| SFkids.org Newsletter
April 2010 |
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 Happy Earth Day! April is jam packed with fun things to do. There's also an exciting new program, Check Out SF, that allows you to check out family passes to local museums at SF public libraries (see details below).
We also have several articles to share with you this month -- from advice about spring cleaning your finances, ideas for greening our neighborhoods, the Importance of making connections for our kids, and a great food adventure.
We need you ! We love to hear from other parents with tips 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. |
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SFkids.org Events Calendar Highlights | 
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| Check Out SF |  DCYF (Department of Children, Youth, and their Families), the SF Public Library, and many SF museums and attractions have teamed up to bring a great gift to San Francisco families -- Free admission!
To take advantage of this program, visit any SF Public Library, use your SF library card to check out a FAMILY PASS to one of 18 Participating Attractions, then redeem the FAMILY PASS for one-time FREE entrance to the selected Attraction for a San Francisco family with children 18 years and younger. Find a complete list of attractions and all details at www.SFkids.org.
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| Greening San Francisco's Neighborhoods for Our Kids One Median at a Time |
 We love all of the new small parks and greening that has been happening all over the city. Want to join in? Laure Latham give us the low down on where it's happening and how to get things started in your neighborhood.
"On November 8, 2008, 300 plants, 13 trees and the Aaron Cohen Jazz Trio were awaiting friendly neighbors to plant the median.." read more
Also, check out the NEN Clean & Green Summit 2010
Date: Saturday, May 8th
Time:9am--3pm
Location:Cesar Chavez Elementary School, 825 Shotwell St.
Fee: Free, but pre-registration is required.
Event includes workshops about how to green your home and neighborhood, urban agriculture, organizing your community, GreenFinanceSF, and more. To register and for more information see empowersf.org. |
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Food Adventure: Fort Mason |
Read about their food adventure to Fort Mason:
"We love the idea of taking a vacation in our own city. With no major spring break trip planned, we decided..." read more... |
| Summer Camp Guide |
 SFkids.org has the most comphrensive list of camps around. Check out what's available on our Camps Page.
Also check these great guides:
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Is Your Cup Half Full? |
 We all just need a little bit more happiness, right? The folks at the Greater Good Science Center have just the thing to help us get there. An amazing website/blog chock full of great advice and real science. For parents, Christine Carter, Ph.D helps us apply all the lessons to raising our kids -- check out the Half Full Blog.
Read Christine's Blog Post The Importance of Fostering Connections
"What's the most important factor for happiness? This is a question I get daily, if not hourly. Here is the answer: friends. And family. Happiness is being socially connected. The best predictor of happiness (and often health) is the quantity and quality of a person's social ties." (read more...) |
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Spring Cleaning for Your Finances |  Financial planner Kristin Harad give us some advice about tidying up our finances for Spring.
"After a wet winter, spring has finally arrived! You may have a big weekend of spring cleaning planned for your home, but it's also a great time to do some spring cleaning and organization..." (read more) |
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The School Search, Next Steps |
If you didn't get the school you wanted, don't fret. Enrollment often shifts drastically between the original letters and the beginning of school. SFUSD Round II placement letters will be sent on April 30th. For more information about the upcoming key dates, see the SFUSD Education Placement Center page.
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Get Your Green on for Earth Day 2010 |  Celebrate Earth Day San Francisco Style. Events include: |
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Sunday Streets in the Bayview |
Sunday, April 18
10am-3pm
Route: Bayview (from 3rd Street Just south of AT&T Park to Bayview Park at 3rd & Carrol Streets).
Events include Eco Center Grand Opening at Heron's Head Park and Children's events at Bayview Playground. For more info see the Sunday Streets website. |
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PPS Annual General Meeting |
 Saturday, April 24, 2010
9am--12:30pm Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 350 Girard Street (at Bacon)
Pre-register for free childcare (3 and up).
Free
Join San Francisco Parents for Public Schools (PPSSF) for their Annual General Meeting, Raising the Bar: Parents for Quality Public Schools.
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Parent Action Grants |
 Got a great idea you'd like to implement in your community? First 5 San Francisco offers a Parent Action Grant which provides funding for parent-led projects that benefit children 0-5 years old.
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Turn Off Your TV! (Oh, and Your Computer Too :) ) | |
Tips include:
· Set media time limits and stick to them. Experts recommend no more than one to two hours per day of screen time (computer, TV, video games, etc.).
· Check content and ratings in advance to choose media that is age-appropriate.
· Keep media out of kids' bedrooms. Locate media in a central place where children's media use can be supervised.
· Make a NO media rule during mealtimes while doing homework, and before bedtime.
· Consider using parental controls - blocking technology like the V-Chip for television or filtering software for the Internet.
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Stay in the Loop on the SF Scoop | |
Keep the fans coming, spread the word to all your friends. See our facebook page here... |
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Make Sure we Count in 2010! |  Be Counted in 2010! The US Census is quick, easy, confidential, and vitally important to ensure that San Francisco receives its fair share of federal dollars for community services and more.
For more information see the census website....
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We recently found a great new blog, 
