When: 4/9/2025 (Wed) 6:00pm-8:00pm
Where: Calvary Church San Mateo ( 3254 Lori Drive, Belmont, CA 94002)
What: Homeschool fair - meet homeschool groups like HEART, connect with other homeschool families and swap curricula.
Supporting and Encouraging Homeschooling Families in the Peninsula Bay Area (California)
When: 4/9/2025 (Wed) 6:00pm-8:00pm
Where: Calvary Church San Mateo ( 3254 Lori Drive, Belmont, CA 94002)
What: Homeschool fair - meet homeschool groups like HEART, connect with other homeschool families and swap curricula.
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0.2 mg of fentanyl - fatal for most people. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons |
The San Mateo County Health Department has been proactive about increasing awareness about opioids in our community. It was through one of their tabling events that our group learned about the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center which runs AAD (alcohol and drug) awareness workshops for youth. We invited them to present to our group about the effects of opioids and cannabis, and their prevalence.
Our presenter Pagaloa was clearly experienced in presenting to youth - he opened up with a series of "Fact or Myth" questions to get us thinking. If it was a fact, there would be data to back it up, useful especially if the question would usually generate discussion or pushback (e.g. "Marijuana affects physical development in youth: Fact/Myth?" Answer below.)
The first part of the presentation explained how prevalent marijuana use is (25% of 12th graders per NIH), its components (THC and CBD) and common names (people are, sadly, creative at hiding marijuana use under a variety of names).
One common question is, "If marijuana has negative effects on its users, why wasn't the older generation affected?". A key difference is potency - only 1-3% of earlier products were composed of THC, but modern products have a higher percentage, plus there is lack of regulation (it could even go up to 40-95%).
Turning on the engine lights to show their brightness |
Photo credit: San Mateo Police Department |
The background you see on TV |
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Outside of cell |
Spartan interior |
Command center vehicle |
Bubba - note the turrets on the side |
Org chart credit: San Mateo Police Department |
Our "real homeschool" series features local homeschoolers describing their routines. In this write-up, we hear from HEART member Joanna who started her own homeschool pod. This post is also part of our "local" series since her pod is available for local homeschoolers to join (as of Feb 2025). If you would like to find out more, please email GlenbrookChristianAcademy@gmail.com.
My name is Joanna, and I live in San Mateo with my family. Like many homeschooling parents, I wanted more than just academics for my child—I longed for a rich, relational education that would nurture their spiritual, intellectual, and emotional growth. As I explored homeschooling options, I found co-ops and group learning opportunities, but I desired something more consistent, personal, and Christ-centered—a place where children could learn deeply, develop strong friendships, and grow in faith. That’s how Glenbrook Christian Academy was born—a small, Charlotte Mason-inspired learning pod that meets in my home, providing a nurturing, structured, and spiritually grounded education to 1st through 4th graders.
Our classroom |
Flower Press Project The student’s names and their favorite memory verses were added |
Art Appreciation Study - Utagawa Hiroshige |
Nature Study - Fly Agaric Mushroom |
Art Study - Response to Pilgrim's Progress |
Redwood Bonsai Each student chose a sapling, named and cared for it over a semester |