Parents Press September 2017

Fall Harvest Fun | Relieving Stress in Children | California Castles

The Bay’s Number One Resource for Parents

September 2017

parentspress.com

School Open Houses

Time to Start the School Day Later?

INSIDE al egion East Bay R t’s Park Distric ature N Regional inGuide ty vi ti c A

page 27

Head Off Homework Battles!

2017-2018 Regional Guide to

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

At Prospect Sierra, our whole focus is to help your children become successful students and caring

people who strive to build a better world. Come see how we’re different.

2 Parents’ Press | September 2017

prospects

ADMISSIONS INFORMATION DAYS

Elementary School (K-4) Tapscott Campus November 12, 2017 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Call: 510.809.9018

sierra.org

Middle School (5-8) Avis Campus November 5, 2017 12:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Call: 510.809.9025

September 2017 | Parents’ Press 3

Contents

www.parentspress.com

September 2017 Features Departments

8 Guide to Private Schools

O UIDE T

OOLS E SCH8 T A V I R P 201 AL G EGION

R

2017/

Child for Your t School the Righ Finding e From th

ers of publish

Parents’ Press takes the guesswork out of finding the right private school for your child, from start to finish. A comprehensive list of regional private schools begins on page 20.

4 Kids’ Culture

5 Bookshelf

Later starts for middle and high school

BY SUSAN SOLOMON YEM

New Graphic Novels

6 Singleminded

In Sickness and in Health

25 Family Cents

Meaningful Gifts

26 On the Go

28 Rescheduling the School Day

Fall Harvest Fun at U-Pick Local Farms

California Castles

27 School Open House

Calendar

31 Raising Dad

Publishers Robert and Tracy McKean Art Director Debbi Murzyn Account Managers Carol Flores, Sophie Archer Contributors Aaron Crowe, Tony Hicks, Eirka Mailman, Haley Reen, Rona Renner, Mary Ann Scheuer, Susan Solomen Yen Advertising Sales & General Info sales@parentspress.com Mailing Address 875-A Island Dr, Ste 421 Alameda, CA 94502 43,000 copies of Parents’ Press are distributed to more than 1,400 Bay Area locations.

Send letters to the editor to editor@parentspress.com Family Fun Calendar submissions are due six weeks prior to publication date. Send calendar information to calendar@parentspress.com Parents’ Press is published monthly. ©2017 Parents’ Press

Focus on the Kids

32 Family Fun Calendar

30 Relieving Stress In Children

Creating a Stress-free Zone

26 Hearst Castle

BY SUSAN SOLOMON YEM

39 Head Off Homework Battles!

Tips for Success

BY RONA RENNER, RN

Advertiser Category Index Dance..........................................................5 Classifieds................................................ 39 Family Fun...................................... 2-3 & 30 Health and Wellness................................ 4-7 Preschools...........................................34-38 Retail....................................................... 30 Schools................................................. 8-34

FAMILY FUN

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4 Parents’ Press | September 2017

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Books for Children & Young Adults Meet Authors and Illustrators Toys • Comics • Games Educational Programs Storytellers • Free Art Activities Free Photo Booth

Register for FREE Family Ticket

Get $2 Book Buck to use for 1st purchase.

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SILICON VALLEY EDIT SUNNYVALE Saturday, Oct. 14 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

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Free Raffle at Book Fair 1 Free Raffle Ticket for each canned good donation

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Buy one full-fare train ticket and take up to 5 additional passengers for $5 per person, each way on weekends and holiday Mondays.

Every ride has a story. For tickets go to:

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Save on your next family weekend trip in Northern California and ride the Capitol Corridor train!

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EAST BAY EDITION LAFAYETTE Sunday, October 15 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafa

Train Time = Family Time

FREE ADMISSION

This offer is exclusively available at www.amtrak.com and www.rideccrail.com.

This offer is valid for sale between 30JUN17- 31DEC17 and valid for travel between 01JUL17- 01JAN18 on Saturdays, Sundays, and Monday holidays (04SEPT17, 09OCT17, 25DEC17, 01JAN18) only. Blackout days apply on all Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays, Fridays, and all Mondays that are not holidays. Advance reservations are required a minimum of one (1) day prior to travel. This offer includes a $5.00 rail fare for up to (5) five companions traveling with a paid regular (full) fare adult. This offer is valid for travel on the Capitol Corridor service and thruways that serve the following cities only: San Francisco, Auburn, Rocklin, Roseville, and Colfax, California. This offer is valid for coach seats. Seating is limited; seats may not be available on all trains at all times. The companions and regular full fare passengers must travel together on the same itinerary and have tickets issued together. The companions are subject to the same restrictions and conditions as the regular full fare passenger. In addition to the discount restrictions; this offer is also subject to any restrictions, blackouts, and refund rules that apply to the type of fare purchased. Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice.

Once travel has begun; no changes to the itinerary are permitted. This offer is not combinable with any other discount offer. Other restrictions may apply. Amtrak is a registered service mark of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. Capitol Corridor is a registered service mark of the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority.

www.BayAreaKidsBookFair.com September 2017 | Parents’ Press 5

By Haley Reen

Kids Culture Fall Harvest Fun at U-Pick Local Farms

T

eaching children to sustain the earth that they inherit comes along with eating local, seasonal foods. It is a teaching moment to take them somewhere near their homes where food is grown and allow them to see how much work goes into each bite they enjoy. Having a child go through the process of picking, washing, hulling, macerating and baking a strawberry pie really makes every bite count. I find my children are more apt to try a new food if they get to choose it, and that goes double if they get to pick it and help prepare it as well.

Having a backyard garden is a great idea, but not everyone has space or time for that. U-pick farms are a wonderful way to get fresh local produce with a learning experience built in. Customers go with baskets and buckets (some wheelbarrows are provided) and reach into the earth for their dinners. Kids can help with the low-hanging fruit and ground items like strawberries and beans. They will see how corn grows tall, how beans grow on their wily vines and how each meal eaten came from hard work, lots of water, weeding, plowing, sunshine and the extreme care of farmers within the community. The picked produce is warm from the sun and smells of the earth. It doesn’t get more authentic than that.

Many local U-pick farms have special dates and times where customers may

come and pay by the pound to take home freshly picked produce. Oftentimes, these places will make an event of it and have a jam tasting or have fresh eggs and other items for sale as well.

It is also in poor taste and, in many cases, prohibited to “sample” the produce as it is picked. Farmers appreciate that families wait to weigh and purchase their bounties before eating. Most farms are also cash only.

Dogs and other pets are not permitted to come along on the adventure due to the need for food cleanliness and safety.

Lastly, as these are working farms where there is real and very expensive and dangerous farm equipment, most farms have strict policies against children exploring, playing, climbing trees, or climbing on tractors and trucks. If a branch of a fruit tree is broken by climbing children, this is a detriment to the farm’s livelihood.

Be sure to get sun hats for all and clothes to get dirty in. Pack a cooler with ice if traveling far with delicate produce. Make a game to see who can pick the most, or spot lady bugs while picking. Talk about colors, smells, flavors and recipes, and brainstorm ideas with the children to get them excited to eat the produce. Follow favorite farms on Facebook, or check them out on Yelp before going to see who has what.

Always call or email to check who is

open and when before making the drive.

From Petaluma to Brentwood to Pescadero, here are just a few well-reviewed

local U-pick farms, with many others to explore with a quick web search.

Haley Reen is an East Bay-based freelance writer

WHERE TO GO Gabriel Farm 3175 Sullivan Rd., Sebastopol 707-829-0617• www.gabrielfarm.com Annie’s Happy Farm 2017 Walnut Blvd., Brentwood 925-513-8495 • www.annieshappyfarm.com

Farmer’s Daughter Produce and U-Pick Farm Northwest Corner of Walnut Blvd. & Marsh Creek Rd.,• Brentwood • 925-634-4827, www.harvest4you.com/ Coastaways Ranch U-Pick 640 Hwy. 1, Pescadero • 831-469-8804 www.swantonberryfarm.com

Swanton Berry Farm 25 Swanton Rd., Davenport 831-469-8804, www.swantonberryfarm.com Larry’s Produce 4606 Suisun Valley Rd., Fairfield 707-864-8068, www.larrysproduce.com

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6 Parents’ Press | September 2017

8/11/17 3:53 PM

Bookshelf

By Allyson Bogie MaryAnn Ann Scheuer Byand Mary Scheuer

New Graphic Novels

G

raphic novels are a huge hit, but did you realize that they bolster students’ confidence and reading skills? Kids enjoy reading them, and this makes them want to read more. They also build a sense of story structure, character development and vocabulary.

Here’s a selection of new graphic novels to share with kids this fall.

“The Great Art Caper,” by Victoria Jamieson (Henry Holt/Macmillan; 64 pp.; $7.99; ages 5-9). The second-graders’ classroom pet, George Washington the hamster, continues his adventures with friends Barry the bunny and Sunflower the guinea pig, this time saving the students’ art show from sabotage by the mischievous mouse Harriet. Young readers new to graphic novels will love imagining the secret life of their classroom pets.

“Older Than Dirt: A Wild but True Story of Earth,” by Don Brown and Dr. Mike Perfit (HMH; 112 pp.; $18.99; ages 9-14). This engaging nonfiction graphic novel explains a wide range of earth science, including the Big Bang, the formation of landmasses and the development of different life forms, all the way to modern climate change. The illustrations and brief text make the complex issues accessible, and the groundhog’s banter with her worm friend adds essential comic relief.

“One Trick Pony,” by Nathan Hale (Abrams; 128 pp.; $14.95; ages 8-12).

Hostile aliens have devastated Earth in search of technology, but Strata and her friends stumble upon a cache of robots, including a super robot pony. Determined to protect her family and friends from the wrath of the alien Pipers, Strata leads the aliens on a wild chase in this fast-paced sci-fi adventure.

“Real Friends,” by Shannon Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham (First Second; 224 pp.; $12.99; ages 8-12). In this graphic novel memoir, Shannon Hale focuses on the trouble she had figuring out friendship issues throughout elementary school. The format is perfect for this audience — blending images, short text and visual storytelling to help young readers see just how hard friendship issues really are and understand some ways through them.

“The Sand Warrior,” by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel, illustrated by Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller and Boya Sun (Random House; 256 pp.; $12.99; ages 1013). This complex fantasy launches a new series, 5 Worlds, as young sand dancer Oona Lee finds the courage, wisdom and skills to save her planet and friends from destruction. This epic quest will appeal to fantasy lovers who will want to read it carefully, gleaning many clues from the interweaving storylines. Outstanding visual feel to the many worlds, with

characters of many sizes, shapes, and skin tones.

“Star Scouts,” by Mike Lawrence (First Second; 192 pp.; $14.99; ages 8-12). Avani Patel is having trouble in her new school, but life becomes much more interesting when she’s abducted by a cheerful blue alien named Mabel.

Avani joins Mabel’s group of friends in their Star Scouts troop as they earn badges in teleporting, jetpack racing and “xenoscatology” (yep, identifying alien poops). Kids will love the adventure, humor and especially Avani’s spunky character, as she discovers that she doesn’t have to fit in to find friends.

“Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt,” by Ben Clanton (Tundra; 64 pp.; $7.99; ages 6-10). This is a terrific graphic novel for beginning readers, with cheerful Narwhal who’s determined to be a superhero. Narwhal’s superpower turns out to being a true friend, especially when his best friend Jelly is nervous at every turn.

Adorable and charming, perfect for kids who’ve moved beyond Elephant & Piggie.

Sunny worries about him. This poignant narrative authentically captures a young tween’s family struggles and developing friendships.

Mary Ann Scheuer is a teacher librarian for the Berkeley Unified School District. Find more books Mary Ann recommends sharing with children at her blog, Great Kid Books, http://greatkidbooks. blogspot.com.

Sign Up for our E-Newsletter delivered semi-monthly to your inbox! www.parentspress.com

“Swing It, Sunny,” by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (Graphix/Scholastic; 224 pp.; $12.99; ages 9-12). The book is set in the 1976-77 school year, and Sunny is starting middle school after spending a summer with Gramps (in “Sunny Side Up”). When her big brother Dale is sent to military boarding school after getting into trouble with drugs,

DANCE

The Dance Center and Berkeley City Ballet

Classes Start October 2nd

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Dimensions Dance Theater Rites of Passage Register online: dimensionsdance.org Ages 8-18 West African .. Tap .. Jazz HipHop .. Ballet .. Haitian Performances .. Workshops

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INTRODUCING a new location at 1370 Tenth Street, Berkeley 510-843-4687

Pre-Ballet and Youth classes for dances age 2.5 - 21yrs

ENROLL at FUN PRE-BALLET berkeleyballet.org C L A S S E S I N A WA R M A N D W E LC O M I N G

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photo : andy mogg

Ages 2 and up Dance Camps Birthday Parties 4 state-of the art studios, sprung floors Easy parking Easy online registration & payment

September 2017 | Parents’ Press 7

By Susan Solomon Yen

Singleminded In Sickness and in Health

I

was recently diagnosed with a condition that has a significant impact on me. It is not life-threatening, but it is annoying to have to pay such close attention to my health. This is the latest in a series of concerns that reminds me that it’s tough to get sick when you’re a single parent.

Several years ago, there was a particularly virulent strain of flu infecting scores of people, including my son Paul. He missed a week of school as he suffered through aches, chills and fever.

One morning as I was heading out the door to take his siblings to school, Paul came down the stairs speaking gibberish. He had become dehydrated and was hallucinating. It was pretty frightening. I didn’t want the younger kids to be late, but I also did not want to leave Paul alone. Fortunately, my neighbor was still home and came in to watch Paul while I drove the others two miles down the road to school. I was very happy that I did not succumb to the flu that season. In fact, I remember telling myself, “I cannot get sick.”

Don’t Get Sick We are a reasonably healthy family.

During their growing-up years, other than annual checkups, our visits to the doctor were pretty rare. There were occasional trips to the emergency room for stitches, sprained ankles and twisted wrists. Jake got a concussion playing lacrosse that kept him in a dark, stimulus-free room for seven days.

Aside from my annual visits to the gynecologist, my medical (and dental – oops) care was minimal. And those annual visits may not have been so an-

I was fortunate that the cancer I had did not require radiation or chemotherapy. Life could return to normal quickly for us. But these surgeries — and one more unrelated one I had during the prior year — revealed to my family that Mom was vulnerable, and this mom does not like being vulnerable.

Taking Care of Mom

nual. Every few years I would schedule a physical but, more often than not, cancel it or give the appointment to one of the children. A colleague chastised me for this lack of self-care. I don’t like getting scolded, so I finally kept one of those appointments.

I remember exactly where I was when the nurse called with my test results — in rush-hour traffic. She told me I had a lot of calcium in my blood. I thought that was a good thing. Shouldn’t we all have a lot of calcium? Not in our blood. It was an indication of parathyroid disease. I had never heard of parathyroid disease, so I asked Jake, who was riding along with me, to look it up on his phone as I continued to drive.

Once Is Not Enough Parathyroid disease is resolved by removing a portion of the impacted gland.

My surgery was on Valentine’s Day that year. While the parathyroid lives close to the thyroid, it is actually unrelated.

However, during the operation, my doctor biopsied some growths he had previously observed in my thyroid and discovered that I had cancer.

Thyroid cancer moves slowly, and my doctor promised me my particular type would not kill me. Six months after the first operation, I had another to remove my thyroid and almost all of my parathyroid (the disease had not corrected itself with the first surgery).

I shared very few details with my children. I did not want them to worry.

My daughter, who thrives on drama, did get a little carried away in her concern for me though.

The child who knows this best is Jake, my youngest. Before we moved to San Francisco, Jake took annual trips from Boston to the Bay area to visit his oldest brother. They share a summer birthday. The year he turned 14, I dropped him at the airport and went home to do a thorough housecleaning.

Unfortunately, two hours in, I slipped on the wet bathroom floor, dislocating my knee and hitting my head on the side of the bathtub. I ended up in the emergency room, where I got 12 stitches and a new pair of crutches.

Jake felt terrible that he was not there to help me. He is here now, and the only one of the kids I have told about my new diagnosis. While we don’t talk about it much, and he does not appear to be overly concerned, almost every day he shares a link to information he has found about my condition. And he makes sure I take care of myself. I worry that I am burdening my youngest because he is the one who is geographically closest; but I should overcome my reluctance to tell the others. Just as I was their primary caregiver when they were children, they are now mine.

Susan Solomon Yem is singlemindedabout raising her five children toadulthood. She’d like to hear your stories about single parenting. Contact her at susansyem@gmail.com

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Straty Righellis, DDS Village Square at Montclair www.RighellisOrtho.com (510) 482-0600

Always Practicing The Four C’s

Care • Concern • Comfort • Convenience For the whole family

510.482.0600 www.RighellisOrtho.com

2220 Mountain Blvd • Ste 204 • Oakland 8 Parents’ Press | September 2017

Did You Know?

Happy Grandparents Day! Annually the first Sunday after Labor Day is celebrated as Grandparents Day. The tradition started in 1978 while President Jimmy Carter was in office and has carried through to today because, well, who doesn’t love to honor Grandma and Grandpa? So whether your child can see theirs in person to offer a hug or have to settle for a phone call, make sure to let ’em know they’re loved.

Music to Our Ears

September is Classical Music Month and if you aren’t already a fan of the genre, you may be surprised by some of its alleged benefits. Classical music has been shown to help treat insomnia in college students (if only it worked on toddlers!) and a study found that playing it softly while dining actually encouraged people to eat slower and therefore consume fewer calories.

14%

While you may think your high schooler can’t wait to flex his or her independence as far away from home as possible, only 14 percent of college freshmen attend a school 500 or more miles away from their parents. All the easier to bring home their laundry on weekends, don’t you think?

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Ranked Top 10 Diabetes & Endocrinology Neonatology UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, with campuses in San Francisco and Oakland, rank among the country’s best in 9 specialties, and Best in Bay Area in 6 specialties.

September 2017 | Parents’ Press 9

The National Award Winning

2017/2018

In the award winning Regional Guide to Private Schools, the publishers of Parents’ Press take the guesswork out of finding the right private school for your child, from start to finish. Our annual guide leads parents chronologically along the school-selection path, beginning with the value of private education and how to start the process with an emphasis on the all-important application process, including interviewing, testing, and essay writing as well as the insand-outs of financial aid. There’s also a comprehensive list of regional private schools. Your road to the ideal school just got simpler.

Fearless, We Pursue

EXCELLENCE “Choosing SHC was the best decision I ever made. The teachers and peers I’ve gotten to know over the past four years have helped me grow academically and as a person.”

Joe Bialous ’17 University of Notre Dame

Find out more at shcp.edu/visit 10 Parents’ Press | September 2017

“I took full advantage of SHC’s AP program to push myself academically.

In addition, the theater arts and music programs opened my eyes to the importance of an arts education.”

Isadora Banyai ’17 New York University

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Why Consider Private School?

M

any parents feel that their children will thrive better in what they believe is a smaller, safer environment with more room for personal attention. And while public schools must follow a curriculum heavily influenced by state standards, private schools have more freedom to customize lessons to students’ individual ways of learning.

Private schools can also point to low studentteacher ratios, freedom from state standards and testing, and lots of extras like music, foreign languages, and art that are underfunded or nonexistent in public schools. Rest assured, promise school experts, there is a school out there to suit every child.

There are two primary sorts of private schools— independent schools and parochial schools.

Independent schools are defined as nonprofit private schools with their own governing board of trustees. While most people commonly refer to independent schools as private, lumping them in

with parochial and for profit schools, they are distinct because they are nonprofit and self-governing.

Parochial schools, where tuition is typically onethird that of independent schools, offer traditional instruction and have solid reputations. Families who are “in-parish,” that is, who live within the schools’ official parish boundaries or volunteer and participate regularly in the parish, get first priority. Otherwise the application procedures are similar to independent schools.

When considering private school education, think about these benefits as outlined by the Independent Schools of the San Francisco Bay Area (www.issfba.org): High academic standards Independent schools nurture intellectual curiosity, stimulate personal growth, and encourage critical thinking. A larger percentage of students at independent schools are enrolled in advanced courses than in public, parochial, and other private schools.

Continued on page 11 >>

Love learning.

The Renaissance International School provides students age two-years old through middle school with a high-quality education designed to create compassionate, capable, confident, creative individuals who are prepared for life. Our Montessori program has a strong music, fine arts, and language immersion component.

BEYOND THE EXPECTED Our hands-on curriculum, designed to offer students the opportunity to discover rather than just learn, goes beyond the traditional school curriculum. They progress at their own pace on a guided exploration of math, science, geography, history, and language that not only helps them develop knowledge specific to these areas, but simultaneously helps them develop the tools they will need to succeed in an ever changing world.

LANGUAGE IMMERSION: Our students thrive in our trilingual immersion environment (English/Spanish/French).

Students progress individually under the guidance of native speakers.

MUSIC: Our music curriculum addresses the musical needs of children beginning in early childhood. As students develop their abilities, they advance to the school’s various ensembles, private lessons, and subjects, within our music program.

VISUAL ARTS: Our studio art program encourages creativity, imagination, self-direction, coordination, critical thinking, and problem solving. At the end of each year, an art show is held in a gallery space in the East Bay featuring the students’ artwork.

INTERNATIONAL: Central to the school’s philosophy is to provide children with an international center of learning. Our students benefit from outstanding cultural and multidisciplinary programs, where they develop and achieve their highest potential. We set a high standard of achievement for the quality of thought, work, and mastery of content and skills. Our students grow to be leaders and explorers; they become responsible citizens who are capable, creative, compassionate, and confident.

To schedule a tour: 510.531.8566 or info@therenaissanceschool.org

An independent school in Oakland, California serving Kindergarten-8th grade.

PARKDAYSCHOOL.ORG | 360 42ND STREET OAKLAND CA 94609 | 510-653-0317

www.therenaissanceschool.org/parentspress.php lic# 010214382 Piedmont Campus: 5201 Park Boulevard • Oakland Campus: 3650 Dimond Avenue

September 2017 | Parents’ Press 11

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

I always knew I could.

Because of Bayhill...

Join us for an

I did!

Visit us today!

Akabar Studying Performing Arts Fall 2017

OPEN HOUSE We’d love to show you our school!

Saturday, October 7 Saturday, November 4 1 – 4:00 p.m.

1940 Virginia Street Berkeley, CA 94709 510-984-0599 l bayhillhs.org facebook.com/bayhillhs

Bayhill High School educates students with learning differences, helping them to achieve their full potential in high school, college and beyond.

At Prospect Sierra, our whole focus is to help

your children become successful students

and caring people who strive to build a better world. Come see how we’re different.

