SFkids  December Newsletter

Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel, Son tan ul chuka hamnidah, Merry Christmas, Froehliche Weihnachten, Meli Kalikimaka. Happy Holidays from Everyone at SFkids.org.

This month we offer reminders to keep you on your toes as well as ideas for holiday fun for all ages. Visit our homepage weekly for calendar highlights. Be sure to tell a friend.

Holiday Time

We've compiled some of the best holiday events from our calendar.  Click the colored title to see each article.

Nutcracker Mania!
In the Bay Area, there’s a Nutcracker performance everywhere you turn. Take your pick, or catch more than one performance. Make reservations now and don't miss at least one of these holiday treats. 

Santa Sightings
We have compiled a list of places where you can find the man in the red suit and listen to the wishes of children.

Holiday Teas for All!
It's that time to put on your fancy dress and take in a holiday tea.  There are so many to choose from in the City ranging in prices.

Kids' Nights Out around the City
Need some holiday shopping time without the kids?  Drop them off at one of the many kids nights out.
 

Save the Date 

Sunday January 11

San Francisco families with children enjoy 32 attractions for FREE

FREE! admission to 30 museums and attractions around the City. Adults must accompany children and provide proof they live in San Francisco. Kids ride MUNI FREE from 10am to 4pm on January 11.  See the Family Appreciation Day Page for more information and a list of venues. 

Winter Break Camps & Activities

Looking for something for the kids to do over break? See our Camps Page for listings of organizations offering camps over the winter break.

Kids' Winter Reading Club at Glen Park Branch Library December 13 through January 17. 

If you are looking for outings or events over the break, check out our calendar for ideas.

Giving Back

The holiday season is always a good time to remind ourselves, and teach our kids, about the importance of giving back to our community. There are many ways your family can help others who need a little extra help or love. See our Volunteering Page for a great list of ideas.

• A World of Holiday Traditions: Discover holiday traditions from other cultures or adopt a new holiday tradition or recipe from your own family's heritage.

• History from Dr. Maulana Karenga, Creator of Kwanzaa.

• Santa Tracking: He is faster than Superman on Dec. 24th but the folks at NASA have their satellites ready to track him through the world on this spectacular night.

• Call Santa and leave a message for him. He is very busy these days.

• Kid-friendly holiday cooking ideas.

• Can't remember all the words to your favorite holiday carols? Here's a website with lyrics for carols from around the world.

• Our friends at Common Sense Media have compiled a list of holiday movies with information to help parents decide if they are appropriate or not for their children.
• Ever Wonder Where Holiday Traditions Come From? Do you know what the 12 Days of Christmas mean? Find out about all of the most popular holiday traditions.

• All Christmas music, every day! Listen to 96.5 KOIT for a bit of the holiday spirit. 
• Take the family ice skating in the Embarcadero, visit the farmers market, walk along the waterfront, view or ride the cable car up California Street. See their website for valid hours. 

Toy Safety 

Looking for healthy and appropriate toys? See our  Safety page for information about holiday fire safety, more recalls and other holiday safety tips. 

Healthy Toy Database

Momsrising.org has a great list to help you find safe, healthy toys (see momsrising.org/healthytoys).  When you're at the store, you can search the HealthyToys database from your cell phone. Simply text "healthytoys [name of toy]" – for example "healthytoys Elmo" or "healthytoys Wii" – to 41411.

I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas

by Laure Latham

Every year, over 30 million Christmas trees are cut. Unfortunately, most of these end up in plastic bags at the landfill with tangled tinsel or sit on the curb dried up after hours of electrical enjoyment and do not even get recycled. Not a pretty sight. (read more) 

Holiday Safety

By Martin Simenc 

In the frenzy of the holidays, it's easy to overlook potential safety hazards that decorating and celebrating may bring. But while you're busy wrapping the presents, lighting the candles, or trimming the tree, it's important to keep the following in mind: (read more) 

Procrastinators' Corner

A few friendly reminders to keep us all on track.
• It is that time to sign up for January and spring programs. Did you know that some SF Little League Registration deadlines are December 17? How about a hockey league or ice skating lesssons?
• For the young ones it's time for SF Rec & Park Tiny Tots and City College Child Observation classes.
• Need summer camping reservations?  California State Parks and National Parks registration begins January 1, 2009 for July reservations.
• School Enrollment Reminder...applications for most schools (from preschool through high school) are due early in the year. The SFUSD enrollment deadline is January 9, 2009. Visit the SFUSD website for more information.

