Our 2012 Family Resource Guide is on the stands now, with over 50 pages of new and updated listings! It’s the ONLY regional directory of family-friendly activities, destinations, businesses and resources available for FREE! Inside you’ll find everything from Educational Attractions to Visual and Performing Arts to Playgrounds, Public Fountains and Hiking Opportunities to Sports, Gymnastics and Horseback Riding to Family-friendly Restaurants and Cafes to area Farmers Markets and more. You’ll even find a comprehensive list of Resources for Parents and Families . You really should pick up your copy today! (You can read it online , too, but we think you’ll want to keep a copy handy for those “What should do today?” and “Where can we find …?” kind of days.)

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Our 2012 Family Resource Guide

There are standard Suzuki violin books that the majority of teachers will be using.  Before committing to lesson, you might want to check these books out first, and get an idea of what is being taught.  The series of books you’ll want to search for is Suzuki Violin School. You can get a previews at Amazon.

We’re constantly amazed at the vast array of activities and resources for families in the Portland metro area, and we’re proud to provide our readers with information they can use to take advantage of all the area has to offer. From our Family Calendar and Family Fun Reviews to information about local parenting resources, we do our best to keep you up to date on local activities and events of interest. We’re especially proud of our online Parents Calendar , listing workshops, conferences, fundraisers and events of interest to local parents. What makes this resource particularly appealing -– we think –- is the fact that our readers can submit their own parenting-related events and fundraisers (school auction anyone?) to be included in our online listings. Our November Parents’ Calendar will go up Nov. 1, with a number of intriguing classes and events. You’ll find listings for a “Child Senses & Behavior” workshop at IKEA on Nov. 30, with tips on helping your child regulate sensory input during the holidays and new tools for sensory-based activities; a “Connect by Coaching Your Kid Weekend Workshop” with Dr. Kathy Masarie Nov. 4 and 5; workshops for parents of children with special needs, including “Entering Kindergarten from ECSE: What Parents Need to Know” on Nov. 16 and “IFSP, EI, ECSE, What Does It Mean? Infants and Preschoolers with Developmental Delays or Disabilities” on Nov. 29. You’ll also find listings for the Healthy Living & Gluten Free Expo in Salem Nov. 26; a National Adoption Day Celebration Nov. 19 and an Adoption Fair Nov. 6; Milagros Boutique’s annual Holiday Bazaar , a fundraiser for Mercy Corps, also on Nov. 6; and Thinker Toys’ Shop for Schools holiday fundraising event Nov. 14-16. Plus, every month we include listings for recurring classes and groups , from pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding and other parenting support groups for moms and dads to grief and cancer support groups for kids to cloth diapering and diaper-free workshops and groups and much, much more. Do you have an event to submit to our online Parents Calendar? Fill out our online form (you can also access the form by clicking “Submit an Event” on the Parents’ Calendar page), or email the information to calendar@metro-parent.com . And for even more parent education, support group and other parenting resources, check out our Parent Support and Education listings.

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Our Online Parents’ Calendar

As parents, we know how important it is to support our children’s education. We know it’s our job to help them develop and strengthen the academic skills they’ll need to succeed in school and in life. We know it’s our job to keep the lines of communication open between school and home, and to work as partners with our children’s teachers and school administrators. And these days, most of us are learning how important it is to stay informed and involved in local, state and even national school funding and policy making. But many of us aren’t exactly sure how to do it all. Enter Community & Parents for Public Schools (CPPS), which is hosting an annual Parent Leadership conference Oct. 22 at Parkrose High School. The conference is free, with breakfast, lunch, childcare and interpretation services all offered at no cost. You’ll find workshops on everything from helping kids become better writers to navigating the school system to college prep and much, much more! Learn more about the conference in this month’s online article , then register to attend at cppsportland.org/plc .

