Portland Parents » Advice

Snow Alerts

russ — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:34:27 +0000

Do you huddle over the radio first thing in the morning to learn about your school closures? Did you know that PPS closed the west hills elementary schools today? (Skyline, Forest Park, E/W Sylvan)

Don’t forget, you can sign up for instant notifications with the Flash Alert system.

Youth Pass Program Extended

russ — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:16:47 +0000

The Youth Pass program lets high schoolers use their student id as a bus pass. You may have heard that this program was to expire at the end of 2011. However, we’ve just learned some great news! Superintendent Carole Smith, Mayor Adams and TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane announced an agreement to keep the Youth Pass program in place for the full school year. Youth Pass provides bus passes to 13,000 students in PPS high schools. For more details see the news story on the PPS web site!

Forums?

russ — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:55:56 +0000

When I started this site, I was unhappy with the amount of information I was able to find about things to do with my kids in our town. I’m still unhappy about it. A few times a month, someone will email me a question about opening up a forum – but I’m pretty reluctant to do that. I don’t have time to keep monitoring it and keep spam shut down there. I’d like a friendly little site where people can talk to one another about deals they find, events they’re going to or just to reach out and get some community.

Do you have an opinion? Should we branch out somewhat? Where are you finding yourself spending your time out here in the internet wilds?

Toy Story 3 on Ice !

russ — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:00:53 +0000

Toy Story 3, winner of Academy Awards® is coming to the ice in the Rose Garden at the end of October!

Inspired by the #1 animated movie of all time, Toy Story 3, and memorable moments from the other two films in the series, your favorite characters are skating their little hearts out in seven performances. Catch the heroic action when Buzz, Woodie, Jessie and the Toy Story gang escape from the destructive and adorable kids of SunnySide Daycare! You’ll also see Ken and Lots-o-Huggin’ Bear!

It’s the biggest Toy Story experience ever, including Buzz’s battle with Emperor Zurg and a hoe-down.

We’ve been to a few Disney on Ice productions. They’re always great. The costuming, the figure skaters, the dances and swirls. We’re excited about Toy Story 3. As a father, this movie moved me to tears, and I can’t wait to see how the Disney On Ice team handles it.

It’s playing:

Thursday, October 27th – 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 28th – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 29th – 12:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 30th – 1:00 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.

And tickets are $17, $21, $36 and $62 unless you see it on opening night in which case they’ll be $11 each (not valid on premium seating, limit 10 tickets). Tickets are available at the Rose Quarter Box Office, or Safeway/TicketsWest.

Concerned about the Chocolate Milk in Your Kids’ School Lunches?

russ — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:19:00 +0000

Parents probably know what their kids are eating for breakfast and for dinner, but do they know what their children are getting for lunch each day? Typically, kids get about 30% to 50% of their calories while at school, and this year, there’s likely some big changes on the lunch line.

This year, not only are many cafeterias serving more whole grains and fresh vegetables, but also great-tasting flavored milk with fewer calories and less added sugar than in the past. Due to reformulations by the milk industry, on average, school chocolate milk is projected to have just 31 calories more than white milk and 38% less added sugar than five years ago.

Local registered dietitian Ruth Carey is available to discuss these changes and to arm Portland area moms and dads with the facts on how to help their kids
navigate the “new” lunch line. Feel free to visit her website (click on her name).

Raising a Fanatic Reader

russ — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:41:35 +0000

James Patterson wrote a solid column for CNN, giving some great ways to bring up your kid as a reader.

There are three main points he makes. First, the more kids read, the better readers they become. Second, everything counts- the almanac, stories about baseball, Holes, Harry Potter, even Twilight. And third, role models are the most important thing- let your kids see you reading.

There are some excellent links in the full story, and I’m going to leave them as bait. If you go to the full story (link below), and read the article for the full discussion, you’ll see links to sites like ReadKiddoRead, which could help you with lists for your kids. But to be blunt, the success of Harry Potter and Rick Riordan has really brought everyone to the writing table, and there is a multitude of books out there for kids. Another good place to get reading inspiration would be from your local bookstores or your neighborhood libraries. Check them out!

