A resource for families in Santa Cruz County
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Merry Christmas!
Have a very warm Christmas Eve and merry Christmas Day!

Congratulations on all the gingerbread houses you have been making with the children, not to mention a year of nourishing and encouraging them in the face of all the challenges of 2020.

All you do to strengthen your family is your most valuable gift to our communities and our nation.
Did you celebrate the Winter Solstice on December 21st, the shortest day and the longest night of the year? Get the facts, folklore, and more about the first day of winter in The Old Farmer's Almanac.

Have you put up your mistletoe?

I see so many of you uplifting others! That is the greatest way to sow kindness in this world and to model it for the children. You are doing great for parenting is the most important job on earth.

Need an inspirational kick? “As part of your morning creative burst, use your journal to review and hone your daily to-do list. Review and hone your life vision and big picture goals” says Benjamin Hardy. Scroll down to Ideas from 2020.
Where is Santa now!? Follow Santa's magical journey all over the world (Great visual geography lesson too) and click on the movies for Santa Cam Videos. Details

Merry Christmas! Parmalee
Traditions
Support Local Businesses!
Covid-19 has wreaked havoc in our lives. In addition to the tragedy of losing loved ones to the virus, people from all walks of life have suffered the consequences of stay-in-place and now lockdowns.

A million or more small businesses are gone forever, many of them in California. Too many owners have lost savings intended for retirement. Unemployment and hunger are major consequences. Rents and mortgages are unpaid. Children have been deprived of in-person learning environments for too long. They miss being together with friends. Parents who need to both work and supervise distance learning are exhausted. Depression and drug use have increased.

Yet there is hope, not empty starry-eyed hope, but hope based in reality. We are thankful for the roll-up-your-sleeves development of vaccines which are arriving in our communities. The amount of giving within our county is impressive, $604,500 so far.

As you are able, please continue supporting small businesses: retailers, enrichment classes, services, restaurants, private child care, schools and charities. Keeping them viable strengthens our communities. Choose your charity at Santa Cruz Gives.

Share this link with your favorite small businesses: California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program

Image: Corralitos Community Food Pantry
Ideas from 2020
Reading others' ideas is good for provoking our thinking! Whether we are surprised, learn something new, agree or disagree it's always beneficial to expand our knowledge and to use someone else's opinion as a starting point in our own exploration for facts.

Less school and more play has benefits for children, study finds
Survey shows children spending more time playing outdoors than before pandemic - We know that... Read why> > >

The Life-Changing Habit of Journaling Why Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and many more great minds recommend it - Read why > > >

Navigating the Future of Learning is KnowledgeWorks’ fifth comprehensive forecast on the future of learning. Read more > > >

5 Trends in Education to Watch out for in 2020 - Society and the professional world continue to evolve and change with the growth of technology and the beginning of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This, in turn, has had a tremendous impact on the educational sphere, leading to a number of growing trends in the world of education. The 5 Trends > > >
Family Events
Check websites before you go!
Santa Cruz Parent Calendar
Reserve space for your favorite holiday events!
Tara Redwood School Appeals to Community - Tara Redwood School is expanding and seeks community support for its new building. Details
Track Santa! Follow Santa's magical journey all over the world (Great visual geography lesson too) and click on the movies for Santa Cam Videos. Details
Drive-In Movies at Roaring Camp December 26 - January 1, 5:30 pm - 7:45 pm Roaring Camp Railroads is proud to present Drive-In Movie Nights in the Redwoods. We will be showing your favorite family friendly movies, surrounded by the beautiful redwood forest, in the heart of Roaring Camp. Details
Boardwalk Winter Activities - Nov 23 – Jan 3, 2021 - Get in the holiday spirit – celebrate the season at the beach! All festivities are outdoors with enhanced safety and health protocols in accordance with state and local guidelines. Details
Toy Trains 15th Year - Dec. 15-27 - Get whisked away into the whimsical world of Toy Trains and enjoy the 15th year of this beloved annual pop-up exhibit at the MAH. Watch from outside in the Secret Garden as the trains chug through the festive beach town in this new “storefront display." Details
Renegade Reindeer Run 2020 - Please join us for the 4th Annual Reindeer Run of Boulder Creek. This year the BCRD Foundation will host this fun family-friendly 5k through downtown BC and Irwin Way to raise funds for our non-profit. We have prepared the run for a series of days December 23-27 to space out attendance. Details
Christmas Trees Farms for those who want to make the selection of a locally grown tree a family outing. Details
Nutcracker the Movie, Agape Dance - December 18-19-20 5:30 & 7:30 - Bring the family to this beautiful Holiday Movie in the comfort and safety of your own car! Agape supports Jacob’s Heart! Boardwalk Drive-In, Tickets: AgapeDance.com Details
Nutcracker Movie Magic, Los Gatos Ballet, Dec 18-31 - We are excited to present the most beloved holiday classic directly to you through Movie Magic! Details
Clara’s Dream A Nutcracker Film, Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre, Filmed throughout Santa Cruz County. Stream the film from home starting Dec 13
Farley’s Christmas Wonderland - Dec 10-Jan 1, 5:30 - 8:30pm - A walk-in Christmas display - Christmas trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, a miniature village, and a log cabin that Santa uses, elves, fairies and... Details
Holiday Lights 2020, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Reservations go on sale Nov. 2. Event is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Nov. 27-Dec. 27, 5:30-9:30pm. Details

All County Farmers Markets! Details
Covid - 19 Update

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/



Public Health Department of Santa Cruz County
The Regional-Stay-At-Home Order will be in place for a minimum of three weeks. For more information, visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/

Santa Cruz County Office of Education - December 8th Letter from Superintendent