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Free Parent Leadership Conference Oct. 22

As parents, we know how important it is to support our children’s education. We know it’s our job to help them develop and strengthen the academic skills they’ll need to succeed in school and in life. We know it’s our job to keep the lines of communication open between school and home, and to work as partners with our children’s teachers and school administrators. And these days, most of us are learning how important it is to stay informed and involved in local, state and even national school funding and policy making. But many of us aren’t exactly sure how to do it all. Enter Community & Parents for Public Schools (CPPS), which is hosting an annual Parent Leadership conference Oct. 22 at Parkrose High School. The conference is free, with breakfast, lunch, childcare and interpretation services all offered at no cost. You’ll find workshops on everything from helping kids become better writers to navigating the school system to college prep and much, much more! Learn more about the conference in this month’s online article , then register to attend at cppsportland.org/plc .

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Free Parent Leadership Conference Oct. 22

Looking for something fun to do with the family next weekend? Want to learn more about eco-friendly, community-oriented, healthy and natural options for raising your family? Check out the ReDirect Guide’s Green Sprouts Festival on Sunday, Sept. 25! Admission to the festival is free, with a variety of workshops, activities and exhibitors for the whole family. The Alma Midwifery Education & Movement Seminar Series will include seminars on lead poisoning prevention; energy reduction in your home; options on where to give birth; natural solutions for colic and ear infections; diaper options; age appropriate dental care; an introduction to baby sign language and more. Special family fun features include setting the world record for the most baby carrier wearers; a cotton babies diaper derby; a baby and children’s clothing swap; Portland Parks & Recreation’s Ladybug Nature Walks; and Zenana Spa’s family lactation station, providing a comfy, cozy space to breastfeed and specialists to answer your breastfeeding questions. Exhibitors will be on hand with information on a number of topics, from pregnancy and childbirth options, health and fitness, and healthy homes to clothing and style, education and child care. The festival runs from 10 am to 5 pm on Sept. 25 at Peninsula Park, 700 N Rosa Parks Way. For more information, including a schedule of events, visit redirectguide.com/greensprouts .

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Celebrate Green Parenting at Green Sprouts Festival!

As the back-to-school season overtakes the leisure of summer, most of us are concerned about getting our kids back into the swing. We help them adjust to a more regular schedule. We make sure they have the clothes and supplies they’ll need. We strategize with them about getting and staying organized. But let’s face it, most of us parents are heading back to school, too. We’ll be helping in our children’s classrooms. We’ll be organizing gift wrap sales, auctions, Scrip tables and more. We’ll be attending PTA meetings –- or serving on the board. These days, nearly all of us “work” for our children’s schools, doing what we can to ensure our kids get the best education they can possibly get. There are so many ways to help our children -– and other children in our school, district, state and beyond –- it can be difficult to know where to start. As parents, we need to be educated about how to help our children become well educated! Fortunately, Community & Parents for Public Schools (CPPS) is here to help. CPPS is hosting their 11th annual Parent Leadership Conference on Oct. 22 , with workshops on topics such as preschooler development, helping kids become better writers, understanding the adolescent brain (I’m really looking forward to this topic!), kids and electronics/social media, and keeping the lines of communication open with your high school student. Additional workshops will focus on the bigger picture of changing the system and holding school districts accountable. The conference is free, plus breakfast and lunch will be provided. Childcare is available at no cost, and some workshops will be offered in Spanish, Vietnamese, Somali, Chinese and Russian. Translators also are available. Learn more about the conference, which will be held at Parkrose High, and register to attend at cppsportland.org/plc .

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Free Parent Leadership Conference

