| SFkids.org Newsletter
December 2009 | |
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Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel, Son tan ul chuka hamnidah, Merry Christmas, Froehliche Weihnachten, Meli  Kalikimaka. Happy Holidays from everyone at SFkids.org. This month we offer reminders to keep you on your toes as well as ideas for holiday fun for all ages. Visit our homepage weekly for calendar highlights. Be sure to tell a friend.
 We love to hear from other parents with ideas about kid-friendly restaurants, activities, and more. We're also always looking for people to write feature articles. If you have something you'd like to submit, we'd love to hear from you.
-Kim, Chris, Robin, Nina, & Jan, SFkids.org team |
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SFkids.org Events Calendar Highlights |
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Think Globally, Celebrate Locally--San Francisco Holiday Traditions |
By Robin Dutton-Cookston
It's Christmas in San Francisco...
If you're like me, and your kids insist that you keep the radio turned to KOIT a minimum of sixteen hours a day starting on Thanksgiving, then you have no doubt heard Vic Damone croon this holiday classic a few thousand times already. (read more) |
Green and Local Toy Guide (and Giveaway!)
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By Laure Latham
How local can you get shopping for green toys? Green toys may not be San Francisco's number one industry
but there are some pretty amazing green thinkers around who've come up
with smart solutions to create unique toys that are gentle on the
environment. (read more)
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I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas
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by Laure Latham The holidays are an occasion for San Francisco to shine through festive windows
and lighted boats, but the City is also a giant display of green efforts in a (read more ...) |
Holiday Family Support Resources |
If you're in need of support this holiday season, see this great list of organizations offering general support, food, and toy giveaways. See the full article here. |
Tips for Fighting Holiday Depression
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It's not just Elvis Presley who had a "Blue Christmas." For
millions of people in the United States, singing the blues during the
holidays is much more than a sad, sad song: it's a serious clinical
condition. (read the full article ...)
Thanks to the Mental Health Association of San Francisco (www.mha-sf.org) for this article.
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Student Assignment Redesign |
In 2011 the San Francisco Board of Education is changing the way students are assigned to schools. Learn about the options under consideration and share your questions and ideas. Community meetings will be held in December and January. If you can't make a meeting you can also complete an online survey. For more information see the SFUSD website.
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The Fall School Search |
SFkids.org has great school search resources. See our Education Page, Public School Page, Private and Independent School Page, and Preschool Page. School Enrollment DeadlinesApplications for most schools (from preschool through high school) are due early in the year. The SFUSD enrollment deadline for most schools is January 8. Some SFUSD schools (Lowell & SOTA) and charter schools have different deadlines and different application requirements. Visit the SFUSD website for more information or contact the district's Educational Placement Center at (415) 241-6085. Afterschool Options
Check SFkids.org's Afterschool Locator to find out what afterschool programs are currently operating at the schools or neighborhoods you are considering. Keep in mind, however, that the options may change for next year.
School Application Advice -- Breathe
Worried about getting a great school? Read SFkids.org's own Robin Dutton-Cookston's story about going from panic to peace. Read the article here. |
Toy and Holiday Safety |
Healthy Toy DatabaseMomsrising.org has a great list to help you find safe, healthy toys (see momsrising.org/healthytoys). When you're at the store, you can search the HealthyToys database from your cell phone. Simply text "healthytoys [name of toy]" - for example "healthytoys Elmo" or "healthytoys Wii" - to 41411. Holiday Safety HazardsBy Martin Simenc In the frenzy of the holidays, it's easy to overlook potential safety hazards that decorating and celebrating may bring. But while you're busy wrapping the presents, lighting the candles, or trimming the tree, it's important to keep the following in mind: (read more) |
Holiday Events |
Santa SightingsWe have compiled a list of places where you can find the man in the red suit (read more)Holiday Teas for All!It's that time to put on your fancy dress and take in a holiday tea. (read more)Skating San Francisco StyleSkating is winter fun for the whole family. See our list of local venues. (read more) |
Winter Break Camps & Activities |
Looking for something for the kids to do over winter break? See our Camps Page for listings of organizations offering camps. |
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All We Want for Christmas is ... for You to be our Facebook Fan |
 We've got about 300 Fans of our Facebook Page, but we're hoping to have 400 by midnight New Years Eve. Help us reach our goal! Spread the word to all your friends. |
Procrastinators' Corner |
A few reminders to keep us all on track amid the holiday mania:
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New Year's Eve (all day long) |
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Giving Back
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The holiday season is always a good time to remind
ourselves (and teach our kids) about the importance of giving back to
our community. There are many ways your family can help others who need
a little extra help or love. See our Volunteering Page for a great list of ideas.
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Family Snow Adventures |
 Just going to the snow can be a great thrill for kids (particularly City kids). While snow vacations can be really expensive, a quick day trip (read more ...) |
Camp Mather Deadlines Approaching
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San Francisco County Fair
Building, 9th and Lincoln, Golden Gate Park.
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Free Swine Flu Mass Clinic -- Dec. 22 |
Tuesday, December 22
10am-7pm, FREE
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium,
99 Grove Street in Civic Center Plaza
The San Francisco Department of Public Health is holding an H1N1 Swine Flu Mass Vaccination Clinic open to San Francisco residents who fall into high-risk priority groups including pregnant women, individuals 6 mos-24 years, caretakers of infants, and adults with some medical conditions.
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Keep it Local! Shop SF, Get More |
Shop SF, Get More is a citywide program that offers special discounts and promotions exclusively for Bay Area residents from now through January, 2010!
Residents in the nine-county Bay Area are eligible to receive special discounts by showing their Zip Code at 150 Participating Merchants, Special Events, Museums & Attractions, and Parking & Transit. For more information see www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/shopsf |
Teen News |
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Board
of Education Seeks Student Delegates
SFUSD students from current grades
9, 10, and 11 are encouraged to apply to become candidates for Student Delegate
to the Board of Education. Find more information from
the Youth Commission: (415)554-6464 or youthvote@sfgov.org or
www.sfyouth.com.
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and 
All San Francisco residents must submit or renew proof of residency prior to January 4, 2010 to be able to register as a resident in the lottery. Applications are accepted January 4-February 5, 2010. See the 