Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Summer Break 2011

The "Learn Through Play" class will be on summer break from July 4 to August 27.

Thursday June 30th will be the last class until the Fall.

The first class of the Fall semester will be Monday, August 29.

Until then, enjoy your summer and check out all the fun things to do in the Bay Area at some of the websites listed to the right on this webpage.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Teacher Elizabeth's Blog

Teacher Elizabeth has set up a new blog for this class.

Here it is: www.wwwplayclass.blogspot.com.

Please check it so you know what is going on with this great class!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Get Out and Enjoy - and on the cheap!

There are many fun things for families to do for FREE in our beautiful Bay Area.

These include visiting local parks and playgrounds, the shorelines (both Bay and Pacific Ocean), libraries and their many free programs, free days at museums, exploring neighborhoods, and of course, our Learn Through Play class!

http://www.sfkids.org/ is a good place to find out about some of these places.
So is http://bayareaparent.parenthood.com/

There are also many fun things to do which aren't free - museums, restaurants, amusement parks, classes, special places for kids (art centers, jumpy places, climbing places, etc.).

These days, those places are out of reach - or harder to reach - for many of us.

Here are some websites that help you save money while having fun:

http://www.groupon.com/
http://www.savvysource.com/ (click on "Local Savings")
http://www.mamapedia.com/ (click on "Sweet Deals")
http://www.juiceinthecity.com/

What can you find there?

All kinds of deals ranging from

5 tickets to the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito for 25 bucks
to great deals at tutoring centers, spas (because a rested parent is a better parent!), restaurants, Blue & Gold Bay Tours, Pump It Up (jumpy-type place great for birthday parties), kids' art classes, etc. etc. etc.!

You can sign up to receive a deal a day in your email or just check it when you want to.

And don't forget about the various "kids eat free" nights at local restaurants. Chevy's, Denny's, El Torito, Applebee's all have such nights. Check their websites for details.

Team up with another family and make it a night out of fun for everyone.

In my experience, cleaning up spilled rice and milk and explaining for the third time that you must stay in your chair is a lot more fun when I can chat with another parent between times.

However you do it, get out there and enjoy.

Remember: Every day, you're teaching your children how to live.

Teach them to do it with joy!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Welcome Welcome!

Teacher Elizabeth is here and ready to help you learn more about parenting, childhood development, and the value of play.

Just as importantly, other parents - some new, some returning - are here to share their experience, wisdom, and concerns with you.

And everyone - Teacher Elizabeth, the other parents, and the KIDS - are here enjoying music, movement, learning, and play.

Fun and support -is there a better combination for parents and children?

Come join us!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Summer Break until August 30th

The Learn Through Play class is on break until Monday August 30th.

In July, Parkside Elementary School is putting a new roof on the LGI - the building where the class is held.

In August, all San Mateo Adult School programs are on break. This year, the Adult School has a full 4 week break in August because of the budget cutbacks. Usually the Adult School has a 2 week break sometime in August.

Teacher Elizabeth looks forward to joining you on Monday August 30th for fun and learning.

In the meantime, check out some of the links to the right for activity ideas for your family.

Summer - with its long days and warm weather - is a special time for children. Enjoy!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Red Letter Day

Thursday, May 27th, is a Red Letter Day for the San Mateo Adult School.
On this day, we will write letters to tell the California State Legislature why we love our school. We will ask them not to make more cuts to the budget for education.

From 10 am to 2 pm and again from 6 pm to 8:30 pm, we will have everything you need to write a letter - pens, paper, envelopes, and people to help you.

Has the San Mateo Adult School helped you? Do you want the classes and programs - Parent Ed, ESL, job skills, GED, High School Diploma, classes for older adults, etc. - to continue?

Then please come to Red Letter Day and tell the Legislature why these classes are important to you.

If you cannot come to Red Letter Day, Teacher Elizabeth will have information to help write a letter on your own time.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Speak Up For Public Education

Adult Education - and the Learn Through Play class is an Adult Education class brought to you by the San Mateo Adult School - is in real danger.

So is all public education.

It is important that everyone write letters to their state legislators.

Things to cover in your letter:

How the Adult School helped you be a better parent?

Have you gained new skills and ideas that help both you and your child to thrive?

Will these skills and ideas help your child to one day achieve in school, life, and the community?

Could you find a program like this if the Adult School did not offer it?



Here is where to send your letters:

Senator Leland Yee
400 South El Camino Real, Suite 630
San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone: 650 – 340 – 8840

Assemblymember Jerry Hill
1528 South El Camino Real, Suite 302
San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone: 650 – 341 – 4676

Maybe you have friends or family who take classes at Adult Schools in others parts of California. It is important for them to write their State Senator and Assembly Member, also.

They can go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html and put in their zip code to find out who their senator or assembly member is.

All Adult Schools - and all the other public schools - in the state of California need your help now.

Here are a few more things:

1. Adults Schools have been in California for 150 years.
2. We serve 1.5 million students each year.
3. 15,000 people work for Adult Schools.
4. When the economy is bad, many people go to Adult Schools for more job skills and better English
5. Adult Schools are very cost-effective. That means they don’t cost a lot of money.
We are good schools but we are not fancy. California can help many, many
people in a low-cost way through Adult School programs.
6. We teach ESL, Citizenship, and Job Skills. We help students who are 18 years old or over get their GED, ABE or High School Diploma. We teach Older Adults many, many things to keep them healthy and active. We provide Parent Education to all parents. We teach immigrant parents how to help their children in school. We work very hard to serve our community and to teach our students how to serve their community, also.

Tell your friends and family about our school. Tell them what you know about the power and value of education.

If think think the San Mateo Adult School has helped you... if you think education is important... if you want to have good public schools for children and adults... you must speak up and tell the State Legislature.