Back to School

Free
School rules! •
September 2013
Tech Tools
in Schools
Best.
Birthday.
Ever!
Fall
Family
Fun
Back to
School
See pages 11-18
Contents
Features
Tech Tools in Schools ................................................................................... 10
Interactive devices enrich local classrooms
Off to a Great Start....................................................................................... 16
Seven steps to a successful school year
Babes in Tech Land ........................................................................................ 19
Does electronic entertainment have a place in early childhood?
6
10
Best. Birthday. Ever! ..................................................................................... 22
Local families share their party successes
Viewpoint: Simple Steps to Good Nutrition .......................................... 38
Departments
Parent Postings ............................................................................................... 6
Announcements, events, news briefs and more
22
30
Family Fare ..................................................................................................... 30
Dizzy Castle
The Prosperous Parent ................................................................................. 32
Fun, Games & Finance: Financial education websites for families
A Day in the ‘Hood ........................................................................................ 34
The Pearl District
Angels Among Us ........................................................................................ 40
Playworks Portland
38
41
September Family Calendar .................................................................... 41
Advertising Sections
Back to School ............................................................................................. 11–18
Birthday Parties ...........................................................................................23–29
Fall Festivities ............................................................................................. 44– 45
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September 2013
5
Parent Postings
Happy Grandparents
Month!
Win an
awesome
birthday
bash!
In Best. Birthday. Ever! (beginning on page 22), we share some of our
readers finest birthday party success stories. To help you plan your child’s
next fabulous birthday bash, we’re giving away 14 birthday party packages
this month — with a different prize up for grabs every two days!
Prizes range from complete parties to cool products and services that
will make your child’s next fete all the more festive. For details on prizes,
the schedule of giveaways, and how to enter, visit pdxkidscalendar.com/
bday2013.
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September 2013
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September is National Grandparents’ Month and Sept. 8 is their
special day. To honor our wonderful
elders, Multnomah County Library
is hosting two fun events:
Grandparents, Grand Stories:
My Family Tree. This intro to
family genealogy and storytelling is geared toward grandparents
and grandchildren, with a focus
on African American families and
grandparents raising grandchildren.
Participants will work on a family
tree and make a collage of family
photos. Newell Briggs, a local performer raised by his grandmother,
shares stories. 2-4 pm Sept. 29. St.
Johns Library, 7510 N Charleston.
503-988-5397.
Grandparents, Grand Stories
Film Screening. A powerful studentmade film on grandparents. 11 am1 pm Sept. 14. North
Portland Library,
512 N Killingsworth.
503-988-5394.
For more information, visit multcolib.
org.
Sept. 8 is National
Grandparents Day. How
will you celebrate your
awesome elders?
Independent School Fair
Oregon City’s history
center reopens
Meet reps from dozens of
Portland-area independent private
schools at this FREE event from
5:30-8 pm Oct. 2 in OMSI’s main
auditorium, 1945 SE Water Ave. Programs range from pre-kindergarten
through high school.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KAISER PERMANENTE
Children’s Museum closes
for annual spruce-up week
Normally we don’t write about
things that aren’t happening, but
we want to remind everyone the
Portland Children’s Museum will be
closed from Sept. 3-8 for their annual cleaning. The Museum reopens
Sept. 9.
Kaiser’s new Westside Medical Center is now
open in Hillsboro.
Kaiser comes to Hillsboro
The brand new LEED goldcertified Kaiser Westside Hospital
is now open at 2875 NW Stucki in
Hillsboro, complete with gleaming
new labor and delivery and pediatric
centers. The facility boasts all the latest medical technology, plus patients
can get meals on demand and all the
rooms are private. The emergency
room is open to everyone. Learn
more at kaiserpermanente.org or
971-310-1000.
The End of Trail Oregon
Interpretive Center – an interactive exhibit on the Oregon Trail
and early Oregon history – has
reopened with new and improved
exhibits and activities, including
an upgraded film called Bound for
Oregon, new interactive displays featuring electronic tablets, and other
hands-on activities. Visitors can use
smart phones to access additional
information on Oregon history, and
a new Visitor’s Information Center
offers kids’ activities and free Wi-Fi.
The center will continue to add new
features over the next few months.
1726 Washington, Oregon City;
503-657-9336; historicoregoncity.
MultCoLib: ‘We’re #2!’
We all know Portlanders love
to read, but now there’s statistical
proof. Multnomah County Library
circulated 24.8 million items last
year. Only the New York Public
Library circulated more! That translates to about 33.4 items per year
for every man, woman and child
in Multnomah County, the 2013
Public Library Service Statistical
Report reports.
Among large library systems
(those serving a population of
500,000 or more), Multnomah
County Library has the highest
rate of use per item (four times the
national average!). Find everything
you’re looking for at multcolib.org.
metro-parent.com
September 2013
7
Parent Postings
Metro Parent
Serving the Families of the Portland Metropolitan Area
Consignment heaven
A progress report from Family Forward Oregon
Keeping your ever-growing kids
in cute duds can squeeze the family
budget, but these two giant consignment sales can help!
Super Kids Resale features over
75,000 gently used items – from
clothes, toys and baby gear to books,
movies, furniture, bedding and more
– all at 50-90 percent below retail
prices. Kids will enjoy face painting, balloon creations and other
diversions, and presales are open to
consignors, volunteers, foster parents, teen parents and others. Check
website for details on daily specials,
family activities and to register for
presales. Public sale runs 9 am-8
pm Sept. 26 & 27, 9 am-5 pm Sept.
28 & 29. Gresham Town Fair, 400
NW Eastman Pkwy (near Petsmart).
503-866-1875. superkidsresale.com.
(Watch for the Vancouver Super
Kids Resale Oct. 18-20.)
Just Between Friends also boasts
more gently used items than you can
imagine – including clothes, toys,
books, furniture, bikes and more.
Consignors, volunteers, teachers,
fosters parents and first-time parents
can shop early; check website for
details. Public shopping hours are
noon-7 pm Sept. 20, 9 am-4 pm
Sept 21, 9 am-2 pm Sept. 22. Portland Expo Center, 2060 N Marine
Dr. 503-327-4821. portland.jbfsale.
com.
Admission is free to both sales
and many items are half price on
the final day. Cash is preferred.
During Oregon’s 2013 legislative session, Family Forward Oregon (FFO) – a
local nonprofit working to create workplace and public policies that support
families – focused on four important issues. Here’s what’s happened so far:
• Paid Sick Days: After the City of Portland unanimously voted for a paid
sick days ordinance that will cover 260,000 Portland workers starting in
2014, FFO turned their attention to a statewide bill that raised awareness
among legislators and resulted in convening a legislative work group beginning this fall.
• Equal Pay for Equal Work: Oregon women earn on average only $0.78 to
a man’s $1 for equal work. The good news is, both the Oregon House and
Senate unanimously passed an equal pay study bill (SB 744). The bill directs
the state Commission on Civil Rights to look for Oregon-specific solutions
to this persistent problem.
• Retirement Security: Motherhood is a leading predictor of poverty in old
age in this country. To address this, FFO worked closely with the Retirement in Reach coalition to ask the state to research retirement security
options for private-sector workers in Oregon. The bill FFO supported (HB
3436) passed, and as a result a task force will study how to boost retirement
savings for all Oregonians and make recommendations to the legislature in
2015.
• Domestic Workers’ Rights: Domestic workers (think: nannies and housekeepers) were intentionally excluded from the 1938 federal Fair Labor
Standards Act. FFO has been working to fix this 75-year-old problem in
Oregon. As a result, the Domestic Workers Protection Act (HB 2672) was
passed by the Oregon House with bipartisan support but ultimately failed
in Oregon’s Senate.
For more information or to get involved, visit familyforwardoregon.org.
Correction time!
In an article titled “Could
My Child Have Dyslexia?” in
our August issue, we cited local
expert Colleen O’Mahony as “a
psychologist who runs Multnomah Educational Testing in
Portland.” Ms. O’Mahony is
not a psychologist, but rather
an educational specialist who
focuses on identifying learning strengths and weaknesses
and recommending interventions. (We also misspelled
Ms. O’Mahony’s last name.)
We apologize for the errors.
8
September 2013
metro-parent.com
Oh Fluffy,
how do I love thee?
Students in grades 3-8: Write an
ode to your beloved pet and win pet
products. Pets Add Life Children’s
Poetry Contest is accepting poems
about pets through Jan. 31, 2014.
One student from each grade will
win a $250 gift certificate for pet
products and have their poem published in a national publication. The
winning students’ classrooms will
get $1,000 to spend on pet-related
education or to support a
classroom pet.
Submit your child’s
verse at PetsAddLife.
org, to the American
Associa
Pet Products Association’s Facebook page
(Pets Add Life), or
by snail mail to
661 Sierra Rose Dr.,
Reno, NV, 89511.
Kids in grades 3-8 can
win prizes for their pets
and their classrooms by
entering the Pets Add Life
Children’s Poetry Contest,
through Jan. 31, 2014.
Metro Parent
P.O. Box 13660
Portland, OR 97213-0660
Phone: 503-460-2774; Fax: 503-331-3445
Publisher
Keith Goben, 503-460-2774
[email protected]
Editor
Emily Puro, 503-922-0893
[email protected]
Managing Editor
Calendar Editor
Teresa Carson
[email protected]
Director of Online, Social Media
& Marketing Strategy
Tabitha Rhodes, 503-975-6978
[email protected]
Contributing Writers
Sam Balto, Teresa Carson, Emily Chadwick,
Cathie Ericson, Eric Houghton, Stacy Ostrin
Advertising Account Executives
Westside/National/Outside Metro Area
Debbie Dille, 503-997-4044
fax: 503-352-4373
[email protected]
eastside/Vancouver/Washington
Ali King, 503-331-8184
fax: 503-331-3445
[email protected]
Parent Education
Design & Production Susan Bard
First Weeks Infant Support
Class. Wouldn’t it be great if babies
came with tech support? They don’t,
but this drop-in class facilitated by
mom and Waldorf teacher Sydney
Steiner is designed to help parents
navigate those shaky, sleep-deprived
first three months. Every Thursday
from noon-1:30 pm starting Sept. 5.
$5 suggested donation. The Village
Ballroom, 700 NE Dekum St. facebook.com (search “Portland Parents
Support Network”).
Grandparents Today. Lots has
changed in the decades since grandparents had their kids. This 2.5-hour
class for grandparents awaiting a new
arrival, or those with a grandchild
up to a few months old, offers the
latest information on newborn care
and respecting boundaries. 6-8:30
pm Sept. 25. $35, registration is
required. Legacy Emanuel Hospital,
2801 N Gantenbein. 503-413-2220.
legacyhealth.org.
More parent education and parent
support group information can be found
at metro-parent.com.
For distribution issues,
e-mail us at
[email protected]
For calendar submissions,
e-mail us at [email protected]
Metro Parent is published monthly by
Metro Parent Publishing, Inc. and is
copyright 2013 Metro Parent Publishing, Inc.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole
or in part without written permission is
prohibited. Metro Parent is distributed free
of charge throughout the Portland, Oregon
metropolitan area.
Metro Parent reserves the right to refuse
advertising for any reason. Distribution
of this publication does not constitute an
endorsement of the products or services
advertised herein.
Metro Parent does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, national origin, religion,
sex or sexual orientation.
Although every effort is taken to ensure the
accuracy of published material, Metro Parent
Publishing Inc. and its agents and employees
cannot be held responsible for the use
or misuse of any information contained
herein. The contents of Metro Parent and its
website are for informational purposes only
and are not intended to be a substitute for
professional advice or treatment.
Oodles of FUNdraisers
It’s back to school season and that means fundraisers galore. Here’s a taste
of what’s in store this month:
Race for the Arts. This 10K run, 5K run/walk, and 1K kids’ dash (ages
0-14) benefits Young Audiences, an organization bringing arts to local
schools. The event also features music and a Children’s Museum art zone.
9 am Sept. 14; kids’ 1K at 10:15. $10-$45. Strollers welcome at the back of the
race. No dogs please. Liberty High School, 21945 NW Wagon Way, Hillsboro.
(503-255-5900, ya-or.org/race)
Impact NW’s Annual Garden Party. Live and silent auctions, entertainment and a delicious menu to benefit Impact NW, a nonprofit providing a
“safety net and springboard” for poor and vulnerable families and individuals. 6-10 pm Sept. 14. $125. Portland Nursery, 9000 SE Division.
(503-988-6887, impactnw.org)
Where’s Waldo? Waldo and his friends will wander downtown Portland
from 11 am-2 pm Sept. 28. Take photos of them, and other items on a clue
sheet, to win prizes. (Watch out for fake Waldos!) Your minimum donation
of $5 (larger donations encouraged) benefits Portland Public Schools.
Cash only. Start at the striped booth in Pioneer Courthouse Square.
