ParentMap Magazine August 2020

’cause parenting is a trip!

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August, Ahoy!

Sweet summer bites, throwback family fun, nature adventures and more p. 26

Good Growing newsletter p. 19 SPONSORED CONTENT

Regional administrators deliberate the new normal of education 16

THE WONDERS OF WENATCHEE: A FOUR-SEASON GUIDE An all-seasons family fun itinerary for the ‘Apple Capital of the World’ 29

AUGUST 2020 SS

STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION

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For everyone’s protection, we will be enforcing (4:.) Ȧȟ WEJIX] QIEWYVIW including social distancing and wearing face mask/coverings.

XŇϱƒåÚƐĮåžžƐƒĚ±ĻƐ±ƐķĞĮåƐƾ垃ƐŇüƐFĝăƐ)DŽЃƐőłłƐ ȰȏȦȉ ȶȴVH &ZI 3* 8YPEPMT, ;& ȟȁȶȮȦ ȴȰȉ ȮȦȰ ȶȰȉȉ MRJS%-MFYPF(YPXYVEP(IRXIV.SVK HibulbCulturalCenter.org 2 • August 2020 • parentmap.com

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Do you want your children to feel connected to their Jewish heritage?

Is academic excellence a priority in your family?

Are you searching for a school where student and family support are part of the culture?

Does your child thrive in small class settings?

Do you believe that great teachers make great students?

Do you like the idea of your kids knowing how to read and speak Hebrew?

If you knew generous ďŹ nancial aid was available, would you apply?

If you checked 3 or more of these boxes, explore your options at samisfoundation.org/jewish-schools

SPONSORED CONTENT

JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS ARE CREATING MODELS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING AND BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

When Gov. Inslee’s March 12 announcement prompted school closures across Washington state, local Jewish day schools were already prepared for distance learning. By that day, Seattle Jewish Community School, along with other Jewish day schools in the Seattle area, had soft-launched their remote learning program, seeking feedback from students, parents and teachers and getting everyone up to speed.

“It was like I had hired 12 brand new teachers despite the decades of seniority and experience they had,” says Head of School Ron Waldman. “In this format, all bets are off. None of our educators had ever been trained for this type of teaching and learning, and not all children can easily adapt to continuous learning.” Even though they’ve had their challenges, Seattle Jewish Community School — along with Northwest Yeshiva High School, Jewish Day School and Seattle Hebrew Academy — are making it work, teaching students important lessons and forging strong communities at the same time.

It started with surveying everyone’s needs. On their first day, NYHS held an orientation for distance learning, where all classes met for 15 minutes each and there was a check-in to make sure students had access to technology.

They also conducted troubleshooting with teachers so that the following day regular classes could start.

Schools are continuing to seek feedback throughout this crisis. According to Waldman, SJCS is sending out surveys at least once a week, while JDS is adjusting practices as they go. “We have made revisions to our remote learning schedule and instruction along the way, based on feedback from families,” says JDS Head of School Vivian Scheidt. “Our teachers have reached out individually to each family to get their input on how their child is doing with remote learning.”

The schools, which already participated in a tech cohort Community of Practice led by Dr. David Wicks, Seattle Pacific University’s chair of Digital Education Leadership, also made sure they had the right tools to conduct classes, including Zoom, Edpuzzle, Google Meet, Kahoot!, Camtasia, Screencast-O-Matic and Seesaw. Since traditional teaching won’t work on these platforms, NYHS Head of School Jason Feld says they’ve encouraged teachers to come up with exciting new methods. “The charge to the faculty was to be brave in experimentation and to really let learning objectives drive the technology, not the other way around.” Teachers at NYHS have drawn on what they learned during Seattle’s 2019 “Snowmaggedon,” such as using flipped instruction, a blended learning strategy that allows the students to see the material before the class and then dive deeply into it with their classmates during school hours. “That experience really did serve us quite well in preparation for this year,” says Feld.

4 • August 2020 • parentmap.com

As schools try out different modalities for remote learning, they are discovering the value of using a variety of formats, including full class groups, small groups and individualized meetings, as well as instructional goal reassessment.

“Beyond the objectives of getting through a syllabus and finals, we are finding that instruction has become learner-centric, with students increasingly driving their learning and building community in a more thoughtful and intentionally deeper way. This has really been the silver lining of distance learning,” says Feld.

SHA Head of School Rivy Poupko Kletenik emphasizes that learning is the focus, but community building and engagement are vital as well. SHA has organized a drive-by food drive and held virtual events for Jewish holidays and days of remembrance. Each of the schools is engaging with people inside and outside of their school community by hosting open virtual classes, celebrations and commemorations.

“Our Jewish day school partners have been doing an incredible job making sure students stay connected and continue receiving exemplary academic instruction in these unprecedented times,” says Connie Kanter, CEO of the Samis Foundation, an organization that provides grants to support K–12 Jewish education in Washington state and initiatives in Israel. Samis supports scholarships, tech education, special needs and professional development for seven Jewish day schools in the Seattle area. The foundation has put a particular emphasis on supporting the schools’ technology needs for the past decade. “We hope other educators in the public and private sectors can benefit from our schools’ models.”

While schools and families are taking this tough situation one day at a time, 10 years from now, some are optimistic that students will look back at this moment with reflection. “I hope that they will remember this as a time of personal growth, and as a time where a lot of what we talk about in our dayto-day learning of grit, resilience, kindness and community was tested in a real way during this crisis,” says Feld. “My hope is that instead of feeling isolated, they will have some meaningful memories.”

SPONSORED BY:

THE SAMIS FOUNDATION SUPPORTS K–12 JEWISH EDUCATION IN WASHINGTON STATE AND INITIATIVES IN ISRAEL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT SAMISFOUNDATION.ORG.

TH I

inside AUGUST 2020

16

,cause parenting is a trip!

Parenting

6 DEAR READER

In uncertain times, summer fun is still in season

8 IT STARTS WITH YOU(TH)

Meet a local youth who works to empower womxn through healing conversations

WELLNESS 10 Saving face: Getting help for your teenager’s acne

14 Baby blues: Supporting mothers

with postpartum depression during a pandemic

12 CRIB NOTES

Sweet tooth: Optimizing oral health for babies and toddlers

EDUCATION

25 Strengthen your child’s school

readiness by doing these 5 things

30 4 ways to make singing a part of every kid’s life

35 A GES + STAGES

Why experts are worried about child abuse during and after the pandemic

39 PARENT DAY JOBS

This elementary school principal forges opportunity — and community — from chaos

Family Fun 26 15 SCHEMES FOR AN

AMAZING AUGUST

Sweet summer bites, throwback family fun, nature escapes and more

29 THE WONDERS OF

WENATCHEE

Your four-season family fun guide to the ‘Apple Capital of the World’

12

Feature

Advertising Sections

16 T HE FUTURE OF EDUCATION

12–15 Pediatric Dentistry

Regional administrators deliberate the new normal of education

18–25 Schools + Preschools 28–31 Camps + Activities

29

33 NWAIS

parentmap.com • August 2020 • 5

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note

In uncertain times, summer fun is still in season

T

hese days you may be hitting that proverbial wall, given the endless flood of daily news that continuously impacts how we work, educate our kids and try to enjoy life during this ongoing pandemic. Uncertainty looms for families as education experts fully commit themselves to supporting the transformation of how we’ve schooled our children for centuries. ParentMap contributor Gemma Alexander examines the myriad complex Abandon the futility of issues facing our educational leaders in this month’s feature, trying to predict what the Considering the Future of fall will bring for your kids, Education (p. 16). While this and instead carve out abrupt disruption to education worldwide is unprecedented, we time during these long know you’ll be inspired by the and reliably gorgeous tenacity, creativity and resolve of the dedicated educators and days of summer for some administrators who are tasked PNW-style outdoor family with plotting safe and equitable plans for the coming school year. fun.

In this month’s Parent Day Jobs (p. 39), we hear from Terry Holtgraves, the devoted and optimistic principal of Burien’s Seahurst Elementary, about what is happening on the ground in her school community, where families and staff have joined together to ensure that from this current chaos great educational innovation and opportunity will come.

Abandon the futility of trying to predict what the fall will bring for your kids, and instead carve out time during these long and reliably gorgeous days of summer for some PNW-style outdoor family fun. Hit the road to experience The Wonders of Wenatchee (p. 29), suggests Elisa Murray, editor of “52 Seattle Adventures With Kids” (parentmap.com/52adventures). River rafting, waterfront park play, biking trails, apple picking, dazzling sunshine and more await you there.

Closer to home, Devon Hammer of our Out + About squad shares 15 Ideas for an Amazing August (p.26). When your bucket o’ fun is running a bit dry, grab your kids for a ghost town adventure, a tug-of-war battle or a beach-bumming day exploring this magical place we are lucky enough to call home.

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it starts with you(th)

Meet Robin Hall This local youth works to empower womxn through healing conversations

By Patty Lindley

R

obin Hall is passionate about helping other girls and womxn explore and reorient their sense of self-worth. This focus evolved in large part out of her connection with Young Women Empowered (Y-WE; youngwomenempowered.org), a local organization that provides mentorship-based leadership development programs for its diverse intergenerational community of belonging. Her own exploration of issues around body shame led to the development of a workshop-based project at Y-WE involving group “fishbowl” conversations to support a process of creative healing for “anyone who [identifies] with the word woman in any way.”

The project and her proficiency at facilitating transformative conversations have since blossomed through a subsequent internship and the creation of a book, “Our Bodies Are Voices.” Hall has been acknowledged for her work in community healing as part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center’s “We the Future” showcase of young leaders of social change.

The 19-year-old Hall has completed an associate degree in sociology from Bellevue College and plans to continue this vein of study at Western Washington University. We caught up with her to learn more about the power of mentorship and what she sees ahead for the development of her passion project.

How did you become involved with Y-WE? I was 16 when I got involved with Y-WE. I decided to try their year-long program called Lead. It was just immediately life-changing. I know that sounds overdramatic, but seriously, it really was a revelation. It’s an amazing program for young women and girls of color and non-gender-binary people focusing on coming together and sharing experiences, growing together and really honing leadership skills. They have several programs, but that particular one is what I started with.

