Digital Editions

Parenting OC

MenuClose

The Stay-Home Guide

Archives for March 2020

Health & Wellness, Mindfulness

Published Admin Only:

How to keep your routine while staying home. 

We’re all in it together. We’re facing a pandemic and need to do our part by staying home and staying healthy.

It’s a new world for all of us. But with a highly developed digital landscape at our disposal, this doesn’t mean we must stop our daily routine. In fact, many businesses and services are making it easier every day to continue our daily life as we get through this challenge.

Fitness
A big part of keeping healthy means exercise. But with gyms and fitness centers closed, what can we do?

Orange County-based celebrity fitness trainer and nutritionist Nancy Anderson offers remote training and two fitness apps that offer workouts and nutrition for all fitness levels. Treadthrill is a running and strength, virtual group-training studio (treadthrill.com) and Move Your Bump is a pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and post-pregnancy virtual group-training studio (moveyourbump.mom).

“For 14 years I have been telling my clients that although we all want to look a certain way, what is most important is what’s going on inside your body and that your only true wealth in life is your health,” she says. “And this has never been more clear than it is right now. Disease, viruses and your health are not protected by social status or money or luck. What you put in your body, how and if you move your body paired with stress management is what shapes the wealth you truly have.”

She says that with the increased stress we’re all feeling, it’s more important than ever to support our bodies.

“Exercise has been shown in countless studies to be one of the best tools to do this,” she says. “It pumps up your feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins, which then helps to elevate your mood and balance cortisol levels — stress hormones. Exercise can be thought of as meditation-in-motion, helping to take your mind off the worries and shift your energy away from worry and back into the present moment where we all need to be.”

She offers some tips for staying healthy at home:

  • Schedule it. Make an appointment with yourself first thing in the morning, right before lunch, or right before bedtime, for example, to ensure that your workout happens. 
  • Get an in-home workout solution. It’s hard to get motivated and stay motivated while also having to create your own workout program. Join a virtual group training studio like Treadthrill or Move Your Bump, where you can be in touch with your coach, follow along workouts that are video and/or audio and have a workout schedule to follow.  
  • Eat healthy. “There [are] a lot of issues with my clients finding the foods they want right now,” she says. “My biggest suggestion is start with your protein and healthy fats and then build on that with produce or frozen veggies if you have them available in your area. In stressful times it’s easy to reach for sugar and starch but this will actually not support your health and can drag down your immune system. …  If you’re having issues finding protein in your stores, try some new proteins that aren’t as popular that grocery stores may still have plenty of such as ground turkey, lamb or different types of fish.”

Food
Considering many OC families are now working at home while helping educate kids while school’s out, there might not be a lot of time for cooking. That’s OK, because many local restaurants — while closed for dining in — are adapting by offering takeout, curbside and delivery options.

Mona Shah, a mom of three and owner of Moxxe PR, Inc. in North Tustin, whose public relations business serves local restaurants, says the state order that all restaurants close their dining rooms has had a deep impact.

“The ones who are staying open are looking to best accommodate what people are looking for right now,” says

Shah, whose husband, Max Schlutz, owns Sessions West Coast Deli. “Most are offering family meals since we know so many families are home together right now. With school out, they are mindful of offering things that kids will enjoy. Many have responded to the outrageous lines at the supermarket by offering their loyal guests the convenience of ‘shopping’ at the restaurant — some have created grocery lists that allow guests to pre-order everything from eggs and milk to portion-cut steaks and fresh fish for curbside pickup. Others are setting up pop-up markets that look and feel like a gourmet market so that guests can shop without lines or crowds, and have access to some of the best produce, meats and dry goods available.”

She says the local restaurant community is struggling and relying on local support to stay in business.

“Sadly, some restaurants have decided to close their doors — either their menu and concept didn’t translate to takeout, or they were concerned for the health of their employees,” she says. “However, it’s remarkable to see the creative and innovative ideas most of the independent restaurateurs have demonstrated. Within days, many restaurants have developed and launched takeout and delivery programs that maintain the integrity of their brand. Many are also taking advantage of the opportunity to sell alcohol — from wine and beer, to pre-made batch cocktails. They say that necessity is the mother of invention and these entrepreneurs have re-invented themselves almost overnight and it’s really quite an honor to work with them and inspiring to witness firsthand.”

Looking to order out? The Orange County Restaurant Association has created TimeForTakeOut.com, a free online resource to promote restaurants in Orange County, Los Angeles and Long Beach. Guests can search for restaurants by region or specific city to make it easy to support local eateries.

Fun
As our time at home continues, innovative resources are becoming available for families that need to keep themselves active indoors:

Dadventures at Home — Offering daily curated home-based family play as well as solo play activities. hellodadventures.com

The Fab Lab Digital Daycare — A new livestream experience featuring four hours of live, daily “virtual childcare” for children K-5, including a science DIY, kids workout, snack ideas, storytime and more. The Fab Lab activities are designed for the whole family but are easy and safe enough for slightly older kids to do on their own. youtube.com/TheFabLabHQ

Virtual Camps — Many American Camp Association-accredited camps have gone virtual through channels like Facebook Live and YouTube, offering things like nature walks, science talks, arts and crafts, and even homework help: 

Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee
YMCA Camp Ernst
Camp Stomping Ground
YMCA Camp Kitaki
Brave Trails Camp
St. Crispin’s Summer CampGirl Scouts of ColoradoCamp Granite Lake
Whippoorwill Farm Day Camp

— Jessica Peralta 

Photo 1: Mona Shah’s children, Lara, 5, and Lennon, 5, creating a school environment at home. / Courtesy of Mona Shah 
Photo 2: Trainer Nancy Anderson knows how to blend family and fitness. / Photo by Renee Bones 
Photo 3: The Roast Chicken from Arc Butcher & Baker in Newport Beach 
Photo 4: The Sushi Roku in Newport Beach Family Pack
Photo 5: Virtual activities will keep the whole family entertained. / Photo by McKaela Lee on Unsplash

Uncategorized

Published Admin Only:

How are OC families spending their stay-at-home time?

Parent: Jennifer Cohen
Child: Caden, 2 ½
City: Orange
“Caden loves painting and is currently learning about Easter. He loves to goof around to pass the time during quarantine.”

Parent: Jimena Olmedo
Child: Adrian, 20 months
City: Irvine
“Adrian Olmedo enjoys reading with his mom and learning Spanish words.”

Parent: Sofia Klibadze
Child: Maria Elis, 3
City: Lake Forest
“Maria loves to spend time practicing ballet during the stay-at-home order.”

Parent: Angelica Virgen
Child: Amelie Manning, 5
City: San Clemente
“Amelie and dad taking a break to ride the pony.”

 

Health & Wellness, Local Heroes

Published Admin Only:

An Aliso Viejo second-grader and leukemia survivor helps make a wish list for other kids fighting cancer.

Bodhi Boul arrived for her first day of second grade at Oak Grove Elementary a little late. Actually, by about a month. 

When she arrived, the principal was waiting for her. 

Along with the school dog. 

Also, a big sign welcoming her back. Bodhi was thrilled to see it all, because she’d just beaten leukemia. 

It had been a long year, and getting back to being a normal kid was great, but Bodhi hadn’t forgotten the kids still in the hospital. The kids still struggling to be kids. 

Bodhi’s mom, Emily, says it started with “really bad bruising.” They suddenly appeared, but didn’t hurt. “I took her to the beach on a Wednesday and noticed later three bad bruises on her back,” she says. 

“I contacted her teacher and the teacher kept an eye on her at recess. I also asked her coaches if there was anything that was happening at cheer. Later, when I showed it to my husband, Bruce, one appeared almost before our eyes on her shin. I packed up for a long night in the ER. After some blood work, the doctor returned and said it appeared to be some kind of blood cancer.”  

Bodhi spent the next week at Kaiser Permanente, Anaheim where they got the official diagnosis: acute lymphocytic leukemia, which affects about 3,000 kids every year and is the most common form of childhood cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Fortunately, it’s also the most curable. Approximately 90 percent of kids can be cured if treated early.

“She was a trooper through all of that,” Emily says of the stress and the chemo. “We went out on the back patio and shaved [her head]. She was really good with it.”  

But she had to stay out of school for a year because the chemo lowered her immune system.

Emily says that while the whole family practiced a good attitude, it was the help of others that made a gigantic difference. Friends made meals and watched their son. Even complete strangers dropped off gift cards and food. A neighbor set up a GoFundMe page. 

Her first-grade teacher, herself a breast cancer survivor, came to the house three times a week and “organized everything.” 

When Bodhi finally returned to school, lots of people, including her friends wanted to do things for her, but as a teacher suggested, there was an even better way to demonstrate the compassion they’d learned. Soon, “Bodhi Boxes” were appearing all over school.

The idea of giving back was really important and Bodhi loved being able to help the kids who were still going through what she’d gone through. What did they need?

“She was really excited. It’s an honor to have your name on something,” Emily says. “And Bodhi came up with a pretty good list.” It included stuffed animals, toy cars, Slime, beanies, even lip balm for the kids at the clinic. About a month later, they’d filled 17 Bodhi Boxes. 

“It brought tears to my eyes,” Emily says. “The kids were beaming with excitement knowing they did something really special.”

Bodhi went to her regular visit to the Kaiser clinic in February with her wagon full of items. 

“We never felt like victims,” says Bruce. 

He and Emily wanted to be sure Bodhi grew from the experience, not just survived it. He would tell her, “life comes with challenges and it’s all how you react to the challenges. That’s what defines you.”

And Bodhi is a second-grader defining herself well. 

— Shawn Price

Top Photo: Eight-year-old Bodhi Boul, center, surrounded by her classmates.
Center Photo: Bodhi Boxes 

Health & Wellness, Learning Resources, Special Needs

Published Admin Only:

Armenta Learning Academy is now offering virtual education to meet the needs of special kids through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For the foreseeable future, the requirement of social distancing will undoubtedly create an increased demand for virtual learning options to meet this important need.

Meeting this demand locally for the special needs community is Laguna Niguel-based Armenta Learning Academy (armentalearningacademy.com).

The academy is now offering instant learning online through Skype and Google Chat in order to meet the needs of all of their children while they’re safely at home. 

Founder Julie Armenta has been in the business for more than 30 years and offers private classes, school and tutoring programs, and specialized attention for all ages, subjects and levels. Some of the sessions geared toward special needs include neurofeedback therapy, social skills classes, speech and language support, pragmatics, executive functioning skills, skills for school success and year-round programs from 8 am to 8 pm. The academy offers classes seven days a week, providing a flexible schedule even for the busiest of kids.

“I feel small learning groups are beneficial to the student’s learning needs, and provides social skills for them as well,” says Armenta. “Making friends, feeling safe and taking risks in a nurturing and supportive environment while learning something engaging, hands-on and interacting is a fun and stimulating way for kids to learn.”

One of their most beneficial programs, she says, is the neurofeedback program, which emphasizes executive functioning skills, working and spatial memory, auditorial processing, mapping and organization skills, social skills and more. 

“The program has a 91 percent success rate and is a leading learning tool for ADHD and special needs,” says Armenta. 

Each program is tailored for each child’s needs to help them reach their full potential and goals. Armenta Learning Academy also offers part-time and full-time academic summer camps.

Not only does the academy help kids flourish academically and socially, but it also makes learning fun for students by offering enrichment classes including art, jewelry making, oceanography and more.

— Sadie Dostzada

Photo: Julie Armenta working with a student at Laguna Niguel-based Armenta Learning Academy

Uncategorized

Published Admin Only:

Why it matters.

April 1 marks Census Day. People in California and across the country can now fill out the Census in order to provide an accurate count of all people in the United States. The California Census happens once every 10 years and is the only official population count for the U.S. in order to fairly allocate federal funding and apportion political representation.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Census has made some operational adjustments including a revised schedule. The Self-Response Phase has already begun, and online response is strongly encouraged, especially given recent events (2020census.gov). The deadline for this response has been extended from July 31 to Aug. 14.

How will the California Census impact local families?

The 2020 Census will help decide how billions of dollars will reach local families, determining funding allocations for schools, child care programs, road maintenance projects and social assistance programs. The latest Census will impact the wellness of California families by influencing where hospitals will be built, improvements to health programs and jobs and business opportunities.

The Census will also determine the number of representatives California has in the U.S. House of Representatives and the number of votes in the Electoral College. Accurate participation increases the opportunity for fair representation and may lead to reapportionment and redistricting.

Why it’s important to participate in the Census and how it directly impacts the community?

There’s a lot at stake in the 2020 Census and the main challenge for the U.S. Census Bureau is the undercount of certain population groups. That challenge is amplified in California, where foreign-born residents, renters, people living close to or below the poverty line and children younger than 5 years old are considered traditionally hard to count.

Of all states, California had the highest undercount of children 5 and under on the 2010 Census. An undercount in 2020 could cost California up to $115 billion per year across federal programs. A person’s immigration status is not recorded on the Census in an effort to be more inclusive of non-citizens. By law, the collected information must be kept private, with Census employees facing a fine of up to $250,000, five years in prison, or both for sharing any personal information.

The 2020 Census is an opportunity for every Californian to shape the future. California’s officially recorded population is essential for determining how federal dollars are distributed over the next 10 years. The Census also plays a big part in well-rounded representation by elected officials in California and Washington, D.C. A complete and accurate count means more people in power who truly represent and advocate for California communities.

— Madison Amirehteshami

Photo: Enayet Raheem

Alternative Education, Education

Published Admin Only:

Don’t miss these valuable expert tips for adapting to the new home environment for both learning and working. 

Orange County families have probably heard “education starts at home.” Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, however, this adage takes on new meaning. 

Some parents are working from home while also taking the lead on their child’s education. Managing your workload while ensuring your child doesn’t fall behind can be stressful. Fortunately, there are many experts in Orange County with sound advice.

“Start from a place of empathy,” says Sarah Shawesh, CEO and founder of Orange County-based Building Resilience in Communities and Kids Consulting Group. “[Children] are just as confused and uncertain as we are.”

Another tip: Keep things positive. 

“Creating a happy home environment is the most important goal to be achieved,” says Daniel Franklin, PhD, president and founder of Franklin Educational Services, Inc. in Newport Beach and 

author of “Helping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities.” “Learning will happen, but children will remember how it felt to be at home more deeply than which concepts they were expected to learn.”

Loretta Donovan, PhD, and Tim Green, PhD, from Cal State Fullerton’s Department of Elementary and Bilingual Education, say parents shouldn’t feel too much pressure. 

“The role of the parent of the at-home learner should not have changed drastically,” they say. “Schools in OC have shifted to at-home learning. Content and learning experiences are still developed by the teacher. The parent should not expect to have to ‘teach’ the child, but should view their role as a supporting one.”

So how can working parents support their new at-home learners?

“It is important to keep to a daily routine,” says Corinne Mosqueda, MA, a fifth-grade teacher at Richman Elementary School in Fullerton.

Get up and get ready, the same as you would for a normal school day. 

“As nice as it is to stay in our PJs all day, it adds to the uncertainty, especially for young children,” Shawesh says.

Lead by example. 

“The best way to keep working and support your student is to model appropriate at-home working,” says Donovan. “As the parent now working from home, you too must be organized, follow a schedule of sorts, and take breaks.”

It is important to have structure, but not necessarily a traditional school-day structure.

“As a parent, give the student the autonomy, within reason, to be in control of their own learning,” says Green.

One thing almost all parents struggle with is engagement. It can be hard to focus with snacks, toys and pets around.

