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7th Annual California Seaweed Festival

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DIVE IN! to the 7th Annual California Seaweed Festival at the Custom House Plaza! This is a free, family-friendly event celebrating the seaweed diversity of California. Join a community of researchers, innovators, artists, and ocean advocates for an exciting day of talks and panels on art, science and sustainability, hands-on activities, seaweed tastings, and live entertainment!

This is a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to learn about seaweed conservation, while celebrating the magnificent biodiversity of the marine ecosystems in Monterey. Also featured are local vendors showcasing their craftsmanship and exhibitors presenting the latest in marine science and technology, as well as photo opportunities with mermaids!

The California Seaweed Festival is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Each year, the festival moves to a different location along the coast in order to craft a unique experience for each community. To learn more about the California Seaweed Festival, please visit our website and follow our social media accounts for the latest updates!

Four Ways Monterey Bay Charter School Stands Out!

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At Monterey Bay Charter School, learning is designed to move beyond the classroom. Serving students from TK through eighth grade, the school offers a public charter education grounded in Waldorf principles, blending rigorous academics with creativity, experiential learning, and deep attention to each child’s developmental needs.

1. EDUCATING THE WHOLE CHILD

Monterey Bay Charter School’s curriculum is rooted in a holistic philosophy that recognizes students as intellectual, emotional, and creative beings. Teachers focus on nurturing each child’s gifts while supporting challenges in developmentally appropriate ways.

“This education is based on a really coherent picture of the human being — a holistic picture,” Liz Beaven, Executive Director of the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education. “We try to educate the whole child and support capacity building so their gifts can really be available to them.”

That approach allows students to thrive in multiple ways. When academic challenges arise, creativity, movement, and hands-on engagement offer additional paths to understanding. “If a student is challenged in academics, there are other means of engagement in school and students grow exponentially in their confidence and ability to express themselves. As a result, Monterey Bay Charter School is a high performing charter school.” says Jessica Guzzi, Executive Director of Monterey Bay Charter School. 

2. A CLASSROOM WITHOUT WALLS

Experiential learning extends far beyond campus through integrated field trips that bring classroom lessons to life. From farming and geology to astronomy and California history, students deepen their understanding by experiencing subjects firsthand.

“Our field trip philosophy is a classroom without walls,” explains Jessica Guzzi, Executive Director of Monterey Bay Charter School. “Something they’ve learned in the classroom is something they’re going to go and experience in the world.”

As students grow older, these experiences culminate in group challenges designed to build teamwork, resilience, and community. Whether hiking, backpacking, or rafting, eighth-grade students face meaningful challenges together as they prepare for high school and beyond.

3. LEARNING BY DOING

Classrooms at Monterey Bay Charter are designed to invite students into the learning process. Lessons are interactive and student-driven, encouraging curiosity and ownership of knowledge.

“We invite our students into the lesson,” Natalie Croft, MBCS Teacher “If they don’t actually touch it and drive that lesson with me, it doesn’t live in them.”

A key component of this approach is the use of main lesson books, where students synthesize what they’ve learned through writing and illustration. “Those blank pages become a time capsule,” the teacher shares. “They have to illustrate their own page and apply what they’ve learned.”

Over time, this practice strengthens both academic skills and creativity. “My students have become exceptional writers because they write with every lesson,” the teacher adds, “but they also have to remember what they’ve seen or felt in order to illustrate it.”

4. TEACHER DEDICATION AND LASTING IMPACT

Families consistently note the dedication of Monterey Bay Charter School’s teachers and the lasting impact of their guidance. Long time MBCS parent, Stefanie Kortman, “School prepared my older children for high school and college by providing a diverse academic environment that also had a lot of creative expression in it.”

Another parent shared the joy of seeing learning take root at home: “When my child comes home happy and excited to come back to school, that means everything.” Rodrigo Nieto Gómez.