I had this expectation going in that we were going to be taught how to be facilitators or taught how to lead a group of people effectively. It wasn’t like that at all. It was like learning to build confidence in yourself, learning to find your voice in a meaningful way. Then taking that into that next step of sharing it with other people.

“Everybody’s self-hatred

looks different, so everybody’s healing is

different, too.”

Y-WE is known for its unique multicultural, intergenerational mentorship model. Can you talk a little bit about that?

Y-WE is a space where there’s a 13-year old and there’s a 70-year-old, and

8 • August 2020 • parentmap.com

they’re just interacting as their own people who both have knowledge, but also as people who respect each other.

I think having that multigenerational space is really important because everyone can learn from each other.

We have alumnae of Y-WE coming back with their children, their babies — coming into that space and seeing that is really powerful.

We have elders in our group who are really adding to the space in a powerful way.

What’s the story behind your passion project?

I was on the Y-WE Youth Leadership Council, which is basically like a bridge between youth and board and youth and mentor.

Every year we have a project or a personal project that we do. I realized that I have had and have a lot of issues with body shame and self-hatred. Being in spaces like Y-WE, I realized there were so many resources for self-love. You see all these programs: “Come here and learn about self-love.” “Eight ways to love yourself.” I thought, that’s really great, that’s wonderful. I’m sure it’s life-changing for people, but for me, I’m not at that space yet. I have not even looked at my self-hatred, so how can I love myself fully?

I looked around and I was like, well, there must be a place where I can talk about self-hatred. And there just wasn’t. It’s kind of a taboo thing where people have this reaction, “Oh, self-hatred? Shut down that conversation! We don’t want negative energy.” For me, this isn’t negative energy. This is me trying to process.

This is healing work for me and that’s being shut down or turned away or made uncomfortable or awkward. I knew all women are going through this. This is an isolating normal. This is a system of women’s oppression that is being ignored: Our society tells us to hate ourselves. I recognized this as an issue, as something I need to work on. I’m confused by it, but I can do it, and I know that people need it, because I need it.

What did the project entail?

For my first project, I had a group of only about six or seven people — all women and girls of different ages, different races — and we just talked. We met three or four times and I had some questions for them and we just talked about

DISCOVERY CENTER @HOME it. Every single time, I learned something new. I felt healed in some way. We just kept sharing experiences. For me, a lot of my self-hatred was around my body, but for a lot of these girls it was about the color of their skin, of course, or how smart they were in school. It was just this learning curve for me. Everybody’s self-hatred looks different, so everybody’s healing is different, too. Just having those discussions was healing in itself. I realized that I’m not alone. Everyone is feeling this.

At the end of my little project, we all came together and we painted on ourselves and on each other. I wanted them to paint either what this process felt like or what self-hatred feels like or what self-love feels like. At the end of that, I took pictures of them and I made it into a little tiny gallery to show off at our Y-WE summit. It was just amazing. Clearly, I had to keep doing this.

So, what came next?

That year, I got an internship with an organization called foundry10 [foundry10.org].

I expanded on the project. I had a couple of other small groups and took more pictures. I just would lead them in small group circles through these exercises involving metaphor and involving body language and how we express things physically. They’re fishbowl conversations, so people could talk openly and be listened to, and then I took pictures. I ended up putting it into a book — it is called “Our Bodies Are Voices.” There’s not a lot of writing or words; it’s mostly a physical representation of a portion of my work.

I want to keep doing this thing; this project is my passion and what I hope to expand on.

How are you going to manage all that with school?

In Bellingham, I am sure a lot of youths there have self-doubt, self-shame. I think it could be a great thing for me to do as a side project, as maybe even a way to earn credit or as a final project for something.

How would you advise other youths to get involved in issues that matter to them?

I think a big part of it is finding that person or those people who can mentor you, who can help you get to where you want to be. I think that’s really the core of it: Find your people. And know that there is always someone to reach out to.

If you want a literal example, reach out to Y-WE. We will be there for you — I can guarantee it. n

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wellness

Saving Face: Getting Help for Teenage Acne

By Malia Jacobson

T

eenage acne is a common affliction — it affects up to 85 percent of adolescents, most often starting when kids are in middle school and sometimes continuing for decades. But if your teen is feeling more stressed about skin problems these days, they’re not alone. With more schooling, dating and socializing taking place via video chat, teens are often finding themselves in front of the camera without the benefit of flattering, blemish-removing social media photo filters, and they may not love what they see, notes Jacqueline Panko, M.D., a dermatologist with The Polyclinic in Seattle.

“Acne has been around for a long time, and it’s a concern for most teenagers at some point,” says Panko. “But with teens spending even more time on video, they may be more sensitive to how they’re showing up on camera right now.”

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More than a cosmetic concern Research shows that acne is far from a harmless hallmark of adolescence. Even after pimples heal, they can leave behind telltale scars and hyperpigmentation, or dark spots on the skin. According to a 2017 review of published research, acne Trendy treatments leaves physical scars up to 90 percent such as probiotic of the time. washes, handheld Acne also impacts teens’ mental high-frequency health, according to a number of wands and light studies. One study found that about therapies haven’t two-thirds of teenagers with acne been proven to work. reported that the condition had a moderate to severe negative impact on their mental well-being, interpersonal relationships and daily activities, including schoolwork and sports. Ongoing acne can lead to the development of problems involving body image, sexuality and socialization, according to research.

“We consider acne much more than a cosmetic concern,” says Panko. “The teenage years are a powerful time in someone’s life and development. Being able to face the world with clear skin can allow teenagers more confidence, so they can dream bigger and show up in the world more confidently.”

How a dermatologist can help Teens who are bothered by pimples for more than a few months should consider seeing a dermatologist, says Panko. Acne is highly treatable, and treating it early may help prevent scarring and hyperpigmentation in the future.

A teen’s first visit to a dermatologist generally includes a comprehensive medical history (both personal and family) along with questions about which skin care products they’ve tried. “We’ll talk about what has worked and hasn’t worked in terms of treatments, then tailor a treatment plan to that patient’s specific needs,” says Panko.

“Treatments may depend on whether a patient plays sports, where on the body the acne is, whether their skin is sensitive, and any other medications they may be taking.”

Treatment plans usually include a mix of topical creams or gels, oral antibiotics and possibly hormonal therapies such as birth control pills, says Panko. “We also talk to families about diet and sun exposure. Some UV light appears to help clear up

acne, so teens sometimes see acne clear up in the summer, but we also want to talk about protection against skin cancer. And although there aren’t many studies on acne and diet, it appears that high-glycemic diets with lots of processed foods are more inflammatory, so we encourage teens to eat healthy diets with fewer processed foods.”

Trendy treatments such as probiotic washes, handheld high-frequency wands and light therapies haven’t been proven to work, says Panko. “There are all sorts of treatments out there, but we can’t comment on those because they haven’t really been studied yet.”

Healthy skin starts here.

Dr. Jacqueline Panko provides comprehensive dermatology care to patients of all ages. She welcomes new patients at The Polyclinic Ballard.

Product parade Concerns about the cost of treatment and fears that a dermatologist will push pricey products may keep families from seeking medical help for acne. However, the fact is that many dermatologists are fans of effective over-the-counter skin care products, and they can help guide teens toward the best drugstore options so they don’t waste time and money on ineffective, costly potions. (Who doesn’t need help sorting through the crowded skin care shelves?)

“Drugstore products are an excellent place to start,” says Panko. “Benzoyl peroxide is a very effective antibiotic for acne, and it’s an ingredient in lots of overthe-counter gels and washes. One of the nice things about it is that we don’t build up resistance to it — just be aware that it can bleach towels and linens.”

An over-the-counter retinoid with the brand name Differin can also work well, says Panko. “This is a product that used to be available by prescription only, and it’s now available at drugstores.” A topical retinoid can help rebuild collagen over time, which helps with redness and scarring.

Clear outlook How long will teens need to wait to see results? Clearing acne does take some time, notes Panko, and teens may need to be patient. “We generally expect acne to be about 50 percent resolved after two months of treatment, and around 75 percent resolved by three months, which is around the time we’d want to see teens back for a follow-up visit.”

Getting help for acne can be empowering for teens, giving them more control over an important aspect of their physical and psychological well-being. Along with clearer skin, teen patients often gain a more positive outlook, says Panko. “Dermatologists are good at treating acne, and we’ve been doing it for a long time. Helping teenage patients with acne is rewarding; it’s satisfying to see a teenager clear their acne and rebuild their confidence. It’s a really fun relationship to have with a patient.” ■

Call 206.860.5596 to schedule an appointment.

The Polyclinic Ballard 1448 NW Market Street, Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98107

Malia Jacobson is a health and family journalist.

Sponsored by:

Dermatology

For more than 100 years, The Polyclinic has served the Seattle community with a mission to promote the health of its patients with personalized care. Our team of more than 240 doctors and advancedpractice professionals provides care at 12 locations, offering primary care, nearly every medical and surgical specialty, and a comprehensive range of services, including lab, diagnostic imaging, urgent care, and an outpatient surgery center.

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From Recent Research to Gaga Gear

Sweet Tooth Optimizing oral health for babies and toddlers

By Malia Jacobson

E

very time you test the temperature of your baby’s bottle with your mouth, or share food, a straw or a utensil with your toddler, you’re also sharing bacteria that cause tooth decay. That’s right, cavity-causing dental decay is an infectious, transmissible disease that parents can unknowingly pass to their children, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH; nih.gov).

After decades of decline, the rates of cavities in children under 5 are on the rise; experts blame a diet higher in sugary foods and drinks. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the NIH, reports that from one-third to one-half of children under age 5 develop cavities in baby teeth. Yet, like many infectious diseases, dental decay is preventable.

Here’s how to protect your child’s oral health, even if those pearly whites are still months away from appearing.

When to visit a dentist In the National Poll on Children’s Health, researchers at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital found that most parents weren’t sure when their child should first visit the dentist. Out of this majority, over 16 percent believed kids didn’t need to visit a dentist until after age 4, reflecting a common belief that cleaning baby teeth isn’t all that important — they’ll just fall out anyway, right?

Wrong. Decay in baby teeth can harm oral health in the short term and for years to come. The bacteria that cause tooth decay in baby teeth can break down the enamel of permanent teeth as they begin to come in, making these teeth more vulnerable to developing cavities.