It’s that time again — time to shop for school supplies. While you’re at it, why not pick up some extra supplies to donate to a teacher or a student in need? Teachers often spend their own money for classroom supplies, and many schools and organizations collect supplies for students who can’t afford them. Where to donate you ask? The choice is yours: Your Child’s School: Ask the principal or secretary at your child’s school if they accept donations. Many collect supplies year-round and will get them to students who need them in your own school community. KGW School Supply Drive: This effort takes place through Labor Day. Families can donate new school supplies at dozens of participating collection sites, from Eugene to Vancouver, Wash. Visit kgw.com/school for details. Schoolhouse Supplies: This local nonprofit provides free school supplies to students and teachers in need. During the school year, they run a free store where Portland Public School teachers can “shop” for free supplies for their students and classrooms. Visit schoolhousesupplies.org or call 503-249-9933 for details. Schoolhouse Supplies most needed items, according to an organization representative, are pencils, spiral notebooks, erasers, glue sticks, pocket folders, paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils, rulers, pencil sharpeners and bottled glue. Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI): One of the nation’s most comprehensive and successful youth development organizations, SEI serves more than 3,000 students and families from north and northeast Portland each year. Over 85 percent of the students in their core program go on to college or post-secondary education –- often the first in their families to do so -– and an amazing 100 percent of their core program students graduate high in four years! Families are encouraged to pool donations for a bulk drop-off, but donations of any size are appreciated. 3920 N Kerby Ave. Call 503-249-1721 or visit SelfEnhancement.org for more information. SEI’s “most needed” supplies include pens, pencils, composition books, spiral notebooks and backpacks. Sleep Country USA: Local Sleep Country USA stores are accepting school supply donations for foster children through Sept. 5. Visit sleepcountry.com for details. Who are we missing? Please let us know of other organizations currently collecting supplies for kids (and teachers!) in need!

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Spread the School Supply Wealth!

Tyler Whitmire Who cares about the results of the May 2011 school board elections? Who cares about the new PPS teacher contract? Who cares about legislative bills to fund all-day kindergarten statewide, grant high school student more access to classes at community colleges and create a more unified kindergarten-to-higher-education system in Oregon? We parents should, that’s who! In this month’s online article , Portland Director of Stand for Children Tyler Whitmire explains why. So even though you’re knee deep in summer fun this month and next month you’ll be busy getting ready for a new year of school, why not take a moment to read Whitmire’s thoughtful article , which outlines some of the recent changes that have taken place in Portland Public Schools, how they affect our children’s present and future, and how you can get involved in improving education for every child in Oregon!

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Who Cares About Teacher Contracts?

Like many others who attended public school in Multnomah County, McKenzie Fletcher has fond memories of Outdoor School. But it’s more than just memories of good times spent in the woods with friends. McKenzie, a recent Wilson High graduate, says Outdoor School had a significant, positive impact on her life, and on the lives of many of her peers. “When kids get to use their senses to learn about things it sparks their curiosity and it makes them want to learn,” she says. “That’s not something you can get in a classroom. Learning about something like a fir tree in a textbook is a completely different thing from touching it and feeling it and learning about it while you’re there.” In high school, McKenzie volunteered as a student leader for Outdoor School six times, mentoring sixth grade students and watching them experience the wonder and transformation she remembers from her first time at Outdoor School. “It’s not only a great program for sixth graders, it’s an excellent program for student leaders,” she says. “I know tons of kids who didn’t talk, including myself, then they go to Outdoor School and they can get up in front of a classroom and speak about anything. They have confidence, and it sparks career interests.” In fact, McKenzie credits her experiences at Outdoor School with turning her long-time goal of becoming a teacher into a passion. (She’s heading to Montana State next year to pursue a degree in high school science education and hopes to go on to get a master’s degree in environmental science education!) McKenzie also points to the remarkable social benefits of Outdoor School, which brings students from all backgrounds together in an environment where everyone is equal. “You go back to school with that Outdoor School mentality and you’re not afraid to be yourself or talk to different people,” she says. “You see (the sixth graders) branch out of their social circle, which is a big thing because (middle school) is such an awkward time.” Now, because of budget cuts, Outdoor School in Multnomah County is in jeopardy of being reduced from five nights to two, which as McKenzie points out is only one full day of Outdoor School. About $1.4 million is needed to restore the program to five nights for all sixth graders in Multnomah County, according to Dan Prince, the Outdoor Schools coordinator for the Multnomah Education Service District, which runs the program locally. That’s a lot of money, but McKenzie and many others like her are determined to do what they can to help. McKenzie has organized a Run for Outdoor School , scheduled for Friday, August 5. Runners can participate any time between 8 am and 5 pm, collecting money from sponsors by the lap or as a lump sum. For more information, to participate or to volunteer, visit the Run for Outdoor School website or Facebook page . You’ll find more fundraisers for Outdoor School, from benefit concerts to garage sales to letter writing parties and more, on the Save Outdoor School online calendar . Learn more about Outdoor School at mesd.k12.or.us . If you’re interested in helping continue this beloved and beneficial program, visit friendsofoutdoorschool.org . What does/did Outdoor School mean to you?