“First and foremost, provide a learning space that is free from distractions,” says Mosqueda.

This is when some structure comes into play. 

“There are so many distractions at home for us all,” says Shawesh. “Set realistic expectations about when and how things will get done.”

Rachel Fisher, MA, executive director at Franklin, recommends examining your priorities.

“Staying calm is most important — so what will help you stay calm?” Fisher says. “Is it time to get your own work done? Then maybe offer creative art projects or allow more fun screen time.”

Mosqueda says it’s important to take “brain breaks.” “This could be in the form of exercise, dancing, creating art or practicing mindfulness breathing techniques,” she says.

Giving children some decision-making abilities helps, too.

“When possible provide choices,” says Shawesh. “For example, if the expectation is that 9:30 am to 10:30 am is work time for the entire family, let the child choose what they are going to work on inside of that hour.”

Providing independence can be key, particularly for high school- and middle school-aged learners. 

“My kids (high school freshman and eighth-grader), for example, connect with their friends on FaceTime to work on class assignments. They set up a schedule of when they are going to connect,” says Green. 

And if you are working from home, this can help ensure you have time to get work done as well.

“At every age there is some autonomy that can be achieved,” Shawesh says. “We never want to leave young children unsupervised, but we want to provide them with time to work on their own.”

Encouraging reading is another great option. 

“Independent reading with student-selected books is a quiet, yet powerful activity students can do while parents work,” Mosqueda says. 

Overall, remember to be forgiving with your child and yourself. 

Site director at Franklin in Newport Beach, Dominique Marinello says, “You do not need to become a great school teacher, you need to be who you already are — the best parent you can be.” 

Here are a list of virtual resources to help at-home learners stay busy.

Digital Libraries

Libby by Overdrive: If you have an Orange County Public Library card, you can borrow e-books and digital audiobooks that can be streamed or downloaded straight to your device. | overdrive.com/apps/libby

EPIC!: This is a digital library for kids 12 and under. Typically this is a paid app, however, amid the impact of COVID-19 on schools, EPIC! is now offering free access for the rest of the school year. | getepic.com

Online Tutorials

Khan Academy: This website provides standards-based, grade-level specific videos and practice lessons that can assist you and your student with new math concepts. | khanacademy.org

Physical Education and Movement 

GoNoodle: Create a free account for access to movement and mindfulness videos to help maintain physical wellness. | gonoodle.com

Learning a New Language

Duolingo: Create an account and choose from a list of languages, including Spanish, French, German and Japanese. |  duolingo.com

— Sarah Mosqueda

Photo: Annie Spratt

Health & Wellness, Mindfulness

Published Admin Only:

Balancing work, kids and stress amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As days pass, the novel coronavirus continues to account for the disruption of the lives of a significant portion of the global population. This has triggered feelings of anxiety, depression and fear among people regardless of their cultures, genders or ages. As a matter of fact, the phenomenon poses a great cause for discord within families. Considering the naivety of children, it is the role of their parents to prevent them from panicking or living risky lifestyles that make them vulnerable to this contagion.

First, parents should maintain calmness and reassure their children that everything will be OK. Typically, youngsters react to situations based on their parents’ verbal and non-verbal cues. It is wise to protect them from unwarranted anxiety by reassuring them that the family is fine, and will overcome the situation. Parents ought to be available for their children so that they can feel free to discuss their fears and concerns regarding the pandemic as well as the state of the family. When talking about the pandemic, all information conveyed by the parent should be not only honest but also accurate to avoid confusion. A positive view is further advanced by refraining from blaming particular groups for the virus. It is important to maintain global unity regardless of the origin of the disease. Such a perspective will help prevent bullying among children living in multicultural regions.  

Working at home with a full house can have its challenges. Here are some parent-tested tips for remote work when you have children at home.

  • Negotiate parenting responsibilities with your spouse. Clarity is a marriage saver!
  • Plan the day in 30-minute increments. Small increments allow children to stay focused.
  • Enlist kids in doing more chores. Reinforce positive behaviors.  
  • Choose a project each day to keep your children entertained. Imagination is the greatest toy.
  • Post a schedule each morning. That heads off many questions.
  • Connect before doing deep work. A few minutes of focused time can free you to focus on your work.
  • Take advantage of downtime. When your children sleep, you focus.
  • Signal when you’re working. A Post-It Note, a closed door or “Mommy’s going to work now” — whatever works best for your family.
  • Parents keep up your shutdown ritual. You need to decompress, and they need to have you “home” from work.

Parents should monitor the information consumed by their children through social media and cable. It should be understood that excessive information on the virus is bound to trigger feelings of anxiety among children. 

Regular routines should be maintained as much as possible. This will ensure that the home activities are in progress, and the family is distracted from the disturbing news. Remember: This shall pass!

Anthony Cupo is a trained mindfulness facilitator (TMF) from the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. He is a co-owner of Stepping Forward Counseling Center, LLC and has been meditating for over 30 years.

Photo: Charles Deluvio

Food, Lifestyle

Published Admin Only:

We all need some extra TLC these days. Is there anything more comforting than a soft, gooey peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Whether you’re 4 or 40, it’s always a treat to find this classic on your plate. Check out how these local restaurants are putting a spin on PB&J, and even a couple you can make at home.


The Butchery
The Butchery is a premier butcher shop and gourmet grocer. And their deli serves one mean PB&J. The classic gets elevated with pepper jam and a stack of smokey bacon, sandwiched between peanut butter and honey on fresh ciabatta bread. The Butchery is offering pickup and curbside service at all locations and you can stock up on their meat and grocery staples too. Pick up some of their Salmon Creek Farms thick-sliced bacon for this recipe.

415 S. Associated Rd., Brea

The Butchery’s PB&J Sandwich Recipe:

Serves 1
Ingredients: 

2 slices bread of your choice — white, wheat or ciabatta
1 teaspoon butter (optional)
2 teaspoon peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon honey
2 teaspoon Maureen’s Gourmet Pepper Jam
3 crispy strips of Salmon Creek Farms thick-sliced bacon from The Butchery

Instructions: Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Place bacon on cookie baking sheet and place in oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bacon is EXTRA crispy. On one side of each piece of bread, spread peanut butter and jelly. Add cooked bacon and drizzle honey on top. Optional: Butter the outside of the bread and toast each side of the sandwich for added flavor and crunch.

Blackmarket Bakery
Chef Rachel Klemek may have won the cake episode of Food Network’s “Chopped Sweets Showdown!” but she knows a thing or two about sandwiches too. Blackmarket Bakery offers a daily selection of fresh sammies and their Über PBJ is not to be missed. Fresh peanut butter, chunky mixed berry jam, toasted almonds and fresh berries get spread on toasted sunflower sourdough for a sweet and nutty combo. Blackmarket is offering takeout and curbside pickup at this location. Some menu items are available for delivery via Postmates and DoorDash.

2937 Bristol St., Costa Mesa

Jamba Juice
Elvis is said to have enjoyed the occasional peanut butter and banana sandwich. Jamba Juice creates a healthy version with peanut butter, bananas, honey, blueberries and chia seeds on seeded multigrain toast. Trust us when we say it’s a “hunk of burning love.” It pairs perfectly with the Whirl’d Famous peanut butter and banana protein smoothie. You can order takeout from the store or use the Jamba Juice app or website to order delivery.

14409 Culver Dr., Irvine

Slater’s 50/50
In an inconceivable version of a childhood favorite, the P.B. & Jellousy burger marries sweet with savory in a truly unexpected way. This creation features an Angus ground beef patty, a smear of natural peanut butter, strawberry jelly and thick-cut bacon slices on a honey wheat bun. You can order a Slaterized version too, which means they’ll add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Slater’s 50/50 in Anaheim Hills is offering curbside pickup and guests can order ahead via phone and online. Or you can make your own version at home by following the recipe below. Get ready for this jelly!

6362 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd., Anaheim Hills 

P.B. & Jellousy Burger Recipe:

Serves 1
Ingredients:

1 whole wheat bun
1 tbsp. butter
1/3 lb. Angus ground beef
1 tbsp. strawberry jelly
2 tbsp. peanut butter
2 strips thick-cut bacon
1 scoop vanilla ice cream

Instructions: Heat frying pan to medium-high heat. Cook bacon in pan for 3-4 minutes per side. Shape ground beef into patty and cook in bacon grease for 6-7 minutes per side. Spread butter onto both buns and toast in pan for 2-3 minutes until slightly browned and crisp. Spread peanut butter on both buns and strawberry jelly on top bun. Add burger patty to bottom bun and top with bacon. Finish with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the bacon and burger patty, finish with top bun and enjoy!

— Sarah Mosqueda

Uncategorized

Published Admin Only:

FACEBOOK FAN OF THE MONTH
Sommer Clark, of Huntington Beach
Daughter: Savannah 

What’s your favorite stay-at-home activity?
“Savannah loves to run around the house like a track star, play dress-up in Mommy’s clothes, play princess in her tent, and she loves to catch falling bubbles.”

What are your words of advice for parents during this challenging time?
“Take it day by day and enjoy as many moments with the little ones as possible.”

TWITTER

Kadi Baker
@KadiPrescott

“I may not be a perfect mom and my grandma wasn’t perfect either. But we raised our kids to be thoughtful and loving. In times like this, I am extra grateful that we were all raised to love one another.”

 

INSTAGRAM

 Nicole Bonilla
@the.bonilla.bunch

Teacher Appreciation
“Teachers MISS our students! We like to teach. We enjoy the sweet, fun interactions. We are NOT glad that we are away from our students. Please be kind and patient with the teachers and the students at home.”

 

Health & Wellness, Inspiration, Mindfulness, Special Needs

Published Admin Only:

Special needs children offer important lessons to parents and the community.

Indeed, the term special needs is associated with disabilities and implores parents as well as stakeholders in the community to ensure their children get special assistance and accommodations for their medical, psychological and learning deficiencies. However, the use of the term special needs has led to the creation of a cloud of darkness over children and is making them feel that their needs can only be addressed if they have certain deficits. All children have special needs at different stages of their development and require effective accommodations to allow them to attain the critical milestones in their life journeys. These needs are not deficits but are the care, leadership and love that children require in their lives. 

Certain children may have more needs due to their medical, physical as well as psychological uniqueness and deficits. While a parent may have a child with special needs, such as learning disabilities or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), all children may require more support due to their own unique differences from others. From a developmental perspective, the needs of a particular child may not be different from their “normal” peers. All children have needs at various points of their life development, from childhood to adolescence. For example, they may feel awkward and different in certain situations. Some may be battling insecurity and lack of self-esteem, as well as confidence crises in their interactions at home or school. These children may be challenged by circumstances that they cannot control. 

Exceptional Parenting 

Parents of children who have developmental challenges in the form of conditions like autism, anxiety disorder, ADHD as well as developmental trauma, have demonstrated that good parenting is always a game-changer for special needs children. Learning disabilities present challenges to certain children, and it is only through effective support that the children can feel secure and comfortable among their peers. When parents raise children with special needs, the care and stress levels may be significant and complicated because such circumstances shift the family foundation by increasing the complexity of the entire parenting process. The implication is that parenting becomes a source of light and wisdom for the involved parents who can inspire others to attain their own parenting goals.

What makes such parents exceptional is their ability to handle the special needs and overcome inherent challenges. This includes locating and accessing effective resources and treatment interventions, as well as therapies to help their child live a better life. Further, exceptionality arises as parents and family members strive to cope with the emotional and physical demands of these disabilities and specialized care. Special needs children require constant monitoring that translates into numerous appointments with health care providers, therapists and school personnel. A parent must ensure that he or she provides all the necessary support to their child by providing them essential access to services from these providers. 

Unique Qualities 

When a child has a special need, it does not mean that he or she has a deficit, but it constitutes a unique difference from others. What is worrying is the notion that parents and educators try to diagnose a special needs child so that they can work out a plan to “fix” the child. Children do not need to be fixed but need to be allowed to interact in the most positive environment despite the deficits that they may have or demonstrate. Parents and teachers should not try to “fix” children because of what they believe in. They should instead help children to understand their unique situations as well as how they can attain positive social interactions at school and home. Children should not be discriminated against by parents and educators who feel that they require special education and approaches. As exceptional parents, they must worry about balancing the needs of their children as opposed to differentiating them as either “with special needs” or “normal.” All children are normal but some may have deficits in one area or the other. The implication is that parents must offer effective leadership such that no child feels isolated due to their physical, mental, psychological and physiological deficits. Parents should develop effective relationships with all their children, irrespective of the disability that they have. What is evident is that as a parent, one must consider that all children have special needs because of all the challenges in growth and development.

 Parenting Leadership 

The special needs that arise in children should be a source of light and wisdom. These children demonstrate that special needs are a critical component of allowing society and its members to provide leadership that is transformational and considers all people equal. Transformational leadership inspires and places trust as well as confidence even in the least important member of society and families. Servant leadership calls on parents who make self-sacrifices for the sake of their children’s happiness.  These two leadership styles are crucial to the development of all children. 

Anthony Cupo is a trained mindfulness facilitator (TMF) from the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. He is a co-owner of Stepping Forward Counseling Center, LLC and has been meditating for over 30 years.

Photo: Xavier Mouton Photographie

Gift Guides, Special Needs

Published Admin Only:

Myths for Little Yogis

Megan Henderson wrote the book “Myths for Little Yogis — Shiva’s Dance” to share what the wonders of yoga practice can do for everyone. Henderson’s passion for yoga accessibility stems from her work promoting the healing power of yoga to children with special needs. Yoga helped her own daughter, who has Down syndrome, develop enough strength and balance to begin crawling. The book is an introduction to an ancient Indian myth and source of the dancer’s pose in yoga. Your kids will be enthralled with the story of Shiva restoring balance to the universe all while teaching them lessons of lifestyle and wellness.

$18.99, mythsforlittleyogis.com

 

Camel Crazy

Award-winning author, journalist and Orange County native Christina Adams wrote “Camel Crazy: A Quest for Miracles in the Mysterious World of Camels” in 2019 about her search for a life-changing treatment for her son’s autism. Upon seeing improvements in her son, Adams soon went on to discover a world of “camel people” and the creatures they revere as healers. This book is a page-turning narrative that combines science, mystery and love-fueled determination in a way that will make every reader a little camel crazy. 

$17.95, amazon.com

The Brave Knight Kit

Anxiety is common among those with special needs and while it is not something that simply goes away, learning coping skills is tremendously helpful for both child and parent. New experiences and brief separations no longer have to be a challenge with Sir William’s Brave Knight Kit. Created by psychology expert Colleen Marchi to help her own son’s anxiety, the kit includes fuzzy forever friend Sir William, “The Magical Order of Brave Knights” storybook to help kids learn bravery, and a projecting flashlight to make bedtime a little less scary and a lot more fun. Whether it’s at home, the dentist office or the park, the Brave Knight Kit is perfect for any adventure.

$42.99, 3+ years, magicalorderofbraveknights.com

Sensory Fidget Tubes

Trouble focusing or sitting still for long periods of time is common among children on the autism spectrum. Help your child manage their emotions and focus their attention on this set of four colorful Sensory Fidget Tubes. These securely sealed, easy-to-grip bottles feature a variety of shapes, interactive elements, special effects and colors to provide a quiet, engaging option for kids who need help settling down.

