Workshop: Drug Awareness

 

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%). 

He also talked about the two strains of marijuana: Sativa which acts as a stimulant (users feel more energetic) vs Indica which is a sedative (users feel more relaxed, handy mnemonic is "In-The-Couch"). People would choose which strain depending on what effect they are trying to achieve.  

This slide on how marijuana is uptaken was also eye-opening: basically, it's next to impossible to detect because of the variety of dispensing devices, some which look like USB drives.

Another sobering thought was the long term effect of cannabis use being linked to psychotic disorders. This Permanente Journal paper describes the association, but also notes that "Simply recognizing negative consequences may not provide sufficient motivation to stop."

The next section of the talk was on opioids - how they were originally used for pain management (different forms include morphine, fentanyl and codein), but overprescription (instead of behavioral therapies) and their addictive nature have created an epidemic.

More worryingly, youth may take up opioids because of their positive feelings of getting high, or to increase concentration for studying. However, the highly addictive nature leads to tolerance, ever increasing doses and higher possibility of overdose. If a user tries to detox, his tolerance decreases, paradoxically leading to higher possibility of overdose if he relapses even on a lower amount (loss of tolerance).

Finally, Pagaloa demonstrated for us how to use Naloxone/Narcan if we came across someone who had overdosed. The following video from the California Department of Public Health is also helpful.

We would like to thank the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center and the San Mateo County of Health board for making training and resources available to community group like our homeschoolers. We walked away with increased awareness and topics of conversation to understand the world around us, and how to respond in a helpful way. 

 

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2. 

Field Trip: Fire Department

Photo credit: San Mateo Consolidated Fire Dept

Where: Foster City Fire Department (1040 E. Hillsdale Boulevard, Foster City, CA 94404)

When : All year, with appointment

Who   : Ages 5+. Max group size 35. 

Cost   : Free

Notes : The fire department is next to the City Hall, it's best to park there and walk over (610 Foster City Boulevard

Foster City, CA 94404).

We were thrilled to be able to reserve a tour of the Foster City Fire Department. Scheduling was straightforward, and there is a choice of which station to tour (the consolidated fire department serves Belmont, San Mateo and Foster City). We chose Foster City as it was larger, and had additional equipment such as a boat/jet ski for lagoon rescue.

At the station, the crew was waiting for us; most of the presentation was done by fireman Tristan ("Fireman T" to the kids). He started by showing us around fire truck #28, opening each door where the hoses, medical equipment, or other equipment (such as a heat scanner) were stored.

Turning on the engine lights to show their brightness

The children were excited, some having read up about fire equipment prior to the trip, and pointing out equipment names. The crew also demonstrated what it was like to suit up with protection gear - a hefty 50 lbs which makes staying fit essential. The CPAT (physical ability test) details other requirements as carrying an additional 25 lbs (for the hoses filled with water). He also explained how the SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) helps the firefighter breathe but also gives a Darth Vader appearance and sound, asking us not to panic if we were approached during emergencies by personnel. 

They also showed the boats used for rescue or recovery work on the lagoon.

At the end of the session, we had a Q&A session, some of the questions coming from students or parents, some of them asked by the fire fighters to see if we knew some fire safety basics.

Q: What should you do if you get too close to fire and it gets onto you?

A: Stop, drop and roll

Q:What are some common causes of fires in households?

A: Stove fires - use a fire blanket, cookie sheet or pot lid to cover the flames and let it burn out. Do NOT use water - the water will cause the burning oil to spatter and spread flames elsewhere. 

A: Also, lithium batteries - do not leave them plugged in for extended periods. In fact, they need special handling because they stay hot for so long that they can re-ignite as we saw in the Moss Landing lithium battery storage facility. 

We finished with a group photo, and a fun photo as Fireman T climbing up to the top of the truck to show the water cannon at the top of the truck. 

Firefighting is one of the most popular occupations that young children aspire to. Most of us end up doing something else, but we recognize the tremendous amount of courage and responsibility our firefighters take on. We are thankful for the Lord giving them the strength and fortitude to serve and protect our communities. 
 

Field Trip: Police Department

Photo credit: San Mateo Police Department

Where: San Mateo Police Department (200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403)

When : All year, with appointment

Who   : All ages. Max group size 20 (but consecutive tours can be scheduled)

Cost   : Free

Notes:  Photos are allowed, but may not contain text (e.g. schedules, notes). Tour involves multiple levels of stairs, so parents should preferably have little ones in a carrier.  