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Help Save Outdoor School!

Need ideas for celebrating Father’s Day? Here’s a roundup of options, with something for every family: SATURDAY: Make a Gift: If the kids haven’t made dad a gift yet, head to Lakeshore Learning Crafts on Saturday, June 18 between 11 am and 3 pm. Children 3 and older can make a Father’s Day wallet for FREE! (16901 SW 65th Ave., Lake Oswego. 503-620-9888. lakeshorelearning.com .) Pick Some Berries: Show dad how sweet you think he is by celebrating at French Prairie Gardens’ Strawberry Festival or Kruger’s Berry Jam. The French Prairie event is open from 9 am to 6 pm June 16 & 17, 9 am to 5 pm June 18, and 10 am to 5 pm June 19. $4 admission, with an extra charge for some activities and berries. (17673 French Prairie Rd., St. Paul. 503-633-8445. frenchprairiegardens.com ). Kruger’s Berry Jam is open from 11 am to 4 pm June 18 & 19. Free admission; purchase berries. (17100 NW Sauvie Island Rd. 503-621-3489. krugersfarm.com .) Have a Date Night: How about an evening out for the parents to celebrate Father’s Day? The Little Gym of Lake Oswego is hosting a Parents’ Survival Night from 6 to 9:30 pm on Saturday, June 18, for kids from 3 to 12. Call for details. (503-595-9702. tlglakeoswegoor.com .) Sleep with the Sharks: If a road trip is Dad’s idea fun, how about driving out to the coast for a Father’s Day Family Sleepover at the Oregon Coast Aquarium? The event, for families with kids 4 and older, runs from 6 pm on Saturday, June 18, through 9 am on Sunday, June 19. You’ll sleep with the sharks and enjoy dinner, a scavenger hunt and breakfast in the morning. ($55; pre-registration required. Oregon Coast Aquarium, 2820 SE Ferry Slip Road, Newport. 541-867-3474 xt 5301. aquarium.org .) Check Out Cool Cars on the Coast: While you’re in the area, dad might also enjoy the Oregon Coast Exotic Car Show on Saturday, June 18, which not only features cool cars but music, exotic animals, kid’s crafts and more. Runs from 10 am to 4 pm. $5; free for ages 12 and under. Proceeds benefit the Oregon Coast Aquarium. (Salishan Spa and Golf REsort, 7760 Hwy. 101 N, Gleneden Beach. oregoncoastexoticcarshow.com .) THE BIG DAY (SUNDAY): A Spectacular Car Exhibit … and Pancakes, too! The Portland Art Museum is hosting a Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast, featuring the new exhibit The Allure of the Automobile . The event runs from 9 am to noon and includes a special pancake breakfast, admission to a Tribute to Cambellini , featuring a built-from scratch 2006 Cambellini, plus “The Allure of the Automobile” exhibit. And all for $10 members and children, $20 non-members (plus handling fee). (1219 SW Park Ave. 503-226-2811. portlandartmuseum.org .) Zen and the Art of Father’s Day: The Japanese Garden also is hosting a special Father’s Day event, with a treasure map activity for the whole family plus a prize drawing and the garden’s incomparable peace and beauty. They’re open from 10 am to 7 pm. (611 SW Kingston Ave. 503-223-1321. japanesegarden.com .) Did Someone Say Free Admission? The Portland Children’s Museum and A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village in Salem are offering free admission for dads to celebrate the day, too. (Portland Children’s Museum, 4015 SW Canyon Road. 503-223-6500. portlandcm.org ; AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village, 116 Marion St. NE, Salem. 503-371-3631. acgilbert.org .) Make Time for a Brewsky: And for that special Dads’ Day dinner, we recommend one of the area’s many family-friendly brew pubs. Read our review of The Lucky Labrador Brewing Company in our June Family Fare column . The column also includes a list of many other fabulous local brew pubs for families. Happy Father’s Day!

