[ FREE ] Afterschool Adventures | Eat, Play, POA | Outside at PCM
AUGUST 2014
Back to But there’s still time! Our late summer PDX picks start School on pg. 42. (Yes, already...) metro-parent.com | August 2014 3
[ Contents ]
FEATURES
Adventures in Afterschooling...... 14 It’s 3 pm. School’s out, but you’re still at work. Now what? By Cathie Ericson.
Deciphering Individual Education Plans...... 22 We go behind the scenes to help you navigate the IEP process, start to finish. By Helyn Trickey Bradley.
14 DEPARTMENTS
Editor’s Note...... 6
Play Room...... 10 Oregon baby names, by the numbers, plus MP’s favorite apps for long summer car rides.
Field Trip...... 30 Digging the new outdoors exhibit at the Portland Children’s Museum. 30 Family Supper...... 32 Healthy, fresh food and a playroom to boot at Poa Cafe in NoPo.
Recipe File...... 34 Did someone say kale smoothie? Janice Grube turns on the Vitamix.
First Person: Daddy Issues...... 36 Our new columnist, Ryan White, works out his drive-thru dilemmas.
Pay Attention ...... 38 34 Campaign season is just around the corner. Family Forward Oregon’s Lisa Frack highlights issues to watch.
Angels Among Us...... 40 Schoolyard Farms brings vegetables to the cafeteria.
Time Out...... 42 PDX’s best family-friendly August activities, from bike rides to camp outs.
RESOURCES
Back-to-School...... 15 - 29
Parties...... 47
On Our Cover: Back-to- school glee captured by local photographer Rachael May. See more of her work at rachaelmayphotography.com.
metro-parent.com | August 2014 5 [ Editor’s Note ]
If you’re a parent, you’ve heard the term “fourth trimester.” It’s those first few months after the baby’s been born, when you’re finding your sea legs together, so to speak, and learning all about your new normal. Some moments are just the way you imagined they would be, but most of the time you’re thinking to yourself, “what have I gotten us all into?” If you’re like me, you’re unsure whether the nurses ever should have let you leave the hospital in the first place — whose idea was it to put you in charge? That’s pretty much the way I’m feeling about my new job as the editor of Metro Parent — not quite sure of what I’m doing, but hopeful that alongside my tribe, I’ll figure out it. Only in this case, the tribe is you — all of the kids and their grown-ups who keep Portland weird and make it such a great place to raise a family. I’ve got lots of plans for the magazine in the coming year. The goal is to become even more local, more relevant and more fun to read. By the end of the summer, we should have our new website up and running, and I’m hoping to hear plenty from our readers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram — find, friend and follow at @Metro_Parent or www.facebook. com/MetroParentPortland. In the magazine, look for some new features in this month’s issue, including a focus on family-friendly restaurants and dining in Portland’s ever-expanding food scene, and a new look for what’s called the “front-of- book” — those first few pages you leaf through. In the coming months, we’ll roll out more stories about the way we — and our kids — live now, from lifestyle to neighborhoods to technology. So here’s to the fourth trimester, and beyond, to keeping it weird and finding those sea legs. I’m so glad you’re all along for the ride. — Julia Silverman
[ Contributing Writers ]
Michael Barton (Field Trip) spends a Cathie Ericson (Adventures in great deal of time exploring Portland’s Afterschooling) Cathie Ericson is a natural areas and blogging about Portland-based mom of three who connecting children to nature (at contributes freelance pieces to a exploreportlandnature.wordpress.com). wide variety of parenting, business He lives in SW Portland with his son, and fitness publications for print Patrick, daughter, Afton, and wife, and online. When she’s not at her Catherine, a librarian for Multnomah computer, she’s out chauffeuring kids County Library. He owns more books or doing laundry, and keeps sane with than he’ll ever be able to read. exercise and reading. Follow her @ Cathie Ericson for her thoughts on the Helyn Trickey Bradley (Deciphering writing biz, parenting, fitness, and yes, Individual Education Plans) is sometimes laundry. passionate about proper semicolon use, re-homing stray animals and Ryan White (Unhappy Meals) is the potato chips, preferably with extra salt. author of “Springsteen: Album by When she isn’t writing on deadline, Album,” which comes out in October. she’s trying to find her zen among the He won’t mind if you go and preorder chaos of three children, one dog, one it right now. He lives in North cat and a patient husband. Also, she’s Portland with his wife and their trying to hold the perfect triangle pose 4-year-old daughter. for more than two seconds. She lives in Portland with her family.
6 August 2014 | metro-parent.com
[ In The Cloud ]
Serving the Families of the Portland Metropolitan Area
Metro Parent P.O. Box 13660 Looking to get out of the house with your kids? We’ve got you covered with the metro area’s biggest and most Portland, OR 97213-0660 Phone: 503-460-2774; Fax: 503-331-3445 comprehensive daily events calendar, an online exclusive. From sing-a-longs to library storytimes to free days at the museum, it’s all there on our sister site, www.pdxkidscalendar.com. Publisher Keith Goben, 503-460-2774 PDXKidscalendar.com is also the place to look for great giveaways, plus the next round of voting for local family [email protected] favorites. Next up are schools and birthday party venues, so show your favorites some love. Editor Metro Parent’s website is in the midst of upgrades, but it’s still the place to look for online exclusives. This Julia Silverman, 503-922-0893 month, we’re featuring stories on what to do with itchy tweens after school gets out, and local pediatrician [email protected] Dr. Katie Oldread answers more of your medical questions. Managing Editor Teresa Carson Want more ways to stay connected? Make sure you’re signed up for our PDXkidscalendar email newsletter, a [email protected] handy-dandy summary of our top picks that comes out twice a week, once with the week’s best kid-friendly events, and once for the weekend warriors. Director of Online, Social Media & Marketing Strategy Tabitha Rhodes, 503-975-6978 [email protected] Web Administrator Casey Rhodes [email protected] Online Calendar Director Kelly Horsford [email protected] Customer Accounts Manager Christie Kline, 503-810-9817 [email protected] Advertising Account Executives Westside/Outside Metro Area Debbie Dille, 503-997-4044 fax: 503-352-4373 [email protected] Eastside/Vancouver/Washington Ali King, 503-331-8184 fax: 503-331-3445 [email protected] National Sales: contact Publisher Design & Production: Susan Bard For distribution issues, e-mail us at [email protected] For calendar submissions, COURTESY OF EMILIA BRASIER / EMILIABRASIERPHOTOGRAPHY.WORDPRESS.COM e-mail us at [email protected]
Metro Parent is published monthly by Stop by and say hi in person. We’ll be hanging out at several local events Metro Parent Publishing, Inc., and is copyright 2014 Metro Parent Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part this month, including Rox in Sox in Lake Oswego on August 2, without written permission is prohibited. Metro Parent is distributed free of charge throughout the Portland, Oregon, the Alberta Street Fair on August 9, Multnomah Days on August 16 and metropolitan area. Metro Parent reserves the right to refuse the Hawthorne Street Festival on August . advertising for any reason. Distribution of this 17 publication does not constitute an endorse- ment of the products or services advertised herein. Metro Parent does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex or sexual orientation. Although every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of published material, Metro Parent Publishing, Inc., and its agents and employees cannot be held responsible for the use or mis- Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter at @Metro_Parent or friend us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MetroParentPortland. use of any information contained herein. The contents of Metro Parent and its website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or treatment.