New Year's Eve Watch

 New Year's Eve family celebrations include Asian Art Museum Bell Ringing, Chabot Balloon Drop, or the City-hosted massive fireworks display to explode into 2009 at midnight on the waterfront. You can also create your own fun by celebrating at home. See our calendar for more ideas.  
 

Become a Fan of SFkids.org on our Facebook Page 

We've joined the facebook revolution. Become a fan of SFkids.org. See the SFKids.org Fan Page here. 

We Want Your Family! (well, at least pictures of them) 

Upload your favorite photos of your family to the SFkids.org Flicker Page by tagging them "SFkids.org". The only requests we have are that the pictures you upload are pictures you own and are of either your own kids or kids you have parent permission to post. We may contact you and ask you if we can post the pictures on SFkids. All posters will be entered in our monthly drawing for a $20 gift card.

School Enrollment Deadlines

Applications for most schools (from preschool through high school) are due early in the year. The SFUSD enrollment deadline is January 9 except Lowell High School is December 12 and School of the Arts is December 19. Visit the SFUSD website for more information.  Also see our Education Page, Public School Page, and Preschool Page for more enrollment events, links to other resources, and more.

“Get Ready for Kindergarten!” workshops will offer valuable information and SFUSD kindergarten application instructions. Workshops will be held December 9, 11, 18 and January 7. All workshops feature free dinner and child care, as well as Chinese and Spanish translations. You can turn in applications at these workshops too. Check online for the locations or call 861-7077. See the flyers in Chinese, Spanish, and English.

Parents who would like to speak to a parent ambassador at a prospective public school should contact Parents for Public School (PPS) at 861-7077. Applications for the San Francisco Unified School District 2009-10 school year can be submitted through January 9, 2009. For more information, contact the district’s Educational Placement Center at 241-6085 or www.sfusd.edu.

A Love Letter to My San Francisco Public School

Our own Robin Dutton-Cookston wrote the wonderful piece A Love Letter to My San Francisco Public School. 

Robin has also just published her new book The Foggiest Idea: Tales of a Displaced Texan in San Francisco Mamaland 

Budget Basics: How San Francisco's Public Schools are Funded 

By Lisa Schiff

Funding for public schools in California is a publicly acknowledged complexity. Schools receive money from a tangled variety of sources, some with restrictions, some without. This article offers a very brief overview of these streams of revenue, with links to follow for additional information. (read more)

Keeping Kids and Families Healthy This Winter

National Hand Washing Awareness Week, December 7-13, 2008.  Kids, and adults, need to know to wash your hands when they are dirty, and before eating.

Hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of infectious disease. It’s never too early to teach children about proper habits and hand washing techniques. According to a recent hand washing study, children as young as three can grasp the importance and the techniques of proper hand washing. Arm children with hand washing knowledge. Teach them about germs, when to wash, and how to was—–soap, water, rubbing together or an alcohol-based cleaner. Adults should lead by example. Children pay attention to adult behavior. Be sure you practice good hand washing hygiene and kids will follow. 

Healthy Tips to Handwashing:
- After sneezing or coughing (if you covered your nose or mouth with your hand), encourage them to use a tissue and toss it or to use their elbow crease and not their hand.
- After playing with animals including walking the dog.
- After playing on the playground.
- Before, during and after you prepare snacks and meals.
- Before you eat, and after you use the bathroom.
- How long to wash? Sing Happy Birthday (twice) while they are washing their hands.
For more information: - Communicable Disease Control and Prevention from SF Department of Public Health 

Healthy Eating

Looking for Something? 

We have over 1,000 things to do, classes, camps, and places to go. 

