Back to School

Making the Most of the Final Weeks of Summer and …
Getting Ready to Go Back to School

Welcome to the first SFKids.org newsletter! Since our launch in April we have had over 30,000 visitors. We are pleased to have so many families visiting the site, sending us events and organizations to add, and just giving feedback. This site is designed to be by San Francisco parents for San Francisco parents, so please continue to send us your ideas and suggestions.

Our upcoming newsletters will offer information and tips for parents, calendar highlights, stories and articles written by San Francisco parents, information about upcoming deadlines, and many other resources to help raise happy, healthy San Francisco kids. Please help us spread the word about the website by forwarding this newsletter to your friends.

SFkids Top 10 Ideas
for Free or Cheap Family Fun

While we wanted to focus this newsletter on getting ready to go back to school, there's still a week or so left of summer! Take advantage of this valuable time and get your family out for some fun that doesn't need to break your bank. See our Top 10 Ideas here.

The August Fog, is it Really That Bad?

It's summer and we all know what that means...FOG!
Take a minute to appreciate that ever pervasive, fluffy white stuff by reading Caryn Leschen's Poem "Why I Love the Fog" and Kim Boyd Bermingham's "Thirteen Reasons I Love Fog." For a little more SF love, see Suze Allen's article "San Francisco, a Love Story."

Heading to Middle or High School?

If your child is heading to middle or high school this year for the first time there are many resources that will help both you and your child with the transition. See our Education Page for a list of great resources.

Tips for Transition to Kindergarten

"Nurse Rona" Renner of the Childhood Matters radio show offers some tips for transition to kindergarten on our Education page.

The Important Role of Parents at School

Parent participation is vital to any school and your involvement will make it more likely your own children will succeed too.See our Education page for some tips and resources.

Got Childcare?

momandbaby.bw Choosing quality affordable care might be easier than you thought. Our Child Care page offers information about resources and referrals as well as information about preschools.

SFKids Tip: The San Francisco Children's Council (415) 343-3300 offers a FREE directory of child care and preschools for families. They can also provide information on sharecare, playgroups, and co-ops. Information is provided in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Russian, and Tagalog, in addition to English.

SFKids.org
Calendar Highlights

Our Family Events Calendar contains hundreds of listings of local family-friendly events, here are just a few highlights:

August

Did you miss Camp Mather this summer? Try a fall weekend getaway. Sign up for either September 6–10 or 13–17.

Tuesday 8/21:Choosing a Preschool Workshop from Parents Place

Thursday 8/23 & Tuesday 8/28:College Funding Night Workshop focusing on high school students provided by San Francisco Bay Area Agency, LLC.

Saturday 8/25:Hopdogs Dance Party. Boogie, shimmy and twist at this great family dance party.

Saturday 8/25:San Francisco Birth and Baby Fair at Fort Mason.

Saturday 8/25:Back to School Backpack Give-Away for children 5–18 in the Bayview and Hunters Point. Held 11am–3pm at the Bayview KC Jones Park and MLK Swimming Pool.

Sunday 8/26:826 Valencia's Fifth Anniversary Community Festival. 826 Valencia is appropriately having their fifth anniversary celebration on 8/26. The festival will take place at the Mission Playground and will feature great activities and entertainment including a dunk tank, student dance troops, readings, live music and much, much more. 1pm– 4pm.

September

Saturday 9/1–3:SF Mime Troupe performance at Dolores Park at 1:30pm. FREE

Save the Date!

Saturday, October 13: Family Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens. FREE

Sunday, October 14:The Mayor's Challege Stadium to Stadium Run/Walk, Free to everyone 17 and under!

There are many, many public, independent and parochial school enrollment events coming up early this fall. Check our Education Page for more details.