(waldogamepdx.com)
Buddy Walk. Walk to raise money and awareness for Down syndrome,
with entertainment, activities, raffle, more. Teams raising the most money
win prizes. 10 am-1 pm. Sept. 28. $12. Rose Quarter Commons, 1 Center
Court. (503-238-0522, nwdsa.org)
metro-parent.com
September 2013
9
A
By Cathie Ericson
PHOTOS COURTESY OF VANCOUVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
PHOTO
re your kids more adept at learning new technologies than you
are? Even young children these days seem to have an intuitive understanding of the high-tech world.
“Technology is the literacy of this generation,” says Doug Bundy, technology arts teacher at Raleigh Hills School, a K-8 in the Beaverton School
District.
Local schools are well aware of the ongoing tech revolution, and they’re
incorporating the latest high-tech tools into the curriculum in a variety
of ways. No longer is “computer lab” merely a weekly hour-long offering.
Instead, electronic devices are becoming useful tools students use daily, in
many cases on par with the pencil, eraser and calculator.
Our children are creating presentations using PowerPoint in elementary
school, making documentary films instead of writing reports in middle
school, developing smart phone apps in high school and more. And while
local districts strive to maintain equity in their technology offerings for
all students, some schools have implemented pilot programs that have
accelerated their use of technology – with exciting results.
Tech Tools in Schools
Interactive devices enrich
local classrooms
At Hough and King elementary schools in
Vancouver, a pilot program has made iPod
Touches a standard tool in many classrooms.
A is for Apple
Many of the newest and most innovative programs involve the use of
iPads and iPod Touches.
For five years, the Canby School District has been a leader in the use
of interactive devices, starting with a pilot project that gave iPod Touches
to all third graders at Philander Lee Elementary. Apple named Canby’s
technology innovation grant project an Apple Exemplary Program for
2010-11, and the district has been active in demonstrating the benefits to
administrators from across the area and across the nation.
In Vancouver, Martin Luther King and Hough elementary schools have
launched a pilot program that provides iPod Touches to all third graders,
with another grade added each year.
Says Lisa Greseth, chief information officer for Vancouver Public
Schools: “When we put devices in students’ hands, it changes the orientation. Where lessons used to be teacher directed, now students can ask and
answer their own questions. They are more engaged because it puts them
in control over their learning.”
Students can work with apps that target the specific skills they’re learning, which might be three-digit addition for one student and two-digit
multiplication for another.
“It meets them at their learning level and takes them to the next place,”
Greseth says.
Erin Dixon, a third grade teacher at Hough Elementary, has used iPod
Touches with her class for three years now.
“There is never any down time since students always have something
new to do,” she says. “It has extended their learning.”
Tech tools also add significantly to classroom resources, Dixon notes.
A classroom might have only five dictionaries or three maps, but now
students can use their personal devices to look up words or graph weather
across countries.
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September 2013
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“The devices allow teachers to
differentiate learning with a wide
variety of tools and apps to engage kids,”
adds Janell Ephraim, principal at King Elementary in Vancouver.
At Oregon Episcopal School, a private school serving students in preschool through twelfth grade in southwest Portland, students begin using
iPod Touches on a regular basis in second grade. They access a number of
books and other tools and resources through the devices, but it doesn’t
stop there. Upper school students use iPod Touches as cameras in video
and film-making courses, and musical composition students create and
perform works as an “iPad orchestra.”
Jamie Donovan, a third grade teacher at
King, uses iPod Touches to make lessons
“Where lessons used
more interactive. She asks her students to
to be teacher directed,
type answers into their devices, then all the
now students can ask
students’ names and answers show up on
hers.
and answer their own
“I put it in the docking station and show
questions. They are
them, ‘Wow, almost all of us chose A, but
more engaged because
a few chose B. Why do you think?’ It really
it puts them in control
opens up the conversation,” she says.
over their learning.”
A boost for the basics
Lisa Greseth,
Vancouver Public Schools
Electronic readers and other digital materials are replacing old-school books at a
number of schools. At OES, for example, textbooks are becoming less of a
standard, with many classes relying instead on materials available online
or electronically via student laptops.
back-to-school
st. cecilia school introduces
students to Nook tablets in
kindergarten and chromebooks in third grade. the
beaverton k-8 also led the
nation in providing electronic
textbooks to all its middle
school students.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. CECILIA SCHOOL
At Beaverton’s St. Cecilia School,
students use Nook tablets in kinPaying the price
dergarten through third grade and
Chromebooks in fourth and fifth
We all know tech tools don’t
come cheap, so how do our less
grades. Older students at the private
affluent public schools afford the
K-8, which many believe was the
latest technologies?
first middle school in the nation to
provide textbooks for e-readers, are
At Beaverton’s raleigh Park
asked to bring their own e-readers to
School, where almost half the
school. The middle school prostudents receive free or reduced
gram has been dubbed “Lighten
lunch, technology arts teacher
the Load,” a nod to the heavy load
Doug Bundy assisted in procuring
students carried from class to class
a grant two years ago that brought
in more than $230,000 to purchase
and home to school before digital
an iPod Touch for every fourth and
textbooks became the norm.
fifth grader at the school.
In schools where budgets are
tight, electronic readers are a great
In Vancouver, voter approval of a
way to stretch limited resources.
six-year technology levy in FebruTake the books Terri Oliver, a fourth
ary 2013 is facilitating a staged roll
grade teacher at Raleigh Hills School,
out of technology tools. And in
downloads onto the iPads in her
Portland, many schools have parclassroom. She purchases a license
ent-led fundraising organizations
that allow them to raise money for
for each book only once, then she
new tech tools.
can share it on all her students’ de- Cathie Ericson
vices. This is especially helpful with
lower-level books, she says, which
kids read more quickly than chapter books.
As a bonus, Oliver adds, kids can record themselves reading out loud then
listen back to check their own fluency and find their errors.
Oliver’s class also works with Google Docs, which allows her to help them
edit and revise their writing in real time. She can project documents onto
a screen to use the students’ own work for classroom lessons on grammar,
punctuation, editing and more.
Interactive white boards and document cameras have become commonplace in local classrooms, allowing teachers to share any number of
resources with the entire class. At northwest Portland’s CLASS Academy, a
private school serving students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade,
the white boards are used regularly for interactive learning games, among
other things.
A number of schools also use “clickers,” or “student response systems,”
to help teachers track student understanding in real time and adjust lessons
accordingly. Using the devices, students respond to questions during class
and the results show up instantly on the teacher’s computer. That tells the
teacher what skills and concepts require additional class time and when it’s
time to move on to new areas.
Tech Tools in Schools continues on page 12
metro-parent.com
September 2013
11
In Oregon Episcopal School’s
Platt Global Classroom – which is
equipped for video conferencing
– students have had the opportunity to collaborate with peers as
far away as Kabul, Afghanistan.
Tech Tools in Schools continued from page 11
Research is greatly enhanced by the use of electronic devices, too. When
Oliver’s class was preparing for a field trip to the state capital, they used
their iPads to research the historical figures they’d been studying as well as
state symbols – from the beaver to the hazelnut.
In their Platt Global Classroom – a high-tech video conferencing classroom – students at OES participate in live sessions with authors and experts
who make “virtual visits” to the school.
Beyond the classroom
The potential for tech tools to change the way our students learn and
interact with the world is growing rapidly as local schools increase their use
of technology.
“We have a very active technology committee comprised of parents
and staff that are developing our next generation of technology strategies,” says Michael Winning, a spokesperson for the Franciscan Montessori
Earth School (FMES), a private school serving
students in preschool through eighth grade in
“The devices allow
southeast Portland.
teachers to differentiate
Students at FMES participate in distance
learning with a wide valearning programs with other Montessori
riety
of tools and apps
schools and interact electronically with
to engage kids.”
students and staff in Germany and Costa Rica,
where they run exchange programs for
Janell Ephraim,
King Elementary, Vancouver
grades four through eight.
OES’ Platt Global Classroom has allowed
students to collaborate with peers across the
United States and Canada, and even as far as Kabul, Afghanistan. The technology also has facilitated virtual service learning projects.
Outside the classroom, tech tools are enhancing students’ extra-curricular
activities, with brain-boosting results.
“We have a very active, multi-age Lego Robotics program,” says Winning, “and the students have done a lot of innovative programming that
has placed many of our teams at local and state championship levels over
the years.” The FMES chess coach uses computer-based tools to help players
study complex strategies as part of their training, too.
Tech Tools in Schools continues on page 14
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September 2013
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PHOTO BY TOM BERRIDGE, COURTESY OF OREGON EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
back-to-school
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September 2013
13
back-to-school
Tech Tools Unlock Learning at All Levels
The move toward technology has been a boon for all students – including
those on both ends of the learning continuum.
“We are always conscious of the assistive angle,” says Lisa Greseth, chief information officer for Vancouver Public Schools. “How are we meeting the needs
of all the students we serve – those with Individualized Education Programs,
those for whom English is a second language, and our high-end students?”
Teachers rave about the benefits of electronic devices in assisting students
with communication disorders, such as those on the autism spectrum and
others with communication challenges. One program that has proven valuable
is Proloquo2Go, an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) solution for the iPod Touch and iPad for people who have difficulty speaking.
Jamie Donovan, a third grade teacher at King Elementary in Vancouver, says
the devices provide a huge boost for students for whom English is a second
language.
“They can just use the standard voice memo that’s on iPods,” she says, “and after reading a passage, they can play it back to help with pronunciation.”
For students who need more of a challenge, electronic devices can provide
the opportunity to move at their own faster pace.
Ultimately, as teachers program each device with lessons customized to individual students, a variety of learning differences easily can be addressed and
accommodated.
- Cathie Ericson
Tech Tools in Schools continued from page 12
Digital drawbacks?
“We have to adapt.
Some skeptics wonder if the influx of elecTechnology is not
tronic devices into local classrooms creates ungoing away. It needs
necessary distractions, but teachers say it hasn’t
become an issue.
to be part of the
“There are times I can tell I don’t have focus,” students’ lives.”
says Oliver, “and I just ask the kids to ‘turtle
Melissa Lim,
their iPods,’ meaning turn it face down. It’s
Portland Public Schools
pretty easy to locate the kids who are still looking at their device.”
Before starting to use the electronic devices, classes in Vancouver go
through a “boot camp” consisting of five lessons that cover digital citizenship, safety and basic standards to help kids make good choices in the
digital age. The training also includes a parent orientation.
Teachers also maintain strict privacy policies and combine a high level of
monitoring with selectivity about what apps students can download.
Every now and then a parent or administrator will resist the new approach, but an overwhelming majority of students, parents and teachers
agree: Utilizing the latest technology tools contributes to a more personalized, more engaged classroom experience.
“School doesn’t seem as relevant if you are doing things the way we were
ten years ago,” Lim says. “We have to adapt. Technology is not going away.
It needs to be part of the students’ lives.”
Cathie Ericson is a freelance writer and mom of three tech-savvy boys. She often informs her
clients she can’t solve a tech issue until her “IT department” gets home from middle school.
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September 2013
metro-parent.com
back-to-school
metro-parent.com
September 2013
15
Off to
a Great
By Emily Puro
t
he beginning of a new school year
brings excitement, anticipation and high
hopes – but how can we keep that excitement high as the year progresses? How
can we ensure those high hopes become
reality?
To help your family make the most of
the school year ahead, consider these seven
simple steps to academic success:
Start!
Seven steps
2. Talk With Teachers. A strong partnership between parents and teachers is essential for school success, but finding time to communicate regularly
can be challenging. Most teachers and administrators are happy to communicate via email these days, and web-based grading systems allow parents
to keep track of their children’s progress online. If you have concerns or an
issue arises, make time to meet with school staff in person or by phone.
3. Homework: Help Kids Help Themselves. It’s important for children
to complete their homework assignments on their own whenever possible,
but there are still ways for parents to help.
If your child is unclear about how to complete an assignment, try reviewing the directions together then modeling how to do one or two problems.
Check back periodically to make sure things are going well, but for the most
part, leave him to his own devices. If you can’t figure out how to complete
an assignment (it happens!), send a note to the teacher saying your child
gave it his best effort but needs more guidance before he can do the work.
It’s also important to establish a regular homework routine. Designate
a homework spot – whether it’s a desk in the child’s room or the kitchen
table – and a regular time to do it. If your child’s homework spot is used for
other purposes, such as eating dinner, keep supplies in a box you can pull
out when needed. While some children work best after school, others might
do better after dinner or early in the morning. Some work well with music
playing while others require quiet. Find a routine that works for your child
and stick with it.
September 2013
metro-parent.com
4. Teach Time Management. As students enter middle
school – where multiple long- and short-term assignments are
par for the course – effective time and project management
become essential. Most schools provide planners for students to
keep track of assignments and exams. Help your child learn to
use the planner effectively by reviewing it with her on a daily or
weekly basis. Getting kids in the habit of entering assignments
in a planner during the elementary years can make it easier to
handle their workload as it increases.
