City of Torrance Community Service Department • RECREATION ...€¦ · List her tasks to get ready for school: Eat breakfast, brush teeth, put lunch into backpack, etc. • Designate

www.Recreation.TorranceCA.Gov • 310/618-2930

Fern Elementary School

After School Club Program

Applications and registration information are

available online at

www.TorranceCA.Gov/AfterSchool

For more information,

please call 310/618-2930.

“Creating and Enriching the Community through People, Programs and Partnerships”

City of Torrance Community Service Department • RECREATION DIVISION

Printed on recycled paper

The program meets at Greenwood Park

Monday through Friday

after school until 6:00 p.m.

Participants must attend Fern School to

be eligible for the program.

Fees

$481.00 per 13 week session for Torrance residents

$546.00 per 13 week session for non-residents

Fees will be prorated if you start after the session begins.

Scholarships are available for qualified Torrance resi-

dents.

Copyright © 2018 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc. www.parent-institute.com

Take attendance seriouslyEveryone at school is working to help your child achieve. But only you can make sure she gets to school every day. Discuss the importance of attendance. Explain to your child that:

• Missing school means missing learn-ing and time with friends. Your child will also have to work harder to catch up.

• The only time she can miss school is when she’s sick or there’s an emergency.

Learning to fulfill responsibilities can be challenging for some children. Your child may forget things. But keeping track of everything for him won’t help him learn. To teach him to take responsibility for himself and his belongings:

• Write down tasks you expect your child to do. Post checklists— of his chores, items to pack for school, etc.—and have him check off tasks as he completes them.

• Help your child decide where to store his things when he’s not using them.

• Give him a calendar. Show him how to use it to keep track of his assignments and activities.

• Let your child experience the consequences of forgetting or losing something. Don’t drive his homework to school. If he can’t find his library book when it’s due, have him pay the fine.

• Praise him when he meets his responsibilities.

• Set an example. Put your keys in their assigned spot. Check your calendar to prepare for the day.

Set the table for successStudies show that sharing at least one meal a day as a family can improve your child’s language skills and help him do better in school. Family meals help children:

• Build vocabulary.• Improve conversation skills.• Learn social skills, such as manners

and sharing.

• Feel a connection to family and a sense of belonging.

• Establish healthy eating habits. Source: “Family Meals spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S,” Promoting Family Meals Project, Purdue University Center for Families, niswc.com/eatandtalk.

Tune in to homework Teachers give homework to reinforce their students’ understanding of the concepts taught in class. Homework is also a crucial communication link between the school, you and your child.

Review your child’s homework every day. Talk with her about what she’s learning. Your interest sends the message that her education is important. And if your child is struggling, let the teacher know.

September 2018

Get organized to help your child have a great school yearA new school year is a fresh start. It’s an ideal time to create routines and establish habits that will support your child’s efforts in school. Use these simple strategies to keep your family organized for learning success:

• Set priorities. Schoolwork, family time and healthy habits come first. Schedule time for these on your family calendar. If there are open blocks of time, your child can add activities.

• Create an evening routine. Getting organized each evening for the next day makes mornings a snap. Make lunches, pack items needed for school in your child’s backpack and agree on outfits. Set and stick to a bedtime that lets your child get nine to 11 hours of sleep.

• Create a morning routine. If your child does the same things in the same order each day, she’s less likely to forget a step. List her tasks to get ready for school: Eat breakfast, brush teeth, put lunch into backpack, etc.

• Designate a homework time. Pick a time when your child will have the most energy and motivation to work. This could be right after school, or after she has had a chance to relax a bit. A set time makes it easier for your child to get down to business. Create a quiet study spot and equip it with paper, pencils and other necessary supplies.

Let your child practice responsibility

Torrance Unified School District

http://www.parent-institute.com

http://niswc.com/eatandtalk

http://niswc.com/eatandtalk

Copyright © 2018, The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc. www.parent-institute.com

Help your child turn dreams into goalsKids often mention vague goals without actually setting them (I want to finish my report on time). But it takes more than a wish to reach a goal. It takes planning and hard work. Encourage your child to:

• Think about past successes. Has he mastered something challenging before? How did he do it?

