Events for Kids During Furlough Week in San Jose

San Jose Unified School district furlough week impacts the entire community. Parents are forced to spend an additional week's worth of their paycheck for daycare (or take time off), while teachers lose a full week of pay. The decision was made on the heels of a 2009 2-day furlough, the first of its kind in the school district, implemented to save teachers from receiving pink slips last year. The week-long October 2010 furlough is in reaction to further budget cuts demanded by the state as the district lost $43 million in state funding.

"This furlough is being done to capture a cost savings to the District of approximately 5 million dollars. All employees have agreed to the furlough. It is evidence of the commitment of the District to maintaining fiscal solvency as well as strong collaboration with labor groups," according to Dr. Vincent Matthews, Superintendent of Schools.

The notices went out months ago, but there may still be parents who have yet to figure out what to do with the kids. This may be an opportune time to take the week off and spend it with your children. Taking a vacation during furlough week will allow you to beat many of the typical summer and holiday crowds. While furlough week is a strain on the budgets of parents and teachers, there are many things to do to make this challenging situation a time of family fun, and enjoyment without breaking the bank.

Things to do with your kids during San Jose furlough week-

27th Annual Sand Castle Contest at Ocean Beach
Saturday, October 2 - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: FREE
The Sandcastle Contest is Northern California's largest sandcastle building event. Every October at Ocean Beach, kids and adults from all walks of life show off their best work in sand. Ocean Beach in San Francisco is just below the cliff house.

Harvest Fair October 2 & 3 at Roaring Camp Railroad
Train to Bear Mountain departs 11 a.m., 12:30 and 2:00 p.m.
Cost: Adult $21.50 Child 15.50 train tickets/ $7.50 for Scarecrow materials
Celebrate Harvest Time and Halloween: hands-on crafts activities for adults and kids. Make your own scarecrow to take home. View contest winning scarecrows on display.

Ride the steam train to Bear Mountain. Children with a train ticket my select and take home a pumpkin from the mountaintop patch. Scarecrow materials are $7. A chuckwagon barbecue lunch of burgers, hot dots, chicken and ribs is available from noon to 3 p.m for additional cost.

Youth Science Institute in Alum Rock Park
Science Festival
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Cost: FREE (suggested donation of $5/family)
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Youth Science Institute in Alum Rock Park
16260 Penitencia Creek Road, San Jose, CA
$6.00/vehicle fee to enter Alum Rock City Park
The event will be held rain or shine

San Jose Tech Museum and Hackworth IMAX Theater
Monday, October 4
"Forces of Nature" Shows at 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Cost: $10 for ages 3 and up Museum + 1 IMAX (educational movie)
Museum hours 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Music Appreciation for Children
Tuesday, October 5
Cost: FREE
4:00 pm
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, CA
Children's Room, First Floor
(408) 808-2000
Musicians from San Jose State Orchestra play music and let children explore instruments

Family Night Tully Community Branch Library
Wednesday, October 6
Cost: FREE
880 Tully Rd., San Jose, CA
(408) 808-3030
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
A fun and educational night filled with prizes, fun programs, homework resources and more!

Finger Knitting For Teens And Kids Rose Garden Branch Library
Thursday, October 7
Cost: FREE Yarn provided
1580 Naglee Ave., , San Jose, CA, 95126
3:30 pm
(408) 808-3070
Rose Garden Branch Library, San Jose
Learn how to finger knit and make a scarf with only your fingers and some yarn!

Fleet Week 2010: Blue Angels Full Air Show Rehearsal in San Francisco
Friday, October 8, 2010 - 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Fisherman's Wharf, Embarcadero, Powell Street, San Francisco
Get a preview of the spectacular flight skills of the Blue Angels as they practice their big shows the following Saturday and Sunday. Avoid the usual crowds.
Best viewed in North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf or the Marina-just look up in the sky when you hear the jets.

Happy Hollow Park- Breakfast with Danny the Dragon
Saturday October 09, 2010
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Cost: $14.95 for Kids $19.95 for Adults (Admission includes - breakfast and entrance fee for Happy Hollow)
Join Danny the Dragon for breakfast and enjoy a day at the Park & Zoo
Happy Hollow Members: $5 discount per person
Free Parking
Space is limited - must pre-register to attend.
Register online or call 408-794-6412.

Where to take the kids during furlough week if you have to work-
Time: October 4, 2010 at 11am to October 8, 2010 at 2pm
Location: A Work of Heart
2196 Lincoln Avenue
San Jose, CA
Phone: 408.266.1005

Furlough Camp at Roosevelt
City of San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department
Roosevelt Community Center
901 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95116
*Last day to register for Furlough Camp- October 1, 2010

Sources:

http://www.sjusd.org/school/district-new/more/17551/featured-news