Advice from pediatric experts across Sutter Health on helping children and teens thrive this school year.

By Monique Binkley-Smith, Manager, Media Relations, Sutter Health 

The countdown to a new school year has begun. For many families, that means shopping for supplies, filling out forms and preparing for busy schedules. It’s also the perfect time to reset healthy habits.

Pediatricians across Sutter Health share 11 back-to-school tips to help children and teens stay healthy, focused and ready to learn.

1. Start adjusting sleep schedules now

One of the biggest mistakes families make is waiting until the night before school starts to reset bedtime.

“As the school year approaches, it’s time to start adjusting your sleep routine,” says Dr. Dan Brennan, Greater Central Coast Children’s Service Line medical director with Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Group in Santa Barbara. “In the weeks leading up to the start of school, start moving bedtime up by 15 minutes a night until you get to the expected school-year bedtime.”

2. Know how much sleep children really need

Adequate sleep helps regulate metabolism, maintain a healthy weight, promote positive mood and behavior, and support memory retention and mental alertness needed for academic success, says Dr. Jessica Tsai, with Sutter East Bay Medical Group in Antioch.

Dr. Rakhi Mehrotra, with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group in Livermore, also recommends helping kids and teens stay on track by keeping the same bedtime and wake-up time every day, including weekends.

Drs. Tsai and Mehrotra recommend the following hours of sleep by age:

• Preschoolers: 10-13 hours daily, including naps

• Children age 6-12: 9-12 hours nightly

• Teens: 8-10 hours nightly

3. Fuel kids for learning and growth

Healthy eating habits help children get the nutrients they need for energy, growth, focus and overall well-being, according to Dr. Mehrotra.

She recommends:

• Starting the day with breakfast

• Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and dairy each day

• Choosing colorful fruits and vegetables throughout the week

• Filling half the plate with fruits and vegetables, one-quarter with whole grains and one-quarter with healthy protein

• Choosing healthy snacks such as fruit, yogurt, nuts, vegetables and whole-grain options

4. Make water the beverage of choice

Hydration becomes especially important as children spend more time outdoors and return to sports.

“With kids outside more, we want to encourage families to provide as much hydration as possible, water being our first choice,” explains Dr. Brennan.

Sugary and caffeinated beverages should be avoided. Caffeinated beverages work against hydration and generally lead to more dehydration, he notes.

5. Encourage kids to get moving

Physical activity supports both physical and mental health.

“Whether it’s organized sports, riding bikes, walking the dog or playing at the park, daily physical activity supports both physical and mental health,” says Dr. David Tejeda, with Sutter West Bay Medical Group in San Francisco.

For children interested in organized athletics, Dr. Brennan suggests recreational sports leagues and individual activities such as swimming, running, biking, gymnastics, and rock climbing.

6. Avoid specializing in one sport too soon

Playing the same sport year-round may sound like a path to success, but pediatricians often see the downside.

“I discourage my pediatric patients from specializing in one sport too early,” emphasizes Dr. Brennan. “High-level athletes benefit from cross training that comes with playing a variety of sports.”

He notes that children who play one sport year-round can develop chronic overuse injuries.

7. Prepare young athletes before the season begins

As children return to practices, tryouts and games, Dr. Anita Juvvadi, with Sutter West Bay Medical Group in San Francisco, encourages families to focus on the basics:

• Increase activity gradually before organized practices begin

• Stay hydrated throughout the day

• Prioritize consistent sleep

• Eat enough to support increased activity

“The body needs time to acclimate to new movement and sustained activity,” she says.

8. Warm up the right way

Before sports and physical activity, Dr. Liang Xue, with Sutter East Bay Medical Group in Brentwood, recommends active, dynamic warm-ups rather than static stretching.

Dynamic warm-ups use movements such as jogging, skipping, lunges and arm circles to increase blood flow, raise body temperature and prepare muscles and joints for activity.

In contrast, holding static stretches before exercise may temporarily reduce strength and power. Saving static stretching for after activity, when muscles are warm, can help improve flexibility and support recovery.

9. Protect growing bodies and brains

Protective gear matters, according to Dr. Brennan.

“A helmet when riding a bike, skateboard, or scooter can protect that precious brain, and don’t forget to buckle the helmet,” he advises.