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Father’s Day Fun!

Our annual Education & Enrichment issue is hitting the stands beginning this week, packed with articles and listings to help you find the best school for your children and support their academic success. Inside you’ll find a primer on many of the different Educational Philosophies available around the area as well as a feature to help you decide if it’s Time for a Tutor . We offer tips about helping your child with homework and helping them succeed academically throughout their school career. And for those of you looking ahead to college, we have a feature on college savings and one debunking the myth of the “best” colleges . You’ll also find listings for a host of local schools to help you find the one that best fits your family and your child. Pick up a copy wherever Metro Parent is distributed, or look for it online beginning next week.

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Our Education & Enrichment Issue

Last week I wrote about my family’s efforts to learn about fire safety . This week, I want to share some valuable — and surprising — information I gathered along the way. One of my main fire safety questions turned out to something of a red herring because what I had considered an important part of our home fire safety plan is, in reality, questionable at best. I was curious to find out how many fire extinguishers we should have in our home, where they should be placed, if they need to be inspected at regular intervals and, if so, how/where? Unable to find information online to satisfy my curiosity, I emailed Portland Fire and Rescue (PPR) for help. Here’s an excerpt of the answer I received from PFR firefighter and Public Education Office Don Porth: “Fire extinguishers can be both good and bad. We don’t recommend having or not having one. Most homeowners will get a break in their insurance rates for having them, so we know many are out there. “The bigger question becomes when or when not to use them. The answer to that is quite simple: Think like a firefighter. Firefighters always make life safety their top priority. We don’t begin fighting a fire until life safety is secured or ensured (by the firefighting operation). When a fire occurs, get everyone out of the house. Once all lives are secure and a person who has training, experience, and is confident in their ability to use a fire extinguisher decides they can take on the fire, they may certainly do so. “Because the starting point should be from outside the home, the extinguisher should be kept near a door. When the person intent on using it steps in the door and picks it up, they now have their escape route at their back (a firefighter would never let the fire get between them and their escape route). Obviously, the fire has had time to grow and create smoke (the deadly part of a fire) so the situation is far more dangerous now. We do not recommend people ever re-enter a building they’ve already escaped due to fire. “The major problem with fire extinguishers is that the majority of people have never used them. To encounter an emergency and then try to do something about it that you’ve not practiced nor are confident with is a recipe for disaster. “Some fires are discovered when very small. When fire can be confined to the vessel of origin (a pan, trash can, etc.), it can be quite easy to extinguish. However, the method can be much simpler. A tight fitting lid or even a cutting board can be slid over the top of a pan of burning grease or liquid and easily extinguish a stove top fire. Burning food in an oven can be contained in the oven by keeping the door closed and turning off the heat. Even a trash can (metal) can be covered to contain a fire (plastic or wicker won’t work so well with this strategy). But when fire escapes these vessels, it becomes a very different creature and extinguishment by an untrained person with a fire extinguisher is a long shot. Sometimes the effort can actually make the situation worse by knocking burning pans off the stove or delaying a call to 9-1-1. “… In short, be prepared to contain a fire to the vessel of origin (like a pan using the lid). Otherwise, life safety should be your priority. Get everyone out of the house, call 9-1-1, and only fight the fire if you are trained, practiced, and confident in the fire extinguisher that is near the exterior doors of your home. But even that is very risky. The best strategy is an early call to the Fire Department and keeping you and your family safe.” As far as inspecting any fire extinguishers you do have in your home, here’s what Mr. Porth has to say: “(Fire extinguishers) are not required to be inspected but like anything you might expect to use in an emergency, you cannot ignore it or take it for granted. Extinguishers should be picked up and turned upside down a couple of times every few months to ensure the dry chemical inside has not packed or caked in the unit. Check the nozzle to see if any powder is in it. If so, it may have a leaky valve or it was used previously and may not work when needed. If it has a gauge, tap it with your finger in case it is stuck and see that the needle remains pointing at the “charged” indicator in the gauge. If the condition of the unit is in doubt, dispose of it and replace it if you feel you need to. Metro considers the contents of an extinguisher to be a hazardous waste so they need to be disposed of at a local metro transfer/recycling center or taken to a recycling station during the annual haz waste clean up days. For details, contact Metro at 503-234-3000. You may also be able to contact a local fire extinguisher sales/service company for disposal options.” How has your family prepared for fires and other potential emergencies? What do you think are the most important things we can all do to prepare for natural and human-caused disasters?