$29.99, 3-4 years, hand2mind.com

Sensory See Me Ball

Sensory development is important for any child, including those with special needs. With these unique textured Sensory Balls, playtime will greatly enhance your child’s gross motor and tactile skills. Each ball is soft and stimulating enough that rolling the Sensory Balls on your child’s back or feet alone will heighten sensory awareness. The size of each Sensory Ball can also help encourage grasping and coordination.

$9.99, 6+ months, amazon.com

— Madison Amirehteshami

Learning Resources, Special Needs

Published Admin Only:

Mental health challenges in kids can sometimes hide in plain sight.

Special needs are often associated with physical disabilities. While not as visible, special needs also includes learning, emotional and behavioral challenges. Common mental health challenges are anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and (obsessive-compulsive disorder) OCD. There are different levels of emotional challenges ranging from mild and moderate to more severe.

Mental health challenges in children often go under-diagnosed for different reasons.  Parents might unintentionally ignore their child’s needs as they think their child is just acting out and may not realize that there is an underlying issue. Teachers most often have not been trained to identify emotional needs in their students. For example, they might not realize that when a student raises their hand often to go to the bathroom, there can be an underlying emotional issue in the classroom. There can be breakdowns in communication with a child and their parents, teachers and pediatricians. If the child doesn’t understand or cannot verbalize their emotions, the adults may not be fully aware of the child’s emotional distress. And finally, there is still a stigma associated with mental health issues, which might prevent parents from reaching out for help.

Rates of children and adolescents with mental health disorders are increasing dramatically. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in six U.S. children aged 2 to 8 years old has a mental, behavioral or developmental disorder.  

Dr. Jessica Borelli, associate professor of psychological science at the University of California, Irvine and advisory board member of the Extraordinary Lives Foundation in Mission Viejo says, ”The best way to know if your child is hurting is to stay in close emotional contact with them. Make space for your child’s thoughts and feelings in your daily life by carving out time to talk to your child every day. Express an interest in knowing what is really going on inside of them and show them that you can handle their biggest feelings when they have them.”

Experts agree that early diagnosis and treatment for both children and their families are key.

“It takes a village to raise a child.” This famous African proverb certainly applies to children with emotional special needs. It’s critical for community collaboration so children can grow up in safe and healthy environments. A child’s core support team — parents, caregivers, physicians and teachers — should be familiar with warning signs that help detect emotional challenges sooner than later. For example, a shift in a child’s behavior can mean that they are experiencing an emotional challenge. A quiet child might seem more agitated or aggressive whereas an outgoing child might withdraw and isolate themselves. Children might experience physical ailments such as stomach issues or headaches, which could indicate an underlying emotional cause. They might also engage in escape and avoidance behaviors, which will get them out of an environment that is causing them stress or distress. A student may frequently ask to be excused in class or want to stay home if they are experiencing negative emotions at school.  

The key is open and honest communication between parents, educators and health professionals. By identifying early signs of emotional distress, the issues can be brought to light and treated.

Many resources are available to children and their families through the county and mental health community partners. Pediatricians and schools are a great first line of defense to evaluate and guide families on their journey to obtain help. The OC Health Care Agency (855-OC-Links) provides phone and online support for anyone seeking information or referral to any of the Health Care Agency’s Behavioral Health Services for both children and adult mental health.

Extraordinary Lives Foundation was formed five years ago to address mental health issues in young children. The Orange County-based nonprofit published “The Power of Piggie Bear” as a teaching tool to empower children and increase their emotional intelligence. It focuses on self-acceptance and self-love while helping children to identify their emotions and comfort themselves. One of the tools is Piggie Bear’s deep belly breathing to create an internal feeling of calm.

The book was instrumental in helping a Lake Forest family whose preschooler was threatened at school and literally given methods to end her life by a group of 3- and 4-year-old boys. “The Power of Piggie Bear” helped the 4-year-old girl decrease her anxiety, and identify and talk about her emotions. The family has also used therapy and other forms of holistic healing.

The Piggie Bear plush animal is utilized with the book to provide unconditional love, comfort and support for children in hospitals, foster care, military families and children’s shelters. 

Extraordinary Lives Foundation is currently working with several health-related professionals to create a curriculum for the perinatal, prenatal and postpartum stages of pregnancy, geared toward parents helping their children. The organization also guides parents to alternative healing modalities to help their children live happier and healthier lives.

Mara James is the founder and CEO of Extraordinary Lives Foundation. She founded the Orange County-based nonprofit organization in 2015 to promote children’s mental health and wellness while supporting families with awareness, education and resources. For more information, visit ELFempowers.org.

Top Photo: A young girl hugs her Piggie Bear 

Center Photo: Mara James reading “The Power of Piggie Bear” to children at CHOC

Bottom Photo: “The Power of Piggie Bear” book cover

 

Health & Wellness, Learning Resources, Special Needs

Published Admin Only:

Good health and wellness practices for children with autism are important to overall well-being.

There’s a lot for parents to process when a child receives a diagnosis of autism.

And there are some important needs to tend to beyond behavioral symptoms. Oftentimes, health and wellness practices can be compromised by symptoms and behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is important for parents to make health and wellness a top priority for children with ASD to make a difference in their lives now, and for years to come.

Feeling a sense of belonging within a community is an extremely important component of maintaining mental wellness. When a child with ASD is given the opportunity to participate in group activities or community events they are able to foster a sense of belonging and friendship.

This feeling also translates to caregivers and parents — it’s knowing that your child can participate in events or activities without feeling singled out or judged.

The Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CAND) at UCI Health provides wellness programs to promote the health and well-being of individuals. For example, some of those programs and activities include musical performances in partnership with the Pacific Symphony’s Heart Strings Program, dance and music classes in partnership with the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and art and creativity workshops in partnership with the Chuck Jones’ Center for Creativity.

Wellness encompasses the many choices you make toward a healthy and fulfilling life, including hygiene habits. Children with ASD may have a more difficult time developing healthy hygiene habits as they are sensitive to the stimuli associated with many of these tasks. Physical limitations and behavior problems may also make tending to personal hygiene more difficult.

When explaining the physical changes of puberty, it is important to speak about the process in a very factual matter. This way, the child is able to fully comprehend what will happen to them, how to deal with it and ultimately feel empowered to ask questions.

By mastering these adaptive skills, children with ASD have the opportunity to become more independent.

It’s equally as important to protect the health of children with ASD by adopting healthy habits in the areas of sleep, fitness and nutrition. These are absolutely vital to maintaining overall health and well-being.

Sleep

Sleep problems including trouble falling asleep and staying asleep are very common, and are reported as high as 80 percent in children with ASD. An additional problem related to sleep is waking up early, which can be caused by stress or excessive use of screen time such as TV, computer, video games, etc. Sleep problems or insufficient sleep are associated with restricted and repetitive behaviors, anxiety or sensory problems and may cause inattention, restlessness, anger and tantrums.  

The quantity and quality of sleep for children with ASD is often directly affected by changes and alterations in their sleeping conditions and routines. Establishing good sleep hygiene to ensure your child gets a solid night’s rest by following a consistent bedtime routine and a regular sleep schedule is important. Parents can also speak to their healthcare provider about additional relaxation strategies and sleep aids to improve their child’s quality of sleep.

Fitness 

Research at CAND has shown that children ages 6 to 11 with ASD exercise less compared to typically developing children. 

Exercise is proven to have positive effects on mental and behavioral health. Physical activity improves bone density, attention, concentration and organizational and motor skills, and reduces problem behaviors.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to implement a suitable physical activity routine. This can be anything from a walk around the neighborhood to a friendly game of backyard soccer. The goal is to get your child moving, if necessary, through a rewards program in order to improve physical and mental health and reduce the risk of any chronic health problems.

Nutrition

In addition to physical exercise, nutrition plays an integral role in development and an overall healthy lifestyle. Nutrition and diet can be deficient in children and adolescents with ASD due to rigid, restricted taste and food preferences. 

As a result, over half of children with ASD take vitamins such as vitamin D and calcium, which are important for a healthy immune system and bone health. Eating a balanced diet rich in protein, iron and calcium from milk products and leafy greens, as well as phosphorus from milk, beans and nuts has proven to be beneficial for children with ASD.

Awareness regarding health and wellness can significantly improve the life of a child with ASD, and allow each child to reach his or her full potential.

Hazel Benavides Vickers, MA, BCBA, ESDM certified, Behavior Intervention Division lead at The Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, UCI Health.

Dr. Jean Gehricke, associate research director, The Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine.

Top Photo:Leo Rivas

Center Photo: The Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CAND) at UCI Health provides wellness programs to promote the health and well-being of individuals, including musical performances in partnership with the Pacific Symphony’s Heart Strings Program. 

 

Health & Wellness, Learning Resources, Special Needs

Published Admin Only:

Here are four essential things every special needs parent can do for better emotional well-being. 

My phone has been blowing up with texts all morning, and when I finally have a chance to check, I see that a group text with my special needs mom friends has turned into a boisterous discussion about the perils of poop. Oh, you haven’t been in a group text discussion about poop lately? Welcome to the world of special needs parenting — where no topic is too embarrassing or awkward to share with one another. We laugh through the tears. 

No. 1: Find Your Tribe

The importance of building community, your tribe, cannot be overstated for the potential positive impact on emotional health. 

The darkest and loneliest times for me emotionally were in the period before I found the people that now make up my invaluable community. When my now 7-year-old son Kai’s developmental delays became significantly apparent — right around age 1 — my husband, Jason, and I were breaking down daily. 

We sought a diagnosis, and after three years of countless appointments and sleepless nights, we discovered through whole exome sequencing that Kai has an ultra rare genetic disorder called Cabezas syndrome, a mutation of CUL4B, which manifests in intellectual disability, global developmental delays, lack of verbal language and medical fragility, including seizures. 

Beyond my family and a very small handful of supportive friends, the expansion of my personal tribe came first through social media. I created a public Facebook page specific to Kai’s disorder, and a private family page. Jason and I were told by genetics that due to the rarity of Kai’s condition it was unlikely we’d find anyone else with the diagnosis. There are now at least 75 families around the world with a child or children diagnosed with a CUL4B mutation who have joined the group, and our numbers grow weekly. 

We lean on one another in an incomparable way very specific to our unique experience. For its drawbacks, social media has the power to bring together those of almost any diagnosis or symptom. 

No. 2: Learn to Recognize Your Emotional Warning Signs

It would be impossible to fully encapsulate the range of emotions that arise within the experience of raising an atypical child, except to say: It’s all of it … ALL THE EMOTIONS. 

We as special needs parents are well aware that we are more susceptible to mental health challenges, from depression and anxiety to PTSD. But if we can identify our personal warning signs of emotional distress, we can often prevent them from escalating to the degree they negatively impact our mental health. 

The warning signs may appear in a more subtle way than a complete meltdown. Feeling overwhelmed, irritable, impatient, short-fused, forgetful, joyless, exhausted, defensive and numb are some of the ways emotional stress surfaces.

As a marriage and family therapist in Dana Point, I regularly speak to my clients about the importance of self-care practices when these signs show up — like grabbing coffee or an evening out with a group of friends, making a date for a harbor walk or yoga class.

No. 3: Remember to Drop Your Armor Sometimes

I found my tribe. I know my emotional warning signs. Now the hard part: actually reaching out for the support I need. Some people are better about this than others. I myself would rather let my kids play with glitter than admit I need help. 

Why? I’m embarrassed I can’t do it all. I don’t want to be a burden. I fear pity. I want to appear strong. 

Attempting to live up to idealized perceptions of strength, whether from an external or internal source, usually compounds the sense of isolation, shame and guilt for a special needs parent who is struggling with the reality of day-to-day defeat, anger and grief. 

It is OK to be strong and also burnt-out. It is OK to be compassionate and sometimes angry. It is OK to love our child and also admit that they can be a lot sometimes. 

Try to let in those with whom you have developed a level of emotional trust. 

No. 4: Seek Meaning and Purpose

Every time I hop on a train of thought toward a dark and defeated place, I think of the purpose I have gained in my life as a result of the community built with those who share my son’s diagnosis, and the work we are doing to create a more optimistic future for CUL4B disorder families. Together, we are creating a foundation, registry and working with researchers. More can be accomplished together than alone in the realm of disability and rare disease. 

Our ability to vulnerably share our suffering and worries with one another has actually created a network of information in my community that no doctor at this point could ever tell us, and the beginning of a natural history collection for Kai’s condition. 

It doesn’t have to be this huge. Even the smallest purposeful action can create a stronger sense of well-being. Today, my purpose was to listen and laugh with someone talking about her kid’s poop. Sometimes the smallest things can be the most meaningful for someone in the moment.

Leah Lewis is an Orange County wife, mother of two and parent advocate, bringing awareness and action to the rare genetic disorder Cabezas syndrome. She works as a marriage and family therapist in private practice out of Dana Point, specializing in individual and couples counseling for parents of children with special needs.

Top Photo: Leah Lewis with her son, Kai

Photo By Carolyn Ruiz

Center Photo: Leah Lewis and her family 

Photo By Jesslan Lee 

Health & Wellness

Published Admin Only:

Q: [All Ages] I’m super stressed out with everything that’s going on right now. How do I overcome this anxiety?

A: To say these are unprecedented times is an understatement. Our parents did not talk to us about that time in their lives when the entire world was brought to its knees by a tiny RNA strand. Although we may have heard from grandparents and history books about the 1918 flu pandemic, the notion of a similar occurrence overwhelming modern technology was remote for most of us. But nature has shown us once again that its power overcomes human desires, ambitions and aspirations. And, as nature overcomes our collective ego, there has never been a better time to become mindful about the way we think, feel and behave. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems like no matter how diligently we stay up to date with the news, we still can’t control the fact that each day ushers in a new reality. This collective test on endurance was neither on the calendar, nor in the user’s manual on how to be an adult. But together, we can find ways to move forward and craft good, valuable lessons to pass on to future generations. 

While we must be diligent about flattening the peak of our local pandemic, we must remember that there will be a life after COVID-19. Enduring this pandemic may feel like a marathon. So let’s explore a few ways to best pace ourselves during this race. 

  • Understanding Anxiety: In mental health, we look at behavior in a biopsychosocial continuum. We are biologically primed to act a certain way in the face of danger. But our innate psychological characteristics and the social events of our upbringing determine our own unique appraisal of danger. In the face of a threat, our body activates a cascade of communications between glands to produce the kind of hormones that could help us get into action and escape. But, these glands will not distinguish between a saber-toothed tiger and a bill from the IRS. It is up to our mind to appraise the depth of the threat and to respond accordingly.
  • Fear vs. Science: While there is a tiny space between denial and panic, both represent a maladaptive appraisal of danger. When anxiety is excessive, we overestimate danger and underestimate our capacity to cope. When it’s too little, we put ourselves and others at risk by denying the existence of the threat because it’s simply too difficult to handle. Within this space, there is productive anxiety. The kind that helps us evaluate the threat as close as possible to the facts and activate problem-solving skills to protect ourselves. Because of this, it is important to remember that the way we feel may not be truly representative of the facts. It is important to stay informed by choosing only reputable sources and to make an active effort to balance both the bad news and the good news every day.
  • Controlling What We Can: It is important to remember that the COVID-19 pandemic has mobilized experts around the world who are tirelessly finding ways to bring our lives back. We can control how much we adhere to their crucial public health recommendations to shorten the duration of the pandemic. We can control our health by staying active, eating healthy and following mental health recommendations. We can control the spread of misinformation by only sharing from legitimate sources.
  • Keeping Routines: Structure is vital. While our job to stay home right now may seem trivial, we must remember that we function in a structured world and that, unless we plan on relocating to an Everest, routines are going to be waiting for us when this is over. Change out of your PJs every day. Draft a calendar for the whole family and place it where everyone can see it. Factor in productive times, as well as leisure and physical activities.
  • Finding the Silver Lining: Focus some time each day on gratitude and spotting the potential changes and opportunities ahead. Make a fun exercise at home where everyone comes up with a positive outcome from this global crisis.
  • Live, Love, Laugh: Humor and altruism are by far my favorite defense mechanisms.  Finding humor in everyday life does not invalidate our feelings toward this global tragedy. Giving yourself permission to smile guarantees that your mind gets a break in the midst of this overwhelming amount of new information. As for altruism, a selfless act of kindness has a tremendous healing power, whether it’s dropping off groceries for your elderly neighbor or making your valuable skills accessible in an online platform. 
  • Make Time For You: Add relaxation techniques, meditation and physical activity to your daily routine. Within a reasonable screen time constraint, leverage technology to get the family moving.
  • Ask For Help: If you think emotions of fear, sadness and anger are getting in the way with your ability to focus, problem-solve and parent, please seek help. Remember, you must put your oxygen mask on first before placing it on someone else.

