (MP)
3 yrs 7:30 a.m. to to 11 yrs 6 p.m. 3 yrs to 5 yrs 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
80 PS
3 yrs to 4 yrs
7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
150 to 200
60
MILPITAS • NORTH & EAST SAN JOSE • FREMONT
Bright Start Montessori 1733 Crater Lake Ave., Milpitas (408) 262-2348 (HB) Challenger School – Berryessa Campus 711 East Gish Road (408) 998-2860 Crossing Early Care & Learning Center 757 E. Capitol Ave., Milpitas (408) 262-5530 (DA) Early Learning Center 921 Fox Lane, San Jose (408) 944-0395 (MP, DA) 2 yrs to 5 yrs 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 14 A loving, nurturing environment with a Montessori curriculum, that we help your preschooler get prepared for kindergarten. Our staff has 15 years of experience working with children. Lic. #434409392 Academic excellence, individual achievement, strong logic and thinking skills, self reliance, values. Lic # 434400467 Lic. #434403603 www.challengerschool.com Small group size, low ratios. The Crossing provides an active learning environment, enhanced through learning centers. Full and part day programs available. Be a part of a dynamic program. Be part of the fun! Offering care for infants, toddlers, preschool & schoolage children. Located on a beautiful campus of Orchard School District. Campus Director Margie Costa. A happy, caring environment! We teach everything from how to read to music, art, science, dance & social skills. Field trips add to the fun. Webcams for your peace of mind. Come see how we team up w/you & your child for success! Lic. #434400289. www.mypreschool.com Charming preschool set around a private courtyard on 5-acre church campus. Christian-based curriculum w/focus on early academic learning. Reasonable tuition for full or half day. A loving, nurturing Christian environment for preschoolers & after school care programs. We are an academically structured school with qualified and dedicated staff. Lic. #434403603 www.footprintspreschool.com Lots of TLC in a home-like atmosphere. 20 yrs. experience. No registration fee. CPR certified. Drop-in care available. Right off Alum Rock. Creative arts & crafts classes on Saturday only, ages 2-9, Sept-June. Lic. # 430755805
2 yrs to 8th grade
6:30 a.m. 120 to 6 p.m.
Est. 1974. Warm & loving Christian environment. Family-friendly atmosphere were parents are welcome. Small classes. FT/PT & AM progs., nutritious meals, music, gymnastics, lrg play area & toilet training. Our fully accredited elementary offers a strong academic program & more. www.milpitasdiscoveryland.org High academics w/ Christian & Montessori techniques & methods. (Hands-on) Peaceful, loving environment. Established 1981 w/ 44 yrs of educational experience. Lic.# 430710462 www.monarchchristian.com
3 yrs PS to 8th grade 2 yrs to 5 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
70
6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. M-F
33
Monarch Christian Schools, Inc. 1715 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas (408) 263-4840 38895 Mission Blvd., Fremont (510) 494-1221 Mrs. Rosie’s Daycare 3070 Armdale Ct., San Jose (408) 270-5450 or (408) 429-0894 (T, MP, DA, HB) Okasan and Me, Inc. Call for locations (408) 823-2263 (DA) Sunshine Preschool & Afterschool Care 1929 Baker Pl., San Jose (408) 272-0368 1363 Turlock Lane, San Jose (408) 839-8171 3412 Sierra Road, San Jose Suzie’s Day Care 1253 Fallen Leaf Dr., Milpitas (408) 946-8173 (T, MP, DA)
2 yrs to K
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
96
Infant to 12 yrs
6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
8
Infant to 12 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Infnt 12 PS 42 SA 56
Now enrolling all ages from infants to preschool and school age. It's a safe and caring environment. FT and PT provided. Bilingual in English and Spanish. Accept all program. Low Ratios. Lic # 434409519 Okasan and Me, Inc. Japanese/English Bilingual Program for children 2 yrs old – up. Making learning fun and exciting. Original CD/Book and materials. www.okasanandme.com Preschool - bilingual English/Mandarin. Creativity, inspiration, & exploration. Afterschool - (PU Children) next to Ruskin; homework, Chinese language, hip-hop dance, ballet/tap, soccer & art. Lic. #434407497, 434408044 & 434408811. www.mysunshineschool.com FT and PT, Day, Evening, and Weekends. CPR . Hot meals. Preschool teachers. Dance, music, library outings, outside activities. Lic. #434400940
2 yrs Saturday and up mornings
25
Elan Esprit Preschool 40 E. Carlo St., Milpitas (408) 262-3848 (DA)
2 yrs to 4 yrs
7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
45
18 8:30 a.m. 162 to mos 6:30 p.m. to 10 yrs
Foothill Christian Preschool 5301 McKee Road, San Jose (408) 258-2171 (DA) Footprints Preschool 1651 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas (408) 719-9329
2.9 yrs 6:30 a.m. to to 6 p.m. 5 yrs
40
0 to 14 yrs
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2 yrs to 12 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
70
WEST SAN JOSE • CUPERTINO
Bethel Lutheran School 10181 Finch Ave., Cupertino (408) 252-8512, ext. 118 3 to 13 yrs 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Loving credentialed teachers (low ratio) provide motivating learning environments educating the whole child. Flexible FT & PT Preschool programs, Elementary (JrK-Sixth), Before & After elementary childcare offered yearround. “Chinese School Enrichment Program”. www.bethells.org
Goarete’s Daycare 213 Laumer Ave., San Jose (408) 272-4767 (MA, DA, HB)
2yrs to 9 yrs
M-F 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
14
86
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
Name, Address, Phone
Challenger School – Dent Campus 4977 Dent Ave., San Jose (408) 266-7073 Challenger School – Strawberry Park Campus 730 Camina Escuela, San Jose (408) 213-0083 Champion School 4660 Eastus Dr., San Jose (408) 973-8696 (DA) De Anza College CDC 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino (408) 864-5795 (DA, MP) www.deanza.edu/child Exploragym Preschool 4115 Jacksol Drive, San Jose (408) 559-4616
Ages
Hours
Size
Comments
Academic excellence, individual achievement, strong logic and thinking skills, self reliance, values. www.challengerschool.com
Name, Address, Phone
Play & Learn Preschool 10067 Byrne Ave., Cupertino (408) 253-7081
Ages
2 yrs to 5 yrs
Hours
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Size
24
Comments
Small school w/ large park-like playground. Low teacher-child ratio. Warm,loving environment. Full- and part-time daycare. Qualified teachers. Lic # 434404319 www.PlayandLearnPs.com English/Mandarin 2-way immersion language program. Free daily music & dance classes. FT & PT. Large outdoor playgrounds. Experienced & certified Montessori preschool teachers. Free hot lunch. Lic. #434408836. www.trustmontessori.com Nurturing, caring & safe environment. Age-appropriate & welldesigned academic curriculum. FT or PT. Joyful park-like playground. Lic. #434406711. www.wonderlandschool.com
3 and 8:45 a.m.4 yrs 11:30 a.m. & 12:45 PS p.m.3:30 p.m. 3 yrs PS to 5th grade 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Academic excellence, individual achievement, strong logic and thinking skills, self reliance, values. Lic # 434404888 www.challengerschool.com 108 We cater to the academic, personal & social development of the child. Highly academically structured & fun environment with no stress. Lic. #434408828. www.championschool.org Natural outdoor play area. Teaching staff qualified as classroom teachers for children & college instructors for Child Development courses. FT day programs, emphasis on identifying a child’s strengths & learning skills. Lic. #434404302 & 4307104302. A carefully planned developmental program. Class size is limited to 17 children w/2 credentialed & highly experienced teachers. Exploragym is known for messy art activities, creativity & fun. Kindergarten readiness preparation is a suitably integral part of each day. Openings available. Developmentally appropriate curriculum in a loving Christian environment. Children are encouraged to explore, problem solve, and have fun while learning important school readiness concepts. www.goodsampreschool.org GSpreschool@gmail.com Estab. 1977. Developmentally appropriate, literacy, phonic awareness, music & movement, arts & crafts, cooking, science. Flex PT & FT. Lic # 430701328. www.mylittlepeople.org Loving family environment. InfantToddler care, new facility, close to Hwy 280 & 85. FT/PT. Hot lunchs provided. Lots of activites. www.balmandircupertino.com Our qualified, loving staff brings joy to learning & exploring. Our goal is to build a foundation of learning that will help build your child's future. Flexible PT & FT schedules & programs in Kinder preparedness & potty training. Smart Start Program. Lic. # 434404363 www.mylittleuniversity.com Estab. 1979, One World provides a complete Montessori education that incorporates an excellent learning environment. Serves Campbell, San Jose and Los Gatos areas. www.oneworldmontessori.org Bilingual, Spanish immersion preschool. Children learn English prereading and Spanish communication skills in our warm, loving environment. Half-day preschool or full day extended care options. Lic. #434408873. www.pasitosschool.com Academics through Art with Waldorf trained teachers Painting, Fabric Art, Cooking and Clay Classes for preK-14 Academic program for K-4th Grade. Visit our school and meet our great staff. www.njeiandchilrenartcenter.com
1.5 yrs to 6 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Trust Montessori School (Bilingual Preschool) Trust Primary School (Bilingual Kindergarten) 4660 Eastus Dr., San Jose (408) 725-9116 or (408) 807-0996 Wonderland Chinese School 10931 Maxine Ave., Cupertino (408) 245-3288 (MP)
2 yrs to 6 yrs
7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
PS 170 K 120
8 a.m. 2 yrs to to 12 yrs 6:30 p.m.
114
7:15 a.m. 168 18 to mos to 5 yrs 5:30 p.m.
CAMPBELL • LOS GATOS • SARATOGA
Action Day/Primary Plus 13560 SaratogaSunnyvale Rd., Saratoga (408) 867-4515 (DA) Action Day/Primary Plus 1125 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell (408) 379-3184 (DA) Action Day/Primary Plus 18720 Bucknall Rd., Saratoga (408) 370-0357 (DA) Aurora CDC 995 Apricot, Campbell (408) 371-2605 2 yrs to 5 yrs 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 50 Providing quality infant, toddler & preschool programs for over 33 years. We offer on-site dance & computer classes. Fully accredited staff and facilities. Lic #430758061 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com Providing quality infant, toddler & preschool programs for over 33 years. We offer on-site dance & computer classes. Fully accredited staff and facilities. www.actiondayprimaryplus.com Providing quality infant, toddler & preschool programs for over 33 years. We offer on-site dance & computer classes. Fully accredited staff & facilities. www.actiondayprimaryplus.com "Help me do it myself." Using the Montessori philosphy, we provide an affordable, safe and loving environment for children to learn. www.auroracdcmontessori.com Developmentally appropriate, play based. Lic. #430709398 www.svjcc.org
2 yrs, 9 mos to 5 yrs
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. 7 a.m. to 6p.m.
17
Good Samaritan Preschool 19624 Homestead Rd., Cupertino (408) 996-8290
Infant to 6th grade
72
3 mos 6:30 a.m. to to 6 p.m. 6 yrs
300
3 mos 6:30 a.m. 300 to to 6 p.m. 6 yrs
Little People Christian Preschool - Daycare 20900 McClellan Rd., Cupertino (408) 257-1212 Love and Care Daycare 22356 Hartman Dr., Cupertino (408) 737-0790 (MP) My Little University 878 Boynton Ave., San Jose (408) 296-5582 (DA)
2.5 yrs 8:30 a.m.12:30 to 5 yrs p.m. PT 7:30 a.m.6 p.m. FT 0 to 4 yrs 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
44
2 yrs to 5 yrs
7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
28
12 Child/ Staff ratio 3:1 60
APJCC Preschool 14855 Oka Rd., Los Gatos (408) 358-5926 Bella Vita Child & Family Development Center 302 Almendra Ave., Los Gatos (408) 234-9909 (DA)
julianascalise@comcast.net
18 mos to PreK 2 yrs to 5 yrs
7:30 a.m. & 6 p.m.
2 yrs to K
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
8:3011:30 a.m. and 12:304:00 p.m.
10
One World Montessori 1170 Foxworthy Ave., San Jose (408) 723-5140 (DA) Pasitos Preschool 801 Hibiscus Lane, Room A, San Jose (408) 244-3551 (MP, DA)
7:30 a.m. 130 12 to mos to 6:30 p.m. Jr. High
Our playbased, Reggio-inspired program includes a wide range of learning areas such as art, Italian Foreign Language, music movement, literacy, math and science. Relationship building and emotional development are priorities. Snacks provided. Lic.# 434409526. www.bellavitapreschool.com Montessori & integral formation approach that cultivates emotional, physical, academic, social & spiritual development. Personalized education, language & math concepts, hands-on learning, cheerful, nourishing & orderly environment. www.canyonheightsacademy.com
Canyon Heights Academy 775 Waldo Rd., Campbell (408) 370-6727
3 yrs 7:30 a.m. to to 13 yrs 6 p.m.
2 yrs, 7:30 a.m. to 9 mos 6 p.m. to 6 yrs
24
Njeri’s Morning Glory School and Art Center 4660 Eastus Dr., San Jose (408) 255-5520
k-4th and 3 to 14 yrs art prog.
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Centro Armonia Preschool 531 W. Rincon Ave., Campbell (408) 866-2585 (DA) Challenger School – Saratoga Campus 18811 Cox Ave.,Saratoga (408) 378-0444
2.5 to 7 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
4052
A complete Spanish immersion program where children learn the skills that will prepare them for kindergarten, while acquiring Spanish as a second language. www.armoniapreschool.com Academic excellence, individual achievement, strong logic and thinking skills, self reliance, values. Lic # 430700130 www.challengerschool.com
3 to 4 yrs PS
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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87
Name, Address, Phone
Creative Beginnings Preschool 14834 Leigh Ave., San Jose (408) 559-3247 (T, DA)
Ages
2 to 6 yrs
Hours
6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Size
40
Comments
A home-like setting for children which will promote and support their social & emotional growth and development. Educational program with age appropriate developmental curriculum. Full and half-day programs. Lic#434400346
www.creativebeginningspreschool.com
Name, Address, Phone
Mulberry Preschool 220 Belgatos Rd., Los Gatos (408) 358-9080 (DA)
Ages
18 mos to 5 yrs
Hours
9 to 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Size
90
Comments
Mulberry's Magic=parent participation (1:3 adult/child ratio), playbased, developmentally appropriate, social-emotional skill building, beautiful facility, huge play yard, 40 years experience, NAEYC. Lic. #434408057 www.mulberry.org Call now to Enroll! Excellent programs for preschool age, infants and toddlers Nurturing family environment. Low ratio, highly qualified & stable staff. Lic.#430710577 Help children grow with TLC in a home-like atmosphere with loving, caring. Our program is innovative, creative, structured and a fun way to learn. Offering educational & enrichment programs for infants - school age including preK & kindergarten. Warm & cozy atmosphere. Low ratios. Pre-school/School Age Summer Camp. Lic.# 434404981/ 434404984/430703423 www.peppertreeschools.com Age-based curriculum. Parent participation preschool with low child:adult ratio. Credentialed teachers, new facilities, NAEYC accredited. Limited space still available. www.saratogaparentnurseryschool.org Loving Christian preschool provides a positive school experience in a warm, supportive environment. Hands on/whole child approach with low ratios. www.saratogapres.org Innovative program of academics & enrichment. Safe, caring, inclusive community based on Episcopal values of openness & inquiry. After-school program. NAEYC & CAIS www.st-andrews.org Summer Enrollment Now Open. Devoted to a developmentally appropriate environment for social, academic & spiritual growth in which each student has many opportunities to learn, grow & succeed. Preschool & Jr.K programs available. Lic. #434406717 www.stedwardspreschool.org
Creative Habitat Children's Center 1190 W. Latimer Ave., Campbell (408) 374-4442 (MP, DA) Exploragym Preschool 4115 Jacksol Drive, San Jose (408) 559-4616
4 wks to 6 yrs
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
100
Well established school in a warm and loving environment. Quiet residential neighborhood. Strong handson academic curriculum, sing and foreign languages, great food and structured programs. Low ratios. www.creativehabitat.biz A carefully planned developmental program. Class size is limited to 17 children w/two credentialed & highly experienced teachers. Exploragym is known for messy art activities, creativity & fun. Kindergarten readiness preparation is a suitably integral part of each day. An amazing place to grow in God's love. Now accepting applications 2,3,5 day programs. Low student/ teacher ratio. Call to schedule a visit or to receive an info packet. Potty training not required. Lic. #434400346 www.lgumc.org Now Enrolling. We offer preschool & Jr. K programs with extended care. Wonderful environment, low ratios, developmental education & dedicated staff. Lic. # 430710595 www.growingfootprints.org Now enrolling. We offer quality preschool programs w/age appropriate curriculum. Year round school. Qualified, creative, loving, caring & dedicated staff. Lic. #434408026 www.handprintspreschool.com Fun developmentally appropriate activities in a loving, Christian environment. 30 yrs experience. Focus on social & interpersonal relationships, creative & caring staff, hot lunches, low ratio. www.calvarylosgatos.org Highly rated preschool and nursery on beautiful campus. Large play areas. Low ratios. Pre-K program. Experienced, caring staff. Summer Camp program. Lic. #434406697 www.littleoakpreschool.com Well-established. Year-round, w/large shaded play area in quiet, safe neighborhood near Vasona Park. Wellrounded program incl. art, cooking, science & fieldtrips. Individual academic program; 1-on-1 with teacher. Since 1946, LGPNS has provided a nurturing educational experience for preschoolers and their parents to share. www.lgparentnursery.org
My Preschool, Inc. 1472 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga (408) 376-0385 (MP, DA)
Birth to PreK
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
82
2 yrs, 9 mos to 5 yrs
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
17
Noah's Ark Children's Infant Learning & Development to Center K 560 N. Harrison, Campbell (408) 378-3212 Peppertree School 14969 Los GatosAlmaden Rd. 16035 Los Gatos Almaden Rd. (408) 356-3211 (DA) Saratoga Parent Nursery School 20490 Williams Ave., Saratoga (408) 867-9774 (DA) Saratoga Presbyterian Preschool 20455 Herriman Ave., Saratoga (408) 741-5770 St. Andrew’s School 13601 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga (408) 867-3785
6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
45
6 wks 6:30 a.m. to to 6 p.m. 9 yrs
42
Grace Preschool at Los Gatos United Methodist Church 111 High School Ct., Los Gatos (408) 354-4730 ext. 26 (DA) Growing Footprints 16575 Shannon Rd., Los Gatos (408) 356-4442 (DA)
2 yrs to PreK
8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. 8:30 drop-off ok 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
69
18 mos to 5.5 yrs 2.9 yrs to 5 yrs 4 yrs to 8th grade
9-11:30 a.m. & 12:303:30 pm
52
2 yrs to 6 yrs
84
9 a.m. to noon
60
Handprints Preschool 3225 S. Winchester Blvd., Campbell (408) 378-9000
2 yrs to entry into 1st gr. 2 yrs to 6 yrs
7 a.m to 6 p.m.
60
7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
1822
Kiddie Kampus at Calvary Church 16330 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos (408) 356-6776 (MP) Little Oak Preschool 1921 Clarinda Way, San Jose (408) 369-1252 (DA) Los Gatos Academy Preschool 16837 Placer Oaks Rd., Los Gatos (408) 358-6072 (DA) Los Gatos Parent Nursery School 15 Lyndon Ave. (408) 354-1433 Montessori Academy of Campbell 177 East Rincon Ave., Campbell (408) 378-9244 (DA, MP)
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
80
St. Edward's Preschool 15040 Union Ave., San Jose (408) 377-3045
2.5 yrs to 6 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
45
6 wks 7:30 a.m. to to 6 p.m. 6 yrs
145
LOS ALTOS • MOUNTAIN VIEW • SUNNYVALE
Action Day/Primary Plus 333 Eunice Ave., Mountain View (650) 967-3780 (DA) Baby World 1715 Grant Rd., Los Altos (650) 988-8627 (DA) 3 mos 6:30 a.m. 100 to to 6 p.m. 6 yrs Providing quality infant, toddler & preschool programs for over 33 years. We offer on-site dance & computer classes. Fully accredited staff & facilities. www.actiondayprimaryplus.com BABY WORLD is a clean and bright center that separates infants & toddlers into designated areas. The center takes pride in providing the best facilities for your child to play and learn. We employ plenty of staff members to make sure the ratio is low. Lic #430710528 www.babyworldinfantprogram.com Academic excellence, individual achievement, strong logic and thinking skills, self reliance, values. Lic #430710539 www.challengerschool.com 125 NAEYC accredited child care center. We offer a high quality program with 5:1 ratio for Toddlers, 6:1 for 2 year olds & 8:1 for 3-5 year olds. Lic. #414000081 & 414000082. Please visit us at www.cclc.com
2 yrs to 6 yrs
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
34
Infant to toddler
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
39
2 yrs to 5 yrs 18 mos to K
varies by age
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
49
We offer an environment where children enjoy the freedom of learning from hands-on experience. Promote self-esteem— Year round enrichment program with our highly qualified staff. Hot Lunches available. Full or PT. Lic. #434408018 www.montessoriacademy.net Home environment. FT & PT. Easy on & off access to Hwy 85. Family daycare run by an A.M.I. trained Montessorian. camdenchildcare@yahoo.com
Challenger School – Sunnyvale Campus 1185 Hollenbeck Ave., Sunnyvale (408) 245-7170 Childrens’ Creative Learning Centers 2310 Homestead Rd., Los Altos (408) 736-7400
3 yrs PS to 8th grade
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Montessori Childcare 5167 Camden Ave., San Jose (408) 723-4457 (MP, DA)
3 mos. 8 a.m. to to 4+ yrs 5:30 p.m.
12
18 mo to 5 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
88
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
Name, Address, Phone
Childrens’ Creative Learning CentersSunnyvale 794 E. Duane Ave. (408) 732-2288 Community Preschool 1098 W. Remington Dr., Sunnyvale (408) 739-2022
Ages
Infant to 5 yrs
Hours
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Size
125
Comments
NAEYC accredited child care center. We offer a high quality program w/4:1 ratios for infant & toddler, 6:1 for two year olds & 8:1 for 3-5. Lic. #434400065 & 434400095. www.cclc.com At Community Preschool we provide an opportunity for every child to experience literature, science, math, creative art, music, language & physical activity in a positive & caring environment. FT or PT. Call or stop by for a visit. www.community-preschool.com The emphasis is on a safe, nurturing place w/a strong educational appeal. Lic# 434404391, 434404394. NAEYC. www.kiddieacademy.com A Christian curriculum & literacy-rich program to meet the developmental and spiritual needs of children. Family style lunch and two snacks per day provided. Lic. #434407590 www.kidschristiancenter.com
Name, Address, Phone
Sunnyvale Day Care 625 Bernal Ave., Sunnyvale (408) 735-8302 (T, MP, DA, HB) Ventana School 1040 Border Rd., Los Altos (650) 948-2151 www.ccla.us Western Montessori Day School 323 Moorpark Way, Mountain View (650) 961-4131 Wonder World Preschool 2015 Latham St., Mountain View (650) 964-7784
Ages
Hours
Size
14
Comments
We provide a warm and loving atmosphere in our home day care. Indoor and outdoor activities. Lic. #434402656
7 a.m. 3 mos to to 12 yrs 6:30 p.m.