• Set short-term goals. Help him decide on realistic steps to take toward his ultimate goal. Achievement is a great motivator to keep going.

Then cheer him on! Say things like, “You are really sticking with this. I’m very impressed.”

Set the tone for teamworkWhen parents and teachers work together, students thrive! To begin a productive relationship with your child’s teacher:

• Introduce yourself and exchange contact information.

• Ask questions respectfully and make requests rather than demands.

• Be positive. Be prepared to hear about your child’s weaknesses as well as his strengths. Work with the teacher to find ways to help your child do his best.

___1. Do you have a regular time to read aloud each day? Set aside at least 20 minutes.

___2. Do you get your whole family involved? Take turns choosing books to read.

___3. Do you pause while reading to discuss the story with your child? What does she think will happen next?

___4. Do you give your child a turn to read aloud to you?

___5. Do you choose an exciting place in the story to finish

reading, so you will both want to read again the next day?

How well are you doing?More yes answers mean you are build-ing your child’s reading skills. For each no, try that idea from the quiz.

Bedrooms are for sleepingWhile screen media—TV, videos, computer games and apps—may have a place in your child’s life, it shouldn’t be in her bedroom. Research shows that kids with screens in their rooms spend less time reading, do less well in school and are more likely to be obese than other kids. Confine screen use to locations where you can supervise.

Source: “School, health and behavior suffer when children have TV, video games in bedroom,” Iowa State University News Service, niswc.com/bedroom.

September 2018

How can I convince my child that math isn’t so bad?

Q: My son had a hard time with math last year. Now he says he can’t do it and he hates it. I’m sympathetic—I don’t like math either. How can I make this better for him?A: Research shows that parents’ attitudes about math affect how well their children do in math. Kids whose parents say they didn’t like math when they were in school often have trouble in math.

So, instead of agreeing with your son’s feelings, be positive! Tell him that you believe math is important and everyone can learn it. If you say it often enough, he may start to believe it.

To motivate your child:

• Connect math to his life. When you and your child go to a store, bank or restaurant, point out all the ways people use math. At dinner, challenge family members to talk about one way they used math that day.

• Discuss careers that use math. Airline pilots, architects and astro-nauts all use math to do exciting things.

• Make math practice a game. Together, add up the numbers on license plates you see. Estimate the number of cereal pieces he can fit in a cup (then count). Calculate how many days are left until his birthday.

Are you making the most of read alouds?Reading aloud to your child is one of the best ways to help her become a better reader. The way you read aloud can make a difference, too. Do you know the strategies that promote reading? Answer yes or no below:

”We have an obligation to

read aloud to our children ...

and not to stop reading to

them just because they learn

to read to themselves.”

—Neil Gaiman

Helping Children Learn®

Published in English and Spanish, September through May.Publisher: Doris McLaughlin.

Publisher Emeritus: John H. Wherry, Ed.D.Editor: Alison McLean.

Staff Editors: Rebecca Miyares & Erika Beasley. Production Manager: Sara Amon.

Translations Editor: Victoria Gaviola.Copyright © 2018, The Parent Institute®,

a division of PaperClip Media, Inc. P.O. Box 7474, Fairfax Station, VA 22039-7474

1-800-756-5525 • www.parent-institute.com • ISSN 1526-92561527-1013

X02618959


http://niswc.com/bedroom


EXPERIENCE CAMP FIRES WITH VAMPIRES TRAILBLAZERS AND EXPLORERS (K-5TH GRADES) Halloween Camp Out NEWPORT DUNES

Halloween camping* is spooky fun! We will all work together to create a haunted house for everyone

to enjoy and share in our festive fun. We will have games and prizes, a costume parade and trick-or-

treating, and of course a few campfire stories before bed! Bring your Halloween spirit and a pumpkin

and join us for an experience you’ll never forget.