Dr. Patricia De Marco Centeno is a consultation-liaison psychiatrist and director of the Maternal Mental Health Program at Hoag.

 

Top Photo: Talles Alves

Health & Wellness

Published Admin Only:

Q: [All Ages] This pandemic is like nothing we’ve ever had to deal with as a society. How do I address it with my kids? 

A: One of the most important things I do as a physician is listen to my patients’ concerns and offer them support and guidance as they battle cancer. Right now, as we navigate our new public health reality, it also includes answering questions and providing resources so my patients and their families can protect themselves against coronavirus (COVID-19). As a parent of three children, the role I play is not all that different. Like parents around the world, I am answering my children’s questions, comforting them and doing everything I can to keep them safe. 

As schools and workplaces close and daily activities look very different, it’s critical that we take time to have honest, yet reassuring, conversations with our children while taking care of our own physical and emotional health.

Create Calm

One of the best things you can do, with all the information swirling around, is to be ready to talk with your children. Consider yourself on call to listen and answer questions as best you can. Ask your children how they are feeling and if they have questions. Children can sense anxiety and stress. Share how you are feeling. Taking turns sharing will make both of you feel calmer.

Help your children navigate these uncertain times with the following tips:

  • Explain what’s happening in simple terms. Remind them that children without underlying illness are not at high risk. One way to explain COVID-19 is: This virus is like a cold or flu and everyone is working to prevent people with weaker bodies from getting it. 
  • Establish a routine. School-aged children need it. Make a schedule that allows time for school work, play, chores and keep their sleep routine the same.
  • Plan fun family activities. Have games or movie night. Include children in planning or cooking a meal together or creating new family traditions. Take a virtual tour of a museum or the zoo together. The zoo may be closed but the webcams are on. 
  • Allow your children screen time. Children use screen time to connect with their friends and distract themselves from stress.
  • Avoid letting children watch TV news. They may not understand it and may become frightened or worried. If your children do hear information on the TV or radio, interpret by using child-friendly language and help them understand their emotions are normal. Always keep your information simple and consistent.
  • Reinforce daily actions to reduce the spread of germs. Remind your kids about the importance of social distance, especially when it comes to people exhibiting signs of any kind of cold, flu or illness, such as coughing, sneezing. Get children in the habit of sneezing or coughing into a tissue and throwing that tissue away and washing their hands. Teach them the 20-second hand-washing rule, especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing their noses. Make sure the whole family thoroughly washes up before handling food or eating meals.
  • A note about hand sanitizer … If hand-washing isn’t available, hand sanitizer (containing at least 60 percent alcohol) will do in a pinch. Just take extra care using it with younger children to help them avoid ingesting it.

Be Physically Active 

In our altered version of daily life, staying healthy requires a little more effort. Being alert and vigilant about hygiene and keeping your distance is vital. Yet so are staying active and positive. Try to get your family outside as often as possible. Encourage your child to go for a bike ride or go on a family walk or hike. Exercise is vital — just remember to keep your distance from other people.

Finally, practice self-care. Schedule time for yourself every day to do something relaxing and stay connected to friends through apps, group chats and social media. Take care of your body by eating well, exercising and getting plenty of sleep.

Each day will be a new challenge, but by looking out for our families and each other, we will get through this.

Dr. Misagh Karimi, MD, is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research at City of Hope Orange County. He practices out of City of Hope’s new Newport Beach location, the first phase of City of Hope’s plans to invest $1 billion to develop and operate a regional cancer care network and cancer campus of the future in Orange County.

 

Top Photo: Jonathan Borba

 

Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Pets

Published Admin Only:

The pandemic is causing anxiety about the safety of all members of the family. 

There is a lot of anxiety about Coronavirus Disease 2019, aka COVID-19. For pet owners, that anxiety has undoubtedly extended to the safety of their companion animals.

Can pets get sick from coronavirus? 

Though more information and research is still necessary about how COVID-19 is transmitted, health officials are currently saying this is unlikely.

“There is no reason at this time to think that any animals, including pets, in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19 in the United States,” states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Anxieties surrounding the new virus, called SARS-CoV-2, and its impact on pets heightened after Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) reported that a pet dog whose owner had the disease had “weak positive” results for the virus. The dog wasn’t showing any symptoms. 

According to an FAQ updated by the American Veterinary Medical Association on March 16, 2020, the AFCD first collected samples from the 17-year-old Pomeranian on Feb. 26 and detected low levels of SARS-CoV-2 in samples from its nasal and oral cavities on Feb. 27. Testing was repeated on Feb. 28, March 2 and March 5 with continued “weak positive” results. 

“Weak positive,” the AVMA states in the FAQ, suggests there is a small quantity of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the tested samples. But it doesn’t distinguish whether the samples contain intact viruses (which are infectious) or only RNA fragments. To better understand the meaning behind the weak positive, additional testing was being conducted.

LiveScience reported on March 18 that the dog died on March 16 after it tested negative for the virus and was released from quarantine. PetfoodIndustry.com reported on March 19 that a second pet dog whose owner was diagnosed with COVID-19, also in Hong Kong, tested positive for the virus. The dog, a 2-year-old German shepherd, is also showing no symptoms. But another dog from the same home tested negative. Both dogs were quarantined.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) issued a press release to reassure pet owners about the news. According to the group, the 17-year-old Pomeranian did have unrelated health problems and is believed to have passed away from old age. 

“While there is still much we don’t know about COVID-19, we do know that the Pomeranian dog did not die from the virus, and the second dog is also showing no signs, either of the disease or of being able to transmit it to other pets or people. The current evidence still strongly indicates that COVID-19 cannot be contracted from pets,” WSAVA President Dr. Shane Ryan says in the statement. “We remain very concerned at reports of many animals being abandoned, killed or taken to shelters because their owners fear that they might carry the virus when this is not supported by evidence. In addition to the suffering this causes to the animals concerned, their owners will also cease to benefit from all the positive aspects of owning a pet, which are even more important as so many of us are now having to limit contact with other people.” 

Veterinary diagnostics company IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. announced in a news release on March 13 that the company has seen no positive test results of SARS-CoV-2 in pets to date. The company evaluated thousands of canine and feline specimens during validation of a new veterinary test system for the COVID-19 virus.

“Considering this information in total, infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they can spread COVID-19 to other animals, including people,” according to the AVMA. 

The AVMA and other experts do recommend washing your hands before and after interacting with animals. 

Veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds, of Hemopet veterinary center in Garden Grove, advises pet owners to try and stay calm. 

“Coronaviruses are commonly found in the canine bowel and are not related to the COVID-19 respiratory virus now affecting people worldwide,” she says. “Please follow common principles of hygiene and wash your hands thoroughly in warm or cool soapy water for at least 20 seconds and dry them.”

She also has some suggestions for keeping pets active while staying home more.

“Engage them in playtime indoors or [in the] backyard, perhaps with television turned on to a pet or doggie/cat cartoon show,” she says. 

— Jessica Peralta

Photo:
Charles Deluvio

Allergy, Colds, & Flu, Health & Wellness

Published Admin Only:

It all starts with clean hands and cool heads. 

Wash your hands. Don’t touch your face. Cough into a tissue that you immediately discard. Stay home.

By now, we’ve all heard the advice from government and health officials regarding COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, but when it comes to safeguarding yourself and your children, proper hygiene — and a sense of calm — go a long way.

This is a fast-moving and ever-changing challenge, so I have been telling parents to check in with cdc.gov for updated information. In addition, there are some pieces of universal advice that I hope can be helpful in answering parents’ most pressing questions.

How would I know if my child has COVID-19?

Symptoms in children are generally mild and look a lot like the common cold: fever, runny nose, cough and some gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

What treatments are available if my child develops COVID-19?

As of this writing, there are no antiviral drugs recommended or licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for COVID-19. 

While it’s natural to plan for what to do in case a family member becomes ill, I have been reminded that parents take the more effective route of preventing disease, rather than treating it. Cover coughs with elbows or tissues, wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds (long enough to sing “Happy Birthday” twice) or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and stay current on vaccinations, including the flu shot.

Should I cancel my child’s routine check-up?

If you have questions about your child’s medical care, it’s best to contact your pediatrician directly. That said, in addition to thorough hand-washing and keeping a distance from sick people, one of the best ways to prevent illness is by staying current on your vaccines. So, if you are thinking of postponing your child’s scheduled immunizations out of concern for the coronavirus, check with your pediatrician first.

It might also be helpful to know that local hospitals and medical practices are working with the Orange County Health Care Agency, the California Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stay up to date on the situation. At Hoag, for instance, we have a world-class Infection Prevention team leading robust efforts, including education, training and drills.

Will a face mask help?

Not likely. The CDC recommends face masks only for people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. Buying face masks that you don’t need can also jeopardize the supply for health workers and other care providers who do need them.

I am pregnant. What do I need to know?

For any questions regarding your health and the health of your unborn child, please contact your obstetrician. The CDC’s information about COVID-19 and pregnancy is unfortunately limited. What is known is that high fevers during the first trimester of pregnancy can cause complications, so it is important for pregnant women to use all precautions to avoid illness.

What is your response to parents not taking the stay-in orders seriously — for example, kids still going to skateparks and families at the beach, causing cities to close them? 

Since there is no known effective treatment and no vaccine, the only thing that will reduce the spread in our community is social distancing. This includes following the governor’s order to avoid gathering in crowds and public spaces.

We’re now seeing that younger people have gotten pretty sick in some cases. What should people know about this? 

While people over 50 with co-morbidities tend to suffer the most serious consequences of this infection, it can really hit any age group. Just because you are young and healthy does not mean that you will not get sick, or possibly get seriously ill from this virus.

The coronavirus is contagious, but so is fear. Clean hands and cool heads will go a long way toward protecting children from the disease, as well as from anxiety.

Dr. Philip Robinson, M.D., is the medical director of Infection Prevention at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.

Photo:

Alexander Dummer

Uncategorized

Published Admin Only:

theCoderSchool

theCoderSchool

The school has opened its newest location in the La Palma/Cerritos area, where young students ages 7 to 18 are taught how to write computer software. It is Silicon Valley’s top coding school for kids and is now offering programs in Southern California. In today’s fast-paced world where technology is changing daily, kids have the need to learn these skills for their future. This specialized school offers many camps on school holidays when students can be productive while traditional school is out. Whether your child wants to be an engineer, doctor or artist, gaining logical thinking and problem-solving skills are invaluable tools.

theCoderSchool, 5100 Orangethorpe Ave., La Palma

Life Time Rancho San Clemente_Kids Academy

Life Time

You can now enjoy Life Time Rancho San Clemente’s beautiful fitness spaces and abundance of amenities. Parents and children will be able to enjoy this new 10.5-acre facility with classes and activities for the whole family. This location features Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with a tennis court, pool, kids academy, spa, cafe and much more. Kids can enjoy the academy while parents enjoy a yoga class or relax at the spa. Life Time Rancho San Clemente is the second Life Time location in Orange County and offers a full fitness experience. This athletic resort opened on Jan. 23 and offers an unmatched athletic resort experience that promotes healthy living for all ages.

111 Avenida Vista Montana, San Clemente

Gracias Madre

Gracias Madre

Gracias Madre Restaurant & Bar, a culinary staple in Los Angeles, has now opened an Orange County location in Newport Beach. The restaurant offers popular dishes from its flagship location as well as new items, including a kids’ menu with coloring pages. The menu will feature favorites such as the savory Bowl Uno, Jamaica Flautas and Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos along with a variety of exclusive items created by award-winning Chef Alan Sánchez Lázaro. Gracias Madre’s unique cocktail menu showcases organic, artisanal tequila and mescal craft cocktails that are free of chemically-processed spirits. The Quinceanera, Purista and So Fresa So Clean are notable cocktails featured on their artistic menu — a book illustrated by Los Angeles-based designer C. Brennan Woo.

1617 Westcliff Dr., Newport Beach

Ono Hawaiian BBQ

Ono Hawaiian BBQ

Ono Hawaiian BBQ recently opened up its first location in Anaheim. The location is Ono Hawaiian’s 90th overall, with 12 new locations set to open across California and Arizona this year. Ono Hawaiian BBQ is a family-owned, fast-casual restaurant known for its authentic Hawaiian plate lunches and other island specialties. Each order is grilled fresh and prepared from scratch daily, bringing the culture of Hawaii to Anaheim. This location is located right off Katella and the 5 Freeway.

131 E. Katella Ave. Suite 30, Anaheim

Now RX

NowRx Pharmacy

This online pharmacy, located in Irvine, provides prescription delivery in a fast, new, convenient way. “Never wait in the pharmacy line again!” is the motto of this fast-growing pharmaceutical delivery service. Their service includes prescription delivery under five hours for free. Order with NowRx and receive a $20 Visa gift card with qualifying purchases.

nowrx.com

Uncategorized

Published Admin Only:

baby locks on cabinet drawers

Q: [Babies & Toddlers] As new parents, we want to make sure our home is safe for our baby. What would you say are three things we should address in our home to get started?

A: First off let me say you are not alone! We all want to protect our babies and oftentimes can feel very overwhelmed looking at our home and all the dangers we can see. Boo Boo Busters recommends to start your baby proofing before your baby starts crawling, that way once they’re on the move, you have protection in place. Below are a few tips that will hopefully help you get started.

Unintentional injuries are the No. 1 leading cause of death in children each year, states the CDC. This is important to know, as we want to prevent unintentional injuries and lower this statistic! These are injuries that potentially could have been prevented.

There are many hidden dangers in and around our homes. As a good starting point, Boo Boo Busters wants you to consider these three hazards. Please be aware and child proof immediately.

1. Choking hazard: Anything that can pass through a cardboard toilet paper roll holder unobstructed can be considered a choking hazard.

*Think about what’s inside cabinets, home decor, batteries (remotes), small toys. Get on the floor, crawl around and see what your child could potentially get to, and move it out of reach.

2. Strangulation hazards: Anything that can be made into a loop, places round the neck and is affixed at one end, could be a strangulation hazard.

*Think about power cords, cell chargers, TV/lamp cords, blinds cords. Boo Boo Busters recommends keeping all cords short and tight. This can easily be done with a few zip ties.

3. Fall hazards: Stairs, windows and railings can potentially be fall hazards.

*Think about railings that are climbable or a child could fit through, windows that are low and accessible to a child, and any stairs — even one step. Boo Boo Busters recommends gates on stairs, window protection and plexi on railings.