8 August 2014 | metro-parent.com [ Play Room ]
Take Four
Leanne Littrell DiLorenzo is a to [email protected] to let us know you support us and Portland mother to a son and a also if you can help us in any way. daughter, and the founder of Vote ERA, the organization behind Q: You were a backer of HIllary Clinton’s campaign in this November’s Oregon ballot 2008. Do you think she’ll run for president again? measure that would prohibit A: In 2008, I took it upon myself to fly to Dallas to help discrimination on the basis her with her primary. I do not know if Hillary is running. of gender. We asked her to I do know that we must stand together to support the candidate who will stand up for women and children. answer a few questions:
Q: Why is the time right for the ERA in Oregon? Q: As a former legislative staffer, you’ve spent a lot of time A: Why on earth would anyone oppose half the in Salem. Any tips for exploring the Cherry City with population having their equality written in any kids? I think a trip to Oregon’s Capitol should be part of the constitution? My 93-year-old grandmother, Lorraine, was A: curriculum for every child in Oregon. I’ve taken my son born in 1921, the year after women gained the right to to the Capitol many times and he loves it. The walk to vote. She stayed at home, raised five kids who all see her the top to see the “Gold man” is amazing and the view is every week still and she sewed clothes and baked pies. extraordinary. Age 5 and up is good to have them sit in When I asked her why she thinks we need the ERA she on a committee hearing. Calling ahead of time to see if paused and said “it goes without saying.” there are a few representatives or Senators who would be willing to meet the children is fantastic — the legislators Q: What’s the next step for your campaign? are great with kids. And there are flags from all the states A: The next step for our campaign is outreach. We’d like outside the Capitol and it’s a great place for kids to run to ask all Oregonians to please help us by sending an email around while learning about our country. n Getaway: Vernonia
What kid doesn’t love a swimming Catching No cars allowed, making it perfect for crawfish hole in high summer? Find one of along Rock little ones. Or, head to the Vernonia Creek in the metro area’s hidden gems in Vernonia. Pioneer Museum, with exhibits Vernonia, about 43 miles from on the lives of early settlers in the Portland, where Rock Creek is Nehalem Valley, plus Native American dammed up every year around the artifacts from local tribes. Eat at summer solstice to make a perfect the Blue House Mediterranean wading pool and shady swim area Cafe, whose owners say they for families at Hawkins Park. There’s a cook the food they make for their lifeguard on duty Monday-Saturday own kids, and no item on the kids’ from 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Pro tip from local menu is more than $4. Camp out at mom Caitlin Hunter: Below the pool is PHOTO BY CAITLIN HUNTER. Anderson Park, at the confluence a little waterfall, where kids can poke of Rock Creek and the Nehalem River; around the rocks in the shallow water to look for crawfish. reservations are available via Vernonia City Hall. Or splash There’s also a stocked fishing pond and several local out with a stay at the McMenamins Grand Lodge, playgrounds around town. Hunter says that even on the 18 miles away in Forest Grove, where family-friendly bunk stickiest days, the temperature in Vernonia is usually about bed rooms start at $40-$45 a night per person.
10 degrees lower than it is in the city, so go ahead and Directions: Take Highway 26 West to Highway 47, and make a weekend out of it. Bring everyone’s bikes for a spin head north on 47 for about 15 miles. If you’re headed to the down the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, Oregon’s original swimming hole, stay on the main road, past the flashing rails-to-trail path, which features 21 easy-grade miles that light, for about three blocks. Hawkins Park is on your left, wind past streams and more than 13 old railroad bridges. just past the Rock Creek Bridge. n
metro-parent.com | August 2014 9 [ Play Room ]
now , then and Total number names of babies born Oregon baby in Oregon in Number 2013: that were first-borns: Chalkboard: 45,026 18,148 Rank of Mary Rank of “Leonard” in 2013, 190 in 1928: on a list of the top 500 9 names for boys Number of Years “Emma” has
5 1 been the Rank of MARYin 2013 Number1 baby name for girls in Oregon: 4 Number of Emmas born in Oregon in 2013: 252NUMBER OF Number YEARS “LIAM” HAS BEEN THE RANK OF of Liams born in MOST POPULAR LEONARD BOY’S NAME IN 1928: Oregon 28 261in 2013 IN OREGON.
Source: Oregon Health Authority, Center for Health Statistics.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Back in the 1980s, you could walk into just about any elementary school classroom in Oregon and be guaranteed to find a few little Jessicas or Jasons in attendance. These days, those names, and other 1980s and early ‘90s favorites (Brittany, anyone?) are out of favor — there were just 12 Jeffreys born in Oregon in 2013, compared with about 1,900 of them in the 1980s. Instead, parents are influenced by celebrity choices (think baby Mason, from the Kardashian family tree), and reaching back to the Victorian era for names, or even futher back, to the Bible. Aiden and Caleb are on the rise for boys; Penelope and Charlotte are moving up the list for girls. So hear this, new parents: if you really want a unique name, you might just consider Jessica. Or maybe Jason.
Liam may be king for boys, but here are the other top Oregon baby boy names from 2013: Mason • Elijah • Benjamin • William • Henry • Ethan • Noah • Logan Emma rules for girls, but other names gained ground in 2013, too: Olivia • Sophia • Abigail • Ava • Emily • Amelia • Isabella • Evelyn
10 August 2014 | metro-parent.com
[ Play Room ]
When Dr. Katie Oldread, a pediatrician at Apps We Love: Sellwood Medical Clinic, isn’t at work or answering our readers’ questions, she likes being silly with her Headed out this summer on a classic Oregon family road two daughters. trip? It’s a long way to Sunriver or Crater Lake or Cannon Beach. Ward off the “Are-we-there-yets?” with our picks for the best kid apps for a long car ride.
Drawing Pad: Budding artists of all ages will love this virtual sketchbook, which gives kids an array of tools to pick from. They can “draw” with charcoal or colored pencil, chalk or paintbrushes, COURTESY OF MURTHA DESIGN COURTESY and save or share their creations when they’re done. Bonus:
COURTESY OF DR. KATIE OLDREAD. no markers on your car seats, or lost somewhere in the deepest recesses of the backseat. $1.99, ages 3 and up. Ask Dr. Katie By Dr. Katie Oldread, Pediatrician, Road Trip Bingo HD: Think the classic car ride game, with an Sellwood Medical Clinic interactive twist. Give the device a little shake, and the app will generate a “bingo” card for you. Then you and your little : It’s summer, and it’s hot outside, but I’ve noticed that my one can watch out the window for a police car here, a stop Q kid is a very sweaty sleeper. Is this normal? What can I do sign there. First one to five in a row is the winner. $1.99, to keep her cool and comfortable? ages 3 and up. : Summer is here and it has been a hot one so far! It is very A common for young children to sweat during sleep, The Oregon Trail: Come on. How could whether fall, winter, spring or summer. Children are more we NOT pick this one? Best for older likely to sweat in their sleep simply due to the fact that they kids who have probably learned about
spend more time in deep stages of sleep, and that their ability to OF GAMELOFT COURTESY the pioneers in their covered wagons regulate their body temperature has not fully developed. already at school. They’ll navigate their way across the That being said, some kids sweat because they are hot … country, trying their virtual hands at river-crossing, rafting and so how to tell the difference and make sure your little ones are gold-panning — but watch out for the disease (dysentery, indeed comfortable at night? One nice trick is to feel your child’s anyone?) and bandits (those nasty varmints!). Ages 5 and up. head early on after they have fallen asleep. An overheated child $4.99. will typically feel warmer earlier in the night, before they have reached deep stages of sleep. UNO: Everyone loves UNO, but it’s tough to play cards in the If your child is sweating early in the night you can adjust car. Problem solved! There’s a free version, but it might be the room temperature, avoid overdressing (typically one layer of pajamas is sufficient, even in the winter), and choose worth it to spring for the $4.99 one. Ages 5 and up. lightweight cotton sheets or blankets as bedcoverings. In addition to normal sleep patterns as well as overheating, Bonus: Don’t have a touchscreen device, or maybe you’re there are some situations in which night sweats can indicate a a low-media family? Head to your county library and check medical condition that warrants further examination. If your out their audiobooks selection. We’re particularly partial to child has any additional symptoms that accompany sweating Roald Dahl’s reading of “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and Judy Blume’s during sleep (fever, bone pain, bruising, lethargy, pallor, snoring narration of “Superfudge.” as some examples), it is recommended that you contact your doctor to discuss further. Happy trails! Got a question for the doctor? Tweet it to us at @Metro_ Parent, or hit us up on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ metroparentportland. n
12 August 2014 | metro-parent.com [ Play Room ]
Bookshelf:
Still got some summer reading to do? Check out hot-off-the-presses picks from Kira Porton, children’s book buyer at A Children’s Place on NE Fremont in PDX.