When: October 19th-21st

Where: Newport Dunes

Who: Trailblazers (grades 3-5) and their parents**

Explorers (K-2nd grade) and their parents**

Fee: $45/person before October 5th,

$55/person after October 5th

Register: Online or at the membership desk

Contact: Megan Brennan Youth and Family Program Coordinator 310 325 5885 x2782 or [email protected] *We have camping equipment available to borrow for a $25 deposit. Money will be returned when equipment is returned in reasonable condition. **At the Y, we welcome all families. We define the term parent broadly to include all adults with primary responsibility for raising children: biological parents, adoptive parents, guardians, stepparents, grandparents raising children, or any other type of parenting relationship.

TORRANCE SOUTH-BAY YMCA

2900 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance CA 90505

P 310 325 5885 www.ymcaLA.org

111237 07/17

Campout Rules and Regulations

Check-In: Check-in starts at 3pm October 19th

Check-Out: Check-out is at10am October 21st

Meals: Each family is responsible for their own meals. All are encouraged to pool their resources and cook in groups or conduct potluck meals.

Alcohol: In keeping with the policy of the YMCA Adventure Guides program PLEASE, NO ALCOHOL!

Campsites: Site assignments are made that weekend. Please see YMCA Staff upon arrival.

Camp Fires: Allowed in provided fire pit only, please bring your own firewood.

Driving/Parking: Please obey the posted speed limit on all camp roads and areas. Regulations are strictly enforced. You may be assigned a parking space away from your campsite.

Kid Safety: Parents please set boundaries and safety guide-lines for your children prior to camp.

Quiet Hours: Quiet Hours are from 10:00pm until 8:00am. Radios, TV’s, and generators must be off between the hours of 8:00pm and 9am. Radio noise must be limited to the im-mediate area of your campsite.

What to bring…

Cameras

Pumpkin

Safe Carving Knife

Candy

Halloween Costumes

Halloween Decorations

Tent

Sleeping Bags/pillows

Sleeping Pads

Flashlights

First Aid Kit

Cooking Gear

Food

Firewood

Clothing for the week-end

Extra Socks and Shoes

Hats

Warm Jackets

Towels

Personal Hygiene Items

Sunscreen/chapstick

Bikes and Helmets

Toilet Paper

Paddle Boards

Canoes

Boogie Boards

GET THE FUN STARTED ADVENTURE GUIDES KICKOFF EXTRAVAGANZA TORRANCE-SOUTH BAY

Start the Adventure Guides year off with a bang with games, prizes, crafts, rock wall climbing, a model car

racing track, and mini adventure obstacle course and above all else you will be able to meet the people you

will be in the program with this year!

When: September 22, 2-5pm

Where: TORRANCE SOUTH BAY YMCA

Who: Little Guides (ages 3-4) and their parents*

Explorers (grades k-2) and their dads*

Trailblazers (grades 3-5) and their parents*

Pathfinders (grades 6-12) and their parents*

Fee: $10 per person if not registered for AG

$5 per person for registered Adventure Guides


https://tinyurl.com/kickofflittleguides

https://tinyurl.com/kickoffexplorers

https://tinyurl.com/kickofftrailblazers

https://tinyurl.com/kickoffpathfinders

Contact: Megan Brennan

Youth and Family Program Coordinator

310 325 5885 x2782 or

[email protected]

*At the Y, we welcome all families. We define the term parent broadly to include all adults with primary responsibility for raising children: biological parents, adoptive parents, guardians, stepparents, grandparents raising children, or any other type of parenting relationship.

TORRANCE SOUTH –BAY YMCA

2900 w. Sepulveda Boulevard I Torrance, CA 90505

P 310 325 5885 F 310 539 6049 www.ymcaLA.org/tsb

111237 07/17

CREATE A PARENT-CHILD BOND THAT WILL ALWAYS STAY STRONG Pathfinders (grades 6-12 ) TORRANCE-SOUTH BAY YMCA Pathfinders is a yearlong program with monthly events that gives parents* one-on-one bonding time with their teenage child. In Pathfinders you will have quality time with your child and develop friendships in your community through scheduled group activities. This program is a wonderful opportunity to build, strengthen, and nurture healthy relationships between parents and their teens through challenging and fun events. Registration is free for all TORRANCE-SOUTH BAY YMCA members. $60 per person for non members. Financial aid is available. *At the Y, we welcome all families. We define the term parent broadly to include all adults with primary responsibility for rais-ing children: biological or adoptive parents/guardians, stepparents, grandparents, or any other type of parenting relationship.