And because baby teeth serve as placeholders that help guide permanent teeth into position, losing baby teeth too early as a result of tooth decay can create a crooked, crowded smile later on.

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Scheduling a dental visit by age 1, or six months after the first tooth pops up, helps safeguard oral health in a few important ways, according to experts at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. First, establishing a relationship with a dentist early helps pave the way for smoother, less stressful visits in the future, when your child begins “real” dental cleanings or needs a filling. Visiting the dentist by 12 months of age also helps the dentist spot any early signs of trouble and then advise you on the best way to care for your child’s oral health.

Little cavities, big deal What’s the dentist looking for at these early visits? Before tooth decay causes a cavity, it may cause white spots on tooth enamel, which signal that the enamel is breaking down. From there, a cavity may look like a small, light brown spot on your child’s tooth. If the cavity isn’t treated, the spot becomes larger and may turn darker brown or black.

More advanced tooth decay may cause a toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold, bad breath and swelling. According to the American Dental Association (ada.org), tooth decay in baby teeth can affect a child’s overall well-being; kids with painful teeth are less likely to eat enough, and therefore won’t get the nutrition they need to thrive.

What happens if my baby has a cavity?

After giving your child a complete dental exam, the dentist may suggest X-rays to help diagnose tooth decay. In many cases, small cavities can be filled in a single dentist visit; the dentist removes the decayed enamel and uses tooth-colored material to fill the hole. Though the process may not delight your child, they’ll usually be able to eat or drink soon afterward and shouldn’t experience pain.

Dead or seriously decayed teeth may need to be completely removed. This process may take two or more visits, and also may require sedation. If removing decayed baby teeth will affect the placement of permanent teeth, your child’s dentist may recommend a composite bridge (similar to a partial denture) that replaces the missing teeth and holds the remaining teeth in place until permanent teeth come in.

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Caring for gums and baby teeth Before your baby’s teeth appear, use a clean, soft cloth or small piece of gauze to gently wipe the gums after feedings. This helps prevent sugary milk or food residue from remaining on your baby’s gums; such residue provides an environment in which the bacteria that cause tooth decay can grow.

Start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first one appears, advises Stanford Children’s Health (stanfordchildrens.org). Young toddlers need just a dab of toothpaste — about the size of a grain of rice — while preschoolers can use a pea-size amount.

After age 2, add daily flossing to your child’s routine.

Does your toddler need an electric toothbrush? Most dentists say no — any child-size, extra-soft toothbrush will work. However, electric toothbrushes can coax reluctant brushers and help establish healthy habits, especially when kids choose the toothbrush (or at least the color) themselves. Pair the chosen toothbrush with a kidfriendly brushing app to create a fun routine that makes brushing tiny teeth a bit less burdensome. We’ll say “Ahhhh” to that!

(Find other nifty tricks and tips for getting kids to brush their teeth at parentmap.com/teeth.) ■ Malia Jacobson is a health and family journalist.

parentmap.com • August 2020 • 13

wellness

Postpartum Depression During a Pandemic Supporting women during the vulnerable first weeks of parenthood

By Malia Jacobson

A

s many as 1 in 5 new mothers will experience postpartum depression (PPD), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

During the current period of social distancing, the rates of PPD are likely higher, says PPD specialist and psychiatrist Tuesday Burns, M.D., medical director of THIRA Health, a mental health treatment center for women and girls in Bellevue.

Postpartum depression has long been common in the United States, and even more so in the developing world, says Burns. But as the pandemic increases worry and removes social supports for new and expectant parents, women are more vulnerable to PPD, because stressful life events (the ongoing pandemic certainly qualifies as stressful) and scarcer social support are risk factors for depression.

“Risk factors [for PPD] are being amplified by the pandemic,” says Burns.

“We have limited social supports, isolation, as well as medical concerns like transmission of the virus and worries over whether new mothers will be separated from their newborn if they develop a fever during labor. Women may have to labor alone or without members of their birth team. Then, after the

birth, they have a tiny new vulnerable human to care for. These are all huge sources of stress for women.”

“We don’t have current statistics on rates for PPD in 2020, but it’s very clear from the number of women reaching out for help right now that PPD rates are absolutely paralleling the current pandemic,” says Burns. “While some studies show the rates of PPD to be 1 in 5 women, I imagine those numbers during COVID, when we collect them, will be much higher.”

Protecting against PPD With ramped-up risk factors, it’s more important than ever for new and expectant parents to be aware of the signs of PPD, says Burns. Symptoms include increased tearfulness, inability to feel joy, lack of interest in your baby or other relationships, and fears about hurting your child or yourself.

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“Providers ask new mothers about these things around two weeks postpartum to get a baseline, but it’s important for women to feel safe and empowered to talk about these symptoms anytime they come up,” notes Burns.

Stressors such as difficulties with the baby’s sleep or feeding in the weeks after birth increase a new mother’s risk for PPD, along with a previous history of PPD or unipolar or bipolar depression, says Burns. “For women with a history of depression, we problemsolve ahead of time to help plan how to cope with these types of stressors.”

Women can also protect themselves by building a robust support team of medical professionals and loved ones well ahead of their due date, she notes.

“Becoming engaged with a psychiatrist and a therapist during pregnancy is something I recommend to all women with a history of PPD,” says Burns. “When these supports are in place ahead of time, there can be lots of liaising between the OB-GYN, the therapist and the psychiatrist.”

A new mother’s partner, close relatives and others in her immediate circle are also important members of a postpartum support team, says Burns. “We want to make sure there are lots of supports to look forward to in the postpartum period, whether that’s a doula, friends and family, or a new-parent support organization like PEPS (peps.org), which is very active here in Seattle and right now is conducting all support groups virtually.”

Preserve sleep One of the most effective protections against PPD is getting enough sleep, a perennial challenge for new parents that may be even more difficult right now.

“With social distancing, we have fewer people able to come into the home to help relieve the new mom for a few hours so she can sleep. Grandparents or other family members may not be available to help,” says Burns.

Because protecting sleep is part of protecting against PPD, families should plan ways to allow new mothers to rest for at least a few uninterrupted hours each night and nap as needed during the day. This may mean taking shifts with a partner during the night, even if that partner needs to get up in the morning for work — a mother’s sleep is important enough to prioritize, notes Burns.

Give yourself space and grace PPD affects women around the world, regardless of profession, education level or socioeconomic background, says Burns. “Depression causes people to view things through a distorted, hazy lens, so a lot of women will think, ‘I’m not doing a good enough job and I need to try harder.’ They internalize it, and it feels shameful because it’s not talked about openly. The truth is you did nothing wrong. This is a biologic blip, and it’s treatable.” ■ Malia Jacobson is a health and family journalist based in Tacoma.

For information, support and resources, visit Postpartum Support International (postpartum.net) or contact the PSI Helpline at 1-800-944-4773.

For more information about THIRA’s programs, visit thirahealth.com.

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The mission of THIRA Health is to support women and girls living with mood disorders by using comprehensive approaches that address the whole self, along with an emphasis on community support. This is made possible by a team of trained, certified experts skilled in using dialectical behavioral therapy, art and movement therapies, nutrition and more.

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parentmap.com • August 2020 • 15

feature

Considering the Future of Education Regional education administrators deliberate the new normal of education

By Gemma Alexander

W

hen the pandemic hit this spring, area schools — like most of our institutions — were completely unprepared. While teachers and administrators made a heroic effort to shift almost overnight to a completely different teaching model, in too many cases, the resulting patchwork did more to highlight the inequities in the system than it did to educate the kids. The summer provided a much-needed opportunity for educators and policymakers to step back and evaluate what had worked in the spring in order to develop a strategy for approaching the next school year, when the only certainty would be that things would not be returning to business as usual.

For much of the summer, a Magic 8-Ball seemed as good a forecaster as any for education’s future, with its enigmatic answer of “Cannot predict now.”

On July 9, regional education administrators convened for a digital event hosted by the Puget Sound Business Journal (bizjournals.com/seattle) to exchange some straight talk about “The Future of Education.” There were two moderated panel discussions. The first session specifically addressed K–12 education and featured a panel composed of Bellevue School District Superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran, Highline Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield and Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Denise Juneau. The second session focused on higher education and featured Seattle Central College President Sheila Edwards Lange, City University of Seattle President Randy Frisch, Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg, S.J.,

16 • August 2020 • parentmap.com

and Cornish College of the Arts President Raymond Tymas-Jones. As the seven educators discussed their plans, some themes emerged.

The only certainty? Continued uncertainty The first of these themes, of course, was continued uncertainty. “Our plans are constantly evolving,” said Duran. In the few weeks after entering Phase 2 of reopening, an uptick in COVID-19 cases had already raised the specter of renewed restrictions. It was a stark reminder that schools don’t need to plan just for the eventual reopening of buildings; in response to changing infection rates, they also need to develop the flexibility to add, or more likely, reduce the amount of time students spend in the classroom The panelists were reluctant to make concrete promises about what to expect. The wisdom of this caution was borne out less than a week later when the Seattle Education Association (Seattle’s teachers’ union) issued a statement opposing in-person teaching in the fall, resisting federal pressure (and the district’s own preliminary plan) to reopen buildings to the extent possible. The following week, Kent, Federal Way, Northshore and Bellevue districts announced they would start the 2020–2021 school year with the remote instruction model until the risk of significant transmission of COVID-19 has decreased enough to resume in-person instruction. Seattle Public Schools followed suit July 22, when Superintendent Juneau released a similar recommendation; the School Board will vote on it and an associated plan on August 12.

At the time of publication, few specifics of the

remote-only plan were released, leaving families with little sense of what they can expect on a day-to-day basis in the fall.

What districts can expect is that they will need to continue to respond to changing guidelines as scientific understanding of the virus evolves; negotiations with unions over working conditions continue; and the various opinions and feelings of families and staff about eventually returning to inperson instruction are acknowledged and addressed.

Despite the continuously shifting circumstances, educators are trying to envision a plan that will provide as much safety and continuity for students as possible. This means that although the goal is to have as many kids in school as often as possible as soon as possible, districts and parents must always be prepared to fall back to 100 percent remote learning if and when circumstances require it.