AGES AGES AGES and 0-2 3-5 6up:
Bunny Rabbit Show I Can Do it Myself Minecraft Combat Handbook Can you tie your Who doesn’t love In Minecraft, you’re never alone and shoe? Write your Sandra Boynton? Her the threat of attack is constant. How to letters and numbers? latest introduces ten survive? The Official Combat Handbook will Make your bed? Or set
COURTESY OF WORKMAN PUBLISHING COURTESY rabbits who like to teach you everything you need to know to
COURTESY OF RANDOM/SCHWARTZ&WADE COURTESY the table? Can you do dance, sing, jump, and defend yourself from hostile monsters and it by yourself? Important childhood mile- wiggle their noses in unison to entertain enemy players. By Scholastic, Inc. stones like these are tracked in this new their audience, but anyone is welcome to Due August 26. picture book from author-illustrator Valorie join the chorus line after donning a pair of Fisher. In stores now. bunny ears. Due September 9. Emma and the Blue Genie Fly Guy’s Underwater Doggies: Amazing Tricks Younger readers know Colors Cornelia Funke for COURTESY OF SCHOLASTIC, INC. COURTESY The latest in one of the In a world where cat her groovy books on best series for early videos are some of the princesses who are readers we’ve found, Fly
Internet’s most popular OF CARTWHEEL/SCHOLASTIC. COURTESY perfectly capable of Guy has learned a lot of
COURTESY OF HACHETTE PUBLISHING GROUP OF HACHETTE COURTESY content and pithy hamsters might amass saving themselves new tricks. But showing off at dinnertime thousands of Twitter followers, we might from the dragon, thankyouverymuch. Her doesn’t work out for Fly Guy or his owner, as well start the next generation early. latest is a full-color chapter book for young Buzz. By Ted Arnold. Due August 26. Bring on “Underwater Doggies:Colors,” by readers. Heroine Emma frees Genie Karim photographer Seth Casteel. The board from a bottle, but he’s lost his magic mojo, book pairs simple text on color identifica- and needs Emma to help him recover his tion with portraits of swimming dogs. Think lost powers. Due October 14. William Wegman, but for the toddler set. On sale now.
TOP 5... ➊ At the top of Mount Tabor ➋ The Skidmore bluffs at sunset ➌ Tanner Springs park, Places to after you’ve hit the playground at The Fields and the fountains at Jamison Square Picnic in ➍ On the trail at Cooper Mountain in Beaverton ➎ Under the peach trees at Sauvie Portland Island Farms.
metro-parent.com | August 2014 13 Getting messy is part of the fun.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAMPFIRE COLUMBIA.
for Atkinson Elementary School fifth grader August Reinhart, after-school care is as much a part of his day as school itself. His mother, Kate Reinhart says that over the years, her family’s been very pleased with the continuity and care that on-site childcare provider Vermont Hills Family Life Center has offered. “There are people there I have known since Auggie started attending in kindergarten,” she said. At the program, Auggie can choose to sit quietly and work Adventures in on homework or throw himself into activities with other kids, including games, small groups and outside play. That freedom — and staff with the wisdom, enthusiasm and Afterschooling flexibility to handle whatever kids throw their way— is key to a good aftercare program.
BY CATHIE ERICSON Fun for Big Kids, Small Kids Aftercare providers have to offer a wide range of activities that will keep kids engaged — no easy feat when you consider the level of ages and interests of a typical group. Staffers at Vermont Hills, which provides aftercare to 30 schools around the Portland metro area, as far out as Hillsboro, say the goal is to meet the needs of its student and parent population alike. “We know that some of our kids want to just breathe after coming in from a tough day at school,” said Jon Myers, who oversees Vermont Hills’ aftercare program, “while others crave a wide variety
14 August 2014 | metro-parent.com BACK-TO-SCHOOL
“Their art choices are always so in-depth, much more than just painting and drawing. These kids are never just killing time.”
of activities that might include literacy, drama, science experimentation or manipulative building. “We pride ourselves on involving kids in different activities throughout the day. Once kids get bored, you lose them,” Myers said. From science projects that are also art, like creating and playing with “slime,” to woodworking, Myers says they strive for both a “play” and “learn” aspect. For example, a group might repurpose electronic parts and turn them into a robot, allowing kids to exercise both creativity and fine motor skills. Kirsi Baird Barber, director of before-and-after-school programs for Campfire Columbia, which reaches kids around the Portland area and in West Linn, said the group’s “Choice and Voice” program ensures that that kids are directly involved in choosing the activities. Through surveys, suggestion boxes and brainstorming sessions, they seek input from the kids and families on what activities they’d like. “We have found that kids are most engaged when they are interested in the subject matter so we want to tap into that,” she said.
continues on page 16
metro-parent.com | August 2014 15 Beyond the school walls, Barber says Campfire emphasizes community projects. She’s had a group who wanted to work with seniors at a nearby retirement center, participating in scrapbooking and T’ai chi. At another school, kids worked together to make healthy homemade dog treats, created packaging and sold them at Grant Park, raising $128 for the Oregon Humane Society. In Sunnyside, a group worked with the church across the street to make sandwiches for food insecure families. Parent Amber Kern-Johnson, whose sons Zach and Lucas go to aftercare through Campfire at Beverly Cleary, says they have really embraced the service component. Her son Zach loved working on the dog treat project, and they even whipped up another batch at home. “We’ve seen our boys grow into strong community members and develop great character traits,” Kern- Johnson said. “It’s so much more than just daycare.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAMPFIRE COLUMBIA. Overall, the program leaders say the goal is to create variety so there’s something for everyone – whether it’s Alan Bagnall, whose son Malcolm is a being active, or learning more about sixth grader at Beverly Cleary Elementary in art and science. Northeast Portland, appreciates how hard the staff works to create programs that reflect the “Some kids just want to shoot kids’ interests. baskets, but we try to encourage them to make new choices and try “There is always a string of options so enticing something new,” Barber said. that sometimes Malcolm can’t even decide which one he wants to do,” Bagnall said. One recent And while programs like Vermont favorite was a comic book group, where Malcolm Hills and Campfire focus on variety learned more about the graphic medium. in daily activities, Art4Life takes a different approach, tying its offerings “Their art choices are always so in-depth, to a particular country. much more than just painting or drawing,” Bagnall said. “These kids are never just killing Sandra Santoro, director of time.” Art4Life, which reaches seven schools in Portland, says the An important component is allowing the program’s goal is to connect the world older kids to help plan and teach. “This makes them feel through arts and community, using visual and performing empowered, since we find they want to set a good example, arts to focus on a different country each month. have fun and help these younger kids,” Barber said. Student- led clubs include activities such as building models of the The week before school starts, she and her teachers pick solar system or folding origami. the countries they are going to explore in the coming year, taking care that it’s not a country they have covered in the “Leading a group emphasizes planning, writing and public past two years. speaking skills, but it also teaches patience and helps them think about their own behavior in a classroom setting.” Santoro said kids are especially partial to “Etiquette Barber said. Fridays,” where they create a restaurant-like atmosphere,
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16 August 2014 | metro-parent.com BACK-TO-SCHOOL
metro-parent.com | August 2014 17 PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAMPFIRE COLUMBIA.
serving the food of the country they’re studying, and She also prides herself on a ratio that’s below the state- practicing their table manners. “You can change people’s mandated guidelines, a program aspect echoed by Jennifer world through art and through food,” Santoro says. Merrill, afterschool department director for the Portland Jewish Academy. “Our parents really appreciate our low Who’s In Charge? teacher-to-student ratio, as well as the stability of the staff.” Merrill says that PJA, which hosts after-care programs A second crucial aspect of aftercare is the providers. After onsite at local Portland schools as well as at its own facility, all, no matter how compelling the activities, it’s the staff who only hires staff with degrees and specific experience in brings them to life. education. “Because we pay living wages for part-time work, “It’s so apparent that the staff at my son’s school really love as well as offer benefits and vacation, we have staff who their jobs,” Bagnall said. “I couldn’t have asked for more.” return year after year,” she added. “Parents appreciate that we Camille Campbell, whose daughters Shaylin and Kadence have staff who invest in their child and care about them as attend Jason Lee Elementary in Northeast Portland, finds the much as their teacher does.” Vermont Hills teachers friendly, compassionate and patient: “They have really helped my girls flourish,” she says. After School, At School And this excellent care “We put together is reflected in how the staff The bottom line is that as good as any childcare might teams that have themselves are treated and be, if the child can’t get there easily, it’s not going to work the support they receive. for the family. That’s why school-based programming is so different skills and Staff training is a key part of popular — kids just head right over after school. Not only does life experiences to all the programs. it eliminate transportation logistics, but they are also able to stay with their peers, in an environment that’s familiar. really bring that rich Barber holds monthly sessions where staff talk Nancy Hauth, program manager for aftercare at background to our about what’s working Portland Public Schools, says, “By a huge margin, our school students.” and what they might do communities are really happy with the on-site care we offer. differently. There will always be some parents who opt out, and in some school communities there are more options than others. Myers adds that communication with parents is an There might be dance, art or tae kwon do studios nearby, or important part of his role. “I want them to know that they can even a stand-alone child care facility, that can transport kids. talk to the staff or me if they have any questions or concerns But by and large, we find that quality on-site care is the most about our program,” he said. “We are all in this together.” convenient for most parents.” Santoro of Art4Life says that her program’s staff stands To ensure that the quality stays high at each facility, she out because of their credentials — each of her staff has a maintains an ongoing system for evaluation, including an degree in a related field, whether it’s art, theater, literature annual parent survey and input from principals. or music. They all have also traveled outside the United States, which allows them to bring that cultural aspect to the And the true measure of a program’s quality? The reaction classroom. from the kids. Says Kern-Johnson, “I know that the program is high-quality because it’s hard to get them to leave. My boys “We put together teams that have different skills and really want to be there.” Echoes Campbell, “Almost every day life experiences to really bring that rich background to our when I pick the girls up, they complain about having students,” Santoro said. to leave.” n
18 August 2014 | metro-parent.com BACK-TO-SCHOOL
Story times, classes, and camps for toddlers, pre-k and elementary
metro-parent.com | August 2014 19 BACK-TO-SCHOOL
EDUCATION RESOURCE HOME CENTER real choices for real learning
Classes and Community For Homeschoolers
Open House September 15 & 17
www.villagehome.org [email protected] (503) 597 - 9100
Personalized Education for Teens Independent Learning for Independent Minds
Child focused. Life oriented.