• Adventures Pages - Visit a museum, playgrounds, and more.
• Activities Pages -  Family entertainment, kid celebration ideas, and more.   
• Out of the City Pages - Take a trip out of the City for a break.
• City Sights Pages - Cool ideas for playing tourist.
• Transportation and Getting Around Pages - A great day trip can be had just riding the rails while you spare the air!  

Plus tons of resources for family support, education, health, and safety.
• SFK Crisis Page
• SFF Health Pages - Environmental Health, Maternal Health, Medical, Vision & Dental
• SFK Parent Resources Pages - Geen Families, Safety, Housing, Legal, Food, and more.
• Education Pages - Public, Private & Preschools

You have subscribed to the SFkids.org newsletter.
To unsubscribe to this newsletter click here. 

Wednesday, 12/10
• AquaTots at Aquarium of the Bay for two-to-five year-olds to learn about the animals that live in the San Francisco Bay and surrounding waters at 10am.

Thursday, 12/11
• What to Expect in Kindergarten Workshop at Jose Ortega Elementary School, 400 Sargent Street,  5–7pm.  FREE
• 11–28: Black Nativity at Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. SFkids Tip: Be sure to check out the Target Family Matinees on December 14 and December 28!
• Toddler Tea at Bayview Branch Library, 6pm. FREE

Friday, 12/12
• 12 & 13: Posarela at Community Music Center, 7pm FREE
• Book Making Workshop at Mission Library at 3pm for ages 7 - 12. FREE

Saturday, 12/13 
• Christmas at Sea at San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park at 3pm FREE 
• First LEGO League Robotic Challenge at the Randall Museum. FREE
• The Marsh presents Lunatique Fantastique’s Wrapping Paper Caper at 3:30pm. Great for the whole family on weekends through January 4.  
• Fou Fou Ha! at Main Library. Nouvelle circus style costumes, storytelling and choreography for all ages.  FREE
• Museum of the African Diaspora Family Program: Principles of Kwanzaa.
• Common Sense Media Family Movie Matinee at Vogue Theatre: Polar Express, 11am   FREE
• Parol Lantern Festival and Parade at Museum of Craft and Folk Arts. 5–7 pm. FREE
• The Nutcracker puppet show at Ortega Branch Library, 3223 Ortega Street (at 39th), 3pm.  FREE 
•  Winter Wonderland Villages at Crissy Field Center. $15 per family of 4  
• Good Samaritan Family Resource Center Holiday Party/Fiesta del Invierno, 1294 Potrero Avenue. 4–8pm. FREE

Sunday, 12/14

^{• Baby Signing Class at Natural Resources at 2pm. $30-$45. 
• Peter and the Wolf performance at SF Symphony
• One Warm Coat Class at San Francisco Zoo. A family friendly class about how amazing mammals stay cool in hot spots and warm on the ice.}

See all the fun holiday events on our calendar!   

Save the Dates

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace. Weekends through Dec. 21 

12/18: Kwanzaa Family Night at Bayview Library at 6pm. FREE 

12/18: Cascade de Flores with Potrero Branch Library at 10:30am. FREE

12/19: Holiday Boat Parade in the Bay
 
12/19: Las Posadas at Community Music Center at 7pm. FREE

12/20: A Child's Christmas in Wales Film at the Exploratorium.

12/20: Family Sing–Along at Grace Cathedral with SF School of the Arts choir. FREE

12/20: Support for Families of Children with Disabilities Holiday Ice Skating Party.

12/21: Ocean Beach Clean-Up Day, 10am–noon. FREE

12/21: Winter Solstice Hike at Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland at 2pm.

12/21: Family Hanukkah Celebration at Jewish Community Center, 2pm. FREE 

12/21: SFMOMA's Family Studio explores art through an array of participatory activities for kids Ages 4–11 and adults.  

• 12/6-22: Peter Pan at Young Performers Theater 

• 12/20 & 21: Maternity Xchange, selling discounted brand-name and designer maternity clothing. Sale at the Presidio Sports Basement.

12/21: The Buddy Club at the Randall Museum.

• 12/21: Winter Solstice at Muir Woods. Make a wreath, sing songs and take a walk. FREE

• 12/25: Open on Christmas Day! A list of places to visit on this holiday. 