This was a popular field trip - we had to schedule three consecutive tours to keep the group size manageable. Because of that, we were also able to group students by age (early elementary vs middle/high), and tour content was customized for their maturity level.

We started out by viewing what looked like a large classroom with tables and chairs, but learned that it turns into an emergency operations center during a citywide emergency. There was an area which could be used for media interviews and press conferences.

The background you see on TV

Afterwards, we saw the atrium (not pictured), a gym for the officers, and peeked into a room where the officers were having their briefing at the beginning of their shift. We also saw some detention rooms which are currently unused since Redwood City's Maguirre Correctional Facility is so close. They had been cleaned up, but the heavy lock and open toilet (behind the white wall in picture) in each cell were sufficient reminders of their former use.

Outside of cell

Spartan interior

From a law enforcement officer's perspective, detention is also additional work - frequent checks through the door, and rules which determine how long a person may be detained.

Next, we saw some interview rooms (not pictured) - one room was carpeted and comfortable, while another had hard chairs and a desk, the standard interrogation rooms as pictured on TV. Our guide explained that the softer room was for communicating with victims or juveniles, or giving sensitive news. We appreciated the consideration for children. All rooms were monitored.

After the interview rooms, the guide brought us to the dispatch center (not pictured). Dispatch officers work in teams, and the job requires a steady temperament. They are on the frontlines for 9-11 calls (which could be for fire or police), and they are typically busy in the later half of the day when school and work are out. When you call 9-11, your signal is picked up by the nearest tower and location information is available to dispatch. A tidbit of information:

Q: What should you do if you accidentally (or prank) call 9-11, then hang up? 

A: Police will call back. You should answer this call, and be honest that it was a mistake, or a prank. If you don't answer, they have to send someone out to investigate which takes resources so it's better to 'fess up. 

Outside, we saw patrol cars, and the guide pointed out details like the push bar in front to clear debris, or the hard molded seats (allowing handcuffed passengers to sit back) and automatic seat belts. 

 

Each patrol car serves as the "office" for a patrol officer, but the building also has writing rooms where they may come in to write reports. Report writing is an integral part of the job. 

There was also a "command center" vehicle - when investigations take multiple hours, officers can meet inside - its interior is set up with multiple screens, network access, and massive floodlights which makes searching for evidence easier.

Command center vehicle

Underground, we also saw K-9 cars (unfortunately the dogs were out during our group's tour but another group did meet Elvis!), motorcycles, a van for drones and a massive rescue vehicle affectionally named "Bubba". 

Bubba - note the turrets on the side

Finally, one of the age-appropriate groups saw the shooting range where the guide told us gun safety guidelines. It was fascinating to see the props like barrels where the officers practice a variety of scenarios.

 We would like to thank the San Mateo Police Department for hosting our group. It was illuminating to see all the ways they are active in our community such as the Police Activities League which provides recreational activities for youth, as well as the skills required to be a good officer. There are multiple ways to work with the police - dispatchers are in demand (civilian), and students can look into the Explorer program if they want to learn more about officer training.

Org chart credit: San Mateo Police Department

Our Journey with Glenbrook Christian Academy: A Charlotte Mason Learning Pod

 

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.

Why We Started a Pod

Our pod originally began during COVID, when I hired a teacher to work one-on-one with my daughter. 

The idea of a learning pod appealed to me because I wanted my child to regularly interact with the same group of families, rather than bouncing between different settings. Weekly co-ops were an option, but many felt too large or lacked the consistency I hoped for. Charlotte Mason’s approach, which emphasizes habit formation, relational learning, and living books, resonated with me deeply.

Charlotte Mason’s philosophy shares many foundational principles with Classical Christian Education (CCE), particularly in its commitment to great books, deep thinking, and biblical truth. Both approaches reject modern, progressive education in favor of a time-tested model that cultivates wisdom, virtue, and a love for learning.  However, Charlotte Mason’s method is distinct from traditional classical education in several ways. While classical models often emphasize rote memorization, Latin, and Socratic dialogue, Charlotte Mason focuses on narration (students retelling what they’ve learned), short and varied lessons, nature study, and habit formation. Her approach is considered to be more gentle and more relational, encouraging children to engage deeply with knowledge through real-life experiences and living books rather than formal recitation.  At Glenbrook Christian Academy, we blend the rich intellectual traditions of classical learning with the relational, discovery-based methods of Charlotte Mason, creating an education that is both rigorous and full of wonder. 