A Portland tradition since 1977. Educating children 3 - 12 years. msb.org
MMoonnteessssoorrii SS ooooll oof Beaavveertrtoonn
20 August 2014 | metro-parent.com BACK-TO-SCHOOL
metro-parent.com | August 2014 21 Deciphering Individual Education Plans
BY HELYN TRICKEY BRADLEY
22 August 2014 | metro-parent.com W hen John* was in kindergarten his teachers complained to his mother about in situations, but if it doesn’t come to bear on education, the student may not be his behavior. He was rowdy in the classroom, regularly answering questions out eligible for school services.” of turn and having trouble concentrating, they said. It’s important to note that even if a physician has diagnosed a student with a “I knew something was going on with [my son],” says Portland parent Laney disability such as ADD, dyslexia or anxiety, Masterson*, who asked that her and her son’s name be changed to protect their unless the disability interferes with the Parents should identities. child’s performance in school, academically, “The school thought he had Attention Deficit Disorder [ADD], but I was behaviorally or socially, she may not be ask questions suspicious of that diagnosis,” says Masterson, who works as a full-time nurse. “I eligible for an IEP. But having a firm medical when they don’t hemmed and hawed for a bit, and then the school tested him and found that he diagnosis can help parents and school of- understand scored on the Autism spectrum.” ficials understand where a student struggles something about John’s teachers advocated for him to be placed on an Individualized Education and how best to meet her needs. Plan (IEP), but Masterson admits the thought of putting him in any kind of special “I would tell parents that IEPs are great, the process. education track made her nervous. but don’t accept the first diagnosis,” says Deciphering “When I went into this I knew nothing about it. I didn’t even know what an IEP Masterson. “The IEP [may] not go away, but it might change, and the student stood for,” she says. “I didn’t realize that an IEP was a good thing — the services are might qualify for different services.” so helpful.” Individual IEPs for school-aged kids fall under the umbrella of the Individuals with Dis- Keep Up Communication abilities Education Act [IDEA], which was passed at the Federal level in the 1970s Margaret Zuercher, a learning specialist with the Lake Oswego School District, and makes available services to more than 6.5 million special needs youth around urges parents to view the IEP evaluation process as a collaborative effort between Education the nation ages zero to 21. the school, your child and you. Students who struggle academically, socially and/or emotionally may qualify “The best way to help is to stay informed [about the IEP process] and in contact for a wide range of services through an IEP, including preferred seating; speech, with the teachers and learning specialists. Everybody is on the road together, and Plans physical or occupational therapy; extra time to take we’re all working together for the sake of the child. There needs to be trust and tests; tests tailored to a child’s specific learning style; open communication,” she says. and educational assistants who can provided one- Parents are an integral part of the IEP evaluation and planning process. Ac- on-one classroom help, among other services. An cording to attorney Hungerford, it’s mandatory for a parent to be included in IEP is developed with the idea that a student should the meetings, along with educators who work with your child, and a district be educated alongside peers in general education representative (usually the school’s principal). Other school employees who work classes as much as possible, making allowances for with your child, such as counselors or therapists, may also attend. Once a student special needs. receives an IEP, an annual meeting is scheduled to assess a student’s progress and Some services such as speech therapy may take set new goals. A student on an IEP is evaluated every three years to determine place before or after school hours, according to if they still qualify for the IEP under evaluation measures that differ district by
Nancy Hungerford, the founder of the Portland- OF NANCY HUNGERFORD. COURTESY district. Portland attorney based Hungerford Law Firm, which specializes in Nancy Hungerford. “Parents should ask questions when they don’t understand something about student rights and disability education law. Homeschooled students may also the process,” says Jennifer Peterson, a learning specialist with the Clackamas qualify for specialized educational services, but each student is considered on a School District. “What kinds of tests will my child take? If my child is removed case-by-case basis. from her classroom, how long will she be gone? Will my child need to attend a dif- ferent school? Parents shouldn’t be afraid to ask any of these questions.” First Step: Evaluation Additionally, Peterson advises, parents should make sure they are offered a To initiate an IEP, either a parent or teacher may request an evaluation, and by copy of their rights at each yearly IEP meeting, a document that clearly outlines law the school must consider the application. parents’ rights and responsibilities in relation to their child’s specialized learning “The evaluation is structured to each child, and could address [among other plan. things] behavioral or cognitive problems,” says Hungerford. “Disability is just a different way of accessing information, but it can be a “The evaluation team, which includes a parent, must determine if a child’s difficult thing for parents to hear,” says Peterson. “It is [the school’s] obligation to issues affect her schooling,” she says. “For instance, the child could be anxious make sure kids meet specific criteria, and having that label is our district’s way of supporting the child — it is an avenue to access those services.”
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metro-parent.com | August 2014 23 “He’s met all his goals and exceeded them because he got proper treatment,” says Masterson. She says she’s learned how important it is to be involved with her son’s education every step of the way. “As a parent, you know your own child well. Follow up when you see your child is not meeting goals, and advocate for any services that you are entitled to by law,” she says. Here are a few more tips from our experts and parents:
• If a child is on medication, make the school aware and let teachers know if medication doses change.
• Be aware of all accommodations open to a student on an IEP. There is a comprehensive list available on the Service Summary page of an IEP.
• Parents should feel free to ask a psychiatrist/psychologist or other professional who has been working with your child to attend an IEP meeting if they feel it would help advocate for their child.
• Make sure an IEP spells out in specific detail the kinds of accommodations your child will receive, including how many hours of the day she will spend out of her regular classroom. Keep Kids in the Loop Teaching kids • Parents should fully review an IEP before signing the IEP services can change dramatically as a student pro- document, so make sure to take as much time as you need to advocate for gresses from elementary school to high school, so it’s impor- to be thorough. Make sure any accommodations helpful to themselves is tant for parents to actively participate in setting their child’s your child and discussed in an IEP meeting are document- learning agenda for each school year. As students become one way to make ed in the IEP plan. more independent, they are encouraged to come to each special education IEP meeting and take part in the assessment and planning • There should be a section of the IEP dedicated to your students feel process. Zuercher, the Lake Oswego learning specialist, notes child’s background, and this is the area a parent should use more powerful. that what may seem like a fun activity for the elementary to make any educational professionals aware of a student’s student — going to special classrooms for learning activities personal history that might be pertinent to the child’s or taking tests differently than peers — can suddenly seem educational progress. mortifyingly uncool at the middle and high school level. • Review your child’s report cards from the past year before “The child knows they are different, and the more honest attending each IEP meeting, and have handy a list of your parents can be with them, the better,” says Zuercher who goals for your child for the next year. If your goals and the says teaching kids to advocate for themselves is one way to goals of your child’s educators differ, make sure to note make special education students feel more powerful. that in the parent comment section of the IEP. “A huge gift a parent can give a child is the acceptance of • If you feel your child’s needs are not being met through the disability,” Zuercher says. her current IEP, make a prompt appointment with the For some special education students, a decision to pursue school principal. If that meeting does not solve the a modified diploma may come up in high school, usually in problem, scheduling an appeal with the the student’s sophomore year. A modified diploma means school district’s special education that the high school curriculum has been changed to best director is the next step. n meet the special education needs of the student, and it can impact the eligibility of the graduate to enter a four-year university or the military. An eighth grader this year, Masterson’s son, John, is thriving. With the correct diagnosis, he’s been getting the tools through his IEP to blossom in school.
