| SFkids.org Newsletter
January 2010 | |
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Happy New Year from SFkids.org!  January and early February bring a lot to San Francisco -- MLK, Jr. Day events, SFMOMA's 75th Anniversary, Crissy Field Center reopening, school search follow-ups, and more.
We've also included information on many important health and safety issues including gun safety, free dental exams, and earthquake and emergency preparation.
SFKids will be appearing on KGO TV's View From The Bay on Janaury 26th! Tune in to see us. We love to hear from other parents with ideas about local resources, kid-friendly restaurants, family-friendly 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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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and National Day of Service |
Martin Luther King Jr. DayRemember Martin Luther King, Jr. and teach your children about his great work.
 Participate in the National Day of Service, January 19th
· See the SFkids.org Volunteering Page for more ideas and resources.
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SFkids.org on View From the Bay! |
We're excited to annouce that SFkids.org's Robin Dutton-Cookston and DCYF's Maria Su will be featured on View From the Bay on Tuesday, January 26 between 3-4pm. They'll be talking about Rainy Day ideas for toddlers.  Send in your best rainy day tips for toddlers (and older kids). View from the Bay is the great local show every weekday on ABC Channel 7 from 3-4pm.
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Gun Safety |
Statistics show that approximately one-half of U.S. households contain a gun. Some of us may think that in the liberal Bay Area we don't need to worry about such things. Nothing could be further from the truth. Guns may lurk in the houses of your kids' closest friends and you wouldn't even suspect it.
The best advice is to educate your children about what to do if they come across a weapon in any circumstance. Experts advise teaching your kids to:
Stop! Don't Touch.Leave the Area.Tell an Adult.For more information see: Gun Safety Guidekidsandguns.orgIs There a Gun in the House? from parents.com |
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The Fall School Search, next steps |
SFUSD applications for most schools were due January 8th. If you didn't get an application in you can still apply but you will get lower priority. Letters will be sent out March 12, 2010 with offers. For more information about the upcoming key dates, see the SFUSD Education Placement Center page.
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.
Afterschool Options
Check SFkids.org's Afterschool Locator to find out what afterschool programs are operating at the schools you are considering. Keep in mind, however, that the options may change for next year. |
Student Assignment Redesign - Last Meeting is Tonight |
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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.
The last community meeting will be January 14 (Thursday), 6 pm to 8 pm at Francisco Middle School, 2190 Powell Street (North Beach). If you can't make a meeting you can also complete an online survey. For more information see the SFUSD website. |
Give Kids a Smile Day
Free Dental Events in San Francisco - February 2010 |
Wednesday February 3rd (1:30pm-5pm), at SF General Hospital WIC office (2250-23rd St. Bldg. 9) Age 0 -10 years, Call (415)575-5731 for more information. Free dental exams, preventive treatment, toothbrushes, floss & toothpaste! No appointments necessary.
 Friday, February 5th (1:30pm-4pm) at Native American Health Center Dental Clinic (160 Capp St. 2nd Floor) Questions: Call (415)621-8056. Ages 0-18 years. Free dental exams, preventive treatment (fluoride, sealants, and oral health education), cleanings and toothbrushes, floss & toothpaste! Snacks, games, and prizes for children! No appointments necessary.
Friday February 5th (9am-3pm), at Southeast Health Center Dental Clinic (2401 Keith St.) Ages 0-6 years, Free Dental Exams, Preventive treatment and toothbrushes, floss & toothpaste! By appointment ONLY! Call (415)575-5731.
Saturday, February 6th (9am-4pm) at UCSF School of Dentistry (707 Parnassus Ave.), 2nd floor clinic. The event will run from 9am-4pm (while supplies last), but registration will end at 3pm. Ages 4-17 years. Questions: Call (415)476-6100, ext #52883 or e-mail smilesforkids@gmail.com. Free dental exams, preventive treatment, sealants and toothbrushes, floss & toothpaste! No appointments necessary.