Time management goes beyond organizing school projects. Help your
children maintain a realistic schedule and post a family calendar in an area
where everyone can see it. Talk about each person’s commitments and be
willing to set limits if extra-curricular activities interfere with your child’s
school work.
to a successful
school year
1. Make School a Priority. Show your children school is a priority by
taking an interest in their work, making sure they bring necessary supplies
and assignments to school, and ensuring they arrive on time.
Keep your expectations high, but reasonable. Make it clear you don’t
expect your children to get perfect scores on every assignment, but you do
expect them to do their best every day.
16
Help your child complete his homework by
setting up a designated work space and
establishing a regular homework routine.
5. Feed Them Well. Numer-
show your child school is a priority by making sure
she’s ready on time and has all the supplies and
assignments she needs each day.
ous studies have shown a strong
correlation between proper
nutrition and positive academic outcomes – from better
performance in school and on
standardized tests to improved
behavior and attentiveness in
class. So how can we ensure our
children eat properly?
Start each day with a balanced breakfast – one that includes complex
carbohydrates and protein. Carbohydrates provide quick energy to get kids
going, but that energy lasts only a few hours. A healthy dose of protein
extends that energy long enough to carry them to lunch.
Lunch should include protein along with fresh fruits and vegetables. Focus on whole grains and try to avoid foods that are high in sugar or contain
trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, and other unnatural ingredients. If your
child is old enough, involve him in food selection or he might not eat the
nutritious meal you pack.
Afterschool snacks should be healthful, too. Stock your home with
healthful snacks and limit the availability of unhealthful choices so your
kids will eat well even when they’re home alone.
6. Make After School Hours Count. What kids do after school is as
important as what they do in school – especially with middle school and
Off to a Great Start continues on page 18
back-to-school
metro-parent.com
September 2013
17
back-to-school
Off to a Great Start
continued from page 16
Sponsored by Learning Palace
Saturday, November 2
10 AM – 3:30 PM
OMSI Auditorium
1945 SE Water Street, Portland
Come and see dozens of private and public schools as well as
businesses offering children’s classes, lessons, and other beforeand after-school programs. Collect information, talk to educators and providers and evaluate opportunities for your child.
Partial listing of confirmed exhibitors:
Arbor School of Arts & Science
Catholic Schools
Catlin Gabel School
Creative Roots/All Around the World
Estacada Charters
OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Safety
Center
Oregon Episcopal School
Park Academy
Portland Christian Schools
Portland Montessori Schools
FACT
Franciscan Montessori
French American International School
The Gardner School
German American
Harmony Road Music, Westside Music
School
Portland Waldorf School
Rose City Music
Scuola Italiana
Summa Academy
Swallowtail School
International School
Trinity Lutheran School
Learning Palace
Village Free School
Little Engineers
Village Home
Mad Science
West Hills Christian School
The Marylhurst School
West Hills Montessori School
Northwest Children’s Theater
World of Smiles
Free Admission to the Fair
For exhibitor information,
call 503-460-2774
Sponsored by Learning Palace
September 2013
metro-parent.com
7. Manage
Morning Madness. For many busy
families, mornings are
chaotic. A little planning and a regular
routine can help.
Some families make
lunches and lay out
clothes the evening
before. Others simply
wake up early enough
to get everything
done before it’s time
to leave. Designating a place – preferably near the door – for backpacks,
shoes, lunches, and anything else your kids need to take to school will alleviate the mad dash to find things at the last minute. Anything that needs to be
signed and/or returned to school should be ready to go the night before. If
your kids move between houses, make sure all the necessary school supplies
move with them.
Enforcing reasonable bedtimes and wake-up times and establishing a
standard morning routine can reduce the anxiety parents and kids feel in the
morning and set the tone for a successful day ahead.
Small Friends Inc. Preschool
Northwest Chinese Academy
18
high school students
who often are unsupervised. Check with
your child’s school,
your local parks and
recreation department, and other
parents to find out
what’s available.
Make time to stay in
touch with your child’s
teacher throughout
the year, whether
you use email, the
telephone, or make
an appointment to
talk in person.
This information has been excerpted and updated from an article printed previously
in Metro Parent.
Does electronic
entertainment
have a place
in early
childhood?
Babes in
Tech Land
Screen time versus lap time
The Nordstroms are busy people. Both work as professors of mathematics – Hans at the University of Portland
and Jennifer at Linfield College in McMinnville. As working teachers and researchers, they spend a good portion
of their time in front of electronic screens.
And while Jennifer Nordstrom acknowledges that some
apps can offer young children an opportunity to learn and
practice important skills, she won’t be downloading them
by the dozen any time soon.
“As a working parent, my time with my kids is limited,” she says. “Do I want my children to sit in front of a
computer and learn some educational skill, or do I want
them to sit in my lap and read along with me?”
Researchers say her thinking is right on track.
Opportunities to interact personally with children
should always be a parent’s priority. If children are old
enough for electronic media, parents should make it a
When it comes to kids and
shared experience.
electronic media, writes Lisa Guernsey
Content, context and your child
LISA GUERNSEY
hen Hans and Jennifer Nordstrom’s daughters
were young, the couple packed stickers, coloring books
and games to ease their children’s restlessness during extended road trips. They left the DVD player out of the bag.
“It was a very intentional choice,” says Jennifer Nordstrom. “I remember long car trips I took as child. My sister
and I would make up games that we only played in the
car.”
“We don’t want to entertain to pacify,” adds Hans Nordstrom. “If we always try to avoid boredom or frustration
or negative feelings, we don’t learn to deal with them in
healthy ways.”
But this summer, before driving to Disneyland, Hans
Nordstrom decided to try something new.
“I programmed an old iPhone with songs and games
for the kids,” he says.
When it came time to pull a boredom buster from the
carefully curated collection of toys and games, Jennifer
Nordstrom handed her 6-year-old daughter the iPhone.
“It held her attention for a long time,” she says. So
much so that all the old standbys remained in the bag.
Still, when it came time to put the phone away, their
daughter willingly handed it over. She knew the rules,
because her parents had explained them before giving her
the phone.
IMAGE COURTESY
OF
W
By Emily Chadwick
in her book Screen Time, parents should
be guided by the three Cs – content,
context, and the individual child.
In her book Screen Time: How Electronic Media – From
Baby Videos to Educational Software – Affects Your Young
Child (Basic Books, 2012)*,
Lisa Guernsey explores how
“Do I want my children to sit in
a parent’s approach to media
directly impacts the effect it
front of a computer and learn
will have on the child.
some educational skill, or do
“It’s all about the three
I want them to sit in my lap
Cs—content, context and the
and
read along with me?”
individual child,” says GuernJennifer Nordstrom,
sey, who’s also director of the
Linfield College
Early Education Initiative at
the New America Foundation,
a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank addressing significant
education challenges in the country.
Not all content is equal, Guernsey explains. Young
children should not be exposed to what researchers call
Babes in Tech Land continues on page 20
metro-parent.com
September 2013
19
Babes in Tech Land continued from page 19
“adult-directed media,” which is
difficult for toddlers and preschoolers to follow. They should instead
Monitor what your children are accessing and watching on electronic
engage only with “child-directed
screens carefully. Some programmedia.”
ming that appears to be intended
for children is actually more adultWhat’s tricky for many parents,
oriented than you might expect.
however, is that some products
seemingly designed for children
follow an “adult-directed” format
– SpongeBob SquarePants, Power
Rangers, situation comedies and
game shows, for example. (See
Learn More on page 21 for websites
offering reviews and ratings to help
parents judge available content.)
Putting media use into the context of your child’s day is equally
important. Guernsey suggests
parents and caregivers consider the
following when determining what
is appropriate and what is not:
• What would the child be doing if
young children typically can’t distinguish between
he or she wasn’t in front of the screen?
advertisement and content, that makes them especially
• Who is helping the child process and understand what
vulnerable.
they are seeing?
“We are one of the only industrialized nations that
• What else has the child done during the day?
allows advertising to kids,” she says.
Parents also should consider the individual child’s
Linder’s own children don’t watch or engage with
age and stage of development when making media
media she hasn’t reviewed. She suggests parents use the
choices.
ratings on Common Sense Media (commonsensemedia.
Long-term effects uncertain
A study conducted in 2011 by Common Sense Media
found that 39 percent of children from 2-4 years old had
used an interactive device such as an iPod Touch, iPad or
smart phone. Over 50 perfect of children ages 5-8 have
watched videos and played games on an iPad. Still, most
of the research on media use pertains to television and
movies.
“Parents are in a tough spot,” says Guernsey. “The
research in not there yet.”
Jennifer Linder, a professor of psychology at Linfield
College and author of the blog Media Mom, Ph.D.
(mediamomphd.com), is concerned about the effects
engaging with electronic screens and devices can have
on very young brains.
“We simply don’t know the long-term effects,”
Linder says, “but we do know that the brain (from age
0-3) is very plastic, rapidly growing and sensitive to
input.”
During this developmental phase, too much stimulation can have negative side effects, she adds. In fact, the
American Academy of Pediatrics says media use has been
linked to obesity, sleep issues, aggressive behaviors, and
attention issues in preschool and school-aged children.
Many websites and apps designed for children are
teeming with advertisements, Linder adds. Because
20
September 2013
metro-parent.com
org) and Kids in Mind (kids-in-mind.com) to help determine if a particular movie, video game, book, website or
app is appropriate for their child.
For children younger than 24 months, Linder draws
a firm line based on scientific research that points to no
screen time at all. After
age 2, she says, very
limited use is acceptable “The iPod Touch is more
if the child seems able to than a tool that helps stuhandle it.
dents have fun. It’s engagIf a child exhibits
ing their minds in a place
altered behavior such as
that feels like their world.”
aggression or violence
Joe Morelock,
following screen time,
Canby School District
parents should rethink
their approach. Some
children can become so engrossed in a screen or device
it becomes difficult to pull them away and limits important social interaction with others, Linder adds. In
this situation, she says, the best thing for the individual
child is to avoid media use altogether.
“Toddlers are working on self-control, delaying
gratification, inhibiting impulses, conflict resolution
and empathy,” says Linder. These skills are best learned
through human interaction, not screens. There’s also
growing concern that media inhibits the quality of
parent-child interaction.
Learn More
Research, Policy & General Info:
American Academy of Pediatrics:
aap.org (search “health initiatives
media and children”)
Preparing kids for the
modern world
Campaign for a
Commercial Free Childhood:
commercialfreechildhood.org
Twenty-first century parents must
strike a delicate balance between
Media Mom, PhD:
focusing on age-appropriate activities
mediamomphd.com
for their children and preparing them
New America Foundation:
to succeed in a world that reinvents
earlyed.newamerica.net (search
itself at breakneck speed. That balance
“toddlers and touchscreens”)
likely will involve the use of electronic
PBS: pbs.org/parents/ (search
devices.
“children and media”)
“Touchscreens are probably going
Screen Time – How Electronic
to blow a few holes in the current
Media-From Baby Videos to
theories about what babies, toddlers
Educational Software-Affects
and preschoolers are capable of,”
Your Young Child by Lisa Guernsey
writes Guernsey in her book. “Until
(Basic Books, 2012). Find more
these interfaces arrived, a young
information on children and media
child had to move a mouse or push
on Guersney’s website:
buttons on a remote control to make
lisa.dennisbelmont.com.
something happen on the screen …
[Now] touching a picture of a balloon
Reviews & Ratings for Parents:
can make it pop right under a child’s
fingertip. The physical interface is no
Common Sense Media:
longer a barrier to what’s possible.”
commonsensemedia.org
Several new studies point to this
Kids in Mind: kids-in-mind.com
sort of interactivity being a significant
game changer in the world of education, Guernsey adds.
“The iPod Touch is more than a tool that helps students have fun,” agrees
Joe Morelock, director of technology and innovation for the Canby School
District, where iPod Touches are a commonly used classroom tool. “It’s engaging their minds in a place that feels like their world.”
Morelock’s own children, ages 5 and 8, are
comfortable using interactive devices – but if
you think the expert on educational technol- “Parents … should look
ogy gives his kids free reign on these devices
at how the use of media
you’d be mistaken. Whether in the classroom
fits into the child’s day
or at home, Morelock, who’s also a doctoral
and what is gained or
candidate in Educational Leadership and
lost because of it.”
Policy at Portland State University, advocates
Lisa
Guernsey,
supervision and balance.
author of Screen Time
“We have devices around the house, but
they are not used every day,” he says. “And we
set time limits.”
Morelock still promotes old-fashioned fun using crayons, books, puzzles
and games, but he’s also introduced his kids to some educational apps.
“Why wouldn’t you want to help children learn the skills to live within
the world they find themselves?” he asks. “Children need to understand
what it means to share their toys, but they also need to know how to share
information and use technology in a safe and responsible way.”
For parents, it’s not difficult to follow Morelock’s – and other experts’ –
advice when it comes to technology: Set appropriate limits, be mindful of
age-appropriate content, and have a specific purpose for engaging children
with media.