24 August 2014 | metro-parent.com BACK-TO-SCHOOL
RESOURCES: An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) can be a lifesaver for both students and parents trying to navigate school in the face of academic, behavioral or social challenges, but the acronyms alone associated with special education can make anyone’s head spin. Here are a few tips and resources that can help set parents on the right path:
• How to Read an IEP: Acronyms and Language This is a comprehensive list of acronyms a parent may read on an IEP. www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/iep-504-plan/ individualized-education-program-terminology
• Oregon Department of Education Standard IEP forms www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=1163
• Oregonlaws.org Individualized education plan and special education law in Oregon www.oregonlaws.org/ors/343.151
• Disability Rights Oregon Special Education: A Guide for Parents and Advocates is an 88-page guide to the educa- tional services available for children (newborn to 21 years old) with disabilities. www.droregon.org/resources/5-publications-1/ education/Special-Education-Guide-6ed.pdf
metro-parent.com | August 2014 25 BACK-TO-SCHOOL
26 August 2014 | metro-parent.com BACK-TO-SCHOOL
metro-parent.com | August 2014 27 BACK-TO-SCHOOL
28 August 2014 | metro-parent.com BACK-TO-SCHOOL
metro-parent.com | August 2014 29 [ Field Trip ]
isiting a museum generally means going inside — to view art displays, One-year-old Afton Barton finds a perfect place to play hide V see natural history specimens, or and seek. interact with science exhibits. Kids spend their time roaming around a large building, and only when it’s time to leave do they head outside. Running A new exhibit at the Portland Children’s Wild in Museum in Washington Park, however, prompts the City visitors to enter Outdoor Adventure the museum and to then head right at the Portland back outside. Children’s Museum In Outdoor Adventure, which BY MICHAEL D. BARTON opened at the museum on Earth Day, 2014, kids and their grown-ups tromp and explore through 1.3 acres of previously unused land. And, given that the exhibit’s logo includes a rain boot splashing in a puddle, Outdoor Adventure is intended for visitation at any time of year, rain or shine. In most natural areas that families can visit, visitors are required to stay on trails and in some cases to not even climb on trees. Our risk-averse culture demands that children stay close and keep two feet on the ground. But at Outdoor Adventure, one of several emerging nature play areas in Portland, kids can run wild without leaving city limits. “You’ve climbed high enough.” Venturing on, older kids can The exhibit is designed to spotlight natural elements that can scramble on rocks and get wet in a manmade creek, which be found around the Pacific Northwest, focusing “on natural descends from the top of the hill on down. elements that promote a sense of place.” At the bottom of the hill When you first enter at the top of the hill you’ll find a gated kiddos can observe nature in The Children can area where you can let your toddler clamber over rocks and Meadow, an area with native meander engage in messy fun in a large sand pit and water play area. plants and a good view of the among trees sky, perfect for lying on your (Hint: have a change of clothes for little ones.) From there a and test trail descends to the bottom of the hill. Along the way, The back and looking for pictures in Campsite lets older kids tap into their inner “Survivor” as they the clouds. The overlook at the their climbing construct shelters and forts from building materials such as top of the hill is a great place to skills on the tarps, big pieces of driftwood and twine. In The Grove, farther have lunch (whether packed from instantly iconic home or purchased from the down the trail, children can meander among trees and test and massive their climbing skills on the instantly iconic and massive Zoom museum café), while a pavilion Tree. Up to a point, of course. The tree boasts a sign stating, and natural amphitheater down Zoom Tree.
30 August 2014 | metro-parent.com OUTDOOR Patrick Barton, 8, explores the creekbed. ADVENTURE Portland Children’s Museum 4015 SW Canyon Rd Portland, OR 97221
(503) 223-6500 www.portlandcm.org
Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed major holidays
Admission: Under 1 free, 1-54 $10, over 55 and military $9
Target Free First Fridays: free admission from 4 p.m. -8 p.m. Local libraries also allow you to check out free admission passes for the museum.
Outdoor Adventure is free for members and included in museum admission.
PHOTOS BY MICHAEL BARTON. Parking: Washington Park pay stations: $1.60/hour; $4.00 All Day (October- below are designed for programs, performances March); $6.40 All Day and birthday parties. (April-September). Parking In May, internationally renowned artist can be paid at any pay Patrick Dougherty, with help from volunteers, station throughout constructed a woven stick sculpture that twists Washington Park. and turns, perfect for a game of hide-and-seek. Trimet: Washington Park And students from the museum’s Opal School and its attractions are easy to access by light rail created art pieces for a large mural of animals and (MAX Red Line and MAX plants that now graces the side of the building Blue Line) www.trimet.org. facing Outdoor Adventure. My kids and I have visited Outdoor Adventure once during the grand opening celebration in April and again in June. Families could easily spend a couple of hours exploring the exhibit. Before entering the museum from the exhibit, visitors pass through The Field Station, an indoor space to relax and learn more about nature. During our first visit, it rained pretty hard, and while many folks hurried into The Field Station (my 1-year-old daughter and myself included), my 8-year-old son remained outside. After the rain stopped and we went back outside, he told me, “I was already soaking wet from playing in the creek. So I figured I could stay and play in the rain.” He hit the nail on the head: As Outdoor Adventure reminds us, when you’re a kid — and hey, it’s true for grown-ups too — it’s okay to get dirty, and it’s okay to get wet. n
metro-parent.com | August 2014 31 [ Family Supper ]
At Poa, Food As Good As The Playroom
BY JULIA SILVERMAN
n the nearly six years since our twins were born, our family with care. (The restaurant has attracted a few ornery Yelp has made the rounds of kid-friendly restaurants in this complaints that the waits are too long, but in my book, good Itown. If there’s a play area, or just even a bucketful of toys food is worth waiting for. Our wait was a totally doable somewhere stashed away, if there’s a kids’ menu, or crayons 15 minutes for kid food, five more for the adults, and the and a coloring page available, if there’s a stack of high chairs restaurant offers complimentary bowls of organic popcorn in the corner, we’ve probably been there, done that and made with sea salt and nutritional yeast to snack on while kids wait, our apologies on the way out for the inevitable mess under the which is a nice touch.) kids’ chairs. Also a plus: The kids’ menu goes beyond the hot dog- And so I’d like to think that I can speak with a certain grilled cheese-chicken fingers trifecta, and offers some more amount of authority when I say that the kids’ play area at Poa unexpected choices — my daughter the vegetarian was pleased Cafe, newly opened at the far end of a bustling stretch of North with her bowl of black beans and brown rice, especially after Williams Street is among the very most thoughtfully designed we stirred in some of the avocado from my husband’s plate, and well-appointed restaurant playspaces in town. and my son put his head down and refused to share his whole- For starters, it’s huge, making it much less likely that your wheat pizza, though I snagged some bites of the generous bowl toddler will get trampled by some third-grade ringer. For of cut-up seasonal fresh fruit that came as a side to his meal. another, the owners clearly gave some thought to kids of all Kids can also choose to have a bowl of applesauce or Greek different ages — for grade-schoolers and up, there’s a massive honey yogurt, for a total of $6.95 for a meal that includes all chalkboard wall, a shelf of books and games, and even a row of three. You can also get solo servings of the kid-sized entrees, standalone keyboards on which to bang. (The restaurant’s blog which also included a grilled cheese on whole grain bread says iPads are coming soon — a first for a PDX-area restaurant, and steamed carrots with yakisoba noodles for just $3 apiece, as far as I know. I’ll be watching to see how that one turns out.) without the sides. For the preschool set, there’s a play kitchen, a Duplo table, Pro tip for the grownups: Try to go during happy hour (not and a handful of well-chosen, sturdy wooden toys that are big so much of a problem when your little Vikings start demanding enough to share and share alike. their dinners at around 5 p.m.) when Poa’s long list of cocktails For the littlest ones, the cafe is already playing host to a are all just $5, and a glass of red wine clocks in at $4. That deal roster of well-known Portland entertainers, including tunes is from 3-6 p.m., seven days a week. A glass of the house wine, from the perennially popular Mr. Ben and an every-other- paired with a large salad full of fresh greens, brussel sprouts, week Spanish storytime with the Portland Early Learning cucumbers and lemon tahini dressing, alongside a small plate Project. And everyone will like the sunny back patio garden, of sliced salami, cheese, bread and olives, made a perfect light with enough open space for games of Simon Says and Red summer supper. A grown-up version of the rice-and-bean bowl Light, Green Light while you wait for your food. came with corn, tomatoes, fresh herbs and a garlicky sauce, Okay, okay, but how is the food? Too often in Portland, plus a hunk of sweet cornbread, made in-house. we’ve found that kid-friendly can mean mediocre, as if I’m already plotting a return for their breakfast menu, restaurant owners know that you’re so grateful not to be which includes avocado baked eggs ($10.50) and a kid-sized cooking dinner for once, and so relieved not to be being glared serving of oatmeal with pure maple syrup. There’s also a long at by laptop toters or couples out for romantic evenings that list of tasty sounding smoothies available, some baked goods you will settle for soggy fries and and a greasy burger. available at the counter and fresh fruit for sale, making Poa a So, I’m extra-pleased to report that I texted my healthiest- good stop if you’ve forgotten to pack a snack. eating friend right after our meal at Poa to tell her that if she All-in-all, I’m calling this one a keeper. The restaurant is hadn’t already been there with her kids, they should check billing itself as an “oasis for the modern day family” — that it out. The food there is simple, fresh and clearly prepared sounds just about right. n
32 August 2014 | metro-parent.com PHOTO BY CHRISTINE TAYLOR. [ Recipe File ]
Poa owner Janice Grube and her son, Rocket.