2 yrs to 5 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
144
2 yrs. to K
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
16
Ventana School is where your child can be an independent thinker, a creative problem solver, a confident communicator, a good friend to others and ready for Kindergarten. Since 1965. A quality Montessori curriculum w/ a credentialed professional staff. Full & half day programs. Parents welcome-drop in any time. www.western-montessori.com Providing an opportunity to grow physically, mentally, socially & emotionally in a consistent & supportive environment. Our goal is to provide educational & developmental services to children through love, respect & understanding. Lic # 434404858 www.wonderworldpreschool.com Providing a fun theme-based program with 1 to 4 teacher/child ratio for all age groups. www.yikestikes.com
Kiddie Academy 205 E. Middlefield Rd., Mountain View (650) 960-6900 Kids Korner Christian Center 250 East Dana St., Mountain View (650) 967-8000 (MP, DA) Los Altos Parent Preschool 199 Almond Ave. (650) 947-9371 (DA) Love and Care Daycare 22356 Hartman Dr., Cupertino (408) 737-0790 (MP) Miramonte School 1175 Altamead Dr., Los Altos (650) 967-2783 Monarch Christian Schools, Inc. 2420 Foothill Blvd., Los Altos (408) 735-9409
6 wks 6:30 a.m. 100 to to 5 yrs 6:30 p.m. 18 mos to 6 yrs 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 168
2.5 yrs to 6 yrs
75
2 yrs to 6 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
39
2 yrs 9 mo to 5 yrs
9 a.m. to 60 LAPP is a community of parents & 11:30 families educators committed to providing an enriching environment for our chila.m. dren through parent education & 12:30 involvement & mutual support. p.m. to www.lapp.coop 3:30 p.m. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 12 Child/ Staff ratio 3:1 Loving family environment. InfantToddler care, new facility, close to Hwy 280 & 85. FT/PT. Hot lunchs provided. Lots of activites. www.balmandircupertino.com
0 to 4 yrs
yikes tikes! A Children’s Learning & Explorations Center 1571 Carob Ln., Los Altos (650) 917-TIKE (DA)
18 mos to 4 yrs 9 mos
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. M-Th
MENLO PARK • PALO ALTO • REDWOOD CITY • N. PEN.
Challenger School – Palo Alto Campus 3880 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto (650) 213-8245 Childrens’ Creative Learning CentersAtherton 299 Alameda de Las Pulgas Rd. (650) 233-1860 The Children’s Pre-school Center 4000 Middlefield Rd., T-1, Palo Alto (650) 493-5770 Downtown Child Care Center 848 Ramona Ave., Palo Alto (650) 473-1100 (MP) HeadsUp! 2800 W. Bayshore Rd., Palo Alto (650) 424-1221 (DA) 3 yrs PS to 8th grade 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Academic excellence, individual achievement, strong logic and thinking skills, self reliance, values. Lic # 434403575 www.challengerschool.com HIGH QUALITY PROGRAM. Low teacher/child ratios, NAEYC & NSAC Accredi-tation. PT Pre-School program from 9-2 each day. Developmentally appropriate curriculum utilizing a playbased philosophy. Lic. #414000081 & 414000082 www.cclc.com. The key to quality is responsive, loving relationships. We have a stable, multicultural, expert teaching staff who will help your child learn in a supportive environment. NAEYC Accredited. www.cpsccares.org NAEYC Accredited. High quality program with play-based. Lic. # 434404999 & 434404998. www.cclc.com
3 yrs, 9 mos to 8th grade 2 yrs to K
8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
200 Start your child’s future w/us! We offer JrK a quality program that prepares children 1:12 for Kindergarten. Christian environment. Small class size. Lic. #430709132 www.miramonteschool.org 88 High academics w/ Christian & Montessori techniques & methods. (Hands-on) Peaceful, loving environment. Established 1981 w/44 yrs of educational experience. Lic.# 430710058 www.monarchchristian.com Montecito is a developmental preschool celebrating 50 years helping children discover, learn & grow. Yearround preschool & drop-in programs open to the public. Come see what makes us unique! Lic. #430709132. www.montecitopreschool.com At My Dream Academy we provide a warm, secure & caring multicultural environment. Breakfast & snack provided w/hot lunch available. Spanish & music classes. www.MyDreamAcademy.com PELC has provided quality toddler & preschool programs for 37 years. Developmentally appropriate curriculum in an environment where love and learning go hand in hand. www.pelc.us Quality program in warm, nurturing Jewish environment. Emphasis on social, emotional and pre-academic skills. Bilingual Hebrew/English teachers. Part-time program with extended care. Lic. # 430701148 www.sphds.org Now enrolling Pre-K small structured academic curriculum with low ratios. Providing quality infant, toddler, preschool programs. Visit our new location now! Owner/director operated since 1997. www.stepping-stones-preschool.com
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2.5 yrs to 5 yrs
7:30 a.m. 150 to 6 p.m.
Montecito Preschool 1468 Grant Rd., Los Altos (650) 968-5957 (DA)
2 yrs to 6 yrs
7:30 a.m. 350 to 5:30 p.m.
6 wks 7:15 a.m. 137 to to 5 yrs 6:15 p.m.
My Dream Academy 1500 Partridge Ave., Sunnyvale (408) 730-9600 (MP, DA) Presbyterian Early Learning Center 728 W. Fremont Ave., Sunnyvale (408) 245-2253 (DA) South Peninsula Hebrew Day School 1030 Astoria Dr. Sunnyvale, CA 94087 (408) 738-3060 (DA) Stepping Stones Pre-school & Infant Care 1122 Covington Rd., Los Altos (650) 960-1303 (DA)
6 wks to 5 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
148
Infant to 6 yrs
104 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
5 mos 6:45 a.m. to to 6 yrs 6 p.m.
320
0 to 6 yrs
7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
105
The HeadsUp! Montessori curriculum encourages development of fundamental thinking skills thru art, music, imaginative play, practical life skills, language, mathematics, science & cultural activities. Exceeds min. staffing ratios required by state law. Lic. #434400424-5 www.headsup.org Our fully-integrated Montessori program includes academics, music, art, French, Spanish, cultural studies & more. Beautiful setting w/inviting classrooms & gardens. Serving Peninsula families for 35 years in our year-round program. Lic. #434404899. www.montessorischooloflosaltos.org Over 30 years experience providing quality childcare. Seven infant/ toddler/preschool centers. Low child-to-teacher ratios, experienced staff, varied programs, stimulating environments, nutritious meals. www.paccc.com
2 to 5 yrs
8:30 a.m. 115 to 5:30 p.m.
Montessori School of Los Altos 4161 Alma St., Palo Alto (650) 493-7200
2 1/2 yrs to 6 yrs
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
48
7 a.m. 6 wks to to 5:45 p.m. K
80
Palo Alto Community Child Care (PACCC) 3990 Ventura Ct., Palo Alto (650) 493-2361 (MP, DA)
2 mos to 5th grade
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (varies)
varies with program
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
89
Name, Address, Phone
The Way We Grow Infant Center 2201 University Ave., Palo Alto (650) 353-4484 (DA) Whistle Stop Child Development Center 3801 Miranda Ave., Bldg. T6-B, Palo Alto (650) 852-3497
Ages
Birth to 3 yrs
Hours
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Size
40
Comments
Enrolling Infants in our high quality multi-cultural center, over 30 years experience. Safe, warm, loving environment offering a child-centered, age-appropriate curriculum w/ books, art, music & dance. Experienced, dedicated & qualified Educaring staff. Play-based curriculum. Lic.#434400202. www.whistle-stop.org
Name, Address, Phone
One World Montessori 2495 Cabrillo Ave., Santa Clara (408) 615-1254
Ages
Hours
Size
89
Comments
Estab. 1979, One World provides a complete Montessori education that incorporates an excellent learning environment. Serves Campbell, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Cupertino, and San Jose. www.oneworldmontessori.org Warm, nurturing environment that promotes self confidence, caring for others and honor to God. Quality age level experiences with dedicated and qualified staff. Since 1981. Our experienced staff teaches a developmentally appropriate curriculum in our hands-on Christian environment. Lic. #434408884 www.tomorrowspromisecs.org
7:30 a.m. 24 to mos 6:30 p.m. to 3rd grade
8 wks to 5.9 yrs
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Neighborhood Christian Preschool & Care Centers (408) 984-3418 Tomorrow’s Promise Christian School 820 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara (408) 244-9403 (MP)
2.5 yrs 6:30 a.m. to to 12 yrs 6 p.m.
36 PS 60 SA 45
SANTA CLARA
Action Day/ Primary Plus 2001 Pruneridge (408) 244-2909 18 mos to 5 yrs 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 60 Providing quality infant, toddler & preschool programs for over 33 years. We offer on-site dance & computer classes. Fully accredited staff and facilities. Lic. #430700961 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com Unique teaching methods help students learn at their own pace, providing them with a solid academic foundation in order to meet the challenges of their futures. www.cardenschoolofsantaclara.com Low child to teacher ratios, experienced staff, quality academic programs, family like & safe, healthy learning environment, age appropriate activities, field trips. www.choochootrainpreschool.com Academically based, stress free, fun environment recognizing each child as a unique individual ready to learn, discover and be happy. A natural extension of the loving, supportive home environment. Year-round, full-time program. Lic. #434409375 www.knowledgepreschool.com
2.5 yrs 7 a.m. to to 6 yrs 6:30 p.m.
EAST BAY
Challenger School – Ardenwood Campus 35487 Dumbarton Ct., Newark (510) 739-0300 Challenger School – Newark Campus 39600 Cedar Blvd., Newark (510) 770-1771 Hacienda Child Development Center 4671 Chabot Dr., Pleasanton (925) 463-2885 (MP, DA) 3 yrs PS to 8th grade 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Academic excellence, individual achievement, strong logic and thinking skills, self reliance, values. Lic # 13412399 www.challengerschool.com Academic excellence, individual achievement, strong logic and thinking skills, self reliance, values. Lic # 10212301 www.challengerschool.com The Hacienda Montessori curriculum encourages development of fundamental thinking skills thru art, music, imaginative play, practical life skills, language, mathematics, science & cultural activities. Lic. # 010213410, 010213411 www.headsup.org
Carden Academy of Santa Clara 615 Hobart Terrace, Santa Clara (408) 244-5041 Choo Choo Train Preschool 1000 Kiely Blvd. #111 Santa Clara (408) 241-8434 (DA) Knowledge Preschool 2192 Hunter Place Santa Clara (408) 727-6764 (MP)
Pre to 8th grade 2 yrs to 5 yrs
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
3 to 4 yrs PS
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2.5 yrs to 5 yrs
7:30 a.m. Lrg. to home 5:30 p.m. daycare
6 wks to 6 yrs
7:30 a.m. 254 to 6 p.m.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS!
Children 6 weeks - 12 years can enjoy fun programs at our licensed child care centers. Each program features:
Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity • Developmental Assets Daily Parenting "Skill Sheets" • Organized Physical Activity Nutrition Education and Awareness
YWCA WEST VALLEY 2 years to 12 years 4343 Leigh Ave, San Jose License #430709270 & 430709901 408-269-7534 Charlene Augustine, Director YWCA HORACE MANN Horace Mann Elementary School Kindergarten to 5th grade 55 N. 7th Street, San Jose, CA 95112 License # 434407967 408-998-4204 Asha Walker, Director YWCA CUPERTINO 6 wks - entry into 1st grade 10100 Finch Ave., Cupertino (on the Cupertino High Campus) License #434408739 & #434408736 (408) 873-7319 Sue DeGuzman, Director YWCA CANOAS Canoas Elementary School Kindergarten to 12 years 880 Wren Dr, San Jose License #434404356 408-265-0965 Julie Grimes, Director YWCA TAYLOR Taylor Elementary School Kindergarten to 5th grade 410 Sautner Ave., San Jose, CA 95123 License # 434408022 408-225-0502 Rosario Lozano, Director YWCA FROST Frost Elementary School 2 years to 12 years 530 Gettysburg Dr, San Jose License #430709768 & 434408819 408-578-4535 Paula Hammer, Director YWCA VILLA NUEVA Children 6 weeks to 6 years 375 South Third St, San Jose License #430710536 & 434400382 408-295-4011 ext. 237 Jennice Man, Director
For more information call Ollie Moore, Jr. at 408-295-4011 ext 215 or email him at omoore@ywca-sv.org
w w w. y w c a - s v. o r g
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FUN FIELD TRIPS • GAMES ACTIVITIES • CARNIVAL & MORE! Call for location near you 408-295-4011 x215
SUMMER DAY CAMPS!
Out & About
By Cynthia Marshall Schuman
Take a Hike!
Easy-access Hikes for the Whole Family
Join Healthy Trails
To join the Healthy Trails program, call 408-355-2201 or visit parkhere.org, click Healthy Trails, then click Registration.
Los Altos parent Joe Gottlieb is an experienced outdoors person who enjoys hiking with his three sons, Ryan, Jeffrey and Brandon. Every other weekend or so, the four of them let wife and mother Michelle sleep in while they hit the trail. The Gottlieb men’s Saturday morning treks are a little different from most because middle son, 8-year-old Jeffrey, rolls rather than walks. Jeffrey is wheelchair-bound and uses a souped-up jogging stroller pushed by dad to traverse the guys’ favorite trails. Jeffrey’s wheels don’t deter the group from attempting a variety of trails, some of which are steep, single-lane paths. Their favorite parks include Picchetti Ranch in Cupertino, Arastradero Open Space Preserve in Palo Alto and Rancho San Antonio in Los Altos Hills. “[Seeking the more challenging trails is] what makes it fun,” says the eldest Gottlieb. “Probably a little dangerous for
Jonathan Sherlock and his wife Virginie Carle enjoy a hike at Alviso Marina County Park with their son Nathan, who travels in a jogging stroller.
PHOTO BY CYNTHIA MARSHALL SCHUMAN
all of us, but we have to be paying attention. We have to work together as a team.” While strenuous, the Gottliebs’ hikes are relatively short. “I’d say the average hike is about an hour and we probably travel, on an active day, a couple miles,” he says. Still, he manages to work up a sweat. “Managing the stroller over logs and rocks and things is a little bit of work.” Hiking is a pleasant way to cope with life in Silicon Valley, which can sometimes feel like one big, traffic-congested, sprawling suburb. Our area boasts 28 parks that cover 45,000 acres. The nature photographer and writer Galen Rowell,
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Two hikers enjoy the view at Ano Nuevo State Park.
PHOTO BY LAWRENCE ROBBIN
once summed up the wonder of our area by noting that “no other major metropolitan center holds such an extensive system of natural areas. The extraordinary total of wild greenbelts within 40 miles of San Francisco exceeds Yosemite National Park in size, biodiversity and visitation.” It’s all here – from redwood trees to salt marshes to chaparral – and everyone deserves a chance to experience it, no matter their physical ability. Fortunately, a number of local parks have created trails that can be used by both the ablebodied and the physically challenged, be they parents, grandparents, children or babes in strollers.
Healthy Trails to You
MULBERRY SCHOOL
PARENT PARTICIPATION PRESCHOOL THROUGH 5TH GRADE
Is your child THRIVING or just SURVIVING at school? MULBERRY SCHOOL offers a developmentally appropriate, in-depth curriculum, classes of 20 or less, passionate teachers, hands-on and engaged learning, and an atmosphere of respect.
See why children THRIVE at Mulberry!
2008 California School of Character (1 of 2 in CA) and National Positive Discipline Demonstration School (1 of 2 in the nation)
Year-round Enrollment
• Preschool (18 months-5 years old) • Junior Kindergarten through 5th grade
Now Enrolling for Summer Camp
Founded 1963 NAEYC and WASC Accreditation
220 Belgatos Road, Los Gatos • 408.358.9080
At Blossom Hill between Leigh and Camden
The Bohnett family of San Jose likes to hike the Los Gatos Creek Trail that begins in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose and continues on to Lexington Reservoir in the hills above Los Gatos. “It’s a paved, mainly flat [trail] with some hills,” explains Carla Bohnett. Carla, her husband Loren, 15-year-old daughter Tori and 13-year-old son James don’t hike the trail’s entire length, but do enjoy walking parts of it. James is a bilateral, below-knee amputee and can hike segments of the trail on either his prosthetic feet or in his wheelchair, though he prefers the wheelchair. “He’s very comfortable in being mobile using it,” Carla explains. Like any teenager, James likes to test his limits on the trail. Mom takes it in stride: “I think it’s really important to let kids be kids regardless of how differently able they may be. Kids surprise us with how able-bodied they really are, even though in our minds we have limited their ability through our perception.” The Los Gatos Creek Trail is one of nearly two dozen hikes featured in a new program called Healthy Trails. Sponsored jointly by Santa Clara County Parks, Kaiser Permanente and the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, Healthy Trails was designed to encourage newbies to get out, get moving and try some of the county’s many nature hikes. The hikes are broken into groups based on difficulty, so there’s a hike for everyone, regardless of age or ability. Of the 21 trails delineated in the first edition of the Healthy Trails
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!
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Happy, challenged children make the best learners. LWS graduates are accepted by the best high schools: Archbishop Mitty, Menlo School, Castelleja,
Notre Dame, Crystal Springs Uplands School, Sacred Heart Preparatory, Harker School, St. Francis High School, Junipero Serra High School, Woodside Priory.
“Mom, I Love School!”
• Students are consistently named to the American Mathematics Competition National Honor Roll. • Many score 90th-98th percentile on high school entrance exams. • We have about an 8 to 1 student/teacher ratio.
THEATER
Every student performs in a Spring Theater Magic Production on the life of a great soul. They learn poise, public speaking, and teamwork at a young age.
“Great show! It’s unbelievable that all the children from Kindergarten through eighth grade participated... and such positive themes in this day and age...!”
EDUCATION FOR LIFE
We actively help children choose happiness and practice kindness. We teach life skills like collaboration and conflict resolution during class, playtime, and theater work.
THE INNER LIFE
• We honor the core universal truths of all religions. • We value and encourage nobility of character. • We affirm the innate goodness of all children.
Palo Alto, California Pre-K – 8 Grade Full-Day Kindergarten www.LivingWisdomSchool.org Educating children for over thirty years Enrolling Now Call for an appointment and school tour. 650-462-8150
SCHOOLS
Ballard Montessori School
SUMMER CAMP Starts In June Register Now!
INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION FOR BRIGHT YOUNG MINDS
What Is Accessibility?
Several laws govern the rights of the disabled with regard to parklands access. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 broadly defines the term meaningful access. “In the context of parks, [meaningful access] means that a sufficient number of trails needs to be modified and modified such that a meaningful number of people can access the trails. But not every trail in every park needs to be made accessible,” explains Julia Pinover, an attorney with the Berkeley-based Disability Rights Advocates (DRA). A recent lawsuit promises better accessibility to the state’s parks. “Under a 2005 court-ordered consent decree, California State Parks agreed to make all its parks, facilities, and programs more accessible,” writes Bonnie Lewkowicz, a local disability-rights activist, in the October-December 2006 issue of Bay Nature magazine. As a result of that ruling, the Dpartment has budgeted $100 million dollars for accessibility improvements to restrooms, visitors’ centers, parking, exhibits, trails, and programs, to be implemented between 2009 and 2018.
A challenging program, designed to foster independence,high self-esteem, creativity and a love of learning.
• Language Arts, Math, Science, Art, Music, Social/Emotional Development • Highly Qualified Staff • Ages 2-5 yrs. (Potty Trained) “I am truly amazed at the work my son is bringing home. It is great to see his enthusiasm for learning!”
Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten Full and Part-Time Programs
2555 Moorpark Ave San Jose, CA 95128 (Near Valley Medical Center)
(408) 977-1772
www.ballardmontessori.com
Lic# 434408033
Academics through Art
Socializing, Self Discovery and Learning through Artistic Expression. K-4th Academic Programs are run by WALDORF TEACHERS. SUMMER ART PROGRAM:
• Painting, Fabric Art, Cooking & Clay • Ages 3-14
NJERI MORNING GLORY SCHOOL
4660 Eastus Dr. • San Jose, CA 95129 • 408-255-5520 www.njeriandchildrenar tcenter.com
Pasitos Preschool
Little Steps to Big Discoveries
NOW ENROLLING
• Spanish Immersion • English Pre-reading • 2 years 9 months - 6 years
OPE HOU N May 2 SE 2 5-7pmnd
408.244.3551
801 Hibiscus Lane, San Jose, CA 95117
www.pasitosschool.com
handbook, five are stroller- and wheelchair-accessible, including the Los Gatos Creek Trail. The Healthy Trails hike of the Los Gatos Creek Trail is an 11.4 mile out-and-back trek that starts at Blackford School in Willow Glen, continues to Vasona Dam, then returns. If you’re up for a drive in the country, try the interpretive trail at Chitactac-Adams Park in Gilroy. At a quarter of a mile, the park is less a hiking trail and more a natural history exhibit that describes the life of the Ohlone Indians who lived along the Uvas Creek before the arrival of the Spanish explorers in the late 1700s. The informative, self-guided trail has nine stations that depict various aspects of Ohlone life, including the mortars they fashioned from bedrock to grind nuts and seeds. An interpretive shelter contains petroglyphs found on the site. You may want to combine the trip with a visit to Anderson Lake County Park in Morgan Hill, where you can access Coyote Creek Trail. At 14 miles round trip, this is the longest of all the Healthy Trails hikes, starting east of Highway 101 at Malaguerra Avenue, continuing north, crossing 101 to Metcalf Road, and back. The Coyote Creek Trail links Anderson Lake County Park to the heavily wooded Hellyer County Park. This versatile recreation area has an Olympic-sized velodrome and a fishing pond that is stocked with rainbow trout from November until April. The Healthy Trails walk on this leg of the Coyote Creek Trail is six miles, starting at Cottonwood Lake, walking to Silver Creek Valley Boulevard, then returning the same way. The only drawback is the ongoing, dull roar of nearby Highway 101. Fortunately, the creek-side trail retains a bucolic charm. For a completely different kind of hike, try the Alviso Slough Loop Trail in Alviso Marina County Park. The Healthy Trails walk through this wetland is a flat, easy mile. With Alviso being just four feet above sea level, you can’t get any closer to the water without getting your feet wet. You won’t find any shade at this park, so go early and bring lots of
SUMMER SESSION: JUNE 30-AUG 8
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SCHOOLS
Campbell’s Catholic Preschool...
The Future is Here.
• Master Montessori teachers. • Fosters love of learning. • Personal attention to the whole child. • Flexible full and part time programs. • Extended Care program available. • Also enrolling grades K to 8th.
She’s learning geometry, creativity, spacial awareness and pre-writing skills...
Now Enrolling!
Canyon Heights Academy
A Private Catholic School of Distinction
775 Waldo Rd • Campbell (408) 370-6727 www.canyonheightsacademy.com
Recognized by and within the Diocese of San Jose and fully accredited by WASC.
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Since 1959
Jr. Kindergarten to 8th Grade
• Christ-Centered Education • Academic Excellence • Small Class Sizes • Credentialed Teachers • Art, Band, Computer, Drama, Music & Spanish • P.E. & Sports programs • Extended Care/ Summer Camp
SAN JOSE
...and she just thought she was having fun.
At Almaden Country School we believe that learning should not only have meaning and purpose, it should be fun! We all learn better that way. For example, our preschool program offers multi-sensory, hands-on activities where children work on projects, share with others and develop self-esteem—all in a warm atmosphere punctuated with laughter and discovery. Our developmental philosophy emphasizes the needs of the whole child, with a focus on each student as a valued individual. Come tour our campus and see joyful learning firsthand. You may just learn a few things about maximizing your child’s education— and that’s knowledge that should bring a smile to any parent’s face. Preschool through 8th grade.
ENROLL NOW FOR FALL Visiting Days Every Thursday at 9am Call for an Appointment
1300 Sheffield Avenue Campbell, CA 95008
Now Enrolling Kindergarten!
6835 Trinidad Drive, San Jose, CA 95120 408.997.0424 www.a-cs.org Nonsectarian Accredited by WASC Celebrating 26 Years!
(408) 371-7741
www.sjchristian.org
SJCS admits all students without regard to race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin.
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Leadership Education and Development Center / LEAD Center “Acquiring the Tools of Liberty”
sunscreen. Bring your binoculars, too, because this is a great place for bird-watching. The one drawback? “It was pretty windy,” says Jonathan Sherlock, who came with his wife, Virginie Carle, and their eight-month-old baby Nathan in a jogging stroller.