“Child care is a huge, huge issue for so many of our families,” said Enfield. “We need holistic, broad solutions to these issues, and that is one that school systems cannot do alone.” In the absence of ready options, many parents will be scrambling to piece together their own child-care solutions for at least part of every week and potentially for long stretches of the coming school year.

Redefining normal All three public school district superintendents agree that education will not be returning to normal anytime soon, if ever. The three districts initially developed similar scenarios for the fall semester,

because, as Enfield noted, “There really aren’t that many good options for returning to school and abiding by the health and safety guidelines.”

The districts, as well as the colleges and universities represented on the higher-education panel, all expected to start the school year with a hybrid model of distance learning and in-person instruction.

“I think we can all agree that remote learning in the fall will look quite different from how it looked in the spring, because we learned a lot of lessons.

I think it will be much higher quality, much more reliable, and I think that’s important to put out there, because the reality is that remote learning, or distance learning, will be a part of the 2020–21 school year for every child,” said Enfield.

In the preliminary reopening plans the districts outlined, the initial proportion of remote learning and in-person days would vary based on several factors, including grade level and the physical capacity of the

available classrooms. At such time when reopening plans will be implemented, parents should expect that their kids, no matter what grade they are in, will have at least one day of remote learning every week (and in most cases, more) and will have to wear masks in the classroom on the days they do attend school.

Bellevue Public Schools developed a plan that would maximize in-person classes for pre-K through second grade, with other grades learning remotely for 50 percent of the time. The Highline district was also looking to bring the youngest students into the classroom more frequently if staffing and practical considerations could be met.

But the Seattle district scrapped a similar plan.

Juneau explained: “We also had an idea that we would bring back our youngest learners four times a week in person. But we just surveyed our community, and right now — and this could also change — only 8 percent of our families actually

“Child care is a huge, huge issue for so many of our families. We need holistic, broad solutions to these issues, and that is one that school systems cannot do alone.” — Dr. Susan Enfield want to stay home full-time remotely.” At the time of the discussion, the Seattle district anticipated two days of in-person learning and three days of remote learning as the most likely scenario for all grades.

Alternative plans However, Seattle’s teachers’ union opposed any in-classroom teaching in the fall, calling it “reckless”

parentmap.com • August 2020 • 17

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under current conditions, and questioned the survey results. Respondents to the survey were overwhelmingly white. Families of color, which are more severely impacted by the pandemic and are twice as likely to feel that it’s unsafe to send their kids to school, were underrepresented in the survey results.

The Seattle Times published a working draft of an alternative proposal that some Seattle district teachers and school board members are developing. That plan, citing both the reduced virus transmission risk in outdoor spaces and the potential learning benefits of outdoor education models, proposes to relocate classrooms to outdoor shelters.

This plan was still in draft form at the time of this article’s publication, and it left a lot of questions about feasibility unanswered. For example, many campuses in Seattle have almost no outdoor space. Moving students from those schools to the outdoors would require some legal and Parents should expect that contractual heavy lifting to their kids, no matter what obtain “classroom” spaces in parks or other open grade they are in, will have areas. at least one day of remote But the plan certainly learning every week (and in represents a creative and innovative approach to most cases, more). holistically rethinking the education system. By allowing students who are most at risk to have more in-person teaching time in a different instructional paradigm and lower-infection risk environment than an enclosed classroom, the alternative plan envisions education as an anti-racist institution, something that all three districts endorse. Seattle’s planning documents for developing a fall education plan identify equity, cultural competence and versatility as guiding values in responding to family choice and special needs. Similarly, Bellevue’s plan identifies using COVID-19 as an opportunity to disrupt inequities as a primary goal. Highline also cites a focus on addressing the inequities made visible during the pandemic as a guiding principle.

Demographic complexity In addition to considerations regarding age and race for the overall student population, students with special needs will need better solutions than what they received in the spring. Seattle is prioritizing as much in-person learning as possible for students receiving special education services to ensure they are provided instruction in alignment with their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans. This may include in-person, small group instruction if it is determined that services can be provided safely and services cannot be accessed successfully through remote learning. On the other hand, students with higher health risks — as well as many teachers and staff — may not be able to attend in person at all, when plans to reopen buildings are eventually implemented.

Members of the higher-education panel decried the Trump administration’s continued on page 23

A Seattle Children’s Publication | Summer 2020

Helping Kids Cope During Stressful Times Before COVID-19, life gave us plenty to worry and stress about. But the pandemic has taken things to a whole new level.

It has ruined our plans and changed the way we learn, work and socialize. It has separated us from loved ones. Many of us have lost employment. And on top of the pandemic, racial injustice has triggered widespread turmoil. Everything feels out of control.

But there is a silver lining. These uncertain times give us an opportunity to strengthen our relationships with our children. We can also help them learn to manage their stress and build their resilience, so they can bounce back from life’s tough times — now and in the future.

How can we help our kids? By doing what

parents do best. We can ensure that they feel safe, secure and nurtured. This means plenty of conversation, snuggling and playing together.

It also means shielding them from news that focuses on death-toll updates and violent events.

my Good Growing Are you looking for more information about child health and safety? Sign up for my Good Growing, Seattle Children’s free email newsletter for parents and caregivers of babies, children and teens. You’ll receive six issues each year, in an easy-to-read format, so you can quickly scan to find tips that apply to your family and areas of interest.

Subscribe today at seattlechildrens.org/ newsletters.

Since kids thrive on routine, now is the time to practice healthy habits and comforting rituals like family meals, lots of exercise and outdoor time, limited screen time, regular sleep schedules and household chores. Stay devoted to soothing before-bed routines. And of course, be a role model: let your kids see you making healthy choices for your own wellbeing.

Be an active listener as you encourage your child to express all their emotions.

Share your own feelings, too, plus healthy coping strategies. For example: “I miss seeing grandma and grandpa in person.

I know this won’t last forever, but I’m feeling a bit sad right now. Shall we write them a letter and make some drawings for them?”

Brainstorm about actions your child can take to feel better. Since helping others is a powerful way to boost moods and shift attitudes, maybe your child could help grocery-shop for an elderly neighbor or collect donations for your local food bank? You might also encourage your child to talk with an older, wiser loved one who has lived through tough times, and who can share their stories and offer reassurance that this too shall pass.

It’s possible that your child may need additional help to cope. If you believe that stress is having a toxic effect on their mental health, seek out some expert support. (See the related story on page 2.) to learn more:

Visit seattlechildrens.org/copingandcovid.

It’s Crucial to Stay Vaccinated Is your child up to date with their routine vaccinations?

Keeping babies and children current has never been more important, yet vaccination rates in Washington state have dropped since the pandemic began. With routine vaccinations being missed or delayed, it’s likely that — in addition to COVID-19 — we will also be faced with outbreaks of serious diseases that can be prevented with vaccines, such as measles and pertussis (whooping cough). The best way to protect children is

by vaccinating them on time. Talk with your doctor or healthcare provider today to learn how you can keep your child on schedule and catch up if necessary. Your provider can also explain how they’ve made their clinic safe for visits during the pandemic. to learn more:

Visit immunitycommunitywa.org/covid-19-andimmunizations.

Your Child’s Doctor, Urgent Care or Emergency Department?

When your child needs medical care, where should you go for treatment? For most issues, see your child’s doctor. Visit them for common illnesses and minor injuries — and when you need vaccinations, checkups, prescription refills or expert advice. They know your child’s medical history and can manage your child’s overall healthcare.

If your doctor’s office is closed and you can’t wait for treatment, urgent-care clinics are open evenings, weekends and holidays. Some take appointments and some don’t. Seattle Children’s has four urgent care locations for children up to age 21, and all accept

appointments. They are in Bellevue, Federal Way, Everett and at the hospital’s main campus in Seattle.

What if your child has a very serious illness or injury? If the situation is immediately lifethreatening, call 911. Otherwise, take them to an emergency department (ED). EDs are open 24 hours.

They have staff and equipment to treat severe asthma attacks, badly broken bones, poisonings, bad burns and other serious or life-threatening conditions. to learn more:

Visit seattlechildrens.org/urgentcare.

New Online Hub for Mental Health Resources Mental health problems are common in children and teens. In any given year, about 20% of kids experience mental health disorders. However, only about half of these kids get the help they need — sometimes because parents simply aren’t sure what to do.

A new Mental Health Resources page on the Seattle Children’s website can help parents learn to recognize the signs of a mental health problem and take action. Check out this new online hub at seattlechildrens.org/mentalhealth-hub.

Mental health includes how well a child thinks, copes with their feelings and behaves.

A mental health disorder can delay or disrupt these basic abilities and interfere with how a child functions at home, at school and in social

situations. Just as a child’s physical health changes over time, their mental health can change, too.

Because kids and teens are always growing and changing, it can be tricky to tell the

difference between normal changes in mood and behavior versus anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Sometimes, expert help is needed. Just as you would get your child proper care right away for a broken bone or a physical illness, you can and should do the same for mental health problems.

If you think your child may have a mental health issue, start by talking with their doctor.

If your child has a diagnosis and you’re looking for outpatient care, contact Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service, linked on our Mental Health Resources page. Or call 833-303-5437 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to learn more:

Visit seattlechildrens.org/mental-health-hub.

Kid Bits

Get Ready for Sports

Focus on Home Safety

Sleepwalking and Night Terrors

The pandemic has forced many kids to take a long break from being active in their favorite sports, whether they’re on a school team or a community team. Most young athletes will need some time to get back into shape and build up their skills again when sports restart.

To avoid injuries, a slow-and-steady plan is best — even for kids who tend to be naturally athletic. Their coach or athletic trainer can recommend a conditioning program that can be done at home, along with stretching routines and skill-building drills. Be sure to help your child match nutrition and hydration as their activity level increases. Also, remember to schedule a sports physical if it’s required.

For children in the U.S. ages 1 to 19, unintentional injuries — including drownings, poisonings and falls — result in more deaths and disabilities than any other cause. With all that’s going on in the world right now, it’s important to stay focused on home safety.

Keep your water-safety habits consistent: be sure that young children are supervised around water (even kiddie pools) and that life jackets are worn when needed. Keep poisonous household products out of reach, and store medicines up and away where kids can’t get to them — preferably in a locked container.