LOOKING AHEAD

As Monterey Bay Charter School works toward unifying its campus for all TK–8 students, its mission remains focused on inspiring joyful learning and courageous living. By centering education on relationships, creativity, and real-world experiences, the school continues to shape confident, capable learners prepared for the challenges ahead.

The lottery application for enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is open from November 3, 2025 through February 25, 2026.  School tours are available. Interested families can apply at: www.mbayschool.org

A Few Things To Consider When Choosing A Catholic School Education

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Choosing a Catholic school for your children can provide a unique educational experience that goes beyond academics. Here are some aspects to consider:

Religious Education

Catholic schools integrate religious education into the curriculum, and students typically participate in Mass, prayer, and religious activities. If you’re not Catholic, be sure to understand how this aspect aligns with your values and preferences.

At San Carlos School in Monterey, California, children of all faiths are welcome but are required to participate in daily religion classes. According to spokesperson Carolyn Schanzer, Marketing and Development Director: “We teach traditional Catholic beliefs and respond to God’s call by welcoming culturally, economically, and religiously diverse families. We collaborate with parents, the first educators, to foster the holistic development of the learners, create an environment in which diversity flourishes, and help students unveil their full potential. We encourage students to share their faiths with their classes, which enriches the curriculum and reinforces an atmosphere of equity and inclusion.”

At Santa Catalina in Monterey, students of all faiths are welcome and attend a once-monthly Mass.

Values-Based Education

Catholic schools emphasize values such as compassion, community service, and moral development. If you are interested in having these principles reinforced in your child’s education, it can be a positive aspect of the experience.

At Palma School in Salinas, students are challenged to develop spiritually, intellectually, morally, physically, and socially—accomplished by offering opportunities focused on each of these disciplines.

Academic Excellence

Catholic schools have an earned reputation for academic excellence. According to Niche.com, the Catholic schools in Monterey County are overwhelmingly rated as “A” schools, with the vast majority of students going on to college after high school graduation.

At Santa Catalina, the emphasis of the Lower School curriculum is educating the whole child. While offering an excellent academic program, the Lower School also emphasizes the arts, music, physical education, technology, and character education.

When researching schools for your child consider the school’s academic programs, resources, and any special offerings. Look at the school’s performance on standardized tests and graduation rates.

Community and Involvement

Catholic schools often foster a strong sense of community among students, parents, and teachers. Look into the level of parental involvement encouraged by the school and how it aligns with your preferences.

Community outreach is another important facet of a Catholic school education. At Palma School, a nationally recognized program offers students the opportunity to provide and experience compassion and fellowship through literature and reflection at Soledad State Prison.

At San Carlos, students have participated in the HUG project, made an angel tree for those needing prayers, routinely made cards for families battling cancer in the community, and hid painted “Love Rocks” to spread love throughout the school and community.

Other projects range from making placemats for Meals on Wheels to contributing to The Crayon Initiative to assisting in the Cleaning the Earth project.

They also commit as a school community to a Thanksgiving Food Drive. The goal is to fill the principal’s office with bags of groceries so that she cannot reach her desk. Collected food is distributed to several food pantries on the Monterey Peninsula.

As early as pre-K, Santa Catalina students learn to lead by example and see themselves as effective change-makers. Through participation in service projects, they strive to make an impact on communities near and far. Throughout the year, students prepare for, implement, and reflect on a variety of service opportunities. These range from school-wide service projects to Projects of Passion adopted by each classroom.

Recent projects include Christmas caroling at local senior living facilities, participation in the JDRF One Walk in support of type 1 diabetes research, food drives for the Food Bank for Monterey County, coat drives for the Salvation Army, and Braxton’s Toy Drive.

Tuition and Fees

In general, Catholic schools are considered private schools and do charge tuition, although they can be less expensive than many typical private schools. They also offer financial aid. At Santa Catalina, for instance, 45 percent of families received financial aid in the 2022–2023 school year. The financial aid comes in the form of grants, not loans, which means a real reduction in the cost of education.