Other Favorite Local Hikes
Wind is to be expected at any of the parks along the bay, but that doesn’t stop them from being good destinations for easy-access hiking. Shoreline Regional Wildlife and Recreation Area in Mountain View has eight miles of paved trails, two restaurants, a golf course and a small lake for sailing. Shoreline Park is adjacent to the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve to the north and the Stevens Creek Trail to the south. The Stevens Creek Trail is a shady, paved, four-mile pathway for hiking, biking and rolling. It extends from the intersection of Highway 85 and El Camino to Shoreline Park. Just north of Shoreline Park is the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve. According to the City of Palo Alto’s Web site, the Baylands is the largest tract of undisturbed marshland remaining in the San Francisco Bay. The Baylands is also home to two endangered species: a small, long- and thinbeaked bird called the clapper rail and the salt marsh harvest mouse. The Baylands offers 15 miles of hiking, 2.45 of which are paved. So the next time traffic gridlock has got you down, take a walk on the wild side. You don’t have to be an athletic superstar and the great outdoors is right here in your own backyard. !
Cynthia Marshall Schuman is a regular contributor who writes and hikes in Mountain View. Special thanks to Ron Horii for his assistance with this story.
Inspiring a New Generation
EDUCATION FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
LEAD Center is a Parent Participation School where mentors, classics and choices guide the day-to-day learning of children and youth ages Pre-K through 9th grade. Our teachers create an environment where children love to learn and adults love to serve.
Call today and ask for: Deborah Kingdon: 408-356-0931
http://www.lead-center.org email: kingdon@sbcglobal.net
16555 Shannon Rd., Los Gatos
Sunnyvale Christian School
2 year olds through 5th grade Character Building Community Biblically Integrated Curriculum Low Student Teacher Ratio Committed, Caring Staff
RESOURCES
• Bay Area Back Pages – pages.prodigy.net/rhorii. • Bay Area Hiker All-access and Easy Trails in the San Francisco Bay Area – bahiker.com/extras/allaccess.html. • Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) – borp.org. • Bob Coomber, Northern California wheelchair hiker – 4wheelbob.com/. • Disability-accessible Trails and Parks on the San Francisco Peninsula and in the South Bay – trailcenter.org/guides/disabilities/disabilities-03.htm. • Midpeninsula Open Space District, most accessible trails – openspace.org/activities/accessible_trails.asp.
Extended Care Available Before & After School
• San Francisco Bay Area Wheelchair-accessible Trails – wheelchairtrails.net. • San Francisco Stroller Hikes for Babies and Parents – strollerhikes.com/. • Santa Clara County Parks – parkhere.org/portal/site/parks/.
408-736-3286
445 South Mary Ave. • Sunnyvale www.sunnyvalechristianschool.com
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• A Wheelchair Rider’s Guide: San Francisco Bay and the Nearby Coast – coastalconservancy.ca.gov/Publicaitons/wheel.htm.
SCHOOLS
NOW ENROLLING
Monarch Christian Schools Inc.
Christian, Biblical Principles and Beliefs, Blended with "Hands-On" Montessori Techniques
Ocean Adventures
Summer Program
Providing programs for children ages 2 1/2 - 6 years Snacks and Lunch provided Open Mon - Fri 7:00-6:30
• Bible • Practical Life • Sensorial • Math • Language • Phonics • Reading • Science • Geography • History • Computer Learning • Art • Music • Motor Skills • Gymnastics THEMED SUMMER CAMP JUNE 30-AUGUST 22 Special in-house activity every Friday.
LOS ALTOS Ages 2-K (408) 735-9409 2420 Foothill Blvd. MILPITAS Ages 2-K (408) 263-4840 1715 E. Calaveras Blvd. FREMONT Ages 2-K (510) 494-1221 38895 Mission Blvd.
820 Kiely Blvd, Santa Clara
Near Homestead Road
Open 7am to 6 pm www.monarchchristian.com
Since 1981• 46 Years Experience in Education Monarch Christian Schools invites you to discover a unique Christian hands-on learning environment.
408-244-9403
www.tomorrowspromisecs.org
License #434408884
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Education
By Kathryn Sucich
Get Reading!
The older kids get, the less they read – and experts say that can hurt their chances for success as adults.
When Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book in the series of bestsellers, hit stores last summer, it marked the end of a publishing phenomenon that did what so many other books have not been able to do: inspire kids to read. The series created a generation of young readers, and Loriene Roy, president of the American Library Association (ALA), says her mission now is to make sure those readers continue to love books through their teen and adult years. But Roy and others who are passionate about books are up against some disheartening statistics. A recent study by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) finds that many Americans – especially teens and young adults – are reading for pleasure far less than previous generations. The report, titled “To Read or Not To Read: A Question of National Consequence,” looks at more than 40 reading studies to provide what NEA Chairman Dana Gioia calls the “best national data available” on the country’s reading habits. Not all of the news is bad. Young children just learning to read, or reading books together with their parents, are generally enthusiastic about books. The NEA study found that 9year-olds – the heart of Harry Potter fandom – are still reading at an impressive rate (54 percent of them read every day for fun, a statistic that mirrors this age group 20 years ago). However, “something happens around age 13” that stops kids from continuing to read daily, says Sunil Iyengar, the 98
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NEA’s director of research and analysis. Even more troubling is that this decline in reading seems linked to other disturbing trends. Specifically, the less you read as a child or young adult: • the more likely you are to end up with a lower-level, lower-paying job; and • the less likely you are to vote, be promoted at work, attend sports events or exercise. While the NEA study made headlines last November, not all parents agree with the findings and not all educators agree on what kind of reading kids should be focusing on. Here’s a closer look at our reading habits, what the decline means, and how parents can get their kids excited about reading again.
Who Reads, Who Doesn’t, and Why?
Literacy experts have several theories on why adolescents are reading less for pleasure, including that: • They’re overscheduled. National literacy expert and educator Irene Fountas believes that kids’ involvement in extracurricular activities is a big factor in their diminished reading for pleasure. • Homework loads are heavier, the work is harder and academic pressure is greater as kids head into the teen years. Teens are so busy completing assignments for school, they have little time or energy for leisure reading at home.
SCHOOLS
Milpitas
Montessori School
www.milpitasmontessori.com
EN NO RO W LLI NG
Emphasis on phonics and hands-on math in a curriculum that is demanding but allows each child to be successful.
Preschool through 3rd Grade
Now Enrolling for Summer & Fall
Advanced Academic Curriculum Foreign language classes available prechool thru 3rd Highly experienced & credentialed staff Extended day care 7a.m. to 6p.m.
License # 434400102
(408) 263-0991 • 1500 Yosemite Drive, Suite 12
Educating the Global Child
OPEN ENROLLMENT: Preschool/Pre-K, K-6th Grade
We teach with a sincere love of humanity. It is our mission to educate compassionate, highly intelligent and creative future world leaders. • Bilingual (English and Chinese) • No prior knowledge of Chinese required • Extended Care available for all ages • Chinese Afterschool Program for K-6th Grade • Weekend Chinese Language classes
SUMMER PROGRAM REGISTRATION HAPPENING NOW!
310 Easy Street • Mountain View 650-903-0986 • www.ycef.com
SILICON VALLEY • SHANGHAI • BEIJING • CHONGQING • HONG KONG
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SCHOOLS
One Child At A Time...
Carden
Tips for Getting Your Kids to Read More
For Younger Children (up to age 10):
• Read to your child starting as a newborn and continue to read even after your child is reading on his own. • Incorporate solo time into your child’s day and encourage her to read as part of her activities during this time. • Ask your child, “What do you think happens next?” when you’re reading, to encourage creative thinking. • Offer unenthusiastic young readers a variety of books (fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, etc.). Your child may find he or she really likes a specific type of book. • Read a book together and then watch the movie version.
Academy
of Santa Clara
We offer the same quality education in Silicon Valley since 1973.
Accepting Applications
ORIENTATIONS: *May 6 • 9:30am / May 13, 21 & 28 • 7pm
*Call to Rsvp
Strong, time tested academic program, dedicated to excellence French, Latin, art, computer, drama, music, PE, sports program After school classes and extended care Preschool from 3 years to 8th grade
For Tweens and Teens:
• Encourage your adolescent to read whatever form he likes – books, magazines, newspapers, blogs or graphic novels. Have a variety of reading materials on hand. • For an unenthusiastic reader, hunt for reading materials that reflect her interests. Ask your librarian for lists of good adolescent books, audio books, magazines and Web sites. • Share quality time by sharing books and talking about what you read. • Read in front of your adolescents, and take them with you to the library. Make sure they can get to a library when they want or need to. • Schedule a regular time for your children to read for pleasure. Sources include Jane Marino of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and Paula Brehm-Heeger of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA).
615 Hobart Terrace, Santa Clara
(408) 244-5041
www. cardenacademyofsantaclara .com
Loretta Crumlish sees this in her three teenage sons. “They’re spending hours and hours on homework each night,” she says. Her kids also take part in scouts, football, basketball and kung fu, which, combined with homework, leaves little time for pleasure reading, she says. • Technology commands kids’ attention. The NEA report pegs competing media – TV, computers, video games, iPods, cell phones, etc. – as the biggest culprit in the reading decline. Today’s teens spend an average of two hours per day watching TV on weekdays – and only seven minutes reading, according to the NEA. Beyond that, however, one-third of the young people who are reading do so while watching TV, listening to music or using the computer.
Trouble Down the Road
The experts didn’t anticipate findings that too little time spent reading can have economic and social implications. For example, the NEA report cites statistics that rank U.S. 15year-olds as 15th out of 31 industrialized nations in reading scores. The study found that: • Non-readers are more likely to go into careers with lower growth potential and lower salaries; and 100
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
SCHOOLS
Emphasizing the dignity of the child.
NOW ENROLLING
2-1/2 to 6 years of age Highly-experienced & Credentialed Montessori Staff Music & Gymnastics Hot Lunch Available Hours: Mon-Fri. 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
215 Dempsey Rd. Milpitas, CA 95035
Easy freeway access
(408) 263-1618
www.daystarmontessori.com
State Lic. # 430710582
• SINCE 1965 •
• Ages Toddler to 6-yrs • Montessori Curriculum • Credentialed Teachers • Supervised Grounds • Multi-Cultural • Professional Staff • Parents Welcome • Easy Access Hours: 7:30AM - 6:00PM
call: 650-961-4131
western-montessori.com
323 Moorpark Way Mtn.View, CA 94041
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SCHOOLS
Summer Extended Care Program
Santa Clara
Christian School
2 Years - 5th Grade
• Christian Environment • Credentialed Staff • Performing Arts • Technology & Computers • Physical Education • Extended Day Care
Reading by the Numbers
Adult – Compared to just a decade ago, the number of adults reading for pleasure is down by: • 7% among 18- to 24-year-olds, • 5% among 25- to 34-year-olds and • 7% among 35- to 44-year-olds. Teens – The number of teens reading for fun has dropped considerably: • 30% of 13-year-olds read for pleasure every day, a 14% decline from 20 years ago. • By age 17, only 22% are reading for fun, down 9% from 20 years ago. Test Scores – Reading scores on standardized tests are
suffering (except among 9-year-olds): • In 2005, only 35% of U.S. high school seniors were reading at or above the “proficient” level, down from 40 percent in 1992. • Scores for U.S. adults have declined as well, even among the best-educated. From 1992 to 2003, the number of adults with graduate school experience who were considered proficient in prose reading dropped by 20 percent. • In contrast, average reading scores among 9-year-olds have improved, up 7 points in 2004 from scores in 1999. Source: “To Read or Not To Read: A Question of National Consequence,” a study released by the National Endowment for the Arts in November 2007.
N 101
Lawrence Expwy
Monroe St.
280
Come see our campus and meet our great staff!
(408) 246-5423
3421 Monroe St., Santa Clara, CA 95051
www.scchristian.org
NOW ENROLLING 2008/2009
S U M M E R C A M P R E G I S T R AT I O N O P E N S N O W
San Tomas Expwy
Monticello Academy
Discover the Difference
...by making a difference in a child’s life.
• While nearly two-thirds of employers rate reading comprehension as a “very important” skill for high school graduates to possess, 38 percent believe high school graduates are deficient in it. This, coupled with findings that young people who don’t read for pleasure are less likely to vote, be promoted at work, attend sports events or even exercise as adults, prompted a stern warning by NEA Chairman Gioia: “Whether or not people read, and indeed how much and how often they read, affects their lives in crucial ways.”
Books in a High-Tech Age
While many of the studies analyzed for the NEA report dealt with reading books, researchers also considered literary reading in other mediums, including on computer screens. Experts in high-tech learning say that’s where a decline in reading will really become a problem. “Print literacy is still important, but it may not be in the future,” says David Williamson Shaffer, author of How Computer Games Help Children Learn (Macmillan, 2008). In a digital age, computer learning is critical to help prepare children for the world they’ll face. That may soon mean that students won’t do all of their literary reading in a traditional paper format – they’ll be reading from computer screens, hand-held devices and so on. Yet even in the realm of computers, Shaffer worries that American children aren’t putting their leisure time to the best use. Rather than reading and learning on the computer – or
Preschool - 8th Grade • Homemade hot lunch, snack & breakfast • Family-like atmosphere • Summer camp • Eclectic philosophy • Wholesome curriculum • Dedicated teachers and administrators • Full and half day programs available • TaeKwonDo and Chinese Classes available
3345 Lochinvar Ave. Santa Clara, CA 95051
(408) 615-9416
Kids are our passion.
3401 Monroe St. Bldg. A Santa Clara, CA 95051
(408) 261-0494
www.monticelloacademy.org
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SCHOOLS
SUMMER PROGRAM AVAILABLE
Discover what an Old Orchard education offers your entire family.
Dedicated to the Academic, Personal and Social Growth of Each Child!
Open House
Sunday, May 25th 11:00am - 2:00pm
N Highly Academic N Fun, stimulating, nurturing environment N Whole student development N Preschool & Kindergarten ages 18 mo full & half day programs available. N Grades 1-8 enrolling for Fall 2008 N Substantial discount for Grades 1-8
Doyle Rd.
Marilla Ave.
Empowering children to blossom, thrive and make a difference…since 1973
I I I I I I
Lawrence Exp.
Saratoga Ave.
408-973-8696
4660 Eastus Dr., San Jose www.championschool.org
Eastus Dr.
Williams Rd. Moorpark Ave.
✸
I I
Jr. Kindergarten through 8th Grade Small classes allow students to shine Accelerated & engaging curriculum Studio & performing arts programs Grades rank in 99th percentile on Standardized tests Excellent private high school admission rate Character education & community service Spanish taught daily in grades K-8 400 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell, CA 95008 Tel: (408) 378-5935 • Fax: (408) 341-0782 www.oldorchardschool.com
Stevens Creek Blvd.
Preschool • PreK • Kindergarten
• Excellent child-teacher ratios • Nurturing, certified Montessori teachers • Individualized approach to educating the whole child through a prepared Montessori environment • Dynamic and involved parent community
408-356-8816
www.MariposaMontessori.org
OCEAN GROVE CHARTER SCHOOL
Home-based Independent Study Program
• • • • K-12 Public Education Credentialed Teachers Individual Study Plan Parent Choice WASC Accredited
Accepting Applications for Credentialed Teachers Enrolling now in Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties Call Today! 800-979-4436
www.ogcs.org
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SCHOOLS
# #My Dream Acad# # e
Infants/Toddlers/Preschool/Pre-K programs:
• Qualified caring Staff • Innovative Phonics Program (starting in our 2 year old classroom) • Low Student Ratio: Infant/Toddler 1:4, 2 years 1:6, 3 years 1:8, 31/2 1:12, 4&5 years 1:12 • Non-potty trained 3 year old children are welcome. • Homemade Breakfast & Hot Lunch available at Sunnyvale site only. Healthy morning & afternoon snack provided at both sites. • PLEASE CALL US FOR A TOUR!
We are open 7am-6pm: Monday-Friday • Year-round
#
#
my
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Read regularly in front of your kids. Research has found that parents who model good reading habits have children who read often, as well. from a book – kids are spending too much time on video games or TV programs that have no educational value, he says. Meanwhile, parents aren’t investing enough time into learning about computers themselves to help their children use them in an educational way.
1500 Partridge Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94087
What You Can Do
Literacy experts agree that parents need to model good reading habits – whatever medium it may involve. Fountas urges parents to make a variety of books and reading material accessible. Teachers can help children access books that they’ll like for pleasure reading on their own time, Fountas suggests. “It has to be a school and home expectation – a partnership.” The ALA’s Roy advocates working to get kids excited about books, no matter how they’re presented. She and her teenage son frequently listen to audio books in the car, which gives them a shared experience and an opportunity for discussion. The NEA’s Gioia agrees: “It is no longer reasonable to debate whether the problem exists,” he writes. “It is now time to become more committed to solving it, or face the consequences.” !
Kathryn Sucich is a freelance writer and mother of one.
408-730-9600
New location open soon: 972 S. DeAnza Blvd. San Jose
w w w. M y D r e a m A c a d e m y. c o m
Mandala Children’s House
MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL
“The Hidden Gem of the East Valley”
• Providing an education for the WHOLE child: mind, body, and spirit • AM/PM Classes • 2 yr old program with potty training • Kindergarten readiness class • Hands-on Academics • Highly experienced &T rained Montessori staff • Multilingual teachers • Loving, nurturing and safe environment • Beautiful garden setting • Early Preschool ratio 1:4 • Preschool ratio 1:8 • Licensed Family Therapist on staff
RESOURCES
Books • Guided Reading: Good First Teaching for All Children, by Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell, Heinemann, 1996. An instructional book for educators who are teaching young people to read. • The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading, by Jessie Wise and Sara Buffington, W. W. Norton & Co., 2004. Gives tips on helping kids improve their reading skills. • The Read-Aloud Handbook: Sixth Edition, by Jim Trelease, Penguin, 2006. This classic resource offers advice to parents and tips on how to enjoy reading time with children. On the Web • National Endowment for the Arts – You can download the NEA’s “To Read or Not To Read” study at http://www.nea.gov/research/ToRead.pdf.
NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL ‘08
5038 Hyland Ave., San Jose, CA 95127 Visit our website to learn more www.mandalachildrenshouse.com
Lic. #430709411
(408) 251-8633
30 Years of Nurturing Exceptional Children
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SCHOOLS
SCHOLARS ACADEMY
Conveniently located in the Evergreen Area • Established Since 1983 Your Child’s Stepping Stone to Accomplishment
PreSchool Through Sixth Grade • Extended Care 6:30am - 6:30pm
Excellent Academic Program
The success of Scholars Academy is based on our unique method of teaching and our belief that each child has his/her optimum potential which can be reached if challenged and motivated. Scholars Academy is committed to provide our students an environment of a lifelong love of learning, overall academic excellence, and character building.
• Language Arts, Math, Reading and • Book Club, Computer Lab Spelling, Phonics • Home Work Club • Music & Dance, Art, Drama • Speech and Debate • Writing Skills & Penmanship, • Soccer, Gymnastics Science, Social Studies & • Geography & Spelling Bee • Science Fair, Poetry Competition Environment
(408)
3703 Silver Creek Road, San Jose, CA 95121 • Lic. #434400069
238-2500
Now Enrolling for Summer School
w w w. s c h o l a r s a c a d e m y s c h o o l . c o m
DeLor Montessori School
Infant • Toddler • Pre-K • Primary • Accredited K
Special Activities & Services:
Gymnastics • Dance • Music • Hot Lunches
1510 Lewiston Dr, Sunnyvale CA 94087 (408) 773-0200 Hours: 7am-6pm (Part/Full time) Lic# 430709483
REGISTER NOW!
w w w. d e l o r m o n t e s s o r i . c o m
New Concept
Mandarin Immersion School • Chinese/English 2yrs-G5
HARVARD MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES CURRICULUM
2008 SUMMER CAMP SIGN UP NOW!
Chinese School
er Free Aft k Up Pic School ildren for Ch
• Preschool - 5th Grade (Day School) • After School Program • Saturday Chinese Class • Sunday Chinese Class • Summer Camp 6/16-8/22/08 • New Concept Chinese Learning Club
(No prior knowledge of Chinese required)
NOW ENROLLING FOR SCHOOL YEAR ‘08 OPEN HOUSE June 1, 2-4pm
LIC# 434408750
1095 Dunford Way, Building D • Sunnyvale, CA 94087
408-296-6668
Lynbrook High, 1280 Johnson Ave. • San Jose, CA 95129 (Sat. Only)
www.newconcept.com
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SCHOOLS
Parents love the education!
• High Academic Standards • Strong Basics • Competent Teachers
AppleSeed
Montessori School
INFANT CARE (SUITE 500 ONLY) • TODDLER PRE-SCHOOL • PRE-K • KINDERGARTEN FULL DAY CARE • 2 MOS. TO 6 YRS. • 7 AM TO 6 PM Bilingual Program Available - Chinese/English Suite 500, Suite 300 and Sunshine Campus After School Care 5yrs. to 12yrs., 12:00 Noon to 6:30pm - Suite 300 Only
Students love us too! • Hands-on Learning • Practical Activities • Music, Art, Field Trips
MONTESSORI CURRICULUM / EXTENDED DAY CARE • Montessori Inspired Curriculum • Experienced Staff • Phonetic Teaching • Cheerful bright, organized classrooms • Caring friendly & warm atmosphere • Hands-on learning • Social and Emotional Development • Enrichment activities: Foreign languages, Gymnastics, Field Trips, and Music Program
AppleSeed Montessori School Locations
1302 Warner Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 245-7338
Photography by Jeffrey Hosier
1095 Dunford Way, Suite 500 Sunnyvale, CA 94087
1095 Dunford Way, Suite 300 Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 260-7333
(408) 260-9333
DELPHI ACADEMY™
of San Francisco Bay
Grades K-8 • 890 Pomeroy Ave., Santa Clara www.delphi-sfb.org
Affiliated with American Montessori Society
www.appleseedmontessori.com
Lic. #434400252 • Lic. #434404906 • Lic. #434408806
AppleSeed Affiliated Schools
Sunshine Montessori School
Serving Cupertino, W. San Jose & Saratoga 2 years to 6 years Open 7:15am - 6:00pm 1321 Miller Ave., San Jose
Year-round enrollment. Daily tours available. 408-260-2300
© 2008 Delphi Schools, Inc. Licensed to use Applied Scholastics educational services.
TM
Mission Bay Montessori Academy
Serving San Diego www.mbmacademy.com (858) 457-5895
Lic. #376700133
(408) 996-0856
Lic. #43440772
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Calendar
By Angela Geiser
MAY
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAN JOSE LIBRARY
Meet the Author
Most people wouldn’t expect an 8-year-old to have the dexterity to do origami, let alone write a book and illustrate it using his own paper forms. But they haven’t met Justin Tsin of San Jose. Justin recently released a book called What Would You Imagine? (Altea, 2008) that he illustrated with origami he made himself. Tsin will share the whimsical book, which he wrote in both English and Mandarin, with the public on Sun., May 4. He’ll also demonstrate the art of paper folding used to create the book’s characters. The event takes place from 2-3:30pm at the Children’s Room in the Dr. Martin Luther King Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose. The program is free. For details, call 408808-2183 or visit sjlibrary.org. Tsin’s program is an example of the many children’s events at local libraries in May that go way beyond checking out books. Other examples range from Japanese storytelling on May 3 at the Cupertino Library to puppet making on May 28 at the Seventrees Library in San Jose. Check out the 114 Events to Honor calendar to see all the library offerings this 116 Destinations month.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA CLARA AQUAMAIDS
WHAT’S INSIDE
Mom
Olympic Exhibition
You can see the 2008 Olympic synchronized swim team before it leaves for China in an exhibition presented by the Santa Clara Aquamaids Swim Club on Sat., May 24. Shows are at 11am and 2pm at the George E. Haines International Swim Center at 2625 Patricia Dr. at Central Park in Santa Clara. Tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for children 5-13, and free for children under 5. For details, call 408-988-9936 or visit aquamaids.org.