Prevent window falls by installing window guards and stops. Remember: window screens are designed to keep bugs out, not to keep kids in!

Sleepwalking and night terrors are common in children. They are both types of parasomnias. During parasomnias, a child’s brain is asleep, but their body is awake — so they may have their eyes open and talk in a confused way. A sleepwalker will get out of bed and may say and do strange things. A child who’s having a night terror is apt to appear frightened and cry out or scream.

Confusional arousal is a third type of parasomnia, during which a child sits up or thrashes around. Parasomnias are most common from about ages 3 to 10, and they typically occur one to three hours after falling asleep. The link below has more information — including why you shouldn’t wake a child during an event.

keeping-kids-healthy/prevention/sports-

to learn more:

to learn more:

injuries-children-teens.

Visit seattlechildrens.org/pdf/CE135.pdf.

Visit seattlechildrens.org/pdf/pe2587.pdf.

to learn more:

Visit seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/

Quick Tip The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads from person to person more easily than the flu does.

People can spread COVID-19 to others even if they do not feel sick.

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twitter.com/seattlechildren youtube.com/seattlechildrens

Regional Clinic Locations

Online Resources

• Bellevue • Everett • Federal Way

Visit seattlechildrens.org for the following: • Child Health Advice • my Good Growing email newsletter • Doctor Finder • On The Pulse and Autism blogs • Medical condition information • Health & safety information • Ways to help Seattle Children’s • Research Institute information

• Olympia • Tri-Cities • Wenatchee

Primary Care Clinic • Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic

Main Hospital Numbers 206-987-2000 866-987-2000 (Toll-free)

Heather Cooper is the Editor of Good Growing, which is produced four times a year by the Marketing Communications Department of Seattle Children’s. You can find Good Growing in the January, April, July and October issues of ParentMap and on our website seattlechildrens.org. For permission to reprint articles for noncommercial purposes or to receive Good Growing in an alternate format, call 206-987-5323. The inclusion of any resource or website does not imply endorsement. Your child’s needs are unique. Before you act or rely upon information, please talk with your child’s healthcare provider. © 2020 Seattle Children’s, Seattle, Washington.

Classes and Events As the COVID-19 situation changes, we continue to adjust or postpone our classes and events to follow public health recommendations. We now offer some classes online while some are on pause. Please check our website for the latest information. Scholarships are available. If you would like to ask about a scholarship, use the contact information for the class you’re interested in to connect with the registrar.

PARENTING CLASSES Autism 101 This free 90-minute lecture is designed to provide information and support to parents and families of children recently diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. A portion of each session is dedicated to answering questions from the attendees.

View dates and locations, sign up for live streaming or view a past lecture at seattlechildrens.org/ autism101. Email Autism101@seattlechildrens.org if you have questions.

Autism 200 Series Autism 200 is a series of free 90-minute classes for parents and caregivers of children with autism who wish to better understand autism spectrum disorder. Each class features a different topic.

Classes are usually offered on the third Thursday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m., via live streaming.

View dates and topics, sign up for live streaming or view past Autism 200 lectures at seattlechildrens.org/autism200. Email Autism200@seattlechildrens.org if you have questions.

Babysafe Babysafe is a 4-hour class for new and expectant parents and others who care for babies. Topics include infant development, baby safety, injury prevention and care of common injuries for infants from birth through 12 months of age. Infant CPR is demonstrated and practiced, but this is not a certification class.

This class is currently available virtually via Zoom.

The fee is $85 and each registration is good for 2 people from the same family. View dates at seattlechildrens.org/classes or call 206-789-2306 if you have questions.

Heartsaver First Aid, CPR and AED This video-based class for parents and caregivers covers how to treat bleeding, sprains, broken bones, shock and other first-aid emergencies.

Also includes infant, child and adult CPR and AED use. Students receive an American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid, CPR, AED course completion card that is valid for 2 years.

This class is offered in Seattle. In-person classes are on pause at this time. Please check the website for the most current information at seattlechildrens.org/classes or call 206-987-9878 if you have questions.

Youth Mental Health First Aid This 8-hour class is for adults who regularly interact with adolescents ages 12 to 18. Youth Mental Health First Aid will improve your knowledge of mental health and substance use problems and will teach you how to connect youth with care when needed.

A virtual version of Youth Mental Health First Aid is now available for free. The date you register for is the date of the live instructor-led course. View dates at seattlechildrens.org/classes or call 206-987-9878 if you have questions.

CHILD, PRETEEN AND TEEN CLASSES Better Babysitters For youth, ages 11 to 14. Students learn about responsible babysitting, basic child development, infant and child care, safety, handling emergencies, age-appropriate toys, business tips and parent expectations.

This class is offered in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, and Federal Way. In-person classes are on pause at this time. Please check the website for the most current information at seattlechildrens.org/classes or call 206-987-9878 if you have questions.

CPR and First Aid for Babysitters For youth, ages 11 to 15. Topics include pediatric CPR, treatment for choking, and first-aid skills.

Students receive an American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid, CPR, AED completion card, which is valid for 2 years.

This class is offered in Seattle. In-person classes are on pause at this time. Please check the website for the most current information at seattlechildrens.org/classes or call 206-987-9878 if you have questions.

The Chat The Chat is a new online workshop series on puberty and sex that reflects the content from the in-person classes, For Boys and For Girls.

Offered via Zoom, each 45-minute workshop is for preteens 10 to 12 years old, plus a parent or trusted adult..

You may take any individual workshop or all 5.

If you register for all 5 events, we recommend starting with BO, Pimples and Hair — Oh My! and ending with Being Connected: Sex, Love and Everything In Between. While families can choose to attend any combination of workshops, the information in earlier sessions provides a foundation for understanding later sessions.

The Chat workshop titles are: BO, Pimples and Hair — Oh My!; Girl Bodies and Beyond; Boy Bodies and Beyond; Being Together: Feelings, Friendships and Families; and Being Connected: Sex, Love and Everything In Between.

The cost is $25 per workshop or the series of 5 for $100.

View dates at seattlechildrens.org/classes or call 206-789-2306 if you have questions. See a trailer for The Chat at greatconversations.com.

Sibshops Sibshops are lively peer support groups for siblings of kids with special needs. Separate sessions are held for kids 6 to 9 years old and kids 10 to 13 years old.

Sessions take place at Seattle Children’s hospital campus in Seattle at a cost of $25 per session.

View dates online at seattlechildrens.org/classes or call 206-987-4133.

EVENTS Free Virtual Car Seat Checks King County Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians are offering free virtual car seat check appointments via video chat platforms. For more information, email Laura Miccile at laura.miccile@ kingcounty.gov or call 206-477-8664.

South County Fire and Safe Kids Snohomish County are offering free virtual car seat classes on the first and third Thursdays of the month, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Registration is required. Visit southsnofire.org/ education/child-passenger-safety.

feature

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS The Sammamish Montessori School In Redmond

Considering the Future of Education continued from page 18 policy — since abandoned — that international university students enrolled in online classes could not remain in the country. At the same time, the panelists said they were responding to a demographic shift toward local students, as more students are choosing to apply or transfer to colleges closer to home. Seattle Central College (SCC) President Sheila Edwards Lange said this is on top of the community colleges’ expected increase in local students as Seattle’s Promise program takes effect, with about 500 local high school graduates already expected to enroll at SCC this fall.

The impact of the pandemic on Running Start enrollments is still uncertain, as enrollment deadlines have been extended through the summer.

Logistical complexity “Every time you think of one thing, there are 17 other cascading items that you have to think about. It’s very complex,” said Juneau. Every classroom needs to be reconfigured to allow for 6-foot spacing between everyone. Removing items from classrooms to allow such spacing requires increased storage capacity, not just for those items but for the additional technology, personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies that will have to be stocked going forward.

Those additional supplies and reconfigurations also cost a lot of money — Juneau estimates $15 million in Seattle — during a time when budgets are particularly constrained.

“It’s not only the costs — there’s also loss of revenue from our nutrition program, and in Bellevue, we have a before- and after-school day-care program,” added Duran.

Faculty and staff also need training in both remote-teaching techniques and the health and safety protocols that will be required for in-person classrooms.

Administrators will work to reconfigure and expand usable classrooms — possibly even into non-school spaces. But they are also juggling complex staffing models to accommodate faculty and staff who are at higher risk for infection and may not be able to safely work in person. And all of these necessary changes to working conditions involve union negotiations.

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Back to basics At the same time, “There has been a new focus on basic needs,” said Duran. By “basics,” he is not referring to the three R’s.

“The schools are the social safety net for the community,” said Juneau, whose district had already served 1 million meals to students and their families during the pandemic by early July.

“There were equity issues that we already knew about and didn’t fight hard enough for,” Enfield noted. Her district is now providing meals seven days a week, even during the summer break, to families and students who, she says, often have no other food in the house.

While some people might question whether it’s appropriate for educators to shoulder these responsibilities, the health and safety of students are prerequisites to learning. It is harder for a child to learn when they are hungry and frightened.

“In addition to physical precautions, we have to make sure we’re supporting mental health and social and emotional learning,” said Juneau. When students eventually return to the classroom, time will be used differently than it was parentmap.com • August 2020 • 23

feature Considering the Future of Education continued from page 23 in the past, with priorities focused on small-group instruction, mentorship for students of color who are furthest from receiving educational justice, and socialemotional support and other wraparound services.

For distance learning, the equity issues are even more directly related to academics.

Whether it’s limited bandwidth in rural areas or limited family resources that preclude the purchase of laptops and internet service, “Children in America in 2020 are being denied education because they don’t have home internet access,” said Enfield. All three superintendents on the panel agreed that a patchwork approach to providing access, involving strategies such as distributing hot spots, was insufficient. Enfield, in particular, advocated for internet service to be a public utility, like water and electricity.

Optimism Despite the uncertainties and challenges, all the educators on both panels were optimistic about the future of education. Although governments historically have considered schools as places to cut spending when budgets are tight — and the pandemic has blown a $4.5 billion hole in the state’s current budget — educators are ready to fight for funding.

“If they [the state Legislature] need to find savings, it should not be on the back of public education,” said Juneau. “We are a critical component of reopening the economy. If we aren’t in session and aren’t able to do the things we need to do, there is very little [likelihood] that business will also thrive.” Economic recovery relies on the child care that schools provide for working parents.