Emily Chadwick is a Portland-area freelance writer and mom.
* Screen Time was originally published under the title Into the Minds of Babes in 2007.
metro-parent.com
September 2013
21
Best. Birthday. Ever!
That’s what parents hope to hear when
their kid’s friends head home with swag
bags and tummies full of cake. But what
makes a great party great?
We asked local parents to share their
birthday party success stories to help you
gather ideas and enthusiasm for your
child’s next big bash.
Party on!
By Teresa Carson
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE BRYAN
PHOTO BY MARNE MAYKOWSKYJ NORDEAN
For daughter Maggie’s Princess
and the Pea party, northeast
Portland mom Marne Maykowskyj
Nordean cut out puppet parts,
then took the party guests’ photos as they arrived so they could
create puppets of themselves.
Later, the girls used their creations
to perform for each other.
22
September 2013
The princess, the pea
and the birthday girl
It’s difficult for northeast Portland
mom Marne Maykowskyj Nordean to
pick her favorite birthday party. There
was the Lego party for her son, and
the puppet party for her daughter. But
Nordean finally settles on The Princess
and the Pea bash she hosted for her
daughter Maggie’s fifth birthday.
“My daughter wanted a sleepover,
but I didn’t think she was old
enough,” says Nordean. “She wanted to wear her PJs, so we
settled on the theme of The Princess and the Pea.”
In the classic fairy tale, the Princess spends the night
on an unsuitable mattress, neatly accommodating
Maggie’s pajama request.
Nordean went all out with the
theme, adapting party games to fit.
Guests sat on big green balloons
(peas!), popping them to reveal
small prizes. They decorated crowns.
Nordean read a book of the story with
beautiful illustrations.
The favors were inexpensive pillows with white homemade covers the
girls decorated with fabric markers.
The cupcakes were adorned with a
small green “pea” candy on top. Nordean constructed a Princess and the Pea
bed for the soiree.
“I like to immediately start with a
craft all the guests can do as everyone
is arriving,” she says. “That way everyone isn’t running wild.” In this case,
the revelers decorated the pillow covers and puppets as they trooped in.
Nordean also tries to emphasize to
her children that a party is not entirely
about the birthday girl or boy.
“I explain to them that at a party
you want to make sure your guests
have a good time, too,” she says. “I
make my kids greet each guest at the
door and thank them for coming.”
In addition to that, she says, “I
always do something special for the
child whose gift is being opened.” At
the Princess and the Pea party, the gift
giver donned a feather boa as her gift was being opened.
“I like to keep things fairly organized,” Nordean adds. “If
you don’t, the kids don’t enjoy them as much.”
As for her part in the process, Nordean adds, “I love, love,
love to throw birthday parties!”
metro-parent.com
A good bet
Ann Hargraves and her family fondly remember the casino-themed birthday party they threw for her son Kenneth on
his seventh birthday – more than a decade ago!
“It was all his idea,” says the northwest Portland mother
of two. “He was in second grade and wanted this whole
1950s casino thing for his party. He wanted his friends to
dress up in their casino best.”
The guests wore jackets, bow ties and boas. Hargraves
pressed Kenneth’s 10-year-old brother and his friend into
service as card dealers, complete with white shirts and green
eyeshade visors.
“They had a ball doing that,” she says.
The family rented a roulette
wheel and made the rest of
the casino games on tables in
the living and dining rooms.
Instead of poker tables,
they had Uno tables. They
had a dice game, which
they called dice instead of
craps.
“We did try to
highlight the math and
numbers involved in the
theme,” she says. The
tiny gamblers sipped
lemon-lime soda from
plastic champagne
glasses. The cake
looked like a
pair of dice.
“I think it is
really important to make it
as homemade
as possible,”
says Hargraves,
a family coach.
“Letting the
kids help create it makes it
more memoTaking inspiration from your
rable for them,
kids can make a party more
memorable and meaningful,
too. Let the
says Ann Hargraves, whose
kids have the
family still remembers fondly
the casino party they threw for
inspirations for
their son Kenneth more than a
ideas. It is so
decade ago.
exciting when
“It was all his idea,” says the
northwest Portland mother of
their ideas
two.
come alive.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE HARGRAVES FAMILY
“That was the bestest party ever!”
parties
Top: The Maier family scoured yard sales and thrift stores for
costumes for daughter Grace’s theater party.
“We had sizes from small to grown-up of all kinds of costumes,” says mom, Jamie Johnson Maier.
Below: A drama-comedy mask cake added to the fun at the
theater-themed birthday party.
On with the show!
When Tigard mom Jamie Johnson
Maier’s daughter Grace turned 8, she
wanted to have a theater-themed
party.
“She had a drama club at school
she really enjoyed,” Maier says.
It was months until the actual birthday, so
the Maier clan scoured yard sales and thrift
stores for potential costumes.
“We had sizes from small to grown-up of
all kinds of costumes,” Maier says.
Maier designed invitations that looked
like theater tickets and whipped up a stunning
happy/sad theater mask cake. The family rigged
PHOTO COURTESY OF
theater curtains made of painters drop cloths on
THE MAIER FAMILY
the backyard play structure. They set up
makeup stations and a
costume room in the
garage.
About 30 kids
attended to wow the
audience.
“The kids were so
great,” says Maier. “They
didn’t fight over costumes.
They put on their own
makeup and came up with
their own stories. We only had
two rules: the piece had to have a title, and everyone had to participate.”
Parents and guests not cast in a play watched from their chairs,
munching popcorn from theater popcorn bags. One of the biggest hits
was a play called The Witches of Romania, Maier says.
“I have no idea where that came from, but they even used talcum
powder as a special effect,” she recalls. “The kids were so imaginative. It
was really great.”
Maier usually limits birthday parties to two hours to avoid meltdowns,
but at this party guests were eager for more time.
“The kids kept saying, ‘No we have one more!’, so we let it go three,
maybe three and half hours,” Maier recalls.
“The parents just stayed out of it,” she adds. “We gave them the tools
for their imaginations to come alive. It was one of the easiest parties I’ve
ever thrown and definitely the most fun.”
Best. Birthday. Ever!
continues on page 24
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MAIER FAMILY
The Maiers rigged
curtains using
painters drop cloths
on a backyard play
structure and set up
makeup stations and
a costume room in
the garage. Then
they let the party
guests ham it up big
time!
metro-parent.com
September 2013
23
parties
Best. Birthday. Ever! continued from page 23
Thinking inside the box
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WREN FAMILY
Helene Wren and her husband,
Jaime, moved from Denmark to
southwest Portland just eight days
before their son Alan’s first birthday.
What to do?
One thing they had plenty of was
boxes. They had moving boxes. They
had boxes from new appliances.
Boxes, boxes everywhere.
“For eight
days, we transformed
these boxes into a birthday party,” says Wren.
“We made a 10-foot-tall rocket ship with controls, a
two-seater prop plane, a castle out of shoe boxes, a race
car with a stripe.”
Wren prepared foods that went with the box theme,
too. There were juice boxes and “packing peanuts.” The
invitations and cake looked like
cardboard boxes. And in keeping
with the idea that simple is best,
the party favor was a red rubber
ball.
The guest list included about
60 people, 15 or 18 of them
children.
“We invited the parents,
too, and they were all in the
rocket ship,” Wren recalls.
“We had windows at kid and
adult height.”
Alan still uses many of
the boxes in his playroom.
Wren says spending more
doesn’t make it a better party.
She and her husband labored
long and hard, but that made it
all the more fun.
Her other tip? “Take lots of
photos.”
Best. Birthday. Ever!
continues on page 26
Kids love empty boxes, so when Helene and
Jaime Wren found themselves knee-deep in
moving boxes just before their son’s first
birthday, they turned those boxes into a party
theme that delighted kids and adults alike!
24
September 2013
metro-parent.com
parties
Selected Birthday Party Resources
Contact these local businesses to plan your own Best. Birthday. ever! Addresses
are in Portland unless otherwise indicated.
Academy Theater: 7818 Se Stark. 503-252-0500. academytheaterpdx.com
Alexander, Master of Marvels! Magician: Your Portland-area location.
503-331-8542. parlorofwonders.com
CeramiCafe Art Lounge: 12056 Se Sunnyside, Clackamas, 503-698-5411.
14600 SW Murray Scholls, Beaverton, 503-590-8510. ceramicafenw.com
Chocolate Craft Studio: 3936 N Williams. 503-505-0481. confectioncraft.com
The Circuit Bouldering Gym: 6050 SW Macadam. 503-246-5111.
thecircuitgym.com
Do Jump! Extremely Physical Theatre: 1515 Se 37th. 503-231-1232. dojump.org
Dragon Theater Puppets & Princesses: Your location. 503-312-5979.
dragontheater.com
Eastside Swap & Play: 17720 Ne Halsey. 971-219-1500.
eastsideswapandplay.com
Engineering for Kids: 11507 SW Pacific Hwy., Tigard. 971-244-4960.
engineeringforkids.net
Fancy That: 1336 Ne Orenco Station Pkwy., Hillsboro. 503-640-9909.
shop-fancythat.com
Imagine: Play: 2731 Ne Bunn, McMinnville. 503-474-7434. imagine-play.com
Kruger’s Farm Market: 17100 NW Sauvie Island. 503-621-3489.
krugersfarmmarket.com
The Little Corral: 23288 SW Newland, Wilsonville. 503-449-5087.
thelittlecorral.com
Little Cups & Grownups Play Café: 614 e Main, Battle Ground, Wash.,
360-687-2045. 3000 Se 164th, Vancouver, 360-254-2375. littlecupscafe.com
The Little Gym of Lake Oswego/Tualatin: 17890 SW Mcewan, Lake Oswego.
503-595-9702. thelittlegym.com/LakeOswegoOr
The Lumberyard Bike Park: 2700 Ne 82nd. 503-252-2453. lumberyardmtb.com
Mad Science: 1522 N Ainsworth. 503-230-8040. portland.madscience.org
The Merry Kitchen: 5202 Ne 72nd. 503-946-8357. themerrykitchen.com
My Masterpiece Art Studio: 7905 SW Cirrus, Beaverton. 503-453-3700.
mymasterpieceartstudio.com
North Clackamas Aquatic Park: 7300 Se Harmony, Milwaukie. 503-557-SUrF.
pdxsurf.com
Northwest Fencing: 4950 SW Western, Beaverton. 503-277-2237. nwfencing.org
Oaks Amusement Park and Roller Skating Rink: 7805 Se Oaks Park Way.
503-233-5777. oakspark.com
Once Upon A Horse: Lake Oswego. 503-502-1719. onceuponahorse.com
Oregon Gymnastics Academy: 16305 NW Bethany, Ste. 109, Beaverton.
503-531-3409. ogagym.org
Out Of This World Pizza: 6255 NW Century, Hillsboro. 503-629-8700.
outofthisworld.net
Party Poppers: Your location. 503-985-8769. mypartypopper.com
Party Solvers: Your location. 503-284-4660. pdxpartysolvers.com
Penny’s Puppet Productions: Your location. 503-282-9207. pennypuppets.com
Steamers & Screamers: 8400 Ne Vancouver Mall Loop, Vancouver, Wash.
360-597-4521. steamersandscreamers.com
Wilsonville Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle’s Restaurant:
29111 SW Town Center Loop W, Wilsonville. 503-685-5000. fun-center.com
metro-parent.com
September 2013
25
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RUSSELL FAMILY
parties
Painting at a pony party? Yes! One
year, guests at Emma Russell’s party
painted horseshoes. Another year,
they painted two real miniature
ponies!
Best. Birthday. Ever! continued from page 24
Ponies! Ponies! Ponies!
What little girl doesn’t love ponies? Little Emma liked the pony party
she had for her fifth birthday so much, she convinced her mom, Carrie
Russell, to repeat the party on her sixth birthday, too.
The two pony parties, held at a local horse ranch, were “super popular,”
says Russell, who lives in Beaverton.
As the guests arrived, there were horses they could feed. At one party
they painted two real miniature ponies with finger paints.
“The girls loved it,” Russell says. “The ponies just stood patiently and
then the girls brushed them.” The other year they painted horseshoes.
After the art activity, the guests took turns riding two full-sized horses.
While they awaited their turns, they played around the facility and fed
more horses. Russell made treat bags for the guests with bubbles and horsethemed trinkets.
Although Emma has an April birthday, it was easy to do most of the
activities under cover at the ranch.
“These parties were wonderful,” says Russell. “They were a huge hit
with the kids.”
Best. Birthday. Ever! continues on page 28
So you want to host a sleepover …
Teens and ‘tweens – especially girls – adore slumber parties. But make no mistake, there’s very little sleep involved in a sleepover. everyone will be exhausted
the following day, so plan for a night when kids and parents can sleep late. The
older the kids, the later they’ll stay up.
Here are a few more tips for sleepover success:
• If it is a girl’s party and they plan to “beautify,” put down a drop cloth to catch
nail polish and other spills.