120 128 134 138 146 152
On Stage Movie Reviews First Person Tween & Teen Events Gardens Parent Education & Support
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*Please note that times, dates and locations are subject to change. Please confirm information before attending an event. Note that weekly library and museum storytimes and events appear only in the first week of the calendar.
vibrant little rhythm instruments they make themselves! Ages 3 and up. 11am-3pm. Free. Lakeshore Learning, 1099 Bascom Ave., Campbell. 408-998-0794. lakeshorelearning.com. Cinco de Mayo Storytime. Bilingual stories, songs and fun for the whole family. 11:30-12:30pm Sat., May 3. Free. Evergreen Library, 2635 Aborn Road, San Jose. 408-808-3060. sjlibrary.org. Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Egg hunts, carnival games and food for purchase. 9am-1pm Sat., May 3. Free admission. Bellevue Park at Alma Community Center, 136 W. Alma Ave., San Jose. 408-275-1316. Carolyn.johnson@sanjoseca.gov. Whoo Did the Owl Eat? Come learn about owls, dissect an owl pellet and see if you can figure out the mystery of who it ate. Ages 4 and up. 10am-noon. Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Environmental Education Center, Grand Blvd., Alviso. Reservations required. 408-262-5513 ext. 102. desfbay.fws.gov. Megumi Tells Japanese Folk Tales. Celebrate children’s tales with bilingual storyteller Megumi. 2:30pm. Free. Cupertino Library, 10800 Torre Ave., Cupertino. 408-446-1677. megumitales.com. Kids Fish Free Days. All young anglers are invited to fish from trout-stocked ponds and earn prizes for tagged fish. Parents are welcome, but must be under 18 to fish. Sponsored in part by the South Bay Piping Industry. Dawn to dusk, today and Sun., May 4. Free. Los Gatos Creek Campbell Perc Ponds at 1250 Dell Ave., Campbell. 408-970-8578. sbpipe.org.
1 Thursday
The Firebird. Danced to score by Igor Stravinsky, this Russian fairytale tells of a prince who captures the mysterious Firebird. With choreography by Dennis Nahat, music by The Mendelssohn Symphony and three-dimensional scenery, this Firebird will wow adults and children alike with its drama and magic. 8pm Thurs., Fri. and Sat., and 1:30pm Sun., May 1-4. $25-82, with discounts for students, seniors and groups. Children’s matinee: See Sat., May 3 listing. San Jose Performing Arts Center, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose. 408.288.2800. balletsanjose.org. Drop-in Playtime. Come enjoy this well-designed playroom with your child. Ages 0-5. 10:30-12pm Tuesdays and Thursdays. $30 for five visits. Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto. parentsplaceonline.org. Studio 150 Crafts. Children and teens are invited to join in on exciting art activities. Thursdays in May. 5-6pm. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose. 408808-2183. sjlibrary.org.
2 Friday
Friday Fables. Enjoy stories and an animal encounter in the book nook. Ages 2-8. 3pm every Friday. Admission $2 children to $6 adults. Coyote Point Museum, 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo. 650-342-7755. coyoteptmuseum.org. Fabulous Friday Flicks. Free. 3:30-5pm. Evergreen Branch Library, 2635 Aborn Road, San Jose. 408-808-3060. 3:15-5:15pm, Hillview Library, 1600 Hopkins Drive, San Jose. 408-808-3033. sjlibrary.org. Mother Goose Storytime. Especially for babies up to 18 months old. 10:30am. Free. Los Gatos Library, 110 E. Main St., Los Gatos. 408-354-6893. children’slibrarian@losgatosca.gov. losgatosca.gov. Storytime. Ages 1.5-3 years at 10am and ages 3-5 at 11am every Friday. Free. Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. cityofpaloalto.org. Great Games. Play your favorite board game or learn a new one. 3-5pm. Free. Berryessa Branch Library, 3355 Noble Ave., San Jose. 408-808-3050. sjlibrary.org.
4 Sunday
Cinco de Mayo Parade. Featuring bands and drawing tens of thousands of spectators, this annual parade begins at 10am at Market and Julian Streets, and ends at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. An outdoor festival at Discovery Meadows, Woz Way and San Carlos St., runs from 10am-6pm and includes craft booths, food and music. $2 adults, seniors and children 12 and under free. 408-288-9470. sjgif@sjgif.org. sjgif.org. Family Day. This program features activities inspired by Native American arts: Storytelling at 11:30am and 1pm, a basket-weaving demonstration at 11:30am, and hands-on activities such as totem-pole-making and loom-weaving all day. Bring a picnic or cash for food. 11am-3pm. Museum hours: 11am-5pm. Free. Organized by Next Generation membership group at Cantor Arts Center on the north side of Stanford University, off Palm Drive at Museum Way, Stanford. 650-723-3482. museum.stanford.edu.stanford.edu/home/visitors/maps.html. American Ice Theatre. This Bay Area dance company presents two exciting performances: Sunset Tango, a series of tangos woven together that explore the twists and turns of relationships; and Latin Dance Explosion, a celebration of
3 Saturday
The Firebird Children’s Matinee. A one-hour kid-friendly version of The Firebird. 1:30pm. $16-$47. See May 1 for more details. Binary Beading. Learn how computers use the binary code to process information and then make bead jewelry using the code. Ages 6 and up. 10:30-11:30am or 1:45-2:45pm. Free. The Intel Museum, 2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara. To register, email child’s name, parent’s name, age and telephone number to museum@intel.com. 408-765-0503. intel.com/museum. Paws in the Park. Santana Row and Humane Society Silicon Valley put on “Paws in the Park,” a free series of fun and information for pet owners on the first Saturday of each month through October. This week’s event is “Fun with Fido!” where you can learn about all the fun activities you can do with your dog, from fly ball to summer camps. Noon-4pm. Park Valencia on Santana Row, San Jose. santanarow.com. Cinco de Mayo Shakers. Kids will shake up a fun fiesta with
Submissions
Press releases for the July Calendar should reach us by May 18. Please include exact address of event and your Web site address, if applicable. Send press releases to: BAPcalendar@parenthood.com. Phone: 408-677-4957. Mail to: Bay Area Parent, Calendar Editor, 985 University Ave., Suite 30, Los Gatos, CA 95032. If you miss our print deadline, please contact us and submit your event directly to our searchable online calendar at BayAreaParent.com. Just click on the “Submit Your Event” link beneath the calendar on our homepage. Online postings will appear on the Web only approximately 24 hours after submission.
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SCHOOLS
“SUMMER FUN!”
Keep your student’s skills sharp. Enroll in Academic Adventures.
10 weekly sessions, beginning June 16, 2008.
Combining morning academics with afternoon adventures! Call for details. Now Accepting Applications for Kindergarten 2008 Enrolling for Summer Program!
Providing Academic Excellence for Children Ages 4 years 9 month to 12 years.
• • • • • 2, 3, and 5 day programs Summ am/Academic review pm/field trips Fun! er Ages 5-12 grades K-5 Personal tutoring/K readiness available Convenient location-near Highways 17, 85 & 87
3001 Ross Ave., San Jose
408.445.8432
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SCHOOLS
“Where Children Love To Learn!”
Bilingual - Mandarin-Chinese and English
Wonderland Chinese School
OPEN HOUSE:
SAT., MAY 17TH • 11AM-2PM
• Preschool 2 to 5 years old • School aged 5 to 12 years old • Age appropriate well designed & academic curriculum • After school program • Free hot lunch for Preschool • Nurturing, caring and safe environment • Open 8:00am – 6:30pm • Full-time and part-time programs • Joyful park like playground
Optional classes: Drawing, Martial Arts, Dance, Swimming Classes & Tennis
408-245-3288
10931 Maxine Ave., Cupertino, Ca. 95014
License #434406711 #434406712
w w w. w o n d e r l a n d s c h o o l . c o m
Happy Children * Happy Children * Happy Children
American Ice Theater performs Sunset Tango and Latin Dance Explosion on May 4.
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN ICE THEATER
Elan Esprit Preschool
Academics Year-round Enrollment Field Trips On Campus Shows
rhythms from Regge-tone to Rumba. Guest stars include 1999 National Champion Rudy Galindo and Olympic and World Champions Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomorenko. The performance combines the skills of top salsa dancers, singers and figure skaters with a Latin flavor perfect for Cinco de Mayo. 1:30pm Sun., May 4. $24 -$44. Sharks Ice, 1500 S. 10th St., San Jose. 650-714-4263. jporter@americanicetheatre.org. americanicetheatre.org. artsopolis.com. Meet Lovely Belle. The heroine from American Musical Theatre’s upcoming performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will sing, tell stories and meet children at the zoo. (The full performance takes place at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts May 13-25.) 2:30pm. Free with admission. Admission $6 ages 2-59 and $5.50 for seniors and disabled. Parking $6. Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, 1300 Senter Road, San Jose. 408-277-3000. hhpz.org. Kids Fish Free Days. See May 3.
Your child will learn to read at our Preschool.
MyPreschool.com
Milpitas: 262.3848 * Santa Clara: 247-9263
5 Monday
For more Cinco de Mayo events, see our article on page 77 in the South Valley section.
Starting at 24 months old
Toddler Storytime. 10:30am every Monday. Free. Los Gatos Library, 110 E. Main St., Los Gatos. 408-354-6893. children’slibrarian@losgatosca.gov. losgatosca.gov. Toddler Storytime. Ages 1.5-3. 10 and 11am every Monday. Free. Children’s Library, 1276 Harriet St., Palo Alto. cityofpaloalto.gov. Hebrew Playgroup. For parents and children ages 0-5. 10am-
Join us For Our Open House on Saturday, June 7th
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
SCHOOLS
Discovery Ye e Infants • Toddlers • Preschool ars Since 1992 Th
s Fun ogram Pr ay! mer od Sum nroll t E
• Creative Preschool Program • Personalized Attention • Potty Training • After School Program • Flexible Schedules • Experienced & Mature (Part/Full time) Staff • Ages 6 weeks-6 years • Small Class Sizes PICKUP & DROP OFF FROM LOS ALAMITOS & HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOLS SAN JOSE/Almaden SAN JOSE/Berryessa
(18 mo & up) (infant & up)
(408) 268-5165
11843 Redmond Ave.
Lic. # 434400388
(408) 926-1234
1411 Piedmont Rd.
Lic.# 430710454/5
www.thediscoveryyears.com
W G NO LLIN NS . RO TIO U EN OCA G YO L 2 RVIN SE
NEIGHBORHOOD
CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL & DAYCARE CENTERS
Loving Teachers • Hugs, Hurdles ‘N Happy Hearts • Since 1981
SANTA CLARA SITE
# SPA Phonics # Abeka Language # Multilingual # Music # Dance # Cultural Class # Self Help # Math # Organic Gardening # Snacks # Chapel # Hands-on Learning Environment # Experienced Staff Call Today 887 Pomeroy Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95051 email: hugs4u@sbcglobal.net www.neighborhoodchristiancenter.org
(Near Kaiser Hospital and off of Homestead Rd., South of Lawrence Expwy.)
#434407991 (Preschool) #434407992 (Daycare)
Hours: 6:30am-6:00pm PRESCHOOL, INTER-K, KINDER & SUMMER CAMP K-6TH
SAN JOSE SITE
# SPA Phonics # Reading # Math # Art # Science # Cooking # Chapel # Snacks # Bizzy Bodies PE Program # Potty Training Call Today New Location 1670 Moorpark Ave., San Jose CA 95128 email: Director@myncp.com www.myncp.org
INFANT CARE & PRESCHOOL
(408) 984-3418
(408) 286-0901
(Near San Jose City College & 280/800 Interchange)
#434408852 (Preschool) #434408853 (Infant center)
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS: Neighborhood Christian Daycare-Preschool/Agape Schools admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Limited Space available on a first come, first serve basis.
Call for Tour and Visits
Hiring Today! Seeking loving pre-school teacher. Applicants with early childhood education training.
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
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SCHOOLS
A grandmother and child create together at a recent Cantor Arts Family Day. This year’s event will take place May 4. PHOTO COURTESY OF CANTOR ARTS
noon every Monday. $6. Parents Place. 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto. parentsplaceonline.org.
6 Tuesday
• Half Day and Full Day Programs • M-F 9AM-4PM • Ages 2.9 – 6 yrs • Low staff/child ratio • Child Centered • 4-6pm After School Care available
20900 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino (Near DeAnza College)
PLAY IS THE WAY
Art Appreciation. Children will learn about art from different masters and then use that knowledge to create their own piece. 4-5pm or 6:45-7:30pm. Free. Seventrees Branch Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. sjlibrary.org. Storytime. Ages 3-5. 10am every Tuesday. Free. Children’s Library, 1276 Harriet St., Palo Alto. cityofpaloalto.org. Preschool Storytime. 10:30am every Tuesday. Free. Los Gatos Library, 110 E. Main St., Los Gatos. 408-354-6893. children’slibrarian@losgatosca.gov. losgatosca.gov. Family Storytime. All ages. 3:30pm every Tuesday. Free. College Terrace Library, 2300 Wellesley St., Palo Alto. cityofpaloalto.org. Kids Book Club. Enjoy a chance to talk about your favorite books with other kids in grades 2-6. 3-4pm. Free. Seventrees Branch Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. sjlibrary.org. After-school Adventures at Coyote Point. Young explorers will begin their journey of lifelong respect for the earth and environmental stewardship with outdoor exploration, observation and investigation. For pre-K to fourth-graders. $40 members, $55 non-members. Sessions are one day a week for four weeks, May 6-27. Hours vary by day. Coyote Point Museum, 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo. 650-342-7755. coyoteptmuseum.org.
Continued on page 118
• Emergent Curriculum • Multi-Age Grouping • Serving Children 2-6 years old • Multi-Sensory Environment • 1:10 Teacher-Child Ratio
408-371-9310
1063 Fewtrell Dr. • Campbell www.campbellcdc.org
LIC. # 434408007
408-257-3374
www.villamontessori.net
License #: 430701163
Call to schedule a tour today!
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Enrichment Programs
An Adventure in Learning begins June 23, 2008!
Preschool, Elementary and Middle School
Enriching Academics for Fall Preparation Creative Art, Music & Science Activities Engaging & Fun Weekly Themes
Voted one of the
“Best Private Schools” by Bay Area Parent Readers
San Jose (408) 626-0001
Middle School: Grades 6-8 1921 Clarinda Way
Danville (925) 648-4900
Preschool - Pre Kindergarten 3201 Camino Tassajara
Fremont (510) 438-9745
Preschool - Elementary 5301 Curtis Street
Santa Clara (408) 244-2121
Preschool - Kindergarten 400 N. Winchester Boulevard
Los Gatos (408) 371-3020
Preschool - Elementary 220 Kensington Way
Sunnyvale De Anza Park (408) 732-4424
Preschool - Elementary 1196 Lime Drive
Palo Alto (650) 493-1151
Preschool - Elementary 870 N. California Avenue
Sunnyvale Washington Park (408) 737-1500
Preschool - Elementary 820 W. McKinley Avenue
San Jose (408) 363-2130
Preschool - Elementary 6670 San Anselmo Way
Lic.#: 073402482, 013417816, 434404890, 434408056, 434407977, 434404336, 434406722, 434408877
San Francisco (415) 987-7300
Opening Fall 2008
For more information visit:
www.stratfordschools.com or call the campus near you!
Events to Honor Mom
Mom’s Special Day
I Flowers for Mom. Learn the art of flower arranging and make a gift for mom. Grades 3 and up. 4pm Thurs., May 8. Free. Los Gatos Library, 110 E. Main St., Los Gatos. 408-354-6893. children’slibrarian@ losgatosca.gov. losgatosca.gov. I Mother’s Bouquet. Show mom how special she is with a colorful bouquet that’s blooming with fun. Ages 3 and up. 11am-3pm Sat., May 10. Free. Lakeshore Learning, 1099 Bascom Ave., Campbell. 408-9980794. lakeshorelearning.com. I Mother’s Day Benefit Children’s Concert. Children’s performer Dr. Noize will perform in a Mother’s Day benefit for Kaia Emery, 3, of Menlo Park, who lost her mother to a massive stroke last year. Deborah Emery, 35, was a Stanford research associate. Dr. Noize’s music inspires families to live
lives of character and kindness, and the concert is an opportunity for families to reflect on what they love about mothers. $10 donation. 3:30pm Sun., May 11. Cubberley Auditorium, 485 Lasuen Mall, Stanford University, Stanford. 408-981-9078. edebbie@mac.com. I Mother’s Day Bird Watching. Do something special with mom and take her to the refuge for a beginner’s bird walk. Bring your own brunch to eat afterward. 1011:30am Sun., May 11. Free. Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Environmental Education Center, Grand Blvd., Alviso. Reservations required. 408-262-5513, ext. 102. desfbay.fws.gov. I Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch. Celebrate Mother’s Day with a buffet brunch at this historic country estate and gardens, and visit the ongoing flower show. 10:30am and 1:30pm Sun., May 11. $85 adults, $75 members, $40 children under 18. Purchase tickets in advance. Filoli, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside. 650-364-8300, ext. 507. tours@filoli.org. filoli.org.
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The
School of Choice
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Destinations
I Asian Art Museum. Meet the denizens of the “Floating World” – geishas and courtesans of the theater and pleasure quarters of Japan in 1690-1850. Paintings by the era’s greatest artists capture their lives. Through May 4. Also, view sculptures by one of China’s most celebrated contemporary artists through May 24. Drawing upon San Francisco and its history, the exhibition features Zhan Wang’s “scholar’s rocks” – shiny stainless steel replicas of rocks mined from the Sierra Nevada foothills, inspired by the weatherworn boulders traditionally used in China for contemplation. $12 adults, $8 seniors, $7 students, children 12 and under free. The first Sunday of the month is free. Hours are 10am-9pm Thurs., and 10am-5pm Tues.-Wed. and Fri.Sun. 200 Larkin St., San Francisco. 415-581-3500. asianart.org.
4-6pm Sun., May 11. 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose. 408808-2058. sjlibrary.org. I Exploratorium. Visitors can watch the museum’s team live in the Artic as it interviews polar scientists and Inupiat residents. May 22-June 22. Called “Ice Stories,” these Webcasts can be seen online at icestories.exploratorium.edu. Scientists doing research on climate change, geology, oceanography, biology and archaeology will provide a close-up look at research in an extreme environment. Museum admission: $14 adults, $11 seniors, students and youth, $9 children ages 4-14, free under 4. 3601 Lyon St., San Francisco. 415-561-0363. exploratorium.edu.
I Monterey Bay Aquarium. “Sailing Adventures” expeditions return May 11 with a “Mother’s Day Sail” on a 65foot research sailboat. Mothers ride free with one paying participant. Three sailing adventures are offered I Cantor Arts Center. An exhibition by the museum most weekends of the art of Charles Hobson, a prothrough the summer. “Day Sail” lets fessor at the San Francisco Art visitors work alongside aquarium natInstitute, runs through July 6. uralists gathering plankton, observing Hobson’s work explores themes of seafloor animals and learning about classical mythology, astronomy, surrethe intricate Monterey Bay ecosysalism, shipwrecks and love affairs tem. Day Sails, including the Mother’s through the medium of the artist’s Day Sail, cost $69 for adults and $59 books. Free. 11am-5pm Wed.-Sun. for children with a $10 member disand 11am-8pm Thurs. Free tours 2pm count. “Sunset Sails” treat particiWed., 11:30am Sat. and 3pm Sun. pants to wine and hors d’oeuvres Palm Drive at Museum Way, Stanford while they watch the bay come to life University, Stanford. 650-723-4177. at dusk. The fee is $55 with a $10 museum.stanford.edu. member discount. In “Charter Sails,” I Cetrella Restaurant. Through May, visitors can charter the Derek M. this Half Moon Bay restaurant is Baylis research ship and its captain donating $30,000 to local charities for a three-hour sailing adventure and giving guests the opportunity to with up to 23 friends. The fee is Children’s Discovery Museum’s donate 10 percent of their check to a $1,180. Register by calling 866-963“Secret of Circles” exhibit lets chilcharity of their choice. The campaign dren explore this shape without end. 9645 or stop by the museum’s will benefit Boys & Girls Club of the Aquarium Adventures Desk. Museum COURTESY OF CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY MUSEUM Coastside and Cabrillo Education admission also required. $24.95 Foundation among others. Cetrella adults, $15.95 children. Monterey Bay Restaurant, 45 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 650-726-4090. Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. 800-840-4880. cetrella.com. montereybayaquarium.org/adventures. I Children’s Discovery Museum. The “Secret of Circles” I Raging Waters. The water park reopens May 10 with 23 exhibit features nearly 20 hands-on stations that explore acres of liquid fun, including the new Dragon’s Den ride the properties of circles. Use different size compasses to set to open this season. Season passes are now on sale for draw circles, make square-shaped wheels and build gear $39.99 each when you buy two (passes are regularly $49.99 contraptions to turn a music-box dancer, a clock and a drill each). Prices will go up on June 15. The park is open week– among many other activities. Museum hours: 10am-5pm ends only until June 10, when it opens seven days a week. Tues.-Sat. and noon-5pm Sun. $8 ages 1-59, $7 ages 60 and Regular admission: $29.99 for guests over 48 inches, and up. 180 Woz Way, San Jose. 408-298-5437. cdm.org. $21.99 for those below and seniors. $6 parking. 2333 South I Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. An exhibit, “The White Road, San Jose. 408-238-9900. rwsplash.com. Person in Front of You: Photographs from West Africa,” I Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. Home to the largest runs from May 3-June 20 on the second floor. The photos exhibit of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the West, the museby David Pace of Los Altos capture aspects of daily life in um now offers extended hours on Thursday. Hours are 2007 in Bereba, an isolated village in the West African 9am-8pm Thurs., 9am-5pm Mon.-Wed. and Fri., and 11amcountry of Burkina Faso. Pace is a lecturer in art and art 6pm Sat.-Sun. The museum also is offering a 2008 season history at Santa Clara University. Also featured are pass with the purchase of a regular ticket. $9 adults, $7 Canadian Kathy Knowle’s photos of residents of Ghana, seniors and students, $5 ages 5-10 and free under 5. 1342 Burkina Faso, Mali and Tanzania. A reception takes place, Naglee Ave., San Jose. 408-947-3636. egyptianmuseum.org.
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SCHOOLS
Boys and Girls Learn Differently.
Canyon Heights’ educational approach and advanced curriculum, developed in conjunction with a nationwide network of schools, is known for its academic excellence as evidenced by a extremely high acceptance rate into local private High Schools. Our method of attention to the whole person has always required a gender specific approach and is finding increasing justification in recent research into gender difference. From learning styles to very divergent ways of seeing and hearing the world around them, there are fundamental differences between boys and girls that are best addressed in a single gender environment. Our gender specific classrooms on a co-instituional campus begin in Kindergarten. This setting allows us to create a school where boys can fidget and girls feel free to speak their minds in class; where girls embrace science and boys are comfortable in art; where both boys and girls can lean effectively and , therefore, thrive abundantly.
Now Enrolling Preschool to 8th Grade! Canyon Heights Academy
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117
7 Cinemas at the Pruneyard Shopping Center, 1875 Bascom Ave., Campbell. 408-559-6900. cameracinemas.com/diaper.shtml. Parachute Play. Listen to the beat and play the parachute game. All ages. 7-7:30pm. Free. Seventrees Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. sjlibrary.org. Daffy Dave. This comedian, juggler and magician will present an evening of wacky entertainment. 6:30pm. Free. Berryessa Library, 3355 Noble Ave., San Jose. 408-808-3050. sjlibrary.org Drop-in Playtime. Come enjoy this well-designed playroom with your child. Ages 0-5. 3:30-5pm Wednesdays. $30 for five visits. Parents Place, 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto. parentsplaceonline.org. Baby and Me Storytime. Registration required. 1-1:30pm. Free. Educational Library, 1770 Educational Park Drive, San Jose. 408272-3663. sjlibrary.org.
8 Thursday
Creative Movement for Kids. A fun movement class that develops coordination, attention span and gross motor movement skills for children with disabilities. Ages 5-12. 7-7:45pm, six Thursdays, today-June 12. $45. Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Ave., San Jose. 408-369-6438. sanjoseca.gov/pms.