The panelists see the current disruption as an opportunity for systemic changes. As the status quo

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS

24 • August 2020 • parentmap.com

of standardized testing and rigid protocols have had to be abandoned, the educators are hopeful that new solutions will address not only the question of internet access, but other inequities in education.

Many teachers are receiving additional training in social-emotional support factors and remoteeducation techniques. Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg pointed out that this training will improve teaching in the future, even when there is a return to the classroom, commenting wryly, “We’ll never have to worry about snow days again.” ■ Seattle-based freelance writer Gemma Alexander focuses on the intersection of parenting and the arts.

When she’s not writing for ParentMap, she blogs at gemmadeealexander.com and tweets @gemmadeetweet.

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS Strengthen Your Child’s School Readiness by Doing These 5 Things

By Sanya Pelini, Ph.D. Not all children make a successful transition into school. According to Megan McClelland, a child development expert at Oregon State University, up to 25 percent of children experience difficulties when they start school. Being ready for school is not just about your child acquiring academic skills such as having a certain number of words in their vocabulary, being able to identify certain written words or knowing how to count to a given number.

School readiness also refers to the development of certain social and emotional aspects that determine whether or not kids will successfully transition into school.

The good news is that relatively simple techniques can be employed at home to help your child learn selfregulation skills through games and activities that are inexpensive and easy to teach.

Here are five things you can begin doing today to strengthen your child’s school readiness: 1. Play games that strengthen your child’s self-regulation skills.

McClelland and her fellow researchers found that games that encourage children to pay attention and follow specific instructions are critical to their success in their early years and beyond. In one study of 276 atrisk children ages 3–5, the researches proposed a different version of the “red light, green light” game and changed the rules to encourage the children to pay attention. For example, color cues were used to tell the children what was expected of them (“orange means go”), and then the cues were later changed (“orange means stop”).

In a different study, the same researchers found that introducing variations to the “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” song could help teach kids to listen and pay attention. They found that asking children to do the opposite of what they were told (for example touch their toes when they are asked to touch their head) helped develop their focus and concentration.

2. Work on reinforcing your child’s concentration.

It is not uncommon for young children to struggle with processing information. Giving your child only a few instructions at a time can make it easier for them to understand and remain focused on what they are expected to do. If your child is struggling with completing instructions, asking them to repeat what they are expected to do can make it easier for them to follow through.

Puzzles and mazes can also help improve your child’s concentration, but you must choose games that are developmentally appropriate.

3. Foster your child’s emotional intelligence.

Your child’s emotional intelligence is a key factor in determining whether or not they will adapt to the school environment. An emotionally intelligent child knows when to ask for help, but a child who has yet to develop their emotional intelligence skills is more likely to have a meltdown when faced with emotion-provoking situations; they may even adopt inappropriate behavior to camouflage an inability to deal with difficult feelings, such as anxiety.

Helping your child to identify and name their emotions and those of others, talking about your own emotions to show your child that emotions are normal, and helping them to identify appropriate ways of responding to big emotions can reduce emotion-driven behavior and increase their school readiness.

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5. Adopt a reading culture.

Reading is one of the easiest ways to help increase your child’s school readiness. It can awaken their curiosity, teach them new words and reinforce communication and social skills.

When reading to young children, it is important to encourage them to participate by asking questions or making comments about the story or the characters in the book you are reading. For example, you can point to a picture and say something like, “How do you think he feels?” Or you can make connections with something your child already knows: “Look, there’s a lion here — do you remember what other animals we saw at the zoo?”

Children’s school readiness has been associated with academic, social, emotional and behavioral benefits in childhood and beyond. The earlier you start preparing your child for school, the better the chances are that your child will meet with success both in school and in life.

Sanya Pelini, Ph.D., is a parent and researcher in education who blogs at Raising Independent Kids (raising-independent-kids.com).

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Oh, August! We love your bright mornings, playful days and warm nights. Even in the midst of a pandemic, there is nothing quite like a Northwest summer. Yes, most vacations, parties and camps have been canceled, and there are changing limitations on almost everything we do. But with our list of 15 ways to play this August, we are aiming to squeeze some serious fun out of this weird time. One thing we can be certain of: This will be a summer we’ll never forget.

15 Ideas for an Amazing August

By Devon Hammer

1. Taste summer: Add a tasty fistful of

summer to your pancakes, smoothies and bowls of cereal with delicious, sun-kissed blueberries, now ripe for the picking. Find a blueberry farm near you for a good oldfashioned family harvest. parentmap.com/blueberries

2. Get your float on: Root Beer Float Day is on Thursday, Aug. 6. What better excuse to indulge in this cold, creamy summer 26 • August 2020 • parentmap.com

treat? Taste-test a few different brands of root beer and tally up your family’s favorites.

3. Enjoy a flick from your mother ship: Drive-in movies are having a moment during this pandemic summer, with oldschool drive-in theaters and all kinds of pop-up drive-ins offering a big-screen experience. Pack up the car and enjoy a night out with the fam while maintaining

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that all-important physical distance. parentmap.com/drive-in

4. Spy sea creatures: Washington beaches are teeming with life, especially at low tide. Join a beach naturalist to discover and identify the fascinating critters and plant life that a low tide reveals. parentmap.com/low-tide 5. Search for ghosts: Add some mystery

and history to your next outdoor adventure by embarking on a ghost-town hike.

Nothing brings a family together like a woodsy trek with a side of spookiness. parentmap.com/ghost-towns

7. Play hometown tourist: There is a

decided emphasis on staycations this summer, and we are fortunate to live in an area that is a world-famous tourist destination. Venture to the Seattle waterfront to check out all kinds of kidapproved attractions. parentmap.com/waterfront

8. Hike with space to spare and

share: Love hiking but nervous about crowded trails? Check out our list of kidfriendly nature walks that feature wider trails, making social distancing a breeze. parentmap.com/safe-hikes

9. Camp on the fly: If you fancy a nature escape, but don’t have a reservation, check out our guide to first-come, first-served campgrounds to find a gorgeous spot to pitch your tent and get a healthy dose of the natural world. parentmap.com/camp-on-the-fly 10. Eat lunch while taking in the

view: Shake up your mundane lunchtime routine: Pack it up and head to a superscenic neighborhood spot that’s perfect for a family picnic. parentmap.com/picnic

6. Get lost in a book: Despite library buildings being closed, you can still access the stunning multitude of services offered by our local library systems to foster a love of reading in your kids this summer. parentmap.com/summer-reading

11. Set sail: Get out on Lake Union for a narrated cruise aboard a National Historic Landmark vessel. Learn a thing or two about the lake’s history while taking in its sights and sounds. parentmap.com/steamship

12. Do the right thing: Pop the corn and settle in for a family movie night with a higher purpose. Pick a film from our list of 15 movies that teach your kids about “doing the right thing.” parentmap.com/right-thing 13. Peace out: When you crave serenity, find peace at Kubota Garden, an oasis in the city. The kids will love it, too. parentmap.com/kubota 14. Have an outdoor ‘yes day’: Take a break from always being the bad guy and put a twist on the concept of a “yes day.”

Say yes to anything your child suggests doing outside together (provided it can be done safely, of course).

15. Start a war in the grass: Thursday, Aug. 27 is Tug-of-War Day. Get a rope and battle it out, or tap into your crew’s competitive nature by playing other fun summer lawn games, either in the yard or at the park. Play them all in a family tournament! parentmap.com/lawn-games Devon Hammer is ParentMap’s Out + About editorial assistant and a mother of two.

Join us for FREE weekly webinars for parents and virtual playtime activities for kids. parentmap.com/events

SS • parentmap.com • August 2020 • 27

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Wenatchee:

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By Elisa Murray

Editor’s note: As always in this time of COVID-19, follow the CDC guidelines for domestic travel (cdc.gov) to make the best decision for your family.

A

two-and-a-half-hour drive can’t get you to Hawaii or California, but it can get you from Seattle to Wenatchee. And in this year of staying close to home, a nearby destination with 300 days of sun a year and attractions ranging from quiet bike trails and apple picking to familyfriendly skiing stands out.

For most of my 20 years living in Washington state, I’ve thought of the humble city of Wenatchee as a stop on the way to someplace else — Chelan, say, or Sun Lakes. But last winter, a

friend of a friend recommended skiing at Mission Ridge after Christmas break. Closest lodging: Wenatchee. We were expecting good snow and few crowds. We weren’t expecting a food hall that felt like a mini Pike Place Market, lovely walking paths along the mighty Columbia River and a friendly, welcoming vibe reminiscent of the Midwest.

It turns out Wenatchee has lots to offer all year long. Here’s your seasonal family fun guide to the “Apple Capital of the World.” u

parentmap.com • August 2020 • 29

CA M P S , A R T S + A C T I V I T I E S

Singing Should Be a Part of Every Kid’s Life Here are four ways to get started

By Tera Schreiber If you are looking for a way to give your child a boost socially, emotionally and academically, you just might find the answer through song.

“Children who regularly sing in a group develop self-confidence, self-discipline, listening and memory skills, and they demonstrate improved grades and academic achievement. They develop confidence in their own abilities as singers and musicians, and they experience the joy and satisfaction of creating something beautiful in teamwork with others,” says Sara Boos, artistic director and conductor of Northwest Girlchoir.

The evidence is not just anecdotal. A growing body of research documents the calming yet energizing effect of group singing on people.

Here’s how to get your kid involved.

1. Start young — sing with your preschooler.

Singing helps preschoolers with everything from language acquisition to developing confidence and emotional intelligence.

You can reap these benefits by singing at home or by taking one of the many preschool music classes in our region, such as Kindermusik (kindermusik.com) and Music Together (musictogether.com), which typically include movement, games, stories and play with simple rhythm instruments. These music education providers have all adapted programming amidst the COVID-19 crisis.

2. Choirs, choirs everywhere!

Starting at around age 5, kids can gain a meaningful musical education by joining a choir: In addition to church and school choirs, there are dozens of member choirs in the Greater Seattle Choral Consortium (seattlesings.org), a number of which are exclusively children’s choirs. Kids can explore girl- or boy-only choirs or mixed-gender choirs for all ages. Or the whole family can get involved by seeking out a family choir.