Natalia BergmanNatalia Bergman is a child safety expert with Boo Boo Busters Inc. She takes great pride in educating families on child safety in and around the home. Please check out Boo Boo Busters at booboobusters.com for more information.

Uncategorized

Published Admin Only:

fruits and veggies

Q: [All Ages] Are there specific foods that can give my athlete a boost?

A: We’ve all heard that fruits and vegetables are good for you, but did you know that certain choices can actually help your child improve exercise and feel better?

Hurting and Sore Muscles

Looking for a more natural, anti-inflammatory and pain reliever? Look no further than tart cherry juice. Studies have shown that tart cherry juice can reduce both immediate and delayed muscle pain.

Tart cherry juice can also reduce swelling and inflammation equal to medications such as ibuprofen or its cousins without as many potential side effects. You also get some salt and sugar intake that is helpful replacement after exercise.

If your child can’t handle the tartness, then use a one ounce shot glass of concentrated tart cherry juice twice a day. Another option is, if that tart is too much, pour the shot glass into six ounces of water or use the less concentrated version.

Tart cherry juice can readily be found online or in most grocery stores.

Stomach Upset or Nerves

What are the best foods to eat right before exercise?

Enter bananas. Bananas have both short and longer acting sugars to help support exercise, along with a healthy amount of potassium that is needed for muscle function. They also taste good even with a churning stomach full of butterflies.

Reduce your anxiety over pre-event choices by selecting bananas, and if the choice doesn’t work out, you won’t have the most awful bad taste afterwards.

Green Hair

Does your child have to deal with green hair from all the chemical exposure in pools? If so, try tomatoes — as in tomato ketchup, tomato sauce or tomato juice — not consumed by mouth, but rather washed into the hair.

Here’s why tomatoes are a good choice:

Metals like copper and magnesium are oxidized by chlorine, causing the green hair.
Vinegar in tomato products is an acid that breaks through the oxidation.

The red color in tomatoes neutralizes green, making hair a normal color (and there is not a risk of hair changing to a red color).

A recommended recipe for success:

  1. Rinse hair, squeeze out water.
  2. Put the tomato product in for 10-20 minutes before rinsing it out.
  3. Apply normal shampoo and conditioner.
  4. May be repeated in a few days as needed.

Beeting the Competition

Want to get more blood flow to working muscles that can contract harder during exercise? Then you want to check out beets or beet juice. Beets have nitric oxide that can increase communication between cells, which can open blood vessels leading to more oxygen delivery to muscles.

Endurance athletes (runners and swimmers) are likely to get the most benefit from beets. Start your beets at least five to six days before a big competition and take them two to three hours before exercise.

Beets aren’t the best tasting stuff on the planet and you may have a hard time getting your child to consume them. Try mixing in carrots, apples or ginger to balance out the bitter taste. Juicing with other fruits or juices is a popular option.

Chris KouturesDr. Chris Koutures is a dual board-certified pediatric and sports medicine specialist who practices at ActiveKidMD in Anaheim Hills. Please visit activekidmd.com or follow him on Twitter (@dockoutures).

Top Teachers & Employees

Published Admin Only:

Top Teachers and Employees of OC 2020 Group Photo

Parenting OC’s annual Top Teacher & Employee awards honors the top 25 teachers and employees selected by school administrators, teachers and students.

Top Teacher and Employee Button - Awards Reception Top Teacher and Employee Button - Top Employees

Top Teacher of OC 2020

Kasia Givenrod

Kasia Givenrod

Brea Olinda Unified School District

Kasia Givenrod holds a very unique job title for the Brea Olinda Unified School District.

As the only Adapted Physical Education Specialist for the district, she provides preschoolers through high school seniors with gross motor skill delays specialized services adapted to their needs.

“I have a senior in high school this year that I had as a 3-year-old when I did my student teaching, and I’ve literally been able to watch him grow up,” she says. “It’s such a unique and special opportunity I have to be involved in their education for so many years and watch them grow and progress.”

Givenrod was named Parenting OC’s 2020 Top Teacher of the Year at the Feb. 5 awards event — to her surprise.

“Honestly, I think most people in education don’t really know what Adapted PE is because it only applies to such a small population of students,” she says. “When you consider that along with the fact that APE teachers are typically itinerant, driving from school to school, only spending a small amount of time at each place, it is pretty common for Adapted PE teachers to feel like an island — not fully connected to one place or another. I was so amazed by the nomination because I really thought that people just didn’t know what I did!”

But that was clearly far from the case.

“I nominated Kasia because she is one of the most dedicated student advocates that I have ever worked with during my career,” says Brea Junior High School Principal Kelly Kennedy. “Her passion for educating and supporting all students to be inclusive and positive, and showing kindness is contagious! She is a change agent throughout our district, creating Unified PE and peer mentoring programs. She is one-of-a-kind.”

Her students have a wide variety of disabilities, the most common being autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. For students to qualify for Adapted PE services, they either have a significant gross motor delay or can’t safely or successfully participate in a general PE class.

“All of my activities work on what the students are working on for their goals, ranging from sports skills, fitness skills, safety skills, etc.,” says Givenrod.

Just over the past few weeks, Givenrod’s students learned about the heart for Valentine’s Day, participated in shadow yoga for Groundhog Day and fine-tuned some soccer skills like kicking, passing and shooting.

“We work each day to improve their skills so that they can eventually be more successful in a general PE class,” she says.

She also does several things outside of her “job description,” including planning an annual field trip to the Goodwill of Orange County Faley Special Games at Cal State Fullerton.

“I take my students that are in third grade and up, and it’s such a fun day for them,” she says.

And she also started a class at Brea Junior High and Brea Olinda High School called Unified PE — where students of all abilities (both special education and general education) participate in her class together as “buddies.”

“This class has quickly become one of my favorite parts of teaching,” she says. “I love helping the Unified PE students learn how to see people’s abilities instead of their disabilities. It’s a class that focuses on what a student can do, not what they can’t do. I’ve had several students from this class decide that they want to pursue a career in special education because of their experiences with their buddies, and that makes my heart so happy.”

She says she’s inspired by her students every day.

“I always tell people that I have the best job,” she says. “I get to play fun games with awesome kids all day. What else could I ask for?”

— Jessica Peralta

Top 10 Teachers of OC 2020

Shelley AndrosShelley Andros
Buena Park Junior High

“I’m passionate about teaching, and helping kids find their passions. I don’t take teaching lightly. I think it’s important that we provide role models, that we provide opportunities for our students to learn in a caring environment.”

Shelley Andros is a remarkable educator who leaves her heart-print across the school district and community. She dedicates her time and talents to ensuring that all students succeed, creating lasting relationships with students that help to bolster their motivation and strengthen their work ethic. Her tireless work has led to the development of many Buena Park School District programs that excite and engage students, such as the BPSD STEM/Sailing Academy and the BPJH Horticulture program, utilizing the native garden habitat area, which Andros helped to create. She orchestrated the BPSD VEX Robot Nation Tournament and was also involved with the BPJH Coding Class, which offers the AP Coding exam, BPJH Robotics and the Femineers Program (female engineers). Andros creates these programs and offers them to students in a non-exclusionary way — as evidenced by the number of special needs students and ELD learners who successfully participate in her classes. Andros is a true champion of all students.

— Nominated and approved by Principal Erik Bagger

Amanda AshbyAmanda Ashby
San Joaquin Elementary School

“This award was incredibly rewarding to receive because it validates all the risks I’ve taken in the classroom. I devote my life to lifting up my students intellectually and emotionally, while challenging them in ways that resonate on a personal level. To be recognized for doing something I’m so passionate about is truly an honor.”

Dynamic is the word that comes to mind when describing this fourth-grade teacher. As a vanguard for STEAM best practices at the school, Ashby shines with creating Intentional Lesson designs that not only meet the needs of her students, but promote the 4Cs of Common Core (Collaboration, Creativity, Communication, Critical Thinking). She’s also involved with teaching a STEAM engineering class, where students apply their knowledge of the engineering process to create solutions to real-world problems. With this type of engagement, students are set up for success when they reach high school and college. She is also looking forward to applying her background as a credentialed reading specialist with a master’s degree in reading and literacy, to start a literacy club that focuses on reading and reading skills. She is a superhero to students and makes a positive impact in their lives every day.

— Nominated and approved by Principal David Shun

Cheryl GuckertCheryl Guckert
Clarence Lobo Elementary School

“I’m exceptionally honored by the nomination. I’m grateful to all of my students, family and friends who’ve been there to support me and without them I wouldn’t be here today.”

Cheryl Guckert is one-of-a-kind. This special education teacher has spent her career teaching students who have a wide variety of disabilities. Students love her and rise to any expectations that she sets. Her teaching style is multimodal, which results in successful growth in her class. Any guest who walks into her classroom will only see happy children striving to learn. She knows her students extremely well and also knows what motivates each of them. Not only does she spend quality time during the school day in the classroom, but she spends countless hours in the evening and on weekends to complete all the necessary paperwork that is involved with being a special education teacher, and planning for busy school days. She has also spent thousands of dollars of her own money to make sure she has what she needs to provide the students with the learning environment that each child needs to be successful. She is trusted and admired by all who know her.

— Nominated and approved by Principal Cheryl Sampson

Kelly HambrickKelly Hambrick
San Juan Hills High School

“As a professor and as an educator, I’m honored that my teaching is recognized as having a positive impact on my students and community.”

Kelly Hambrick has created an inviting, healthy and fun environment for physical education students. As PE department chairperson, he helped the department swap out the traditional units of volleyball, basketball, etc. with more engaging curriculum, including yoga, hiking, Badminton, circuit-training, Frisbee and a backyard games unit where students learn bocce ball, cornhole and lawn bowling. His purpose in changing the curriculum was to actively engage students and teach them sports they will actually play after high school. The PE department saw multiple benefits with the changes. They are building their self-confidence and developing a positive attitude toward physical fitness. He and his department met with managers from Orangetheory Fitness, Planet Fitness and a local circuit-training class. They took the best from all three programs to develop cardio/circuit lessons at the school. His passion for students to be happy, physically fit and confident will have a lasting impact.

— Nominated and approved by Principal Jennifer Smalley

Ben HunterBen Hunter
Red Hill Lutheran School

“It is an honor to be part of such a great community of teachers, parents and students.”

Boomwhackers, pBones and Orff Instruments. Anyone entering Ben Hunter’s music class will undoubtedly hear these terms, along with the sounds of symphonic strings, rhythmic drumlines and a rousing concert band. Hunter is a leader and innovator in music education at the school. His passion not only resonates in his classroom but in the community. Since 2014, Hunter has single-handedly developed an instrumental survey program for elementary students, as well as a middle school concert band and a string orchestra. This year, he founded the RHLS Drumline, which has played at Angel Stadium and during the Tustin Tiller Days Parade, where the school’s presentation won first place. After a full day of leading students who play recorders, ukuleles, violins, cellos and a variety of band instruments, he still has time to promote school activities like the Christmas Carol and Dessert Night, pep rallies and Angel’s Band Night, where more than 330 members of the school community came to support the RHLS band. Hunter works tirelessly to instill a love of music in his students.

— Nominated and approved by Principal Paul Marquardt

Jeanne JelnickJeanne Jelnick
Portola High School

“I’m retiring in June after 36 years, and so for me, it’s a wonderful way for the community to recognize all of us as educators. I’m happy retiring knowing that we’re all being appreciated and we’re all being honored.”

She goes by “Mama J.” Jeanne Jelnick is a driving force in one of Orange County’s newest high schools, Portola, in the Irvine Unified School District. She is a founding member of the school’s Leadership Team and has been a powerful influence in every decision that has gone into creating the culture and program at the school. As the most veteran of the 60-plus teacher staff, she not only sits on the school Leadership Team but is also the PHS drama director and the literature and language arts department chair. The best part about “Mama J” is just sitting in her classroom. She is captivating, and has perfected the art of engaging and empowering every single learner in every single lesson. She makes every learner feel like they are important, their opinion matters, their quality of work matters and that every lesson is important to life. Her influence is apparent across the basic fabric of the school.

— Nominated and approved by Principal John Pehrson

Kara JohnsonKara Johnson
Trabuco Hills High School

“I think it’s amazing and such an honor to be part of this recognition. We all work so hard throughout the year day-in and day-out and being recognized is wonderful.”

As the school’s Unified Champion School Site Leader and District Liaison Kara Johnson has tirelessly promoted relationships, acceptance and inclusion between general education students and students with disabilities. By building positive staff relationships, engaging the school campus and community, and providing support, she has built a model program at THHS for students with moderate and severe disabilities. This positive integration was exemplified two years ago when two of her students were elected homecoming king and queen, and again this year with one student on homecoming court. Five years ago, she pioneered a Unified Sports program and collaborated county- and state-wide to expand Unified Sports within schools. Three years ago, she established a fully integrated Unified Physical Education class, one of the first in the state. This year, she started a fully integrated Unified Arts class, also one of the first in the state.

— Nominated by Maranda MacDonald, approved by Principal Craig Collins

Lukas McGlassonLukas McGlasson
Calvary Christian School

“This award means the world to me, but there are many teachers who put their blood, sweat and tears into their classroom as well. I am proud to be featured and I’m honored for receiving this award.”

Lukas McGlasson is an integral part of the school’s technology committee. He led the updating of the school’s technology plan. He also empowers students to create videos that support and connect them to the study of history and science. Second-grade students enjoy utilizing green screens to reenact historical events from the Greek and Roman time periods they’re studying. He uses the puzzle video game Osmos in the classroom as an advanced technology tool that bridges the real and digital realm through unique educational games focused on mathematical and spelling skills. He coaches, mentors and leads students to grow as learners both academically and athletically. While teaching second grade, he steps up into the middle school realm by leading students in outdoor education and on mission trips. He will soon be leading his second trip to Ecuador, where he guides students in understanding the value of serving people in need. He helps students organize fundraisers and provides opportunities for them to practice Spanish.

— Nominated and approved by Principal Leah Hess

Dan ShellDan Shell
Foothill High School

“When my name was announced as an Orange County Top 10 award winner, my first thought was, ‘What an honor!’ I was proud to accept the award as a representative of all the talented and dedicated educators that I get to work with each and every day.”

Parents know him by name and he’s often requested as a teacher because of his reputation as a caring educator. The department chair for the Career Technical Education and Visual and Performing Arts departments, Shell — a 21-year veteran of the school — teaches introduction to engineering as well as photography and visual imagery. Shell works with some of the school’s most challenging students through a program he oversees and is funded through a California Partnership Academy grant. The students he teaches in engineering are considered at-risk. This year alone, Shell has several students diagnosed with emotional disturbances whose only mainstreamed class is engineering. Upon entering his class, you’ll find his students engaged in complex tasks and difficult software, building and design projects. His patience and care are essential in this role, and he never lets his students down. His presence with his classes is a combination of calm and engaging while infusing humor and compassion. He also serves as the freshmen football coach, and this experience carries over into the classroom as well.

— Nominated and approved by Principal Michelle England

Top 25 Teachers of OC 2020

Cindy Anderson

 

Cindy Anderson
Truman Benedict Elementary School

“Truman Benedict Elementary is reminded every day of how fortunate we are to have Mrs. Anderson teaching our kids.

— Principal Mike Brant

Peggy Aungst

 

Peggy Aungst
Lake Forest Elementary School

“I was excited, humbled because I work with an amazing group of educators.”

