This topsy-turvy year has given us new experiences and fresh perspectives on the kind of learning environment that is best for each of our children.

Families with children in private or parochial schools have had choices of in-school, distance or hybrid learning environments since Fall 2020.

Many families have made online learning work. Public school teachers have worked long hours to master new technologies and to reach children.

Some families have left online learning for private home-schooling, have enrolled in private or parochial schools or are seeking to affiliate with public charter homeschools.

Parents have formed small learning pods in homes and parks.

Still others are needing and looking forward to returning to "regular" school.

Whichever learning format you choose, do tune in to the Superintendents' Re-Opening Town Hall Thursday, February 25, 5pm for first-hand information. Be sure to register.

Have a relaxing weekend with your families, Parmalee

I clicked! Wow, look at that. 7 of the 10 are children's books, and an 11th is Goodnight Moon.

Also interesting: the three adult books have all been on banned lists.

The book 1984, being about suppression of information itself, was banned in the USSR for being anti-communist, but it also was banned in the USA for being pro-communist. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most frequently challenged books in the US. Fahrenheit 451 heads the list of "ironic books banned" because it is an entire novel about the future and the banning (and burning) of books.

You are invited to join us for Storytelling 101 March 11, 6:30-8pm. Learn about the history of storytelling, hear a story, learn to tell your own favorites to your classes or other audiences. You will be given a synopsis of the seminar and Barbra’s Storytelling CD—Rockin’ Folktales. Come and learn about what was the major entertainment for thousands of years.

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is hosting an online town hall on school districts’ reopening plans, and the status of vaccinations — featuring district superintendents and doctors from Dignity Health and Dominican Hospital.

Thursday, February 25, 5:00 PM Register here > > >

Schools Open in Santa Cruz County: Parochial ~ Private

Santa Cruz County Office of Education for information on public schools: Vaccine Plan for ALL Educators, Public & Private, in Santa Cruz County> > >

Real Time Science! Perseverance Landing: Video from Mars

Talewise brings science and storytelling together with Aliens: Escape from Earth!

The Santa Cruz Public libraries will host a virtual performance with Talewise, who produce fun, interactive learning experiences through the art of storytelling. Aliens: Escape from Earth will be held at 3pm on Saturday, February 27 via Zoom. To register for this free event, visit bit.ly/SCPL-Aliens.

Escape from Earth is an action-packed and educational alien adventure that is totally out of this world! During a midnight meteor shower, something mysterious falls from the sky toward Earth, but it's not a shooting star. Two kids venture out to investigate and soon find themselves mixed up with a family of visitors from another planet! Trapped by a crazy space scientist, the kids must risk everything to rescue the aliens and help them... Escape from Earth! Throughout this amazing intergalactic story, we will use science experiments to bring the story to life!