PHOTO BY CHRISTINE TAYLOR.
ur family’s go-to nutritional staple is a green A favorite: SuperGreen Smoothie A Favorite Osmoothie. The ingredients are colorful with A little less than 1 cup of milk substitute, different textures, so it keeps the kids interested. such as almond or coconut milk Plus they taste yummy. My kids like when I use my 2 handfuls of soft kale, such as lacinato or Smoothie different-sized glass mixing bowls (Duralex makes a set dinosaur varieties of 10 for $40) so they can see all the colors and shapes in From front of them. 1 handful of frozen fruit (I love mango or peaches when For the little ones, it’s like magic when they blend into using greens so they won’t turn the drink brown) Poa’s something they can suck through a straw. 1/2 ripe banana When we decided to open Poa Cafe, smoothies were 1 tablespoon chia seeds high on our menu list. Most everyone loves them. Owner a tiny bit of sweetener such as agave/honey/stevia We like to blend together a bunch of kale or spinach, BY JANICE GRUBE along with fruit, seeds or protein and a milk sub such as a scoop of almond butter or greek yogurt almond or coconut milk. I let them pick the fruit, veggies and anything else they might want to try in it, such as Blend on high (we have a Vitamix and it rocks) for avocado. Herbs are great as well and a ripe banana for 10-15 seconds, pour in a cup and enjoy. some sweetness. n
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metro-parent.com | August 2014 35 [ First Person: Daddy Issues ]
The author’s 4-year-old daughter, Stella, in full-on superhero mode.
Unhappy Meals BY RYAN WHITE
PHOTOS BY RYAN WHITE. “Is that Happy Meal for a boy or a girl?”crackled the speaker. I hate that question, and I’m not alone. In April, Slate ran a piece by Antonia Ayres-Brown, who, in 2008, when she was 11, wrote a letter to McDonald’s CEO wondering if it would be legal for McDonald’s “to ask whether someone wanted a man’s job or a woman’s job.” She also hated that question and decided to do something about the problem. At 11, she was better than me. She also had less to do. I was in a hurry, or I wouldn’t have been at McDonald’s. I also realize the person asking that question is wearing a headset and is in the middle of a long day of dealing A perfectly rational response to a with people like me. That person doesn’t deserve, and isn’t Spiderman compact. paid nearly enough, to deal with Dad acting aggrieved on behalf of a 4-year-old who doesn’t care. I swallowed my guilt — which tastes better than the doesn’t make any sense. There’s no reason for it to exist in food; the resulting acid reflux tends to be roughly the the Marvel (or any other) universe. same — and said, “a girl.” Spider-Woman wouldn’t need it. She’s a crime fighter, My 4-year-old daughter opened the box, delighted not a Kardashian. She’s far too busy saving sizable urban to find a purple and pink, Spider-Man-themed beauty populations to worry about her bangs. compact. Its super power: a retractable comb. I hated it But let’s say she does hit the town with friends. She’s immediately. Not because of its colors. Not because a going to assume her secret identity, and she’s definitely not major movie studio and a nearly $30 billion company were going to use branded product in public. That’s just asking engaged in team gender stereotyping. I hated it because it for someone to make the connection.
36 August 2014 | metro-parent.com Makeup and accessories are nowhere to be found in the origin story.
“Excuse me, could I borrow your mirror for a … Oh my Right. Merchandise. It was, technically, a Spider-Man Still, Spider-Woman god, you’re Spider-Woman!” compact. Same logic applies. Bruce Wayne doesn’t keep his seems like a tough Then the movie ends. No sequel. No reboot. And now pants up with Batman’s utility belt, Aquaman doesn’t use that I mention it, where is the Spider-Woman movie? the public pool, and Toby Maguire doesn’t pretty up with a character and I like Because there is indeed a Spider-Woman. I Googled her compact. That’s what standing next to Leonardo DiCaprio tough characters. is for. origin story. That alter ego, Jessica Drew, grew up on a I especially like uranium farm, was inevitably poisoned, then saved by her (I know. Toby Maguire isn’t the new Spider-Man, but I mad-scientist father, who injected her with untested spi- have no idea who they’re using these days. I’ve made my tough characters der serum (must have seemed like a good idea?) and locked peace with the fact that Toby Maguire is probably the last I can point my her in a genetic accelerator. What he missed in Father’s Spider-Man I’ll ever know. Unless they come around to Af- daughter toward. Day cards he made up for by being able to say, “I made fleck, because the world always comes around to Affleck.) Spider-Woman what she is today.” Which brings us back to McDonald’s. Or me to McDon- Spider-Woman’s corporate origin story is a little more ald’s because without a doubt you’re a better parent than direct: Marvel wanted to nail down the copyright. me in this one regard. We can at least agree that a Happy Still, Spider-Woman seems like a tough character and Meal beats untested spider serum. I like tough characters. I especially like tough characters I The good news, of course, is, that like all cheap plastic can point my daughter toward. She knows not of Spider- toys, this one was quickly forgotten. Or lost. Or hidden. Woman. She knows only Spider-Man, because you need And the next time we swung into the drive-thru (“at least only be alive in this country to know of Spider-Man. it’s not a genetic accelerator,” I told myself), we didn’t get Every six or eight months there’s a new Spider-Man the question. We got a Pokemon toy, which was easy. I movie that isn’t substantially different from the last knew what to do with Pokemon. I do it all the time. Spider-Man movie, but for a slightly better waxed leading “What is it?” my daughter said. man. You know the drill: Peter Parker, radioactive spider, “I don’t know.” n Uncle Ben nooooooooooo, a love interest, super villain, big fight, good guys win, merchandise, fin.
metro-parent.com | August 2014 37 [ Pay Attention ]
i f you’re a parent, then you know the drill: you wake the stands, city council members in Eugene will have up to a feverish child on a work day and your first voted on a similar sick leave proposal. thought is what It’s a good start. But in our opinion, it’s not enough. you’ll do about America’s work-family policy needs a makeover. work that day Paid sick time is one step towards the kind of if you stay workplaces that today’s families need to combine work home, or how and family. It is a type of “workplace flexibility” that miserable your makes it possible for parents to provide and care for Paid Sick Leave: child will be if their families, without sacrificing one or the other. It you send her to makes it possible for parents to care for a sick child the school anyway way they want to and should: at home, for as long as the The Time (not to mention child needs it. With paid sick time, pregnant women can that you’ll get to their prenatal appointments and take their young be spreading kids in for well child visits and vaccines. Without paid Is Now contagion at or protected sick time, missing work for these important your school services is out of reach for too many. or childcare Other policies that would help American families and breaking better meet the often competing demands of work and their 24-hour family include paid family and medical leave (currently exclusion rules). You can’t win! You’re forced to choose BY LISA FRACK, only some workers are eligible for unpaid family and FAMILY FORWARD between your job and your child (and it won’t be the last OREGON medical leave), affordable child care (Oregon tops the time). charts for expensive care), and equal pay for equal work For parents who don’t have so mothers are better able to paid sick time where they work provide for their families (about — and that’s about 50% of us — A paid sick leave 2/3 of mothers today are either supporter, at a missing work to care for a sick recent Eugene City primary or co-breadwinners for Council meeting. child also means losing pay. And their families.) the lower your income, the less If you are committed to a likely you are to have sick time, more family forward Oregon, making it even more challenging we invite you to join us at www. for low-wage families. familyforwardoregon.org, where But things are changing. As we are working hard to make it of January 1, 2014, if you work possible for parents in Oregon to within the city of Portland, you raise families with enough time have a right to job-protected sick to care for them and enough time — and if your employer income to provide for them. And, has five or more employees, that we’re celebrating our 5th birthday time must be paid. Check the with a fun, free family party in City’s web site to learn how this Portland’s Peninsula Park on new law applies to you: www. Saturday, August 16th. Think portlandoregon.gov/sicktime/. cake, ice-cream, music, and free Other Oregon cities are following massages for parents! See you suit: By the time this issue hits COURTESY OF JUVENTUD FACETA. COURTESY there, we hope. n
38 August 2014 | metro-parent.com metro-parent.com | August 2014 39 [ Angels Among Us ]
Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home.