 

 

Regina Bork

 

Regina Bork
The Parish School at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church

“Being named one of the Top 25 Teachers in Orange County means that I am valued and appreciated by the people I value and appreciate!”

 

Phil Duerr

 

Philip Duerr
Salem Lutheran School

“I was shocked when I was told. An incredible honor and I’m truly thankful to everyone who had a hand in this very special recognition.”

 

Michael Fisk

 

Michael Fisk
Tustin High School

“It’s nice to be recognized from all of the hard work
you put into it.”

 

 

Julia Gerfin

 

Julia Gerfin
Capistrano Home/Virtual School

“It humbles me to be recognized for a job that I
love to come to each and every day, and feel blessed to call my profession.”

 

Sandy Gilson

 

Sandy Gilson
Calvary Christian School

“I am blessed, humbled and encouraged to have been selected by my fellow faculty members for this award.”

 

 

Karin Grasko

 

Karin Grasko
St. Angela Merici Parish School

“It was an honor to be nominated not only from our school but throughout all of the teachers in Orange County and I’m proud to represent our school and what we represent.”

 

Shelia Housley

 

Sheila Housley
Fairmont Private Schools, Anaheim Hills

“This nomination has been an honor and it is so humbling to be nominated with so many amazing educators. It also makes me so proud to be a part of such an amazing school.”

 

Christine Kelley

 

Christine Kelley
International School of Orange County

“It’s amazing to be recognized for something I love to do and I’ve been doing for almost 25 years now. It’s like a little nod … and to be doing something I love on top of that.”

 

Denise Miller

 

Denise Miller
Heritage Oak Private Education

“It shows me that I’m where I should be and I’m doing what I should be doing. My confidence has just grown through this nomination and award, and I can’t wait to be a better teacher.”

 

Colin Priebe

 

Colin Priebe
Dwyer Middle School

“It is great to be noticed for how much love, energy and time we all put into our craft.”

 

 

Debbie Redenbaugh

 

Deborah Redenbaugh
Newhope Elementary School

“I was honored to be nominated and surprised to be chosen. I am so happy to do what I love and help students be the best person they can be.”

 

Greg Shadid

 

Greg Shadid
Bolsa Grande High School

“It was an honor and it took me totally by surprise. … It was really a neat thing. … This is my 40th year. I really love what I do.”

 

Courtney Smith

 

Courtney Smith
Irvine High School

“I am inspired by my students and colleagues on a daily basis and I am more hopeful about our future because of the… young people I have the privilege of teaching.””

 

Top Teacher and Employee Button - Awards Reception Top Teacher and Employee Button - Top Employees

Top Teachers & Employees

Published Admin Only:

Top Teachers and Employees of OC 2020 Group Photo

Parenting OC’s annual Top Teacher & Employee awards honors the top 25 teachers and employees selected by school administrators, teachers and students.

Top Teacher and Employee Button - Awards Reception Top Teacher and Employee Button - Top Teachers

Top Employee of OC Schools 2020

Alphonse Nguyen

Alphonse Nguyen

International School of Orange County

Though Alphonse Nguyen is technically the International School of Orange County’s operation manager and IT PC specialist, his work extends far beyond campus maintenance.

“I admire his dedication and energy,” says the school’s Marketing and Admissions Manager Sarah Blek, who nominated Nguyen for Parenting OC’s Top Employee award, which he won Feb. 5. “Alphonse is always willing to help our staff and faculty so we can work in the best conditions possible. … He is also particularly dedicated to our students and to ensuring their safety on our campus.”

Blek says her own children, who attend the school, tell her that Nguyen encourages them to eat their vegetables and that he plays soccer with them during recess. She recalls when one of the students attending the school’s 2019 summer camp was having a hard time socializing, how Nguyen helped.

“Every day, Alphonse would engage with him and encourage him to play with others, as well as encourage others to include him,” says Blek. “I was impressed by his care, kindness and empathy.”

Nguyen says he’s inspired to go above and beyond because he loves the school and working with the kids.

“Developing a relationship of trust and being able to guide them or simply interact with them on a daily basis is oftentimes very rewarding,” he says. “I also embrace the school’s mission of bringing bilingual education to OC and want to participate in providing the best environment for our students. The fact that we are a small community of 140 students helps create long-lasting relationships with our students and families. Our community is definitely very special.”

Nguyen has been working at the International School of Orange County for the past 11 years. He says that back before he found the job, he was looking for a position where he could utilize his French language skills along with his IT background, and he was lucky to find the school.

A typical day for Nguyen may involve opening the campus, which means he’ll take care of set-up — installing the flags, and making sure the campus is safe and clean for the students coming in for daycare at 7:30 a.m., for example.

“I also take care of any repairs needed or requests from our staff or faculty members for supplies or materials needed in the classrooms while also managing our campus assistants,” he says. “When more families start arriving around 9 a.m., I manage the safety in the parking lot but also greet the parents and students.”

He also assists with recess and lunch supervision, and sometimes supervises the study hall, helps with homework and evening daycare.

“I love the relationships that I have developed and continue developing with our students and parents every day,” he says. “I love solving problems and finding solutions to IT-related issues on campus. I am also very active and always on-the-go. I particularly enjoy that schools are such bustling places.”

He’s proud of the work that he and the campus director have done over the years to beautify the campus since the move to the current location in 2015.

“I also like helping students feel welcome among their classmates, and seeing a shy student finally come out of his shell and make friends is always a success,” he says.

He says he was honored — and surprised — at being named Top Employee.

“Our school stands out by offering a French-inspired curriculum, and a very unique approach to education,” he says. “I am happy to see our campus being recognized for that. Being a Top Employee means a lot to me and pushes me to do better every day. I also love that our school and bilingual program get to be known by the local community through my nomination and win.”

— Jessica Peralta

Top 10 Employees of OC Schools 2020

 

Karen Foster
Sts. Simon & Jude School

“It was quite an honor to be in the company of so many outstanding educators. I have been blessed to work with amazing administrators and fellow teachers who have supported me and my use of art around the school to reach children and the community.”

Coach Karen Foster holds a special connection with the school. Foster graduated from Sts. Simon & Jude School in 1974 and returned in 1980 to begin coaching and teaching. Her importance to the school goes well beyond her titles, which are many: coach, physical education teacher, safety director and stand-in administrator. When the principal and vice principal are off-campus, she is the one entrusted to keep the community safe and secure. She knows every single student and faculty member, knows their stories and exactly how to help when they need it. She has supported multiple families through cancer treatments, death in a family, divorce and more. She also takes wonderful care of students with learning differences, making them feel valued and worthy. She is a brilliant artist and the school is filled with her colorful renderings. It would be difficult to find an alum who doesn’t remember her with great fondness and love.

— Nominated and approved by Principal Colette Obannion

Sarah Kolt

 

Sarah Kolt
Dwyer Middle School

“Winning top 10 was a great honor for me. I appreciate the support and recognition of my Dwyer team and Parenting OC Magazine.”

As an instructional aide in a special education class serving students with severe needs, Sarah Kolt tirelessly devotes her passion and expertise to maintaining a positive and nurturing environment. Her work ethic, compassion and love for education has inspired all staff. The structure of the classroom could not function to its highest capacity without her guidance. She has established a great rapport with local businesses that have donated items, including clothing and skateboards. The donated items have been used in rewarding students through the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program who demonstrate the four components of GRIT (gratitude, responsibility, integrity and tenacity) on campus and in the community. She continually develops new ideas for working with her small groups, including working outside in nature. Kolt has been a devoted employee of the Huntington Beach City School District for 15 years and is currently pursuing a teaching credential.

— Nominated by Colin Preibe, approved by Principal Christa Glembocki

Laurie Lawver

 

Laurie Lawver
Orchard Hills School

“It was an honor. I was completely humbled and taken by surprise. It’s just nice to be recognized.”

Librarian Laurie Lawver is the heart of the school. She knows the names of each and every one of the school’s 1,429 students. She spends the summer reading books so that when any of the school’s K-8 students come in for book recommendations, she quickly guides them. She has helped develop lifelong readers because of her passion for books and bringing characters to life. When a teacher needs a book for a lesson, she quickly orders it. If she is unsuccessful in finding the book, she’s been known to purchase it on eBay, or even contact the author on social media to help fulfill the teacher’s request. She is also the school’s tech guru, distributing iPads and apps to students in grades one through eight. She volunteers at the countless events held at the school, including concerts in the evenings, movie nights, scavenger hunts and more. She holds auditions, practices and runs the school talent show as well as the fifth-grade student cheerleaders for the staff vs. students basketball game. Lawver is an asset to not only the school but the Orange County community.

— Nominated by Christine Platt, approved by Principal Mindy Smith

Ricardo Leon

 

Ricardo Leon
Barbara Benson Elementary

“I am very honored and very happy to be acknowledged. … I never thought I was getting rewarded for what I love to do — that is serving our children.”

Head Custodian Ricky Leon has a way of brightening everyone’s day. Leon is kind, encouraging and always willing to lend a helping hand. One day at early morning drop-off, teachers were busy getting cars moving along, helping students out of cars and preparing for another day. But there was no one available to hear the crying student who refused to get out of his car because he didn’t want to go to school. That’s when Leon jumped into action. He helped the student with his socks and shoes, all the while talking to him: “Oh, hey, buddy, you are such an amazing kid, so cool, we want you to be at school today. I like you! You don’t want to miss all the great stuff you’re going to do in class today, right? OK, let’s go!” The student stopped crying and went to class. Besides the usual vacuuming, emptying of trash cans and scrubbing down sticky lunch tables, Leon offers suggestions for furniture placement, helps arrange bookshelves and always seems to find storage space for an infinite number of items.

— Nominated by Tootie Nienow, approved by Principal Jackie Christy

Martina Looney

 

Martina Looney
Our Lady of Guadalupe School

“Being nominated for Orange County School Employee of the Year is very special. I believe my job is to do whatever it takes for the success of the students and their family. We accomplish this at Our Lady of Guadalupe School by working together as a team. Having someone take the time to write in about me makes me feel very proud.”

Although her official title is business manager, she’s far more than that. In addition to serving as a steward of the school’s finances, she goes above and beyond to support the school community in any way that she can. She is the type of person who places the needs of others before her own, and truly cares for students, faculty, staff and parents. When a student is missing a snack, she makes sure the student is fed. When a teacher needs a break, she is the first to come into the classroom and offer help. When a parent is in need of support, she offers a listening ear and an open heart. She is attentive, kind-hearted and considerate. The school is a better place because of her.

— Nominated and approved by Principal Stella Costello

Ruben Lopez

 

Ruben Lopez
Utt Middle School

“I was surprised and at the same time honored to be chosen by a wonderful group of staff members.”

Ruben Lopez is the school’s head custodian — but he does so much more. Last year, he spent many hours converting a flower bed into a raised garden so that the AVID and special education students could maintain a vegetable garden on campus. For this, he hauled trash cans of soil from the outer edges of campus to raise the level of the garden by about two feet. Then he gave students and teachers advice on planting and maintaining a vegetable garden. He has appeared in classroom science lessons and has even made videos explaining the science and process of plant growth as well as simple machine/mechanical structures. He is constantly pulling out his woodworking tools to modify a learning station or for teacher storage solutions — sanding and modifying shelving systems, removing and adjusting cabinets and doors, and painting. He is also environmentally-minded and uses the leaves around campus to create compost, and fill holes and planters around the school. If he doesn’t have a paint brush, drill, screwdriver or shovel in his hand, he is building relationships with students and staff.

— Nominated by Bob Valdez, approved by Principal Heather Bojorquez

Kathy Navarro

 

Kathy Navarro
Ponderosa Elementary

“For me it’s the wonderful memory of my life. I work for my kids, for my school and for my principal and vice principal. I love Ponderosa. This is my family.”

Instructional Assistant Kathy Navarro exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond to ensure all students are successful and that teachers receive the support they need. She works with students who are struggling both academically and emotionally in grades TK-6 in general education and special education. Her calm demeanor and friendly personality wins the hearts of the students and staff alike. Navarro is also always willing to give assistance whenever and however it is needed. When Navarro is working with her small groups, she is always thinking of the varying needs of the students and adjusts what she does in order to meet those needs. She is continually collaborating and connecting with the students’ teachers to ensure they are making progress across environments. Navarro is always focused on her students and using every minute strategically to ensure all students are learning to their potential. Navarro is an irreplaceable asset to the Ponderosa community, which she has been a part of for nearly 30 years.

— Nominated and approved by Principal by Yadira Moreno

Evaristo Sanchez

 

Evaristo Sanchez
La Habra High School

“I’m grateful for being nominated, for being appreciated. I wouldn’t be here without my colleagues. I’m proud to be a Highlander.”

Evaristo Sanchez is the epitome of a Highlander. As a high school student at La Habra, he began his career as a student worker, helping the custodial team after-school and learning the nuances of campus maintenance. After graduation, he became a full-time employee at the school, and currently serves as the custodial grounds supervisor. He has a strong sense of family, and sees the school community as an extension of this. On a campus of nearly 2,200 students, there are always many things needing to be done. Sanchez is able to effectively prioritize, and there has not yet been a job too challenging for him to handle. With all of his many duties each day, he never sacrifices his positive attitude and focus on providing quality customer service. On an average day, Sanchez greets every staff member he encounters and will go out of his way to check in on teachers or other staff he has not seen in a few days. While much of his work is behind-the-scenes, his personality and people skills have made him a beloved presence.

— Nominated and approved by Assistant Principal Keri Kimes

Fernando Sotelo

 

Fernando Sotelo
San Juan Hills High School

“This award means a great deal to me. It shows that the extra effort I put into the different programs I support is being recognized and appreciated.”

Fernando Sotelo is an academic advisor managing a caseload of 450-plus high school students to provide college and career counseling. Being bilingual, he also supports a diverse group of students — including first-generation college-bound and English learners. He works with community organizations, the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) and the Capistrano Unified School District office to provide workshops for parents of English learners. He coordinated with PIQE to host three separate cohorts, which provided more than 200 Spanish-speaking parents an opportunity to gain greater access to resources that support their children throughout high school. He is a leader in his field with supporting families regarding Dream Act applications and helped to host outside speakers on the Dream Act/Dreamers for families across the district. Last year, he took the lead to organize the first college and career application event at SJHHS. His important work has made the school a more inclusive campus and he has directly contributed to a college-going culture for all students.

— Nominated and approved by Principal Jennifer Smalley

Top 25 Employees of OC Schools 2020

Cornelius Ashton

 

Cpl. Cornelius Ashton
Laguna Beach High School

“I want our youth to know they never have to face struggles alone and that SROs are there to empower them to be at their very best and help them succeed.”

 

Leo Diego

 

Leo Diego
Portola High School

“It’s a great honor. At the same time, you do things [to] serve, without expecting [anything] in return. You serve your people and your staff.”

 

James Drake

 

James Drake
Fletcher Elementary School

“It means a lot to know that my Fletcher family recognizes me as a Top Employee, because I truly love what I do. It makes this more special.”

 

Lydia Gonzales

 

Lydia Gonzalez
Betsy Ross Elementary School

“Just being recognized is an honor, a blessing. I do what
I do not for the recognition.
I like to help. “

 

Pam Krause

 

Pam Krause
Tustin Unified School District

“I’m thankful to Tustin Unified School District for
the many opportunities they have provided me over the
last 19 years.