• Some kids – especially younger children – don’t like others touching their
special toys and belongings, so you might want to stash some of your child’s
special things out of sight.
• You’ll need a space large enough to accommodate sleeping bags for all the
guests. Placing them in a ring, heads facing together like a flower, helps make
everyone feel included.
• Make sure you can contact parents at all hours. Some younger children get
homesick, and spats can flare up as partygoers get tired and cranky.
• The older the kids, the more vigilant chaperones must be. Be sure to clearly
explain your rules to the guests before the party starts. (No leaving the house,
no prank phone calls, no cooking, etc.) With teens, keep an eye out for alcohol
and uninvited guests, especially guests of the opposite sex.
• Stock up on food, drinks and snacks the partygoers can prepare themselves.
Avoid caffeine. repeat: avoid caffeine!
• Although a big breakfast with all the guests is nice, some of your guests might
have to leave early for soccer games, church or other commitments. For those
guests, it’s nice to have some “grab and go” breakfast items available such as
yogurt cups, toaster waffles, fruit or other healthful, easy to eat treats.
- Teresa Carson
26
September 2013
metro-parent.com
parties
metro-parent.com
September 2013
27
parties
A pony was a
big surprise
at Rylin
Grow’s tea
party – and
so was the
rain storm
that hit that
day! Luckily, the girls
were happy
to ride the
pony in the
garage.
In partnership with some
of our favorite party providers,
Metro Parent and PDX Kids Calendar are hosting
a full month of birthday party giveaways!
Throughout September, we’ll be
giving away one fabulous birthday party package
EVERY OTHER DAY! Prizes range from complete
parties to performances and supplies that will make
your next celebration all the more festive.
Prizes have been donated by these generous local businesses:
CeramiCafe Art Lounge (ceramicafenw.com)
The Circuit Bouldering Gym (thecircuitgym.com)
Dragon Theater Puppets & Princesses (dragontheater.com)
Eastside Swap & Play (eastsideswapandplay.com)
Imagine: Play (imagine-play.com)
My Masterpiece Art Studio (mymasterpieceartstudio.com)
Oaks Park (oakspark.com)
Once Upon A Horse (onceuponahorse.com)
Oregon Gymnastics Academy (ogagym.org)
Out Of This World Pizza (outofthisworld.net)
Party Poppers (mypartypopper.com)
Party Solvers (pdxpartysolvers.com)
Steamers & Screamers (steamersandscreamers.com)
Wilsonville Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle’s Restaurant
(fun-center.com)
For details on prize packages,
a schedule
of giveaways, and to enter,
visit PDXKidsCalendar.com/bday2013.
28
September 2013
metro-parent.com
Best. Birthday. Ever! continued from page 26
Tea time
When Rylin was turning 6, she told
her mom, Aimee Sostchen Grow, she
wanted to have her party at home and
have a piñata.
“We had always done parties at a
venue, so this would be something different,” says Grow, who lives in Tigard.
Pink lemonade, dainty finger foods and a
Grow suggested a tea party for her
teapot cake set the mood for the festive
tea party.
little fashionista. Rylin thought that
sounded grand.
Grow booked a “princess” from a local party provider and invited seven
girls ages 4 to 6. The damsels wore their tea party best.
The rented royalty “brought all the stuff for games, story time and the
tea service,” Grow says. Mom did the food and decorations, gathering inspiration from everyone’s favorite source – Pinterest.
The princess took photos of the girls and slid them into fancy picture
frames, which served as place cards for tea and the take-home party favor.
The seven ladies enjoyed pink lemonade in their teacups and finger food.
Tea was followed by a big surprise – a real pony for the guests to ride!
“It was pouring rain, so the girls had to ride in the garage,” Grow says,
“but they loved it anyway.”
After the pony rides came the much-anticipated piñata, then cake and ice
cream. The cake was shaped like a teapot with princess Rapunzel in a window.
“Having the princess come was great. She organized everything and
cleaned up. That let me enjoy the party, too,” Grow recalls.
“When I closed the door on the guests,” she adds, “I thought, ‘That was
a successful party.’ It was my favorite party, and we’ve done eight so far.”
Teresa Carson is managing editor of Metro Parent and the mother two.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE GROW FAMILY
Let’s Party!
parties
metro-parent.com
September 2013
29
Family Fare
N
eed an air-conditioned place to
play on a hot, late-summer day? Rain
driving you indoors just when the
kids are itching for a spacious place
to let off steam? Dizzy Castle has you
covered!
The spectacular play date and party
destination opened in Vancouver in
May, and with a café serving food and
non-alcoholic beverages for the whole
family, it’s easy to spend the better part
of a day here.
By Eric Houghton
I had a tasty
Cordon Bleu
Panini with
chicken, Swiss
cheese, ham and
honey mustard
on grilled sourdough. My wife’s
BBQ chicken wrap was equally pleasing, and our kids enjoyed PB&J and
quesadilla kids’ meals.
kids’ meals are served
in a pirate ship you can
take home to add to
your collection.
Eat, Play, Repeat!
The focus on healthier, higher quality ingredients than you might
expect at a play-focused venue was a nice surprise. You’ll find lots of
chicken and turkey options plus plenty of fresh produce – including fresh
pineapple on the Hawaiian pizza. You’ll also find a good selection of
vegan and gluten-free dishes.
Kids’ meals, which include a choice of side and drink, are served in a
pirate ship to take home. And if you need help enticing your kids away
from the play area long enough to eat, promise them a Cascade Glacier
ice cream after their meal.
Liquid Refreshment: Drinks include coffee and espresso, tea, frappes,
hot cocoa, smoothies, apple and orange juice, milk (cow, soy, almond and
rice), fountain sodas, and Krazy Kritters vitamin water.
What’s Cool for Kids: The play area is a magnificent, multi-level paradise. Kids can explore the castle with a dragon on top, fire soft foam
30
September 2013
metro-parent.com
cannon balls from a pirate ship, crawl
into the dragon’s head to spy on their
parents in the café below, and swing,
slide and jump to their hearts’ content.
A separate area provides a smaller,
gentler environment for toddlers.
What’s Cool for Adults: If you want to run and play with your kids, go
for it. I found a few places that were a bit of a squeeze, but my kids led me
on a merry chase and I had a blast. If you’re in a more sedate mood, grab
a Carmel Macchiato, borrow one of their iPads and take advantage of the
free Wi-Fi. Couches and chairs give you plenty of space to hang out with
friends, read a book, play cards or surf the Internet.
Ringing It Up: Panini and wraps run $6-8 and pizzas ring in about $8-9
for an 8-inch pie, $13-15 for a 12-incher. Soups and snacks are under $5
and salads run about $5-8. Breakfast ranges from $3-7, and kids’ meals are
$5.50 at lunch and dinner, $6 for breakfast. (Remember, Washington sales
tax will be added.)
Play area admission is $10 for kids 3 and older, $5 ages 12-35 months,
and is valid all day, even if you leave and return later. Infants and adults
are free.
PHOTO BY ERIC HOUGHTON
What’s Cooking: Dizzy Castle is
all about the play areas, but when
it’s time to refuel for more jumping,
sliding and merry making, the café
takes center stage. Breakfast options
include breakfast sandwiches, breakfast
burritos, pancakes, French toast and
more. Lunch and dinner menus feature
wraps, Panini,
pizza, soups, salads and snacks.
PHOTO BY ERIC HOUGHTON
Dizzy Castle’s spacious play area offers plenty of opportunities to run, jump, climb, slide, bounce,
hide and more.
Keep in Mind : Socks are required in the play area. Bring your own or buy a
pair for $2.50. Free disposable diapers and wipes are available.
Call for details on birthday parties and special events.
When and Where: Open 9 am-8 pm every day. 11606 NE 66th, Vancouver.
360-885-7529. dizzycastle.com
metro-parent.com
September 2013
31
The prosperous Parent
Check out Multnomah County
Library’s recommended
websites for interactive games
and activities to help teach
your child about finances,
saving and more.
Fun, Games
& Finance
Financial education
websites for families
W
e all want to raise our children to be strong and independent. Handling money skillfully and being financially
responsible are big parts of that, but how do we instill
financial responsibility in our kids?
It’s no surprise that the Internet is awash with tools
and information focused on financial education, and our
friends at Multnomah County Library have compiled a list
of some of the best. Here’s what they recommend:
Thrive by Five: Thrive by Five, from the Credit Union
National Association, has side-by-side Spanish and English
information designed to teach preschool-aged kids about
money and savings. There are carefully crafted, age-appropriate activities for children and caregivers to do together.
(creditunion.coop/pre_k/)
Hip Pocket Change: This site from the U.S. Mint takes a
fun and in-depth tour of the history and purpose of coins,
with games, cartoons and interesting fact sheets.
(usmint.gov/kids/)
Financial Entertainment: These fun and informative online games from the nonprofit Doorways to Dreams (D2D)
are designed to help kids learn about things like saving
for retirement (if you’re a vampire, that might last a long
time), managing credit cards (even celebrities need to do
that), and surviving financial emergencies (like that time
a tornado sent my house and farm into another world).
(financialentertainment.org)
The Mint: With a piggy bank full of games and information, The Mint – from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
Company’s Foundation – will help kids and ‘tweens go
from the basics, like earning, saving, spending and giving
money, to more complex ideas like managing an income
and designing a budget. (themint.org)
32
September 2013
metro-parent.com
BizKids: This site from the folks who create the Emmy
award-winning public television show of the same name
offers fun and informative videos and games focusing on
money and savings. Also included on the site is information on starting your own kid-run business.
(bizkids.com/students)
Treasury Direct – Kids: Head over to this surprisingly
fun site to learn about things like debt (both public and
private), treasury securities and bonds. From the
U.S. Treasury Department’s Bureau of the Public Debt.
(treasurydirect.gov/kids/kids.htm)
Kids.gov – Money: Sponsored by the General Services
Administration, this site has a good assortment of videos,
games and fact sheets to teach kids about money, savings
and investing. (kids.usa.gov/teens-home/money/)
Jump$tart: This site from a national coalition of organizations including the American Bankers Association and
Visa Inc. is designed primarily for parents and educators,
with resources to prepare kids for lifelong financial success.
(jumpstart.org)
And remember, not everything is online. Check out
your local library’s vast collection of financial education
resources by searching the catalog for “Finance, Personal”
and selecting juvenile materials, or ask your friendly neighborhood librarian for help. Area library systems also host
seminars on money management and helping kids learn
about money.
The information included in this article has been used with
permission from Multnomah County Library (multcolib.org/
money/kids-learn-about-money).
metro-parent.com
September 2013
33
A Day in the ‘Hood
Sisters Abigail and Lucy Bennett, ages
8 and 1, enjoy the fountain at Jamison
Square, a family-friendly highlight of
the neighborhood.
Be sure to check out the play structure at The Fields,
Portland Parks & Recreation’s newest park.
PHOTO BY ANNE LAUFE
Discover the treasures of
PHOTO BY ANNE LAUFE
By Anne Laufe
The Pearl District
i
The Pearl
for Parents
If you feel like exploring
the district’s shopping and
galleries, taking in a show or
enjoying First Thursday sans
kids, check out the recently
relocated WeVillage
(1024 NW Glisan, 503-9355590, wevillage.com). They
offer “drop-in playcare” for
kids from 6 weeks to 12 years
old, with evening hours (until
9:30 pm Mon.-Thurs., 11:30 pm
Fri. & Sat.), plus camps,
birthday parties and a
preschool program.
t’s hard to believe just 15 years ago most of the shops,
restaurants and galleries in northwest Portland’s Pearl
District didn’t exist. Now the rail yards and warehouses
that dominated the area have been transformed into one
of Portland’s hippest neighborhoods.
In recent years, as more families have moved into the
neighborhood, family-friendly businesses and attractions
have followed suit – making the Pearl an ideal destination
for a day out with kids.
Start your morning at Lovejoy Bakers, where you can
choose between a full breakfast or hearty baked sweets. Take
a seat at a table outside to enjoy the lively street scene.
Next, walk up to NW 10th and hop on the northbound
Portland Streetcar. While it’s easy to get around the Pearl
on foot, riding the sleek, European-style cars adds to the
fun of exploring the neighborhood. (Tickets are $1 for two
hours; free for kids 6 and younger.)
Get off the streetcar on NW Northrup and walk a
block to The Fields, Portland Parks & Recreation’s newest
park. You won’t find much shade, but you will find play
equipment, an off-leash dog area, exceptional views of the
Fremont Bridge and plenty of room to run and play.
A few blocks south, the more contemplative Tanner
Springs Park offers visitors a glimpse into the streams and
wetlands that were paved over and filled in as Portland
grew. You might spy fish, frogs and even a blue heron here.