Many choirs offer scholarships for those who find the price of music education prohibitive; and different choirs ask varying levels of commitment from families. For example, choirs such as Northwest Girlchoir (northwestgirlchoir.org) and Northwest Boychoir (the two are not affiliated; nwchoirs.org) require multiple practice sessions

30 • August 2020 • parentmap.com

a week and, for higher levels, a commitment to touring. But Endolyne Children’s Choir (endolynechoir.org), based in West Seattle, doesn’t require auditions and requests only a single afternoon of rehearsal a week.

In a choir, your child may have the chance to sing music from other cultures, in other languages, classical music, historical pieces and modern popular music. Musical selections and priorities will vary. Check out some concerts (Greater Seattle Choral Consortium is a terrific resource) and explore the philosophical and musical goals of the choir to find the best fit for your family.

3. From ‘Hamilton’ to fairy tales with musical theater For both new converts and longtime aficionados of musical theater, being in a show (or taking a theater class) is a great way to experience singing. Around the Puget Sound area, choose from intense, competitive, professionalquality experiences for teens, such as the Rising Star Project at the 5th Avenue Theatre (risingstarproject.org), or from smaller theaters that support musical theater education and performances with kids of all ages, such as Studio East (studio-east.org) in Kirkland. Village Theatre’s Kidstage program (villagetheatre.org), Seattle’s Broadway Bound (broadwaybound.org), Youth Theatre Northwest (youththeatre.org) and Olympia Family Theater’s youth program

(olyft.org) are other well-known musical theater programs for kids.

4. Sing in a band or start a family band.

“When my daughter was 12, she felt like she didn’t fit in,” recalls Seattle mom Nicole Durbin. “At School of Rock [schoolofrock.com], she found a community of kids like her.”

Durbin recalls that during almost five years as a lead vocalist with her School of Rock bandmates, her daughter did everything from memorizing lyrics to practicing until she mimicked the pitch, tone and tempo of The Doors singing “The End” and Wanda Jackson’s “Funnel of Love.”

Shoreline dad Brian Peterka realized his long-held goal of learning to play guitar when his youngest child, Zeth, was a baby. He started practicing guitar and singing to the kids at bedtime. Over time, his wife’s fiddle lessons and his guitar lessons led to jamming in the living room, and eventually included the kids.

Although now the family plays less often together, the kids still appreciate the gift of music they received. If you want to start this kind of musical legacy in your own family, Peterka recommends, “Get started now!”

For a list of places to sing in the Puget Sound region, visit parentmap.com/singalong.

Tera Schreiber is a freelance writer from Seattle and the mother of three children.

out + about The Wonders of Wenatchee continued from page 29 SUMMER: Scenic drives, swimming and fruit stands COVID-19 cabin fever got you down? Or perhaps you’re tired of waiting out an endless Juneuary? A quick remedy is a Wenatchee day trip. If you live in Seattle, do a big loop: Leave early on Interstate 90, then head north on U.S. Highway 97 over Blewett Pass to the rolling hills around Cashmere and Wenatchee. Return through Leavenworth on U.S. Highway 2, climbing through the Cascade Mountains over Stevens Pass and down through Index and Gold Bar before winding through the lush farm fields of Snohomish to return to Seattle. You’ll see rushing rivers, forests, roadside fruit stands, ranches and farms.

Roadside stops: On your way out on I-90, stop in the mountain mining town of Roslyn to grab coffee at the café made famous by the TV series “Northern Exposure” and walk along the Coal Mines Trail. Close to Wenatchee, pull off at Cashmere to walk around the historic downtown and to tour the Aplets & Cotlets factory (libertyorchards.com/tour) and taste some of its sweet treats, made of locally grown apples and walnuts; it even makes its own Turkish delight.

A fun nature stop a few miles north of Wenatchee, Lincoln Rock State Park is an 86-acre park on Lake Entiat. There you can stand in a viewing area to spy Lincoln’s face in the craggy rocks above.

Depending on the month, you can pick cherries or peaches at U-pick farms such as R&J Cherries (Facebook, “R&J U-Pick Cherries”) in East

Lincoln Rock State Park on Lake Entiat

Wenatchee, or just keep an eye out for the many roadside stands that will dot your route, such as Smallwood’s Harvest (Facebook, “Smallwood’s Harvest”), complete with a petting zoo, a cow train ride and a massive farm store.

Eat lunch or dinner at Wenatchee’s riverside Pybus Public Market (pybuspublicmarket.org), a 1940s-era former steel warehouse that has been repurposed as an inventive food hall, featuring a brewery,

cheesemonger, winery, restaurants, gelateria and a large Saturday farmers market from May to October.

With its Pike Place Market–style sign, the market serves as one of the anchors of historic Wenatchee, sitting along the railroad tracks. If a dose of Bavarian charm sounds up your alley, swing by Leavenworth on your way home.

Extra adventure: For a day of adventure on the water, book a rafting trip on the Wenatchee River

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out + about

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The Wonders of Wenatchee continued from page 31 from Leavenworth to Peshastin Flats with the outfitter River Rider (riverrider.com). Expect Class II–III rapids and big fun.

FALL: Apples of my eye Yes, you can pick apples in western Washington.

But why wouldn’t you want to head out over the mountains to pick the fruit from the self-proclaimed “Apple Capital of the World”? (Plus, it has sun, remember?) Some 68 percent of the world’s apples are grown in Washington state, and Wenatchee played a vital role in pioneering the state’s apple industry, opening its first orchard in 1884.

Between Cashmere and Wenatchee, fourth-generation farm Stutzman Ranch (thestutzmanranch.com) is an easy stop. Pick Gala, Fuji and Golden Delicious 32 • August 2020 • parentmap.com

apples for $.65 a pound. (The ranch also has U-pick peaches, nectarines, grapes, pluots and cherries in the summer.) If you’re willing to drive another 40 minutes, head north to Orondo’s Lone Pine Fruit and Espresso (lonepinefruit.com), on Hwy. 97 near Chelan.

This fun and funky spot has pies, deli food, ice cream and coffee (as well as outdoor seating); U-pick apple varieties include Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Ambrosia and Fuji.

High-flying festival: No guarantees for 2020, but the Wings & Wheels Festival (visitwenatchee.org) is a beloved annual East Wenatchee event usually held in early October. It celebrates two pilots who made the first nonstop transpacific flight in 1931, crash-landing in the hills above Wenatchee. Expect a car show, remote-control model plane demos and a

display of the original plane.

WINTER: Big powder, small crowds at Mission Ridge On our first day of skiing at Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort (missionridge.com) last winter, we pulled up to the ski area at the very non-early-bird time of 10 a.m. No matter. There were plenty of spaces in the parking lot, and — even better! — right after we parked, a friendly Mission Ridge ambassador, wearing an orange vest and pulling a sled, showed up to ask if we’d like our skis transported to the lodge. Um, yes, please. This was the first sign of the exceptional friendliness of Mission Ridge, which is known for drier, lighter snow than the Cascade sludge often found on the western slope of the mountains.

NORTHWEST ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

A friendly, old-school vibe ruled. Though we didn’t find lift lines, there was plenty of lift-line chattiness, as well as decent snow at a time when ski areas on the western side of the mountains weren’t even open. And sun! Wenatchee was blanketed in fog when we left our Best Western motel ($70 a night, thank you very much) for the ski area. During the 11-mile drive to the mountain, the fog rolled away to make room for clear skies and sunshine. With 36 runs spread out over 2,000 acres, we had plenty of terrain to explore. Don’t miss Mission Ridge’s famous relic: At the top of the Bomber Bowl run, the wing of a B-24 bomber that crashed during a training mission in 1944 is a permanent installation.

Tradition dictates that you rub it for good luck (or snow luck).

One caveat: There is less beginner terrain than we would have liked (only about 10 percent of the mountain). But once we got the feel of the mountain, we were able to navigate around it.

SPRING: Bike and explore Tune up those bikes, pump up those tires and head to Wenatchee for a glorious spring bike ride on the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail (traillink.com), a paved biking and walking trail that loops 10 miles around the Columbia River. You’ll wind your way through riverfront parks (a good starting point is Wenatchee Confluence State Park, where the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers meet), across two bridges and right by Pybus Public Market, the perfect place for a snack stop. For an extra pedaling challenge, you can add more miles to your ride by cycling out and back on the trail north to Lincoln Rock State Park.

Don’t want to bring bikes? No problem. Rent from Arlberg Sports – Riverfront (arlbergsports.com), located at Pybus.

Alpine blooms: Another lovely spring stop in Wenatchee is Ohme Gardens (ohmegardens.org), an alpine oasis located on a rocky bluff above the city. Once privately owned, the gardens are now open to the public. Wander through 9 acres of gardens, which feature towering trees, pools, stone paths and benches, adding up to a carefully curated mountain landscape with spectacular views.

Though the gardens are usually open seasonally, they’re closed for 2020 because of COVID-19, so check for updates before you go. ■ Elisa Murray is a Seattle-based freelance writer and editor of the guidebook “52 Seattle Adventures With Kids” (parentmap.com/52adventures).

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Where to Stay in Wenatchee In temperate weather, camp at Lincoln Rock State Park (parks.state.wa.us), which boasts 2 miles of paved biking paths; located on the shores of Lake Entiat, it also offers swimming, boating and self-serve kayak rentals. Although there is no lodging next to Mission Ridge’s slopes, you’ll find plenty of affordable motels in Wenatchee, including two Best Westerns (bestwestern.com) and the slightly more upscale Coast Hotel (coasthotels.com). Or look for an Airbnb property!

parentmap.com • August 2020 • 33

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Keeping Kids Safe From Child Abuse at Home Why experts are worried about child abuse during and after the pandemic, and what’s being done to address it

By Malia Jacobson

H

ard economic times may be hardest on kids, many of whom experience more child abuse in the wake of an economic recession, according to research. Child abuse researcher Kenneth Feldman, M.D., the former medical director of Seattle Children’s Safe Child and Adolescent Network (SCAN; seattlechildrens.org), helped conduct one such study.

The results, published in the journal Pediatrics, showed that rates of child abuse nearly doubled following the 2008 economic recession compared to the preceding 47 months.