ADMISSIONS INFORMATION DAYS

Elementary School (K-4) Tapscott Campus November 12, 2017 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Call: 510.809.9018 Middle School (5-8) Avis Campus November 5, 2017 12:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Call: 510.809.9025

prospectsierra.org

12 Parents’ Press | September 2017

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS Why Consider Private School? continued from pg. 9

Small classes and individual attention Independent schools have low student-teacher ratios that encourage close connections with students.

The median ratio in schools that are members of the National Association of Independent Schools in 2015–2016 was 8.6 students to 1 teacher (meaning that half have a higher ratio and half have a lower ratio).

Excellent teachers They usually teach in their areas of expertise and are passionate about what they do. With more autonomy within the classroom, teachers are able to develop a full understanding of how each student learns and what interests and motivates each individually.

Greater likelihood of a student completing a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree education for the whole child Independent schools nurture not just students’ intellectual ability and curiosity but also their personal and social growth and civic conscience.

Opportunities extend well beyond the classroom to athletic competitions, artistic pursuits, and school leadership experiences.

Inclusiveness Schools maintain diverse and vibrant student communities and welcome and respect each family. In 2014–2015, students of color were 29 percent (up 6 percent since 2008–2009) of total independent school enrollment nationally.

A community of parents who actively participate in their children’s education Independent schools promote regular communication among students, parents, and teachers to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals for the student.

The opportunity to choose a school with a mission You can select a school whose philosophy, values, and teaching approach is right for your child. 

YOUR FUTURE BEGINS HERE SALESIAN COLLEGE PREPARATORY

Join us for free food, campus tours, live entertainment & fun!

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2017 1:00-3:00PM

2851 Salesian Ave | Richmond, CA

The Private School Search

www.salesian.com

Where to Start?

W

ith every private school brochure flashing photos of smiling students thriving in science labs and onstage, it can be hard to tell schools apart. But on closer look, each school has its own personality, spanning a wider range of educational styles and often offering smaller classes than public schools.

Some have distinct educational philosophies like Waldorf or Montessori. Others focus on music, offer a girls-only student body, a year-round schedule, or teach their curriculum exclusively in French. There are schools with impressive art, sports, drama, and science programs. Some are K–5 or K–8, others only grades 6–8, and still others are K–12.

All of these schools have the luxury of complete freedom in designing curriculum because they are not subject to the state testing standards imposed on public schools.

An easy, simple way to begin thinking about which private school may be right for your child is to look

An easy, simple way to begin thinking about which private school may be right for your child is to look at how the school is structured. at how the school is structured. For example, some schools do not assign homework and others group different grades together in one classroom.

It’s not too soon to start thinking about fall of 2018 if your child is about to begin her last year of preschool or is in fifth or eighth grade. And starting a year before you actually need to—that is, a full two years before your child would start at a new school—can also help relieve anxiety.

The timeline for what can be a rigorous search for private schools begins with open houses and tours starting in September; applications in December and January; and acceptance or rejection letters in early March. The sooner you can start checking out schools that interest you, the better, whether those schools are independent or parochial. >>> Parents who have been through the process before recommend the following combination of first steps: • Look hard at your finances to see what kind of tuition your household can, or is willing, to handle. Find out if there are extra costs for books,

computers, or after-school care, and if the school offers financial aid.

• Weed out schools that won’t work because of things like location or early start times.

• Learn basic facts like the number of students and student-teacher ratio.

• Consider your child’s particular learning style by consulting with current teachers (from preschool or day care, for example).

• Think about your family’s educational philosophy.

Ask how students are tested, and how teachers convey expectations and teach classes.

• Make a list of what matters most. Perhaps it’s that the school is diverse, emphasizes the arts, or has a grassy play area. It could also be that your child needs before-school care, elementary grades only, or a dance studio.

• Talk to families whose children already attend those schools and don’t be afraid to ask tough questions.

• If your child is entering kindergarten and has a fall birthday, research schools’ age cutoffs. Private schools usually prefer that children turn 5 before entering kindergarten.

• Once you’ve got a list of schools to check out, create a list of open house dates and other application or registration deadlines.

• Above all, ignore the neighborhood and cocktail party chatter and pay attention to your own instincts and observations.

And always, as parents move through this lengthy process, they should reflect on the desires, needs, and learning styles of their child, a different process depending on the child’s age. There are things that are clear about a fifth-grader (like how they handle homework and social conflict, whether they favor sports or the arts) that aren’t evident yet with a preschooler. Parents of eighth-graders have the easiest and the hardest time with this. While it’s easier for the parents of a middle-schooler to pinpoint the social tendencies and learning style of their 13-year-old, that teenager often has thoughts of her own about which school to attend.

The school search process is a stressful one, but with some advance preparation and a cool head, it doesn’t have to be onerous. And you might even gain some new insight into yourself and your child along the way. 

Education is a lifelong commitment At Quarry Lane, we are passionate about instilling an authentic love for learning in our students. We offer a rigorous, balanced, college preparatory academic program to students entering Jr. Kindergarten through grade 12, with a distinct emphasis on the disciplines of science, engineering and technology.

®

Experience the Quarry Lane difference.

Our graduates have been accepted at these and other top universities: Columbia, Princeton, U.C. Berkeley, Duke, Cornell, Dartmouth, N.Y.U., Georgetown, Stanford, Purdue, Drexel, Rice, U.C.L.A., Northwestern, Georgia Tech, University of Chicago, U.S.C. and more.

NOW ENROLLING Inquire online or call to schedule a tour today!

The

Quarry Lane School

6363 Tassajara Rd. 925.829.8000 QuarryLane.org

Dublin

A Private Jr. K - 12 College Preparatory School

September 2017 | Parents’ Press 13

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Bridge K through 8th Grade

What will you bring to the global community?

Shu Ren International School now offering the IB Primary and Middle Years Programs (Grades K-8) Mandarin Immersion in the heart of Berkley

Stratford School nurtures the joy of learning in children.

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Accrediting Commission for Schools

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2603 Tassajara Avenue • El Cerrito, CA 94530 510.233.3013 • admissions@tehiyah.org www.tehiyah.org

Schedule a tour today!

StratfordSchools.com/tours

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Now Enrolling

Discover a school that inspires children from Preschool through 8th Grade to become tomorrow’s creative problem-solvers, innovators, and confident leaders.

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Awaken. Build. Connect.

510-423-0278 * Admissions@shurenschool.org * www.shurenschool.org

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Whole Child Approach • Project-Based Learning • Character Development & Jewish Values • JSTEAM/Integrated Learning • After-School Programs • Outdoor Experiential Education

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Preschool State License Numbers: 073402482, 013417816, 073406680, 013420588. © 2017 Stratford Schools, Inc.

Preschool State License: 198018949, 198018875. © 2017 Stratford Schools, Inc.

LIFE-CHANGING 1:1 INSTRUCTION Imagine a school where instruction is tailored specifically to your child’s needs.

At Halstrom Academy, we help students reach their full potential with personalized 1:1 instruction that instills confidence, character, and a lifelong love of learning.

Inspiring students through fearless learning, service, and diversity.

• Improve grades • Raise test scores • Boost study and time management skills • Foster academic success

ENRO NOW F LLING OR FAL L

866.537.1043 Halstrom4U.com

Walnut Creek: 101 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Suite 345

St. Paul’s is an independent K-8 school located steps from Lake Merritt.

Tours weekly • 510-285-9617 • www.spes.org

14 Parents’ Press | September 2017

Grades 6 - 12 | Full-Time | Part-Time | College Prep | AP | Open Enrollment Courses for Credit | WASC Accredited | UC/CSU Approved | NCAA Approved

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

HACIENDA SCHOOL

Cultivating Astonishing Potential!

Making the Most of Your Campus Visit

Y

ou’ve looked at the websites, glanced through the glossy brochures, and even heard friends talk glowingly—or not— about the private schools on your short list. Now it’s time to actually set foot on campus. More than anything else, visiting the school—seeing the classrooms, walking around the grounds, and talking to faculty and students—will give you and your child the best sense of whether this is the best environment for your child to learn and thrive.

Because the visit is so crucial to deciding on your child’s school, you should make the most of the opportunity. Private school experts offer these suggestions for what to ask about, look for, and consider before, during, and after the visit.

• Do some pre-visit research. Read up on the school’s history, educational philosophy, and accomplishments. Ask for information about student-teacher ratios, teacher experience, arts classes, sports, and other extracurricular activities, special programs for students needing academic support, and expectations for parental involvement. Decide ahead of time if there are specific classrooms, facilities, or departments that you or your child want to visit.

• If possible, visit on a regular school day, arrange to observe a classroom, and stay to sample a school lunch.

• General impressions count, but so do the details. Take note of what the grounds and classrooms are like, but also pay attention to specifics: are the bathrooms clean; do staff seemed organized and ready for your visit; what library, science, and technology resources does the school offer?

• In the classrooms or on the playground, notice if the students look engaged and well-behaved, including when they transition from one activity or classroom to another. How do students interact with their teachers? Do the teachers seem cheerful and knowledgeable? How do the teachers manage the classrooms or handle discipline?

• Talk to as many teachers and students as possible. Find out about homework policies and workloads, the social environment, and opportunities to do arts, sports, and other nonacademic activities.

• If the school offers shadow-a-student day for interested students, your child has the opportunity to ask questions of potential schoolmates more freely than if you’re around.

• After you and your child finish the visit, jot down your general impressions before leaving. Try to imagine your child in one of the classrooms, or walking the halls. How does that idea look and feel? Remember gut feelings can be important, too. 

• Individualized, self-paced, Montessori curriculum • Emphasis on personal goal setting and time management • Foreign languages, art, and music included for all students • Cultivation of thinking skills and personal values • Year-round, full-day program for grades 1-8 CALL FOR A PRIVATE TOUR (925) 485-5750

An Athenian education prepares students for a life of purpose and personal fulfillment Art: Fifth Grade Self-Portraits

Now Accepting Applications Limited Space Available for 2017-2018 For more information or to schedule a tour, visit us at www.berkwood.org

75-acre campus of rolling, oak-covered hills lies at the base of Mt. Diablo in Danville, CA just 32 miles East of San Francisco. Athenian buses transport students to and from many East Bay communities.

Join us at an Open House: Middle – Nov 11 or Jan 6 | Upper – Nov 12 or Jan 7

Life is an adventure of intellectual exploration and meaningful contribution.

2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd • Danville • 925-837-5375 • www.athenian.org

College Prep for Grades 8 - 12

Want your child to find success in school next year?

Now is the time to make a change.

Limited openings available in most grades.

Call to schedule a tour.

925-254-7553 • www.OrindaAcademy.org 19 Altarinda Rd., Orinda, CA 94563 Embracing Differences, Inspiring Success, Fulfilling Potential

September 2017 | Parents’ Press 15

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Y

Applying to a Private School

our first step is to research and visit schools, ideally starting the search at least a year before you plan to submit the application for your child.

It takes time to determine which school is the best fit for your child. Navigating the application process can be overwhelming, but it can also be exciting, too. Here are tips, from the East Bay Independent Schools Association and the National Association of Independent Schools, on how to get you and your child into the right school.

• After creating your short list of schools, call or email the school’s admissions office to find out about open houses, school tours, private visits, or other events that will allow you to get to know the school as best as possible.

EST. 1969

The school’s admissions office will also tell you about application requirements—including deadlines and costs.

While each school has its own criteria for admitting students, the typical application package involves: • A completed application form, usually available from the school’s website, and application fee.

• Parent or guardian statements.

THE ACADEMY SCHOOL

• A transcript of your child’s grades from her current school.

Kindergarten - 8th Grade Elmwood Neighborhood, Berkeley

• Results from standardized tests or a schooladministered test. For middle school grades and above, the most common tests are: the Independent School Entrance Examination, or the ISEE; the Secondary School Aptitude Test, or the SSAT; the High School Placement Test, or HSPT, for Catholic schools.

Rich and Rigorous Academics Small Class Sizes Warm and Nurturing Environment Experienced Master Teachers Diverse and Inclusive Community

Depending on the grade to which you are applying, some schools might also ask for: • Student writing samples.

• Student portfolios.

• A formal interview, though for elementary school

Now Accepting Applications www.theacademyschool.org 510.549.0605

Berkeley Rose Waldorf School

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ow in our eighth year, Berkeley Rose Waldorf School stands firmly as a source for Waldorf education in the East Bay, bringing the ideals of meaningful learning, independent inquiry, and confidence to students in the heart of Berkeley.

Founded as a 12-student kindergarten, we have grown into a thriving school with parent-child classes, preschool, kindergarten, and a grades program offering first through fifth, growing a grade a year.

Early Childhood Campus 2138 Cedar St, Berkeley, CA 94709 Kindergarten and Grades Campus 2515 Hillegass Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704 510-859-7679 www.berkeleyrose.org

We offer Mandarin, Spanish, mathematics, science, language arts, movement, music, handwork, and gardening, with fine art integrated into every subject. To tour and to learn more about our school visit us at www.berkeleyrose.org.

Marin Waldorf School Why Waldorf Education Today?

Waldorf education’s highest aim is to support students in fully developing their unique capacities.

As mainstream education continues to veer toward rote memorization and test preparedness, Waldorf education stands in stark contrast.

A Developmental Curriculum

755 Idylberry Road San Rafael, CA 94903 415-479-8190 www.marinwaldorf.org

16 Parents’ Press | September 2017

The genius of the Waldorf curriculum is that it provides age appropriate experiences and concepts by introducing material when the students are most ready to receive and comprehend the meaning.

Stories are central to this approach. The scope spans from the fairy tales and myth in the early years, to history and biography as the children develop.

At the culmination of the educational journey, our 8th Graders have a narrative framework, rich in meaning, through which to vigorously take up the intellectual challenges of high school and beyond.

students, the interview more often consists of a teacher observation or individual or group-administered diagnostic tests.

Remember, school admissions officers are there to help you complete your applications in a timely manner. They also want to make sure that the process is a positive experience for you and your child and that there is a good match between your child and the school.

Try to avoid: • While admissions officers want to be helpful, don’t call too often, overload them with additional information about your child, or try to impress them with your business or social contacts.

• Don’t jump on the bandwagon of applying to a school just because your child’s peers are applying. Similarly, don’t just apply to a school because it is one of the “top” schools in the area and boasts of its graduates who go to the Ivies.

Be realistic about your child’s strengths, interests, and personality; she may not be an Ivy League kind of kid.

• Don’t shy away from disclosing vital information about your child or family—notably about any special academic needs your child has or about your family’s financial need for tuition help. >>> While most private schools cannot afford to meet the academic and financial needs of all students they would like to admit, you won’t increase your child’s chances of acceptance by failing to be upfront about certain information. And if the school turns your child down for any special issues, it’s likely the school was not a good fit.

• Don’t miss application deadlines. But if you do, some schools have rolling admissions and admit students throughout the school year. 

Too Late to Apply?

Don’t give up on a school if you’ve missed the admissions deadline.

“Finding a school [that] will accept your child after the normal admissions deadline has passed is not easy. But it can be done,” says Private School Review, an online site, www.privateschoolreview.com, that profiles private schools. “It’s a nagging question many parents ask themselves. You suddenly decide in late winter or early spring that you want to get your child into a private school for fall. Or perhaps a job transfer makes finding a private school in a hurry an absolute necessity. So, are you indeed too late? It depends.”

First, contact the school’s admissions office, state your case, and see how school officials respond. Some schools have flexible or rolling admissions and in essence accept students as long as the school enrollment roster has room, and some schools create waitlists when full. There is a chance, too, that an accepted student may withdraw or cancel, creating an available spot at the last minute.

The bottom line? “Ask anyway. You never know, and it never hurts to ask,” Private School Review advises.

Preparing for the Interview

T

he idea of your child having to interview to gain admission to a private school sounds downright terrifying. But private school experts say you shouldn’t think of the interview as a highstakes interrogation. Rather, think of the interview as a two-way conversation that helps everyone involved—school staff, parents, and child— determine if the school is the right fit for your child.

The structure of the interview also depends on the school and your child’s age. Typically, the applicant and her family come to the school to look around and talk with an admissions officer or other school staff.

The staff might focus on talking with the parents, but with older children and high school students, an admissions officer might speak privately with the child in a formal or more casual situation.

Given that the interview is an important part of the application process, and in determining if this school is the best place to educate your child, here are some things you and your child should prepare for so the interview will go well, according to the National Association of Independent Schools and other private school organizations.

With younger kids, the school staff will mostly talk to the parents, asking them to describe their child and what they hope their child will gain by attending this school.

When students are old enough to be the key subject of interviews, they should be prepared to answer typical questions, such as: • Tell me about yourself: Help your child come up with an answer that doesn’t recite biographical facts but describes his interests and strengths in certain academic areas or extracurricular activities

and allows him to talk up his accomplishments.

• Why do you want to come to this school? The school wants to find out if the child understands what makes the school unique and whether he sees it as a match for his own personality, academic strengths, interests, and aspirations. So, hopefully, during visits or in talking to students and faculty, your child has encountered programs or a learning environment that excites him.

• Talk about subjects or teachers you like: Help your child figure out certain coursework that has recently engaged him, such as a certain book in English class or a social studies field trip to see Egyptian mummies at a museum.

Given that the interview is also a chance for you and your child to learn more about the school, help your child prepare to ask questions. Look at the school’s website or think back to visits and help him Continued on page 15 >>

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS come up with a list of questions that reflects how the school might nurture his interests. “Will I be able to do dissections in sixth-grade biology?”“Can I audition for school plays in ninth grade?”“What about your study trips overseas?”“What are different ways I can fulfill my community service requirements?” The admissions officers will likely see your child’s curiosity as evidence of his interest in coming to the school.

Parents and students should always be honest, experts say. But that doesn’t mean you should accentuate your child’s weaknesses, provide too much

information about family challenges, or bad-mouth your child’s current school, even if this current school environment is mostly negative and the reason he’s trying to change schools.

Instead, accentuate the positive: A child’s weakness or a family’s challenges are things he is working to overcome; or his current school simply isn’t the right fit for his unique needs and interests. 

The Renaissance International School

T

he Renaissance International School provides students age two-years old through middle school with a high-quality education designed to create compassionate, capable, confident, creative individuals who are prepared for life. Our Montessori program has a strong music, visual arts, and language immersion component.

Entrance Exam

Beyond the Expected Our hands-on curriculum, designed to offer students the opportunity to discover rather than just learn, goes beyond the traditional school curriculum. They progress at their own pace on a guided exploration of math, science, geography, history, and language that not only helps them develop knowledge specific to these areas, but simultaneously helps them develop the tools they will need to succeed in an ever changing world.

Language Immersion Our students thrive in our trilingual immersion environment (English/Spanish/French). Students progress individually under the guidance of native speakers.

M

ost private schools require students entering middle and high school to take an entrance exam to gain admission to their institutions.

In the San Francisco Bay area, the most commonly accepted standardized tests are the Independent School Entrance Examination, or the ISEE, and the High School Placement Test, or HSPT, for Catholic schools. Another often recognized and accepted test is the Secondary School Aptitude Test, or the SSAT. The ISEE and SSAT tests, basically, are to middle and high school what the SAT or ACT is to college.

They are administered independently at a set time at a specific location with results sent to designated schools. Often schools schedule these tests on their own campuses, and individual entrance requirements usually specify which test to take. The HSPT, however, does not coordinate national testing days, and test administration is the responsibility of individual schools or dioceses, which determine when to offer the HSPT. On these exams, students can expect multiplechoice questions that test verbal, math, and reading comprehension skills and a portion that assesses writing ability (though not part of the HSPT).

Policies vary according by test on taking practice tests and repeated test attempts. The test results often determine course placement, so more schools have begun to offer prep test programs to better equip entering students for the real thing. Schools may have additional or different requirements for international students.

ISEE Source: www.iseetest.org.

LOWER LEVEL FOR Candidates for grades five and six.

TYPE Multiple-choice test in four sections plus an essay, specifically: verbal reasoning—34 items, 20 minutes; quantitative reasoning—38 items, 35 minutes; reading comprehension—25 items, 25 minutes; mathematics achievement—30 items, 30 minutes; 30-minute essay (unscored).

TOTAL TESTING TIME 2 hours, 20 minutes.

FEE $100–$185.

FREQUENCY Practice administrations of the ISEE are not allowed. You may test only when making a formal application to a school. You may be tested only once within a six-month period. If you test a second time during that six-month period, results of the second administration cannot be reported, and the test fee will not be returned.

SCORING If necessary, make an educated guess from the remaining choices, since there is no penalty for incorrect responses.

DATES Schools choose their own testing dates.

Registration for the 2017–18 test dates will open in August.

MIDDLE AND UPPER LEVEL FOR Candidates for grades seven and eight (Middle); candidates for grades nine through 12 (Upper).

TYPE Multiple choice in four sections plus an essay, specifically: verbal reasoning—40 items, 20 minutes; quantitative reasoning—37 items, 35 minutes; reading comprehension—36 items, 35 minutes; mathematics achievement—47 items, 40 minutes; 30-minute essay (unscored).

TOTAL TESTING TIME 2 hours, 40 minutes.

FEE $110–$210.

FREQUENCY Practice administrations of the ISEE are not allowed. You may test only when making a formal application to a school. You may be tested only once within a six-month period. If you test a second time during that six-month period, results of the second administration cannot be reported, and the test fee will not be returned.

SCORING Please select the best choice for each question. On this test, there is no penalty for an incorrect answer.

DATES Schools choose their own testing dates.

Registration for the 2017–18 test dates will open in August.

Visual Arts Our studio art program encourages creativity, imagination, self-direction, coordination, critical thinking, and problem solving. At the end of each year, an art show is held in a gallery space in the East Bay featuring the students’ artwork.

International Central to the school’s philosophy is to provide children with an international center of learning.

Our students benefit from outstanding cultural and multidisciplinary programs, where they develop and achieve their highest potential. We set a high standard of achievement for the quality of thought, work, and mastery of content and skills. Our students grow to be leaders and explorers; they become responsible citizens who are capable, creative, compassionate, and confident.

Graduates attend top Bay Area public and private high schools.

Lic# 010214382

Music Our music curriculum addresses the musical needs of children beginning in early childhood. As students develop their abilities, they advance to the school’s various ensembles, private lessons, and subjects, within our music program.

Piedmont Campus: 5201 Park Blvd. | Oakland Campus: 3650 Dimond Ave. 510-531-8566 | www.therenaissanceschool.org

HSPT Source: www.ststesting.com.

FOR Students in grade eight for placement in ninth grade.

TYPE Multiple-choice test in five areas, specifically verbal, quantitative skills, reading comprehension, mathematics, and language; no essay; optional tests in science (25 minutes), mechanical aptitude (15 minutes), and Catholic religion (20 minutes) available but are not included in scoring.