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Family Fire Safety (Part 2 of 2)

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Portland Village School Auction

Like most of the parents I know, the recent earthquake/tsunami/nuclear fiasco in Japan got me thinking, once again, about how prepared my family is for emergencies. The answer? Not very. I created a disaster kit several years ago (after 9/11), but I’ve done little to keep it updated. (Expired canned goods anyone?) Plus, it’s in the basement and quite bulky, so it’s not really portable and probably wouldn’t be accessible if there’s serious damage to our home. I now realize it’s not feasible for me to keep everything we’ll need in any given emergency available and accessible, so I’ve decided to focus on the things we CAN do to prepare. Besides the minimum “supplies” – water, flashlights, blankets and a crank-powered radio – that means putting our energy into education. Here at Metro Parent , we’re working on a series of safety articles for our June issue that will include information on emergency preparedness. In the meantime, I decided to begin my own family’s education by learning more about fire prevention and safety. I began my research online, at the City of Portland Fire and Rescue website. Their “Top 10 Safety Tips” provided an ideal outline for my family’s fire safety lessons. One in particular, “Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it” had been on our to-do list for years, though we haven’t gotten around to actually practicing. This coming weekend, we’re planning to remedy that by showing our son how to remove the screen from his window and climb out (which, of course, I know he’ll love and probably want to practiced over and over) and taking turns attaching the expandable ladder in our attic to the window frame and climbing down. I’m kind of scared to climb down the ladder from the second story, but I know it will be better to practice it once or twice now rather than trying to do it for the first time in the midst of a house fire! The PFR website also provides information about smoke alarms and other fire and general safety topics, including an interesting list of FAQs . Did you know PF&R has smoke alarms available to senior citizens, low income families and people with disabilities? (Call the smoke alarm hotline at 503-823-3752 for details.) You can even get your blood pressure checked at any fire station as long is crew is available. (You might want to call first to make sure it’s a good time.) (Sadly, they won’t fill your swimming pool! Now, can anyone tell me why that’s a frequently asked question, especially here in Portland?) …TO BE CONTINUED: Next week I’ll share what I learned from Portland Fire & Rescue about home fire extinguishers, and you’ll probably as surprised as I was by the information! Does your family have a fire escape plan? Have you practiced family fire drills?

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Family Fire Safety (Part 1 of 2)

If you’re looking for something fun to do with the kids this weekend – and you want to learn about some cool local resources for families – you’re in luck! The northwest’s largest family-focused expo is hitting the Portland Expo Center April 16 and 17. With four different themes – KidFest, BabyFest, CampFest and the new SportFest – there’s sure to be something useful for every parent. And with loads of live entertainment, interactive exhibits and fun zones, the kids will stay entertained, engaged and happy all day, too! Here’s a taste of what’s in store: * Family-friendly entertainment on two stages * Disney featured artists performing live on the Radio Disney Main Stage * Special character appearances * Game Truck video game challenge & interactive zone * Sports demos * Kids’ physical fitness challenge * Diaper Derby crawling races (for prizes!) * A Pint-Sized Disco especially for the little ones Special theme areas include Sports & Fitness, Education & Youth Enrichment, and Resources for Families Raising Kids with Special Needs. Plus, the Extreme FunZone includes giant slides, jump houses, rock climbing, petting zoo & “Walk On The Wildside” reptile exhibit, Mad Science, hands-on crafts, games and more! New this year is a Spring Eggstravaganza – a benefit for Easter Seals – with an Easter Egg Hunt and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Admission to the egg hunt, which begins at 9 am both days, is $10 per child and includes photos with the Easter Bunny, a bouquet of tulips from Wooden Shoe Bulbs, VIP admission to KidFest and more. (Parents are free with paid child!) Regular show hours are 10 am to 6 pm Saturday, April 16, and 10 am to 5 pm Sunday, April 17. Admission is $5 for adult & kids 4 and over; kids 3 and under are free. You can get a family pass for up to 5 people for $20 at TicketsWest.com . Plan to arrive early – the first 250 families each day will receive free passes from show sponsors! For more information, visit kidfestnw.com .

