KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
If it weren’t for a Polish pastry, I might not exist. When my great-grandmother Karolina Stelmach was a teenager in a small village in Poland, she was told she’d be entering an arranged marriage. But her heart belonged to Sylvester Nowakowski. So she left... on her own, by boat... and made her way to America. She found work in a restaurant, where she made her
family’s signature dessert: chrusciki. One day, a “distinguished gentleman” insisted on meeting the pastry chef, and he offered her a better-paying job in his own kitchen. She took it, saved enough to bring Sylvester over, and they married. Which means if chrusciki didn’t exist, neither would I. Stories like this do more than entertain. According to psychologist Robyn Fivush, interviewed on a recent episode of the Hidden Brain podcast, they help kids develop identity,
resilience, and self-worth. The more children know about their family’s past—not just the “big” stories like crossing oceans, but even the day-to-day moments and struggles—the more connected and grounded they become. Fivush and her colleagues at Emory University found that kids who know more family stories have higher self-esteem, greater emotional understanding, and a stronger sense of meaning and purpose. But it’s not just the information that matters...it’s the telling. When we sit down and
share what came before, we help kids feel like they’re part of something bigger, and that they belong. No AI can replicate that. A chatbot can write a story, sure. But it can’t tell your kids how Grandma’s meatloaf could’ve doubled as a construction material, or how two little girls in the 1950s turned a couple of ice cream cones into a front-porch endurance contest. So this year, make a point of telling your kids about your family's shared history: about
mistakes, about perseverance, about love, about dessert. Connection doesn’t have to be complicated: Just pull up a chair, pass the cookies, and pass down the stories.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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DPS Powerful Every day at Denver Public Schools, the DPS experience comes to life through our students, educators, families and community. Through passionate learning, personalized support, powerful impact,
prestigious achievement and being proud of who we are, these stories celebrate what it means to be part of the DPS experience. At Summit at Castro, power doesn’t always roar — it whispers in quiet conversations and safe spaces where students feel seen, heard and supported by caring adults. For the Social/Emotional Support Team at Summit, those moments are everything. They’re the heartbeat of a school committed to the whole child, where authenticity, equity and community aren’t just words but the foundation for brighter futures. Last year, nearly a quarter of Summit students received individual therapy or group mentorship, while others accessed medical care, substance prevention and intensive supports. For students, that support has
made a real difference — from graduating early and pursuing career training to rebuilding confidence, improving grades and learning how to advocate for themselves. Through partnerships with community organizations and on-campus health services, Summit at Castro removes barriers so students can focus on learning, healing and planning for their future. Together, the team helps students define success on their own terms and build the skills they need to thrive in school and in life. |
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Enjoy a new theatrical adaptation of the works of Rudyard Kipling, re-imagining his classic stories through modern eyes. Immersive sound and multimedia will transport you from the urban jungle to relive Mowgli’s childhood in the jungles of India. With Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther, and more, Jungle Book brings beloved characters to life in a way you’ve never seen before. Eye-popping video, shadow-play, and original music make this family production of Jungle Book “like stepping inside a beautifully illustrated children’s storybook. It’s a MAGICAL experience!”- Sarasota Observer
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Celebrate and contribute to the joy of Dr. King's message. Marade Route: March from City Park down Colfax Ave. to end at Lincoln Veteran's Memorial Park.x
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Join us on MLK Day as we honor Dr. King’s legacy of service, unity, and compassion. Town Center at Aurora invites the community to come together for a special Community Day of Service, where you can meet and connect with local organizations making a real impact right here in Aurora.
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Every year, the City of Lafayette honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a march and celebration event organized by the Lafayette Youth Advisory Board (LYAB). The Lafayette MLK celebration is a free, all-ages, family-friendly event organized by Lafayette’s youth leaders. Enjoy breakfast, coffee, hot chocolate, children's activities, musical performances, speakers and more!
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Enter “The Secret World of Elephants” to discover the remarkable science behind nature’s most lovable giants. How do elephants “hear” with their feet? What animals are their closest-living relatives? How have elephants and humans coexisted for thousands of years? Through hands-on interactions, you will feel the low-frequency rumbles elephants use to communicate, explore how they reshape their environments, and come face-to-face with some of their ancestors, including dwarf elephants. From the ancient Ice Age to the African savanna, get ready to be amazed by elephants’ incredible intelligence and fascinating history — and inspired to help protect their future. All exhibition content is bilingual in English and Spanish.
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- FREE WEEK OF DANCE CLASSES AT COLORADO MOVEMENT LAB!! - Colorado Movement Lab - Colorado Movement Lab, Saturday, January 17, 9:00 am
- Playtime Storytime at Meadows Library - Boulder Public Library District - 4800 Baseline Road, Boulder, CO 80303, Saturday, January 17, 10:15 am
- Sun Valley Mobile Food Pantry - 1260 Decatur Street, Denver, CO, Saturday, January 17, 9 am
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Am the Dream" Family Night - Community College of Aurora, Aurora, CO, Friday, January 16, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions. Here are local organizations that offer memberships.
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Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Denver area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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2025's winners in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Denver area. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in the special categories: Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM
Educator!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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