TOTAL TESTING TIME 2 hours, 30 minutes.

FEE Included in application fee at school.

FREQUENCY Once, unless extenuating circumstances prevail and a school, on a case-by-case basis, allows a retest. If the test is taken more than once, the lower score is considered.

SCORING The number of questions that you answered correctly is added up for each subtest. Points are not subtracted for incorrect answers. (There is no penalty for guessing.)

DATES The HSPT is ordered and administered by individual schools or dioceses. Contact the school where you’d like to take the test for details regarding their registration process. The HSPT is unlike college entrance exams, such as the SAT and ACT, in that STS does not coordinate national testing days. All details of test administration are handled by individual schools or dioceses and they determine which day/s they will offer the HSPT. Contact the school directly to find out its testing date.

SSAT Source: www.ssat.org.

The SSAT is a multiple-choice test designed for students in grades three through 11 and is administered on three levels: elementary, middle, and upper.

ELEMENTARY LEVEL SSAT FOR Students in grades three and four.

TYPE Multiple choice in four sections and a writing exercise, specifically: quantitative (math)—30 questions, 30 minutes; verbal—30 questions, 20 minutes; 15-minute break; reading—28 questions (seven short passages, each with four questions), 30 minutes; writing sample—one prompt, 15 minutes (ungraded).

TOTAL TESTING TIME 110 minutes.

FEE $80 and up.

FREQUENCY May take test twice during the testing year Aug. 1–July 31.

SCORING Encourage your child to try to answer every question, making his/her best guesses about the questions of which he/she is unsure. There are no penalties for wrong answers.

Continued on page 16 >>

Park Day School

A place where students think creatively, learn deeply, act compassionately and live fully.

S

ince 1976, our unwavering focus has been to develop an exceptional place for learning–a place that fosters the academic social and emotional growth of students so that they have the best possible foundation on which to build their ongoing education and their lives.

We engage students with hands-on investigations, projects and design challenges across the grades and subject areas inspiring greater interest, depth and understanding. Our long history and leadership with this experiential approach was one of they key factors that brought us together with Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Agency by Design project to build a robust Design+Make Engage program. Park Day students become designers, engineers, builders, and scientists, engaging in complex, handson projects, relying on collaboration to apply concepts and explore new technologies.

We offer students a K-8 academic experience that is genuinely challenging, rich, deep, and relevant.

This lays the foundation for future learning, shapes early character development, and prepares students for entry into excellent high schools.

Like other exceptional schools, we ask a lot of our students. What makes Park Day School different is how we combine this academic and experiential depth in a warm, nurturing, and supportive environment. This approach prepares our students to flourish as students and as people.

to have a balanced perspective and know the wonder and strength of their democratic society and their history. This approach culminates with students being able to recognize the injustices that occur in their society and to have an understanding of their own power to make change for the better.

At Park Day School, we see five critical inputs in our approach to providing the best possible education. They are our progressive approach, truly expert teachers, rigorous academic program, nurturing learning environment and social justice program. All of our work leverages these five key inputs to do the most to spark in each child the passions that have them think creatively, learn deeply, act compassionately and live fully.

Contact us to schedule a visit to get to know Park Day School.

Park Day School’s abiding commitment to social justice, which is so vital to progressive education, means that teachers focus on humanitarian goals and bring forward ways that students can engage in socially conscious activities. We teach students 360 42nd St. | Oakland, CA 94609 | 510-653-0317 x101 www.parkdayschool.org

September 2017 | Parents’ Press 17

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

SierraProspect SchoolSierra School

continued from pg. 15

DATES 2017: Oct. 14, Nov. 11, Dec. 9; 2018: Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 3, April 21, June 9.

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rospect Sierra students are passionate about learning. Our exceptional teachers inspire students to seek deep, meaningful understanding; to develop strong academic skills; and to become creative and independent thinkers. Prospect Sierra cultivates compassion, ents are passionate about fairness, respect, and individuality within a community that celebrates ptional teachers inspire diversity, authenticity, and service.

Visit Prospect Sierra to to see see us us in in action. action. Contact Contact admissions@prospectsierra.org and and join joinus usfor forour our admissions@prospectsierra.org Admissions Information Information Days: Days:

meaningfulProspect understanding; Sierra has been named a 21st century Elementary Admissions Admissions Information Information Day Day(K-4) (K-4) We have been nationally recognized emic skills;school and by toNAIS. become 12, 2016 2017 for our TEDx conference on compassion in Sunday, November 13, ent thinkers.

Prospect Sierra curriculum, and our 1:00-3:00 pm education, our changemaker 12:30-3:30 pm social-emotional fairness, respect, and learning curriculum. In addition, Admissions Information Day(5-8) (5-8) Visit Prospect Sierra to see us in Information action. Contact we were recently named a Green Ribbon Middle School Admissions Day School by ommunity the that celebrates 5, 2016 2017 US Department of Education.

Sunday, November 6, admissions@prospectsierra.org and join us for our 12:30-4:00 pm and service.We prepare students with 21st century skills Admissions Information Days: by emphasizing hands-on experiences, critical (K–4) Elementary School (K–4) en named athinking, 21st century and creative collaboration. Our projectEl Cerrito, Cerrito, CA CA 94530 94530 2060 Tapscott Avenue, El based curriculum combines academics and arts Elementary Admissions ve been nationally recognized 510-809-9036Information Day (K-4) 510-236-5800 with social-emotional learning, service, innovative Sunday, ce on compassion inand an emphasis on diversity technology, and November 13, 2016 Middle School (5-8) inclusion. This integrated approach encourages 12:30-3:30 pm960 Avis Drive, El Cerrito, maker curriculum, and our Cerrito, CA CA 94530 94530 students to make connections between their 510-809-9000 510-528-5800 ing curriculum.

In addition, learning at school and their growing awareness with the outside world.

Middle School Admissions Information Day (5-8) ed a Green Ribbon School by Prospect Sierra is an independent K-8 school of 470 Sunday, November 6, 2016 Education. students. We have two spacious campuses located in El Cerrito with bus transportation.12:30-4:00 pm ith 21st century skills -on experiences, critical Elementary School (K–4) collaboration. Our project2060 Tapscott Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 bines academics and arts 510-236-5800 earning, service, innovative phasis on diversity and Middle School (5-8) www.prospectsierra.org ted approach encourages 960 Avis Drive, El Cerrito, CA 94530 ections between their 510-528-5800 their growing awareness with

Black Pine Circle School

dependent K-8 school of 470 spacious campuses located ransportation.

“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” —Socrates

F

or 45 years, Black Pine Circle School’s awardwinning* elementary and middle school has created lifelong learners through a Socratic inquirybased education that places equal emphasis on both academics and the arts.

Our caring, engaged educators are dedicated to encouraging independent thinking and to creating a supportive environment, where the focus is on inspiring and nurturing curiosity, community, inquiry, and voice in our students.

*The National Math Club, Gold Level Award 2016-17, ninth year in a row

Winner of All-Star Mathletes Competition 2016-17, fifteenth year in a row www.prospectsierra.org

2027 7th Street Berkeley, CA 94710 510-845-0876 www.blackpinecircle.org

"Editor's Choice" blue ribbon for demonstrating great creativity, ingenuity, and innovation, Maker Faire 2014 & 2015, San Mateo Honored makers at the White House Maker Faire 2014 Guinness World Records Holder 2015

MIDDLE AND UPPER LEVEL SSAT Standard Test (group administered on eight Saturdays), Flex Test (group or individual administered on a different date), Regional Flex Test (or Open Flex Test) (regional consortia administered).

FOR Students in grades 5–7 (Middle) and grades 8–11 (Upper).

TYPE Multiple choice in four sections and a writing exercise, more specifically: verbal—one 30-minute section; quantitative—two 30-minute sections; reading—one 40-minute section; 25-minute writing portion.

TIPS

A GREAT

oes your child…

• Confidently set and achieve goals?

• Complete their work enthusiastically?

• Volunteer to lead activities?

Montessori kids do.

Since 1981, MFS has provided an authentic Montessori education, serving 150 children in grades PK-8.

Preschool Campus | 510-848-2322 1850 Scenic Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709 Elementary Campus (K-8) | 510-236-8802 7075 Cutting Blvd., El Cerrito, CA 94530

www.montessorifamily.com

18 Parents’ Press | September 2017

Montessori education is about providing the environment to develop young people who think critically and feel deeply. Our goal is students who are self-reflective, self-organizing, and self-correcting in the fast-paced and constantly changing world around them. More than learning simply what to think, the children here learn how to think, and how to advocate for themselves and others. The transformative power of education is real and thriving in our robust Montessori environment. The work is enriching and challenging and so very worthwhile.

MFS is a hub of busy children, a dedicated faculty employing Montessori best practices, and a committed parent body working together to expand the reach of this precious, child-centered learning community.

FOR

ESSAY

A

pplication essays provide ways for private school admissions officers to get to know students beyond their grades, test scores, and basic biographical information.

They provide insight into a student’s personality and interests— to help determine if the school is the right fit for your child and vice versa.

Aside from the interview, writing the essay can be one of the most stress-producing steps in the application process. But these suggestions from private school organizations can break the task of writing the essay into manageable steps and guide your child to crafting a work that makes him stand out to admissions officers.

READ THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY

Don’t write a two-sentence essay if the school asks for one page, but don’t write more than one page. And, don’t turn in a typed essay if the school wants it handwritten.

TELL THE SCHOOL WHAT IT WANTS TO KNOW

Schools often provide an essay prompt, so you need to respond to it. That said, the prompts—such as “recount some activity or event that challenged you in a positive way”—usually allow the applicant lots of leeway to write about a range of topics.

BE REAL

Don’t write what you think an admissions officer wants to hear—because you really have no idea. Write about what you know and what excites you.

START EARLY

Do not wait until the night before the application is due to begin writing. Brainstorm and work out ideas with teachers, parents, or others early and give yourself time for revisions, if necessary, and copyediting.

TELL A STORY

While the essay should have correct spelling and grammar and be legible, it doesn’t have to follow the academic essay formula. A good strategy is to tell a story—even filled with dialogue or vivid description—to get your point across.

GET CREATIVE

If you are an aspiring writer, for example, ask the school if you can write in verse, instead of the usual narrative.

BE CONCRETE

Stay away from generalizations, such as “singing by myself in front of my school was challenging.” Instead, provide details or an example of how and why you were scared before that solo singing performance and felt triumphant afterwards.

PARENTS, THIS MUST BE YOUR CHILD’S WORK

While, as parents, you can provide feedback and help with copyediting, let your child do all the writing. And if you can’t help but get overly involved, consider asking a neutral third party—a teacher, another relative, or a professional consultant—to help your child edit her essay. 

Montessori Family School

D

TOTAL TESTING TIME Usually 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

FEE $127.

FREQUENCY Standard Test up to eight times a year; Flex Test or Regional/Open Flex one time a year SCORING You receive one point for every correct answer and lose one-quarter point for each wrong answer on a question with a five-choice response. You do not lose points by skipping a question. If you can’t eliminate a least one or two of the answer choices and take an ‘educated guess,’ it is better to leave the question unanswered.

DATES 2017: Oct. 14, Nov. 11, Dec. 9; 2018: Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 3, April 21, June 9. 

A

Shadow Days

fter all the open houses, information nights, school tours, and interviews, the best way for kids to evaluate a school is to spend a day on campus. Luckily, most schools offer shadow days for older students (usually those entering middle school or high school).

Prospective students are matched up with a current student for an entire school day. They go to classes, share time during breaks and lunch, and get an insider’s tour of the campus— experiencing firsthand what it feels like to be a student at that school.

Things to know: • Typically, shadow days can be scheduled anytime from October to May. • Visitors are often required to respect the school dress code.

• Visiting students are usually allowed to shadow a current student they already know, as long as the request is made in advance.

• If prospective students do not know any current students, the school will assign one based on interests in academics, extracurricular activities, etc.

• Shadow days are just for students; no parents allowed.

• Don’t worry if your student goes to a P.E. class. Your kid will be OK. 

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

The Acceptance and Decision

T

he application is completed, interviews and shadow days all done—all that’s left is waiting for the acceptance letter (or email) and then the big decision. Usually, acceptance (or rejection or waitlist) notifications go out on a Friday in mid-March, and families then have seven days to decide where their child will attend. So how to make the decision?

When you learn about your child’s acceptance, you will also learn about financial aid awards. If the grant you receive does not meet your needs, or if you are not awarded any aid, contact the school’s financial aid officer to learn about other options.

The following are tips on choosing a school from the National Association of Independent Schools.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE ACCEPTED • If you’re certain about the school, say yes—but feel free to take the full seven days to sit with the decision to make sure it feels right.

DECIDING ON A SCHOOL • Discuss the options as a family.

• Make a pro and con list for each possible school.

• Revisit your notes from tours and open houses one last time.

The Quarry Lane School

ONCE YOU DECIDE • Be sure to contact the school you choose by the reply deadline.

• Let all schools where you were admitted know of your final decision so they can contact other families on their waiting list.

• Return your signed enrollment contract and tuition deposit.

IF YOU’RE WAITLISTED • Call the school right away and let admissions officials know that you are very interested. Stay in touch with them throughout the summer.

Sometimes children can be accepted off the waitlist just days before school begins.

IF YOU’RE REJECTED • Consider other schools.

• Ask the school for feedback about what factors made the difference. Try to approach the issue in a nonjudgmental way; tell the admissions staff you want to get information that can help your child do better in the future. 

• Follow your heart. Revisit your wish list to make sure you’ve fulfilled your priorities. Be sure that your child will thrive in the independent school community you choose.

Usually, acceptance (or rejection or waitlist) notifications go out on a Friday in mid-March, and families then have seven days to decide where their child will attend. So how to make the decision?

F

ounded in 1991, The Quarry Lane School is an independent, secular, college-preparatory school serving students from preschool through grade 12. Quarry Lane has earned recognition for its rigorous, accelerated curriculum – blending traditional and innovative teaching methods At Quarry Lane, we passionately believe in the importance of building a solid academic foundation—one that inspires a lifelong love of learning. Our robust, accelerated curriculum challenges our students to think critically, collaborate, and communicate. The goal of The Quarry Lane School is to provide students with every opportunity to obtain acceptance to the college of their choice. Graduates of The Quarry Lane School have been accepted at some of the top universities in the country, including: Columbia, Stanford, Princeton, U.C. Berkeley and Georgetown.

The faculty and staff at The Quarry Lane work passionately to cultivate a learning environment that inspires critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. Our experienced faculty are subjectmatter experts who are dedicated to instilling a passion for learning in our students. An excellent student-to-staff ratio ensures that teachers and administrators have the opportunity to accurately assess student needs on an individual basis and challenge each of them to reach his or her full potential. The guidance and support that students gain from our faculty are invaluable for building academic knowledge, self-confidence, and future college success.

Our goal is to develop the child in a learning environment that promotes self-esteem, encourages a deeper level of learning, and allows students to thrive as confident, independent learners. With that goal in mind, we strive to create an atmosphere that inspires a lifelong love of learning so that each student can reach his or her fullest potential—emotionally, socially, academically, and physically—to assume responsibility as a future global citizen.

The Quarry Lane School is accredited by WASC, NCPSA, and NIPSA and serves communities within Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the greater San Francisco East Bay Area. Quarry Lane is proud to be the only private school in the East Bay to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Visit our website for campus locations www.quarrylane.org

Visit our website for campus locations www.quarrylane.org

IF YOU ARE NOT SURE • Consider a second visit to the school; have your child do a shadow day if she hasn’t already.

Bentley School

• Ask to talk to some teachers.

• Talk to graduates or current families of the school—especially any who have come from your child’s current school.

• Encourage your child to talk to other students.

F

Financial Aid

Basics You Need to Know WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID?

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE USUALLY LIKE?

Monetary assistance that schools provide to reduce educational costs to families. Most financial aid takes the form of grants that do not need to be paid back.

Be sure to ask each school for its unique deadlines. For schools that do not have rolling admissions, here are some approximate dates that many schools tend to follow: • September or October in the year before you want to start in the new school: Begin your school search.

WHERE DOES FINANCIAL AID COME FROM? Most aid is provided directly from the school and distributed on the basis of financial need.

WHAT DOES “FINANCIAL NEED” MEAN? Need is the difference between educational expenses—especially tuition and fees—and your family’s ability to pay those expenses.

HOW DO SCHOOLS DETERMINE FINANCIAL NEED? They ask you to fill out financial statements that give them a picture of how much you can afford to contribute toward education. After calculating the difference between your resources and their tuition and fees, they weigh the resulting financial need against their available financial aid funds and their policies.

WHAT IS THE INCOME LEVEL AT WHICH A FAMILY IS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR AID? There is no specific income limit. If you feel you cannot pay all the costs yourself, it’s worth the effort to ask whether aid is available.

• November or December: Begin the financial aid application process.

• December through February: Your admission applications are due.

• January or February: Your financial aid applications are due.

• Late February or early March: Schools send out admission decisions.

• March or April: Schools send out financial aid decisions. (Bay Area schools often include this information with the acceptance letter.)

Again: Contact individual schools for exact deadlines. Each school’s deadlines may be different. 

ounded in 1920, Bentley School is a premier K-12 coeducational, independent day school with campuses in Oakland (K-8) and Lafayette (9-12). Our faculty lead curricula combining the best of traditional and innovative approaches. By offering students the perfect balance of excellent academics and social emotional learning, our graduates earn admission to distinguished colleges and universities across the United States and internationally. Transformative learning in an inclusive, respectful environment inspires our students and graduates to fulfill their highest potential.

The Lower School (K-5) program builds a strong foundation in fundamental academic skills and knowledge while nurturing students’ social and emotional growth. Teachers encourage the boundless curiosity and intellectual progress of our youngest students. Exceptional programs in foreign language, arts, music, technology, and physical education enhance the core curriculum.

The Upper School (9-12) cultivates lifelong learners who make positive contributions to their communities. Students learn in a creative environment with high academic standards, complex coursework, robust elective and cocurricular opportunities, and exceptional faculty.

At Bentley, students engage in transformative education that prepares them for lives of success and purpose in and beyond college.

For more information, please visit www. bentleyschool.net or contact us directly to schedule a visit.

In the Middle School (6-8), students further develop skills mastered in the Lower School as they grow in analytical thinking. An array of engaging electives enrich the core academic program, with opportunities to participate in music, visual art, drama, engineering, athletics, and gardening. Our vibrant advisory program guides students’ academic, social, and emotional growth.

K-8 Campus in Oakland 510-843-2512 | 9-12 Campus in Lafayette 925-283-2101 www.bentleyschool.net

Reprinted with permission from the National Association of Independent Schools, www.nais.org.

September 2017 | Parents’ Press 19

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Salesian College Preparatory

MYTHS About Financial Aid

S

alesian College Preparatory is a fully accredited, coeducational college preparatory high school in the Catholic tradition with an extensive Honors and Advanced Placement program. The school was founded in 1927 and is located on a beautiful secluded campus in Richmond, California. Voted “Best Faith-Based High School” in Contra Costa County by Parents' Press magazine for the last three years. Salesian’s tranquil, gated-campus spans 21 acres with scenic views of redwoods.

Through its mission, Salesian is a diverse and welcoming community that develops healthy young people by providing them opportunities to explore and pursue personal, academic, extracurricular and spiritual interests. The Salesian student community represents the multicultural and socio-economically diverse population of the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The present enrollment is 430. The ethnic composition of the student body is: 22% AfricanAmerican, 29% Asian/Pacific Islander, 12% Euro-American, 25% Latino, 10% Multi Racial, and 2% Native American. More than half of Salesian students receive a total of $1,800,000 in tuition assistance annually.

Approximately 70% of students participate in extracurricular activities including 34 competitive teams across 13 interscholastic sports, more than 30 student-led clubs, a band, a renowned Story and Song chorale group, and a comprehensive performing arts program. Additionally, students participate in a Service Learning Program encompassing three required service projects. Every student must complete a Senior Synthesis Portfolio and Presentation with a focus on service learning at the end of their senior year. Many students are also involved in Student Leadership and Ministry (SLAM), a unique program combining leadership training and community service involvement.

100% of the 2017 Class enrolled in college.

MYTH: An independent school education is out of reach for all but wealthy families.

REALITY: Tuition can be expensive. But hundreds of private schools offer financial assistance to make sure that the students they’ve admitted have a realistic chance to enroll, no matter what their families’ financial status.

MYTH: All schools our child applies to will offer our family the same financial aid package.

REALITY: How much aid you receive may vary—a lot—from school to school. The amount a school can offer depends on factors such as the size of its endowment, its tuition costs, and its philosophy about providing aid. If your decision to send your child to an independent school depends on getting some financial help, it pays to apply for aid at more than one school.

MYTH: The deadlines for admission and financial aid are the same.

REALITY: Often the deadlines are not the same.

Check with each school (the deadlines are usually on the school’s website), and be sure to keep track of what you must do when. Do not wait to begin the financial aid process until after you receive an admission decision. It pays to complete both admission and financial aid applications at the same time, even if they’re due on different dates; plus many schools require that they be done at the same time.

Student success and personal development are core values of Salesian College Preparatory. We offer a rigorous college preparatory curriculum including an expansive elective course catalog.

2851 Salesian Ave • Richmond • CA • 94804 • 510-234-1413 www.salesian.com

MYTH: The financial aid application process

Reprinted with permission from the National Association of Independent Schools, www.nais.org.

stablished in 1972, Maybeck High School is a teacher-run, independent, college preparatory high school located near the University of California, Berkeley.

successful Bring Your Own Device program gives students the autonomy to use the tools most relevant to them in a digitally diverse and everchanging world.

Students and their families choose SHC for the strength of our academics, our diverse array of cocurricular opportunities, and for the warmth of our inclusive and nurturing community.

To schedule a tour, contact Director of Admissions Tim Burke ’70 at tburke@shcp.edu or 415.775.6626 ext. 729

We believe that academic, intellectual, emotional, personal and creative development invigorates the whole student. Our cocurricular programs are essential, not extra, elements to the student experience at SHC. Our students excel on the field, onstage and as leaders in our community, just as they do in the classroom. Our state-ofthe-art facilities allow students to engage in a collaborative learning experience, and our

1055 Ellis St. | San Francisco, CA 94109 | 415-775-6626 shcp.edu

20 Parents’ Press | September 2017

MYTH: It’s too intimidating to talk to the school about our private financial matters.

REALITY: The school is your very best source of realistic information about the procedures and timelines for getting aid and of advice about the types of financial assistance available. The members of the financial aid staff want you to turn to them for help. Really. 

E

Maybeck is a vibrant community dedicated to learning, where all forms of diversity can flourish amid mutual support, respect, and responsibility.