Head over to NW Johnson – either by streetcar or foot –
to Jamison Square. The family-friendly heart of the district,
the square features a cascading fountain with shallow pools
that ebb and flow like the tide. On summer days, it’s awash
with kids playing in the water and napping in the dappled
shade of the young trees. During cooler months, kids enjoy
climbing on the rocks and checking out the sculptures,
including brightly-colored giant totem poles and a red
stone bear. (Parents take note: There’s a public restroom – a
Portland Loo – on the corner of NW 11th and Johnson.)
For a picnic lunch at any of the neighborhood’s parks,
pick up sandwiches and snacks at Local Choice Produce
Market on NW 8th and Everett. Other kid-friendly lunch
options include Hot Lips Pizza and Laughing Planet Café,
both in the Ecotrust Building near Jamison Square. Hot Lips
sells huge slices of pizza made with locally-sourced ingredients as well as small-batch sodas created from seasonal fruit.
Laughing Planet offers healthful, sustainable wraps, bowls
and more.
The Pearl District continues on page 36
34
September 2013
metro-parent.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF POSH BABY
Above: Stop into Posh
Baby for stylish, ecofriendly kids’ clothes,
furniture, accessories and
more.
Left: Start your day with
a full breakfast or pastries at Lovejoy Bakers.
PHOTO BY ANNE LAUFE
Family-friendly Pearl District
Food and Drink:
Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream: 301 NW 10th. 503-796-3033. benjerry.com
Cool Moon Ice Cream: 1105 NW Johnson. 503-244-2021. coolmoonicecream.com
Cupcake Jones: 307 NW 10th. 503-222-4404. cupcakejones.net
Hot Lips Pizza: 721 NW 9th, Ste. 150. 503-595-2342. hotlipspizza.com
Laughing Planet Café: 721 NW 9th, Ste. 175. 503-505-5020.
laughingplanetcafe.com
Local Choice Produce Market: 830 NW everett. 971-271-6888.
localchoicemarket.com
Lovejoy Bakers: 939 NW 10th. 503-208-3113. lovejoybakers.com
Piazza Italia: 1129 NW Johnson. 503-478-0619. piazzaportland.com
Shopping:
Cargo: 380 NW 13th. 503-209-8349. cargoimportspdx.com
Hanna Andersson: 327 NW 10th. 503-321-5275. hannaandersson.com
Posh Baby: 916 NW 10th. 503-478-7674. poshbaby.com
Powell’s City of Books: 1005 W Burnside. 503-228-4651. powells.com
Family Fun:
Portland Parks and Recreation: 503-823-7529. portlandonline.com/parks
• Jamison Square: 810 NW 11th
• Tanner Springs Park: NW 10th & Marshall
• The Fields: 1099 NW Overton
REI: 1405 NW Johnson. 503-221-1938. rei.com
PlayDate PDX: 1434 NW 17th. 503-227-7529. playdatepdx.com
The Portland Streetcar: 503-823-2900. portlandstreetcar.org
metro-parent.com
September 2013
35
tanner springs offers a quieter, more
contemplative park experience than the
Fields and Jamison square fountain, and
you might just catch a glimpse of fish,
frogs and even some blue heron!
Getting There
Public Transportation: In addition
to the Portland Streetcar, Trimet’s
#77 bus line serves the Pearl District. Plan your trip at trimet.org.
Parking: Metered parking is
available throughout the district
and several parking garages offer
hourly rates.
Biking: It’s easier to get to the
Pearl by bike than it is to ride
in the Pearl. Narrow streets and
streetcar tracks make it safer
to lock your bikes in a central
location and enjoy the area by
streetcar or foot.
PHOTO BY ANNE LAUFE
The Pearl District continued from page 34
For something a little fancier, say “Ciao!” to Piazza
Italia, just west of Jamison Square. This charming “trattoria” offers a taste of Italy, including authentic pasta,
bruschetta and insalata Caprese.
If the weather calls for indoor fun, head to PlayDate
PDX. There’s a huge indoor playground for the kids
plus couches and a café for tired parents. Check their
website for information on birthday parties, puppet
shows and specials on admission prices.
Another option for indoor fun is REI’s climbing wall.
One climb costs $7.50 for member families, $15 for
non-members. (A lifetime REI membership costs $20.)
Here kids can learn the basics of rock climbing with the
guidance of an experienced professional.
The Pearl District is well known as a shopping destination, and with good reason. Visit Posh Baby for any
child-related items you might need, from amber teething necklaces to old-fashioned pull toys to stylish kids’
clothes and more. Hanna Andersson also carries wellmade children’s clothing that can be passed on from
one sibling to the next. For some unique eye candy,
check out the fascinating treasure-trove of imported
goods at Cargo.
No visit to the Pearl would be complete without a
stop at Powell’s City of Books. The flagship of the city’s
36
September 2013
metro-parent.com
Why Did the
Candy Lover
Cross the
Road?
beloved bookstores,
Not technically in the
the Pearl location
Pearl but worth the trip
offers a sprawling
across Burnside, the
children’s area where
recently opened Quin
young ones can –
Candy Store (1022 W
quite literally – lose
Burnside, 503-473-8760,
themselves among the
quincandy.com) features
pages. Story times are
homemade candies from
held every Wednesday
Saint Cupcake owner Jami
and Saturday.
Curl. The tiny “micro-retail
When it’s time for
space” is stocked with an
an afternoon pickassortment of tempting
me-up, try the frozen
treats, from chocolate
treats at Cool Moon
lollipops to marshmallows
Ice Cream, offering
by the foot and more.
house-made ice cream
in a variety of creative, seasonal flavors, or pop over to perennial favorite
Ben and Jerry’s. For baked goods, Cupcake Jones has
you covered with luscious cupcakes in both jumbo and
mini sizes.
When it comes to family-friendly parks, shops,
treats and more, the Pearl is truly one of Portland’s
precious gems.
Anne Laufe is a Portland freelance writer and mom.
metro-parent.com
September 2013
37
Viewpoint
f
Simple
Steps to
Good
Nutrition
By Stacey Ostrin, MD
eeding our children healthful food can be challenging in this day and age, given the cost of wholesome foods, conflicting advice about what to feed
children and, ultimately, many kids’ tendency to refuse
the healthful food we prepare for them. Still, there are
some basic principles we can all agree on, where modern research complements the advice our grandmothers gave us:
1 Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Kids who eat a good breakfast do better in school,
are at lower risk of obesity and have better overall
health.
2 Eat your fruits and vegetables. Kids who eat more
fruits and veggies do better in school, have fewer
infections and are less likely to be obese or have
asthma. When planning meals and snacks, choose
a variety of produce in a rainbow of colors. Half the
plate should be covered by fruits and vegetables.
3 Eat whole grains. Kids who eat a diet higher in
whole grains are at lower risk for asthma, acne,
constipation and other health issues. Whole wheat
breads, oats and brown rice are all examples of
whole grain foods. Avoid processed grains such as
white or enriched flour breads, crackers and pastas.
3. Emphasize whole foods. Try to avoid processed
foods, especially artificial colors and sweeteners
including high fructose corn syrup.
4. Limit fat intake. Select lean cuts of meat, trim the fat
before cooking, and choose low-fat dairy products.
5. Watch portion sizes. Fill your plate half full with
vegetables. Meats/proteins and starches/fruits should
fill the other half. Try using smaller plates to reduce
portion sizes at mealtimes. When dining out, make
a habit of bringing half your meal home or sharing
one meal among two people.
How can we make this happen?
1 Model healthful eating habits. Kids do what we do,
not what we say.
2 Eat meals together as a family. Kids who eat regular
family meals that include healthful foods are more
likely to develop healthful eating habits.
3 Involve kids in food prep. Encourage your kids to try
new foods – including a variety of vegetables – by
involving them in gardening and meal preparation.
4 Keep trying new foods. Children are most open to
new foods between the ages of 6 and 15 months,
but even after that they can develop a taste for new
foods. The more they taste a particular food, the
greater the chance they will start to like it. Encourage your children to try a food between eight and
fifteen times before deciding for sure if they like it
or not.
5 Add fruits and veggies wherever you can. Check
out the books The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for
Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals by Missy
Chase Lapine (Running Press, 2007), and Deceptively
Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good
Food by Jessica Seinfeld (William Morrow, 2008) for
ideas on hiding fruits and vegetables in the foods
your family is already eating. Your ultimate goal,
however, is to teach your children that fruits and
vegetables can be a tasty part of their daily diet for
life.
Gardening with kids is a great way to get them
to try new vegetables – and to show them where
whole foods come from.
To these principles I would add:
1 Emphasize a plant-based diet by reducing the
amount of animal products you serve. A plant-based
diet will increase your intake of fiber and vitaminrich foods that can help decrease the risk of heart
disease, cancers and obesity.
2 Emphasize organic foods wherever possible. Visit
ewg.org/foodnews to download Clean Fifteen and
Dirty Dozen, a guide to pesticide levels in common
types of produce, to help you make informed decisions at the grocery store.
38
September 2013
metro-parent.com
Eating a healthful diet provides your body with the
vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly
and stay healthy. Following these guidelines can help
you and your family feel your best, provide you with
additional energy, help manage stress and weight, and
protect you against disease.
Stacey Ostrin, MD, is a family medicine
physician at PeaceHealth Medical Group
in Vancouver. Dr. Ostrin received her
medical degree from Loma Linda
University School of Medicine. She
enjoys caring for people of all ages, from
pediatrics to adults, and has additional
training in sports medicine.
DIAPER SERVICE and
Natural Baby Boutique
www.tideedidee.com
Bring in this ad for
1 FREE WEEK DIAPER SERVICE
with 4 prepaid weeks
One Coupon per customer, please
Vancouver and Salem (800) 540-4547
Portland (503) 777-3856
metro-parent.com
September 2013
39
Angels Among Us
By Sam Balto
Playworks Coach, King Elementary School
Playworks Portland
Through Playworks innovative programs, kids learn to
resolve conflicts peacefully,
work as a team, and encourage and support each other.
A fourth grade student named Reggie* has severe cerebral
palsy. When I first arrived at King Elementary School as a Playworks coach, Reggie would sit in his wheelchair during recess and
watch his classmates play kickball, basketball, foursquare and
other games.
As a Playworks coach, my job is to encourage and empower
students to interact with each other in a respectful manner and
find ways for everyone to have fun. After watching Reggie stuck
on the sidelines, I thought he needed to have a different recess
experience.
During class game times, I discussed the situation with fourth
and fifth grade students. I explained that Reggie wasn’t playing
because, in order to participate, he needed other students to help
him. When I asked the students if anyone would like to volunteer
to help Reggie, I was hoping five to ten students would offer. To
my surprise, dozens of hands went up. Out of 60 students in three
classes, 33 wanted to help.
The response was overwhelming. Interest came from Junior
Coaches, members of the afterschool program and athletes on
Playworks teams. The pool of students who wanted to help
included some of the most challenging students in the school –
students who normally don’t volunteer.
Every day, three or four designated students ate with Reggie
during lunch. Then they went outside to interact with him and
even modify games so all of them could play together. Anyone on
the playground could see how much fun Reggie was having. The
patience and care his classmates showed him was visible. Reggie
felt like he was part of recess now, not just an outsider looking in.
I have experienced few things as moving as watching these
young students include Reggie and make him part of the community. The students who helped him are known at King Elementary
School as “Game Changers” and they truly are.
*The student’s name has been changed to protect his identity.
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September 2013
metro-parent.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF PLAYWORKS
eachers at King Elementary School in northeast Portland had
described recess as chaotic, rough and lacking organized games.
Then, four years ago, a trained Playworks coach named Sam Balto
entered the picture and turned the students’ play time into an
opportunity to nurture common values such as respect, inclusion and
healthy play. With hard work and constant practice, King students
changed what recess looks like and, in the process, created a
community.
Here Coach Balto shares the story of how one student’s life was
transformed:
What is Playworks?
Playworks is a national nonprofit that transforms schools by providing play and
physical activity at recess and throughout the school day. The organization trains
young adults to serve as recess coaches in schools that serve low-income communities. Coaches instruct students on how to resolve conflict peacefully and
motivate students to embrace the principles of teamwork and encouragement.
Coaches reinforce these concepts by modeling positive behavior during recess.
In 2009, Playworks brought its trademark brand of safe and meaningful play to
nine Portland Public Schools. The organization has grown its local presence to
serve more than 80 schools across the region through a combination of training
and direct service. During the 2013-14 school year, 15 low-income Portland area
schools will receive direct service, providing 6,000 students with safe and inclusive
play daily, improving the school climate and transforming the educational environment.
To learn more or to donate, please visit playworks.org (search “Playworks
Portland”).
September
Family Calendar
September
Spotlight
Catch the Wiggles’
Taking Off! tour Sept. 4 at
the Newmark Theatre.
The Wiggles. Children’s music superstars on their Taking Off! tour. 2:30, 6:30
Sept. 4. $20.50-$83.25. Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway. 503-248-4335.
pcpa.com.
Fully Charged. Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus. Meet performers, try on costumes, see animals one hour before show time. 7 pm Sept.
