Click here to read this newsletter in Spanish
Haga clic aqui para leer el boletin de este mes en espanol
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"I have said this before, and I will say it again. The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democracy."
- John Lewis
November 3 is election day, a day to make your voice heard.
But, the right to vote has not always been guaranteed. For the first 100 years of the United State's existence, mainly white, property-owning men could vote to shape our country.
The eventual passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited racial discrimination in access to voting. This outlawed tactics used for generations to keep people of color, people who do not speak English and poorer people from accessing their right to vote, like paying a poll tax, needing to have a grandparent who had voted, and passing a literacy test.
Take these steps to make sure your vote is counted:
Then, teach the next generation of voters about both the importance of voting and how people of color have fought, and are still fighting, to have equal access to the vote. This list of books and asking your local librarian for ideas, are a great starting point.
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Got a picky eater on your hands? Is your child refusing their vegetables?
WIC understands that feeding your family healthy foods can come with many obstacles. Sometimes the solution extends beyond the dinner table. In addition to modeling healthy behaviors at family meals, parents can involve their children in meal prep and planning. Depending on your child’s age they can help mix recipes, wash produce, measure ingredients, stir sauces or mash foods. Involving children in gardening or picking produce at the supermarket can also increase their interest in new fruits and vegetables. Discussions about topics like this is one of many ways WIC supports families in our program.
WIC’s goal is to improve health outcomes and influence lifetime nutrition for families. This is achieved through nutrition counseling, nutrition classes, breastfeeding support, referrals to other community programs, and a monthly provision of healthy foods for each participant. The WIC program serves pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to the age of five years old.
WIC acknowledges the additional stress and hardship families are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the local wildfires. WIC is helping connect families with local resources and is continuing to provide essential services for our community. As the health and safety of the families in our program is our top priority, WIC is currently providing all services by phone until further notice.
WIC is accepting new enrollments! Check out our “Am I eligible?” page on our website to see if you or anyone in your family is eligible for the WIC program. If you are interested in getting started with WIC, you can call us at 541-682-4202 to schedule your first appointment. For more information about the Lane County WIC program, check out our webpage. You can also follow us on Facebook for more nutrition tips and WIC updates.
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Looking for child care and don't know where to start? Wondering how best to support your child and your self as you navigate distance learning? Visit our new Child Care and Distance Learning resource page for:
- Tips on how to select a child care provider
- Local school-age child care providers
- Learning pod resources and tutoring help
- Distance learning tips like - how to set up your space and create a routine, a section just for parents of children with special needs, and ways to keep your kid safe online
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Dia de los Muertos (Day of the dead) |
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Dia De Los Muertos is a holiday that reunites the living and dead, celebrated October 31 - November 2. It is a festival aimed at honoring one’s dead ancestors on the date when their souls are believed to return to Earth.
Visit this YouTube channel for videos about the holiday, songs, crafts and more to explore.
Day of the Dead is a rare holiday for celebrating death and life. It is unlike any holiday where mourning is exchanged for celebration.
Families create ofrendas (Offerings) to honor their departed family members that have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods and join in the celebrations!
Visit the Day of the Dead website for more traditions, recipes, and history to bring this celebration home to your family.
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Distance Learning Tips - Part Two
We are living in unprecedented times and one of the biggest shifts in your life may be the fact that your house is now not just a home, but a school. Although preparation cannot make this change in educational setting disappear, there are...
Read more
www.lanekids.org
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I Remember Abuelito: A Day of the Dead Story by Janice Levy, Illustrated by Loretta Lopez |
It's the Day of the Dead! It's time to celebrate!
In this bilingual book, a young girl is busy helping her family prepare to honor those who have died. First she goes with her mama to the market to buy pan de muerto. Then she lays a path of marigold petals with her papa. But mostly, she thinks of her abuelito. She misses him very much and is excited for his spirit to visit that night. And when she sees the butterflies fly through the sky, she knows that his spirit is with them.
Written in both Spanish and English, this book includes activities and recipes just right for any Day of the Dead celebration.
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Parent Advisory Council Update |
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In September, the Early Learning Alliance hosted their second Parent Advisory Council meeting. Thank you again to the amazing parents who have joined us!
The group discussed where they find parenting resources and who they trust to make recommendations for resources. An overview of the LaneKids.org website and Facebook page were provided.
One parent mentioned that they had lived in Lane County for 3 years and had never heard of LaneKids. Our staff are working to spread the word, and welcome your thoughts on how/who can help broaden our presence. Connect with us at Info@LaneKids.org or on Facebook.
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The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending that families continue to limit activities that could cause Covid cases to increase. That means the traditional activities of going door-to-door or "trunk-or-treating" are considered high risk. Here are just a few of the CDC's ideas for lower and moderate risk activities (visit the website for their complete list).
Lower Risk Activities
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
- Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
- Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
Moderate Risk Activities
- Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing
- Participating in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard)
- Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart
These are all still fun and a great way to celebrate the season!
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Seeking moms of children 0-5
Researchers at the University of Oregon are looking for moms between the ages of 18-45, with children age 0-5, to answer some surveys. Participants will receive $50 for their time.
They are studying how moms think about the people around them and how these processes can affect parent-child relationships.
Individuals undergoing treatment for opioid use are invited to participate.
Participants must speak fluent English.
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Researchers at the University of Oregon are seeking the participation of individuals experiencing disability, educators, personal support workers, and advocates. They will be interviewed over Zoom to create videos to enhance learning at the University.
Participants can earn a $25 gift card in appreciation of their time.
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Centro Latino Americano is hosting a virtual support group for our Latinx Community members.
Starts Thursday October 8th from 6.30pm-8pm. Every Thursday until December 10th
Call their office : 541-687-2667 for more information
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October 13 - 31
This year’s event will meet you where you are, with community-building free events, and fun fundraising events. Choose from a menu of options to craft this year’s Halloween.
Pumpkin + Pumpkin Art Sale, Family Costume Contest, Trick or Treat Boxes, Community Pumpkin Trail Pumpkin Hunt, and more!
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October 14
Join the Springfield Public Library for a bilingual family story time.
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through October 15
Learn and play from home—museum style! Preschoolers and their adults can join us online for our popular Little Wonders program, featuring stories, hands-on activities, and more.
This month, we’re looking to the sky to investigate the Moon, Stars, and Outer Space. Get ready to blast off on a super space adventure!
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October 25
Mount Pisgah Arboretum’s Mushroom Festival is excited to bring you our first-ever virtual version of our mushroom festival!
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through November 2
BRING will offer ‘Take & Make’ Calavera kits to make at home.
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2020 Pumpkin Patch Guide coming soon to LaneKids.org... |
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We would love to hear your questions, feedback on the content of our newsletter, or recommendations on what you would like to read about next time!
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LaneKids is Lane County’s parenting education hub.
Our mission is to ensure all parents in Lane County have the knowledge, tools, and support to nurture their child’s optimal development for success in school and life.
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LaneKids is made possible with support from: |
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