Through our small classes, high expectations, academic excellence, and programs outside the school, students prepare for college and acquire the tools to engage actively and creatively in the wider world. Approximately 120 students are enrolled in grades 9 through 12, with an average class size of 15. The student faculty ratio is 5:1.

S

At SHC, academic excellence is not only measured in the range and quality of our courses, but in our students’ curiosity, drive and desire to learn. We challenge our students to stretch themselves, to experience and learn as much as they can, to honor their passions and develop their talents, to generously share those talents, to become their best selves.

MYTH: If we tell the school our family needs financial aid, this might hurt our child’s chances of being admitted.

REALITY: The typical school will not reject a qualified student’s admission application because the child is applying for financial aid. That said: Admission is not a guarantee that the student’s family will receive financial aid. The amount of aid depends on the family’s eligibility and the funds the school has available.

Maybeck High School

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory

acred Heart Cathedral Preparatory is a Lasallian Vincentian Catholic, college preparatory high school located in the heart of San Francisco’s cultural center. We are dedicated to the intellectual and academic excellence of our students, and we strive to develop the unique talents and passions of each individual. Our devotion is illustrated in our enthusiastic and highly educated teachers, commitment to service and social justice, innovative curriculum and cutting-edge classroom technology. SHC Alumni are accepted into hundreds of colleges across the country, including all of US News & World Report’s Top 10 National Universities.

is complicated.

REALITY: There’s some truth to this one, but schools’ financial aid offices are working hard to make the process as clear and convenient as possible. More than 2,100 schools use SSS, School and Student Services by NAIS, to help them make financial aid decisions. This means you may only have to fill out one form to apply for financial aid at several schools. The form and instructions are available online. In addition, many schools offer financial aid workshops, and staffers welcome your calls any time you have questions.

2727 College Ave. Berkeley, CA 94705 510-841-8489 www.maybeckhs.org

MESA - Montessori Elementary School of Alameda

M

ontessori education has expanded in Alameda with the addition of MESA— Montessori Elementary School of Alameda.

MESA involves the academic rigor of core subjects, balanced by an emphasis in writing, critical thinking, public speaking, and the arts.

Our curriculum involves the integration of the common core within the Montessori academic scope and sequence, with an underpinning of lessons in character development, leadership, and responsibility to self, community and the world. A small class, representative of the concept of blended grades, allows for attention and innovative, nontraditional emphasis unmatched in many typical settings.

1400 Sixth St. Contact us today – We are a Welcoming School!

Alameda, CA 94501 montessorielementaryalameda@gmail.com 510-521-0595 www.montessorielementaryalameda.org TK - 8th Grade

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

What Does Accreditation Mean?

Tilden Preparatory School

T

ilden Prep is a unique, WASC-accredited, college-preparatory school for grades 6-12 that teaches U.C.-approved courses one-to-one and in small groups. We also use mastery learning, teaching students to 80 percent (B) or higher level of mastery before moving forward. This allows us to individualize the pace and teaching method to address a wide range of learning needs.

From highly gifted students who find a regular classroom setting too limiting to students with learning differences who need a specialized teaching approach to shine academically, we are working with students to maximize both their learning and their self-confidence.

A

ccreditation and professional affiliations and diploma awarded by the schools it accredits will be associations indicate a private school has been accepted by colleges and prospective employers,” evaluated by and met or exceeded specific says the CDE, which does not accredit schools. criteria set forth by a designated and agreed-upon WASC is one of six regional accrediting accrediting- or affiliation-granting body. associations for schools and colleges, and its These accreditations, territory includes schools affiliations, and associations operating in California.

What they have in common can be national, regional, “School accreditation is that they serve as a sort of or local, covering religious is a peer-review process stamp of approval, signifying beliefs, educational that fosters excellence in philosophies, or special education and encourages to colleges and universities interests and last for a school improvement that their members operate specific number of years, through discovery, schools with meaningful often with prescribed steps dialogue, compliance, and education standards. in the interim to assure commitment. Accreditation compliance. What they enables a member have in common is that school to develop clearly they serve as a sort of stamp of approval, signifying to defined goals and objectives based on its mission colleges and universities that their members operate and philosophy,” says the California Association of schools with meaningful education standards.

Independent Schools (www.caisca.org).

“Accrediting is done by a variety of accrediting “The accreditation process is designed to assist organizations,” points out the California Department a school in engaging the energies of all community of Education online (www.cde.ca/gov), citing the members in reviewing and clarifying the school’s Western Association of Schools and Colleges, or WASC, purpose and goals for students, and in developing as an example of an established organization that plans to accomplish these goals.The school also accredits both private and public K–12 schools. “WASC develops measurements that show the degree to which accreditation generally ensures that the credits and its goals for students are achieved,” says the CAIS. 

1231 Solano Ave | Albany | 510-525-5506 1475 N. Broadway, Suite 200 Walnut Creek | 925-933-5506

We offer full-time enrollment, individual courses, and tutoring services.

1050 Bridgeway | Sausalito | 415-944-2254 www.tildenprep.com

St. Paul's Episcopal School

S

t. Paul’s is an independent K-8 day school located steps north of Lake Merritt that welcomes families of all faiths.

Our philosophy: • Supporting students as fearless learners is the best path to academic rigor.

We create a supportive community where students approach challenges with confidence and courage.

Sign Up

• We make service and learning interdependent Students apply what they learn while doing long-term service projects.

for our E-Newsletter

• Deeper learning can be achieved by harnessing the power of diversity Research shows that diverse student bodies like ours fuel critical thinking and academic excellence.

delivered semi-monthly to your inbox!

116 Montecito Ave. Oakland, CA 94610 Admissions Office 510-285-9617 www.spes.org

www.parentspress.com

Hacienda School

Stratford School

F

A

t Stratford, high expectations yield extraordinary results. We start early with an advanced and intentionally balanced curriculum that challenges students and accelerates achievement.

Our ever-evolving, STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) teaching methods ensure students develop the diverse set of problem-solving skills and creative talents they’ll need in today’s world.

Our passionate teachers cultivate a nurturing and fun classroom environment, where children feel safe and eager to try new things and fail forward. Beyond the classroom, we help students discover and define their passions through a variety of extracurricular activities, personal development and enrichment.

Multiple Locations Throughout the Bay Area www.stratfordschools.com

This carefully designed approach prepares students to excel at the next level and become tomorrow’s creative problem-solvers, innovators, and confident leaders. Find out more at www.stratfordschools.com

3800 Stoneridge Drive Pleasanton, CA 94588 925-485-5750 www.haciendaschool.com

Saint Philip Neri Catholic School

The Academy

S

ince 1969, The Academy's mission has been to develop thoughtful, ambitious and deep learners. We honor each student's individuality, develop their sense of personal responsibility, respect for others, integrity, and commitment to service and citizenship in a global society.

Kindergarten through eighth grade, our small classes and interactive instruction methods allow our passionate and experienced teachers to inspire and challenge each student every day.

S

aint Philip Neri Catholic School promotes respectful, responsible, reverent life-long learners. Students work collaboratively and creatively while experiencing: • Rigorous academics emphasizing critical thinking, problem solving, innovation, and communication • Low student-to-teacher ratio • Faith-based character education • 1:1 technology program infused throughout the curriculum • Music, art, Spanish, PE, garden science • Project-based learning • Electives that include broadcasting, web design, art, drama, programming, public speaking, LEGO robotics Experience a day in TK and K • Nov 15 • 8:30AM

THE

ACADEMY

INFORMATION NIGHTS • Dec 6 and Jan 10 • 7PM

1335 High Street Alameda, CA 94501 510-521-0787 www.school.spnalameda.org facebook.com/saintphilipnerischool

Please call to RSVP or schedule a tour

ounded in 1999, Hacienda School is a Montessori based private school for grades 1-8. The cornerstone of Hacienda’s approach is a respect for the student as an individual striving for independence. The curriculum is self-paced and individualized. Students receive ample one-on-one attention from teachers as well as participation in group lessons.

Foreign languages including Mandarin and Spanish, art, and music are included for all students. All students participate in school plays and band concerts as well as monthly curriculum related field trips.

Our full-day, year-round schedule supports busy, twoincome families. Because the basic skill development activities are individualized, students are able to take vacations at any time throughout the year without fear of “falling behind.”

The best way to understand the Hacienda difference is to see our program in action. Schedule a private tour with our school’s director to find out more about Hacienda School’s unique and innovative program.

2722 Benvenue Ave. Berkeley, CA 94705 510-549-0605 www.theacademyschool.org

Why The Academy?

• Experienced, passionate teachers • Commitment to small class sizes • Highly-interactive instruction • Challenging curriculum that prepares students exceptionally well for their studies beyond 8th grade • Specialist teachers in art, French, Latin, music, physical education, and science • A strong and diverse community Contact us at admissions@theacademyschool.org

September 2017 | Parents’ Press 21

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley School

F

or more than 40 years, Ecole Bilingue has enthusiastically embraced the concept of childhood. Our school believes that the “key 12 years,” ages 2 through 14, provide the essential foundation each child needs for academic, linguistic, creative, moral, and physical development.

Our multilingual program of learning is carefully designed to elicit the unique, personal strengths of each child, supporting progress naturally and confidently from day-to-day and year-to-year, and equipping students with the skills necessary to secure success there, but also in high school, college, and beyond.

With an international curriculum taught daily in English and French, complemented by language instruction in Spanish and Mandarin starting in Middle School, the EB experience is a springboard for a global perspective.

1009 Heinz Ave. Berkeley, CA 94710 510-549-3867 www.eb.org/visit

To schedule a tour, register online at www.eb.org/visit For more information, please contact Manon Johnson, Director of Admissions, at admissions@eb.org or (510) 809-0615

H

ead-Royce School is a nationally recognized K-12 independent school in Oakland. The school nurtures imagination, creativity, and love of learning through teaching a college preparatory curriculum aligned with its mission: scholarship, diversity, and citizenship. The welcoming diverse community includes approximately 875 talented and ambitious learners. Close to $5 million in financial aid is granted annually. The curriculum promotes leadership, compassion, respect, and ethical behavior to develop good citizens. Highquality teachers and small class sizes ensure a focus on educational excellence and socialemotional learning. Our curriculum reflects the diversity, globalism, environmental awareness and innovation of the Bay Area. www.headroyce.org

Child Unique Montessori School 2226 Encinal Ave. Alameda • 510-521-9227 www.thechildunique.org

Montessori Elementary School of Alameda 1400 Sixth St. Alameda • 510-521-0595 www.montessorielementaryalameda.org

St. Philip Neri Catholic School 1335 High St. Alameda • 510-521-0787 www.school.spnalameda.org

W

e partner with families to create a strong foundation upon which our children build an understanding of themselves, their community, and the world.

Our small vibrant K-5 learning community is unique. Our mission is clear. Our program is powerful!

Our students engage in a rich and relevant Thematic Project-Based Learning program that promotes critical thinking, collaboration, and solving real-world problems.

Our teachers are passionate and responsive. Our curriculum is relevant and is supplemented by a dynamic enrichment program.

Tilden Preparatory School 1231 Solano Ave. Albany • 510-525-5506 www.tildenprep.com

The Academy 2722 Benvenue Ave. Berkeley • 510-549-0605 www.theacademyschool.org

Bayhill High School 1940 Virginia St Berkeley • 510-984-0599 www.bayhillhs.org

Berkeley Rose Waldorf School 2515 Hillegass Ave and 2138 Cedar St Berkeley • 510-859-7679 www.berkeleyrose.org

Berkwood Hedge School 1809 Bancroft Way Berkeley • 510-883-6990 www.berkwood.org

Black Pine Circle School 2027 Seventh St. Berkeley • 510-845-0876 www.blackpinecircle.org

Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley 1009 Heinz Ave. Berkeley • 510-549-3867 www.eb.org

Montessori Family Preschool Campus 1850 Scenic Ave. Berkeley • 510-848-2322 www.montessorifamily.com

Shu Ren International School 2125 Jefferson Ave. Berkeley • 510-841-8899 www.shurenschool.org

Step One School 499 Spruce St. Berkeley • 510-527-9021 www.steponeschool.org

PS-8 Co-Ed 8:1 70

Nondenominational English, Some Spanish

$1,334 $1,603 FA Available

AMS

TK-8 Co-Ed 6:1 70

Nondenominational English, Some Spanish

$1,334 $1,603 FA Available

AMS

TK-8 Co-Ed 15:1

Catholic English

WASC, WCEA

6-12 Co-Ed

Independent English

WASC

K-8 Co-Ed 6:1

Nondenominational French, Latin

$22,000 FA Available

EBISA

9-12 Co-Ed 4:1 80-100

Nondenominational English, Spanish, ASL

$34,000 50%

WASC, CAPSES, Certified NPS

PS-5 Co-Ed 16:1 170

Nondenominational English, Spanish, Mandarin

$11,580 $21,780 FA Available

AWSNA, WECAN, EBISA

K-5 Co-Ed 8:1 110

Nondenominational English, Spanish

$22,500

EBISA, NAIS, PEN, POCIS

K-8 Co-Ed 8:1

Nondenominational Spanish, Mandarin

$23,600 $27,000 29%

CAIS

PS to 8th Co-Ed 8:00 am to 3:30 pm with ext care avail

Nondenominational English, French, Mandarin, Spanish

$25,890 $29,585

WASC, CAIS, NAIS, MEN, AEFE, ERB, EBISA

9-12 Co-Ed 5:1

Independent English, Spanish, French

$35,000

WASC

TK-8 Co-Ed 8:1 Up to 100

Independent English, Spanish

$17,000 $23,300 35%

AMS, EBISA

PK-8 Co-Ed 8:1 100+

Independent English, Mandarin, IB

$19,600 (PK) $20,500 (K-5) $21,100(6-8) FA Available

IB World School WASC, EBISA

PK-K Co-Ed Varies 115

Nondenominational Spanish

$11,000 $23,000 FA Available

K-8 Co-Ed

Catholic English

$6,500

K-12 Co-Ed 11:1

Christian English

K-8 Co-Ed

Christian English

PK-6 Co-Ed 12:1 70

Nondenominational Spanish

$7,000 $11,550 FA Available

AMS

K-8 Co-Ed 16:1

Catholic English

$6,750

WASC, WCEA

K-8 Co-Ed 15:1

Catholic English

$6,450

WASC, WCEA

K-8 Co-Ed 18:1 315

Catholic English, Spanish

$6,610 $7,530

WASC, WCEA

K-8 Co-Ed 18:1

Nondenominational Spanish

$5,000 $5,800

WASC, ACSI

PK-8 Co-Ed 11:1

Catholic English

$6,250 Varies

WASC

Castro Valley Our Lady of Grace School 3427 Somerset Ave. Castro Valley • 510-581-3155 www.olgschool.org

Shepherd’s Heart Christian School

Visit our classrooms and you will see and feel the difference.

19835 Lake Chabot Road Castro Valley • 510-581-8086 www.ashcscv.com

Now Accepting Applications!

Concord

Limited Space Available for 2017 - 2018

Calvary Temple Christian School 4725 Evora Road Concord • 925-458-9870 www.ctcs1.org

Marin Preparatory School

M

arin Preparatory School offers families with children in TK/Kindergarten through grade 8 an educational community based on integrity and academic excellence. We provide an experiential, integrated curriculum emphasizing cross-cultural learning framed around a Spanish Infusion Program.

22 Parents’ Press | September 2017

Accreditation/ Associations

Albany

Maybeck High School

Berkwood Hedge School

117 Diamond St. San Francisco, CA 94114 415-865-0899 www.marinpreparatory.org

Tuition Range Tuition Assistance

East Bay Private Schools Alameda

2727 College Ave. Berkeley • 510-841-8489 www.maybeckhs.org

1809 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94703 510-883-6990 www.berkwood.org

Affiliation / Notes Languages

Berkeley

Head-Royce School

4315 Lincoln Ave. Oakland, CA 94602 510-531-1300 www.headroyce.org

Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Size of School

We seek families to partner with us for the elementary school years and look forward to welcoming you to MPS soon. As you seek to determine the correct match between school and family, I share with you – “It is not a parent’s responsibility to pave the way for their children, but to provide a road map.” We believe that Marin Preparatory School is that road map. Enjoy the journey!

Jeff Escabar, Head of School Contact us to schedule a visit.

The Concordia School 2353 Fifth Ave Concord • 925-689-6910 www. concordiaschool.org

Queen of All Saints School 2391 Grant St. Concord • 925-685-8700 www.qasconcord.org

St. Agnes School 3886 Chestnut Ave. Concord • 925-689-3990 www.stagnesconcord.com

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School 866 Oak Grove Road Concord • 925-682-5414 www.sfaconcord.org

Tabernacle School 4380 Concord Blvd.

Concord • 925-685-9169 www.tbs.org

Wood Rose Academy 4347 Cowell Road Concord • 925-825-4644 www.woodroseacademy.org

WASC, WCEA

ACSI, WASC

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS School

Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Size of School

Affiliation / Notes Languages

Tuition Range Tuition Assistance

Orinda Academy

Accreditation/ Associations

O

rinda Academy is a co-ed independent school for students in grades 8-12. Our mission is to provide a college preparatory education to empower each student to reach his or her full potential as a successful, confident, self-reliant individual, including those smart, creative students with learning differences. We offer a college prep curriculum committed to providing students with academic growth by developing students’ critical thinking skills, ethical values, an appreciation for culture, and a sense of social responsibility.

Danville Athenian School 2100 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

Danville • 925-837-5375 www.athenian.org

St. Isidore School 435 La Gonda Way Danville • 925-837-2977 www.stisidore.org

Stratford School - Blackhawk 3201 Camino Tassajara Danville • 925-648-4900 www.stratfordschools.com

Stratford School - Sycamore Valley 2615 Camino Tassajara Danville • 925-648-0500 www.stratfordschools.com

6-12 Co-Ed 10:1

Independent English

6-8: $500 $31,070 9-12: $500 $39,300

EBISA, WASC

K-8 Co-Ed 21:1

Catholic English

$6,800 Varies

WASC

PS-K Co-Ed 12:1(PS) 15:1(K)

Independent English, Spanish

Varies by Program

WASC, CPSTEME

PS-K Co-Ed 12:1(PS) 15:1(K)

Independent English, Spanish

Varies by Program

WASC, CPSTEME

PK-12 Co-Ed 10:1

Nondenominational Spanish

$16,900 $32,500

WASC, NIPSA, NCPSA, IB World School

PK-8 Co-Ed 20:1 150

Lutheran English, Spanish

$2,800 $7,500 Up to 10%

WASC

Bayhill High School

K-8 Co-Ed

Catholic English

WASC, WCEA

B

TK-8 Co-Ed 8:1 Up to 100

Independent English, Spanish

$17,000 $23,300 35%

AMS, EBISA

K-8 Co-Ed 9:1 470

Independent, Ashoka Changemaker School, English

$25,950 $29,500 31%

NAIS, CAIS, EBISA, GSI, RULER

K-8 Co-Ed 15:1 125

Catholic English, Spanish

$7,673

WASC, WCEA, NCEA

K-8 Co-Ed 21:1

Catholic English

$5,750 Varies

BK-8 Co-Ed 16:1 145

Jewish English, Hebrew

7-12 Co-Ed 16:1 285

Christian English

$7,800

ACSI, WASC

K-6 Co-Ed 21:1

Christian English

$6,150

ACSI, WASC

PK-8 Co-Ed 15:1

Nondenominational German

Call for info

WASC

PK-12 Co-Ed

Independent English, Japanese, Mandarin

Dublin Quarry Lane School 6363 Tassajara Road Dublin • 925-829-8000 www.QuarryLane.org

St. Philip Lutheran 8850 Davona Drive Dublin • 925-829-3857 www.stphiliplutheranschool.com

St. Raymond School 11557 Shannon Ave. Dublin • 925-574-7425 www.straymondschool.org

19 Altarinda Road Orinda, CA 94563 925-254-7553 www.orindaacademy.org

ayhill High School educates and empowers students with learning differences and students who flourish in a small caring community. Our highly trained teachers focus on each student’s individual learning style, with the goal of maximizing their inherent strengths and their potential to succeed. Bayhill’s challenging, college preparatory curriculum fosters critical thinking and problem solving skills, while preparing students for college and other post-secondary endeavors. At Bayhill, students with learning differences thrive!

El Cerrito Montessori Family School 7075 Cutting Blvd.

El Cerrito • 510-236-8802 www.montessorifamily.com

Prospect Sierra School 960 Avis Drive 2060 Tapscott Ave. El Cerrito • 510-528-5800 www.prospectsierra.org

St. Jerome Catholic School 320 San Carlos Ave. El Cerrito • 510-525-9484 www.stjeromecatholicschool.org

St. John the Baptist School 11156 San Pablo Ave. El Cerrito • 510-234-2244 www.stjohnec.org

Tehiyah Day School 2603 Tassajara Ave. El Cerrito • 510-233-3013 www.tehiyah.org

WASC

1940 Virginia St Berkeley, CA 94709 510-984-0599 www.bayhillhs.org

5070 Appian Way El Sobrante • 510-223-1966 www.escseagles.com

El Sobrante Christian School 5100 Argyle Road El Sobrante • 510-223-2242 www.escseagles.com

Redwood Day Grow Into Great At Redwood Day, everything we do is designed to keep every child engaged and growing. Academically, that means a world-class curriculum and a focus on the individual. Socially and emotionally, that means teaching students to work through conflicts, respect each other’s differences, and honor their diverse community. With these hard and soft skills and the support of a strong community, our students have everything they need to grow into great.

Emeryville East Bay German International School 1070 41st St. Emeryville • 510-558-0436 www.ebgis.org/

Pacific Rim International School 5521 Doyle St. Emeryville • 510-601-1500 www.pacificriminternationalschool.org

3300 Kearney Street Fremont • 510-775-5822 http://fremont.basisindependent.com/

Bethel Christian Academy 36060 Fremont Blvd.

Fremont • 510-795-1234

Fremont Christian School 4760 Thornton Ave. Fremont • 510-744-2280 www.fremontchristian.com

ILM Academy 42472 Albrae St. Fremont • 510-936-1572 www.theilmacademy.com

Kimber Hills Academy 39700 Mission Blvd.

Fremont • 510-651-5437 www.kimberhills.org

New Horizons School 2550 Peralta Blvd.

Fremont • 510-791-5683 www.newhorizonsschool.com

Our Lady of Guadalupe School 40374 Fremont Blvd.

Fremont • 510-657-1674 www.olgweb.org

Redwood Day is located on 4 acres in the heart of Oakland. Our amazing teachers proudly educate close to 400 East Bay children on our beautiful campus.