12-14. 11:30 am, 3:30 pm Sept. 14. 12:30, 4:30 pm. Sept. 15. $12-$50. Rose
Garden, One Center Court. 503-235-8771. rosequarter.com.
Super Kids Resale. Bargains galore on clothing, toys and more, plus face
painting, balloon creations, Tae Kwon Do demos, Mr. Lizard and other diversions for kids. 9 am-8 pm Sept. 26, 27. 9 am-5 pm Sept. 28, 29. FREE admission; cash preferred for purchases. Gresham Town Fair, 400 NW Eastman
Pkwy. (near Petsmart). 503-866-1875. superkidsresale.com.
The Northwest Children’s
Theater brings Roald Dahl’s
classic tale to the stage
Sept. 28-Oct. 27.
ILLUSTRATION BY LEE MOYER
James and the Giant
Peach. Northwest
Children’s Theater kicks
off the season with Roald
Dahl’s classic. Young
James finds escape from
his dreary life on the
wings of a giant peach.
Best ages 6+. Noon, 4
pm Sat-Sun Sept. 28-Oct.
27. $18-$22. 1819 NW
Everett. 503-222-2190.
nwcts.org.
metro-parent.com
September 2013
41
OKTOBERFEST STAFF PHOTOS, COURTESY MOUNT ANGEL OKTOBERFEST
September Family Calendar
Portland loves to oompah,
and Oktoberfest around
these parts can be surprisingly family friendly! Here
are two of our favorite
seasonal celebrations:
Oktoberfest
Oaks Park. Music,
dancing, wiener dog races,
Kinderplatz kiddo area
(Sat & Sun noon-5:30 pm),
more. 3 pm-midnight
Sept. 20, 11 am-midnight
Sept. 21, 11 am-7 pm
Sept. 22. $3 adults, $2 ages
0-15. 77805 SE Oaks Park
Way. 503-233-5777.
oakspark.com.
Mt. Angel Oktoberfest.
Four music stages, free
Kindergarten with rides and
shows, car show, glockenspiel, more. 11 am-midnight
Sept. 12-14. 11 am-9 pm
Sept. 15. Most events FREE.
Downtown Mt. Angel, off
Hwy 214. 1-855-899-6338.
oktoberfest.org.
There’s plenty of fun for the whole family at
Mt. Angel’s famous Oktoberfest.
Find MANY more events
and activities every day
at PDXKidsCalendar.com.
42
September 2013
metro-parent.com
metro-parent.com
September 2013
43
Fall Festivities
September Family Calendar
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COLUMBIA SLOUGH WATERSHED COUNCIL
Wear your pirate duds and celebrate all things
groundwater at the Columbia Slough Watershed
Council’s Aquifer Adventure Sept. 14.
Go Outside and Play!
$4 Zoo Tuesday. $4 admission to the Oregon Zoo. 9 am-4 pm Sept. 10.
Oregon Zoo, 4001 SE Canyon. 503-226-1561. oregonzoo.org.
Aquifer Adventure. Celebrate groundwater with treasure hunt, games, canoe rides.
Wear pirate duds. T-shirts for first 300 kids. Noon-4 pm Sept. 14. FREE. Portland
Water Bureau Launch, 16650 NE Airport Way. 503-281-1132. columbiaslough.org.
Star Party. Autumnal equinox celebration. Bring a flashlight with red light. Dusk
Sept. 21. FREE, $5 parking. Rose City Astronomers, OMSI. Two locations. Rooster
Rock State Park (exit 25 off I-84) and Stub Stewart State Park (off OR-47).
503-797-4610 ext. 2. omsi.edu/starparties.
Corn Roast. Food, entertainment, exhibits celebrating Forest Grove. 1-5 pm
Sept. 22. FREE. Lawn at Pacific University, 2043 College Way. 503-357-3006.
visitforestgrove.com.
Wild About Cooper Mountain. Bug-centric story, walk, craft. Ages 4-6. 1-3 pm
Sept. 25. $14. Mountain Nature Park, 18892 SW Kemmer. 503-629-6350. thprd.org.
National Public Lands Day. Work parties to spruce up public lands around the
nation. Pull ivy at Tryon Creek 8 am-5 pm. Sept. 28. publiclandsday.org.
Family Geocaching. Learn, practice this fun family hobby. 10 am-noon Sept. 29.
$17 per family, reservations required. Cooper Mountain Nature Park,
18892 SW Kemmer. 503-629-6350. thprd.org.
44
September 2013
metro-parent.com
Fall Festivities
Swift Watch. Watch thousands
of Vaux’s swifts swirl into the
chimney at Chapman School.
Audubon Society has info table
most nights. Be courteous
guests! 6-8 pm Sept. 1-30.
1445 NW 26th.
audubonportland.org.
Ruby is ready
to greet her
admirers at
the Audubon
Society’s
Vulture Day
Sept. 7.
Art in the Pearl. 100+ artists
showing work, entertainment,
hands-on art for kids, more.
10 am-6 pm Sept. 1. 10 am5 pm Sept. 2. Vendors charge. North Park Blocks. 503-722-9017. artinthepearl.com.
(Read more about family fun in the Pearl in A Day in the ‘Hood on page 34.)
PHOTO BY TOM SCHMID
Fabulous Freebies
Free First Friday. Fun at the Portland Children’s Museum. 4-8 pm Sept. 6.
4015 SW Canyon. 503-223-6500. portlandcm.org.
Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair. Music, poetry, exhibits, kids’ activities, strolling
reenactments of famous peace activists. 9 am-4 pm. Sept. 7. Esther Short Park,
8th & Columbia. 360-696-4840. vancouverpeaceandjusticefair.org.
Vulture Day. Meet Ruby the vulture, learn about these beautiful birds, mask craft.
11 am-3 pm Sept. 7. Audubon Society, 5151 NW Cornell. 503-292-6855.
audubonportland.org.
Community Day. Create medal, visit exhibit on WWII Japanese-American soldiers.
11 am- 3 pm Sept. 14. Alton Chung tells stories at 70 NW Couch (1 pm).
Oregon History Museum, 1200 SW Park. 503-222-1741. ohs.org.
El Grito/Fiestas Patrias. Celebrate Central America and Mexico with dancing,
music, vendors, more. 11 am-11 pm Sept. 14. Pioneer Courthouse Square,
701 SW 6th. 503-223-1613. thesquarepdx.org.
Sturgeon Festival. Celebrate the big fellas with activities, fish dissections, more.
10 am-2 pm Sept. 21. Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way.
360-487-7111. cityofvancouver.us.
Scappoose Sauerkraut Festival. Cabbage bowling, sauerkraut sweets, sauerkraut
eating contest, kids’ activities, petting zoo, pony rides, entertainment, more.
Special guests Timber Joey, Bottle Bill. 10 am-6 pm Sept. 21. Vendors charge.
Heritage Park, 33568 E Columbia. scappoosecommunity.org.
Polish Festival. Music, dance, culture. 11 am-10 pm Sept. 21. Noon-6 pm
Sept. 22. Charge for food and goodies. St. Stanislaus, 3900 N Interstate.
503-287-4077. portlandpolonia.org.
American Indian Day. Celebrate Native American culture with dance, art,
drumming, more. Noon-7 pm Sept. 27. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th.
503-223-1613. thesquarepdx.org.
Bread and Butter Day. Churn butter, make bread at historic mill. 1-4 pm Sept. 28.
Donations appreciated. Cedar Creek Grist Mill, 43907 NE Grist Mill, Woodland.
360-247-7413. cedarcreekgristmill.com.
Smithsonian Free Museum Day. Download a free pass for Sept. 28. Local participants include: World Forestry Center, Rice NW Museum of Rocks and Minerals,
Portland Art Museum, more. smithsonianmag.com.
Flock and Fiber Festival. Animals, music, demos, hands-on activities. 9 am-5 pm
Sept. 28. 9 am-4 pm Sept. 29. (Fee for workshops). Clackamas County Fairgrounds,
694 NE 4th. Canby. 503-628-1205. flockandfiberfestival.com.
Sunday Parkways. Last Sunday Parkways of 2013. Car-free fun, entertainment,
activities. Streets closed for 6 miles through Hillsdale, Multnomah Village and
Gabriel Park, plus 4.5-mile walking route. 11 am-4 pm Sept. 29. 503-823-5185.
portlandsundayparkways.com.
metro-parent.com
September 2013
45
What Should
We Do Today?
22. Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.
Bilingual story time, activities. 3-4 pm.
FREE. Woodstock Library, 6008 SE 49th.
503-988-5399. multcolib.org.
(Numbers indicate the date
or dates of each event.)
22. Portland VegFest. Yummy samples,
workshops, kids’ activities, films, more.
10 am-6 pm Sept. 21, 22. $8, free ages
0-12. Oregon Convention Center, 777
NE Martin Luther King Jr. 503-746-8344.
nwveg.org.
SUNDAy
1. Owls: Silent Hunters of the Night.
Learn about owls, make an owl puppet.
11:30 am-noon. FREE. Tillamook Forest
Center, 45500 Wilson River Hwy. 503815-6800. tillamookforestcenter.org.
1. $2 Day. Explore OMSI for $2 every
first Sun. 9:30 am-5:30 pm. Parking $3.
1945 SE Water. 503-797-4000. omsi.edu.
8. Bike Beaverton. 2.5-, 4.3- and 6.5mile bike routes. 1 pm bike rodeo, 2 pm
family ride, followed by ice cream social.
Helmet required. FREE. Beaverton
City Park, SW 5th & Hall. 503-526-2222.
beavertonoregon.gov.
8. Lumberjack Breakfast. Enjoy a
hearty pancake breakfast plus entertainment, museum entry. 9 am-1 pm. $12
adult, $5 ages 3-12, free 0-2, $4 parking;
member discount; reservations recommended. World Forestry Center,
4033 SW Canyon. 503-228-1367.
worldforestry.org.
8. UnBEElieveable Bees. The 411 on
our favorite pollinators, plus honey bee
observation, bee crafts, more. 10 am4 pm. Free w/museum admission or
Lumberjack Breakfast (see above).
World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon. 503-228-1367. worldforestry.org.
15. Family Festival. Hands-on fun at
the Portland Japanese Garden. Kids
can don a kimono, learn origami, try
Taiko drumming, participate in a tea
ceremony, plus book signing, entertainment, more. 10 am-4 pm. FREE
w/admission, $9.50 adult, $6.75 ages
6-17. 6111 SW Kingston. 503-223-1321.
japanesegarden.com.
PHOTO BY JONATHAN LEY
Learn about traditional Japanese festivals
with tea ceremonies, kimono dress-up, taiko
drumming and more at the Portland Japanese
Garden’s Family Day Sept. 15.
46
September 2013
metro-parent.com
29. Harvest Century Family Ride.
3-mile route for bikes, trikes, wheelchairs, walking. All ages, abilities. 2,
2:30 pm start times. 11 am-2 pm adaptive bike clinic. 12:30-5:30 pm music,
face painting, bike decorating, more.
FREE; pledges requested to benefit
Community Vision, a nonprofit serving
individuals with disabilities. Reservations required. Civic Center, 150 E
Main, Hillsboro. 503-292-4964 xt 124.
harvestcentury.org.
MONDAy
2. Killer Birds! Feathered predators.
1:30 pm. FREE. Tillamook Forest Center,
45500 Wilson River Hwy. 503-815-6800.
tillamookforestcenter.org.
9. Card Making. Make beautiful note
cards. 10:30-12:30. FREE; reservations
requested. Three Creeks Community
Library, 800 NE Tenney, Vancouver.
360-571-9696. fvrl.ent.sirsi.net.
16. Truck Day. See big trucks up close.
Ages 0-6. 10:30-11:30 am. FREE. Beaverton Library, 12375 SW 5th. 503-350-3600.
beavertonlibrary.org.
16, 17. Harvest Moon Festival. Eat
moon cakes, Asian music, story, lantern
making, parade. FREE. 6-7:30 pm
Sept. 16: Gregory Heights Library, 7921
NE Sandy, 503-988-5386. 6:15-7:45 pm
Sept. 17: Holgate Library, 7905 SE Holgate, 503-988-5389. multcolib.org.
PHOTO BY COMMUNITY VISION
The Harvest Century Family Ride on Sept.29
includes an adaptive bike clinic for individuals with disabilities, plus face painting, bike
decorating and more.
10. Hopworks Tot Tuesday. Arts activity, story time, light snacks. 11 am
every second Tues. Ages 1-8. FREE.
Hopworks, 2944 SE Powell.
503-232-4677. hopworksbeer.com.
10, 17. Tunes on Tuesday. Dinothemed music explorations. Ages 2-7.
10-10:30 am. Free w/admission, $10
ages 1-54. Portland Children’s Museum,
4015 SW Canyon. 503-223-6500.
portlandcm.org.
17. Harvest Moon Festival. See
Monday, Sept. 16.
WEDNESDAy
4. Wondrous Wednesday. $3 admission to the World Forestry Center
Discovery Museum every first Wed.