As I connected with other homeschooling families through Facebook groups, I noticed many were looking for a similar educational experience. I invited them to visit our setup, and what started as a small idea gradually grew into a thriving community of like-minded families.  

Finding the Right Teacher

One of the key factors in making our pod work was finding the right teacher. After searching through countless job websites—such as Craigslist, ChristianJobs.com, and Indeed— we were blessed to find our teacher Peter through mutual connections.  His training includes:

• The Ambleside Schools International Internship, where he gained hands-on experience implementing Charlotte Mason’s methods, focusing on habit formation, narration, and relational learning.
• The Ambleside Summer Institute, an intensive program that deepens educators’ understanding of child development, virtue formation, and wisdom-centered education.

With his deep understanding of Charlotte Mason’s methods and his ability to engage students in thoughtful learning, Peter was the perfect fit for our pod.

Building Community

Building a like-minded community was just as important as finding the right teacher. From the start, we wanted an environment where students could form meaningful relationships while still receiving individualized attention.  Most of our families found us through word of mouth or online groups. 

Our pod is intentionally small, with 6 to 8 students. Rather than grouping students strictly by grade level, our classes are structured like a one-room schoolhouse, where all students engage with the same material but at different levels. This allows for rich discussions, collaborative learning, and individualized challenges that meet each child where they are.  

A Peek Inside Our Days

Our classroom

By hosting our pod in a home setting, the children experience a familiar and comfortable learning environment. Our pod meets from Monday to Thursday from 9:30am to 2:30pm. 

Our mornings begin with:

• Greeting and listening to one another, teaching respect and attentiveness.
• Prayer and heartfelt sharing with Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Some children have already seen answered prayers, like protection from flight sickness!
• A new hymn each week, with regular solfège practice (hand signals and treble clef exercises).

Flower Press Project
The student’s names and their favorite memory verses were added 

Throughout the day, we explore:

• Literature/Poetry: The Pilgrim’s Progress, Beatrix Potter Tales, Eli Whitney, Brambly Hedge, A Children’s Garden of Verses, Nibble Nibble, and more.
• Bible & Hebrew/Greek Word Study: Learning core biblical words to deepen understanding as we engage Old Testament stories, the Gospel of Mark, and memorize passages for recitation.
• Math: Using Singapore Math for computation, fractions, time to the minute, and early geometry and algebra.
• Spelling & Grammar: Analysis of words by syllable, vowel, phonogram, and rule. Diagramming sentences into their grammatical parts.
• Phonics: Reading exercises to enhance an intuitive grasp of phonetic patterns.
• Penmanship: Intro to Spencerian cursive; transcription with print.
• Science & Nature Study: Observing plants, animals, and microscopic life through handheld microscopes, while discussing God’s intricate design and symbiotic relationships. General human anatomy.
• History & Geography: Peeking into culture and history as we learn about prominent figures whose contributions we have the privilege of enjoying. Using the world map to associate folktales/fairytales with their country of origin. An atlas to accompany biblical stories.
• Art & Handicrafts: Drawing with shapes, historical art study and replication, watercolors, wax modeling, origami, sewing.
• Art Appreciation: Utagawa Hiroshige; Van Gogh.
• Music Appreciation: Johann Straus II (the Waltz King); Joseph Haydn (Father of the symphony and String Quartet).
• Gardening: We are cultivating homegrown bonsai, plus a flower and vegetable garden.
• Physical Education: Ball games, playground activities, and outdoor free play.

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

One of my favorite moments was watching my daughter’s excitement as we raised caterpillars and released butterflies. From the start, she was captivated, carefully observing their growth, sketching them in her nature journal, and asking thoughtful questions about their transformation. When the butterflies finally emerged, she stood in awe, watching them flutter into the sky. Inspired, she later told me she wanted to plant flowers to help more butterflies thrive. Seeing her curiosity turn into action was a beautiful reminder of why this pod exists—to ignite wonder, nurture discovery, and cultivate a love for God’s creation.

Summer Program

This summer, we are offering a specialized program with focused modules, giving children the opportunity to explore new skills, creativity, and enrichment in a joyful and engaging way. Topics may include cooking, arts and crafts, improv and theater, folk and square dance, and strategy games like Chess and Go. We will also explore poetry, learning short forms like limericks, haikus, and proverbs, as well as folktales and fairy tales. Additionally, we’ll introduce calligraphy, allowing children to develop artistic expression and fine motor skills.