Before making a decision, visit the schools you are considering several times, meet with teachers and administrators, and ask questions to ensure that the school aligns with your values and expectations for your child’s education.

Catholic Schools Week offers a unique opportunity to investigate Catholic education to find out if it is a right fit for your family. Catholic Schools Week begins on the last Sunday in January and runs for an entire week. In 2025, it will be celebrated from January 26 to 1. Many area Catholic schools are offering open houses or other special events. Contact the school you are interested in for additional information.

To read more about our recommended Monterey County Catholic schools.

Monterey County School Boards Association Honors Special Kids Connect with “Excellence in Education” Award

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The Monterey County School Boards Association (MCSBA) will honor Special Kids Connect, an organization that serves families with loved ones that have disabilities, with the “Excellence in Education” award at its annual dinner and organizational meeting on Friday, April 12 at Hartnell Community College in Salinas.

Special Kids Connect was selected from a list of 35 nominees, established by Monterey County School Districts, to be honored with the “2024 Excellence in Education” award for having a transformative and significant impact on the lives of children and youth in our community. “The MCSBA was so impressed with the mission of Special Kids Connect, to connect parents who have children with developmental disabilities with community resources and empower them to become effective self-advocates for their children’s needs,” said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Deneen Guss.  “Our school leaders are very thankful for the wide range of programs and services that Special Kids Connect provides to meet the ever-changing needs of Monterey County’s special needs community,” said Dr. Guss. 

Founded in 2007 by parents of children with developmental disabilities, Special Kids Connect raises awareness and provides support to children and their families by offering parent workshops, resource fairs, educational conferences, recreational programs and a variety of other opportunities to help parents navigate the often complex landscape of services available for children with developmental disabilities. 

School governance team members from throughout Monterey County will attend the dinner event, with Special Kids Connect Executive Director Lori Luzader accepting the award. “We are thrilled to receive this recognition from the Monterey County School Boards Association. This award is a testament to the hard work and passion of our team, the resilience of the families we serve, and the amazing children we have the privilege of supporting,” said Luzader. “Through this recognition, we hope to shine a light on the importance of full and meaningful inclusion. Our vision is to see that every child, regardless of his or her abilities, is not only fully included but is warmly welcomed into their communities and that they, and their families, are made to feel that they truly belong.”

“We are extremely grateful for the collaborative efforts of Special Kids Connect, helping to ensure that parents with special needs children are well-informed and empowered to effectively access and leverage available resources, and are warmly embraced into our community,” said MCSBA President David Gaboni. “We are proud to recognize them with this year’s Excellence in Education award.”

To learn more about Special Kids Connect

To read our article about Special Kids Connect

Your Child Receives a Disability Diagnosis: Now What?

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There is no way to be prepared for the mix of emotions that are felt when your child is given a medical diagnosis, especially one you are not familiar with and especially when the diagnosis is defined as a disability.

Permanence can feel overwhelming, and not understanding the disability itself (let alone treatments and therapies) can compound those feelings. Parenting is difficult enough, and unknown curveballs can make it harder.

My husband often reminds me that “Rule #1 is to know the rules.” While there are no defined rules, per se, my number one go-to when feeling overwhelmed with parenting is to first pause and take a deep breath.  Whatever your thoughts and feelings are when receiving a diagnosis for your child, they are valid and individual to you and your experience. Your child, partner, and other family members may have different reactions, and while that can make everything feel more complicated, know that complex emotions and feelings are part of the process. It is a process because once you receive a diagnosis, the next step is starting a new challenge and chapter: treatments, therapies, medications, educational plan, and life.

A natural reaction is to look online for answers, but the internet is a double-edged sword. While it’s filled with knowledge, it can lead people down a rabbit hole that can feel formidable and tiresome. When researching online, seek out credible sources, such as the Mayo Clinic and associations linked to the disability (examples include the Autism Society, the National Organization on Disability, and the Tourette Association of America).