9 Friday
Legacy for Children Awards Banquet. Ronnie Lott, former San Francisco 49er, will be honored for founding “All Stars Helping Kids” to make life brighter for underprivileged children. Presented by Children’s Discovery Museum. 6:30pm. $250; table for 10 is $2,500. The Fairmont Hotel, San Jose. 408-298-5437, ext. 202 or e-mail legacy@cdm.org.
San Jose Ballet presents The Firebird May 1-4.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAN JOSE BALLET
Continued from page 112
7 Wednesday
Free First Wednesday. Interact with live animals, educational displays and more. 10am-5pm. Free. Coyote Point Museum, 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo. 650-342-7755. coyoteptmuseum.org. Diaper Days. These film screenings cater to parents and young children, with toddler-friendly films every first Wednesday and grown-up films every third Wednesday. 12:30pm. $6.75. Kids under 4 free. Sign up online for film slate and updates. Camera
Off the Wall. Get creative in this outdoor afternoon adventure with art. Practice with media such as watercolors, pastels and charcoal and then take your skills outside to observe, sketch and draw something you find in the park. Ages 5-10. 3:30-5pm. $10 members, $15 non-members. Friends of Guadalupe River Park Visitor & Education Center, 438 Coleman Ave., San Jose. Pre-registration required. 408-298-7657. grpg.org. Movie Matinee. See what’s playing the second Friday of each month. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Seventrees Branch Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. sjlibrary.org. Fabulous Friday Kids’ Book Club. Bring a book to share and vote on one to read as a group. Ages 8-12. 3:30-4:30pm, second Friday of the month. Free. Evergreen Branch Library, Community Room, 2635 Aborn Road, San Jose. 408-808-3060. sjlibrary.org.
Continued on page 126
Tours and Parent Information Nights begin January 2008
GISSV
German International School of Silicon Valley
CURRENTLY ENROLLING
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
SCHOOLS
Spanish Immersion School
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408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
559-4616
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On Stage
I Beauty and the Beast. Watch as lovely Belle transforms the beast in this American Musical Theater adaptation of the Disney film. Unforgettable scores include “Be Our Guest” and “Gaston.” 8pm Tues.Sat., 2pm Sat., and 1pm and 6:30pm Sun., May 13-25. $14.75-$74. San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose. 888-455-SHOW (7469.) groupsales@amtsj.org. amtsj.org. I Emperor and the Nightingale. A tiny bird charms an ancient Chinese emperor in this Hans Christian Andersen tale until an ornate, artificial bird is introduced into the emperor’s court. Ages 5 and up. 11am Sat., May 3. $12, $11 in advance. Presented by California Theater Center at Sunnyvale Community Center Theatre, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale. 408-245-2978. ctc.org. I Lines Ballet. The Lines Ballet, an international contemporary dance company based in San Francisco, presents Long River High Sky in a collaboration with the Shaolin Monks of China. 7pm Wed., May 28, and Sun., June 1. 8pm Thurs.-Sat., May 2931. 3pm Sat.-Sun., May 31-June 1. $25-$65. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St., San Francisco. 415-978-ARTS (2787). ybca.org. linesballet.org. I High School Musical. When the jock meets the brain at tryouts for the annual high school musical, they rock the house at East High. Featuring the catchy tunes from the Disney Channel’s movie plus two new songs, this show teaches lessons about acceptance, teamwork and staying true to oneself. 9:30am Thurs. and Fri., 7:30pm Fri. and Sat., 2pm Sat., and 1 and 6:30pm Sun., May 10-18. $18 adults, $15 children and seniors. $7 for 9:30am performances. Presented by Peninsula Youth Theatre at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. 650-903-6000. I Mountain View Dance Recital. Children and teens perform routines in ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop. 6:30pm Mon., May 19. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. 650-9036000. mvcpa.com. I Oklahoma! Will cowboy Curly McLain find happiness with farm girl Laurey Williams? Monte Vista Christian School presents the award-winning Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, set in the Midwest in 1906. 2pm Fri., May 2. 6pm barbecue and 7:30pm show
American Musical Theater performs Beauty and the Beast May 13-25 at the San Jose Performing Arts Center. PHOTO BY PAUL LYDEN, COURTESY OF NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATRE
Thurs.-Sat., May 1-3. Show $7.50-$25. Meal $5-$7. Monte Vista Christian School’s Monte Vista Equestrian Center, 2 School Way, Watsonville. 831-722-8178, ext. 151. mvcs.org. I On Broadway. The Sunnyvale Music School presents its annual spring musical with music from Bye Bye Birdie, Sound of Music, Oklahoma and Annie. 11am and 7:30pm Sat. and 2:30pm Sun., May 3-4. Mountain View High School, 3535 Truman Ave., Mountain View. $12 adults, $6 children. 408739-9248. themusicschool.org. I Pandemonium. Quirky characters from international folk tales converge, collide and collaborate in this twist on the legend of Pandora’s Box. 8pm Fri., 3pm and 7pm Sat., 2pm Sun.,
Two young players take part in Pandemonium, May 4-10 in San Jose.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TABARD THEATRE
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SCHOOLS
Monte Vista Christian School puts on Oklahoma in its Equestrian Center May 1-3.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MONTE VISTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
May 4-10. $22 adults, $10 under 17. A portion of concession sales goes to Hope Services. Presented by Tabard Theatre Co. at Theatre on San Pedro Square, 1635 Park Ave., San Jose. 408-679-2330. tabardtheatre.org. I Papa Hugs. David Sharpe, aka Papa Hugs, plays his original music with help from characters Wonder the Kangaroo, Fitness the Frog, Robbie Robot and Scary Bug. 1pm and 2:30pm Sat., May 3, Children’s Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way, San Jose. Museum hours: 10am-5pm Saturdays. $8 ages 1-59, $7 ages 60 and up. Sharpe will also play his trademark tunes at 1pm Sun., May 18, at a fundraiser at San Jose Parents Participating Nursery School, 2180 Radio Ave., San Jose. davidsharpemusic.com. I Peter Pan. The musical version of this endearing theatrical fantasy will be presented by All About Theater. 7pm Fri.-Sat., May 2-3. 2pm Sat., May 3. 9am and 12:30pm Thurs., May 1. Contact theater for ticket prices. Louden Nelson Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz. 831-345-6340. allabouttheater.org. I Smuin Ballet. The ballet presents Dancin’ with Gershwin, in a pas de deux of ballet and Broadway dance. $38-$53. 8pm Wed., Thurs. and Fri., 2 and 8pm Sat., and 2pm Sun., May 28-June 1. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. 650-903-6000. mvcpa.com. I Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Watch Peter Hatcher as he puts up with his pesky little brother, Fudge, in an adaptation of Judy Blume’s charming book. 9:30am and 11am Fri., and 11:30am and 1:30pm Sat., May 23-24. Presented by Peninsula Youth Theatre at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. 650-903-6000. mvcpa.com. I Tamburitzans. Celebrating more than 70 years of performance, this 35-member ensemble showcases the dance traditions of Eastern Europe and its neighbors. 8pm Wed., May 21. $21 adults, $14 children. Presented by the Tamburitzans of Duquesne University, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. 650-903-6000. mvcpa.com.
Montessori since 1976 Academy Caring for children
Childcare • Preschool • Kindergarten 2 yrs to 6yrs • 6am-6pm
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SPECIAL NEEDS & EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
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SPECIAL NEEDS & EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
Are attention, behavior, or processing problems preventing your child from leading a normal life?
Are you wishing that your lives could be more ordinary, uninterrupted by problems and disturbances due to your child’s “special” issues? Sometimes the road to “ordinary” calls for extraordinary measures. Perhaps you feel as if you’ve tried everything, or maybe you’re just looking for a place to start. Whichever the case, you will be pleased to learn that Dr. Mark Steinberg, a Licensed Psychologist and Educational Psychologist with more than 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults, is an extraordinary therapist. A medical consultant for NBC television, Dr. Steinberg is widely recognized as an expert in his field. He has appeared on major media networks throughout the U.S., and has written the well-received book, ADD: The 20-Hour Solution. He remediates and heals attentional, behavioral, emotional, and learning difficulties. Dr. Steinberg has helped countless families lead happier lives by providing valuable treatment and offering realistic solutions to help control outbursts, manage anger, set limits, develop skills, and improve behavior. His wide range of resources and extensive knowledge enable him to provide a number of services that will increase mental fitness, get people on-track and productive, and help your family rediscover, or perhaps even experience for the first time, what it means to lead a normal, ordinary life. Rather than rely on medication, Dr. Steinberg employs a variety of innovative therapies such as EEG neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) and Voice Technology. These therapies are highly effective, usually produce results very quickly and are applicable for treating people of all ages for a variety of conditions. EEG neurofeedback takes advantage of the brain’s plasticity and its ability to heal itself. Using real-time computer feedback, the patient learns how to produce more of the brainwaves associated with desired behaviors. Effects are long-lasting. Using scientific procedures, Dr. Steinberg also practices the advanced technique of Voice Technology, whereby he analyzes voice perturbations that provide precise detection of underlying disturbances. With this methodology, he can eliminate any negative emotion in minutes, and has done so thousands of times. He has demonstrated this on local and national TV, curing people of phobias and anxieties in minutes. In clinical practice, he uses Voice Technology to rapidly improve children’s behavior by removing the causes of tantrums, fears, and misbehavior. This treatment can be done by phone, thus making patient care and relief easily accessible. Dr. Steinberg is a recognized expert in scientific testing and behavior modification. He offers a number of services such as testing, diagnosis, and consultation, counseling, educational advocacy, stress reduction, organizational coaching, methods to improve your relationships, or skills in parenting or studying, pain reduction and the treatment of anxiety, depression, unwanted habits, fears, and compulsive behaviors, to name just a few. Voted Best Child Therapist in 2000 by Bay Area Parent readers, Dr. Mark Steinberg has benefited numerous families with his unique blend of unique therapies and traditional interventions, resulting in successful treatment. Maybe it’s time you discovered for yourself how he can help your family. (by Donna Bush)
Pick up a copy of Dr. Steinberg’s book:
ADD: The 20-Hour Solution
at your local bookstore or on Amazon.com or by calling (408) 356-1002
Applications for EEG Neurofeedback: • Improved Performance and Mental Fitness Training • ADHD/ADD • Anxiety • Depression • Sleep Disorders • Relaxation and Stress Reduction • Mood Regulation • Learning Disabilities • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder • Addictions • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder • Migraines and other headaches • Seizures • Conduct Disorders • Tourette’s Syndrome • Tics • Teeth-Grinding • Traumatic Brain Injury • Chronic Pain • Eating Disorders • Pre-Menstrual Syndrome • Personality Disorders • Stroke • Autism • Parkinson’s Disease • Language Disorders • Autoimmune Dysfunction • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Dr. Mark
KIDS PROBLEMS?
• Power Struggles • Tantrums • School Problems • Low Self-Esteem Robert
Sliding Fee Scale/Insurance
15810 Los Gatos Blvd. Los Gatos, CA 95032
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ROBERT FETTGATHER, PhD
Clinical Psychologist #PSY11725
408-371-6239
A Special Nanny
Mark Steinberg, Ph.D. and Associates
14601 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 250 Los Gatos, CA 95032 (408) 356-1002
www.marksteinberg.com
Licensed Psychologist - PSY 12170
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PARTIES & ENTERTAINERS
Reader’s Choice Winner Best Party Location
PONY PARTIES at the Lemos Farm
• 4 ponies with cowboy • picnic area • petting zoo • air jumper • play structure
Pony Party Includes
Also Open to the Public
Choo Choo Party Includes
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Amy Meyers will sing with a cast of colorful characters, including this pig, at her concert May 10.
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMY MEYERS
Continued from page 118
10 Saturday
Alice’s Wonderland Returns. After a four-year national tour, the 2,500-square-foot exhibit based on Lewis Carroll’s classic returns to the museum. Crawl through a rabbit hole, create a mad tea party, explore a pool of tears and play a game of crazy croquet, where balls in motion may surprise you! Museum hours: 10am5pm Tues.-Sat., and noon-5pm Sun. Museum admission: $8 ages 1-59, $7 age 60 and up. Children’s Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way, San Jose. 408-298-5437. cdm.org. Classic Yo-Yo Competition. National and World Champions like Paul Han and Yuuki Spencer will compete to qualify in the national championships. The Bay Area Classic is one of the most competitive contests in the National Yo-Yo League regional contest circuit. 10am. Free with admission. Children’s Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way, San Jose. 408-298-5437. cdm.org. nationalyoyo.org. Amy Meyers. Known for her children’s music program, Music for Children, Meyers performs a lively concert of sing-a-longs from her CD Trains and Hens. Her full band and special guests join her. 10:30-11:30am. First Congregational Church, 1985 Louis Road, Palo Alto. $10 adults, $5 children. amymeyersmusic.com. E-waste Collection. Benefits the Indigo Program of the Oak Grove School District. 9am-4pm. Free. Frost Elementary School, 530 Gettysburg Drive, San Jose. 408-834-7543. support@1stchoicerecycling.com. For a list of items accepted, visit 1stchoicerecycling.com. Sunnyvale Health and Safety Fair. This family event includes health screenings, soccer tournament for kids, a bike rodeo, free bike helmets, entertainment and more. 11am-3pm. Free admission. Columbia Neighborhood Center, 785 Morse Ave., Sunnyvale. 408-523-8150. sunnyvale.ca.gov. Berryessa Art & Wine Festival. A benefit for Berryessa school music programs, this community event features entertainment, an arts fair, fine wines and kids activities. 10am-5pm. Free admission. Penitencia Creek Park, 3050 Berryessa Road, San Jose. 408-251-8870. bjbs@sbcglobal.net. BABI Fair. Presented by nonprofit Bay Area Birth Information, the 5th annual fair connects expectant and new parents with professionals, services and community resources. On hand for
Continued on page 130
Visit our website for pricing and party options.
650-726-2342
LEMOS FARM 12320 San Mateo Rd. (Hwy. 92) Half Moon Bay
www.lemosfarm.com
When only the best in the business will do...
We offer talented performers, authentic costumes, and a huge selection of characters!
Magic Bubbles Face Paints
Balloons Crafts and Much More!
1-866-516-STAR (7827)
Fully Insured • Se Habla Español
“Thank you so much for making my daughter’s birthday so memorable.” - Jessica, Hercules, CA
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PARTIES & ENTERTAINERS
www.a strojum p.com
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Birthday Party Package: • Colorful & Exciting Atmosphere • Private Party Areas • T-Shirt & Trophy Included • Pizza Packages Available • Age Appropriate, 6+ years • Race on Down for a Free Lap
Radio Control Car and Track Rentals
408-243-9988 www.InsideLineRacing.com
2110 Walsh Ave., Bldg #8, Suite D Santa Clara
• Cotton Candy • Sno-Kone • Bubble Machines • GIANT Tsunami Wave Slide • 50’ Obstacle Course • Flytrap Velcro Wall • Dunk Tanks
(800) 667-JUMP
Giant Slides Obstacle Courses, & other exciting games will make your company party, church or school carnival a huge success!
• SPIN ART • SPORTS GAMES • CARNIVAL GAMES Hole in One Golf
Cowboy Snake Toss Froggy Fly Fling Tic-Tac-Toss Baseball Pitch Football Toss Hockey Shot on Net Soccer Shot on Net Inflated Basketball
Online catalog at
www.californiafunjump.com
(408) 29-ASTRO (292-7876)
And we continue to spread the joy at your homes and venues! Our CELEBRATION SPECIAL is $240 with Sari or Michael and pony, plus the whole show for 2 hours (South Bay). • Magic with animal petting, facepaint, balloons, bubbles, puppet stories, and games. • Performed by a clown, princess or pirate. • Also FREE, the appearance of a popular costumed character of your choice (big suit)
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www.mostunique.com $160 AMAZING YOU GET IT ALL! Includes everything in the Celebration Special except the pony! Add a little zoo with our own hand-raised farm pets for $50 more! Newest of our huge collection of costumes: New Enchanting Princess, Knight, Racecar Driver, Penguin, Monkey, Lion and more! WE BRING THE FIELD TRIP TO YOU!
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Picnic Games Packages • Theatrics! • Balloon Sculpting! • Face Painting! • Comedy!
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Movie Reviews
views lm Re Fi ily m Krystle’s Cool Fa Krystle’s
Nim’s Island – Now in Theaters
If you’re in need of a kid-friendly adventure while waiting for the next Indiana Jones film, Nim’s Island is the ideal choice. The light-hearted film stars Jodie Foster, Abigail Breslin and Gerard Butler (in a double role) and has a plot that a child of any age can follow. Breslin, who plays Nim, lives on an island in the South Pacific with her dad, Jack (Butler), a marine biologist. Both of them are perfectly content with their way of life, which does not include cars, cell phones, or television. All of Nim’s friends either have a fin or a tail. Everything about their daily lives spells paradise. All changes the day that Jack goes out to sea for research and is shipwrecked by a monsoon. When the storm hits the island, it leaves the usually-independent Nim alone and afraid. Enter author Alex Rover (Foster), who writes to Jack for information regarding her next book. Although she writes novels with death-defying characters, Foster herself is an agoraphobic recluse who cannot even leave her apartment to get her mail and goes into minor shock when she can’t find her bottle of Purell. Nim, who loves Rover’s books, imagines an action figure and prevails on Rover to come to the island and help find her dad. The story is sweet and simple, though adults may find it a bit cheesy and scatter-brained. Unfortunately, the characters are not used enough together to create an ensemble that would have made the movie pack more of a punch. Despite some of these minor flaws, Nim’s Island is an all-around lovable story that will appeal to kids who have an inner hero looking for their next journey.
Movie Rating: PG Language: None Sex/Nudity: None Violence: Mostly comic, some nature sequences Age Group: 5-10 Krystle’s Rating: 3 out of 5
Enchanted – Available for Home Viewing
Tired of the same old fairy tales with a love-struck princess, evil witch and countless songs about finding true love? Well, Enchanted takes this stereotype and turns it around to something, well, enchanting! The film begins in animation, showing a Disney princess in the same old light: singing with her little animals friends about finding her Prince Charming. Giselle (an amazing Amy Adams) longs to find her other half, and before she knows it, she is rescued by Prince Edward (a hilarious James Marsden). He proposes almost immediately after he catches her falling from a tree. Just as everything seems perfect, his evil stepmother (perfectly played by Susan Sarandon) emerges, determined that no one take her place. She pushes Giselle down a well, which just so happens to spill directly into New York City, switching the animation to live action. As Giselle wanders through the city, helpless and confused, she is saved by single dad Robert (Patrick Dempsey, “McDreamy” to “Grey’s Anatomy” fans) and his daughter, Morgan, who sees right away that she is not a crazy lady in a princess costume. The plot thickens as Prince Edward ventures into the Big Apple to rescue his beloved, with humorous results. Every character in the film, down to the little chipmunk who can only squeak his warnings, is perfect. The story shifts between elaborate musical ballads and real life, and everything you love about fairy tales is here. Parents and kids alike will want to watch this one over and over again, and will fall in love with it every time.
Movie Rating: PG Language: None Sex/Nudity: None Violence: Mild cartoon sequences Age Group: 8-up Krystle’s Rating: 5 out of 5 Email requests or comments to Krystle.Ralston@parenthood.com.
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PARTIES & ENTERTAINERS
Plan your weekend PA R TY with us
at the Courtyard by Marriott, Palo Alto-Los Altos
Whether it’s a birthday party or family night out, make the Courtyard your family getaway!
Kid’s Slumber Party Packages $199
(Ages 12 & under only - Requires at least one Adult Chaperone)
Includes:
• Spacious Suite with 2 Queen Beds and adjoining King bedded room.
(Based on availability.)
• • • •
Up to 6 youths and 2 adults 2 large 1-topping pizzas and 2 liters of soda Movie snacks & 1 Pay-Per-View Movie Pool access from 7am-10pm
650-941-9900 • www.marriott.com/paocy
*Must have 3 days advanced notice. Subject to availability. Valid for weekend nights only. “Your Oasis on the Road”
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PARTIES & ENTERTAINERS
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Hours: Sat. thru Tues. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wed.-Thurs.-Fri. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
O 7 dpen aay wee s k
consultations will be midwives, doulas, childbirth and breastfeeding instructors, chiropractors, acupuncturists, infant massage therapists and more. 9am-5pm. Free admission. Campbell Community Center, 1 W. Campbell Ave. 408-674-2224 or 408866-2138 for community center. info@bayareabirthinfo.org. bayareabirthinfo.org. ArtSea. Come mix art and science in this bi-monthly program designed to spark creativity in the aquarium’s youngest visitors. Ages 3-7. 8:30-9:30am. $20, or $16 members, plus admission. Regular museum hours are 10am-6pm daily. Admission: $24.95 adults, $15.95 children. Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. 800-840-4880. montereybayaquarium.org.
Party Supplies • Gifts • Toys Crafts • Carnival • Housewares
(408) 356-3101 Funf! Stuf www.affordabletreasures.com
)_)_)_)_)_)_) Cinco De Mayo_ _ ) is May 5th! ) We have all fiesta needs covered! _ ) Great selectionsyourDecorations and Banners _ Napkins, Cups Table ) _ Plates,Sombrerosoffrom&$2.99 Covers ) _ ) Adult Sombreros from $1.99 _ _ Child ) ) Traditional Wood Maracas $3.99 per pair ) _ Piñatas from $9.99 each _ _ )_)_)_)_)_)_) UUUUUUUUUUUUU U Mother’s Day U U U
U is Sun., May 11th U U Make Mom feel Special with a Balloon Bouquet! U U12-inch Latex Balloons with helium starting at 75¢ ea.U UUUUUUUUUUUUU
`1`1`1`1`1`1`1`1`1` 1 ` ` 1 1 We’ve got everything you need for Graduation ` Celebration...except the Diploma! ` 1 1`1`1`1`1`1`1`1`1`
13 Tuesday
$1 Day at Happy Hollow. Enjoy the zoo, play areas and other attractions today for just $1 per person. 10am-5pm, second Tuesday of each month. Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, 1300 Senter Road, San Jose. 408-277-4193. hhpz.org. Art Appreciation. Children will learn Kids can wash clothes in an oldabout art from differfashioned washtub at Campbell ent masters and then Historical Museum’s Family Day use that knowledge to create their own piece. on May 18. PHOTO COURTESY OF 4-5pm or 6:45-7:30pm. CAMPBELL HISTORICAL MUSEUM Free. Seventrees Branch Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. sjlibrary.org. Baby and Me Storytime. Registration required. 1-1:30pm. Educational Library, 1770 Educational Park Drive, San Jose. 408272-3663. sjlibrary.org. Mommy & Me on the Row. Puppet shows, face painting and an appearance by Belle are among the features of the first Mommy & Me of the year. The program takes place 10am-noon the second Tuesday of the month through December. Santana Row, Stevens Creek and Winchester Boulevards, San Jose. SantanaRow.com.
Get Ready for Graduation 2008!
14 Wednesday
Drawing to Music. Listen to the music and draw to the beat. All ages. 7-7:30pm. Free. Seventrees Branch Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. sjlibrary.org. Kids’ Book Club. The group will discuss Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, one of the many 1988-1997 Newbery Award book titles the group will read this year. Ages 8-12. 3:304:30pm. Free. Rose Garden Branch Library, 1580 Naglee Ave., San Jose. 408-808-3070. sjlibrary.org.
Party Favor Headquarters
Come see our famous “Aisle 4” – over 50 feet of bins filled with party favors and prizes starting at 20 for $1.00 Piñatas from $9.99 each • $3.00 off any Piñata with purchase of $20.00 or more
Limit one per customer
Piñatas from $9.99
15 Thursday
Bike to Work Day. Thousands of Bay Area residents will put aside their car keys, don their helmets and bike to work.
Continued on page 136
15795 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos
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PARTIES & ENTERTAINERS
IS YOUR CAMP ENROLLMENT LOW?
Fill your Camp Enrollment this year! Advertise in the most popular camp issues of
Call 408.399.4842
SUMMER READING CELEBRATION WIN FUN PRIZES!
June 14 - August 9, 2008 Choose the program that’s right for you.