Understanding the Costs

One of the most common questions we receive from prospective families is about the cost of joining our learning pod. We understand that homeschooling is a commitment—not just in time and energy, but also financially—so we strive to keep our pod affordable while ensuring a high-quality educational experience. While costs will vary depending on the number of days a student attends and specific materials needed, we aim to keep our approach reasonable, transparent, and accessible. 

Families are responsible for individual student supplies, which vary from year to year depending on the curriculum and activities planned. Additionally, each family pays the teacher an hourly fee, and we ask for a monthly tuition contribution to cover shared costs such as classroom supplies, teacher training, and other essentials that support the learning environment. These contributions allow us to maintain small class sizes, personalized instruction, and a well-equipped space where children can thrive.

Lessons Learned & Adjustments

While the pod has been a joy, we’ve made adjustments along the way. We’ve found that some of the most meaningful learning happens when we pause and allow for deeper exploration. We’ve also incorporated more outdoor learning, recognizing how nature enhances curiosity and engagement. Additionally, we’ve refined parental involvement, encouraging participation while maintaining a healthy balance between structure and community.

What began as a search for a better learning experience has grown into a thriving, Christ-centered community. Our children are not only learning reading, math, and science—they are also growing in confidence, kindness, and faith. It’s a journey I’m grateful to be on, and I look forward to seeing what God has in store next.

Interested in Joining Glenbrook Christian Academy?

If you’re interested in learning more about Glenbrook Christian Academy or exploring whether our pod might be the right fit for your family, we’d love to hear from you! We offer rolling enrollment throughout the year, so families are encouraged to reach out whenever they’re ready to begin their journey with us. Whether you’re looking for a place to start immediately or considering future enrollment, we’re happy to discuss how our Charlotte Mason-inspired education can support your child’s growth. Feel free to email us at GlenbrookChristianAcademy@gmail.com to ask questions, schedule a visit, or learn more about our program.

Field Trip: Santa Clara Historical Railroad Society

 

Where: South Bay Historical Railroad Society (1005 Railroad Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050)
When : All year, with appointment
Who   : All ages. Max group size 40.

Cost   : Free, donations gratefully received.

When Caltrain launched its electric train service in September 2024, there were several launch parties along the Peninsula. One of them was at an open house at the South Bay Historical Railroad Society. Since our group members couldn't all attend the open house which was on a Saturday, we reached out to the society, and they agreed to host a school group visit for us.

The Society is housed in the historical Santa Clara depot (right besides the Santa Clara Caltrain station), so it was logical to take the Caltrain down. This was a new experience for many families who hadn't taken the new trains. YouTube has several videos documenting the experience, including this one.

When we arrived at Santa Clara Caltrain, the South Bay Historical Railroad Society was ready for us. First, they explained about the rise of the railroads allowing fruit grown in Santa Clara Valley ("Valley of Heart's Delight") to be shipped nationwide. In fact, the first shipment of fresh fruit (pears) over the transcontinental railroad was sent from this depot to the east coast.

We also had the opportunity to hear about California High Speed Rail developments, thanks to representatives from the project.  They helped us understand how Caltrain electrification, besides improving speed/reliability and safety, is part of a larger plan to connect with the California High Speed rail network. As of January 2025, construction has started in Central Valley and the plan will ultimately allow passengers to ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles in three hours (their full system map shows stops from Sacramento to San Diego). Students were excited about the prospect as some had taken high speed rail in other countries, while parents asked questions such as cost of tickets (~80% of an equivalent plane ticket) and overall cost. The HSR project has had a rough start (this Los Angeles Times' article discusses its funding challenges) but they are also trying to engage with the community more to give project updates and answer questions. 

Finally, the Historical Railroad Society had invited volunteers to run their model trains for us. Students could have stood there for the full hour of the field trip, there were so many details. They have a sample video (below), but being there in person allowed us to better appreciate the scope and scale. Also, they update their layouts so it's always novel to visit.

After the trip, we took the north bound train home, appreciating that we didn't have to deal with traffic . As of September 2024, Caltrain's youth fares are $1/one way, or $2/round trip (adult fares are considerably higher), making this a good option for field trips. If we had wanted to explore, Santa Clara University is 10 minutes walk from the train station and the De Saisset museum offers tours.   

We would like to thank the South Bay Historical Railroad Society as well as the California High Speed rail representatives for opening up the museum for our field trip, as well as offering the space for athe HSR presentation. This is an amazing opportunity for homeschoolers to learn about the past and future of rail transportation. 