Pathfinders Registration (code 159335) | http://tinyurl.com/pathfindersreg CONTACT: Megan Brennan, Youth & Family Program Coordinator: [email protected] or 310 325 5885 x2782

September 9 | Bike Ride and Day at the Beach Where: Torrance Beach

Fee: FREE. Registration not required.

Spend the day bike riding and soaking up the sun! After a bike ride together we are going to have some fun in the water and hanging out on the beach.

September 13 | Recruitment Night When: Thursday, September 13, 6-7pm

Where: TORRANCE-SOUTH BAY YMCA

Fee: FREE to everyone. Registration not required.

Come and see what’s in store for this year’s Pathfinders. One free ticket for the Adventure Guides Kickoff Extravaganza will be given to every adult who attends Recruitment Night!

September 22 | Kickoff Extravaganza Carnival When: Saturday, September 22, 2-5pm


Fee: $10 each if not registered for AG, $5 for registered adventure guides

Register: http://tinyurl.com/kickoffpathfinders or at the membership desk

Start the Adventure Guides year off with a bang with games, prizes, crafts, a model car racing track, mini adventure obstacle course, rock wall climbing, and more!

October 6th-7th | Manhattan Beach Home Town Fair

When: Saturday October 6th and Sunday October 7th

Where: Manhattan Beach Home Town Fair


This event allows time to be spent together in your group as well as have some fun to raise money for a good cause! The Pathfinders host a booth where participants throw ping pong balls at Fish Bowls to win a prize. Have a lot of fun to raise some funds to support our community service events throughout the year!

TORRANCE-SOUTH BAY YMCA

2900 W Sepulveda Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90505

(P) 310 325 5885 (W) www.ymcaLA.org/tsb

November 18 | Adopt A Family When: Sunday, November 18


Fee: FREE. No registration required.

A lot of families struggle during the Holiday Season. So to learn some long life lessons of giving back, the Trailblazers & Pathfinders work together to host a Food Drive to give back to those who are in need in our community. We pick 6-8 families that may not otherwise have a meal on Thanksgiving. After collecting food and donations we deliver to our families.

December 16 | Adopt A Family When: Sunday, December 16


Fee: FREE No registration required.

Helping the same families from Thanksgiving, we take it a step further and collect toys and gifts to be able to be given to the families in need. We spend a day wrapping and organizing presents to get ready to be delivered to make sure there is something to unwrap on Christmas morning.

January 19 | Laser Tag When: Saturday, January 19

Where: TBD

Fee: TBD


Glow in the dark fun for everyone! Enjoy hours of laser tag and video game fun!

February 10th | Ice Skating at Toyota Sports Center When: Sunday February 10, 1:30-3pm

Where: Toyota Sports Center, El Segundo

Fee: $12 before January 15, $15 Jan15-February 8, $18 cash at the door


Get your skates ready! We are going to the Toyota Sports Center! This event is for all Adventure Guides participants and their families! Dress for the cold with long pants and a jacket.

March 24 | K-1 Speed When: Sunday, March 24

Where: K-1 Speed, Torrance

Fee: $50


Join us on the indoor race track! Teens and pre-teens can use their video game skills to try and beat parents’ driving experience in a 2 race showdown!

April 13 | Renaissance Fair When: Saturday, April 13

Where: Renaissance Fair, Santa Fe Dam

Fee: $29.95 for 12+, $15 for 12 and under tickets bought at the door

Registration: registration not required

The Renaissance Pleasure Faire, where fantasy rules and whimsical delights take flight! Immerse yourself in a village of more than 1,600 costumed performers and artisans including dazzling acrobats, internationally acclaimed musicians and entertainers, juggling jokers and jesters and jousting knights. Come ready to celebrate!