The high tunnel at How many times have you heard your child Schoolyard say, “I don’t want to eat that,” when served a side Farms. Schoolyard of vegetables at dinner? And forget about getting them to eat the vegetables served in the school cafeteria — usually pre-cooked and reheated, and Farms therefore tasteless and uneaten. Kids have a hard BY COURTNEY LEEDS, COFOUNDER time eating vegetables. Schoolyard Farms is trying AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR to change all that. The program’s one-acre pilot farm is tucked away on the northeast corner of Candy Lane Elementary’s spacious schoolyard in Oregon City. Over the last few years, the once unused acre of the schoolyard has been transformed into a working farm, complete with 33 raised beds, a high produce to help fund the program. Since 2012, the farm has tunnel (a round-topped structure with a plastic covering) and produced more than 5,000 pounds of produce. a greenhouse. The farm at Candy Lane not only serves as a source for This summer, Schoolyard Farms is adding an outdoor fresh produce, but also as a classroom. Each week, Schoolyard classroom/basic kitchen where students can prepare simple, Farms’ garden educators bring every student from Candy healthy meals with the produce from the farm. Late-summer Lane out to the farm for a garden-based lesson. One week harvests include locally adapted tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, students will learn how to prep a bed and plant a seed, the squash and greens, all packed for Community Supported next week they will learn how nitrogen from the atmosphere Agriculture members (CSA), local restaurants and, most can become fixed in the soil, and the third week they will important, the school cafeteria. Schoolyard Farms sells the harvest the produce and learn how to prepare a healthy snack.
40 August 2014 | metro-parent.com Cast Your Vote Today!
Metro Parent’s Family
Showing off Favorites continue the garden’s treasures. as we invite you to vote for your family’s favorite education and birthday resources.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SCHOOLYARD FARMS. Now through August 10th, visit us online to cast your vote in the following categories: In the summer, the farm transforms into a summer camp where first through sixth graders spend a week exploring the farm, harvesting the produce and preparing healthy snacks. EDUCATION BIRTHDAY When kids are involved in a school garden they are more likely RESOURCES RESOURCES to think positively about fruits and vegetables. And when kids are Kids Cooking Amusement Parks/Bowling/ involved in a school garden that circles its food back the cafeteria, Swimming & Water Parks they are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables. Language Education Arts & Crafts/Cooking Schoolyard Farms’ vision is to see a school farm on every Performing Arts schoolyard. We imagine scaling up the traditional size of a school Dance/Gymnastics/ garden — around a dozen raised beds — to the size of a school farm, Preschools/Daycares Acrobatics/Martial arts at least one acre. By expanding, enough produce can be grown Schools Entertainers to sell, generating revenue to support the program. Also, there is enough space to host programs like summer camp and after-school Science/Technology/Math Indoor Playspaces classes for the community. Sports and Active Outdoor Venues Instead of hearing, “I don’t want to eat that,” the question we Party Suppliers often hear at the farm is, “Do we get to eat the vegetables?!” We’re Tutoring/Learning Assistance so happy to tell them, “Yes!” Restaurant/Theater You can support Schoolyard Farms by becoming a CSA member Science/Nature/Museums/ or sending a child to summer camp next year. We are always in amFaves Animals/Farms/ #MPF need of volunteers on the farm and to help with our garden-based Horseback Riding classes. Or simply making a donation goes a long way toward Sports and Active realizing our vision of a farm on every schoolyard. You can learn more at schoolyardfarms.org. n We’re hosting five separate voting periods this year, covering all your family’s favorite destinations, attractions, resources and more. Categories include educational attractions, visual and performing arts, outdoor and indoor attractions, sports and active fun, food and dining, day trips, parenting support, education, and more.
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● pdxkidscalendar.com/mpfamfaves-vote
metro-parent.com | August 2014 41 [ Time Out ]
En Plein Air:
Pack your smocks, and perhaps a beret for this oh-so-French event on the Portland Park Blocks, right in front of the Portland Art Museum. The museum is hosting a giant outdoors art party, with nature-inspired art projects for the littles, an outdoor exhibition of the park-inspired paintings made by local “plein air” artists, and free admission to this summer’s blockbuster museum show, “The Art of the Louvre’s Tuileries Gardens.” The fun starts at noon and goes until 5 p.m.; big kids can stay out later for the free screening of romantic comedy Gigi in the museum’s courtyard at 8 p.m. Sunday, August 10. FREE.
COURTESY OF THE DANCERS OF OREGON BALLET THEATRE AND COURTESY OF M REALTY
Dance, Dance Revolution:
Pack up your toe shoes, leotard and aspiring ballerina or ballerino, and head to Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown PDX, when the venerable Oregon Ballet Theater moves their dance studio to the open PHOTO: COURTESY OF NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, WASHINGTON, D.C., air. Kids and their grownups can AILSA MELLON BRUCE COLLECTION. watch the dancers rehearse for this fall’s untitled-as- of-press-time premiere Go. Play. ballet by choreographer Nicolo Fonte, and even Explore. take a class with OBT’s faculty members and its August | 2014 guest artists. It’s all FREE. Monday, August 25-Thursday, August 28. Check www.obt.org/ outreach_events_exposed.html for performance times. COURTESY HIGH MUSEUM OF ART.
42 August 2014 | metro-parent.com PHOTOS COURTESY CITY OF PORTLAND.
Night Owls:
Go meet your neighbors, plus local emergency responders, at parks and schools all over the metro area. It’s National Night Out, when kids and their grown-ups make like Mr. Rogers and mingle with the people in their neighborhood, be it the family next door, the local police officer or the fire chief. SE Portland’s Piccolo Park does this one in style, with the members of the Hosford-Abernethy Neighborhood association scooping up free ice cream, plus a bubble machine, chalk for kids to draw to their heart’s content and police motorcycles to clamber on (stationary ones, of course). Or head to Beaverton City Park Fountain, where you can watch the police K-9s in action. Check your local police department web page for NNO events in your backyard. Tuesday, August 5. FREE.
metro-parent.com | August 2014 43 [ Time Out ]
Training Wheels: No cars + lots of bikes = a really good summer Sunday.
Rainy weather will be back soon enough, so get out for a family bike ride this month while the getting is good. Balance bikes, tricycles, training wheels, cargo bikes, unicycles, trailer bikes, ride-along bikes and tandem bicycles — all are welcome at the Sunday Parkways in SE Portland. Seven miles of road are closed to cars, so kids can bike as fast (or, more likely) as slow as they want. Along the way, neighborhood residents set up lemonade stands and snow- cone machines — be neighborly, and partake. Better yet, there are convenient pit stops every couple of miles, at parks along the route, where kiddo entertainers have set up shop. Our pick is Laurelhurst Park, where the Joy Now project, a motley crew of circus arts performers usually camps out, giving free juggling lessons and hula hoop demonstrations. There’s food for sale too, from Portland’s trusty army of mobile food trucks. Sunday, August 24, 11 a.m-4 p.m. FREE.