• 12/26: SAT registration deadline for 1/24/09 test. 

• 12/26–28: Holiday Animation Film Festival at the Exploratorium at noon and 2pm. $9-11.

• 12/26–30: Walk with the Dinosaurs in San Jose.

• 12/26–30: Sing-Along Sound of Music at the Castro Theatre. $10–15
 
• 12/27: Dreidel Spinning at Chinatown Branch Library at 2:30pm. FREE

• 12/27: Hopdogs Dance Party at ODC Commons, $5 per person. 

• 12/30: Japanese New Year Bell Ringing Ceremony at Asian Art Museum at 11 am. Youth 12 and under are always free. 

• 12/31: New Year’s Eve Firework celebration over the Bay. View from The Embarcadero Waterfront at midnight. FREE

See SFkids Calendar for Winter Break fun ideas!

• 1/9: SFUSD Fall 2009-2010 Enrollment Deadline! 

• 1/11: SF Family Appreciation Day — select local attractions are free for SF families. FREE

SFkids Hot Tips

• Spring SF Little League
Register now for Spring Little League! Teams!

Kid Pitch and Juniors baseball registration closes on December 17.

Farm baseball registration closes on February 13, 2009.

Girl's softball registration closes on January 11, 2009.

The Challenger program registration closes on March 1, 2009

Teen Umpires Needed!
Get involved in San Francisco Little League by becoming an umpire. They are looking for both adult and youth umpires to work the baseball and softball schedules.  Interested umpires must be 13 by April 30, 2009 for both baseball and softball. No prior umpire experience is required, but they do require at least two years of baseball experience of our youth umpires. They offer free training. If you have interest, complete a registration form by February 13, 2009.

Teen Scoop

• 12/11: Teen Tie Dye at Parkside Library at 4pm. FREE 

• 12/13: Club 18 a social club for middle- and high-school kids with activities during afterschool hours and weekends.

• 12/17: Jewelry-Making Class at Excelsior Branch Library at 4pm. FREE 

• 12/20: Knit Happens! Teen Knitting and Crochet Club at the Main Library 2pm. FREE 

• 12/20: Candlelight Tours of Fort Point at 6:30pm.

• SAT test prep through the SF Public Libraries. FREE

• Youth Funding Youth Ideas (YFYI) is a youth-led program that seeks to foster young San Franciscans with the opportunities to expand on their leadership goals by funding their project ideas. We bring the tools and support; you bring the ideas. Download the application due January 1, 2008 at 8 PM. FREE

Don't forget to tell them you saw it on SFkids.org!

SF Parent Wisdom

We have great articles by San Francisco Parents:

• Today’s Parent Involvement—Volunteering and Decision-making by Lisa Schiff 

• Helping your child through divorce and separation: No one-size-fits-all model, by Jeff Cookston

• Living Well in the City: How All Families Can Enjoy San Francisco by Erica Sandberg 

• SF in Children's Books Park 1. 

• San Francisco in Children’s Books, Part 2: Chapter Books and Older Readers 

Keeping Your Little Elves busy...Family Gift Making 

• 12/12:  Wallet-Making Class at Glen Park Branch Library at 4pm for ages 12 and up. FREE
• 12/13: Wood Scrap Sculptures. Construct and paint a unique sculpture out of wood scraps from the Randall Museum's Woodshop supply. $3 per child or $5 per parent/child combo
• 12/14:  Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop at SF Botanical Garden, $20–$40 depending on size of wreath
• 12/20:  Ei-Houders Workshop (A Dutch egg-holder) at Zeum for ages 7 and up 
• 12/20: Make a mosaic picture frame using a variety of shapes and colors at Randall Museum. $3 per child or $5 per parent/child combo
• 12/18: Gingerbread Architecture Extravaganza at Bay Area Discovery Museum. Make your own Gingerbread house for a holiday party or dinner centerpiece.
• 12/21:  Holiday Crafts at Ingleside Branch Library at 2pm for ages 1-7. FREE
• 12/22: Bracelet Crafting at Parkside Branch Library for ages 8 and up. FREE

• Create other gifts like handmade decorated ceramics at Randall Museum or Terra Mia.