Workshop: Thinkpads 4 All

Thinkpads4All is a volunteer organization that encourages all ages to learn about how laptops work through free hands-on workshops. When we saw one of their events advertised at a local library, we reached out and asked if they would host a workshop for our group - despite their busy schedule, they agreed and we were excited to start planning.  

We were able to find a space to host our event, thanks to Redwood Baptist Church. For signups, we suggested families to consider this for older students (middle school and up), though Thinkpads4All accommodates mixed aged groups from children to seniors.  

On the day of the workshop, the ThinkPads4All volunteers arrived with a cart full of Thinkpads with their batteries removed. After wiping down, each participant was given a laptop, a screwdriver and maps showing the location of screws and cables in the laptop. 

The first part of the workshop consisted in disassembly. The screw maps came in useful here - as we removed each screw, we would place it on the photo at its location. This part was unnerving for parents (can we really apply force here?), while the students took to it fearlessly. The volunteers circled around the room, giving tips when we were stuck.

At this point, the volunteers gave us a short talk about the components on the motherboard, and answering questions. They also pointed out how easy it was to upgrade the laptop by upgrading or adding components. This was also a good chance to ask questions. 

The next step was challenging: re-assembling the laptop from the explosion of parts. Although the diagrams helped, there were tricky parts such as pushing the wifi cable into crevices without getting in the way of the case hinges. Again, students were particularly adept at this, both in visual memory and fine motor skills to maneuver in tiny spaces when screwing back the covers. 

The workshop took two hours, and everyone was satisfied. Students new to teardowns felt more confident in exploring laptops; those who had prior experience had the opportunity to discuss with the volunteers. So it was an amazing learning experience for all - we highly recommend the organization and would like to thank them for their time.  

For those who would like to practice more (or are unable to attend their workshops - seats go fast), there are step by step tutorials such as iFixit's replacement guides and YouTube videos like the following. Perhaps this could be a new hobby for your homeschooler! 

Local Resource: School for Independent Learners

Photo credit: School for Independent Learners

Overview

School for Independent Learners is a private high school in Los Altos which focuses on individual or small group learning. Local Bay Area homeschoolers may find it helpful because it offers community for students taking its classes (including in-person labs), and it is open to hosting external students for AP and PSAT exams.

High School Classes: Honors, AP, Dual Enrollment 

Students can sign up to take high school courses through SIL anytime throughout the year. The classes may be regular, honors, UC a-g accredited, AP or college level (e.g. Differential Equations). Instruction is usually 1:1, or families can form with a few others to make a small class; either way, instruction is individualized. 

SIL also has a dedicated lab space setup, and can work with homeschoolers to create a tailored lab experience. For example, they had a student who wanted to do a series of lab intensives before going to college and designed a sequence that the student completed over a few weeks in summer. Homeschoolers who feel disadvantaged by lack of lab access will find this option attractive. 

Community

Beyond academics, the school has lounges where students can hang out between classes and try new activities. Also, students can form interest-based groups each year, which is also a draw for homeschoolers seeking to connect with other high schoolers. 

Exams: AP, PSAT and more

Depending on their course offerings, SIL offers dedicated exams such as AMC and AP exams. They may also offer PSAT testing, depending on circumstances. SIL students have first priority, but generally there have been enough seats for external students (e.g. homeschoolers). As with other locations, the key is to contact them early - in early Fall, they publish a sign up sheet for the exams they will offer which also lists their proctoring fees. 

Tuition

Because course instruction is highly individualized, it is hard to predict how much a course will cost, e.g. a student may speed through a year's of material within a few months. SIL charges by the hour - for 2024, the cost was $155/hour for 1:1 classes and $120 for group classes (they have no minimum hours requirement). There are also part-time and full-time enrollment options, although those options are probably less applicable to homeschoolers. 

Summary

SIL's model is closely akin to homeschooling so many of its strengths will be familiar to homeschoolers. 

Pros: 

• Personalized instruction to fit your schedule and preferred mode of instruction (in-person or online)
• Advanced courses especially in mathematics, plus full lab for hands-on sciences. 
• WASC-accreditation for those who need a-g courses through a certified school (note that private homeschoolers are usually admitted by exception for UCs so this might actually be more useful when applying to international colleges)
• Opportunities to participate in larger student clubs/groups

Cons: 

• Cost: Regardless of model (instruction per hour, part-time or full-time), a SIL course will likely cost several times more than any other option open to homeschoolers. However, SIL is open to working with homeschoolers, e.g. if they want to design a specific class together.