May 19 | Road Rally When: Sunday May 19th

Where: Meet at the Y, the road rally will take place around the community

Fee: Free. No registration required.

Get into your cars with your team and complete a scavenger hunt around Torrance. No registration needed

June | Spring Camp Out - Kern River Rafting Trip * When: June 28-30

Where: Kern River

Fee: TBD


Camp out on the Frandy Campground in Kern! Saturday we will spend the day river rafting and have a wild old time. This is our last trip of the year and usually our most fun trip of the year as well! Don’t miss out on some river rafting fun.

*camping equipment is available for rent for a $25 deposit. Deposit will be returned when equipment is returned.

PRIORITIZE FUN THIS YEAR RECRUITMENT NIGHT Adventure Guides TORRANCE-SOUTH BAY YMCA Welcome to the Adventure Guides family! Join us to hear about all of the amazing benefits you will

find as a member of our program. Whatever your child’s age, they will benefit from one thing above all

else, hanging out with you! We make it easy to put family time first with planned events throughout

the school year focused on developing the parent-child relationship.

Who?

Parents of children ages 3-17 looking to invest in quality time together building memories and

becoming friends forever.

What?

Learn how you can be part of the new 2018-2019 season. Monthly activities run September-June,

including campouts, derbys, hikes, and other fun outings. Join an existing circle or invite friends to

start your own.

When?

Thursday September 13, 2018

6:00-7:00 pm

Why?

Time is short and life is busy. Childhood won’t last

forever. This program will strengthen and enhance the

relationship you have with your son or daughter.

Contact:

Megan Brennan

Youth and Family Programs Coordinator

[email protected] or

310 325 5885 x2782


2900 West Sepulveda Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90505

P 310 325 5885 F 310 539 6049 www.ymcaLA.org/tsb

111237 07/17

A YEAR OF FAMILY FUN A LIFETIME OF TOGETHERNESS Trailblazers (grades 3-5 ) TORRANCE-SOUTH BAY YMCA

Trailblazers is a yearlong program with monthly events that gives parents* one-on-one bonding time with their child. In Trailblazers you will have quality time with your child and develop friendships in your community through scheduled group activities. This program is a wonderful opportunity to build, strengthen, and nurture healthy rela-tionships between parents and their kids through challenging and fun events. Registration is free for all TOR-RANCE-SOUTH BAY YMCA members and year round offsite childcare members . $60 per person for non members. Financial aid is available. *At the Y, we welcome all families. We define the term parent broadly to include all adults with primary responsibility for raising children:

biological parents, adoptive parents, guardians, stepparents, grandparents raising children, or any other type of parenting relationship.

Trailblazers Registration (code 159298) | https://tinyurl.com/trailblazersreg

CONTACT: Megan Brennan [email protected] or 310 325 5885 x2782

September 13 | Recruitment Night

When: Thursday, September 13, 6-7pm Where: TORRANCE-SOUTH BAY YMCA Fee: FREE to everyone. Registration not required. Come and see what’s in store for this year’s Trailblazers. One discount ticket for the Adventure Guides Kickoff Extravaganza will be given to every adult who attends Recruitment Night!

September 22 | Kickoff Extravaganza Carnival When: Saturday, September 22, 2-5pm


Fee: $10 each if not registered for AG, $5 for registered Adventure Guides

Register: http://tinyurl.com/kickofftrailblazers or at the membership desk Start the Adventure Guides year off with a bang with games, prizes, crafts, a model car racing track, mini adventure obstacle course, rock wall climbing, and more!

October 6th-7th | Manhattan Beach Home Town Fair When: Saturday October 6th and Sunday October 7th Where: Manhattan Beach Home Town Fair Fee: FREE. Registration not required. This event allows time to be spent together in your group as well as have some fun to raise money for a good cause! The Trailblazers host a booth at the fair where participants throw ping pong balls at Fish Bowls to win a prize. Have a lot of laughs and fun to be able to raise some funds to support our community service events throughout the year!