November 4 Open Houses Lower School (K-5) from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Middle School (6-8) from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

AMI, IB

Fremont BASIS Independent Fremont

Visit us today and see what Bayhill is all about. We offer each family an individualized meeting with the director of admissions, focusing on your child and how our school can empower them to thrive in high school and beyond.

CAIS, NAIS, EBISA

El Sobrante El Sobrante Christian Junior/Senior High School

At Orinda Academy we have a diverse student body with a multitude of talents and abilities.

We foster connection, collaboration, and communication among parents, students, and teachers to achieve a successful academic experience.

TK-8 Co-Ed K = 2:20 G 1-4 = 2:25 G 5-8 = 1: 25 250

Independent TK-4: Mandarin 5-6: Latin 7-8: Latin, Mandarin, Spanish, or French

AdvancED

K-8 Co-Ed

Christian English

ACSI

K-12 Co-Ed

Christian English

WASC

K-8 Co-Ed 20:1 160

Islamic English, Arabic

PK-8 Co-Ed

Christian English

PK-8 Co-Ed 20:1 250

Nondenominational

K-8 Co-Ed 12:1

Catholic English

3245 Sheffield Ave. Oakland, CA 94602 510.534.0800 rdschool.org

December 9 Open Houses Family Open House (K-2) from 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Middle School (6-8) from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Step One School

$4,750

S

ince 1981, Step One School has been a leader in Early Childhood Education in the Bay Area.

Step One adheres to a play-based, developmental philosophy, and provides structure and routine throughout the day. Children are able to make choices within the activities offered to them.

ISLA

Inclusion and diversity are a large part of the curriculum at Step One, with the belief that early childhood is an ideal time for children to experience diversity.

ACSI, WASC

The vibrant community of Step One provides the healthy foundation children need to reach their full potential as learners and human beings.

WASC, WCEA

499 Spruce St. Berkeley, CA 94708 510-527-9021 www.steponeschool.org

Step One has designed four distinct programs to help children at each stage of their development: • 2-Year Olds • Nursery School • Bridge (Transitional) Kindergarten • Arts Enrichment

September 2017 | Parents’ Press 23

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS Shu Ren International School

S

hu Ren International School believes success tomorrow rests upon mastering multilingual communication today.

Every day we create an inspirational language learning environment for families who believe in the importance of multiculturalism, because the world needs more individuals who can thrive in a global community.

At Shu Ren International School, we encourage our students to ask questions and inspire them to challenge themselves.

Because it’s never too early to start preparing kids to thrive in our global community.

The Shu Ren Difference:

2125 Jefferson Ave Berkeley, CA 94703 510-841-8899 www.shurenschool.org

• Experienced teachers from all over the world • Located right in the heart of Berkeley • 1:8 student ratio • Experiential learning through field trips and active inquiry • A multilingual environment where students learn Mandarin, Spanish, and English • A unique international family community committed to creating a warm community for all

School

Peace Terrace Academy 33330 Peace Terrace Fremont • 510-477-9946 www.peaceterrace.org

Scribbles Montessori 38600 Lexington Fremont • 510-797-9944 www.scribblesmontessori.com

St. Joseph School 43222 Mission Blvd.

Fremont • 510-656-6525 www.sjsmsj.org

Stratford Schools 5301 Curtis St. Fremont • 510-438-9745 www.stratfordschools.com

Stratford School

38495 Fremont Bl. Fremont • 510-713-8900 www.stratfordschools.com

22870 Second St. Hayward • 510-582-1910 www.allsaintshayward.org/school

SMALL SCHOOL, BIG IMPACT College Prep High School Since 1980

T

he Marin School is a small, independent high school that is redefining the “college prep” experience. Our small class sizes (an average class size of 8) and low student-to-teacher ratio allow our teachers to truly connect with and understand their students – who they are, how they think, and what motivates them to learn. TMS offers an experiential education that goes beyond the classroom with interactive classes, creative projects that promote collaboration, and curriculum-related field trips. We offer a UC-approved, thought-provoking curriculum with a creative approach to everything we do.

150 N. San Pedro Road San Rafael, CA 94903 415-339-9336 www.themarinschool.org

California Crosspoint Middle & High School 25500 Industrial Blvd Hayward • 510-995-5333 www.cchsrams.org

Lea’s Christian School 26236 Adrian Ave. Hayward • 510-785-0334 www.leaschristianschool.org

St. Bede School 26910 Patrick Ave. Hayward • 510-782-3444 www.mystbede.org

St. Clement Catholic School 790 Calhoun St. Hayward • 510-538-5885 www.sclementschool.org

Bentley School

Schedule your visit and make YOUR impact today!

Contra Costa Jewish Day School

The Saklan School

Meher School

here learning meets happiness! Whether you’re looking for a Pre-K program that is joyful and engaging or just the right setting for your elementary or middle school child, Saklan is the place. With exceptional academics and a focus on educating the whole child, Saklan offers small class sizes and a well-rounded program including Spanish Language, Art, Music, Physical Education, Science, Technology, Public Speaking, Leadership and Performing Arts.

We’re Lamorinda’s only Independent, not for profit school serving Pre-K through 8thgrade.

Check us out! saklan.org (925) 376-7900 Bus transportation is available from convenient locations near BART.

1000 Upper Happy Valley Road Lafayette • 925-283-2101 www.bentleyschool.net

955 Risa Road Lafayette • 925-284-8288 www.ccjds.org 999 Leland Drive Lafayette • 925-938-9958 www.meherschools.org

St. Perpetua Catholic School 3445 Hamlin Road Lafayette • 925-284-1640 www.stperpetua.org

St. Michael School 345 Church St. Livermore • 925-447-1888 www.smsliv.org

Islamic English

WASC

PS-3 Co-Ed 8:1 100

Montessori Spanish

K-8 Co-Ed

Catholic English

1-8 Co-Ed 22:1

Independent English, Spanish

Varies by program

WASC, CPSTEME

PS to K Co-Ed 12:1

Independent English, Spanish

Varies by program

WASC, CPSTEME

K-8 Co-Ed

Catholic English

6-12 Co-Ed 6:1 225

Christian English, Mandarin, Spanish

HS $12,450 MS $10,925 20%

PK-4 Co-Ed 10:1

Nondenominational English

$6,250 Basic Fund

K-8 Co-Ed

Catholic English

TK-8 Co-Ed 17:1 290

Catholic English, Spanish

K-12 (Oakland K-8; Lafayette 9-12) Coed 15:1

Nondenominational English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Latin

K-5: $27,050 6-8: $29,550 9-12: $37,400 12%-15%

CAIS, WASC

K-8 Co-Ed 12:1 150

Jewish Spanish, Hebrew

$17,700 $19,700 FA Available

CAIS, WASC, EBISA, RAVSAK

PK-5 Co-Ed

Nondenominational English

TK-8 Co-Ed 16:1

Catholic English

K-8 Co-Ed 26:1

Catholic English

5-12 Co-Ed

Christian English

ACSI

PK-8 Co-Ed 20:1

Catholic English, Spanish

WASC, WCEA

8-12 Co-Ed 4:1 45

Nondenominational Special Needs Latin

$35,500 FA Available

WASC

PK-8 Co-Ed 13:1 130

Independent Spanish

$6,750$25,950 26%

NAIS, CAIS, WASC, EBISA

PK-8 Co-Ed 21:1

Independent English

K-8 Co-Ed 24:1

Catholic English

$7,390

WASC

K-12 (Oakland K-8; Lafayette 9-12) Coed 15:1

Nondenominational English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Latin

K-5: $27,050 6-8: $29,550 9-12: $37,400 12%-15%

CAIS, WASC

9-12 Co-Ed 10:1 360

Nondenominational English, Chinese, French, Latin, Spanish

$42,020 25%

CAIS, NAIS, WASC

4C’s

WASC

WASC, WCEA

WASC

WASC, ACSI, CAIS

WASC

WASC

$7,800 up to 50%

WCEA, WASC

New Vistas Christian School 68 Morello Ave. Martinez • 925-370-7767 newvistaschristian.com

St. Catherine of Siena School

Moraga

Tehiyah Day School

T

ehiyah Day School inspires students in Bridge K to 8th Grade to think critically and to problem-solve in a safe, explorative environment that nurtures innovation, curiosity, and creativity. The pillars of Tehiyah’s curricular approach include project- and inquiry-based learning that focuses on the whole child, outdoor experiential education, JSTEAM, and character development – providing an education that is relevant to this 21st century world in which we live. Our students graduate as independent thinkers with a solid sense of self and have the skills they need to make the world around them a more compassionate, just, and peaceful place.

24 Parents’ Press | September 2017

K-8 Co-Ed

Martinez

Orion Academy

2603 Tassajara Avenue El Cerrito, CA 94530 510-233-3013 www.tehiyah.org

Accreditation/ Associations

Livermore

604 Mellus St. Martinez • 925-228-4140 www.stcath.net

1678 School St. Moraga, CA 94556 925-376-7900 www.saklan.org

Tuition Range Tuition Assistance

Lafayette

The Marin School is truly a unique place, with exceptional teachers, classes with no “back row,” and students who are encouraged to be independent thinkers and pursue their passions. Are you looking for an innovative, small-school experience?

W

Affiliation / Notes Languages

Hayward All Saints Catholic School

The Marin School

Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Size of School

350 Rheem Blvd.

Moraga • 925-377-0789 www.orionacademy.org

Saklan School 1678 School St. Moraga • 925-376-7900 www.saklan.org

Newark Challenger School 35487 Dumbarton Court Newark • 510-739-0300 www.challengerschool.com

St. Edward Parish School 5788 Thornton Ave. Newark • 510-793-7242 www.stednewark.org

Oakland Bentley School 1 Hiller Drive Oakland • 510-843-2512 www.bentleyschool.net

College Preparatory School 6100 Broadway Oakland • 510-652-4364 www.college-prep.org

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS School

Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Size of School

Escuela Bilingüe Internacional 410 Alcatraz Ave. Oakland • 510-653-3324 www.ebinternacional.org

Head-Royce School 4315 Lincoln Ave. Oakland • 510-531-1300 www.headroyce.org

Mentoring Academy 5951 College Ave. Oakland • 510-400-7696 www.mentoringacademy.org

Oakland Hebrew Day School 5500 Redwood Road Oakland • 510-531-8600 www.ohds.org

Park Day School 360 42nd St. Oakland • 510-653-0317 www.parkdayschool.org

Raskob Day School 3520 Mountain Blvd.

Oakland • 510-436-1275 www.raskobinstitute.org

Redwood Day 3245 Sheffield Ave. Oakland • 510-534-0800 rdschool.org

The Renaissance International School 3650 Dimond Ave. Oakland • 510-531-8566 www.therenaissanceschool.org

St. Anthony School 1500 E 15th St. Oakland • 510-534-3334 www.stanthonyschool.spruz.com

St. Elizabeth Elementary School 1516 33rd Ave. Oakland • 510-532-7392 www.saintelizabeth.us

St. Elizabeth High School 1530 34th Ave. Oakland • 510-532-8947 www.stliz-hs.org

St. Jariath School 2634 Pleasant St. Oakland • 510-532-4387 www.stjarlathschool.org

St. Leo the Great School 4238 Howe St. Oakland • 510-654-7828 www.stleothegreat.org

St. Martin De Porres School 675 41st St. Oakland • 510-832-1757 www.stmdp.org

St. Paul’s Episcopal School 116 Montecito Ave. Oakland • 510-285-9600 www.spes.org

St. Theresa School 4850 Clarewood Drive Oakland • 510-547-3146 www.sttheresaschool.org

Affiliation / Notes Languages

Tuition Range Tuition Assistance

PK-8 Co-Ed 11:1 392

Nondenominational Spanish, Mandarin

PK: $23,200; Lower: $24,565; Middle: $25,845 Up to 90%

IB World School, WASC, CAIS

K-12 Co-Ed 8:1 880

Nondenominational English, Latin, Spanish, French, Mandarin

$28,885(K-5) $32,020(6-8) $40,950(9-12) 26% receive

CAIS, NAIS

8-12 Co-Ed 4:1 33

Nondenominational

$27,000

WASC

Bridge K-8 Co-Ed 13:1 140

Jewish English, Hebrew

$24,076

CAIS, EBISA

K-8 Co-Ed 8:1 310

Nondenominational English, Spanish

$24,325 $26,450 35% of families

EBISA, PEN, CAIS

2-8 Co-Ed 6:1 70

Nondenominational English

$24,800 25%

WASC, PEN, NPS, EBISA

K-8 Co-Ed 9:1

Nondenominational Spanish

$26,260 $28,600 Up to 95%

NAIS, CAIS, WASC, POCIS, EBISA

PK-9 Co-Ed

Montessori, Independent, Music, Art, Language Immersion Spanish, French

$20,700 $32,670 1%-50%

EBISA

K-8 Co-Ed

Catholic English

WASC

K-8 Co-Ed

Catholic English

WASC

9-12 Co-Ed 14:1

Catholic Spanish

K-8 Co-Ed

Catholic English

WASC

K-8 Co-Ed

Catholic English

WASC

$11,200 91%

Accreditation/ Associations

Escuela Bilingüe Internacional

E

BI is a Spanish-English bilingual school that extends from pre-k through 8th grade and is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB). The IB's transdisciplinary curriculum is engaging, relevant, challenging and significant for learners, and focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside.

410 Alcatraz Ave. Oakland, CA 94609 510-653-3324 www.ebinternacional.org

19 Altarinda Road Orinda • 925-254-7553 www.orindaacademy.org

A

t Halstrom Academy, we understand each child is unique, so we develop customized learning plans allowing each student to reach their full potential.

Personalized 1:1 Instruction: When your child is the singular focus of each class, teachers are able to tailor instruction to his or her learning style and pace. This model provides mastery-based learning and flexible scheduling.

Academic Support: Halstrom Academy assigns schoolwork, not homework. There is a designated space on campus where students can receive additional support and homework help.

Dynamic Community: Halstrom offers many ways for students to get involved including field trips, campus clubs, and leadership opportunities.

WASC, WCEA

101 Ygnacio Valley Rd | Ste 345 Walnut Creek, CA 94596

866-537-1043 www.Halstrom4U.com

1 Estates Drive Piedmont • 510-530-4056 www.corpuschristischool.com

The Renaissance International School 5201 Park Blvd.

Piedmont • 510-531-8566 www.therenaissanceschool.org

K-8 Co-Ed 16:1

Catholic English

WASC

1961 Plum St. Pinole • 510-724-0242 www.stjosephpinole.com

K-8 Co-Ed 10:1 375

Independent Episcopal (non religious) Spanish

$26,000 $28,000 TA Available

NAIS, CAIS, WASC, EBISA, POCIS

K-8 Co-Ed 32:1

Catholic Spanish

$7,033 $9,567 50%

WASC, WCEA

8-12 Co-Ed 9:1 75

Nondenominational Spanish, French, Japanese, ASL

$37,480 30%

WASC

thenian believes that the best way to master academic subjects in to experience their application first hand. In our rigorous program, talented students from around the East Bay and the world immerse themselves deeply in course work, inspiring each other to think critically, problem solve, and collaborate as global citizens.

Classes average 15 students on our beautiful 75-acre campus. Buses transport students from throughout the East Bay. Unmatched experiences broaden students’ horizons: international, community service, and wilderness programs.

Athenian graduates thrive in the colleges of their choice and are poised for a life of intellectual exploration and meaningful contribution. This is education as it should be.

K-8 Co-Ed 16:1 271

Catholic Spanish

$7,900 12%

WASC, WCEA

PK-9 Co-Ed

Montessori, Independent, Music, Art, Language Immersion Spanish, French

$20,700 $32,670 1%-50%

EBISA

2100 Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd.

Danville, CA 94506 925-837-5375 www.athenian.org

195-B Brandon Road Pleasant Hill • 925-685-1109 www.ctkschool.org

Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy 796 Grayson Road Pleasant Hill • 925-934-9261 www.pleasanthilladventistacademy.com

K-8 Co-Ed

Catholic English

3800 Stoneridge Drive Pleasanton • 925-485-5750 www.headsup.org

Grades 6-12. Transportation and financial aid.

Join us at an Open House: Middle – Nov 11 or Jan 6 | Upper – Nov 12 or Jan 7

T

K-8 Co-Ed 24:1

Catholic English

K-12 Co-Ed 17:1

Seventh-Day Adventist English

$6,570 $10,470 Varies

WASC, AAA

1-8 Co-Ed 12:1 60

Non Sectarian English, Mandarin, Spanish

Elem (6-11) $1,715 / mo MS (11-14) $1,890 / mo Varies

AMS

he College Preparatory School is a private high school for grades 9-12. It is a home for ideas, discovery, and engagement—intellectual pursuits that our students treasure. Our academic offerings are buoyed by our warm culture and welcoming verdant campus, just minutes away from Rockridge Station. In and out of the classroom, students explore and extend their abilities, test their ideas, question assumptions, grapple with moral issues, and acquire the skills to be positive and productive citizens. Led by exceptional and caring teachers, mentors, and coaches, our students are encouraged to grow into their true selves.

WASC, WCEA

Pleasanton Hacienda School

Contact us now about fall 2018 enrollment!

The College Preparatory School

Pleasant Hill Christ the King Catholic School

Visit our website today to learn how Halstrom Academy can maximize your student’s potential.

A

Pinole St. Joseph School

Healthy Environment: In our supportive school setting, there is no bullying, distractions, or peer pressure. This collegial atmosphere allows your child to fit in and create long-lasting friendships.

The Athenian School

Piedmont Corpus Christi School

Liza Sanchez lsanchez@ebinternacional.org

Halstrom Academy

Orinda Orinda Academy

EBI offers: • The renowned International Baccalaureate Programme (IB) • A Spanish-English, bilingual education • Mandarin instruction beginning in 3rd Grade • Inquiry-based Learning • A diverse and welcoming community • International Faculty: from over 12 countries • Engaging music, arts, and PE programs • Accredited by CAIS, WASC and authorized by the IB

6100 Broadway Oakland, CA 94618 510-652-4364 www.college-prep.org

September 2017 | Parents’ Press 25

REGIONAL GUIDE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS School

Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Size of School

Stratford Schools 4576 Willow Road Pleasanton • 925-737-0001 www.stratfordschools.com

Affiliation / Notes Languages

PS-8 Co-Ed 10:1 (PS) 15:1 (K) 22:1 (1-8)

Independent English, Spanish

9-12 Co-Ed 15:1 430

Catholic English, Spanish, French

K-8 Co-Ed 17:1

Catholic English

PK-8 Co-Ed 15:1

Catholic English

Tuition Range Tuition Assistance

Varies by program

Accreditation/ Associations

WASC, CPSTEME

2851 Salesian Ave. Richmond • 510-234-4433 www.salesian.com

St. Cornelius School 201 28th St. Richmond • 510-232-3326 www.stcornelius-school.org

St. David School 871 Sonoma St. Richmond • 510-232-2283 www.stdavidschool.org

$16,000 50%

WASC, WCEA

WASC

451 Davis St. San Leandro • 510-351-4144 www.stleanderschool.org

Stars High School 545 Estudillo Ave. San Leandro • 510-352-9200 www.starsinc.com

16360 San Pablo Ave. San Pablo • 510-724-4494 www.spectrumschools.com

St. Paul School 1825 Church Lane San Pablo • 510-233-3080 www.st-paulschool.org

$6,000 $7,000 Varies

WASC, WCEA

101 Ygnacio Valley Rd #345 Walnut Creek • 866-402-1699 www.halstromforyou.com

Tilden Preparatory School 1475 N. Broadway Walnut Creek • 925-933-5506 www.tildenprep.com

Tuition Range Tuition Assistance

Accreditation/ Associations

Baptist English

$6,150

WASC

K-8 Co-Ed 10:1 590

Nondenominational English, Spanish, Mandarin

$750$32,800 20%

NAIS, CAIS

PK-8 Co-Ed 9:1

Independent English

K-8 Co-Ed 5:1 50

Nondenominational Multiple Languages

9-12 Co-Ed 9:1

Independent English

Marin School, The

9-12 Co-Ed 8:1 100

Nondenominational English, Spanish, ASL

upon request

CalWest, NAIS, WASC

Marin Waldorf School

PK-8 Co-Ed 24:1

Waldorf English, Spanish

$5,200$17,950

AWSNA, NCPSA

K-8 Co-Ed 7:1

Independent English

K-8 Co-Ed 20:1 165

Catholic English, Spanish

$7,460 FA Available

WCEA

K-8 Co-Ed 13:1 280

Catholic English, Spanish

$11,000 25%

WASC, NAIS, CAIS, AEFE

6-12 Co-Ed

Independent English

PK-5 Co-Ed 7:1 1,020

French immersion

$15,580 $25,690

WASC, NAIS, CAIS, AEFE

PK-5 Co-Ed 7:1 1,020

French immersion French, English

$19,580 $25,690

CASE, NAIS, AEFE, WASC

6-12 Co-Ed 7:1 1,020

French immersion French, English, Mandarin, German, Spanish

$19,580 $25,690

CASE, NAIS, AEFE, WASC

TK-8 Co-Ed 10:1 200

Nondenominational English, Spanish

$26,020$27,835 FA Available

9-12 Co-Ed 12:1 1,320

Catholic English, Spanish French, Japanese, Mandarin, ASL

$19,100 $4.2M in FA. Over 330 students receive aid

WASC, WCEA

St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception

K-8 Co-Ed 13:1 100

Roman Catholic English

$5,800

WASC, WCEA

Stratford Schools

PS-8 Co-Ed

Independent English, Spanish

Varies by age

WASC, CPSTEME

Marin County Private Schools Corte Madera 5221 Paradise Drive Corte Madera • 415-927-5900 www.mcds.org

Marin Horizon School 305 Montford Ave. Mill Valley • 415-388-8408 www.marinhorizon.org

NAIS, CAIS

San Rafael PK-8 Co-Ed 24:1

Catholic Spanish

9-12 Co-Ed

Special Needs English

$6,500 $7,100 Varies

WASC

GATE Academy

WASC

Marin Academy

K-12 Co-Ed

Special Needs English

PS-8 Co-Ed 10:1 201

Catholic English, Spanish, French

6-12 Co-Ed 1:1 50

Nondenominational English

6-12 Co-Ed

Independent English

WASC

$6,900 Up to 40%

WASC, WCEA

1 St. Vincent Dr. San Rafael • 415-914-4700 www.gateacademy.org 1600 Mission Ave. San Rafael • 415-453-4550 www.ma.org 150 N San Pedro Rd San Rafael • 415-339-9336 www.themarinschool.org

755 Idylberry Road San Rafael • 415-479-8190 www.marinwaldorf.org

St. Mark’s School 39 Trellis Drive San Rafael • 415-472-8000 www.saintmarksschool.org

Walnut Creek Halstrom Academy

Affiliation / Notes Languages

Mill Valley

San Pablo Spectrum Center Schools - San Pablo

Grades Gender Stud-Fac Ratio Size of School

K-8 Co-Ed 14:1

Marin County Day School

San Leandro St. Leander School

Walnut Creek Christian Academy 2336 Buena Vista Ave. Walnut Creek • 925-935-1587 www.wccaeagles.org

Richmond Salesian High School

School

Call for details

WASC

Saint Raphael School 1100 5th Ave. San Rafael • 415-454-4455 www.straphaelschool.com

WASC

Here is a list of the accrediting, affiliation, and association bodies that schools list in our Regional Guide to Private Schools.