 

Talia Lerma

 

Talia Lerma
Fairmont Private Schools, Anaheim Hills

“I have the best job in the world to be able to support students, parents and teachers as an assistant director.”

 

 

Denise Lizarraga

 

Denise Lizarraga
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School

“Running the library doesn’t even feel like work because it’s so much fun to come to work every day. It just feels really nice to be recognized for that.”

 

Annabelle Marin

 

Anabelle Marin
San Joaquin Elementary School

“I am honored to accept, and I shall make every effort to continue the good work at San Joaquin Elementary, thank you to San Joaquin community for the nomination.”

 

Tony Martino

 

Tony Martino
Heritage Oak Private School

“I am both honored and humbled to have been recognized by such an amazing, hard-working, dedicated team of professionals, teachers and children.”

 

Gina O'Dowd

 

Gina O’Dowd
Villa Park Elementary School

“It was an honor to be nominated. It means that
I’m reaching the kids. I appreciate them and it’s nice to see that they appreciate what I do for them.”

 

Crisie Pitzer

 

Crisie Pitzer
Friends Christian Elementary School

“Honestly I feel like there’s so many people that I work with that are deserving, and I’m just humbled and honored that I was nominated.”

 

Jill Thomas

 

Jill Thomas
Fairmont Private Schools

“I feel privileged and humbled to have a long career taking care of the hearts and minds of many children and teens at Fairmont Private Schools.”

 

Javier Torres

 

Javier Torres
Irvine High School

“It is amazing to be
recognized and it’s something I never expected. I would like to thank my friends, family and my colleagues for all of their support.”

 

Tim Wickell

 

Tim Wickell
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School

“I was surprised and humbled to be named as a Parenting OC School Hero! I take great pride in my work and in making a positive impact on the lives of our children and community.”

 

Deborah Williams

 

Deborah Williams
San Joaquin Elementary School

“It is truly an honor to be acknowledged and to
represent my school district. Go SVUSD.”

 

Top Teacher and Employee Button - Awards Reception Top Teacher and Employee Button - Top Teachers

Compiled by Jessica Peralta, Molly Cabrera and Diane Ortiz
Photography by Ralph Palumbo & Eric Stoner

Mindfulness

Published Admin Only:

Young Children Watching Television at Home

Why parents should make screen-time limits a priority.

The amount of screen time in the United States has been increasing over the past five years. Data from a recent survey by the Nielsen Company, postulates that the average screen time in the United States is 10 hours and 39 minutes. This includes time spent on computers, smartphones, tablets, televisions and video games. The number of accessible devices that individuals have, has also been increasing. In reference to the Nielsen report, over the past two years, there has been an hour increase in the amount of screen time individuals partake in.

Negative Impact on Children

Data shows that exposing young children to excessive screen time has adverse effects on their development. Children who spend most of their time before television and computer screens, depict poor performance on developmental measures. There is a lasting influence, especially if the child is less than 5 years old. Excessive screen time limits the child from developing effective cognitive and psychomotor skills. Therefore, it is essential to limit screen time for children as they are developing connections in their brains from the diverse stimuli in their environments. Excessive screen time limits children from exploring useful opportunities for cognitive growth and psychomotor development as it impedes a child from engaging in vital activities such as talking, walking and interacting with others.

Lifestyle Ailments

In today’s modern society, children have easy access to numerous electronic devices. Unlimited screen time, however, has several adverse effects among children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents place a reasonable screen limit time for their kids. Despite such guidelines, most children in the United States have an average screen time of eight hours each day. Excessive screen time is among the main causative factors of lifestyle ailments such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular complications among children. Essentially, excessive screen time impedes children from engaging in physical fitness activities leading to the emergence of diverse lifestyle ailments. Excessive screen time has also been attributed to the rise of sleep problems among children. This is because screens emit blue light that interferes with the brain’s sleep cycle, leading to insomnia.

Behavior Problems

Excessive screen time has the potential of causing behavior problems among children. A recent study reveals that elementary school children that use computers for more than two hours a day are highly susceptible to social, attention and emotional problems. It also revealed that elementary school children that have a television in their bedrooms tend to perform poorer compared to those without televisions in their bedrooms. Excessive screen time has been shown to lead to violent behaviors in children. Through exposure to violent television shows, music and movies, children are likely to become desensitized. This may increase their preference for the utilization of violence to solve emerging social problems with their peers, teachers, parents and members of their community.

Negative Effects on Parenting

Excessive screen time has numerous adverse effects on an individual’s parenting abilities. Findings from a recent study by the University of Texas reveals that children tend to imitate their parents’ behavior. Excessive screen time interferes with a parent’s ability to offer attention to their child. This is a significant challenge toward the formation of a healthy child-parent relationship. Parents that spend excess time on their screens are less aware and responsive to their children’s needs. Poor parenting due to excessive screen time can trigger the emergence of negative behaviors such as negative attention-seeking, withdrawal and violence among their children. This can lead to children misbehaving within their learning institutions and succumbing to negative peer pressure to gain their parent’s attention. Excessive screen time hinders parents from making frequent follow-ups on their children’s behavior at home, school and within their community. Children that receive minimal attention from their parents are more likely to drop out of school, engage in drug and substance abuse, and become members of gangs. The inability of parents to address negative behavior among children at an early stage increases their susceptibility to engaging in criminal activities.

Family Conflicts

Excessive screen time among parents is likely to trigger the emergence of power struggles and family conflicts. Family members are likely to witness arguments, yelling, manipulation, rule-breaking and defiance around screen time. Power struggles around screen time impede the formation of collaborative relationships between members of the family. The increase of power struggles and marital conflicts around screen time are likely to trigger high levels of hopelessness and frustration among family members. This may lead to situations where parents unjustly punish their children to reduce their anger.

Effects on Health

Among adults, excessive screen time has the potential of causing shrinkage of the brain’s gray matter, that is responsible for processing thoughts and ideas. Excessive screen time is also likely to damage the insula, the part of the brain that is responsible for empathy and compassion. In addition to triggering impaired cognitive functioning, excessive screen time has the potential of reducing the number of dopamine receptors. This triggers the emergence of mental challenges such as depression and anxiety. These negative consequences are likely to increase a parent’s volatility against their children and can lead to incidences of child abuse.

Children require healthy diets to facilitate psychomotor and cognitive development. Parents need to dedicate adequate time for the preparation of meals. Excessive screen time hinders parents from focusing on tasks such as cleaning and meal preparation. This may result in the consumption of minimal amounts of fiber, large amounts of fast food that contain high amounts of salt and fat, and processed foods that have low levels of nutrients. This increases their children’s susceptibility to contracting lifestyle ailments. Poor dietary habits further impede their children’s growth.

Evaluation of Excessive Screen Time on Kids and Parenting Effects on Kids

Excessive screen time has numerous negative consequences on both parents and children. Among children, the habit impedes their concentration and memory abilities. A sedentary lifestyle due to excessive screen time also increases the children’s susceptibility to chronic ailments like obesity and cardiovascular complications. Based on this analysis, excessive screen time among parents impedes their ability to form collaborative relationships with their children. It also hinders them from identifying and addressing emerging negative behavior among children.

Anthony Cupo is a trained mindfulness facilitator (TMF) from the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. He is a co-owner of Stepping Forward Counseling Center, LLC and has been meditating for over 30 years.

Health & Wellness, Mental Health

Published Admin Only:

person wearing Kobe Bryant jersey

How to listen to our kids when they lose their icon.

When a child’s hero passes away, a part of their innocence is gone forever. When we lost Kobe Bryant, it was a striking reminder that life isn’t just a game. It sometimes is tragically and inexplicably taken away, never to be replaced. Our children often do not have the words or understanding of death and loss, let alone the awareness of the stages of grieving.

On an otherwise average Sunday, Jan. 26, many of our local families’ lives changed forever. Kobe and his daughter, Gianna, were an integral part of Orange County’s soul. Our community is in mourning. I feel sorrow and pray for the Bryant family and the families and friends of the seven other members of the Orange County community that lost their lives that day: John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Sarah and Payton Chester, and Ara Zobayan.

Kobe was an icon, mentor, hero, idol … and now he’s gone. He didn’t just play basketball. He inspired us with his passion for the game. His intensity was unmatched. He is an icon to today’s icons. The tributes from the pro sports community are heartwarming and a reminder of the compassionate side of society.

We suffered a great loss as a community. Our local kids lost their connection to their icon that many of them were able to meet in person.

As parents, it is difficult to figure out how to talk to them about loss in a way that they will be able to understand. They likely don’t know how to label or manage these intense and complex emotions. It is an overwhelming yet numb experience that changes a person’s world. When we first go through it, it is a new challenge to train ourselves to be aware of how to process it. There isn’t an ideal way or guidebook on how to mourn, but there are a few helpful principles that may help.

One act of compassion that helps no matter the situation is to ask if they need a hug. Ask them what they have been thinking about. If they are having some thoughts about how they lost their desire to even look at a basketball — listen to them instead of having the goal of getting them to be into it again. They will forge their own path in the process. Getting back into playing isn’t necessary for them to heal.

If they are only thinking of the bad in the situation, ask them if they have forgotten about the good memories of Kobe. A healthy goal is to be the listener that we hope for them to be when they are comforting their child one day. Comforting others is an artform that they will use in many other contexts.

If you bring up something specific, you have a higher chance of your child speaking with you than if you just asked them how they were doing. Talk with them about the posts that Vanessa Bryant shares on Instagram; the speech that LeBron James gave or the dunk that was a throwback to Kobe; all of the Lakers being introduced as Kobe Bryant; Usher singing at the Lakers’ game; the Pro Bowl players celebrating a touchdown with a fade-away; or Shaquille O’Neal’s reflection on their relationship and how he doesn’t sleep anymore. Or if they went to school with Gianna, discuss their thoughts about the memorial at Harbor Day School. If they often hide what is on their mind, I recommend reading the book, “How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk.”

When a child experiences a loss, they rely on their coping skills toolbox to regenerate their sense of self and the world. It helps to experience the sadness and to tolerate the hurt now, rather than distract yourself or ignore these emotions. Eventually, they will be able to see the pain slowly fade into the background. Coping is a long process that leads to resilience, hope and acceptance.

Our kids will then use this model to demonstrate empathy toward their friends who are going through any type of loss. There is a conversational etiquette around the death of a loved one that improves each time that you comfort someone. We can talk with our kids about how using the words death and loss instead of vague words helps us accept the loss. We can remind them that crying is our body’s way of feeling less overwhelmed by emotion and is a healthy way of healing, regardless of what our culture tells us to do.

We all share in their grief. We have memories of watching him win championships. We shared our love of Kobe with our families and friends. Their championships felt like a win for all of us. Keep talking about the good times that Kobe brought us. The times that brought us together. If you see someone wearing Kobe gear, reach out to them. We can help each other get through this. We are all one team.

Shaq summarized it well in the following days when interviewed about Kobe. He recently lost his sister and was with her son when he heard the news about the helicopter crash. He also discussed how he was moved by a fan that shared his condolences for his loss of both Kobe and his sister. Kindness goes a long way.

For our kids to cope, we first need to patiently and consistently listen to them. Ask them how they are doing about it, even if it looks like they are doing better now that some time has passed. Notice their ability to joke around. When anyone is sad, their ability to joke around disappears for a while. Watch your kid’s behaviors to see if they are struggling. Ask them if they would like to go to any of the memorials. They may resist showing any signs and put on a brave face, but this is often unhelpful. Our body keeps the score, even when we look like we are fine, we can be hurting deeply inside. I would prioritize slowing down your own life and connecting with them as they are, and in their words.

I recently heard a child say that throwing paper in the trash while yelling “Kobe!” will never be the same. It reminded me of how many reminders of him we still have several years after his retirement. On that note, it may come across as an insensitive thing to say to a friend that is not in a good place about the loss. Encourage them to read the nonverbal expressions of their friends, such as a furrowed brow, downward gaze or slouching excessively.

If you are concerned about your child, it is helpful to screen them for anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The signs to look for are: less energy than they usually have, panic attacks, irritability, anger, worries and nightmares, not being able to stop their thoughts about it, and excessively asking why. If you think they may need a bit more help, there is no shame in reaching out to a mental health professional that has experience working with kids. They know how to proceed and be honest with you and your child about the severity of their symptoms.

Kobe wasn’t just a celebrity that we saw on TV. The Bryants are a part of our community. As such, I also have some guidance for how we can, as a community, help their family grieve in their own way. Being a celebrity is difficult. We are going to see Vanessa and the girls coping, connecting, trying to figure out a life without Kobe and Gianna, even when they don’t want us to see.

I suggest that we respect their boundaries. If they are going through a difficult day, they may need to hear a kind word or get a hug from a caring friend. Other days, they may have finally had a minute free of feeling sad and us reaching out to them may be a stark reminder of their loss. There is no perfect guide to how to support a family, but I would recommend reading their emotions and not overwhelming them at this time. If you see them at Sunday service, remind your kids to not stare, don’t talk about them and show them acceptance. This is their time to mourn and find peace.

Michael Uram, MA, LMFT, LPCC, is the CEO of Uram Family Therapy in Orange County. The team of therapists use the latest evidence-based treatments for anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD and Asperger’s. For more info, please visit uramfamilytherapy.com

Top Teachers & Employees

Published Admin Only:

Top Teachers and Employees of OC 2020 Group Photo

Parenting OC’s annual Top Teacher & Employee awards honors the top 25 teachers and employees selected by school administrators, teachers and students.

Top Teacher and Employee Button - Awards Reception Top Teacher and Employee Button - Top Teachers

Top Employee of OC Schools 2020

Alphonse Nguyen

Alphonse Nguyen

International School of Orange County

Though Alphonse Nguyen is technically the International School of Orange County’s operation manager and IT PC specialist, his work extends far beyond campus maintenance.

“I admire his dedication and energy,” says the school’s Marketing and Admissions Manager Sarah Blek, who nominated Nguyen for Parenting OC’s Top Employee award, which he won Feb. 5. “Alphonse is always willing to help our staff and faculty so we can work in the best conditions possible. … He is also particularly dedicated to our students and to ensuring their safety on our campus.”

Blek says her own children, who attend the school, tell her that Nguyen encourages them to eat their vegetables and that he plays soccer with them during recess. She recalls when one of the students attending the school’s 2019 summer camp was having a hard time socializing, how Nguyen helped.

“Every day, Alphonse would engage with him and encourage him to play with others, as well as encourage others to include him,” says Blek. “I was impressed by his care, kindness and empathy.”

Nguyen says he’s inspired to go above and beyond because he loves the school and working with the kids.

“Developing a relationship of trust and being able to guide them or simply interact with them on a daily basis is oftentimes very rewarding,” he says. “I also embrace the school’s mission of bringing bilingual education to OC and want to participate in providing the best environment for our students. The fact that we are a small community of 140 students helps create long-lasting relationships with our students and families. Our community is definitely very special.”

Nguyen has been working at the International School of Orange County for the past 11 years. He says that back before he found the job, he was looking for a position where he could utilize his French language skills along with his IT background, and he was lucky to find the school.

A typical day for Nguyen may involve opening the campus, which means he’ll take care of set-up — installing the flags, and making sure the campus is safe and clean for the students coming in for daycare at 7:30 a.m., for example.

“I also take care of any repairs needed or requests from our staff or faculty members for supplies or materials needed in the classrooms while also managing our campus assistants,” he says. “When more families start arriving around 9 a.m., I manage the safety in the parking lot but also greet the parents and students.”

