Happy July Greetings!
This month's newsletter is packed with so many possibilities for outdoor activities, community gatherings, summer learning and cause for celebration.
A July holiday, which flies under the radar, is National Parent's Day. It falls on the fourth Sunday in July and is meant to uplift and support the role of parents in raising children.
Explore the book and activity below, or start your own family tradition on July 25th!
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I Will Love You Forever by Caroline Jayne Church
A favorite childhood book. Nothing like sitting down and reading about the love between a child and parent! Also, touch and read early literacy skills are demonstrated in the video!
(Spanish and English words, read in English)
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Parent & Me Self Care Coloring Sheet
Because parents deserve a little extra dose of self care! Download the activity, pick a self care activity, do it with your child, then come back to color the tile.
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Community Partner Spotlight:
Downtown Languages
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Downtown Languages is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing opportunities for immigrants and building respect and understanding across cultures by providing language, literacy, and other educational programs. We’re currently offering online courses and our fees are temporarily waived. Those who are able are encouraged to make a contribution.
Our classes are via Zoom and we also have one WhatsApp group per class to have better communication with the students. Our adult programs are English, U.S. Citizenship & Civics, Bilingual Computer (Spanish/English), and Oregon Driver License Exam Preparation. The focus is on teaching adult students essential literacy and communication skills. These programs are open to adults over 18. The class schedule is designed to meet the needs of a diverse and mobile population.
Online Classes – Summer 2021
Dates: June 28 – August 21, 2021
- Morning and evening classes
- English, U.S. Citizenship, Basic Computer, Oregon Driver License Exam Preparation
- Connect by computer, tablet, or cell phone
- Individual technology assistance available
- Computers to borrow.
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Summer weather is upon us and parents and kids alike are chomping at the bit to get out the goggles and cannonball into the swimming pool. But with COVID-19 restrictions still in place, more families are opting for a backyard, above ground swimming pool or wading pool.
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I am Helen Keller by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos
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"When Helen Keller was very young, she got a rare disease that made her deaf and blind. Suddenly, she couldn’t see or hear at all, and it was hard for her to communicate with anyone.
But when she was six years old, she met someone who changed her life forever: her teacher, Anne Sullivan. With Miss Sullivan’s help, Helen learned how to speak sign language and read Braille. Armed with the ability to express herself, Helen grew up to become a social activist, leading the fight for people with disabilities and so many other causes." From Penguin Random House
National Disability Independence Day is July 26th
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed by Congress as the nation’s first comprehensive law that prohibits discrimination, and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else.
Even with the 31st anniversary of the ADA approaching, ableism still exists in many forms. Ableism is discrimination that excludes, minimizes and make assumptions about the ability of a person with a disability (or disabled person).
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New LaneKids Summer Resource Page |
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Over summer many children experience summer learning loss in math and reading. When school starts, they could be 2 months behind their peers who had summer learning opportunities.
Many school districts are funding summer learning activities. Visit your school district's website or Facebook page to learn more.
LaneKids staff have compiled a Summer Resource page to give you ideas on how to keep your kids occupied and learning with camps, summer reading at your library, summer reading contests, free summer meals and community resources.
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Family Resources from LaneKids |
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A free program for families with children ages 0-6 with African American/Black heritage, Black Early Learners offers resources and support to help you and your child thrive. Program offers family visits, development screening for children, 1-1 support with your child’s needs, and more. Part of the Lane African American/Black Student Success Project.
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Free, High-Quality Preschool |
Preschool Promise provides high-quality preschool centered on the philosophy that parents and caregivers should be able to choose the setting that works best for their children and family. From culturally responsive environments and inclusive programming to well-educated teachers, the program builds a learning environment that can create lasting benefits. Available throughout Lane County.
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Parenting Resources from Triple P |
By equipping parents with the skills and confidence they need to handle parenting challenges and build strong relationship with their kids, Triple P empowers parents to create family environments that help children to realize their potential. Whether your child struggles with bedtime routines, misbehavior, or more, Triple P has tips and resources to help you both thrive.
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Free Books from Birth to Age 4 |
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that sends books each month directly to your home until your child’s 5th birthday, for free!