AAA — Adventist Accrediting Association, www.adventistaccreditingassociation.org ACSI — Association of Christian Schools International, www.acsi.org AEFE — Agence pour l’Enseignement Français à l’Etranger, www.aefe.fr AMI — American Montessori Internationale, www.montessori-ami.org AMS — American Montessori Society, www.amshq.org AWSNA — Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, www.whywaldorfworks.org BADA — Independent Schools of the San Francisco Bay Area, www.issfba.org BAMA — Bay Area Montessori Association, www.bayareamontessoriassociation.com CA — Chorus America, www.chorusamerica.org CAIS — California Association of Independent Schools, www.caisca.org CAPSES — California Association of Private Special Education Schools. www.capses.com CAWS — California Association of IB World Schools, www.c-aws.org CPSTEME — Carnegie Science Seal of Excellence for STEM, www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/ EBISA — East Bay Independent Schools Association, www.ebisaca.org ERB — Educational Records Bureau, www.erblearn.org FPM — Family Protection Ministries, www.pheofca.org GSI — Green School Initiative, www.greenschools.net IBSC — International Boys’ School Coalition, www.theibsc.org IB, IBO — International Baccalaureate, www.ibo.org IDA — International Dyslexia Association. www.interdys.org ITP — Innovative Teacher Project. www.innovativeteacherproject.org MEN — Ministère de l’Education Nationale, www.education.gouv.fr NAEYC — National Association for the Education of Young Children. www.naeyc.org NAIS — National Association of Independent Schools, www.nais.org NACAC — National Association of College Admissions Counselors. www.nacacnet.org NAREA — North American Reggio Emilia Alliance. www.reggioalliance.org NCCA — National Child Care Association, www.nccanet.org NCEA — National Catholic Educational Association, www.ncea.org NCGS — National Coalition of Girls Schools, www.ncgs.org NCPSA — National Council for Private School Accreditation, www.ncpsa.org NIPSA — National Independent Private Schools Association, www.nipsa.org NLSA — National Lutheran School Accreditation, www.lcms.org PACE — Professional Association for Childhood Education, www.pacenet.org PEN — Progressive Education Network, www.progressiveeducationnetwork.org POCIS — People of Color in Independent Schools of Northern California, www.nocapocis.org RULER — The RULER approach to social and emotional learning, www.therulerapproach.org SSS — School & Student Services by NAIS, www.sss.nais.org SSATB — Secondary School Admission Test Board, www.admission.org WASC — Western Association of Schools and Colleges, www.wascweb.org WCEA — Western Catholic Education Association, www.westwcea.org

26 Parents’ Press | September 2017

NAIS, CAIS, WASC

NAIS, CAIS

Sausalito Lycée Francais de San Francisco 610 Coloma St., Ste. 300 Sausalito • 415-661-5232 www.lelycee.org

Tilden Preparatory School

A Key to Private School Accreditations, Affiliations, and Associations

$19,850

1050 Bridgeway Sausalito • 415-944-2254 www.tildenprep.com

WASC

Tiburon Saint Hilary School 765 Hilary Dr. Tiburon • 415-937-5501 www.sainthilaryschool.org

San Francisco Private Schools Lycée Francais de San Francisco PK-5 755 Ashbury St. San Francisco • 415-661-5232 www.lelycee.org

Lycée Francais de San Francisco 6-12 1201 Ortega St. San Francisco • 415-661-5232 www.lelycee.org

Marin Preparatory School 117 Diamond St. San Francisco • 415-865-0899 www.marinpreparatory.org

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory 1055 Ellis St. San Francisco • 415-772-6626 www.shcp.edu

299 Precita Avenue San Francisco • 415-628-2008 www.saicsf.org Principal: Barbara Moodie 301 De Montfort Ave. San Francisco • 415-333-3134 www.stratfordschools.com

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By Aaron Crowe

Family Cents Meaningful Gifts The gift of a bike is one of the best investments you’ll ever make in your kid.

O

ne of my favorite childhood memories is enjoying the freedom a bike gave me. As soon as I learned to ride a bike, I remember being able to explore our neighborhood more and ride far into a field behind our house.

That freedom, I think, is one of the best gifts parents can give children and is one way to teach them to become responsible adults.

With that freedom to roam my neighborhood came the responsibility to bike farther out and make sure I was home on time. It also gave me a chance to explore more of my little world.

I biked to a shopping center and spent some of my spare change on a soda from a machine at Longs Drugstore. I biked to friends’ houses all over town. I biked with a buddy for miles to a creek on a hot summer day so we could cool off and catch frogs. Eventually, I rode my bike to school, summer jobs and errands, and I used it for paper routes.

Having that freedom allowed me to

could lead to a career, better learning skills or at least open a door that they’ll want to explore more of.

We’ve given our daughter plenty of those types of gifts — all starting with the idea that they’ll be a lot of fun too — and I think the telescope we gave her is one of the best. I had a standing telescope when I was a child, and I remember staring at the moon for long stretches of time with it at night and wondering what was out there.

Music is another gift that I think is great for kids, or anyone for that matter. Knowing which album to get someone can be difficult, so a gift card may work best. I have strong memories of going to a record store on my bike on the day a new album came out and playing it at home for hours and memorizing the lyrics to my favorite songs.

My daughter is the same way, though with digital music. She sings and dances to new music, and I’m positive she didn’t inherit her dance moves from me.

A gift we give ourselves as a family each year is a vacation. Some years

it’s more intensive than others, depending on our budget, but the point is to go away for a few weeks or more and visit someplace new. Last summer, for example, we spent all of July in Europe.

Dealing with new things, such as food, people and places, is the main skill we want to teach her. Experiencing new cultures or new places is some-

wasn’t a big fan of fishing, he was, and it was always fun to be out with him.

My freelance work allows me to set my own hours, so I’m free in the afternoon to do things with her. I also take days off from time to time to do something with her or pick something to do on a whim because we have the time.

We’ve bought rush tickets a few times this year when my wife was working, giving me a chance to take my daughter out for lunch and a musical in San Francisco.

I don’t know if she’ll be able to do that with her children someday, but I hope that she at least sees the benefits of taking a weekday off and going to a baseball game or something else.

We’re trying to raise a child who will love the world and being in it, and showing her the importance of taking time off to enjoy life is a gift that I wish she’ll take full advantage of. Maybe a bike will be a small part of that.

We’re trying to raise a child who will love the world and being in it, and showing her the importance of taking time off to enjoy life is a gift that I wish she’ll take full advantage of. Maybe a bike will be a small part of that. thing we hope she’ll continue to do in adulthood.

Finally, I try to give my daughter the gift of me taking time off to do things with her. I realize this may not be the best gift a child would want, and that a new iPod, book or anything else would please her in the short term.

I remember my dad taking me out of school a few times to go fishing. While I

Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist who specializes in writing about personal finance. He writes for a number of websites, including his own at CashSmarter.com.

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KINDERGARTEN – 8TH GRADE Lower School (K–5) from 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Middle School (6–8) from 1:00–3:00 p.m.

Having that freedom allowed me to become self-sufficient and independent and gave me more people to interact with.

It also got me out of the house. become self-sufficient and independent and gave me more people to interact with.

It also got me out of the house.

Last Christmas my wife and I bought our daughter, then age 12, a bike. In fact, we bought bikes for all three of us. So far it hasn’t turned into the bike-riding family that I imagined, mainly because of heavy rains for months, but my hope is that it will at least give my daughter room to enjoy the freedom to be out on her own.

She hasn’t used it as much as I thought she would, but I’m still hopeful it turns into one of the best gifts she’s ever received. My first bike didn’t last for too many years, but a bike my parents gave me one Christmas when I was about my daughter’s age lasted me through college.

My memories of that gift got me thinking about other great gifts that either I’ve received or we’ve given to our daughter.

Not just great from the standpoint of fun, but from helping to gain skills to be used throughout life.

There are all kinds of educational toys that parents give their children with the hope that it will spark an interest that

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By Erika Mailman

On the Go California Castles Experience the Allure of the Medieval World

Castello Di Amorosa (“castle of love” in Italian) is built to appear as a 13th-century Tuscan structure, open every day except Christmas for enveloping yourself in a bygone era and — darn, parents, sorry to break the news to you — wine tasting.

With your admission fee, you receive a map, tasting of five wines and free ambling access to the two upper levels, including the fabulously titled Knight’s Hall, where your children get a special coloring page to do while you taste, as well as their own glasses of premature wine (grape juice).

If you wish to see the lower levels of the castle, you must take a guided tour, which includes the Torture Chamber, Armory and Grand Barrel Room.

This impressive 136,000-square-foot, fully ADA-compliant structure, replete with drawbridge, sits on 127 acres. The story behind it is fascinating; owner Dario Sattui adores Italian medieval architecture, having owned a castle near Florence, a monastery near Siena and a Medici palace (!) in Tuscany. He wanted to create a very authentic castle here in the Napa Valley, importing builders from Austria, Italy and

other countries to help him realize the dream using ancient methods. Construction began in 1995, and nine years later, only the underground portions of the castle (well, that consists of 80 underground rooms!) were completed. The visible parts of Castello di Amoroso then took shape. The complex includes a chapel, a dry moat, battlements, five towers, a frescoed Great Hall, secret passageways — and even a “partially destroyed” tower in an effort to look like the castle had been involved in battle. The basement torture chamber contains a real Iron Maiden. In 2007, the doors officially opened for business.

After touring the castle, bring your picnic blanket and eat on the grounds of nearby V. Sattui, one of my favorite wineries (and owned by the same vintner). If you don’t wish to pack your own sandwiches, you can avail yourself of the wonderful deli there.

One note: Strollers are not permitted at the castle. See the website for more details on wine-tasting options and other information: castellodiamorosa.com. Don’t forget to click on “Blog” to read some wonderful accounts of Mr. Sattui’s passionate commitment to this project. Admission: ages 5-20, $15; adults, five tastings, $25; and six tastings (including reserve wines), $35.

Morgan for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, the castle is so huge that there are many different tours, with separate ticketing, to see it all. Hearst pillaged Europe to bring back treasures for this 165-room home. In some ways, the outdoor areas are more impressive, with 127 acres of gardens and walkways (and, long ago, an open-air zoo) and, of course, the iconic 104-foot-long Neptune pool, which is now temporarily closed for restoration. But! See instead the indoor Roman pool, where Hearst and his Hollywood pals once swam into alcoves adorned with statuary and cobalt-blue tile. Castle elements really come into play in the refectory, or dining hall, which sends you back into the Middle Ages (or Hogwarts) with banners, tapestries and an outsized fireplace, and the Gothic Suite,

where some of the most treasured collections are kept. Suggestion: Before you go, read up on Julia Morgan’s history as the first woman student at Paris’s Ecole des Beaux-Arts, persevering two years to gain admission there among the men. Morgan pioneered the use of reinforced concrete in building. She rocked.

Tickets start at $25 for adults and $12 for ages 5-12. Tickets are free for ages 5 and under. Visit http://hearstcastle.org/. *A final note: Children are not permitted to visit Sam’s Castle in Pacifica, but arrange for a sitter, and take a tour. It’s only open one day a month, so plan ahead: http://www.sammazzafoundation.org/the-castle/overview/.

Erika Mailman is a Northern California freelance writer. Reach her at Erikaeditor@ cs.com.

Castello Di Amorosa

BY DIMITALEN

B

oys and girls love castles and the allure of the medieval world’s knights, swords, tapestries and unicorns. From the Bay Area, you can make a short trip to get the feeling of a European castle by visiting Calistoga’s Castello di Amorosa and San Luis Obispo’s Heart Castle.

Hearst Castle, roughly four-and-a-half hours from San Francisco, may require an overnight stay, but it’s so worth it. Built by revolutionary woman architect Julia

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St. Paul’s is an independent K-8 day school steps north of Lake Merritt.

Tours weekly • Open House, October 14, 2017 510-285-9617 • www.spes.org 28 Parents’ Press | September 2017

SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES

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ALAMEDA MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF ALAMEDA OPEN HOUSE SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 1400 6th St. 510-521-9227 www.montessorielementaryalameda.org BERKELEY THE ACADEMY OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 16, 2017 @ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 2722 Benvenue Ave. 510-549-0605 www.theacademyschool.org/ BAYHILL HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 7, 2017 @ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 1940 Virginia Street. 510-984-0599 www.bayhillhs.org/ MAYBECK HIGH SCHOOL PARENT TOUR & TALK OCTOBER 5, 2017 @ 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 28, 2017 @ 10:30 AM 2727 College Ave. (510) 841-8489 www.maybeckhs.org EL CERRITO PROSPECT SIERRA SCHOOL Elementary School Information Day Grades K-4 NOVEMBER 12, 2017 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 2060 Tapscott Avenue. 510-236-5800 http:// prospectsierra.org/ PROSPECT SIERRA SCHOOL Middle School Information Day Grades 5-8 NOVEMBER 5, 2017 @ 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM 960 Avis Dr. 510-236-5800 http://prospectsierra.org/

FREMONT BASIS INDEPENDENT FREMONT OPEN HOUSE SEPTEMBER 10, 2017 @ 11:00 AM 3300 Kearney St. 510-775-5822 fremont.basisindependent.com LAFAYETTE BENTLEY UPPER SCHOOL LAFAYETTE CAMPUS OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 21, 2017 @ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 1000 Upper Happy Valley Road. 925283-2101 www.bentleyschool.net OAKLAND HEAD-ROYCE SCHOOL LOWER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 15, 2017 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 4315 Lincoln Ave. www.headroyce.org REDWOOD DAY SCHOOL LOWER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 4, 2017 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 4, 2017 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 3245 Sheffield Avenue. 510-534-0800 www.rdschool.org THE RENAISSANCE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL INFO SESSION & TOUR FOR PARENTS OF TODDLERS TO PRE-K SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM INFO SESSION & TOUR FOR PARENTS OF STUDENTS ENTERING KINDERGARTEN AND ELEMENTARY LEVELS SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 @ 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM 3650 Dimond Avenue. 510-531-8566 www.therenaissanceschool.org/

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 14, 2017 @ 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM 116 Montecito Ave. 510-285-9627 www.spes.org ORINDA ORINDA ACADEMY OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 22, 2017 @ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 19 Altarinda Rd. 925.254.7553 www.orindaacademy.org/ PIEDMONT CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 3, 2017 @ 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM 1 Estates Drive. 510.530.4056 www.corpuschristischool.com/ RICHMOND SALESIAN COLLEGE PREPARATORY OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 22, 2017 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 2851 Salesian Avenue.

510-234-4433 ext. 1416 www.salesian.com/ Parents’ Press welcomes news of public, independent, and charter school open houses, information nights, and tours as well as school fairs. Please submit at http://www.schoolsbayarea.com

SCHOOLS Open House Event • September 27th 10am-12pm

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September 2017 | Parents’ Press 29

Rescheduling the School Day Later starts for middle and high school.

By Susan Solomon Yem

G

iven the choice, Damarisse Valladares, a junior at Alma Heights Christian Schools in Pacifica, would prefer a later start time to the school day. “I think there are a lot of reasons starting school later would be good,” says Damarisse. “Families would have more time to get to school, so I believe there would be less tardiness. If students could wake up later, they would feel less drowsy and be more alert. We could start the day more relaxed, feeling less stress.”

Teens Need More Sleep Students like Damarisse are not the only advocates for a later start to the school day. In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a study reporting that on school nights, 87 percent of high school students and 59 percent of middle school students slept less than the 8.5 to 9.5 hours recommended by health experts.

The primary reason is early school starts that conflict with the students’ circadian rhythms — their bodies’ 24hour physiological cycle.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) concurs and, along with the AAP, recommends that the start to the middle and high school day be 8:30 a.m.

Few schools are following this advice.

In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average

school start time in the U.S. is 7:59 a.m.

Both San Francisco and Boston public middle and high schools have staggered starts beginning as early as 7:25 a.m. and as late as 9:30 a.m. Massachusetts has one of the earliest start times for high school students in the country.

“The reason so many middle and high schools have early bell times has to do with finding ways to save money,” says Terra Ziporyn Snider, PhD, Executive

Director and Co-founder of Start School Later (startschoolater.net), a coalition of health professionals, sleep scientists, educators, parents, students and other concerned citizens dedicated to increasing public awareness about the relationships between sleep and school hours.

Ziporyn Snider explains that school systems wanted to save money on busing costs. “But even schools districts

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30 Parents’ Press | September 2017

Art: Fifth Grade Self-Portraits

Now Accepting Applications Limited Space Available for 2017-2018 For more information or to schedule a tour, visit us at www.berkwood.org

that don’t bus kids moved earlier to match their hours with the majority of schools. This helped with afterschool activities as well as staff needs.”

Dangers of Lack of Sleep

“More and more athletic directors are coming to recognize that later school start times go hand-in-hand with successful athletic programs.

Athletes who get healthier sleep are likely to be stronger, safer and more successful on the playing field.” — Ziporyn Snider

The National Sleep Foundation determined in a 2010 report that two-thirds of high school students get less than seven hours of sleep, and 33 percent of teenagers report falling asleep in school. Insufficient sleep in teens is associated with obesity, migraines and immune system disruption. It contributes to risky behaviors, such as smoking, drinking, stimulant abuse, depression and suicidal tendencies.

Contrary to common belief, school schedules are not set to accommodate working parents. Ziporyn Snider explains, “The whole idea that schools now run at times that help working families is absurd. In the same district, an elementary school may open at 9:00 a.m. and an early start school may close at 2:00 p.m. No matter what, parents have to work around school schedules and adjust their lives.”

“I can see pluses and minuses for adjusting the start to the school day,” says Dan Robinson, middle and high school principal at Alma Heights Christian Schools. “There is empirical evidence that a later morning start is healthier for teens, but that necessitates a later afternoon dismissal, and that’s tough on school sports programs.”

“More and more athletic directors are coming to recognize that later school start times go hand-in-hand with successful athletic programs,” counters Ziporyn Snider. “Athletes who get healthier sleep are likely to be stronger, safer and more successful on the playing field.”

A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics in March 2014, titled Chronic Lack of Sleep Is Associated with Increased Sports Injuries in Adolescent Athletes, concluded that sleep deprivation appears to be associated with injuries in the adolescent athletic population.

“Encouraging young athletes to get optimal amounts of sleep may help protect them against athletic injuries.”

What You Can Do Access local, state and national petitions to start school later at (http:// www.startschoollater.net/sign-or-starta-petition.html).

Join Start School Later. There are 94 chapters in 26 states and the District of Columbia.

“Healthy school hours are a fundamental part of student health and well-being,” concludes Ziporyn Snider.

“This should be a priority.”

As the mother of five, Susan Solomon Yem has experienced all kinds of parenting. Tell her your stories at susansyem@ gmail.com

SCHOOLS

Since 2014, three states have passed bills related to this issue. This past April, the California Legislature passed SB 328, a bill sponsored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino, which mandates that the school day for middle and high schools begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m. It will now go before the appropriations committee and the full State Assembly for approval.

An early start to the school day is not an American idea. Countries around the world begin the day at times close to those in U.S. cities.

Chinese students attend school from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but enjoy a twohour lunch. The school day in Japan and the United Kingdom begins at 8:45 a.m., but 8:00 a.m. seems to be the norm in many countries.

School calendars have seen few changes in the last 100 years. Ziporyn Snider says, “People don’t like change.

They assume that the way things are done now is the best way, but there is evidence from hundreds of school districts that confirm that the later start is a good thing.”

Between 2010 and 2013, the CDC funded a study on academic success in high schools with later start times.

Eight high schools in five school districts in Minnesota, Colorado and Wyoming participated. There were significant decreases in absences and tardiness in all grades. Grade-point averages increased for first-period classes.

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September 2017 | Parents’ Press 31

Relieving Stress in Children F

ourth grade was a difficult year for my son, Paul. His teacher was coping with some personal challenges and often took out her frustration on the class, especially on Paul. I remember the day it became too much for him to handle. He’d come home from school, and while I thought he was in the kitchen getting a snack, he had left the house. I went into a panic as I realized I did not know where he was. The parents of his best friend, the elementary school principal and I scoured our small coastal town searching for him. All were greatly relieved when he returned to our house an hour later saying he just needed to take a walk. “When you’re a kid, you don’t necessarily know how to identify your feelings as stress,” recalls Paul, now an adult living in Boston. “That day, I just needed to walk it off.”

School of Medicine indicates that the number of children between the ages of 7 and 17 being treated for depression — a by-product of stress — has more than doubled since 1995.

“I think many kids today are stressed because they lack balance in their lives,” says Alex Helenius, a marriage and family therapist intern in San Mateo who counsels children at local schools.

“They may spend eight hours a day at school, are involved in afterschool activities and then do four hours of homework at night.

“Children often have no time for rest, play or self-care, and that can create significant stress for kids who feel they cannot keep up.”

Stress can start as early as preschool.

Separating from parents may cause anxiety in very young children. As they get older, stress can increase when expectations for social and academic success kick in. “I’ve had fifth-graders tell me they were stressed about their current grades because they wanted to get into a good college so they can have a good job and make a lot of money one day,” Helenius recalls.

Stress in Children Is Growing The American Institute of Stress (www.stress.org), a nonprofit organization that serves as a clearinghouse for information on all stress-related subjects, identifies stress as America’s No. 1 health problem.

Levels of stress in children continue to rise. A study conducted by the Stanford

—Alex Helenius

There are several signs that suggest a child is experiencing stress, includ-

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“Children often have no time for rest, play or self-care, and that can create significant stress for kids who feel they cannot keep up.”

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ing mood swings, acting out, changes in sleep patterns and even bedwetting.

Some children complain of stomach- or headaches. Others have trouble concentrating or become withdrawn. Very young children may exhibit more visible signs of stress like thumb-sucking, hairtwirling or nose-picking. Older children may lash out, lie or defy authority. They may overreact to something minor, become clingy or have nightmares.

A change in academic performance may also be an indicator of stress.