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Earthquake and Emergency Preparation |
 All of the recent earthquakes around the world remind us that we too are in earthquake country.
Is your family ready for an emergency? Do you have a plan in case of an earthquake or family crisis? Do you have proper training to help your family if you needed to help? Be prepared and get your family plan together. See our Emergency Planning Page for information about how to prepare yourself and your family.
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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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All We Want for 2010 is ... for You to be our Facebook Fan |
 We're hoping to have 500 fans by the end of January. Help us reach our goal! Spread the word to all your friends. |
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 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 |
Grand Green Opening Celebration at Crissy Field Center |
The Crissy Field Center has a new home on the East Beach. There will be a Grand gREen  Opening Celebration for their new cutting-edge building on February 6 from 11am-3pm. See green technology in action while enjoying music, site tours, and family-friendly activities that demonstrate some of the building's cool sustainability features. Plus tastings from the Beach Hut menu and Eco-goodie giveaways. For more details visit www.crissyfield.org/2010reopening
Giveaway! Thanks to Crissy Field Center for giving us a family four pack of program certificates. Email us for a chance to win.
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SF Museum of Modern Art 75th Anniversary
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 SFMOMA's 75th anniversary kicks off with a weekend of free activities
for art lovers of all ages! Connect with San Francisco's unique history
of design, poetry, film, and cafe culture with hands-on activities,
family-friendly films, a Poet Store Cafe, live music, and more. Use the
Museum's renowned Architecture and Design collection as a muse and
participate in a chair-inspired project with the help of Bay Area
furniture designers. SFkids Tip: Admission is free Saturday through
Monday, January 16-18, but the family-specific events are all on Sunday (1/17). See all the anniversary weekend events and the family day events.
Giveaway! Thanks to SFMOMA for donating some family passes for us to give away. Email us for a chance to win.
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"Ski Week" Camps |
If you're at a school that has Ski Week holiday Feb. 15-19 it's often hard to find camps. Many of these camps are outside SF. We've compiled a list of camps operating during that week:
Adventure Camps, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Belvedere-Tiburon Recreation Department (Feb 17 and 19 only), Celsius and Beyond, Monkey Business Camp, Nothing But Hoops, ONE Martial Arts*, San Francisco Fencers' Club, San Francisco SPCA, Stonestown YMCA*, Sunset Learning Center*
*indicates camp for Feb. 15 only.
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Kids Get In Free All Month at the SFZoo
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 Celebrate Happy Zoo Year at the San Francisco Zoo every day in January
where kids get in free! Happy Zoo Year offers one free child's
admission with one paid adult's admission throughout the month for kids
ages 4-14 who color a picture of a penguin (from the website) and bring
it with them to the zoo, or bring in any hand-colored image of their
favorite zoo animal. Children must be accompanied by an adult. (read more)
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Family-Friendly New Year's Resolutions |
Another year means another list of New Year's resolutions. How long is your list this year, and how confident are you that by year's end, you'll have stuck with them? To be successful in whatever you resolve to do, it's important to set realistic goals. Here are three achievable wellness resolutions to get you started.
Take more walks. If you haven't taken a walk for awhile, go for a 15-minute stroll after dinner; we bet you'll immediately feel more refreshed and less stressed about the world. The simple act of walking--away from the relative confines of your office or home--allows you to enjoy nature and exercise all at once.
 Watch less TV. We're not suggesting you eliminate TV altogether, particularly if it's news- or education-based, but a few less hours a week of reality TV and late-night B movies wouldn't hurt. Substantial evidence links TV viewing to negative health outcomes, not the least of which is obesity. So turn off the boob tube now and then.
Make time to play. Games, that is; games with your kids, your significant other or yourself that keep your mind sharp and take you away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. Whether it's a board game, a crossword puzzle or even a sport that keeps you on your toes (literally and figuratively), make more time to play. | |
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and 
Deadline for all applications is February 5th. The deadline for San Francisco residents to submit or renew mandatory proof of residency was also extended to February 5th (