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Lane County Vaccines
All persons age 12 and older are eligible to receive the free COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of immigration or insurance status. Wondering how to get it?
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Community organizations are providing walk-up vaccine clinics. Visit NAACP, Centro Latino Americano, and your local school district's websites and social media to find more details.
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To find a local pharmacy offering the vaccine, enter your zip code in vaccinefinder.org/search/. Then click on your preferred provider to schedule an appointment.
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Lane County Public Health offers walk-up and drive-thru vaccination clinics: www.lanecountyor.gov/vaxclinics
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Family Check-Up Service online through Lane County Youth Services
Families with children between the ages of 2-17 can get support on how to strengthen their relationship with their children. Receive $150 in gift cards to Fred Meyer after attending the three virtual appointments. This service is available to members of Trillium Community Health Plan or Pacific Source Community Solutions and is available in English and Spanish.
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Parent Advisory Council: Staff Spotlight |
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We are so excited to welcome Adriana Medina, Bilingual Family Engagement Coordinator, to the LaneKids team! In addition to supporting the Preschool Promise program, she will connect families to resources and facilitate the PAC meetings.
Adriana shared about her background and what drew her to this position:
"I have deep roots in Lane County, having lived here all of my life. I know the area well and how I would like to help it grow. My mother has been a teacher for elementary through college level and my father is a drug and alcohol counselor, which provided me a very unique insight. I understand the complexities families endure in regards to education, health, and medical needs.
Originally, I wanted to serve families as a Marriage and Family Therapist, but was introduced to social work and it changed my perspective. Prior to this position I worked at Direction Services as a Bilingual Wrap Around Facilitator. I worked to collaborate all the systems the family is involved with to meet their needs and goals.
My passion to serve marginalized people led me to this position. I want to make change on an individual level and love to be an advocate for families that are underserved due to systemic inequities.
I hope to build a trusting relationship with families so that I can better advocate for them. Together we can remove barriers to make a better path for youth now and in the future."
The Early Learning Alliance's Parent Advisory Council will take a summer break and meet again on September 9th. In the June meeting parents discussed the Triple P program and LaneKids Facebook page.
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Kids around the world fell in love with reading because of the Harry Potter series. Celebrate Harry's birthday on July 31 by exploring the books at your local library and trying the fun activities below.
(Parent tip: introducing a book series to your child is a great way to get them hooked on reading).
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Harry Potter yoga with Cosmic Kids
Yoga instructor Jamie makes energetic and engaging videos that weave in fun themes kids will love.
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Guide to easily make a Harry Potter wand from
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Harry Potter bookmark coloring sheet |
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4th of July Festivities and Books |
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Due to potential covid restrictions or firework bans due to dry weather, please check the event's website before you go.
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List of diverse books that depict an inclusive view of America, seen through 4th of July celebrations.
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Bastille Day
July 14
The annual celebration of French freedom from the monarchy began in 1790.
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July 28
Buffalo Soldiers, a term for the first units of all-Black soldiers, began in 1866. Racial segregation of the military was abolished in the 1940s.
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July 31
The Oregon Asian Celebration joins the Obon and Taiko Festival to offer a full day of Asian cultural heritage festivities at Alton Baker Park.
Cultural dance performances, music, taiko drumming, Asian food trucks, a marketplace, youth activities, and demonstrations of martial arts and folk crafts.
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through July 31
Residents of Springfield and rural East Lane County are invited to submit an art entry that highlights the beauty and community of Springfield, and corresponds with a letter of the alphabet ("W" for Willamette River).
Accepted entries will be used to create a bilingual children’s alphabet book.
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Fridays and Saturdays in July
Visit the Museum of Natural and Cultural History native plant courtyard for this Spanish/English bilingual family event! In July, you'll pounce like a saber-tooth cat, move like a mammoth, and flap like a prehistoric monster bird.
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Thanks for reading our newsletter! We would love to hear your feedback on the content of our newsletter, questions, or recommendations on what you would like to read about next time. Feel free to send us an email at Info@LaneKids.org.
Thanks to Crosscultural Now for Spanish translation. Appreciation to Fernanda Martinez, Adriana Medina, Claire Hambly and Michelle Hjelm for providing content. Newsletter edited by Michelle Sheng-Palmisano.
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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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