Another study, by Boston University School of

Medicine and presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics’ National Conference and Exhibition, found that every 1 percent increase in the unemployment rate was associated with a significant increase in reported incidences of child abuse one year later.

With the coronavirus pandemic sparking widespread financial hardship and rising unemployment, experts are worried about a similar spike in child abuse. Though it’s too soon to know how much of an impact the current economic strain will have on child abuse, Feldman says, “My communications with colleagues around the country indicate that we’re already seeing more cases

parentmap.com • August 2020 • 35

ages + stages Keeping Kids Safe From Child Abuse at Home continued from page 35 than before this downturn.”

After the last economic slowdown, abuse rates took years to return to prerecession levels, Feldman notes. By 2011, cases of reported child abuse were still higher than they were before the 2008 downturn.

“The longer this goes on and the more financial stress that this puts on families, and the longer parents are cooped up with their children and generally frustrated, the more the risk is likely to rise,” he says.

“Parents who need to leave their children at home in the care of another adult while they work should watch closely for any unexplained bruises, burns and injuries in unusual places, such as inside the mouth or in the whites of eyes.”

The perfect storm While studies based on past recessions can raise red flags, they can’t provide a roadmap for prevention in the current environment. That’s because the coronavirus pandemic is creating an unprecedented situation involving public health, schooling, stay-athome orders and a slew of additional stressors not seen in a typical recession.

“Those who work in child abuse prevention can see the perfect storm brewing in terms of financial insecurity, job loss, worries about food and suddenly having kids home from school,” says Christine Baker, who coordinates Seattle Children’s Period of PURPLE Crying child abuse prevention program.

“We also don’t have teachers, coaches or others who can report signs of abuse seeing kids every day. They 36 • August 2020 • parentmap.com

just don’t have eyes on kids right now.”

What’s being done to help Thanks to the work of researchers like Feldman, those who work in child abuse prevention can anticipate the effect this pandemic may have on child abuse. In recent weeks, they’ve been working hard to assemble resources to help frustrated parents.

“Knowing what happened after the economic decline in 2008, we have child abuse experts coming together to look at prevention and outreach,” says Baker. Parents participating in the Period of PURPLE Crying, an educational program for parents of newborns aimed at preventing shaken baby syndrome, are already informed about support and resources.

“The Period of PURPLE Crying reaches about 80 percent of families in Washington, and there is an app, so we’re using that program as a platform to get out another layer of information,” says Baker.

Seattle Children’s, UW Medicine and Harborview Medical Center are partnering to get the word out with a “Take 5” information campaign. (See Child Abuse Prevention Resources sidebar.) “We created a simple one-page Take 5 handout with five tips. We don’t want to flood parents’ email inboxes or social media feeds right now because there is so much information being directed at them,” says Baker.

To cope with feelings of being overwhelmed, remember that it’s okay to take a break, and it’s okay to ask for help, says Baker. Caregivers can communicate with kids’ teachers if they feel overwhelmed with schooling responsibilities or need ideas for activities to help kids let off steam. “Don’t be afraid to get the help you need,” says Baker. “Also, check in on a neighbor or friend who is home with children. Simply reaching out can be a lifeline for parents who are struggling.”

Parents who need to leave their children at home in the care of another adult while they work should watch closely for any unexplained bruises, burns and injuries in unusual places, such as inside the mouth or in the whites of eyes, says Feldman.

“We know abuse is most likely to occur when kids are left at home in the care of someone who is not a

Child Abuse Prevention Resources When you’re frustrated, take five.

• Stop. Step away. Give yourself space.

• Take a short break to breathe. Allow your heart rate to return to normal.

• Remind yourself, “I can do this” or “It’s important to stay calm.”

• Ask yourself, “How can I handle this in a way that I will feel good about?”

• If possible, ask for support from a partner or family member, or call the numbers below.

Additional resources • Parent Trust for Washington Children, The Family Help Line: 1-800-932-4673 • Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center, Support and Tips to Manage Behavior: 206-744-1600 • Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990 • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for crisis counseling any day and time.

• Find resources and tips for parents, children and others on the Prevent Child Abuse website (preventchildabuse.org).

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides advice on stress and coping on its website (cdc.gov/coronavirus).

• Access mental health information and support from Seattle Children’s (seattlechildrens.org).

biological parent, particularly someone who is newer to the household,” he says.

“If bruises are showing up on babies, particularly those under 5 or 6 months of age, parents should ask questions of caretakers and not accept weak answers or explanations.”

Most parents are doing the best they can, and abuse prevention efforts are intended to offer additional support during an extraordinarily stressful time, says Baker. “We need to acknowledge the incredible amount of stress families are under right now. We’re looking at it like parents are in a boat, and they don’t need a manual on how to use the boat. We’re just giving them an oar.” ■ Malia Jacobson is a health and family journalist.

Editor’s note: This article was sponsored by Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Splash Safely This Summer Packed public pools and chaotic pool parties may be paused due to health restrictions but drowning still poses a major safety risk for children this summer. Make swimming safer with these tips: • Caregivers should learn the basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). (Find online classes at redcross.org.)

Photo: Cindy Richey Photography

• Never leave children unsupervised around pools, hot tubs or open water.

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• Don’t drink alcohol while children are swimming.

• Install a pool fence that completely encloses a home swimming pool and separates it from the home.

• All children (even strong swimmers) should wear a life jacket while boating, paddling or any time they’re on or around natural bodies of water like lakes or the ocean.

Find CDC water safety guidelines at cdc.gov/safechild/drowning. And it never hurts to make safety fun: Download the Adventures of Splish and Splash water safety app along with water safety activity sheets at poolsafely.gov.

— Malia Jacobson

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Meet Terry Holtgraves This elementary school principal forges opportunity — and community — from chaos

Read the full interview at parentmap.com/holtgraves.

By Alayne Sulkin

T

he mission statement of Seahurst Elementary School in Burien is certainly an apt one for the times we’re living in: Educating Students for Success in a Changing World. Given the current pandemic-beset state of our world, “changing” is a bit of an understatement. Terry Holtgraves has served as principal of the school since 2017. If there is a silver lining to the dislocating

impacts of COVID-19 on education, she says it’s that “from university to preschool, everything is being rethought — from chaos comes opportunity.”

We caught up with Holtgraves to hear more about the principle — and principal — lessons she’s learned over the months of distance learning and how she’s thinking about the future opportunities of her staff and students.

Digital access for families is one of the most complex issues facing schools today — has technology access been a significant challenge for your school community?

To tell you the truth, meeting our families at their homes is the method that really has had the most impact. About 40 to 50 percent of our families live in the same large apartment complex. We were instrumental in getting food served at the complex because our families were having trouble accessing food. So, once we had a food source there, then I could show up at mealtime and make a lot more in-person contacts. Of course, always social-distancing, wearing gloves and masks. But the in-person contact proved to be really key. A lot of our families would run out of minutes on their cell phones, for example, and they didn’t have email. In-person meetings really helped to bridge some of the access gap.

How about your students?

I’m always inspired by our kids and by their levels of resilience. Any time I was able to go to their apartments and be available to deliver meals, educational packets or technology, they were always so excited to see me and the other staff members who were able to visit with them.

But I do feel that these kids have experienced trauma. And neither we nor they can fully appreciate the extent of it. And we may not for a very long time. They were pulled away from everything that was familiar and consistent to them. What we were able to provide online in no way replicated what these kids were used to. And I think we haven’t even touched the tip of how this is going to affect them in the long run.

What has inspired you as you’ve dealt with the endless challenges posed by the pandemic?

I’m very inspired by our teachers. Some of them set up little makeshift classrooms in their home, complete with whiteboards and charts. I got to know all of their dining rooms and the variety of spaces where they operated. It’s a big risk to learn to videotape yourself. That’s not something that we’re trained to do — it can be very uncomfortable. All of this while they were learning to utilize many platforms to effectively convey quality lessons to our kids. So, my staff and my teachers are my heroes.

Of course, parents are also the heroes of this pandemic. Not only were they thrown into a pandemic that affected them economically, they were getting sick themselves. They were losing jobs. Some of them had jobs and had to figure out, “How am I going to get my job completed?” Many parents are not digitally savvy but they are doing their best to support their children while working in these most challenging of times. My

How has the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matters movement influenced or informed your leadership?

All the protests for social justice that we’ve seen going on have given me more hope than ever. Our attention spans are very short — we see this happen again and again, and then we just go back to life as normal. But this time, I think the intersection of a lot of people having more flexibility in their schedules, being able to go out and be relentless day after day to protest and write to their congressional representatives, and to use their voice, gives me more hope than I have had before. This is really going to be a turning point.

I think it has affected how I’m going to lead and what my staff is going to be doing when the fall comes. We have a lot to do to educate ourselves. We were educated in a white culture that is so pervasive that it’s difficult to even see the racial inequity — we’re just marinating in this culture. We need to have

heart goes out to them, because they’re learning all of this technology right along with the rest of us.

our eyes opened and be ready to learn as much as we can. We’re going to be devoting significantly more of our professional learning to equity, social justice and understanding race.

We have adopted the Teaching Tolerance Social Justice Standards [tolerance.org]. I was able to share those with staff several times during remote learning, but I know that their attention was completely diverted by this huge task that they had. So, one more time at the close of the year I told them that it is our job this summer to read and understand these standards so that we can adequately teach social studies to our kids.

When you say social justice standards, can you give an example of what that would look like to a teacher?

Although we strive for all people to be created equal, that’s not the current reality. I think that getting teachers comfortable with recognizing that as white educators we have different experiences than our students and our families do and just calling that out as blatantly as we can is [critically important]. It is what we have to do to move forward as Americans: teach kids that things are not equal right now. Here’s how you as a student can have an effect. You can write letters. You can have a voice. You can make videos. We can hold these discussions to really move forward and do better.

Any message for your students and parents about the summer and going back to school?

Thank you so much for your resilience! Thank you for all of the support that you have shown, for your stamina and your growth mindset at this time.

Secondly, my “ask” of students would be to just try and chip away at closing some of that time that you weren’t able to fit in during the year. Get online and continue that learning and that reading this summer as much as possible. ■

parentmap.com • August 2020 • 39

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