Local organizations such as Special Kids Connect (SKC) are valuable resources for Monterey residents. This nonprofit “supports individuals with disabilities throughout their lives, their families, and our community by connecting families, sharing resources, and offering recreational programs for children and young adults that promote social skill development and inclusion in community settings.” In 2022, a competitive grant award from the California Department of Developmental Services and the California Department of Education designated Special Kids Connect as Monterey County’s first Family Empowerment Center, allowing them to provide a variety of educational support, community programs, a resource directory, workshops, events, and more.

Their Mom’s Nights Out social events provide support for parents to share experiences and provide references and referrals and a sense of camaraderie. Many national associations have support groups as well, such as monthly Zoom calls, conferences, children and family camps, webinars, and resources. They often have resources to share with schools and educators, which can be especially helpful in IEP meetings and trainings.

“Challenging” is a tame word to describe navigating the American medical system, and obtaining a medical diagnosis for a disability can be a lengthy and costly process. Give yourself permission to seek second opinions and/or different providers if you are not comfortable with a doctor, therapist, etc. Trust your gut and find supportive staff who will be thorough and informative to your child and family. It can be frustrating feeling like you are starting over but will be worth it in the end to have medical providers whom you feel comfortable with. Local families are also amazing resources for referring doctors, therapists, and other programs and services.

As every child is different, so is each diagnosis. Disabilities are complex and manifest differently in everyone. Lean on medical professionals and service providers you trust, and when researching on your own, seek out credible sources and lean on other families for knowledge, guidance, and support.

Monterey County Recommended Preschools

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CITY OF SEASIDE TINY TOT UNIVERSITY

  • 986 Hilby Avenue
  • Seaside California 93955
  • 831-899-6823

Tiny Tot University is a preschool program for children three to five years of age. Our program is geared toward helping your child develop in a fun and creative way. The educators facilitate student led social and problem solving skills. The program includes STEAM activities, sports, sand and water play, singing and finger plays, stories, dramatic play, painting, drawing, unit block work, writing, small group activities, and opportunities for exploration.

MONTEREY BAY CHARTER SCHOOL

  • 1004 David Avenue, Pacific Grove, 93950
  • 831-655-4638

Monterey Bay Charter School offers a free TK program guided by the core principles for public Waldorf education.The unique program delivers the rigorous state-adopted standards through Waldorf pedagogy, placing an emphasis on the arts in daily learning and expression.

MONTEREY PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PRESCHOOL & TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN

  • Marina, Seaside, and DLAMP Monterey preschools: 831-392-3456

Preschool for ages 3 and 4, transitional kindergarten for children who turn 5 between Sept. 2 and June 5. Music, arts and crafts, language development, multicultural education, reading, mathematics and more. Preschool based on income eligibility.

MONTEREY RECREATION PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

  • El Estero Park Center, 831-646-3873
  • Hilltop Park Center, 831-646-3975

The City of Monterey Recreation Division has been offering popular and educational preschool programs for children ages 3-5, since 1963. We realize the importance of developing learning skills, and our program emphasizes that children learn best through play. The curriculum is based on developmentally appropriate activities that foster the creative, social, emotional, language and physical growth of each child. Daily activities include art, music, science, math, pre- reading and writing skills, movement and story-time. Thenprogram strives to develop acceptance and appreciation of the similarities and differences between people and cultures. We provide a safe and nurturing environment where your child’s need for discovery and development is recognized and encouraged.

PACIFIC GROVE RECREATION PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

  • 515 Junipero Ave, Pacific Grove, 93950
  • 831-648-3135

The City of Pacific Grove Recreation Department offers a preschool program for children ages 3-5 years. Our program is built with the understanding that children learn best when they are provided with meaningful opportunities for play and interaction with their classmates in a supportive setting. The goal of our program is to meet the individual academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of each child by providing a play-based curriculum and a safe and enriching learning environment. Developmentally appropriate activities include art, sensory, math, science, music and movement, and outdoor play. Our dedicated staff strive to foster your child’s natural curiosity for learning, exploration, and creative expression.