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KidFest! BabyFest! CampFest! SportFest!

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PaganFaire XXI @ Portland-OR Venue (03.19.11)

There’s plenty of talk these days about what’s wrong with public schools, but in our February issue we approached the issue from a different perspective: We took a look at what’s “right” with some local public schools. Just as director Davis Guggenheim challenged all of us to become everyday heroes for education in his film Waiting for Superman (now available on DVD and Blue-ray), we found five local schools with superhero staff and administrators who are overcoming the challenges of high poverty rates and significant percentages of English Language Learners to help every child reach his or her full potential. To learn how these schools — Beach K-8 in north Portland, Kinnaman Elementary in Aloha, Menlo Park Elementary in the David Douglas district, Salish Ponds Elementary in the Reynolds district, and Forest Grove High School — are beating the odds, and what you can do to help improve education at your child’s school and beyond, read the article beginning on page 12 of our February issue . What successful programs or efforts have impressed you at your child’s school? What changes would you like to see in the near future?

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Recognizing Local “Super” Schools

You know we have a great online Family Fun calendar where you can find activities and events to share with your kids every day, but did you know we also have a fabulous online Parents’ Calendar ? We do! It’s filled each month with everything from lectures, classes and workshops to fundraisers, conferences, and the all-encompassing “miscellaneous” parent-focused events. This month, you could learn how to deal with the “Big Emotions of Young Children” at Providence Portland Medical Center on Feb. 26, or find out how to “Connect by Coaching Your Kid” with Dr. Kathy Masarie, beginning Feb. 17. There’s a class on “The Drug Free Approach: Prevention And Treatment For Learning And Behavioral Problems” at People’s Coop on Feb. 23; a series of Parent-Child Bullying workshops for families with elementary age kids at Barnes and Noble Tanasbourne every Thursday in Feb.; and a class on “Raising Financially Responsible Children” offered several times this month at local boutiques Milagros and Segal’s. We’ve also got details on a Cooperative Preschool Fair on Feb. 5, an introduction to Cross-Cultural Volunteering on Feb. 28, and much more. The March calendar will be posted Mar. 1 with more great parenting-related events, from an “ Adoption Reunion Panel “ with adult adoptees who have reconnected with their birth families to an “ Expecting Multiples Parents Coffee Hour “ to a workshop on surviving “Life with Teens!” March fundraisers include a Crafty Mamas Bazaar at Milagros Boutique to benefit Mercy Corp, Sleep Country USA’s Pajama Bowl , Girls Inc.’s fabulous Power of the Purse event, and Woodstock Elementary School’s Rummage Sale . You’ll also find a comprehensive listing of recurring classes and groups for parents every month, from babywearing, infant massage, cloth diapering, and diaper-free families to monthly blood lead screenings, child safety seat clinics, dads’ groups, breastfeeding support, and groups for kids dealing with cancer and grief. Have an event to submit to our online Parents Calendar? Fill out our online form (click “Submit an Event” on the Parents’ Calendar page), or email the information to calendar@metro-parent.com . Oh, and even more parent education, support group and other parenting resources can be found on our Parent Support and Emergency Services page.

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Get Smart(er) With Our Parents’ Calendar

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Jackson Bottom Wetlands