Full Article

New Kindles

russ — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:57:30 +0000

So, with the “new Kindles” – Amazon has brought the price point down to $79. Which is seductive. If you don’t want the advertising that it shows when not in use, then it’d be $109. Still an attractive spot.

What would it take to get these into our schools?

My elder daughter is reading a mass of hero literature this year in high school- including the part time indian book, romeo and juliet, and beowulf. All of these can be put on the Kindle. And she can carry it anywhere (her backpack weighs about thirty pounds). She’s also doing “sustained silent reading” every day. It’s very tempting to buy one of the less expensive ones and then put the books on it that she needs or wants. She can check out from a library (actually, I don’t know if Multnomah Country Libraries have that plan). Books from the Gutenberg project are free – it’s a pretty good deal.

What do you think?

Kindle

Free Dance and Gymnastics – National Gymnastics Day

russ — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:06:50 +0000

Do you have a kid interested in gymnastics? Check out these cool classes and performances—

Saturday September 17 is National Gymnastics Day. From 1 to 4 PM, at Rose City Rhythmic you can get classes, giveaways and see performances by Junior Olympians.

Rose City Rhythmic is inside the Portland Athletic Club at 5803 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway.

Tomorrow Night: School of Rock Concert to Benefit Ronald McDonald House

russ — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:20:31 +0000

Tomorrow, yes, tomorrow night (July 14, 2011)- Backspace is hosting the School of Rock All Stars Tour. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Tickets are $10, Show starts at 8, at Backspace, which is downtown right on the bus and one of the MAX lines (115 NW 5th Ave).

What’s that? You want more information?

The School of Rock teaches kids to be passionate about music. They have summer camps, classes, lessons. To get more information about Portland’s School of Rock, go to their website.

Ronald McDonald House Charities include the Ronald McDonald House®, which provides families stability and vital resources while their child is recovering at a nearby hospital.

Together, they help kids (young musicians) learn social responsibility and the importance of giving back to the community.

You should be able to answer all your questions on their website.

Summer Camps

russ — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 05:33:15 +0000

I finally got my daughters signed up for Summer Camp this year. They’re going to a overnight camp-in-the-woods camp they go to every year. Are you making plans yet? Get your deposits in now; school is almost out for the summer. You think I’m kidding, don’t you?

Why not consider “YEA Camp?” Here’s some more words (that they sent me). (No, this is not where my kids are going).

Join Us for a Life-Changing Experience at Youth Empowered Action (YEA) Camp This Summer!

YEA Camp is a unique and inspiring summer leadership program for youth 12-17 who want to make a difference in the world. A week-long sleep-away program in a beautiful camp location, YEA is designed to be a fun and transformative experience that builds life-long friendships between youth with similar interests. Our program also provides a meaningful opportunity for campers to learn more about some of the issues facing our planet and to get inspired and empowered to take action on those issues. Campers choose an issue of importance to them (for example, some have chosen climate change, racism, homophobia, homelessness, animal rights) and at YEA they build the knowledge, skills, confidence, and community to take action on that issue long after camp is over.

Youth who have participated in our programs report that the camp was one of the most fun, rewarding and life-changing experiences they have had, and, with YEA’s community support, have gone on to start school clubs, plan fundraisers for nonprofits, organize a call-in to Congress, and attend hearings to comment about important community issues. “This camp has truly changed my life. You have inspired me to do so much with my life and to make the world a truly better place. You have inspired me to believe in myself and to not just say ‘I’m just a kid, what can I do?’ Because of you, I have been able to actually make a difference.” -Bianca, Age 15, San Bernardino, CA

You have some options from which to choose:
When: Session 1: from July 23-29, 2011
OR Session 2: July 30 – August 5, 2011
Where: Ben Lomond, CA, Santa Cruz Mountains
OR
When: August 7-14, 2011
Where: Corbett, OR just outside Portland

$925; some scholarships may be available

Contact info: Nora Kramer, Camp Director, nora@yeacamp.org, www.yeacamp.org

Where ever you decide to send your kids (if you decide to send your kids), I hope they have a great time.