Helenius explains, “Stressors can be different depending on a child’s developmental level. Social relationships will be a greater source of stress for adolescents. Elementary school-aged kids, learning about new expectations in school or with peers, may feel their lack of competence in these areas can be overwhelming. Children’s unique personalities will cause them to be stressed out by different things.”

Creating a Stress-Free Zone During Paul’s difficult fourth-grade year I considered asking that he be moved to another class, but changing a child’s environment may not help to

reduce stress. “It is important for kids to learn how to deal with their stress instead of running away from it,” Helenius recommends. “Learning to cope with stress provides kids with skills they can use throughout their life.”

Regular routines and good nutrition help children cope with stress. A healthy diet that is low in sugar and caffeine can reduce a child’s anxiety.

Consistent schedules and bedtimes create security. Exercise is a great stress reliever. Physical activity releases the endorphins that can reduce the symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress.

And managing your own stress will have a calming effect on the whole family.

“Show your kids how to set aside the to-do list,” suggests Helenius. “If your kids see you taking time for self-care, they will too.”

Helenius advises parents to model positive self-talk for their kids. “Speak kindly about yourself when you make a mistake. Kids learn just by watching their parents.”

Technology Helps While social media has an impact on stress levels, there are helpful digital tools children can use to cope. Apps like thinkpacifica and breathe offer activities that help develop mindfulness.

“Mindfulness is a great tool to use and incorporate into a child’s daily routine,” says Helenius. “It teaches the child how to stay present, instead of focusing on all the things they have to get done.”

At-Home Support System Knowing they are heard and supported is important in helping children alleviate stress. Allow them to open up to you without attempting to solve problems. Listen to their feelings.

Affirm their experiences. “It’s tempting to want to fix things, but often kids just want to be heard,” comments Helenius.

“The more you can provide them with this safe space to vent and process, the more connected they will feel to you.”

Feeling connected and supported at home is a significant stress reliever for kids and adults alike.

As the mother of five, Susan Solomon Yem has experienced all kinds of parenting. Tell her your stories at susansyem@ gmail.com

32 Parents’ Press | September 2017

By Tony Hicks

Raising Dad Focus on the Kids

K

ids are not meant to be emotional Ping-Pong balls. Yet sometimes that’s exactly how parents play them, whether they mean to or not.

It’s not easy to be a kid sometimes — hasn’t been for a few decades now, especially since the “Leave it to Beaver” family model went the way of the blackand-white television.

It was inevitable. Increased gender equality — a good thing, of course — transformed more parents into real individuals with careers, and wants and needs, and possessing other factors that sometimes, unfortunately, drive families apart.

Oh, we still have many of the same problems as ever. Only now, parents have more options in how they react when those problems grow too large to ignore.

My family seems to be going through one of those times. It’s been a long year, and when that happens, it’s especially long for the children. And they need special attention.

Like they say, focus on the kids.

Which is sometimes easier said than done, but it has to be.

Partners occasionally become less tolerant of each other’s flaws and will only take so much before the benefits no longer outweigh the downside. So you — hopefully — get to work, before

the family portrait becomes fractured.

Which can be sad, frustrating and even hopeless for kids. Sometimes, with work, things can be repaired. Sometimes, they just can’t.

But that doesn’t mean one should lose hope, especially when dealing with children.

My happy family, about which I’ve spent years writing, has experienced a turbulent year: job loss, death, hospitalization, anxiety, misplaced priorities, bad Facebook posts. And to be honest, I’m not always the easiest person with whom to live. Right. Hard to believe.

This year, I got — let’s say — less easy.

For more than a decade, we lived as a blended family — a “yours, mine and ours” kind of thing. Most of the time it felt seamless and natural. This year some cracks started showing. And to be fair, it was mostly me working the jackhammer. My wife has been incredibly patient with me over the years because, well, I’m not exactly normal. Which is good and sometimes not so good.

This year, the patience ran low. Which happens in families. Only, I underestimated the situation. Now my kids are dealing with some fallout I didn’t expect. Which is the worst part.

Some say it happens to everyone. I’ve actually had people tell me it builds

I’ve actually had people tell me it builds character when kids need some adversity to demonstrate life isn’t all smartphones and shopping malls. character when kids need some adversity to demonstrate life isn’t all smartphones and shopping malls.

But when you’re the parent of a kid going through that, in two words, it sucks.

I guess the point is to love your fam-

ily, don’t take them for granted, and fight for them. Especially if you really care. Because most people don’t get that many chances at real love.

Tony Hicks is a professional writer and the father of four daughters. Reach him at editor@parentspress.com.

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September 2017 | Parents’ Press 33

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Your Source for Family Fun Events and Things to Do.

Family Fun Calendar 1 | Friday Gold Rush Days — Sacramento Turn back the clock to 1850 and the California gold rush for this four-day long celebration of local history. All ages will enjoy various melodramas, live music performances, parades, gold panning, children’s arts and crafts, country western dancing, watermelon and pie eating contests, horse drawn carriage rides, and more. All performances are free. BBQ food and other treats will be available for purchase.

Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. and Sun 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free Admission. All ages. Old Sacramento, 922 2nd St., Sacramento. 916-808-7777, www.sacramentogoldrushdays.com

Friday Nights @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland Join OMCA and Off the Grid in August for DJs, live bands, dancing,

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gourmet food trucks, and more. There will be a family Drop-in activity related to one of the exhibits. This event repeats each Friday night.

5-9 p.m. Members and ages 18 and under free, $7.50 adults. Oakland Museum of California, 50 10th St., Oakland. 510318-8400,‎ www.museumca.org

Temescal Alley 1st Friday Block Party — Oakland Every first Friday of the month join the block party with live music, shops open late, monthly art exhibits and more.

6-9 p.m. Free. All ages. Temescal Alley, 49th St. @Telegraph and Clarke, Oakland. www.temescalalleys.com

Movies in The Park—Piedmont Bring a few lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks. Enjoy a family film that begins at dusk.

8 p.m. Free. All ages. Piedmont Park, Highland at Magnolia, Piedmont

2 | Saturday Labor Day Weekend at PlaylandNot-at-the-Beach Labor Day? Not at Playland-Not-atthe-Beach. Forget the concerns of the working world with FREE PLAY pinball, carnival games, attractions and curiosities. Relax in our indoor, climate-controlled Museum of Fun packed with things to see and do.

We will have the magic of Douglass the MagicMan Saturday and Sunday.

Bonus: Playland is open on Monday for an extra day to play!

10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15 general admission, $10 youth and seniors. Playland-Not-

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At-The-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 510-592-3002, www.playlandnot-at-the-beach.org

Free Kid’s Workshops —Multiple Locations Home Depot Stores have a free first Saturday program for kids to learn to use real tools to make a take-home project with real wood, such as a birdhouse or a boat. Home Depot pros will supervise and assist kids with the tools so little fingers don’t get smushed. Please check the nearest Home Depot store and call ahead to reserve a spot.

9 a.m.-12 p.m. Free. Ages 5-12. Various Home Depot Locations. (Concord, Hercules, Emeryville, El Cerrito, etc.)www. homedepot.com

Puppet Show, Children’s Fairyland— Oakland Master puppeteer Nick Barone has brought his special brand of Halloween magic to the Storybook Puppet Theater. Nick, a popular Bay Area performer who died in 2014, gifted this show to the children of the Bay Area. The Storybook Puppet Theater is proud to present this original tale for our theater’s 60th. What do you do when a group of monsters meet and greet in Fairyland? Put on a variety show of course! Filled with lovable and friendly monsters, this comical show is designed to delight. Puppets, story and songs by Nick Barone. Additional scenery by Annie Wong.

11 a.m., 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. Free with admission. All ages. Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland. 510-452-2259, www.fairyland.org

152st Scottish Highland Gathering & Games — Pleasanton Join us at the largest Scottish Gathering & Games in the Northern Hemisphere! From more and 35 pipe bands to championship heavy event athletics and everything in between, this two day event has it all presented in the most family friendly manner. Learn about the rich Scottish culture and heritage, six stages of traditional and Celtic rock entertainment, taste authentic Scottish food, and take away some happy memories that will last a life time.

All day. Tickets starting at $11 - $35.

Alameda County Fairgrounds 4501 Pleasanton Ave Pleasanton, www. thescottishgames.com

3 | Sunday Beauty and the Beast —Oakland This is the story of Belle, a smart and heroic young woman, the Beast, a prince trapped under a spell, and his entire enchanted household, complete with dancing tableware. This live musical is performed outdoors in historic Woodminster Amphitheater in Oakland’s beautiful Joaquin Miller Park, by a large cast and live professional orchestra.

8 p.m. Ages 4+. Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park, Joaquin Miller Rd & Sanborn Dr., Oakland. www.woodminster.com

5 | Tuesday Monthly Mini Model Build — Pleasanton Visit a local LEGO Store on the first Tuesday of every month and learn how to build a cool mini model, and take it home for free! Quantities are limited and offer is good while supplies last only. One free per child. See store for more details.

5 p.m. Free. Ages 6-14 only. Lego Store, Stoneridge Shopping Center, 1 Stoneridge Mall Rd., Pleasanton, 925-737-0704

6 | Wednesday Music in The Park — Albany Bring a picnic blanket and a snack and get cozy with friends and family every Wednesday night in September for live music at Memorial Park.

Kids can play on the toddler or big kid play structures while tunes drift through the dusk air.

6:30 -8 p.m. Free. All ages. Memorial Park, 1325 Portland Ave., Albany. www.albanyca.org

Downtown Wednesdays Street Parties — Pleasanton Enjoy food trucks from Food Truck Mafia, displays from local students, and a wine garden.

2727 College Avenue www.maybeckhs.org

(510) 841-8489 34 Parents’ Press | September 2017

6 p.m.-9 p.m. Free. All ages. Downtown Pleasanton Main St., 925-484-2199, www.pleasantondowntown.net

First Wednesdays — Walnut Creek Juggling unicyclists, balloon animal

artists, and face painters extraordinaire will delight little ones while the grown-ups enjoy food, beer, wine and live music. First Wednesday of each month, it’s the place to be.

50 entertainers, 50 food booths, 150 government and non-profit agencies, 150 juried hand-crafters, a 75 entry parade, state of the art mechanical rides and much more!

5 p.m.-8 p.m. Free. All ages. Cypress St., between N. Main and Locust, Walnut Creek. www.walnutcreekdowntown.com

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. All Ages. Solano Ave, www.solanoavenueassn.org

7 | Thursday Music and Market —Concord Each Thursday night, families gather to visit the farmers market and be treated to a free outdoor concert. This week, enjoy Evolution, The Ultimate Tribute to Journey 6:30-8 p.m. Free. All ages. Todos Santos Plaza, Grant St. at Willow Pass Rd., Concord. www.cityofconcord.org

8 | Friday

11 | Monday Munchkin Mondays — Concord Energetic toddlers can jump for one hour or longer. Sky High Sports features dozens of large trampolines for hours of indoor bouncing fun. For kids walking up to 6 years.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. $6 per child, per hour. Not valid on holidays.

Sky High Sports, 1631 Challenge Dr., Concord. 925-682-5867, www.con.jumpskyhigh.com

12 | Tuesday Date Night at Playland-Not-atthe-Beach’s After Dark (GrownUps Only) Join us for a date night like no other – Playland After Dark’s twice monthly grown-up game night featuring board games galore and all the unique exhibits, classic carnival games and free-play pinball always available at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach…without any kids. Grown-ups only, no children or babies please.

Cost is $10. Open 6:00pm-10:00pm.

Family Night — Dublin This farmers market has fresh produce and food vendors, but also has activities for the kids to enjoy. Get kids excited about fresh food.

4 p.m.-8p.m. Free. All ages. Emerald

Fridays on The Main & Market — Martinez Enjoy a farmers market and get to see all the cool hot rods, restored custom classic vehicles, and shiny chrome for days!

Glen Park, 4201 Central Pkwy., Dublin. www.ci.dublin.ca.us

Ride the Rails — Fremont Railroads once connected many of the farms with towns in the East Bay. Today they still run around the farm. Journey past rows of crops and through eucalyptus groves as you travel back in time. Check the daily schedule and meet the train at Arden Station or Deer Park.

10:15 a.m- 3:45 p.m. Free. All Ages. Ardenwood HIstoric Farm 34600 Ardenwood Blvd. Fremont 888-EBPARKS, www.ebparks.org

13 | Wednesday Music in The Park — Albany Bring a picnic blanket and a snack and get cozy with friends and family

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4-8 p.m. Free. All ages. 800 block of Main St., Martinez. www.fridaysonthemain. com

Summer Outdoor Concerts in the Park — Point Richmond The whole block is closed to traffic so everyone can dance in the street to live music! Face painting, shops, and restaurants make this a fun family Friday night. Repeats September 22.

5:30-7:45 p.m. Free. All ages. Block of Washington Ave. and Park Place in Point Richmond. www.pointrichmondmusic.org

9 | Saturday Grandparents’ Weekend at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach Join Playland as we honor the wisest among us – our grandparents! Who better to enjoy our nostalgic indoor museum of amusements, carnival games and memorabilia, not to mention free-play pinball for the whole family? Grandparents will receive $2 off the regular admission price this weekend (even if you treat them)!

10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15 general admission, $10 youth and seniors. Playland-NotAt-The-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 510-592-3002, www.playlandnot-at-the-beach.org

Beauty and the Beast —Oakland This is the story of Belle, a smart and heroic young woman, the Beast, a prince trapped under a spell, and his entire enchanted household, complete with dancing tableware. This live musical is performed outdoors in historic Woodminster Amphitheater in Oakland’s beautiful Joaquin Miller Park, by a large cast and live professional orchestra.

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8 p.m. Ages 4+. Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park, Joaquin Miller Rd & Sanborn Dr., Oakland. www.woodminster.com

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Jack of All Trades — Oakland An eclectic event put on by the Treasure Island Flea Market promises lots of interesting workshops and activities for families. Tinkers, builders, and indie designers, plus live DJ and waterfront eateries.

10 | Sunday 43nd Annual Solano Avenue Stroll —Albany, Berkeley Since 1974 Solano Avenue and the twin-cities of Albany and Berkeley CA, have hosted the Solano Avenue Stroll, the East Bay’s largest street festival! The Solano Avenue Association invites you to see what makes Solano Avenue a wonderful place.

Over five hundred vendors including

Tour Dates

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11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. All ages. Jack London Square, 70 Washington St., Oakland. 510-645-9292, www.jacklondonsquare.com

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September 2017 | Parents’ Press 35

September 30 is also known as the 15th day of the eighth month by the lunar calendar and this full moon is when people from China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and other Asian countries celebrate the Moon Festival. This holiday, known as something of a “Chinese Thanksgiving,” is second only to the Lunar New Year in terms of its importance to the culture and people. Not many westerners even know about it, but it really is a big deal. It is a time to give thanks, ask the moon goddess Chang’e for her blessings, and to enjoy togetherness. This holiday is celebrated with lion and dragon dances, open markets, street barbecues, night picnics, and the elaborate traditional moon cakes.

San Francisco Moon Festival — San Francisco’s Chinatown Families can travel to San Francisco to enjoy the Moon Festival on the weekend of Sept.

30-Oct. 1. Chinatown will be abuzz with all things moon. Public transportation is encouraged.

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Free. All ages. Chinatown, San Francisco.

415-982-6306, www.moonfestival.org.

If the festival is not an option but celebrating is, please visit one of these well-respected Chinese bakeries, pick up a tin of mooncakes and some tea, and celebrate under the moon on Sept 30.

Good ideas for celebrating at home include having family members think of things to be thankful for while enjoying the cakes and tea outdoors at night.

Sheng-Kee Bakery — Richmond 3288 Pierce St., #C133, Richmond. • 510-558-8807 www.shengkee.com ( other locations in San Mateo and Berkeley) Napoleon Super Bakery — Oakland 810 Franklin St., Oakland. • 510-268-8883 Wonderfood Bakery — Oakland 340 9th St., Oakland • 510-893-4193 99 Ranch Market — Concord 1795 Willow Pass Rd., Concord • 925-798-8899 • www.99ranch.com every Wednesday night in September for live music at Memorial Park.

Kids can play on the toddler or big kid play structures while tunes drift through the dusk air.

6:30 -8 p.m. Free. All ages. Memorial Park, 1325 Portland Ave., Albany. www. albanyca.org

14 | Thursday Music and Market —Concord Each Thursday night, families gather to visit the farmers market and be treated to a free outdoor concert.

This week, enjoy The Purple Ones, In Memoriam to PRINCE 6:30-8 p.m. Free. All ages. Todos Santos Plaza, Grant St. at Willow Pass Rd., Concord. www.cityofconcord.org

15 | Friday Pacific Commons Blood Drive — Fremont Join us and donate the gift of life!

Please visit the bloodmobile from 12 Noon- 4 pm, located near the plaza by Dick’s Sporting Goods Those donating blood will receive a FREE treat!

10a.m-5 p.m. Free. All ages. Lindsey Wildlife Experience, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-935-1978, lindsaywildlife.org

12 - 4 p.m. Free. Pacific Commons 43484 Boscell Rd, Fremont, pacificcommons. com

16 | Saturday

Fridays on The Main & Market — Martinez Enjoy a farmers market and get to see all the cool hot rods, restored custom classic vehicles, and shiny chrome for days!

4-8 p.m. Free. All ages. 800 block of Main St., Martinez. www.fridaysonthemain. com

Free Friday — Walnut Creek Every third Friday of each month at Lindsey Wildlife Museum is free to all. All ages will get a chance to get up close to the exhibits and activities at no cost.

Playland at the Beach Weekend at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach This weekend we celebrate and mourn Playland at the Beach, San Francisco’s iconic amusement park and our tribute park. Though the original park closed 45 years ago this month, much of its memorabilia has been coming together into a one of a kind collection in El Cerrito.

Check out the items from Playland and Sutro’s as well as our pinball machines, carnival games, and live magic shows.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15 general admission, $10 youth and seniors. Playland-NotAt-The-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 510-592-3002, www.playland-

not-at-the-beach.org

Zoovie Night — Oakland Pillows, blankets, and jammies encouraged as families get cozy in the Zimmer Auditorium to see Disney Nature: Chimpanzee. Roosevelt the Alligator mascot will introduce moviegoers to some nocturnal animals that call the zoo their home. Hot cocoa and popcorn are provided but bringing a picnic basket is welcome as well.

6:30- 930p.m. $7/person. Familes with children 4-11. Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. 510-632-9525, www. oaklandzoo.org

Lafayette Art and Wine Festival — Lafayette Don’t be fooled by the adult-sounding name, this is a family event with kids activities, music, arts and crafts, as well as wine — and food too! This event runs all weekend long. Kids

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10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. Admission is free. All ages. Downtown Lafayette, 3535 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. 925-284-7404, www.lafayettefestival.com

19th Annual Delta Blues Festival — Antioch The Delta Blues Festival offers food, crafts, and amazing live blues music to the community. The festival begins every year at noon.

Located in downtown Antioch, we are an alcohol-free event catering to families and the community. noon.-7:30 p.m. Admission is free. All ages. Waldie Plaza, between G and I streets, Antioch www.deltabluesfestival.net

17 | Sunday Playland-Not-at-the-Beach Booth at the El Sobrante Stroll We love a parade! Come check out this heartfelt, annual showcase of El Sobrante’s finest in classic and custom cars and family-friendly entertainment. For details, check out http://www.elsobrantecachamber. com/gallery.html.

Ice Cream Tours — Rockridge Rockridge Food Tours is celebrating one year of food tours with a new Ice Cream tour, featuring tastings at Cream, Powell’s Sweet Shoppe, and Dryers Ice Cream Parlor. This tour is a walking tour lasting approximately one hour, and occurs every Saturday and Sunday through October. Please book a reservation online.

3 p.m.- 4 p.m. $15 adults, $7.50 kids 12 and under. All ages. Rockridge District, Oakland. 510-604-6546, www.rockridgefoodtour.com

18 | Monday

21 | Thursday

Drop-In Swim —Alameda Introduce babies into the water in an informal setting. This drop-in time is a parent and child unstructured period with no instructor. This repeats each Monday and Friday.

81th Annual Walnut Festival — Walnut Creek This multi-day community event begins Thursday night with a free Twilight Parade and goes all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Part carnival, part festival, part market, there is something for everyone. Merchants, artisans, food vendors, live music and more than 30 rides.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. $5 per person including infants. Ages 0-2. Aquatech, 2203 Mariner Square, Alameda. 866-663-4147, www.aquatechswim.com

Thurs. 5-10 p.m., Friday 5 -11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $7 per person, per day. Children 5 and under and Seniors 65+ free. All ages. Heather Farm Park, 301 N. San Carlos Dr., Walnut Creek. 925-935-7999, www.thewalnutfestival.org

19 | Tuesday Children’s Yoga— Berkeley Join Prana for tiny yoga with tiny yogis. This is an ongoing class that meets each Tuesday. Drop in or sign up for a block of classes.

4 p.m.-5 p.m. $9 per student. Ages 3-5. Prana Yoga Center, 1723 Alcatraz Ave., Berkeley. 510-655-3664, www. yogalayam.org

Family Night — Dublin This farmers market has fresh produce and food vendors, but also has

activities for the kids to enjoy. Get kids excited about fresh food.

4-8 p.m. Free. All ages. Emerald Glen Park, 4201 Central Pkwy., Dublin. www. ci.dublin.ca.us

Third Thursday Piedmont Stroll — Piedmont Bring the family and enjoy supporting local artists, independent businesses, all within the Piedmont Avenue community. Evening entertainment can be found in restaurants, salons, retail stores, and many other shops. Featuring art, music, and more!

6-9 p.m. Free admission. All ages. Piedmont Ave., Piedmont. piedmontavenue. org

Moms Night Out — Berkeley Each third Thursday of the month,

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20 | Wednesday Music in The Park — Albany Bring a picnic blanket and a snack and get cozy with friends and family every Wednesday night in September for live music at Memorial Park.

Kids can play on the toddler or big kid play structures while tunes drift through the dusk air.

6:30 -8 p.m. Free. All ages. Memorial Park, 1325 Portland Ave., Albany. www. albanyca.org

Toddler Kindergym — Oakland Kids who are walking to age 3 can come and enjoy tumbling, climbing, parachute play, bubbles and the ball pit. Baby siblings are welcome. This event repeats several times a week, check the website for details.

10-11 a.m. $12 first visit, $132 for program sign up. Ages 1-3.