POTRERO CANYON SCHOOL

  • 5716 Carmel Valley Road,
  • Carmel, 93923, 831-625-0545

Our dedicated team of teachers provide loving, respectful, and nurturing care for children ages 2-1/2 to 5, including a pre-k classroom, in a fun, safe, and positive learning environment. The mixed-age, low ratio activities foster creativity, confidence, kindness, independence, with an emphasis on developing each child’s social- emotional skills.

SACRED HEART PRESCHOOL

  • 135 West Market Street, Salinas, 93901
  • 831-240-0889

Sacred Heart Preschool’s curriculum focuses on creating a comfortable transition into the educational setting for children three to five years old. We emphasize building moral values, self- esteem, problem-solving, academic readiness, and lifelong skills. We offer a safe and loving environment in which children have the opportunity to explore and learn at a pace that is in line with their social and emotional development.

SAN CARLOS

  • 450 Church Street, Monterey, 93940
  • (831) 375-1324

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) at San Carlos is a two-year kindergarten program that blends socialization and play along with structured activities. The program is ideal for children who need more academic challenges than offered in a typical preschool setting but are not yet ready for a full-day Kindergarten.  The TK program affords young learners a head start and provides them with opportunities to thrive in an environment that is tailored to meet students’ academic, social, and spiritual needs.

SANTA CATALINA LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL

  • 1500 Mark Thomas Drive,
  • Monterey, 93940, 831-655-9337

Santa Catalina offers a PreKindergarten program that is balanced and child-centered. The program offers children opportunities for free exploration, as well as plenty of exposure to guided instruction and learning. For children in Santa Catalina’s PreKindergarten class, school is a place where learning and fun go hand in hand.

SERENDIPITY PRESCHOOL

  • 1231 Seventh Street, Monterey, 93940
  • 831-375-9743

Serendipity Preschool was established in 1981 by a mother and daughter team who had a dream to educate and prepare young children in an environment rich in art, music, science and history. Serendipity offers a high quality program with age appropriate activities that develop good reading and math readiness skills and thematic units rich in music, art, science and history. Serendipity offers a stimulating learning environment that provides materials, experiences, guidance and encouragement that help children to become curious explorers of their world.

SHORELINE PRESCHOOL

  • 2500 Garden Road, Monterey
  • 831-641-0209
  • 22732 Portola Drive, Salinas
  • 831-484-5005

Shoreline Preschool is committed to giving your child a positive and successful first school experience. In keeping with a dedication to an excellent early learning experience, staff provide a high level of personal attention to each child by keeping class sizes and class ratios lower than mandated by state licensing. The programs provide a nurturing environment that develops the unique potential of each child by fostering social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth with an emphasis on Christian beliefs and values.

STEVENSON SCHOOL

  • 24800 Dolores Street, Carmel, 93921
  • 831-574-4604

In the Pre-Kindergarten (PK) classroom a trusting and caring relationship is developed between teacher and child by providing a safe, loving, and happy place to join the school community. The goal is to foster critical inquiry and discovery along with self- confidence and self-awareness. The child-centric program promotes a learning environment that encourages individuals to cultivate human connection and meet developmental and academic milestones. The curriculum prioritizes process over product, and play is valued as an important part of that process.

WELLSPRING PRESCHOOL

  • 141 14th St. Pacific Grove, CA 93950
  • 831-373-4705

At Wellspring, experienced educators set up playful inquiry for the mixed age classes taking inspiration from Reggio Emilia schools. Staff helps your potty trained children between the ages of 2.5 and 5 years old see the connections between ourselves, the community, and the world God created. The low student to teacher ratio ensures that every child gets the time they need to thrive. In the Wellspring community, play is key and learning is joyful.

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