For how-to’s and information on related programs and activities, visit SJLibrary.org, contact your neighborhood library or call King Library Youth Services at (408) 808-2183. Summer Reading Celebration is made possible in part through support from Friends of the King Library, Round Table Pizza, San Jose Mercury News, Bay Area Parent™ and other community organizations. 408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
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First Person
By Sarah Granger
Babbling Brooks and Butterflies
Spring is here and it’s a great time to go exploring outdoors. I grew up in a suburban Midwestern neighborhood where a creek wound through and trees abounded. I often played by or in the creek growing up, making up games with my friends, finding fossils and building forts. Now I live near a creek again, and, although it’s at the bottom of a deep ridge, I recently found a safe path down. And I decided it was time for my 2-year-old daughter to learn about the magic that a creek can provide for her imagination and play. First, we stepped slowly down the dirt path. Then we traversed the rocky terrain to where she could dip her Croc-covered toes into the cool water. She giggled and wanted to continue farther, but I explained about the water’s depth and temperature. Instead, we wandered over to an area where the water was flowing over some rocks, creating a pleasant babbling brook for her to observe. She didn’t want to leave that spot because the movement and sound of the water was so fascinating. But then she noticed a butterfly drying its wings on the rocks – batting them slowly together and apart. She watched the butterfly for at least a half-hour, getting closer, then stopping and crouching down. She could have stayed there all day. It was a great little adventure together and she spent the rest of the week chattering about how she wants to go back. There are hundreds of creeks in the Bay Area. I wish my daughter and I could explore them all together.
Sarah Granger is a Silicon Valley-based freelance writer and blogger.
Julia Granger, age 2, watches a butterfly drying its wings on the banks of her neighborhood creek.
WRITERS WANTED!
Write to us about a special outing with your child or family. Keep the first-person account of your day between 300-400 words. If we print it, we’ll reward you with another great family outing – tickets to Gilroy Gardens or another fun local spot! If available, please submit photos with your article. Email stories to: sara.solovitch@parenthood.com Or write: First Person, Bay Area Parent, 985 University Ave., Suite 30, Los Gatos, CA 95032
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
Make your own Pizza O Pizza Party Fun!
O• O• • O• • O• O O Chef Hats and Aprons Pizza Bingo Pin the Pepperoni on the Pizza Pizza-making 101 Diploma Gummy Pizza Candy Pizza Party Favor
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Vito’s FamousFamousand ItalianItalian Restaurant Vito’s Pizza Pizza and Restaurant
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Pizza Party Fun! Pizza Party Fun!
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“Anything's Possible”
• Magical, Musical, Clown Parties Call ab • Princess Parties! o out • Balloon Artists, Balloon decorating! Wee ur Specikday • Bird Parties als! • Games Coordinator • Face Painting • Over 100 Characters to choose from • Character Balloon delivery $75
Photo by Portraits by Rebecca
O 1155 Reed Ave. • Sunnyvale, CA 94086 O O Call to schedule your party: 408.246.8800 O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
408 509-1635
PARTIES & ENTERTAINERS
Slot Car Grand Prix Birthday Parties!
• Special Packages • Free Trophy and Presentation • Private Party Room
1/2 Day Summer Camps Available
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CALL US TODAY TO FIND OUT MORE: www.youngchefsacademy.com/sunnyvale 408-738-CHEF
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(650) 947-PLAY (7529)
30th Annual
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Sat., May 17th • 10 am - 6 pm Sun., May 18th • 10 am - 5 pm GREAT F0OD - New Orleans Style to all American
experience GUMBO, CRAWDADS, SAUSAGES, BEIGNETS & more!
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Take Light Rail to Downtown Campbell Presented by
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Sorry no dogs allowed except service dogs.
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Continued from page 130
PUPPET SHOWS
by
Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and 511.org. For more information, visit bayareabikes.org/btwd/index.php.
Nick Barone Puppets
Since 1991
16 Friday
LEGO Extravaganza. A LEGO master model builder constructs an 8-foot-tall Yoda while children compete in LEGO trivia contests and games. 10am-6pm today-Sun. Free. Hillsdale Shopping Center, 60 31st Ave., San Mateo. 650-345-8222. hillsdale.com. Take Steps for Chron’s and Colitis. Help raise research dollars for these debilitating digestive diseases by participating in this 3K walk. Among the walkers will be Megan Nardini, 17, of Fremont, who suffered three years of ulcerative colitis including five surgeries. 5pm. Sunken Gardens at De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. 415-356-2232. cctakesteps.org, ccfa.org and active.com/donate/takestepsSV07/MNardin.
Featuring...
Superbly crafted puppets performing original stories in classic style. Including a full puppet theater with professional music and lighting.
Birthdays Schools Libraries Holidays
17 Saturday
Hands on the Arts. Children ages 3-12 are invited to open their imaginations as they enjoy multicultural music, dancing, painting, theater, craft workshops and a full food court. 10am-4pm. Free admission. $5 for unlimited workshop attendance. Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale. 408-730-7350. handsonthearts.insunnyvale.com. A la Carte and Art. A multiethnic celebration of the arts, this event features live entertainment, food, farmers market, craft booths and a kids’ zone with rides, slides, face painting and temporary tattoos. 10am-6pm today and Sun. Free admission. Castro Street between Church Street and Evelyn Avenue, downtown Mountain View. 650-9643395. miramarevents.com. Rainforest Fun Fest. Euro Bungee, obstacle course, petting zoo, raffles, repFace painting makes a young tile show, refreshments visitor smile at the Berryessa and more. You may even see a gorilla running Art and Wine Festival. This around! 11am-4pm today year’s festival is May 10. and 12-4pm Sun. Free PHOTO COURTESY OF BERRYESSA ART & admission. Sunnyvale WINE FESTIVAL Christian School, 445 S. Mary Ave., Sunnyvale. 408-234-4577. sunnyvalechristianschool.com. Hawaiian Ho’ike Festival. Halau Na Wai Ola, a Cupertino dance studio, will hold its annual Ho’ike featuring entertainer Weldon Kekauoha. Also includes a Hawaiian dinner, continuous entertainment and a keiki children’s carnival. 5pm. $40 ages 10 and up, $25 ages 6-9, and free under 6. Bring low-back chairs. West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga. 408-873-9778. nakamura.leong@gmail.com. nawaiola.com. Deer Hollow Farms. Docents lead tours of this working 10-acre farm nestled in Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. Visitors will see the farm babies born this spring, walk through a large organic garden and experience a traditional homestead. 10am-12:30pm. $5 adults, $3 children, free under 2. Farm hours are 8am-4pm Tues.- Sun. and 8am-1pm Wed. The preserve is on
Continued on page 144
650.365.8070
www.nbpuppets.com
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PARTIES & ENTERTAINERS
OLL ! ENR W!!mmer up NOy Sues 5 & a
D g 1/2 ps A m Ca
2 Birthday Parties 2 Classes for Kids, Teens and Adults 2 2 Special Events 2 Parent/Child Classes 2 2 Parents’ Night Out 2 2
Choose a theme and Menu! Cupcake decorating station Various party packages
Cooking up hands-on fun for the kids, with no mess or stress for you! Finally, a new and exciting place for a party! 15% Discount For all Parties booked by June 1st. 1041 Lincoln Ave. • 408.564.7773 www.cucinabambini.com
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Tween & Teen Events
1 Thursday
Cartoon Contest. Do you have a talent for creating cartoons? Enter your funny stuff in this contest from May 1-31. Ages 9 and up. Free. Seventrees Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. sjlibrary.com.
Library, 1600 Hopkins Drive, San Jose. 408-808-3033. sjlibrary.org. Gaming Daze. See May 1.
10 Saturday
Homestead Dance Team Show. Watch these high school dancers as they perform routines that earned them top titles at a recent national competition. The dancers have competed together for years and have many regional and dance camp awards under their belts. 7pm. $8 adults, $5 children and students. Homestead High School, 21370 Homestead Road, Cupertino. 408-390-9301. Jkaneko1@comcast.net.
Origami Fun. Learn how to make an origami form. Ages 9 and up. 2-3pm. Free. Berryessa Library, 3355 Noble Ave., San Jose. 408-808-3050. sjlibrary.org. Gaming Daze. First it was Guitar Hero III. Now, it’s Dance Dance Revolution, Need for Speed ProStreet and Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground. Try out the growing collection of PlayStation 2 games. 3-4pm, every Thursday and Friday. Free. Educational Park Library, 1770 Educational Park Drive, San Jose. 408-272-3663. sjlibrary.org.
2 Friday
Gaming Daze. See May 1. Anime and Manga Club. Get together to watch anime episodes and films, discuss manga, share art work, plan club activities, eat Japanese snacks and have fun. Ages 12-18. 45:30pm. Free. West Valley Library, 1243 San Tomas Aquino Road, San Jose. 408-244-4766. sjlibrary.org. teensReach Meeting. Dedicated teens are invited to join the youth council for the San Jose Public Library. Members help run library activities while earning community service credits. 4-5pm, Seventrees Branch Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. 4-4:45pm, Almaden Branch Library, 6445 Camden Ave., San Jose. 408-808-3040. sjlibrary.org.
5 Monday
Yoga Night. Bring your own mat for stretches and strength training. 6-7pm, every Monday. Free. Vineland Branch Library, 1450 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose. 408-808-3000. sjlibrary.org.
The 2007 San Jose Teen Idol, Thia Megia, 12, of Hayward, delivers an impassioned performance of “I Am Changing” at last year’s finale. This year’s event takes place May 17 at the King Library in San Jose.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAN JOSE LIBRARY
7 Wednesday
Poetry Cafe at the Library. Present poetry and short stories — or just listen — at this monthly open microphone event revealing the creative side of the human spirit. 6:30-8pm. Free. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose. 408-808-2397.
Sci-Fi Book Club. The group will be reading Out of the Silent Planet, the first in C.S. Lewis’ acclaimed Space Trilogy. 2-3pm. Free. Vineland Library, 1450 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose. 408-808-3000. sjlibrary.org. Art of Living Yoga. Bring your own mat or towel and enhance your physical, emotional and mental well-being. 1:30-3pm, four Saturdays, today-May 31. Free. Dr. Roberto Cruz Alum Rock Branch Library, 3090 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose. 408-808-3090. sjlibrary.org.
8 Thursday
Gaming Daze. See May 1. Coordination Class. This fun class develops coordination, attention span and gross motor movement skills for teens with disabilities. Ages 12-18. 7:45-8:30pm Thurs., today-June 12. Free. Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Ave., San Jose. 408-369-6438. sanjoseca.gov/pms. Wii Rock! Join in the second and the fourth Thursday of the month and play your favorite board games, online games, or Nintendo Wii. 4-5pm. Free. Seventrees Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536.
14 Wednesday
Beautiful Beads. Learn from an expert how to make impressive beading projects. Ages 9-up. 3-4pm. Free. Seventrees Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. sjlibrary.org.
15 Thursday
Gaming Daze. See May 1. teensReach. See May 2. 4-5pm. West Valley Library, 1243 San Tomas Aquino, San Jose. Reading Buddies Volunteer Training. Teens ages 13-17 help
9 Friday
teensReach Meeting. See May 2. 3:15-5pm. Hillview Branch
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
PARTIES & ENTERTAINERS / CLASSES
lloonCreations Ba Entertainers
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the Silicon Valley Clown
• Novelty Balloon Animals • Specialty Balloon Hats • Fun Balloon Toys • Clowns • Magic • Face Painting • Balloon Artists
Children’s Comedy Shows
www.ballooncreations.com
Since 1991
• People-friendly birds ride on a scooter, play basketball, talk, sing songs & much more. • Perform indoors or out • 6 Performing Parrots • 2 Programs to choose from
Great for birthdays, schools and special events.
www.happybirds.com 408-268-0778 408-623-0030 (Cell)
As seen on Animal Planet, Tonight Show & Ellen Show!
“Giving the Gift of Music and arts to Children”
Over 25 Tricks!
Piano • Voice • Guitar • Saxophone Clarinet • Violin • Children's Chorus
Magical Puppetime
Where your child becomes part of the show!
# Original, enchanting, humorous puppet acts Fairy tales, circus, animals, nursery rhymes
The Chronicle & KRON TV “It’s Special!” Since 1988 Interactive Marionette & Puppet Variety Shows
National Piano Guild Audition & Certificate of Merit Program
Call Evamarie, BM Violin Performance at 408-223-7887 for your free introduction class. Home instruction for all ages in Eastside/Evergreen Area www.sjama.com
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
# Puppets perform: magic, music, dance, storytelling Princesses, knights, wizards, dragons, fairies in flight # Royal cake & tea through puppetry Finderella mermaid & other fantiseas.
Boys Girls & Ages of All
# Other puppets: Cinderella, Pinocchio, Belle, Snow White, Ballerina, Alice, Pooh, Dorothy, Mary Puppets, Dinosaurs and more! chool ays, S Birthd day Shows # Guitar sing-a-longs, magic, Holi and face painting, puppet making
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(650) 620-9280 # (650) 678-4315 www.magicalpuppetime.com Miss Carol
139
Music Masters
I California Youth Symphony. In a program showcasing its senior soloist contest winners, the symphony will perform music from nationalistic schools of composition in England, Russia and the United States. Each year, the symphony’s high school seniors compete to be featured as soloists. This year’s winners are flutist Jenna Chen, clarinetist Ian Harshman and cellist Timothy Kang. Chen, of Cupertino, attends Monta Vista High School. Harshman and Kang both live in San Jose, with Harshman attending Leigh High and Kang attending Lynbrook High. 2:30pm Sun., May 11, Flint Center, DeAnza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. 2:30pm Sun., May 18, San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 650 N. Delaware St. at San Mateo High School. $12 adults, $6 students and seniors. Children under 5 not admitted. 650-325-6666. cys.org. I El Camino Youth Symphony. The symphony presents its A la Mode Ice Cream Social Concert, including an ice-cream party for children of all ages. The concert features soloist Timothy Fan, violin chamber players, camerata, overture flutes, intermezzo flutes and more. 6:15pm Sat., May 3. $10 includes all-you-can-eat ice cream sundaes. Cubberley Auditorium, 4000 Middlefield Road, Stanford. 650-2137111. ecys.org. I El Camino Sinfonietta. The Sinfonietta performs Spring Dance, with music by Beethoven, Bizet, Marcello and more. 8pm Sat., May 17. $10 for five tickets. Cubberley Auditorium, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. 650-2137111. ecys.org. I Nova Vista Symphony. The symphony presents Rhythm of Russia, with music including Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances. $16 adults, $13 seniors, $9 students, free for children 12 and under. 8pm Fri., May 23. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. 650-9036000. mvcpa.com. I San Jose Wind Symphony. Hear a sonorous treat with inspirational folk tunes from Ireland, Japan, Brazil, Turkey, Denmark and Russia. Features youth competition winner and clarinetist Kenta Akaogi. 3pm Sun., June 1. $17 adults, $15 seniors and students. McAfee Center, 20300 Herriman Ave., Saratoga. 408-927-7597. sjws.org. I Symphony Silicon Valley. Be the symphony’s guest for the broadcast of a 1920s radio show, featuring Gershwin’s jazz- and blues-infused piano concertos in their original Paul Whiteman big band orchestrations. Concert pianist Gwendolyn Mok performs this reenactment, complete with announcer and era commercials. 7:30pm Thurs., 8pm Fri. and Sat., 2:30pm Sun., May 8-11. $37-$73. California Theatre, 345 S. First St., San Jose. 408-286-2600. ticketmaster.com. I Vivace Teen Concert. The talented teen ensemble performs at 5pm Sun., May 18. $10 adults, $8 under 13. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 20 University Ave., Los Gatos. 408979-999. vivaceyouthchorus.org.
California Youth Symphony Solo Contest Winners – from left, Jenna Chen, Ian Harshman and Timothy Kang – will perform May 11 in Cupertino.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CALIFORNIA YOUTH SYMPHONY, MONICA MCHENNEY
first- to third-graders learn to read. 4-5pm, with training at 3-4pm. Free. Tully Library, 880 Tully Road, San Jose. 408-8083030. sjlibrary.org.
Jose. 408-808-2000. sjlibrary.org. Gaming Daze. See May 1.
16 Friday
Dance party. This co-op dance party for teens with disabilities is sponsored by parks and recreation therapeutic services in San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and Cupertino. Ages 13-19. $5. 7-9:30pm. Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Road, Cupertino. 408-369-6438. sanjoseca.gov/pms. teensReach. See May 2. 3:30-4:30pm, Evergreen Library, 2635 Aborn Road, San Jose. 408-808-3060. 4-5:30pm, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., San
17 Saturday
San Jose Teen Idol Grand Finale. Teenage crooners from each San Jose library branch compete to perform in this final concert contest. The winner will become the 2008 San Jose Teen Idol and take home the $50 grand prize. 24:30pm. Free. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose. 408-808-2183. sjlibrary.org. Short Film Series. This month’s lineup features lyrical films that show the power of place. Film locations include San
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CLASSES
G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G
Music and Movement for the 4 month to 4 year old Piano • Violin • Cello • Flute • Guitar • Voice Jazz • Tap • Ballet • Pointe • Hip Hop • Acro • Modern
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DANCE AND MUSIC FOR ALL AGES
REASONS TO CHOOSE US: # Family-friendly, wholesome environment # “Floating” professional dance floors helps prevent injuries. # Qualified caring instructors REASONS TO CHOOSE US: # University trained teachers # Private lessons to ensure undivided attention # Annual recital to provide performance experience
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Established in 1975 SAN JOSE / CUPERTINO WILLOW GLEN
7283 Coronado Dr., San Jose (Near Hwy. 85/Rainbow Dr.) 940-B Willow St., San Jose (Between Lincoln & Bird)
408.865.0654
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Visit us at: www.eastwestmusicanddance.com
G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G
Music Summer Program
Weekly and Monthly, Whole day and half day Sessions available. • Piano • Guitar • Violin • Viola • Cello • Clarinet • Saxophone • Flute • Vocal • Visual Arts • Painting •Drawing • Children’s Musical Theater & Drama • Chinese Classical & Folk Dance • Band/String Ensemble • Youth Orchestra •African Dance 386 S. Clover Ave., San Jose, CA (Across from Valley Fair Mall) www.encoremusicandart.com
408-983-0670
Music Lessons Your Child Will Love!
• Pre-Piano & Piano • Rhythm Band • Singing • Movement • Games • Musical Knowledge
Ages 3.5 to 10 years Private and Group Lessons Call Today! 408-356-7360 5345 Keene Dr., San Jose, CA 95124 408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent 141
CLASSES
LET’S PLAY!
SOCCER LESSONS
Music Store & Lessons
Band Instruments
(Flutes, Clarinets, Saxes, Trumpets & More)
For Sale & Rent to Own
Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Mexico City, New York, Budapest and a fence in Caspar, California. 2pm. Free with admission. Admission: $14 adults, $11 students and seniors, $9 ages 4-12, free under 3. Exploratorium, Palace of Fine Art, 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco. 415EXP-LORE (397-5673). Exploratorium.edu. Filipino Folk Dance. Learn about traditional Filipino dance in this six-Saturday series starting today. All ages. 11:15am-12:15pm. Free. Dr. Roberto Cruz Alum Rock Library, 3090 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose. 408-808-3090. sjlibrary.org
Guitars
(Children & Student Sizes)
Bug Ball Toddler Soccer 18mo. to 5 yrs.old
Preview Pass Bring in this ad for a
20 Tuesday
Origami Fun. Learn how to make an origami form. Ages 9 and up. 4:30-5:30pm. Free. Seventrees Branch Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. sjlibrary.org.
Sheet Music & Books
(Over 13,000 Titles in Stock)
21 Wednesday
Teen Library Advisory Board The Palo Alto City Library is looking for motivated teen volunteers in grades 7-10 to serve on this board and gain community service credit. They need to enjoy creating library displays or writing and contributing to the library’s Web site. Pick up applications at the library. 4-5pm. Free. Main Library, 1213 Newell Road. 650-329-2436, press #2 for reference. libraryteens@cityofpaloalto.org. cityofpaloalto.org/library (click on “Teens”). teensReach. See May 2. 6pm, with social night at 7pm. Tully Community Branch Library, 880 Tully Road, San Jose. 408-808-3030. sjlibrary.org.
FREE TRIAL CLASS
Call in advance
Private Music Lessons
(Onsite, One-on-one)
408.988.6900
bugball@offthewallsoccer.com
2 Locations in San Jose
2971 Union Ave. @ Foxworthy
408.377.2504
5885 Santa Theresa @ Snell
408.629.1812
www.musvil.com
www.offthewallsoccer.com
22 Thursday
Reading Buddies Volunteer Training. See May 15. Wii Rock! See May 8. Free. Seventrees Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. Gaming Daze. See May 1.
23 Friday
Gaming Daze. See May 1.
28 Wednesday
Jazz Hip Hop Ballet cal Tap Lyri G A Fun Place to Learn! Com N Comfortable Lobby to bo s Watch Your Kids Dance avaCllaab ses i ages le fo G Ages 2 to Adult r 2 year to 5 s! N Great Downtown Sunnyvale Location
Teen Library Advisory Board. The Palo Alto City Library is looking for motivated volunteers in grades 7-10 to serve on this board and gain community service credit. They need to enjoy creating library displays or writing and contributing to the library’s Web site. Applications available at the library. 3:30-4:30pm. Free. Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Road. 650-329-2436, #2 for Reference. libraryteens@cityofpaloalto.org. cityofpaloalto.org/library (click on “Teens”).
29 Thursday
Gaming Daze. See May 1.
408.245.5432
120 Carroll Street, Sunnyvale www.danceattack.com
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
30 Friday
Gaming Daze. See May 1.
CLASSES
Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics
p for Sign u T
REA Our G mer m Su Camps
Fun y Birthdas Partie Here
Gymnastics for Kids
SIGN UP FOR OUR GREAT SUMMER CAMP
Friendly and Enthusiastic Staff • Walking to Adult Recreational Programs • Cheer Tumbling Acrobatic Gymnastics Team • Field Trips
Birthday Parties 2 for Kids, Teens and Adults 2 2 Special Events 2 Parent/Child Classes 2 2 Parents’ Night Out 2
2 Classes
2
sses Our Cla reat G Make ! Gifts
FRE Trial C E for all lass N Studen ew ts
Classes begin April 28 1/2-day Summer Camp ages 5 and up
1041 Lincoln Avenue San Jose, CA 95125
• 422 Blossom Hill Road (Blossom Hill & Snell, Downer Square Shopping Center)
408.224.5437
408.564.7773
w w w. c u c i n a b a m b i n i . c o m
www.atagymnastics.com
SCRAPBOOKING
Summer ’08 Classes:
∑ Mommy & Me (ages 4-6) ∑ Young Scrappers Camp (ages 7+)
More details available on our website
PIANO and INSTRUMENT LESSONS
Sheet Music and Children’s Music Books Violins • Band Instruments • Guitars Keyboards • Piano • Ukuleles • Rentals
WE HAVE CLASSES FOR KIDS!
We also offer:
∑ Crop tables and scrapbooking tools ∑ Cricut classes and free demos (check our calendar on the web) ∑ Custom Invitations and Scrapbook designs ∑ Custom die-cuts and stickers ∑ Birthday Parties!
10191 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014 Next to the Diddams on DeAnza Blvd. 1 block South of Stevens Creek
I think World of Music is the best!