He also assists with recess and lunch supervision, and sometimes supervises the study hall, helps with homework and evening daycare.

“I love the relationships that I have developed and continue developing with our students and parents every day,” he says. “I love solving problems and finding solutions to IT-related issues on campus. I am also very active and always on-the-go. I particularly enjoy that schools are such bustling places.”

He’s proud of the work that he and the campus director have done over the years to beautify the campus since the move to the current location in 2015.

“I also like helping students feel welcome among their classmates, and seeing a shy student finally come out of his shell and make friends is always a success,” he says.

He says he was honored — and surprised — at being named Top Employee.

“Our school stands out by offering a French-inspired curriculum, and a very unique approach to education,” he says. “I am happy to see our campus being recognized for that. Being a Top Employee means a lot to me and pushes me to do better every day. I also love that our school and bilingual program get to be known by the local community through my nomination and win.”

— Jessica Peralta

Top 10 Employees of OC Schools 2020

 

Karen Foster
Sts. Simon & Jude School

“It was quite an honor to be in the company of so many outstanding educators. I have been blessed to work with amazing administrators and fellow teachers who have supported me and my use of art around the school to reach children and the community.”

Coach Karen Foster holds a special connection with the school. Foster graduated from Sts. Simon & Jude School in 1974 and returned in 1980 to begin coaching and teaching. Her importance to the school goes well beyond her titles, which are many: coach, physical education teacher, safety director and stand-in administrator. When the principal and vice principal are off-campus, she is the one entrusted to keep the community safe and secure. She knows every single student and faculty member, knows their stories and exactly how to help when they need it. She has supported multiple families through cancer treatments, death in a family, divorce and more. She also takes wonderful care of students with learning differences, making them feel valued and worthy. She is a brilliant artist and the school is filled with her colorful renderings. It would be difficult to find an alum who doesn’t remember her with great fondness and love.

— Nominated and approved by Principal Colette Obannion

Sarah Kolt

 

Sarah Kolt
Dwyer Middle School

“Winning top 10 was a great honor for me. I appreciate the support and recognition of my Dwyer team and Parenting OC Magazine.”

As an instructional aide in a special education class serving students with severe needs, Sarah Kolt tirelessly devotes her passion and expertise to maintaining a positive and nurturing environment. Her work ethic, compassion and love for education has inspired all staff. The structure of the classroom could not function to its highest capacity without her guidance. She has established a great rapport with local businesses that have donated items, including clothing and skateboards. The donated items have been used in rewarding students through the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program who demonstrate the four components of GRIT (gratitude, responsibility, integrity and tenacity) on campus and in the community. She continually develops new ideas for working with her small groups, including working outside in nature. Kolt has been a devoted employee of the Huntington Beach City School District for 15 years and is currently pursuing a teaching credential.

— Nominated by Colin Preibe, approved by Principal Christa Glembocki

Laurie Lawver

 

Laurie Lawver
Orchard Hills School

“It was an honor. I was completely humbled and taken by surprise. It’s just nice to be recognized.”

Librarian Laurie Lawver is the heart of the school. She knows the names of each and every one of the school’s 1,429 students. She spends the summer reading books so that when any of the school’s K-8 students come in for book recommendations, she quickly guides them. She has helped develop lifelong readers because of her passion for books and bringing characters to life. When a teacher needs a book for a lesson, she quickly orders it. If she is unsuccessful in finding the book, she’s been known to purchase it on eBay, or even contact the author on social media to help fulfill the teacher’s request. She is also the school’s tech guru, distributing iPads and apps to students in grades one through eight. She volunteers at the countless events held at the school, including concerts in the evenings, movie nights, scavenger hunts and more. She holds auditions, practices and runs the school talent show as well as the fifth-grade student cheerleaders for the staff vs. students basketball game. Lawver is an asset to not only the school but the Orange County community.

— Nominated by Christine Platt, approved by Principal Mindy Smith

Ricardo Leon

 

Ricardo Leon
Barbara Benson Elementary

“I am very honored and very happy to be acknowledged. … I never thought I was getting rewarded for what I love to do — that is serving our children.”

Head Custodian Ricky Leon has a way of brightening everyone’s day. Leon is kind, encouraging and always willing to lend a helping hand. One day at early morning drop-off, teachers were busy getting cars moving along, helping students out of cars and preparing for another day. But there was no one available to hear the crying student who refused to get out of his car because he didn’t want to go to school. That’s when Leon jumped into action. He helped the student with his socks and shoes, all the while talking to him: “Oh, hey, buddy, you are such an amazing kid, so cool, we want you to be at school today. I like you! You don’t want to miss all the great stuff you’re going to do in class today, right? OK, let’s go!” The student stopped crying and went to class. Besides the usual vacuuming, emptying of trash cans and scrubbing down sticky lunch tables, Leon offers suggestions for furniture placement, helps arrange bookshelves and always seems to find storage space for an infinite number of items.

— Nominated by Tootie Nienow, approved by Principal Jackie Christy

Martina Looney

 

Martina Looney
Our Lady of Guadalupe School

“Being nominated for Orange County School Employee of the Year is very special. I believe my job is to do whatever it takes for the success of the students and their family. We accomplish this at Our Lady of Guadalupe School by working together as a team. Having someone take the time to write in about me makes me feel very proud.”

Although her official title is business manager, she’s far more than that. In addition to serving as a steward of the school’s finances, she goes above and beyond to support the school community in any way that she can. She is the type of person who places the needs of others before her own, and truly cares for students, faculty, staff and parents. When a student is missing a snack, she makes sure the student is fed. When a teacher needs a break, she is the first to come into the classroom and offer help. When a parent is in need of support, she offers a listening ear and an open heart. She is attentive, kind-hearted and considerate. The school is a better place because of her.

— Nominated and approved by Principal Stella Costello

Ruben Lopez

 

Ruben Lopez
Utt Middle School

“I was surprised and at the same time honored to be chosen by a wonderful group of staff members.”

Ruben Lopez is the school’s head custodian — but he does so much more. Last year, he spent many hours converting a flower bed into a raised garden so that the AVID and special education students could maintain a vegetable garden on campus. For this, he hauled trash cans of soil from the outer edges of campus to raise the level of the garden by about two feet. Then he gave students and teachers advice on planting and maintaining a vegetable garden. He has appeared in classroom science lessons and has even made videos explaining the science and process of plant growth as well as simple machine/mechanical structures. He is constantly pulling out his woodworking tools to modify a learning station or for teacher storage solutions — sanding and modifying shelving systems, removing and adjusting cabinets and doors, and painting. He is also environmentally-minded and uses the leaves around campus to create compost, and fill holes and planters around the school. If he doesn’t have a paint brush, drill, screwdriver or shovel in his hand, he is building relationships with students and staff.

— Nominated by Bob Valdez, approved by Principal Heather Bojorquez

Kathy Navarro

 

Kathy Navarro
Ponderosa Elementary

“For me it’s the wonderful memory of my life. I work for my kids, for my school and for my principal and vice principal. I love Ponderosa. This is my family.”

Instructional Assistant Kathy Navarro exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond to ensure all students are successful and that teachers receive the support they need. She works with students who are struggling both academically and emotionally in grades TK-6 in general education and special education. Her calm demeanor and friendly personality wins the hearts of the students and staff alike. Navarro is also always willing to give assistance whenever and however it is needed. When Navarro is working with her small groups, she is always thinking of the varying needs of the students and adjusts what she does in order to meet those needs. She is continually collaborating and connecting with the students’ teachers to ensure they are making progress across environments. Navarro is always focused on her students and using every minute strategically to ensure all students are learning to their potential. Navarro is an irreplaceable asset to the Ponderosa community, which she has been a part of for nearly 30 years.

— Nominated and approved by Principal by Yadira Moreno

Evaristo Sanchez

 

Evaristo Sanchez
La Habra High School

“I’m grateful for being nominated, for being appreciated. I wouldn’t be here without my colleagues. I’m proud to be a Highlander.”

Evaristo Sanchez is the epitome of a Highlander. As a high school student at La Habra, he began his career as a student worker, helping the custodial team after-school and learning the nuances of campus maintenance. After graduation, he became a full-time employee at the school, and currently serves as the custodial grounds supervisor. He has a strong sense of family, and sees the school community as an extension of this. On a campus of nearly 2,200 students, there are always many things needing to be done. Sanchez is able to effectively prioritize, and there has not yet been a job too challenging for him to handle. With all of his many duties each day, he never sacrifices his positive attitude and focus on providing quality customer service. On an average day, Sanchez greets every staff member he encounters and will go out of his way to check in on teachers or other staff he has not seen in a few days. While much of his work is behind-the-scenes, his personality and people skills have made him a beloved presence.

— Nominated and approved by Assistant Principal Keri Kimes

Fernando Sotelo

 

Fernando Sotelo
San Juan Hills High School

“This award means a great deal to me. It shows that the extra effort I put into the different programs I support is being recognized and appreciated.”

Fernando Sotelo is an academic advisor managing a caseload of 450-plus high school students to provide college and career counseling. Being bilingual, he also supports a diverse group of students — including first-generation college-bound and English learners. He works with community organizations, the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) and the Capistrano Unified School District office to provide workshops for parents of English learners. He coordinated with PIQE to host three separate cohorts, which provided more than 200 Spanish-speaking parents an opportunity to gain greater access to resources that support their children throughout high school. He is a leader in his field with supporting families regarding Dream Act applications and helped to host outside speakers on the Dream Act/Dreamers for families across the district. Last year, he took the lead to organize the first college and career application event at SJHHS. His important work has made the school a more inclusive campus and he has directly contributed to a college-going culture for all students.

— Nominated and approved by Principal Jennifer Smalley

Top 25 Employees of OC Schools 2020

Cornelius Ashton

 

Cpl. Cornelius Ashton
Laguna Beach High School

“I want our youth to know they never have to face struggles alone and that SROs are there to empower them to be at their very best and help them succeed.”

 

Leo Diego

 

Leo Diego
Portola High School

“It’s a great honor. At the same time, you do things [to] serve, without expecting [anything] in return. You serve your people and your staff.”

 

James Drake

 

James Drake
Fletcher Elementary School

“It means a lot to know that my Fletcher family recognizes me as a Top Employee, because I truly love what I do. It makes this more special.”

 

Lydia Gonzales

 

Lydia Gonzalez
Betsy Ross Elementary School

“Just being recognized is an honor, a blessing. I do what
I do not for the recognition.
I like to help. “

 

Pam Krause

 

Pam Krause
Tustin Unified School District

“I’m thankful to Tustin Unified School District for
the many opportunities they have provided me over the
last 19 years.

 

Talia Lerma

 

Talia Lerma
Fairmont Private Schools, Anaheim Hills

“I have the best job in the world to be able to support students, parents and teachers as an assistant director.”

 

 

Denise Lizarraga

 

Denise Lizarraga
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School

“Running the library doesn’t even feel like work because it’s so much fun to come to work every day. It just feels really nice to be recognized for that.”

 

Annabelle Marin

 

Anabelle Marin
San Joaquin Elementary School

“I am honored to accept, and I shall make every effort to continue the good work at San Joaquin Elementary, thank you to San Joaquin community for the nomination.”

 

Tony Martino

 

Tony Martino
Heritage Oak Private School

“I am both honored and humbled to have been recognized by such an amazing, hard-working, dedicated team of professionals, teachers and children.”

 

Gina O'Dowd

 

Gina O’Dowd
Villa Park Elementary School

“It was an honor to be nominated. It means that
I’m reaching the kids. I appreciate them and it’s nice to see that they appreciate what I do for them.”

 

Crisie Pitzer

 

Crisie Pitzer
Friends Christian Elementary School

“Honestly I feel like there’s so many people that I work with that are deserving, and I’m just humbled and honored that I was nominated.”

 

Jill Thomas

 

Jill Thomas
Fairmont Private Schools

“I feel privileged and humbled to have a long career taking care of the hearts and minds of many children and teens at Fairmont Private Schools.”

 

Javier Torres

 

Javier Torres
Irvine High School

“It is amazing to be
recognized and it’s something I never expected. I would like to thank my friends, family and my colleagues for all of their support.”

 

Tim Wickell

 

Tim Wickell
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School

“I was surprised and humbled to be named as a Parenting OC School Hero! I take great pride in my work and in making a positive impact on the lives of our children and community.”

 

Deborah Williams

 

Deborah Williams
San Joaquin Elementary School

“It is truly an honor to be acknowledged and to
represent my school district. Go SVUSD.”

 

Top Teacher and Employee Button - Awards Reception Top Teacher and Employee Button - Top Teachers

Compiled by Jessica Peralta, Molly Cabrera and Diane Ortiz
Photography by Ralph Palumbo & Eric Stoner

Uncategorized

Published Admin Only:

PICK OF THE MONTH: 14th Anniversary Jamboree! At The Cube 
Saturday, March 14

Parenting OC returns to Discovery Cube with its Kids’ Summer Opportunities Jamboree event. This is the fifth year the iconic Orange County family destination has partnered with Parenting OC to host the summer-fun planning extravaganza. From 10 am-3 pm, this free event presents a broad lineup of exhibitors (many new this year) featuring family travel destination spots, summer camps, and school information, as well as having games and special guests. Other exhibitors include private schools, day camps, sports leagues and clinics, horse and cattle ranches, surf camps, family fun attractions, special needs programs, preschools, outdoor adventure, and science and technology. It’s a great way to get your summer plans in order.

Discovery Cube OC | 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana
714-630-4510 Ext. 6 | parentingoc.com/jamboree

Disneyland After Dark: PIXAR Nite
Thursday, March 5

Party with your Pixar pals tonight at California Adventure from 8 pm to midnight. The evening offers three interactive dance parties with Pixar, Incredibles and Monsters, Inc. being the individual themes. Guests will get after-hours access to attractions, special keepsakes and character meet-and-greets. This event requires a separate admission ticket; visit the website for more details and event guidelines.

Disneyland | 1313 Disneyland Dr., Anaheim
714-781-7277 | disneyland.disney.go.com

49th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales
March 7-8, 14-15

From sand sculpting, stand-up paddling and a dinghy dash to classic car shows, eco-carnival and live music — there is something for all ages and all interests at this double weekend festival. The traditional parade kicks off the festivities at 10 am on the 7th and there is whale watching every day.

Dana Point Harbor | 34624 Golden Lantern, Dana Point
949-496-1045 | festivalofwhales.com

Argyros Plaza Free Events
Saturday, March 7, 21

This month’s first free Argyros event is March 7’s “Brilliance: A Night of Music and Light,” which mixes interactive art with a silent disco party, starting at 7 pm. On March 21, “Rock, Paper, Scissors: ¡DAMAS!” salutes International Women’s Month with a 1 pm program that features live music, art-making, and a panel composed of local women innovators.

Argyros Plaza| 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa
714-556-2787 | scfta.org

Steve Winter: On the Trail of Big Cats
Wednesday, March 18

Award-winning photographer Steve Winter has tracked cats around the globe, from snow leopards in India’s Himalayas to jaguars in Latin American jungles, and cougars in the Southern Californian hills. Listen tonight to the dangers he has faced on assignment and his work to save these big cats. This 8 pm show probably is best suited for tweens and older. 

Irvine Barclay Theatre | 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine
949-854-4646 | thebarclay.org 

Occasionally an event listed changes to date or location after printing. Always phone ahead to confirm information. Get your event listed! Email [email protected]. Include the name of the event, date, time, address, short description, appropriate age range, fee, phone number, and photos. 

Parenting OC