Thinking about Summer Camps?

Summer Camp registration is in full swing (with early bird discounts ending soon)

Some favorites of BPC families:

Monkey Business (at Berkwood Hedge)

Sarah's Science (in Tilden)

Kee Tov (in Tilden)

Ha Ha This a Way (West Berkeley circus, martial arts...fills fast!)

Camp Galileo (younger kids) & Summer Quest (science, art, games, 5th-8th graders) various locations.

Chabot Space & Science Camp (3rd-7th graders)
Berkeley City Camp
Camp Kala (exquisite arts camp for 1st-8th grade)

on the geeky side:

ID Tech (ages 7-17, at UC Berkeley: game design, programming...)
Robotics for Fun (Piedmont & Mountain View)
Berkeley Chess School & Galaxy Robotics 

Got more ideas?  Add 'em as a comment!

Grand Opening of The Magnes Musuem featuring Octopretzel! (free)

Jan 22: Grand Opening of The Magnes featuring Octopretzel! (free)

Admissions Update

Inquiries are up more than 75% compared to last year (a good year)
and applications nearly doubled.

It's likely a combination of 
a) the hard work of Faye and the Heads of School, and the volunteer tour leaders & other parents supporting admissions events
b) BPC's more polished public image & marketing (created with the assistance of a group parents with that expertise).
c) Yelp for BPC campaign boosted our visibility on search results.
d) slowly improving economy?
e) some folks who left private for public school circling back?

On a related note, come to the State of the School meeting, Thurs Jan 26th, to hear an in-depth presentation about the financial health of the school (spoiler alert- we're in good shape).

The Bay Area International Children’s Film Festival Jan 28-29

The Bay Area International Children’s Film Festival (BAICFF), organized by BPC Parent Lisa Fitzgerald (6th) will take place on January 28 & 29 at the restored art deco movie theater at the Alameda Naval Air Station. The program includes award-winning feature length and short independent films from around the world. Children, and children at heart, will engage their imaginations with eye-popping animation, amazing documentaries, and stories that tackle important issues from a kids-eye view.  

BAICFF also offers unique, hands-on filmmaking workshops with professional animators.   Space is limited.  All tickets provide access to multiple films. Choose half-day, full-day or weekend passes. Discounted tickets as low as $8 are available until January 13. 

New Year's Resolution #1: Take an Emergency Preparedness Class

Would you know what to do if the earth started moving?  Could you take leadership in your neighborhood, help others out of damaged buildings, interface with public safety officials?


The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class schedule for Jan-March is now available on the Berkeley CERT website.  Sign up now for classes!  Check back as they will add additional classes to the schedule.

Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies (CORE) is the Oakland equivalent. Here is their Jan-March schedule.

Babysitter-worthy event, Jan 20th, Chabot Space & Science Ctr

The next "Night School at Chabot" is 20 Jan 2012.  The museum is open to adults only from 7-11PM including the telescopes and they'll be showing the fantabulous new "neighboring galaxy" planetarium show they've been working on.  There is live music, DJ and bar.  Several groups (like the famous Fixit Clinic- learn to fix your own electronics) have a booth/activity there.  It's really fun!  This will be the 3rd, and the attendance has been growing fast - the last event drew 250 people.  (The museum holds 1000, so 250 is the perfect number to make it cozy-yet-not-crowded).   $15 ($5 for members) <more>

It's Winter... the body needs more rest

This is a classic time to get run down and ill...  


we expect ourselves to be super-productive, but our bodies want to hibernate...


Try going to bed an hour earlier...

2 recommended afterschool activities for age 11-13

Beginning Modern Dance
for ages 11-13: Mondays & Wednesdays 4-5pm
Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, 2704 Alcatraz Avenue, Berkeley

Kairos Youth Choir 
is expanding to include new members this month. Please join as at 1940 Virginia Street, Berkeley
Open House - Thursday, January 19

Care to recommend other afterschool activities?  Do so in the comments or email Evan

Windrush to remain open through the school year

Threatened Windrush School reported meeting Dec. 31 enrollment and revenue minimums required to keep operating, though it faces a dispute with creditors in court today, Wednesday, over its proposed settlement with the departing head of school.   <more>