Private Lessons Available for ALL AGES at Sweetmusik Studios
20015 Stevens Creek Cupertino (near Vallco)
(408) 252-8264
Mon. - Thur. 10-7 pm Fri. & Sat. 10-5 pm
Shirley West
P IANO S TUDIO
Piano Lessons - “A Gift of Love”
Private Lessons - Beginning through Advanced Ages 5 and above • Offering monthly group recitals at no charge BALANCED CURRICULUM • Sight Reading • Ear Training • Theory • Technique CLASSICAL & MODERN • Certificate of Merit Program. Many of my students • Member of Music Teachers’ Assoc. of California and
the California Assoc. of Professional Music Teachers quality to play in the State MTAC Convention
408-446-9901
www. memoriesliveon.com
C AMPBELL A REA 408-279-0158
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
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CLASSES
An Intel Museum docent helps kids put together a puzzle ball. The museum offers free workshops on May 3, 17 and 31. PHOTO COURTESY OF INTEL MUSEUM
Continued from page 136
Cristo Rey Drive, Mountain View. From preserve parking lot, walk 1 mile to the farm. 650-965-FARM (3276). fodhf.org. Rev Up a Robot. Discover how to use simple on and off commands to program a robot and watch it go. Ages 7 and up. 10:30-11:30am or 1:45-2:45pm. Free. The Intel Museum, 2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara. Email museum@intel.com to register (child’s name, parent’s name, age and telephone number) or call 408-765-0503. intel.com/museum. Energy Exploration & Innovation Day. Design and test a windpowered car, harness the sunlight to make sun print art and get creative at the innovation station. A wildlife show, wind and wave walk around the park and animal feedings are included in this energetic day. 10am-2pm. Museum hours: 10am-5pm Tues.Sat., noon-5pm Sun. $2 children, $6 adults. Coyote Point Museum, 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo. 650-342-7755. coyoteptmuseum.org. Jumbo People Puppets. Children use buttons, pom poms and yarn to create jumbo-sized puppet pals. Ages 3 and up. 11am3pm. Free. Lakeshore Learning, 1099 Bascom Ave., Campbell. 408-998-0794. lakeshorelearning.com. Vivace Youth Chorus. Join the chorus for its annual family concert. The chorus provides choral music education for children ages 4 and up, including five levels of Kodaly-based music theory, a Rising Notes group for 4-6 year-olds, a teen choir, two formal concerts per year and year-end evaluations. 4pm. $10 adults, $8 under 13. 408-979-999. Stone Church, 1937 Lincoln Ave., San Jose. vivaceyouthchorus.org. Boogie on the Bayou. Campbell celebrates a Cajun festival featuring Louisiana-style food and American food, 200 art booths, Kiddie Korner and Family Fun Zone. Take the light rail to downtown Campbell. 10am-6pm today and 10-5pm Sun. Free admission. 408-378-6250. campbellchamber.com. Physics of Toys. Help the Physics of Toys team solve mysteries with forensic science at “Physics of Toys CSI: Cool Science Investigation.” 11am-3pm. Free with admission. Admission: $14 adults, $11 students and seniors, $9 ages 4-12, free under 3. Exploratorium, Palace of Fine Art, 3601 Lyon St., San Francisco. 415-EXP-LORE (397-5673). exploratorium.edu. Happy Hollow Animal Show. Take an imaginary field trip around the world to discover animal habitats and niches, what they eat and how they survive. 11:30am. Free with admission. Admission $6 2-59 and $5.50 for senior and disabled. Parking
Continued on page 148
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
CLASSES
Come see why we’re the best!
FREE FUN! TRIAL CLASS!
F ANTASTIC!
Most Awarded Program 12 years Running!!
SUPER SUMMER CAMPS!
2250 Martin Ave., Santa Clara
(San Tomas at Walsh/101 & Central Expwy)
(408)986-8226
GYMNASTICS CLASSES, TOTS TO TEENS!
www.airborne-gymnastics.com fun@airborne-gymnastics.com
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
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Gardens
May is the month for mothers and spring flowers – and maybe visiting a beautiful garden with mom. Here are a few Silicon Valley favorites: I Allied Arts Guild – Features a number of gardens, including the Rose Allee, Court of Abundance and Garden of Delight. 10am-5pm Mon.-Sat. 75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park. 650-322-2405. alliedartsguild.com. I Elizabeth Gamble Garden – This 2.5-acre property features a historic home, a carriage house, tea house, and for-
admission: $12 adults, $5 ages 5-17 or with student ID, free under 5. 86 Cañada Road, Woodside. 650-364-8300, ext. 507. tours@filoli.org. filoli.org. I Filoli Annual Flower Show – More than 100 designers, exhibitors and garden clubs will present unique arrangements, table settings and garden displays. Opening reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres, 5:30-8pm Thurs., May 8. $85 non-members, $75 members. General flower show, 10am-3:30pm Fri.-Sun., May 9-11. $10-25, free under 5. Flower show teas, 11am and 1:30pm Fri.-Sat., May 9-10. $35-$65. Mother’s Day Brunch, see Mother’s Day events on page 114. I Friendship Garden – Designed by landscape architect Edwin Wood, the garden was planned for the enjoyment of those with disabilities and the general public alike. Harvey West Park, 326 Evergreen St., Santa Cruz. 831-420-5270. ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/pr/parksrec/parks/harvey.html. I Guadalupe Gardens – Features the Garden Center horticultural library, Courtyard Garden, Taylor Street Rock Garden, Historic Orchard and Heritage Rose Garden. The rose garden features almost 5,000 plants of more than 3,500 varieties of heritage, modern and miniature roses. 715 Spring St., San Jose. 408-298-7657. grpg.org. I Hakone Garden – Attractions include a koi pond, zen and tea gardens, and a reproduction of a 19th-century Kyoto tea merchant’s home and shop. 10am-5pm weekdays and 11am-5pm weekends. $5, $3.50 seniors and ages 5-7, under 5 free. 21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 408-7414994. hakone.com. I Japanese Friendship Garden – Dedicated in 1965, the garden is patterned after Okayama’s world-famous Korakuen Park. Stop by and purchase feed for the koi fish for a small fee. Daily, 10am-30 minutes after sunset. $6 parking. Kelley Park, 1300 Senter Road, San Jose. 408-794-1383. sjparks.org/Parks/RegionalParks/jfg/jfg.asp. I San Jose Municipal Rose Garden – This 5.5-acre garden features more than 3,500 plantings and 189 varieties. 8amhalf hour after sunset. Naglee and Dana Streets, San Jose. 408-277-5562. www.sjparks.org/Parks/RegionalParks/rose/RoseGarden.asp.
The mansion is abloom for the Filoli Flower Show, May 8-11. PHOTO COURTESY OF BARBARA BRAUN
mal and demonstration gardens. Open daily during daylight hours. 1431 Waverly St., Palo Alto. 650-329-1356. gamblegarden.org. I Filoli – This 654-acre estate features a grand Georgian mansion that sits among 16 acres of gardens full of rare flowers, plants and trees. Hours are 10am-3:30pm Tues.-Sat. and 11am-3:30pm Sun. Entrance closes at 2:30pm. Regular
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Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
CLASSES
Tiny Tots
On-line Camp Registration
Summer Classes & Camps Enroll Now
Jazz • Ballet • Tap • HipHop • Breakdancing
14110 Blossom Hill Road Los Gatos (at Harwood) 408-356-6456
www.danceattackstudios.com
ERNIE REYES’
WEST COAST KARATE
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“Rated the #1 Martial Arts Action Team in the World!”
NEW Cardio Kickboxing for Parents
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CHILDREN • ADULTS Includes FREE UNIFORM with $14.95 Starter Course
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CHILDREN • TEENS • MOMS & DADS
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GRAND OPENING NEW LOCATION Campbell
408-374-1177
Santa Clara
408-984-1988
408-262-4322
Cambrain
408-371-8122
Sunnyvale
408-773-8095
Milpitas
408-262-7777
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
147
CLASSES
Discover why our students LOVE our year-round swim classes!
Call NOW! Register Today
Continued from page 144
$6. Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, 1300 Senter Road, San Jose. 408-277-3000. hhpz.org. Lotus in the West Storytime. This Vietnamese and English storytime also features songs, crafts and snacks. 10:30am-12:30pm. Free. Berryessa Branch Library, Community Room, 3355 Noble Ave., San Jose. 408-808-3050. sjlibrary.org. About Butterflies. Do you know the difference between butterflies, moths and skippers? Learn about these insects and then take a leisurely walk around our butterfly garden. Ages 7 and up. 1:30-3:30pm. Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Environmental Education Center, Grand Blvd., Alviso. Reservations required. 408-262-5513, ext. 102. desfbay.fws.gov. Autism Support Group. Meet other parents with autistic children. 7pm. Kepler Learning Center, 305 Piercy Road, San Jose. 408-363-0222.
State-of-the-Art Indoor Facility
SUTTON SWIM SCHOOL established in 2000, is family owned and operated. It is our mission to provide the BEST HIGH QUALITY, COMPASSIONATE swimming instruction by CARING, PATIENT, WELL-TRAINED instructors.
• Indoor Pool Comfortable 90° • Classes for all Ages & Levels • Open Year-Round • Mommy & Me Baby Swim Classes • Entire Staff CPR Trained & Certified • Adult Classes/All Levels
Babies through Adult!
18 Sunday
Family Fun Day. During Campbell’s Boogie on the Bayou Festival, children can dress up in vintage fashions, make puppets, design canned fruit labels and more. 11am-4pm. $3, children 3 and under free. Campbell Historical Museum, 300 Grant St., Campbell. 408-866-2119. ci.campbell.ca.us/museum/tours.htm. Habitat Hike. Take an enlightening hike around the education center and find out what critters are enjoying the refuge during this time of year. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. 1:302:30pm. Free. Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Environmental Education Center, Grand Blvd., Alviso. Reservations required. 408-262-5513, ext. 102. desfbay.fws.gov. Children’s Science. Play with sound in this month’s program for members. Ages 3-12. 2-4pm. Exploratorium, Palace of Fine Art, 3601 Lyon St., San Francisco. 415-EXP-LORE (397-5673). exploratorium.edu. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Playshop for Kids. Children participate in a workshop with themes related to the show while their parents watch San Jose Repertory Theater’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Ages 6-12. 3pm today and Sat., May 24, 31 and June 7. $10 per child. Show tickets: $15-$59. San Jose Repertory Theater, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. 408-367-7255. sjrep.com. Rent. The Tony award-winning Broadway musical about finding one’s voice and learning to survive is in Silicon Valley for one performance today. The 2007-2008 national touring production stars American Idol finalist Anwar Robinson as Tom Collins. Contains mature themes. 7 pm. $40-60. Flint Center, De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. 408-998-8497. ticketmaster.com. (Editor’s Note: Parents should know there are some adult themes in this production.) A la Carte and Art. See May 17. Rainforest Fun Fest. See May 17. Boogie on the Bayou. See May 17.
10455 Bandley Drive, 200 • Cupertino, CA 95014 Paula Sutton, Director • paula@suttonswim.com
UNITED STATES SWIM SCHOOL
ASSOCIATION
408.996.9800
WEST COAST AQUATICS
ENROLL NOW FOR SWIM LESSONS - BEAT THE SUMMER RUSH! Small Group Classes at Non-Profit Prices! 1/2 hour lessons held for ages 4 to Adult Certified Lesson Instructors Several options to fit your busy schedule Swim Team, Masters, Water Polo & Summer Day Camp Also Our Specialty! Located @ Independence and Overfelt High Schools in San Jose Enroll in person or on the internet:
West Coast Aquatics
(408) 259-4522
www.WestCoastAquatics.org or e-mail WestCoastLessons@gmail.com
Schools
We can help fill your open enrollment! Call today to advertise.
21 Wednesday
Reflection Board. Use your imagination while you create a reflection board. All ages. 7-7:30pm. Free. Seventrees Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. sjlibrary.org.
22 Thursday
Sky Hunters. What are raptors? Learn about birds-of-prey and
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CLASSES
Dancers from all over the Bay Area Come Together at Dance Academy
SUMMER SESSION JULY 7 - AUGUST 7
Intro to Dance • Tap Musical Theatre Jazz • Ballet • Pointe’ Hip Hop • Lyrical Creative Dance Competition Teams!
Taylor (Redwood City), and Jodie (Los Altos)
Classes Available from Age 2-Adult!
We’ve expanded our facilities to offer you additional classes.
S i l i c o n Va l l e y’ s D a n c e L e a d e r
21269 Stevens Creek Blvd. Suite 600, Cupertino
408.257.3211 • www.DanceAcademyUSA.com
Art Beats All Around Us!
Highest Quality Music Education Comprehensive Music Program
The Art Beat
N ORTHERN C ALIFORNIA S CHOOL
OF
M USIC
E
SEE
xpanding the Mind Through Music
Highly Motivational Teaching Style Uncompromised Dedication Extensive Teaching Credential Faculty to Students
SUMMER MUSIC ARTS CAMP PROGRAM
WATCH FREE DEMOS & LIVE PERFORMANCES MORE DETAIL & RSVP ONLINE AT WWW.NCSM.NET
Group Classes: Piano, Guitar, Flute
Mixed Media • All Ages • Walk-ins Welcome Potter’s Wheel • Ceramics, Mosaics • Drawing/Painting Pottery, Clay • Bird Houses, Terra cotta Pots • Wind Chimes & More
Open Studio
Individual Instrumental Classes for all ages & levels on piano, violin, viola, flute, guitar, cello, composition and more NCSM Youth Chamber Ensemble, Chamber Music Classes, Guitar Ensemble Summer Chamber Workshop & MusicArts Camp (June - August) Monthly Recitals, Annual Award Recital, Student Honor Recital, Annual Examination & Competitions 9-Foot STEINWAY & SONS CONCERT GRAND PIANO is used at the NCSM Recital Hall Spacious, large windowed classrooms overlooking lush courtyards
Art Instruction Parties
68 East Campbell Ave., Campbell www.TheArtBeat.net 408.370.5002
NCSM
Northern California School of Music
20823 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 400 Cupertino, CA 95014 Inside STEVENS CREEK OFFICE CENTER (Peet’s Coffee & Panera Bread at front entrance) Phone/Fax: 408.777.0740 E-mail: info@ncsm.net
www.ncsm.net
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CLASSES
ADVERTISEMENT
Santa Clara Swim Club
When most parents think of swimming lessons, they imagine lounging in the shade while their children splash away during the hot summer months. But you don’t have to wait for summer. With a “bubble” structure over the shallow teaching pool, Santa Clara Swim Club offers a yearround swim school in a comfortable environment. Started in 1951, the Santa Clara Swim Club is recognized throughout the world for its dedication to developing competitive swimmers both as athletes and as people for the long term. In the club’s 50-plus years of operation, it has produced an astounding 44 Olympians. With figures like that, one would expect it to be the priciest swim school in the valley, but surprisingly, Santa Clara Swim Club remains the best value in year-round swimming at just $12 per class. Starting at six months, children can join the Water Babies program, in which the child is in the pool with the instructor and a parent. They sing songs, play games, learn to hold their breath, and get submerged. After age three, when separation anxiety is not an issue, kids are in the water with only the instructor and Mom or Dad can watch from the pool deck. Classes are limited to no more than four children in each group so that each child receives adequate personal attention. The swim club does its own training to ensure that instructors are certified in CPR and first aid. Instructors decide when a swimmer is ready to advance to the next level. You’ll find a wide variety of instructors. Some are moms, some are college students pursuing a career that involves working with children, some are high school students with younger siblings. All have a passion for teaching kids to swim. Classes last 30 minutes and are available Monday through Friday, or on Saturday mornings. The school is run in sessions, but students can join anytime. Class fees are prorated if a swimmer joins mid-session. It’s important to remember that swimming lessons are no substitute for proper supervision. Children in the pool should be watched at all times. But kids are natural-born swimmers. That’s why the best age to start swimming lessons is as soon as possible, before they develop fears or lose skills. Why not call Santa Clara Swim Club today to start your child in a swimming program. by Donna Bush
Kid-friendly food and family fun abound at A la Carte & Art on May 17-18. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIRAMAR EVENTS
see a couple of them up close. Geared for elementary school age. 3pm. Free. Berryessa Library, 3355 Noble Ave., San Jose. 408-808-3050. sjlibrary.org.
23 Friday
Insect Discovery Lab. Handle them and explore their lives. Geared for preschoolers. 10:30-11:30am. Free. Seventrees Branch Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. sjlibrary.org. Fabulous Friday Craft. Make a craft to take home. Ages 6 and up. 3:30-4:30pm. Free. Evergreen Branch Library, Community Room, 2635 Aborn Road, San Jose. 408-808-3060. sjlibrary.org.
Children are natural-born swimmers. The best age to start swimming lessons is as soon as possible, before they develop fears or lose skills. Santa Clara Swim Club
24 Saturday
Personalized Journal. Kids draw or write in their one-of-a-kind journals. Ages 3 and up. 11am-3pm. Free. Lakeshore Learning, 1099 Bascom Ave., Campbell. 408-998-0794. lakeshorelearning.com. Lotus in the West Storytime. See May 17. Tully Library, 880 Tully Road, San Jose. 408-808-3030. sjlibrary.org. ArtSea. Learn about whales and use shapes and lines to draw one in the style of marine artist Wyland. Ages 3-7. 8:30-9:30am. $20, or $16 members, plus admission. Regular museum hours are 10am-6pm daily. Admission: $24.95 adults, $15.95 children. Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey. 800-8404880. montereybayaquarium.org.
25 Sunday
Wonderful Wildflowers. Learn about native wildflowers, walk through the native plant garden and enjoy a scavenger hunt. 10:30am-noon. Free. Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Environmental Education Center, Grand Blvd., Alviso. Reservations required. 408-262-5513, ext. 102. desfbay.fws.gov. Critter Café. Water is pretty boring stuff, right? No way! Come take a closer look at the tiny, wiggly, squiggly creatures in the slough. Ages 6 and up. Free. Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Environmental Education Center,
2625 Patricia Dr., Santa Clara • 408-246-5003 • www.santaclaraswimclub.org
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CLASSES
PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES
You’ll Flip, Flip, Flip over
FREE TRIAL CLASS for all new students
Hom Olympic e of Champion
Amy Chow
BIRTHDAY PARTIES!
• Tots – Teens • Field Trips • Leotard Sales • • Award Winning Staff • • CPR & Safety Certified Instructors! •
408-374-8692
1190 Dell Ave. Unit I Campbell
(Near Hwy 17 & San Tomas Expwy and Hwy 85 & Winchester Blvd)
www.wvgs.com
Public Speaking Debate Camps & Classes
sic™ ily Mu f Fam ther.com oy o The J w.musictoge
ww
Ages 5-17 & Adults • People Who Speak Well, Do Well! • Pre-Public Speaking (Age 5-8) • Public Speaking (Age 9-17) • Professional Public Speaking (Adults) • Professional Business Writing (Adults) • Pre-Debate & Critical Thinking ! NEW (Age 9-14) • Debate (Age 11-17) • Creative Writing (Age 9-17) • Grammar & Composition (Age 9-17) • Reading Comprehension (Age 9-17) • Listening Skills (11-17) • Private Tutoring & Coaching • College Instructors, speech & debate coaches & professionals • Classes offered through the Recreation Departments of Cupertino, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Fremont, Milpitas, Livermore and De Anza College Space is Limited, Register Today!
Music classes for children newborn through 5 yrs.
7th
r runn yea i
ng
Classes in SAN JOSE • Evergreen Willow Glen • Santa Teresa and MORGAN HILL (408) 531-1600
www.LittleMusician.net • devin@littlemusician.net
Campbell • Cupertino • Los Gatos • Saratoga Ben Lomond • Capitola • Santa Cruz • Watsonville Now in Boulder Creek! (831) 438-3514 Call for a free class!
info@MusicalMe.com • www.MusicalMe.com
Communication Academy
7337 Bollinger Road. Suite E Cupertino, CA 95014
Mountain View • Sunnyvale • Palo Alto • Los Altos • Menlo Park (650) 917-2354
www.Music4Families.net
408-777-8876
www.communicationacademy.com
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Parent Education & Support
I Family Reading. This six-week course encourages family reading and literacy. 6-8pm Tues., May 20-June 24. Free. Offered by Vision Literacy at the Mountain View Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View. 408-262-1349. info@visionliteracy.org. visionliteracy.org. I Father Series. Fathers learn why they should be more involved in their children’s growth and how to do it in this three-week series led by a psychologist. 6-8pm Wed., April 30-May 7. Free with free childcare provided. Presented by West Valley Community Services at a location to be determined. 408-255-8033, ext. 153. shriyas@cupertinocommunityservices.org. cupertinocommunityservices.org. I Putting Sleep to Rest. A medical doctor discusses easing sleep stress and returning the restorative function to your child’s sleep from birth through adolescence. Adults only. Bring lunch; drinks provided. Noon1pm Thurs., May 8. Free. Center for Developing Minds, 15951 Los Gatos Blvd., Suite 6, Los Gatos. 408-358-1853. devminds.com. I Raising Healthy Eaters. Parents and caretakers learn about nutrition and the benefits of feeding kids healthy meals. Presented by dieticians in English and Spanish and arranged by First5 Santa Clara County and Choices for Children. Two dates: 6-8pm Tues., May 20, or Sat., May 24. Tully Library, 880 Tully Road, San Jose. 408-808-3030. sjlibrary.org.
that helps families find the support, tools and services needed to raise healthy children. 200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto. 650-688-3040. parentsplaceonline.org. I Adoption Connection. An informational workshop for families considering a domestic agency adoption. 7-8:30pm Wed., May 28. Free. Parents Place. I Developing a Positive Body Image. Learn ways to help your children resist negative messages and learn to be healthy and happy with their bodies. Led by a social worker with experience preventing eating disorders. 7-9pm Tues., May 20. $30. Parents Place. I Juggling Two. Tips offered by an early childhood educator to ease the adjustment to the new arrival. Noon1:30pm Thurs., May 8. $50. Parents Place. I Parenting as a Team. Explore ways to communicate, work together and discipline together to help the whole family. Led by an organizational psychologist. 7-9 pm Thurs., May 8 and 22. $110. Parents Place. I Parenting with a Chronic Illness. In this workshop, participants will share ideas and experiences about how to handle parenting while coping with an illness. 6:30-8:30pm Mon., May 5 and 12. $60. Parents Place. I Preparing for Kindergarten. A veteran teacher and parent educator shares activities and strategies to help your child make this transition. 6:308:30pm Thurs., May 29. $30. Parents Place. I Raising Girls. A marriage and family therapist explores what girls ages 5-9 need to grow up curious, competent and capable. 7-9pm Tues., May 6. $30. Parents Place. I Raising Multilingual Children. A bilingual parent educator and social worker teaches parents how to foster second language acquisition. 6:30-8:30pm Wed., May 14. $30. Parents Place.
Parents Place Programs
The following classes take place at Parents Place, a center
The Russian School of Piano & Violin
www.avlonimusic.com
Private and Group Lessons All Ages and Levels Piano, Violin Theory Kindermusic Highly Qualified Teachers National & CM Tests Recitals & Competitions
Ma
Swim Cen ki
Call T o Easy O day! Registr nline ation
Maki Swim Center
Where Families Learn to Swim!
• Instructor Consistancy • Personalized Custom Scheduling (request your day & time) • Progressive Montessori Teaching style (offers the convenience of siblings learning together - even if at different levels) • Warm Indoor Pool • Easy on-line and/or phone registration • Award-Winning Motivation System • Trial Lessons Offered • Small Group Size • Lap Swim Available
Give the Gift of Swimming Lessons.
$15 OFF Gift Certificate
(First time members)
r te
Avloni Academy of Music
408-203-3510 • 9:00am-3:30pm 408-203-3520 • 3:30pm-8:00pm 152
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408.358.7049 • www.makiswim.com 2245 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
CLASSES
It’s a fabulous adventure at
DACA Swim School!
• Year Round • Climate controlled indoor facility • OUTSTANDING WATER BABIES CLASSES • Convenient once-a-week lessons for all ages 3 months through adult • Two 20’x60’ Modern pools heated to a constant 90 degrees ow! all N ing C rn • 7 days a week with Mo sses e expanded hours Cla ailabl Av during prime time Still and weekends
t h e DA C A W a y ! L e a r n to S w i m 408-446-5600
1080 South De Anza Blvd., San Jose, CA 95129
Easy access from 85, Stevens Creek & De Anza Blvd.
www.DACA.org
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CLASSES / ENTERTAINMENT
Let us show you how we create a PASSION for music!