10 am-5 pm. $4 parking. 4033 SW Canyon. 503-228-1367. worldforestry.org.
4, 11, 18, 25. Honeybee Hike. Nature
activities and explorations. Dress for
weather. Ages 2-6 with grown-up.
10-11 am. $2 per child. Leach Botanical
Gardens, 6704 SE 122nd. 503-823-1671.
leachgarden.org.
4, 11, 18, 25. Chipper’s Preschool
Rides. See Tuesday, Sept. 3.
16. Fall Walk. Science stroll as seasons
change. Grades 1-3. 3:30-4:30 pm.
FREE; reservations required. Hillsboro
Library, 2850 Brookwood. 503-615-6500.
hillsboro.plinkit.org.
11. Stretch! Dance! Play! Music,
dance, yoga, stories with Iris Nason
from Growing Arts Center. Ages 2-5.
10:30 am. FREE. Ledding Library,
10660 SE 21st, Milwaukie. 503-786-7580.
milwaukie.lib.or.us.
TUESDAy
11. Aquatots. Schools of fish swimming, craft, stories, songs. Ages 3-5.
10:30-11 am. FREE w/admission, $18.95
adults, $16.95 ages 13-17, $11.95 ages
3-12, free ages 2-0. Oregon Coast
Aquarium, 2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd.,
Newport. 541-867-3474. aquarium.org.
3, 10, 17, 24. Chipper’s Preschool
Rides. Unlimited kiddie rides for ages 6
and younger, plus story time and snack.
9:30-11:30 rides, 11:30-noon story,
snack. Every Tues & Wed. $6.50 per
child; parents ride free. Oaks Park,
7805 SE Oaks Park. 503-233-5777.
www.oakspark.com.
18. Krafternoon: Craft Buffet. Create
art from odds and ends. 3-5 pm. FREE.
Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St.
360-906-5106. fvrl.ent.sirsi.net.
THURSDAy
12. Tot Thursday. Crafts and story
time. Ages 1-6. 11 am. FREE. Hopworks
BikeBar, 3947 N Williams. 503-232-4677.
hopworksbeer.com.
12. One Trick for One Treat: Number
Sign Language. Story time, songs. Ages
3+. 11 am. FREE. Fairview-Columbia
Library, 1520 NE Village, Fairview.
503-988-5655. multcolib.org.
PHOTO BY ERIC DAY
Who knew veggies could be so much fun? The
Portland VegFest will feature activities for kids
and teens, along with cooking demos, free
food samples and more, Sept. 21-22 at the
Oregon Convention Center.
FRIDAy
6, 13, 20, 27. Ladybug Nature Walks.
Naturalist-led walk. Ages 2-5. 10 am.
$4. Sept. 6: Washington Park. Sept. 13:
Creston Park. Sept. 20: Wallace Park.
Sept. 27: Columbia Children’s Arboretum. All stroller-friendly. 503-823-3601.
portlandoregon.gov.
6, 13, 20, 27. Story and Stroll.
Naturalist-led story, walk. Best ages 2-6.
1-2:15 pm. FREE, reservations required.
Tryon Creek State Park, 11321 SW Terwilliger. 503-636-9886 xt 225.
oregonstateparks.org.
20. Home School Day at Evergreen.
History of Human Flight. School-aged
kids. 8:30 am-2 pm. Check website for
pricing. Evergreen Aviation & Space
Museum, 460 NE Cpt. Michael King
Smith Way, McMinnville. 503-434-4185.
evergreenmuseum.org.
20. A Dinosaur Birthday! Dino birthday craft, treats. 11 am-noon. FREE.
Gresham Library, 385 NW Miller.
503-988-5387. multcolib.org.
27. Nature Night
Out. Search for
(natural) hidden
pirate treasure plus
more pirate fun.
Dinner included.
Ages 6-12. 6-9 pm.
$25, reservations
required. Cooper
Mountain Nature
Park, 18892 SW
Kemmer. 503-6296350. thprd.org.
SATURDAy
7. Walk for Farm Animals. 2.1-mile
walk, music, kiddo activities. Benefits
Farm Sanctuary. 11 am-2 pm. $25.
Director Park, 815 SW Park.
walkforfarmanimals.org.
14. Race for the Arts. 10K run, 5K
run/walk, 1K kids’ dash (ages 0-14),
plus music, art, more. Benefits Young
Audiences. 9 am. Kids’ 1K at 10:15 am.
$10-$45. Strollers welcome at the back
of the race. No dogs please. Liberty
High School, 21945 NW Wagon Way,
Hillsboro. 503-255-5900. ya-or.org/race.
14. Belmont Street Fair. Street festival
with mini golf, bounce house, arts and
crafts, more. Noon-7 pm. FREE, charge
for some activities. SE Belmont from
34th to 38th; children’s area at SE 34th.
belmontdistrict.org.
14. Second Saturday. Celebrate the
Columbia Flyway Wildlife Show with
bird-centered activities. Grown-up must
attend with child. 1-3 pm. FREE. Water
Resources Education Center, 4600 SE
Columbia Way. 360-487-7111.
cityofvancouver.us.
14. Junior Gardner’s Club. The Monster Zucchini, harvest produce. Ages
5-10, with adult. 10 am, 1 pm. Admission + $3 per child. Oregon Garden,
879 W Main, Silverton. 503-874-8100.
oregongarden.org.
21. Parent’s Survival Night. Gym
fitness fun, crafts, music, snack for kids
while parents get some alone time.
Ages 3-12. 6-9:30 pm. $26, member
discount. The Little Gym, Lake Oswego,
17890 SW McEwan. 503-595-9702.
tlglakeoswegoor.com.
21. Children’s Book Fair. Celebrate
reading with taiko performance, crafts.
Kids get a free book. Preschool5th grade. 11 am-2 pm. North Portland
Library, 512 N Killingsworth. 503-9885394. multcolib.org.
Marathon Kids Fun Run and Wellness
Fest. Four “runs” for kids ages 2-12, including one for kids with special needs,
plus field games, obstacle course, face
painting, snacks, more. 9 am-noon Oct. 5.
$26.20, reservations required. Lincoln
High School Track, 1600 SW Salmon.
503-226-1111. portlandmarathon.org.
Join the fun at Walk for Farm Animals Sept. 7
to support Farm Sanctuary, the country’s largest
farm animal rescue and refuge network.
21. Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival. 8 am4 pm. Free to watch, $12 to create
(chalk provided). Everyone welcome to
create. Main at Pacific, Forest Grove.
503-357-0311. valleyart.org.
21, 22. Portland VegFest. See Sunday,
Sept. 22.
28. Harvest Fun Day. Scarecrow making, face painting, pie eating, music,
more. 10 am-3 pm. FREE; donations
to Clark County Historical Museum
appreciated. 78th Street Heritage Farm,
1919 NE 78th, Vancouver. 360-993-5679.
cchmuseum.org.
28. Global Cardboard Challenge.
Make cardboard creations. Ages 3-10.
10 am-4 pm. Free w/admission, $10
ages 1-54. Portland Children’s Museum,
4015 SW Canyon. 503-223-6500.
portlandcm.org.
28. SOLVE Fall Beach & Riverside
Cleanup. Spiff up our beautiful beaches.
10 am-1 pm. FREE. Check website for
sites, registration info. 503-844-9571.
solv.org.
Coming Soon …
Don’t miss these exciting events
coming up in early October:
Birdfest. Celebrate wildlife and native
culture with kids’ activities, nature
walks, raptor displays and craft stations
at the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge and
downtown. Guided kayak and big
canoe tours. 7 am-6 pm Oct. 5, 6. FREE,
except special tours. Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, 1071 S Hillhurst.
360-887-9495. ridgefieldfriends.org.
LEGO KidsFest. Lego heaven with
building, a gallery, games, more. 48:30 pm Oct. 11. 9 am-1:30 pm, 3 pm7:30 pm Oct. 12, 13. $20 adults, $18
kids, free ages 0-3. Oregon Convention
Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr.
503-235-7575. legokidsfest.com.
And coming up in our October issue:
Halloween & Harvest Festivals.
October is prime time for Halloween &
Harvest Festivals, with everything from
corn mazes, pumpkin patches and hay
rides to pumpkin catapults, petting zoos
and more. Watch for our guide to all the
seasonal fun in our October issue!
Performing Arts Preview. The Portland-Vancouver area is home to some of
the finest family-friendly theater, music,
dance and puppet companies around!
Watch for our annual Performing Arts
Preview, with details on the 2013-14
season, in our October issue.
COUPONS & DISCOUNTS
Academy Theater ..........................................27
CeramiCafe Art Lounge ................................28
Learning Palace ..............................................11
Little Engineers...............................................17
LEGO Kid Fest................................................48
ADVERTISERS INDEx
ABC Doula ......................................................20
Academy Theater...........................................27
AFS USA Intercultural Student Exchange ...17
Alexander, Master of Marvels!......................29
Beanstalk Children’s Resale ..........................12
Bennett Suzuki Violin Studio.........................35
CeramiCafe Art Lounge................................28
Chinook Book Portland .................................31
Chocolate Craft Studio..................................29
Circuit Bouldering Gym.................................24
Clark Public Utilities.......................................36
Clogs-N-More Kids ........................................31
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 ..........21
Columbia Slough Watershed Council .........42
Corn Maize at the Pumpkin Patch................44
Dentistry for Kids..............................................3
Do Jump! ........................................................29
Dragon Theater Puppets ..............................27
Draper Girls Country Farm............................44
Eastside Swap & Play.....................................23
Engineering For Kids .....................................29
Estacada Charters ..........................................13
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.........37
Fancy That.......................................................27
Franciscan Montessori Earth School............12
French American International School ........14
French Prairie Gardens..................................44
Gresham Pediatric Dentistry .........................31
Harmony Road Music,
Westside Music School .................................17
Hollywood Children’s Dentistry....................46
Hopworks Urban Brewery .............................31
Imagine: Play ..................................................24
International School, The ..............................13
Joy Central......................................................15
Kruger’s Farm Market ....................................26
Lakewood Theater Company .......................15
Learning Palace ..............................................11
Legacy Health - Randall Children’s Hospital.2
LEGO Kid Fest................................................48
Little Corral, The.............................................23
Little Cups & Grownups Play Cafe ...............29
Little Engineers...............................................17
Little Garden Preschool.................................11
Little Gym........................................................26
Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry ....................39
Lumberyard Bike Park....................................25
Mad Science ...................................................23
Merry Kitchen .................................................27
MomsMakingSixFigures.com .......................39
Multisensory Learning Academy..................12
Music Together...............................................14
My Masterpiece Art Studio ...........................24
North Clackamas Aquatic Park.....................29
metro-parent.com
Lumberyard Indoor Bike Park .......................25
North Clackamas Aquatic Park.....................29
Tidee Didee Diaper Service..........................39
Wilsonville Family Fun ...................................27
Northwest Children’s Theater .......................43
Northwest Dance Theatre.............................14
Northwest Fencing Center ...........................26
Northwest Primary Care ................................37
Northwest Surrogacy Center ........................35
Oaks Park Association ...................................25
Oaks Park Association - Oktoberfest...........41
OHSU Doernbecher
Children’s Safety Center ..................................9
OHSU Doernbecher’s Hospital.......................4
Once Upon A Horse ......................................25
OnPoint Credit Union ....................................33
Oregon Coast Scenic Railway.......................45
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife ...39
Oregon Episcopal School.............................11
Oregon Gymnastics Academy .....................23
Oregon Symphony.........................................42
Oregon Virtual Academy - K12.....................13
Oregon Zoo....................................................43
Out of this World Pizza ..................................29
Party Poppers, Ltd..........................................28
Party Solvers ...................................................26
Pediatric Dental Group..................................20
Penny’s Puppet Productions .........................27
Plumper Pumpkins .........................................45
Portland Christian Schools ............................17
Portland Regional Gem & Mineral Show ...46
Providence Health & Services.........................6
Rasmussen Farms...........................................45
Reading Toolkit...............................................12
Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge............................41
Sauvie Island Farms .......................................44
Scuola Italiana.................................................14
Steamers and Screamers...............................27
Successful Learning Educational Services...13
Super Kids Resale...........................................17
Suzuki Piano Studio .......................................15
Swallowtail School..........................................11
Thorsen’s Surrogate Agency, LLC ................20
Tidee Didee ....................................................39
Tillamook Forest Center................................42
Tintype Portland.............................................39
Tiny Revolution Montessori ..........................14
Trinity Lutheran School ..................................15
Tucker Maxon School ....................................15
Vancouver Water Resources Ed. Center......43
Vibe of Portland .............................................12
Village Free School ........................................18
We Village-Child Care in the Pearl...............35
Wilsonville Family Fun Center ......................27
Women’s Healthcare Associates ....................9
World of Smiles ..............................................35
Young Audiences of Oregon &
SW Washington..............................................41
September 2013
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September 2013
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