Meanwhile, the Providence BridgePedal attract hordes of serious cyclists to downtown Portland to coast over the bridges that span the Willamette, mostly all closed to cars for this once-a-year event. It can be overwhelming for the COURTESY OF THE PORTLAND BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION youngest pedalers, which is why Picture break, on top of the BridgePedal folks came up with the Fremont Bridge. KidsPedal, a shorter, three-mile route that only crosses the Hawthorne and Steel Bridges. Adults can ride this route only if they are “chaperoned” by a kid 8-years-old or younger. There’s no charge to ride, but there’s only room for 1,000 participants —
and every one of them needs to be Ready to put the pedal to the metal.
wearing a bike helmet, organizers COURTESY OF PROVIDENCE BRIDGEPEDAL. COURTESY OF PROVIDENCE BRIDGEPEDAL. say. The KidsPedal starts at a family- friendly 10 a.m. at SW Morrison and Naito Parkway. FREE.
44 August 2014 | metro-parent.com Flying High at the state fair.
COURTESY OF OREGON STATE FAIR.
Rides-O-Rama:
Oregon State Fair: This is the big one. The Oregon State Fair might not have deep- fried butter statues — this isn’t Iowa, people — but there’s plenty to keep a family busy, from all the farm animals that have ever showed up in a Sandra Boynton board book to 20 different kiddie carnival rides. If you’d rather hit a concert, let your littles rock out to Joan Jett and the Blackhearts on August 30, at 4 p.m. The fair lasts from August 22 to September 1, but one great day for families to go is Saturday, August 23. That’s Les Schwab Kids Day, with free kids admission tickets available at Les Schwab stores around the metro area. Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem. Monday to Thursday 10a.m.-10 p.m. Friday to Sunday 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Adults $8, kids 6 to 11, $6.
metro-parent.com | August 2014 45 [ Time Out ]
COURTESY OF METRO
Under the Stars
COURTESY OF SEAN MINOGUE. Sleep with the lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Pitch your tent and snuggle Rox Out into your sleeping bag on the big lawn for Camperoo at the Zoo. But before you nod off, you’ll get guided tours to see what the animals are up to when Books, music, sunshine — what’s not to love? All three should be those picture-taking humans go home. Get a peek behind the scenes and out in full-force at Rox in Sox, a jumbo celebration of kids’ music learn about some of the Zoo’s newest residents. The fun starts at 4 p.m. on and books in Lake O. The grown-ups say you should bring chairs August 2 and lasts until 9:30 a.m. the next morning. Camperoo costs $54 per and blankets. But who will have time to sit down? Kids will be person for ages 12 and up and $40 for ages 3-11. Kids 0-2 are FREE. It sounds too busy jamming out to the sounds of Recess Monkey, Mesta pricey, but you get dinner, snacks, a campfire with s’mores and continental Cookie Jar, The Not Its and Red Yarn. Some really cool authors breakfast. Zoo members get a discount. Registration is required. Ewe otter will be there to read and show you how they create their books. have more fun than a barrel of, well, you know. As if that’s not enough, you can play games, make crafts and much more. Rox rocks from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sat. Aug. 2. It’s FREE For the more rugged campers, Oxbow State Park near Troutdale accepts with a donation of new shoes, socks or books. Head over to The reservations for tent sites, and has great Sandy River access for tubing and West End Building, 4101 Kruse Way in Lake Oswego. splashing. The park gets crowded during the day, but things quiet down after dark, and there are family-friendly singalongs, stargazing parties and naturalist presentations on weekends all summer long. We like the sound of “Bear Stories” on August 9, with tracker Linda Jo Hunter promising to tell some tall tales and teach you some bear body language to boot. Head to www.oregonmetro.gov/oxbow to reserve your site.
Music Al Fresco:
In our minds, nothing says summer more than a concert in the park. Think a picnic dinner, maybe a bottle of wine and plenty of room for the kids to roam. There are outdoor concerts almost every day of the week in the Portland area this month, but one of our longtime favorites is the Portland Festival Symphony’s weekend shows. It’s a great way to introduce your kids to live, classical music, but the best part is the very end, when kids are given their own plastic recorders and invited to tootle along with courtly conductor Lajos Balogh and the rest of the musicians during the “Toy Symphony” number. Just one warning: Those recorders are yours to keep. We recommend putting them on a high shelf, unless you like being awakened by your mini-bugler at 5 a.m. Saturday, August 2, Laurelhurst Park, Sunday, August 3, Peninsula Park, Saturday August 9, Grant Park and Sunday, August 10, Washington Park. All shows start at 6 p.m. FREE. COURTESY OF PORTLAND FESTIVAL SYMPHONY
46 August 2014 | metro-parent.com PARTIES
COURTESY OF RASMUSSEN FARMS, PHOTOS BY PATRICK MILLING Fruit Loops:
If a trip to the Hood River Valley’s Fruit Loop is not already on your family bucket list, it should be. Head out there August 16-17 for the annual Summer Fruit Celebration, when heirloom Gravenstein apples (the baker’s choice for pies and applesauce) are just coming into season, late-blooming cherries are ripe for picking and peaches are at their peak. Fruit stands all along the Fruit Loop are open, but a few have family-friendly events planned, including pie walks, a corn maze and treasure hunts at Rasmussen Farms, and visiting the alpaca babies at Foothills Yarn&Fiber. More info is at www.hoodriverfruitloop.com. FREE, but be sure to weigh your kids before they start picking.
Advertiser Index Academy Theater...... 39 German American School...... 15 Northwest Children’s Theater...... 19 Portland Montessori Collaborative.29 AUGUST COUPONS & DISCOUNTS AHSC Yu Miao Chinese Gifted Journeys...... 39 Northwest Chinese Academy...... 20 Portland Symphonic Girlchoir...... 28 Immersion Preschool...... 29 Gresham Pediatric Dentistry...... 35 Oaks Park Association...... 47 Portland Waldorf School...... 28 Bada’s Place...... 21 Harmony Road Music, Odyssey School...... 28 Portland Youth Ballet...... 29 Academy Theater...... 17 Beanstalk Children’s Resale...... 26 Westside Music School...... 21 OHSU Doernbecher Providence Health & Services...... 11 Bella Organic...... 43 Heartwood Preschool...... 27 Children’s Safety Center...... 35 Rasmussen Farms...... 45 Little Engineers...... 14 Bodhi Tree Language Center...... 26 Help Eliminate Oregon Association Resurrection Catholic Preschool...... 20 Learning Problems Inc...... 29 of Talented & Gifted...... 26 Bridges Middle School...... 17 Saturday Academy...... 26 Hollywood Children’s Dentistry...... 9 Oregon Children’s Theatre Co...... 25 Cedarwood School...... 19 Scuola Italiana...... 21 North Clackamas Hopworks Urban Brewery...... 35 Oregon Coast Aquarium...... 45 Child Care Resource & Referral...... 21 Shining Star School...... 28 Aquatic Park...... 33 Joy Central (Childcare)...... 15 Oregon Coast Scenic Railway...... 43 Chinese American Small Friends Inc. Preschool...... 19 International School...... 17 Kumon North America, Inc...... 26 Oregon Episcopal School...... 27 Storybook School, The...... 17 CLASS Academy...... 7 Legacy Health...... 4 Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival...... 45 Tidee Didee...... 35 Sunshine Montessori Preschool...... 17 Clogs-N-More Kids...... 35 Little Engineers...... 17 Oregon Home Education Swallowtail School...... 28 Columbia Slough Living Wisdom School...... 28 Network (OHEN)...... 17 Sweet Peas Kidzone...... 29 Watershed Council...... 43 Metropolitan Pediatric Clinic...... 27 Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation...... 47 Tidee Didee...... 35 Creative Children’s Center...... 31 Micha-el School...... 20 Pediatric Associates of the NW...... 2 Tillamook Forest Center...... 43 Dentistry for Kids...... 3 Mobile Minds Tutoring...... 17 PELP - Adventures in Spanish...... 19 Trinity Lutheran School...... 20 Doula Love...... 9 Montessori School of Beaverton...... 20 Penny’s Puppet Productions...... 47 Vermont Hills Family Life Center...... 21 Dove Christian School...... 29 Mt Hood Ski Bowl...... 29 Pizazz Sweets...... 9 Village Home...... 20 Franciscan Montessori Multisensory Learning Academy..... 26 Earth School...... 21 The Playschool at Mountain Park... 29 Westside Dance & Gymnastics...... 28 Music Together...... 39 French American Portland Christian Schools...... 28 Whole Foods Market...... 48 International School...... 28 North Clackamas Aquatic Park...... 31 World of Smiles...... 26 North Portland Orthodontics...... 31 Portland Metro Arts...... 27
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