NEW! Music Maker Class for Birth to 4 years old NEW! Bilingual Chinese/English Music Class for Birth to 4 years old
Piano • Violin • Cello • Voice • Flute • Drums • Guitar • Group Keyboard Early Music Awareness • Percussion Ensemble • At-Home Lessons • & More!
Joyful Melodies Music School
10455 Bandley Dr. #300, Cupertino (408) 725-9049, 472-3725 www.joyfulmelodies.com
Mention this ad for a
FREE TRIAL CLASS
Ages 18 mos. to 7 years
• Develop motor skills • Eye-feet coordination • Improve balance • Develop social behavior • Creates self confidence • Non-competitive environment
SoccerTots (408) 649-4819
MVP Arena (408) 750-0929
BAP17
The Vivace Youth Chorus presents its annual family concert May 17. PHOTO COURTESY OF VIVACE CHORUS
Continued from page 150
696 E. Trimble Rd., San Jose (on the corner of Montague Expwy & Kruse Dr.) www.mvparena.com • info@mvparena.com • www.soccertots.net
Grand Blvd., Alviso. Reservations required. 408-262-5513, ext. 102. desfbay.fws.gov.
27 Tuesday
Filipino Storytime. Listen to a Tagalog and English story and make a craft. 5-6pm. Free. Seventrees Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408-629-4536. sjlibrary.org.
28 Wednesday
Making Puppets. Children of all ages learn to make a puppet. 77:30pm. Free. Seventrees Library, 3597 Cas Drive, San Jose. 408629-4536. sjlibrary.org.
31 Saturday
Silly Sun Visor. Kids have it made in the shade with this colorful visor craft. Ages 3 and up. 11am-3pm. Free. Lakeshore Learning, 1099 Bascom Ave., Campbell. 408-998-0794. lakeshorelearning.com. Circuitry Class. From doorbells to karaoke machines, circuits operate many devices we use every day. Kids will learn the basics of circuitry, then work in teams to build devices that ring, beep and play songs. Ages 9 and up. 10:30-11:30am and 1:452:45pm. Free. The Intel Museum, 2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara. Email museum@intel.com to register (parent’s name, child’s name, age and telephone number) or call 408-7650503. intel.com/museum. Reading at the Refuge. Hear a story about wildlife followed by a fun exploration outside. Ages 4 and up. Free. Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Environmental Education Center, Grand Blvd., Alviso. Reservations required. 408-262-5513, ext. 102. desfbay.fws.gov.
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CLASSIFIEDS
To place a classified ad CALL TOLL FREE: 866-276-3186
Children’s Musician Janet Sirett
Original Songs and Familiar favorites for kids ages 8 & under
408-835-4631
To hear some samples log onto
www.janetsirett.com
THE FRATELLO MARIONETTES
“Experience the Artistry”
Professional shows for all occasions since 1989.
925-984-3401
www.FratelloM.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGICIAN Dennis Loomis. Enchanting entertainment for all ages. Magic, balloons, live animals. Affordable. Endorsed by David Copperfield! 925-429-5201 www.dennisloomis.com
LIVE MONKEYS
in your livingroom!
Professional animal trainers & monkeys at your child’s party!
707-853-2741
monkeybusinessprod@yahoo.com
156 Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
To place a classified ad CALL TOLL FREE: 866-276-3186
CLASSIFIEDS
PRIVATE PIANO LESSONS First Lesson FREE! Great Teaching Skill. Students make QUICK PROGRESS. Affordable Rate (408) 244-7745 GUITAR / MUSIC LESSONS Fun & rewarding. Children, Teens, Adults. 10yrs experience. Call Skip Woodstock (408) 379-8947.
Publisher does not endorse nor recommend the following business opportunities and we encourage our readers to look carefully into any business opportunity before making personal or financial commitments.
NANNYS DAYCARE Structured Home Daycare & Preschool Branham/Pearl 408-265-1068 Full/Part time openings. Preschool curriculum. PreK and K readiness. 3 Star Gold Seal Award. Former preschool teacher. Art projects, music, circle time, library outings, and many more. Lic#430756119
LITTLE STAR FAMILY DAYCARE Santa Clara 3 mos-5 yrs, 7:30-6pm, In & Outdoor Learning Play/Projects/Dance 408-260-2561 lic# 434404637 RAHMAN DAYCARE 0-5yrs 7am-6pm, Mon-Fri. Campbell. 9yrs Exp. Masters in Education Pre-school Pro.OrganicMeals #434404400 408-364-9688
AVON BUY OR SELL
Only $10 to sign up + free gift! Earn up to 50% +.
Independent Sales Rep. Hablamos Espano
ATTENTION: State of California requires child care advertisers to include license number in their ad.
408-362-1442
POST OFFICE NOW HIRING! Avg.Pay $20/hr or $57K/yr incl. Fed. Benefits & OT Placed by adSource Not Aff w/USPS who hires 1-866-668-5188
Make Money Playing With Your Kids!
Sell Discovery Toys! Only $25 to Start! carolvaldon@comcast.net (408) 483-4838 (408) 866-2423 discoverytoyslink.com/ carolvaldon
Selam Child Care
1619 Beck Dr # A San Jose, Ca,95130 Good Exp.w/ Children CPR,First Aid,and Safety Trained. Medical Assist. Background
THERESA’S PLACE Daycare Preschool Pre-K Over 22 yrs exp. F/T 7:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. Blossom Hill / 85 408-224-3442 #434401131
408-449-1679
lic#434408469
Nanny Agency
Tender Loving Care for our stars
Visit TraditionsTLC.com or call (650) 533-3272
License #38481
ADDRESS LABELS by FAMILY LABELS ®
Putting Smiles on Faces... Since 1996
168 Rolling Hills Drive • Orlando, FL 32809
THE MILLER FAMILY
Matthew
Sarah
Nicholas
Emily
Sparky
THEY GROW SO FAST! Capture the moment with a Family Portrait! Outdoor locations. Affordable prices. Special events too! Call Susan J. Weiand Photography. Bay Area Parent’s Reader’s Choice Winner 2002. (408) 996-1933
MERRY CHRISTMAS From THE BAKERS
224 Oceanside Drive • San Diego, CA 91124
Michael
Grace
Andrew
Megan Whiskers
Visit us on the web:
www.familylabels.com Call for a Free Color Catalog: 1-800-734-7063
IN-HOME TUTORING, K-12. All subjects. Bright, friendly, and exp. tutors. Toll-free 1 - 8 6 6 - 7 7 3 - 7 7 6 4 Or visit www.PrepPoint.com
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Attractions, Events & Family Fun
American Musical Theatre ................37 Bayer Ballet Academy .......................37 Campbell Chamber of Commerce ..135 Children’s Discovery Museum .............9 Gizdich Ranch ....................................79 Hands on the Arts .............................33 Happy Hollow Park & Zoo ..............161 Los Gatos Parent Nursery School....131 Melting Pot, The..............................115 Monterey Bay Aquarium ................133 Morgan Hill Aquatic Center .............76 Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras ..................79 San Francisco Zoo ..............................17 San Jose Flea Market.......................133 San Jose Public Library ....................131 Santana Row......................................29 Wings of History ................................79
Camps
A Work of Art ..................................145 Action Day / Primary Plus..................43 Berlitz Language Center ...................61 California Sports Center....................65 Camp Concord - Lake Tahoe.............53 Camp Winnarainbow ........................67 Cantabile Youth Singers....................55 Child Development Center ...............52 Children’s Creative Learning Center .............................50 Children’s Musical Theatre San Jose ..........................................55 Clement School..................................49 Cloverleaf Ranch................................67 Club One ............................................66 Cogswell Polytechnical College ........43 Day Jams Rock Music Day Camp ......50 DeAnza Community Education ........51 Delphi Academy ..........................68, 69 Destination Science ...........................72 Digital Media Academy ....................73 DontBullyMyKids.com ...............64, 146 E2K .....................................................68 Elan Esprit ..........................................61 Emerson School - Write Now! ..........73 FasTracKids .........................................68 FUNdamentals Basketball Camp ......49 Galileo Educational Services .............67 Golden Eagle .....................................65 Harker School..5, 9, 13, 28, 38, 72, 119 Ice Center Enterprises .....................143 iD Tech Camps....................................58 India Community Center...................67 Intel Museum.....................................43 International School of the Peninsula.............................50 Kennolyn Camps................................46 Kiddie Academy.................................53 Kids Art ..............................................49 Legend Learning Center ...................55 Lekha School of Creative Writing ....61 Mastery of Math................................46
Merlion Books....................................53 Montecito Preschool .........................49 Peppertree Schools............................48 Precious Preschool .............................49 Pruneridge Golf .................................55 San Jose Family Camp .......................61 Santa Clara Christian School.....60, 102 Santa Clara University .......................60 Saratoga Springs................................58 Saso High School Prep.......................73 Sierra School ......................................47 Skylake Yosemite Camp ....................45 St. Francis High School ......................60 St. Timothy’s Lutheran School ..........50 Sunnyvale Community Center ..........59 Tech Know How.................................40 West Valley College for Kids.............65 YMCA of Santa Clara Valley .............72 Young at Art ......................................44 Young Chefs Academy ......................48 Youth Science Institute .....................44 YWCA of Silicon Valley .....................90
Health Spas
Harmonie Day Spa...........................114
Kids Classes
Berlitz Language Center ...................61
ARTS & CRAFTS
A Work of Art ..................................145 Art Beat, The ...................................149 Glazed Creations ...............................79 Kids Art ..............................................49 Memories Live On Scrapbooking ...143 Njeri’s Morning Glory ........................94
COOKING
Cucina Bambini................................143 Young Chefs Academy ......................48
DANCE & GYMNASTICS
Aerial Tumbling & Acrobatics.........143 Airborne Gymnastics .......................145 California Kids Sports Center..........147 Dance Academy USA .......................149 Dance Attack! ..................................147 Dance Attack-Sunnyvale .................142 East*West Music and Dance ...........141 Little Gym, The ....................................7 My Gym ................................................3 West Valley Gymnastics...................151
Childcare
KidsPark ...............................................3 YMCA of Santa Clara Valley .............72 YWCA of Silicon Valley .....................90
Dentists
Children’s Dental Center & Big People Too!..............................33 John Licking, D.D.S. ..........................24 Natalie Vander Kam, D.D.S. .............39 Pearly Bright Dental ............................3 Seven Hills Dental..............................21
MARTIAL ARTS
Victory Martial Arts .........................141 West Coast Martial Arts ..................147 Wushu Central Martial Arts............145
MUSIC
Avloni Academy of Music ...............152 Community School of Music & Arts .................................145 Encore Music & Art Academy .........141 Joyful Melodies................................154 Longay Conservatory of Guitar ......154 Music for Life ...................................141 Music Place, Inc. ..............................145 Music Together ................................151 Music Village....................................142 Northern California School of Music............................149 San Jose Academy of Music & Arts ............................139 Shirley West Piano Studio ...............143 Vivace Youth Chorus of San Jose ...141 World of Music ................................142
Family Services & Enrichment
Balloon Cuts.......................................32 Creative Conception............................9 San Jose Piano ...................................32
Furniture & Play Structures
Baby Hugs ..........................................21 Kiddie World Center .......................164 Lullaby Lane.....................................163 Mancini’s Sleepworld ..........................6 Planet Kids .........................................14 Rainbow Play Systems .....................162
SPORTS
California Sports Center..................149 DontBullyMyKids.com ...............64, 146 Ice Center Enterprises .....................143 Leisure Sports.....................................33 Mighty Cubs Child Development ...144 MVP Arena.......................................139 Off The Wall Soccer.........................142 Pruneridge Golf .................................55 Rollin’ Ice Roller Hockey .................144 Santa Clara University Basketball.....60 Striker’s Den Indoor Soccer.............144
Health & Wellness
4D Fetal Imaging ...............................20 Bay Area Health Insurance ...............13 Dr. Meenakshi Bhargava ...................39 Hair Fairies The Head Lice Helpers...................37 Leisure Sports.....................................33 Medi Weight Loss ..............................39 Midori Nishimura...............................39 Pratt Center, The .................................3 Prenatal Peek.......................................9 South Bay Vascular Center & Vein Institute..............................39
THEATER & DRAMA
Peninsula Youth Theatre...................32 San Jose Reparatory Theatre ............36
158
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Legal Services
Barbara Fielden, Attorney ................32 Collaborative Alternatives ................16 Jeff Preefer, Attorney........................16 Law Office of Travis H. Whitfield ....13 Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman ...31 Lynne Snyder, Attorney.....................16
Schools & Preschools
Action Day/Primary Plus ..................101 Almaden Country School ..................95 AmericaEd ........................................110 AppleSeed Montessori ....................106 Ballard Montessori School ................94 Bowman International School ........119 Building Blocks for Learning ..........112 California Virtual Academies ............21 Campbell Child Development Center ...................112 Canyon Heights Academy.........95, 117 Carden Academy of Santa Clara ....100 Carden Day School of San Jose ......103 Casa di Mir Montessori .....................99 Centro Armonia Preschool..............119 Champion School.............................103 Christian School Association .............74 Chrysallis Elementary School ..........109 Clement School..................................49 Communication Academy...............151 Community Preschool .......................32 Congregation Beth Am ...................109 Day Star Montessori ........................101 Delor Montessori School .................105 Delphi Academy ..............................106 Discovery Charter School ................118 Discovery Years, The........................111 Elan Esprit ........................................110 Emerson School ...............................100 Fanari Academy .................................32 German International School of Silicon Valley ...........................118 Handprints Preschool ........................32 Harker School..5, 9, 13, 28, 38, 72, 119 Help 4 Handwriting...........................32 Hillbrook School ..................................2 International School of the Peninsula.............................92 J & R Learning Center .....................117 Kiddie Academy.................................53 Kids Korner ......................................105 Lead Center........................................96 Learning Company & Academy ......117 Lindamood Bell..................................97 Living Wisdom School .......................93 Mandala Children’s House ..............104 Mariposa Montessori.......................103 Milpitas Montessori...........................99 MiniGym Explorations, Inc. ............119 Monarch Christian School .................97 Montessori Academy.......................121 Montessori Academy of Campbell ...99 Montecito Preschool .........................49 Monticello Academy .......................102 Mount Madonna School ...................76 Mulberry School ................................92 My Dream Academy ........................104 Neighborhood Christian Preschool ......................................111 New Concept Chinese School .........105 Njeri’s Morning Glory ........................94 Ocean Grove Charter School ..........103 Old Orchard School .........................103 One World Montessori....................119 Pasitos Preschool ...............................94 Peppertree Schools............................48 Precious Preschool .............................49 Premier International Language Academy.......................................117 Rainbow Montessori .......................109
Nannies
A Nanny Solution ..............................20 Bay Area 2nd Mom ...........................20 Momma’s Helper ...............................20 Stanford Park Nannies ......................20
Parties & Entertainment
Affordable Treasures .......................130 Astro Jump.......................................127 Balloon Creations ............................139 Bay Area Jump.................................132 California Fun Jump ........................127 Children’s Delight ............................127 Courtyard by Marriot ......................129 Cucina Bambini................................137 Dreamstar Parties ............................126 Happily Ever Laughter ....................127 Happy Birds......................................139 I-Nail .................................................137 Inside Line Racing............................127 Jungle Fun & Adventure, The...........15 Lemos Farm......................................126 LOL Parties .......................................131 Mad Science of the South Bay........137 Magical Puppetime .........................139 Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies - Sunrise Blends .........135 Most Unique Parties & Ponies ........127 MVP Arena.......................................154 Nick Barone Puppets .......................136 Off The Wall Soccer.........................139 Once Upon a Pony.............................76 Pump It Up Junior ...........................137 RC Unlimited - Slot Car Racing .......135 Sharks Ice in San Jose ......................129 Stage Struck Entertainment ...........134 Stations 4 Kids .................................135 STRIKE Holdings...............................136 Vito’s Pizza Party .............................134 Young Chefs Academy ....................135
Rainbow of Knowledge ....................32 San Jose Christian School..................95 San Jose State Child Development Center .........119 Santa Clara Christian School.....60, 102 Santa Clara University .......................60 Scholars Academy............................105 School of Choice ..............................115 Sierra School ......................................47 St. Andrew’s School .........................121 St. Cyprian School............................117 St. Francis High School ......................60 St. John’s Episcopal Preschool...........76 St. Stephen’s School ........................112 St. Timothy’s Lutheran School ..........50 Stratford School...............................113 Sunnyvale Christian School ...............96 TLC of Cupertino .............................115 Tomorrow’s Promise Christian School .............................97 Villa Montessori School...................112 Waha Montessori ..............................73 Waldorf School of the Peninsula...................109, 111 Western Montessori Day School.....101 Wonderland Chinese School...........110 Yew Chung International School .....99
Special Needs & Resources
A Special Nanny...............................125 AmericaEd Learning Center............124 Arbor Bay School .............................124 Associated Learning & Language...122 Attention & Achievement Center ....25 Bauer, Shepherd & Ross ..................122 Building Blocks for Learning ..........122 Dr. Mark Steinberg ..........................125 EvoLibri Consulting .........................124 Gordon Pomares Centre .................123 Pediatric Therapy Services ..............124 Progressive Speech & Hearing ........124 Robert Fettgather, Ph.D ..................125 Speech Therapy Solutions ...............124
Swim Schools & Instruction
Almaden Valley Athletic Club Swim ........................11 California Sports Center..................151 Club One ............................................66 DACA Swim School..........................153 Little Honu Swim School...................79 Maki Swim School ...........................152 Santa Clara Aquamaids ...................147 Santa Clara Swim School.................150 Silver Creek Sportsplex ...................144 Sutton Swim School ........................148 West Coast Aquatics........................148
Photographers
Cocco & Cocco Kids Klub ..................14 Imotion Portraits ...............................16 Portraits by Rebecca ............................2 Susan J. Weiland Photography .........33 Westfall Photography .......................20
Resale
Kidz Shoppe.......................................21
Retail
Baby Buzz...........................................15 Baby Hugs ..........................................21 Bells and Whistles..............................30 Easy Print Design .................................2 Planet Kids .........................................14 Wooden Horse, The...........................30
Tutors & Enrichment
Attention & Achievement Center ....25 Club Z in Home 1 on 1 Tutoring.......38 FasTracKids .........................................68 Huntington Learning Center ............28 Kepler Learning Center.....................44 Learning Plus .....................................31 Legend Learning Center ...................55 Nadine Cassarino ...............................79 Sylvan Learning Center .....................31 TutorVista...........................................10
Safety
Larry’s Baby Safety Service................21
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
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A Household Word
By Carol Band
Collecting Dust
My husband has never forgiven his mother Squirtle under the carpet, Pikachu wedged in the for cleaning out his room when he went to colcouch cushions and Weezing inside the medlege and giving away his baseball cards. He’s icine chest. I throw them away because I convinced that if he only had his 1973 Wayne know that we have at least four duplicates Twitchell, we’d be rich. Never mind that of each card. baseball cards have to be in mint con“Mom, I can’t believe you threw dition to fetch any kind of money this away,” Lewis wails as he spies a and mint condition is defined by corner of a Mewtwo card buried in the folks at the Topps baseball the kitchen trash. “This card is card company as: really valuable.” Mint (MT) - This is a flawless Yeah, right. card, all corners are sharp, centerMy oldest son, Nathan, coling perfect, original color and lected Magic cards. As a result, we gloss, and the photo has transhave zillions of them. Good thing, N NA AN ferred in perfect focus. The card because I am told that, like the BR NN GLY has no spots or gum stains. Pokémon cards, some of the cards are BY ION AT Nothing in my house is in rare and, hence, valuable. STR LLU I mint condition – not even the Although I never saw anyone actually play with spindly mint that springs up in the their cards, I understand that there are actual games flower garden every summer. involved in Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic: The Gathering. Still, I don’t want my kids to blame me when they can’t In fact, I’ve discovered that there are even professional Magic afford to send my grandkids to college, so I’ve saved their players. Nathan informs me that the Magic Pro Tour will be collections. That’s probably why my house is a mess. in Hollywood on May 23-25 with a $230,795 cash prize for Remember Beanie Babies? We’ve got dozens of them – the winner. It’s good to know that if the whole college thing with their little heart-shaped tags still attached. My kids doesn’t work out, he’ll have something to fall back on. loved those little legume-filled creatures, and I was sure that It’s not just the boys in my house who hoard stuff. My the Beanies would appreciate enough to be able to finance daughter, Perry, has dozens of Barbie dolls that she has the kids’ college education, plus provide me with a cushy amassed over the years. Barbies are hot collectibles. They are retirement in the Bahamas. hot if they are in mint condition, over 30 years old and in Sure, I might have psychotheir original boxes. logically damaged my children Barbies are hot collectibles. Unfortunately, Perry’s collection by screaming, “Don’t touch Unfortunately, Perry’s collection is a is a heap of naked, natty-haired the tag!” whenever they played are missing heap of naked, natty-haired blondes blondes – allfew are even their with their little toys. But, as a boxes and a missing – all are missing their boxes and a their heads. result, the Beanies are in Too bad, because on eBay, pretty good condition. Not few are even missing their heads. some Barbies (ones with heads) mint, but pretty good. Still, on sell for hundreds – even thousands – of dollars, including the eBay people are practically giving away the Beanie Babies one with the black-and-white striped bathing suit … the one that were supposed to fund their kids’ inheritances. I had when I was a kid … the one my mom gave away! But a “Must clean out daughter’s room,” says one ad. “Make an 1973 Wayne Twitchell, even in mint condition, is only offer.” Another pleads: “Take ’em away … please!” $3.99. ! It’s clear that we’re not going to get rich from our investment in Beanie Babies, but I’ve learned from my mother-inThe entire contents of Carol’s house are available on eBay. law’s mistakes and I’m hanging on to my kids’ Beanie Babies. Make an offer or write to her at carol@carolband.com. At least until they get their own apartments. To read more of Carol’s award-winning Household Word We’ve also got thousands of Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh columns and to see her new blog, visit cards in a big plastic container in the den. Somehow, individParenthood.com/householdword.html. ual cards still manage to migrate all over the house. I find 160
Bay Area Parent • May 2008 • BayAreaParent.com • 408-399-4842
408-399-4842 • BayAreaParent.com • May 2008 • Bay Area Parent
161
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Since 1947, Lullaby Lane has been the one stop destination for Bay Area families looking for quality baby and children’s furniture, gear, bedding, clothing, toys, accessories, and more. Second-generation owners, brother and sister Barry Gevertz and Debbie Gevertz-Licolli, are proud to continue a family tradition that has not only stood the test of time, but also progressed into the modern age. “We have 23,000 square feet of retail space, an online webstore featuring over 12,000 of our products, and a national online baby gift registry,” says Barry. For added convenience, customers can order items online and pick them up in the store. “We have everything from bottles to bunk beds,” Debbie says. Not only will customers find the classics that Lullaby Lane has always offered, there is a growing selection of natural and organic products, ranging from clothing to furniture and toys, for eco-conscious families. The store will expand in 2008 to offer an even greater selection and provide more room for our customers. But with all the innovation, there are a few things that haven’t changed. A coin-operated horse has sat in front of the store
since 1957, offering a nostalgic ride down memory lane. And several long-time employees, some with more than 20 years of experience at the store, continue to deliver excellent customer service. “This is a positive time in our customers’ lives,” says Debbie, “so we want their shopping experience to be positive. We want them to walk out feeling that they’ve gotten the best products at the best prices, with the best service.”
– by Donna Bush
ay Area Parent! with B ears Thank yo ur 25 y u for yo
556 San Mateo Ave., San Bruno • 650.588.7644 • always open @ www.lullabylane.com
Photo by Dawdy Photography
KIDDIE WORLD CENTER
Serving Bay Area Families for 60 years
www.alleyoopsports.com
Your Backyard, Their Adventure.
www.backyardadventures.com
BACKYARD ADVENTURES
Assembly Available
M-F 10am-6pm • Sat. 10am-6pm • Sun. 11am-5pm 1899 West San Carlos, San Jose - 6 blocks east of Valley Fair
(408) 279-KIDS (5437)
www.kiddieworldcenter.com