Temple Beth Abraham Social Hall, 327 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 510-8320936, www.tbaoakland.org

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1803 TTPreschoolalameda.org North Loop Rd. Alameda, CA 94502

Facility # 013422027 1803 North Loop Rd | Alameda | Facility # 013422027 510-995-5383 ext. 1336 | kim.smith@bacbc.org

ps-k through elementary multi-age classroOms open year-round, 7am to 6pm educational exCellence since 1978 dance, gymnasticS, capoeira

Telephone # 510-995-5383 ext. 1336

Fax # 510-373-2241 Montessori Children’s Center Full and half-day programs available kim.smith@bacbc.org Before and after school care Open 7am - 6pm

S i g n u p o n l i n e f o r a t o ur t o d ay !

An Authentic Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten

www.grandlakemontessori.com

Serving children ages 2 - 6

466 Chetwood, Oakland (510) 836-4313

Lic #384001313

80 Juan Bautista Circle | San Francisco | 415.333.4410 | montessorichildrenscenter.org

Celebrating 31 years!

(510) 724-1724 www.la-casita.org Lic. #073400781

A Unique Bilingual Montessori Education Preschool, Transitional-K and Kindergarten (2.5-6 years)

Spanish and English

Music Classes

Flamenco

Now Enrolling Fall 2017-2018

Gymnastics

Mindful Life Yoga

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592 Tennent Ave. Pinole, CA 94564

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American Montessori Society Member

September 2017 | Parents’ Press 37

Brushstrokes studio offers extended hours perfect for parents to have a little “me time” and a creative outlet. This is ideal for a book club, or parenting support group to meet at enjoy. Please make a reservation.

5:30-7:45 p.m. Free. All ages. Block of Washington Ave. and Park Place in Point Richmond. www.pointrichmondmusic.org

8-10 p.m. $15-40. Adults. Brushstrokes Studio Inc., 745 Page St., Berkeley. 510528-1360, www.brushstrokesstudio.com

FALL Into FUN Weekend at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach The days are getting shorter, so let’s pack all the fun into each one that we can! After you rake fall leaves, take part in the magic of Playland where the circus is always in town! Enjoy all the pinball and carnival games you can play.

22 | Friday Kids Night Out — Berkeley Brushstrokes studio invites busy parents to drop off their kids for paint and pizza while they go enjoy a date night. The $30 fee includes a meal and drink as well as a $16 piece of pottery to paint and take home. Call and reserve a spot.

6 -8:30p.m. $30 per child. School age children. Brushstrokes Studio Inc., 745 Page St., Berkeley. 510-528-1360, www. brushstrokesstudio.com

Eat Real Festival — Oakland With a focus on food craft, street food, handcrafted beers and local wines - all featuring sustainable local ingredients –they showcase food in all its different forms. But eating is only part of the fun - they’ll show you how to make it and grow it! From cheese to kombucha, they’ll have demonstrations galore that highlight a DIY lifestyle.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. All ages. Jack London Square, 70 Washington St., Oakland. 510-645-9292, www.jacklondonsquare.com

Summer Outdoor Concerts in the Park — Point Richmond The whole block is closed to traffic so everyone can dance in the street to live music! Face painting, shops, and restaurants make this a fun family Friday night.

23 | Saturday

10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15/general admission, $10/youth and seniors. Playland-NotAt-The-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 510-592-3002, www.playlandnot-at-the-beach.org

Chalk Festival at the Plaza— Pleasant Hill More than 20 artists creating lifesize chalk mural on the pavement encompassing the plaza by Jack’s Restaurant & Bar. In addition to the chalk art, the event will also include family activities, a Kids Chalkland, where children are invited to create their own chalk masterpieces! The first 100 attendees will also receive a FREE goody bag!

12 - 3 p.m. Free. All ages. Pleasant Hill Park, 147 Gregory Ln., Pleasant Hill. www.shopdowntownpleasanthill.com

13th Annual Community Service Day —Pleasant Hill Hundreds of volunteers will enjoy a free pancake breakfast and free event tee-shirt when they participate in community-wide clean-up projects all over Pleasant Hill. Sign up to join in and teach kids about service to the community.

7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. All ages. 60 Crescent Drive at Contra Costa Boulevard

Pleasant Hill. 925-671-5229, www.pleasanthill.net

14th Annual Berkeley Old Time Music Convention Concert for Kids —Berkeley Anna and Elizabeth bring their ballads, stories, dance tunes and visual art to the BOTMC for the first time as a duo. Elizabeth LaPrelle, of Rural Retreat, Virginia, delighted BOTMC audiences in 2009 with her solo performance; now, at the ripe old age of 29, she is acknowledged as the best Appalachian ballad singer of her generation. In 2011 she began performing with Anna Roberts-Gevalt, who lives in Vermont. They accompany their songs with stories, and illustrate them with “crankies”—intricate handmade picture-scrolls illustrating the songs, which they create using cut paper, shadow puppets, prints, and embroidered fabric.

10:15 a.m.-11 a.m. Free. All ages. Berkeley Public Library, Main Branch, Community Room (3rd floor), 2090 Kittredge Berkeley 510-225-5508. www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org

24 | Sunday 14th Annual Berkeley Old Time Music Convention Family Dance—Berkeley See listing Sept. 23 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. $4 kids, $6 adults, All ages. Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo, Berkeley 510-225-5508. www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org

13 or R and over 4 will be charged admission. Both bathrooms and theaters are equipped with changing tables. Lights are only dimmed so parents can move around with baby as needed. Check website for showings and showtimes.

6:30 p.m. most Mondays, and midday showings on Saturdays. $8 parents. The New Parkway, 474 24th St., Oakland.

510-658-7900, www.the new parkway. com

26 | Tuesday Butterfly Walk — Berkeley Join Sally Levinson, docent and resident “caterpillar lady” as she takes guests on a walk around the grounds of the UC Botanical garden to see all the butterfly hot-spots.

3-4 p.m. $10 for adults, $5 ages 13-17, $2 ages 5-12, under 5 are free. All ages.

UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens, 200 Centennial Dr., Berkeley. 510-642-5045, www.botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu

27 | Wednesday Music in The Park — Albany Bring a picnic blanket and a snack and get cozy with friends and family every Wednesday night in September for live music at Memorial Park.

Kids can play on the toddler or big kid play structures while tunes drift through the dusk air.

6:30 -8 p.m. Free. All ages. Memorial Park, 1325 Portland Ave., Albany. www. albanyca.org

25 | Monday

28 | Thursday

Baby Brigade — Oakland Finally a theater where baby’s crying is allowed. Baby Brigade shows are recommended for babies one and under. Movies are usually rated PG

Playland’s After Dark (GrownUps Only) — El Cerrito Join us for a date night like no other Playland After Dark’s twice monthly grown-up game night featuring board

PRESCHOOLS

We provide a Year Round Program Infant and toddler care for ages 12-24 months Preschool for ages 2-5 years Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Extended Part-day program: 8:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Full-day program: 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

510-652-7021 admin@rockridgemon tessori.org www.RockridgeMontessori.org

Helping your child excel in a warm and nurturing environment

Email to Schedule a Tour

Close to Rockridge Bart 5633 Manila ave – Oakland 94618 Lic. 01213520,013417669 & 013417787

Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten One of Berkeley’s Best Loved Preschools 2’s program, Nursery School and Transitional Kindergarten

Ages 2 through 6 Lic # 010209297

Gold - Best Childcare Gold - Best Independent Preschool

38 Parents’ Press | September 2017

499 Spruce Street, Berkeley 510-527-9021 www.steponeschool.org

games galore and all the unique exhibits, classic carnival games and free-play pinball always available at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach…without any kids. Grown-ups only, no children or babies please.

Cost is $10. Open 6:00pm-10:00pm.

Playland-Not-At-The-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 510-592-3002, www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org

Ride the Rails — Fremont Railroads once connected many of the farms with towns in the East Bay. Today they still run around the farm. Journey past rows of crops and through eucalyptus groves as you travel back in time. Check the daily schedule and meet the train at Arden Station or Deer Park.

10:15 a.m- 3:45 p.m. Free. All Ages. Ardenwood HIstoric Farm 34600 Ardenwood Blvd. Fremont 888-EBPARKS, www.ebparks.org

29 | Friday Splash Pad— El Cerrito Children of all ages can enjoy splashing in the padded sprinkler park at the El Cerrito Swim Center. Facilities include picnic area and changing rooms. This event repeats each Friday.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. $2 per person, cash only.

All ages. El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Ln., El Cerrito. 510-5597011, www.el-cerrito.org

Friday Nights @ Oakland Museum of California — Oakland Join OMCA and Off the Grid in August for DJs, live bands, dancing, gourmet food trucks, and more. There will be a family Drop-in activity related to one of the exhibits. This event repeats each Friday night.

Cerrito. 510-592-3002, www.playlandnot-at-the-beach.org

Moraga Pear and Wine Festival — Moraga Celebrate the grape harvest by smashing grapes the old fashioned

5-9 p.m. Members and ages 18 and under free, $7.50 for adults. Oakland Museum of California, 50 10th St., Oakland.

510-318-8400,‎ www.museumca.org

way, with bare feet. There will be kids activities, craft vendors, food, live music and pear pies.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. All ages. Moraga Commons Park, Moraga and St. Mary’s Rd., Moraga. 925-888-7050, www.moragaparks.org

PRESCHOOLS

Movies in The Park — Piedmont Bring a few lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks. Enjoy a family film that begins at dusk.

Preschool

8 p.m. Free. All ages. Piedmont Park, Highland at Magnolia, Piedmont.

30 | Saturday Pirate Weekend at Playland-Notat-the-Beach — El Cerrito Arrrrrgh, mateys! This weekend starts a month of dress-up themed weekends. Why are we starting with pirates? Because pirates Arrrrrgh fun!!!Sail the seven seas to Playland and seek your treasure on the biggest, best treasure hunt ever! Come dressed as a pirate and win a special rewarrrrrrrd. Only $15 per adult and $10 per child and senior. Open 10:00am-5:00pm.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15/general admission, $10/youth and seniors. Playland-NotAt-The-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Ave., El

The Creative Play Center’s program provides a rich, nurturing environment in which creative play and learning takes place.

Preschool is 9 am until 1 pm - (extended hours available)

Applications are currently being accepted

(510) 524-9399

www.CreativePlayCenterAlbany.com 1151 Portland Ave., Albany, CA 94706

Lic. #010204748

Dynamic Education The Optimizing Each Child’s Potential Call to schedule a tour at one Child of our five locations Day Schools, LLC

Color Me Children Preschool & Kindergarten #013411559

Hands-on learning in a small, group environment 12–14 children ages 3 – 5 years

#013412517

Family operated since 1976

• Language & Literacy • Math & Science • Problem Solving • Art & Creativity • Social Skills

“A Place Where Learning is FUN-DA-MENTAL” Ages 2 Yrs.– Kindergarten

• 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday • Challenging Academics • Large Outside Play Area

• Full-time & Part-time Rates • Small Classes • Computers

2017 Low Ratios Highly Trained Teachers

www.t cdschools.com

NOW ENROLLING FOR KINDERGARTEN

Preschool • Pre-K • Jr.-K • Toddlers • Kindergarten • School Age

s… ion 8115 Fontaine St., Oakland, CA 94605 • (510) 430-1322 cat

o 2l

ANTIOCH 925-754-0144

1141 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94702 • (510) 548-6423

Lic# 073406638 073406639

Oakland Montessori School

SAN RAMON 925-820-2515 Lic# 073406846 073406845, 0734066634

PLEASANTON 925-462-1866

LAFAYETTE 925-284-7092

MORAGA 925-376-5110

Lic# 013420524 013420525

Lic# 073406632 073406633

Lic# 073406850 073406849

If you could give your child one gift to last a lifetime, what would it be?

www.nomurapreschool.com

Lic. #070209834

Serving children 24 months to 6 years

Join our diverse community of confident children, supportive parents and experienced teachers.

ART • MUSIC • GYMNASTICS • YOGA

• Preparation for Kindergarten • Nurturing Academic Environment • Ballet, Hip Hop Dance, Gymnastics, Violin, Piano, and Soccer

Tours on Wednesdays at 9:30am Please RSVP at info@oaklandmontessori.com

510-482-3111

www.oaklandmontessori.com

•

3636 Dimond Ave

Lic #010214163

Call us today:

• Music, Art, and Language Programs • Expansive Outdoor Play Area • Hours: 7a.m. – 6p.m. (Year-Round) • Ages 2-5 Years and Bridge K Class

Call to Schedule a Tour: 510-526-7847 1711 Carlson Blvd Richmond Annex 94804 September 2017 | Parents’ Press 39

2000 Appian Way, Suite 303 510-964-0168 www.eastshorepediatricdental.com

SPORTS

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

EL CERRITO SPORTS CAMP

Non-competitive and Co-ed since 1992

Sunday Soccer & Baseball

Head coach: @ Canyon Trail Park Joel Gildersleeve Fall Session Sept. 24 - Nov. 19 Soccer 12:00 - 1:20 pm Ages: 4-5, 6-7, 8-10 Baseball 1:30 - 3:00 pm Ages: 4-5 & 6-8 Ongoing, on-site Registration

(11:40 am) Fees prorated from starting date. Same fees resident/non-res. Sibling discount.

Fresh fruit snack break. Rain outs made up.

Are you pregnant, breastfeeding, or have children under 5?

You may be eligible for no-cost nutrition advice, breastfeeding support, community referrals, and checks to buy healthy foods!

Working families may be eligible for WIC! For more information and to see if you qualify, contact:

AG

City of Berkeley WIC Program 830 University Ave Berkeley, CA 94710 510.981.5360 Migrant families are welcome! wicprogram@cityofberkeley.info Visit us at www.cityofberkeley.info/publichealth Do you with health care?

Do you while are pregnant?

Please Do youneed needhelp help with health care?

Doneed you care need careyou while you call Berkeley Public Health at Berkeley 510-981-5300. are pregnant?

Please call Public Health at 510-981-5300.

We canhelp helpwith with community forincome low and middle incomeHealthy families.

We can programs for lowprograms and middle families.

(Medi-Cal, (Medi-Cal andand CHDP) Families, CHDP other community programs)

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F This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Sign Up

for our E-Newsletter

PP EB MAR 2014_1-16.26rm.indd 11

delivered semi-monthly to your inbox! www.parentspress.com

www.elcerritosportscamp.com (510) 559-8208

PRESCHOOLS

The Model School

Enrolling now: a NEW Montessori school in Berkeley Ages 2.5-6 • Immediate start • Year-round

Comprehensive Humanistic Learning Center

Infants • Toddlers • Preschool !

Multicultural, Multiethnic Environments • Se Habla Español!

Our core ideals • • • • •

compassion and kindness supporting creativity building community passion for learning peace

Flexible Scheduling Loving, Developmental, Child-Oriented Classrooms Year’round Enrollment, Reasonable Rates

NAEYC Accredited

(510) 549-2711

Lic. 010211122 & 010211112

CHATHAM SCHOOL

C

S

Chool FUN Chatham HILD-CENTERED PRESCHOOL Fun Child-Centered PreSChool 4500 Road 4500 Redwood Redwood Road Oakland, CA 94619 Oakland, CA 94619

4359 39th Avenue 4359 39th Avenue Oakland, CA 94619 Oakland, CA 94619 Lic#01341436

66 mo. mo. --Kindergarten Kindergarten

2 yrs.

- Kindergarten 2 yrs.

- Kindergarten extended care

Lic#013418176 Lic#013418176 Lic#013418177 Lic# 013418177

((510) 5 1 0 ) 531-1302 531-1302 fax: (510) 531-1301

Lic#01341436

(510) ( 5 1 0531-1534 ) 531-1534

• We do Potty Training • Snacks/Hot Lunch We do Potty Training • Snacks / Hot Lunch Part Time/Full Time 7:30 am-6 pm Part Time / Full Time 7:30am - 6pm

www.chathampreschool.com www.chathampreschool.com

40 Parents’ Press | September 2017

Part/full/extended day available • Limited financial aid available 2008 McGee Ave • Berkeley • 510.679.5056 • www.littleelephant.net

The Child Unique Montessori School • Toddler • PreSchool Transitional Kindergarten New second language and PE program

Enrolling Now! We are a Welcoming School!

Limited Openings for Fall 2017 2226 Encinal Avenue Alameda 510.521.9227 www.thechildunique.org

Lic.#013414800

2012 2013

2330 Prince Street, Berkeley, CA 94705

C

H

omework battles can be heard all over town each night as parents attempt to help their children manage their time and complete their tasks. Some children can focus easily and breeze through their work, while others have trouble getting started, may get frustrated easily or get distracted by the slightest noise.

If you approach homework time with a calm and encouraging attitude, your child can eventually learn to get it done without complaining and yelling. The skills you help your child develop in doing homework will serve him or her well in college or in the work world.

You’re not alone if you and your child find homework time to be a stressful part of the day. Even 5-yearolds are asked to do homework, which can interfere with their important work called “play.” Many parents are exhausted in the late afternoon and evening and become impatient as they try and get dinner made and on the table before tackling homework. Many children have after-school programs and sports and come home wanting downtime instead of memorizing spelling words. A homework plan is definitely needed, unless you have an independent and compliant child who doesn’t need reminders or direction.

Teachers give homework to help children learn responsibility and develop and practice skills. It’s also a good way for parents to be involved in their child’s education. Many teachers use homework as a diagnostic tool to understand a child’s strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important for parents not to do their children’s homework for them. There are some schools and teachers who don’t think homework is needed, but most schools still require it.

All children need time to relax and connect with family, so it’s important

It’s Time to Do Your

Homework!

By Rona Renner, RN that the amount of homework is reasonable. If you think your child is getting too much homework, you can ask the teacher to help you understand why he or she is giving so much. You are your child’s best advocate, so find out why your child is stressed by the amount or type of work required.

Keep track of how long the homework takes over the course of the week, and then talk to the teacher about your observations.

Sometimes children struggle with homework because of learning differences, not because they don’t want to do the work. Watch and see which subjects are hard, and don’t get angry if your child gets frustrated. Your child may not be able to tell you that he or she is having trouble remembering how to pronounce certain words or how to access the multiplication table in his or her mind.

Here are some tips your family can use to stay on track with homework:

Have a family meeting to establish homework guidelines. Some children need some time to play or relax right after school, while others prefer to get their homework done right away. Talk with your child, and come up with a plan together that fits well with his or her temperament and age. Some questions to consider are: • Who does your child like to get help from?

• What environment and room does he or she work well in?

• What time of day is best?

• Set aside a quiet time for everyone in the family to decrease distractions.

Although turning off the television is essential, some kids do well with music playing during homework time.

Experiment to see if music helps or hinders.

• When children are hungry, they have a harder time concentrating. Offer

a healthy snack before or during homework.

• Organize supplies, and have them easily accessible. A big homework box with everything your child needs works well.

• Give positive feedback when you see your child making efforts. “Mateo, your handwriting is getting so easy to read.

I see you’ve been working hard at it.”

• Don’t criticize when your child makes a mistake. If there’s a regular problem, talk to the teacher about his or her expectations.

• Pay attention to your stress level. Take slow easy breaths, and stay calm. After a long day of school and work, everyone is tired.

• If your child gets frustrated easily, he or she may want to do homework at the kitchen table to be near you. Help your child get started. Some children need more help than others, so respect different temperaments and learning styles.

• If your child complains frequently, evaluate the homework to see if it’s too hard.

• A timer can help a child to pace his or her work and to take breaks at reasonable intervals. Some children will work for five minutes and think they’ve been at it for much longer.

• Allow computer or TV time after the homework is done. This incentive to complete the assignment works for many children.

Most likely, homework is harder now than when you were in school. Help your child enjoy learning, and don’t expect perfection.

Rona Renner, RN (“Nurse Rona”),is a nurse, a parent educator and atemperament specialist. The mother of four grown children and grandmother of two, she is the author of “Is That Me Yelling? A Parent’s Guide to Getting Your Kids to Cooperate Without Losing Your Cool.” Rona has been a radio show host for over 15 years and is currently a producer and host of “About Health” on KPFA radio 94.1FM. You can learn more about her at www.nurserona.com.

CLASSIFIEDS ➤ CHILD CARE

➤ ➤ HEALTH & WELLNESS

Night Nanny 18+ years experience and 35+ Bay Area references. Available 10pm - 6am. Sun - Thurs. $25 per hour or $30 per for twins! 415-678-9372

Lactation and Parenting Consultant Joanne Rucker, Pediatric RN, CLS Experienced, knowledgeable, insightful, caring. Office or home visits. Long and respected local career. Breastfeeding and child development specialist. www.joannerucker-rn.com joanne@joannerucker-rn. com 510-558-3120

All-Star Showgrams Rated four stars in “Babies by the Bay.” Princesses, superheroes, pirates, train conductors, cowboys, Elsa, Mary Poppins, Mother Goose, Dorothy, clowns, wizards, magicians, face painters, balloonists, storytellers, dance parties, mascots, jugglers, Santa, Easter Bunny and lots more! Your child’s favorite character. 650-5743568. www.allstarshowgrams.com

➤ ➤ PARTIES

➤ ➤ SERVICES

FUR, SCALES AND TAILS ANIMAL SHOWS For your party, school, camp or daycare.

Over 15 different animals in every show.

Fun for children of all ages. Call Tracy the Animal Show Guy at: 510-823-3923. www. furscalesandtails.com Please check out our great Yelp reviews.

Impeccable Interiors House Cleaning Cleaning homes & offices in Contra Costa & Alameda Counties for over 20 years. One-time, weekly/bi-weekly, monthly. Licensed & insured.

Visa/MC. (510)521-9600, 925-736-9600. www.impeccableinteriors.com

➤ CLASSES/LESSONS MUSIC Best Violin lessons Professional concert violinist. Experienced and enthusiastic. All levels. North Berkeley studio.

Call Donna at (510) 524-5203. $10 introductory lesson.

Piano and Flute lessons Highly professional, experienced teacher. All ages welcome. Libushe Moskowitz, (510) 235-5860 in El Cerrito.

Piano Lessons in Berkeley Patient, experienced teacher. I have successfully prepared students of all ages, beginners to intermediate-advanced. Alexandra Yurkovsky, MA (510) 849-2613 $10 introductory lesson.

The Puppet Company Creates “Fantasies in Miniature” at your child’s party. Classics, Fables, fun for audiences of all ages! Professional puppeteer, 40 years of entertainment experience. 510569-3144. www.puppetcompany.com

➤ TUTORING / EDUCATION It’s All About Literacy Skilled, compassionate, effective, individualized reading and writing instruction, grades 1-10. Early intervention, remediation, skill building, or creative enrichment. Build selfesteem and success! Ivy (510) 528-8773. www.ivysandz.com Tutoring Is Caring Individualized help with mathematics, reading, writing, study skills, confidence, and motivation. All ages welcome. Rediscover the joy of learning. Call Esther, 510-733-0467.

➤ ➤ PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

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42 Parents’ Press | September 2017