2900 W Sepulveda Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90505

(P) 310 325 5885 (W) www.ymcaLA.org/tsb

October 19th-21st | Halloween Camp – Newport Dunes When: Friday October 19 - Sunday October 21

Where: Newport Dunes

Fee: $ 45 per person


Get ready—The Halloween Family Campout is coming! This campout is for parents and their kids to spend the night in lovely Newport Beach, while having some ghastly fun! The Parent’s and kids work together to be able to host a haunted house! After the haunted house is created the kids have fun going through the maze while the parents are scaring up some chilling fun! *camping equipment is available to borrow for a $25 deposit. Money will be returned after equipment is returned.

November 10th | Farm Excursion When: November 10

Where: Underwood Family Farms

Fee: $ 15 per person

Register: Online or at the membership desk.

Join us for a day at the farm! We will tour the Underwood Family Farms and pick our own fall veggies. We will have a farmer presentation and tractor ride for the group and we can stay and play all day!

November 18th | Adopt A Family-Thanksgiving When: November 18



A lot of families struggle during the Holiday Season. So to learn some long life lessons of giving back, the Trailblazers & Pathfinders work together to host a Food Drive to give back to those who are in need in our community. We pick 6-8 families that may not otherwise have a meal on Thanksgiving. After collecting food and donations we deliver to our families.

December 16th | Adopt A Family-Christmas When: December 16



Helping the same families from Thanksgiving, we take it a step further and collect toys and gifts to be given to the families in need. We spend a day wrapping and organizing presents to get ready to be delivered to make sure there is something for everyone to unwrap on Christmas morning.

February 10th | Ice Skating at Toyota Sports Center When: Sunday February 10, 1:30-3pm

Where: Toyota Sports Center, El Segundo

Fee: $12 before January 15, $15 Jan15-February 8, $18 cash at the door


Get your skates ready! We are going to the Toyota Sports Center! This event is for all Adventure Guides participants and their families! Dress for the cold with long pants and a jacket.

February | Starry Safari When: TBD

Where: The Living Desert

Fee: TBD


Spend the night at the Starry Safari located in Palm Desert. Sleeping in tent canopies under the stars, you and your child will have an opportunity to have a night time guided tour through the zoo. With a campfire and s’mores there’s no better way to spend the night! When we wake up we will be able to have a special behind the scenes experience!

March | Grunion Run When: TBA, 8pm-12am

Where: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

Fee: $5


Watch silvery fish come up on the beach to spawn! Learn about the interesting mating rituals and growth of this curious fish. The Aquarium opens at 8 pm and an auditorium program begins at 9, followed by guided observation at the beach.

June | Spring Overnight When: TBD

Where: YMCA Camp Surf

Fee: $140


Spend the weekend tent camping on the beach and have fun doing activities on the campground that will be announced later in this year.

*camping equipment is available to borrow for a $25 deposit. Money will be returned after camping equipment is returned.

Calling all Actors, Singers and Dancers!

announcing the West High Junior Theatre Fall Production

Come and be a part of our theatre family!

Who: Kids K-8th grade – no prior experience needed Where: The Scarlata Theatre/Room #6106 – West High School When: Rehearsals – Mondays from 3:45-5:15pm Performances Friday December 7 at 6:30pm and Saturday December 8th at 2pm We will be performing the show in our BRAND NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER!

All kids will be cast in the show and play a part. Auditions for specific parts will take place in a group setting on the first day of rehearsal. Roles will be cast by the end of the first week. THE FIRST REHEARSAL is Monday September 24, 2018 at 3:45pm

For more information or to receive a Registration Packet

EMAIL: [email protected]

Christy Orabuena – West High Theatre Director

Documents

City of Torrance Community Service Department • RECREATION ...€¦ · List her tasks to get ready for school: Eat breakfast, brush teeth, put lunch into backpack, etc. • Designate