Yolo County Conference

Thanks to the parents and other friends who supported Big Friends with fundraising and warm thoughts for our success. Some highlights:

• Luis and Dre for getting up on stage in the music workshop.


• Maria for her meticulous notetaking.


• Katie for her personal sharing in the Communications workshop.


• Jhannette setting our waitress straight at the restaurant.


• Shankar for not leaving that hotel until he found those extra blankets.


• Sky so dedicated to taking a picture of a beautiful tree for Kathleen (who still can't use her phone properly) that he rolled down the muddy hill and almost landed in the river.


• Kathleen and Keith polka down the sidewalk after the two and a half hour live theatrical performance of The Sound of Music. Oh, yeah - we climbed every mountain!

The experiences we shared absolutely met the goals of BASE, Life, and the Youth Act program. There was clear evidence of risk and rigor, and our Big Friends showed up professionally. The content: Keynote = 1 hour Jose-Luis Orozco Early Childhood Educator, author and musician Session #1 = 90 minutes

• Songs and Stories: Bilingual Education - Luis and Dre


• Infant-Toddler: Early Literacy Begins at Home - Katie and Maria


• Emotional Literacy and Social Skills Through Puppetry - Jhannette, Shankar and Keith

Session #2 - 75 minutes

• Environmental Education - Keith and Shankar


• Strategies for a Peaceful Classroom - Katie and Maria


• Mad Feelings - Jhannette, Luis, Dre

Session #3 - 75 minutes

• Music for Children and Families - Keith, Luis, Dre


• Effective Communication with Young Children - Maria and Katie


• Fostering a Sense of Wonder and Curiosity in Children - Shankar and Jhannette

Many, many thanks! And a reminder to all families that our Youth Act performance "Gentle Hands Make Happy Friends" is scheduled for Wednesday, April 13th at 3:30PM in the Big Room. ALL families, children (siblings and friends) are invited to attend. A wonderful opportunity to catch youth learning in action!