He also cautions parents about e-bikes and electric scooters, which account for a growing number of serious injuries, emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

“When possible, skip the electric version and stick to good old-fashioned pedaling,” he says.

10. Know the signs of concussion

As children return to school sports, parents should familiarize themselves with concussion symptoms.

Dr. Angela Lumba-Brown, a pediatric emergency medicine physician with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group in Palo Alto, reminds parents to watch for:

• Worsening headaches

• Repeated vomiting

• Balance problems

• Seizures

• Neck pain

• Unusual behavior

“If a concussion is suspected, children should be removed from play and evaluated before returning to sports,” she says.

11. Don’t forget vaccines and sun protection

The start of the school year is an ideal time to review routine immunizations.

“Vaccines save lives and keep children healthy by building immunity to many serious viral and bacterial infections,” advises Dr. Brennan.

He stresses the importance of families staying up to date on routine vaccinations and annual flu vaccines.

For outdoor activities, Dr. Yvonne Nicole Lee, with Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group in Santa Clara, recommends broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, hats, UV-protective clothing and sunglasses. Sunscreen should be applied 10 to 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours.

The Bottom Line

Healthy school years don’t happen by accident. Good sleep, nutritious meals, physical activity, hydration, injury prevention and routine healthcare all work together to help children learn, grow and thrive.

By Dawn Kruger, Community and Media Relations Coordinator, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department 

Martinez, CA – Love is hitting the fast lane this summer. The Contra Costa County Clerk‑Recorder’s Office is excited to announce a special Destination Wedding Event at the iconic Cobra Experience Museum in Martinez on Friday, August 7, 2026. Ride into forever at this very special location.

The Cobra Experience Museum, known for its stunning collection of Shelby American classics—offers a bold, elegant automotive backdrop for couples ready to begin their journey together. Amid beautifully restored cars and the museum’s dynamic atmosphere, couples will exchange vows in a venue that blends romance with horsepower.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, August 7, 2026
• Location: Cobra Experience Museum, Martinez, CA
• Appointments: Limited appointments available — call 925‑335‑7900 to reserve.

“Weddings mark the beginning of a lifelong adventure, and this year’s event at the Cobra Experience Museum captures that spirit perfectly,” said Kristin B. Connelly, Contra Costa County Clerk‑Recorder and Commissioner of Marriages. “Our team is excited to partner with this very special location in our county to provide an affordable, unique wedding experience.”

Whether planning an intimate elopement or a vow renewal, the Clerk‑Recorder’s staff will ensure a seamless, memorable experience for couples and up to 20 of their friends and family. Spaces are limited and filling quickly, so don’t wait to reserve your appointment.

How to Reserve

To schedule your wedding or vow renewal, contact the Contra Costa County Clerk‑Recorder’s Office at 925‑335‑7900. Staff will assist with appointment scheduling and answer any questions.

Couples must purchase a license before their ceremony appointment at the County Clerk‑Recorder’s office in Martinez.

Fees

• Public Marriage License: $95
• Confidential Marriage License: $100
• Destination Wedding Ceremony Fee: $120

“The law requires that every school campus have at least one all-gender restroom option available to students.”

By Greg Burt, Vice President, California Family Council

SACRAMENTO, CA — California is quietly moving toward mixed-sex bathrooms in K-12 public schools, and the state’s own Department of Education is leading the way.

A new law California Family Council opposed, SB 760, now requires schools to provide at least one “all-gender” restroom option on campus.

Passed in September 2023, the bill was cosponsored by then-State Senator Steve Glazer (D-Orinda). He, then-State Senator Nancy Skinner, now-State Sen. Tim Grayson and Assemblymembers Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Buffy Wicks, and Lori Wilson who represent Contra Costa County, voted for the bill.

The stated goal was to make transgender-identified students feel safer from bullying. But in the rush to accommodate those students’ feelings, lawmakers apparently gave little thought to a different safety question: what happens when boys are given access to girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms?

The State Is Already Building the Roadmap

The California Department of Education has an entire webpage dedicated to “All Access Restrooms,” describing it as a resource offering background information, planning and design resources, laws and regulations, and references for implementing “gender-inclusive” restrooms in K-12 schools.

The background information on that page acknowledges that “the designs of all-access restrooms have been trending in schools throughout the state, the country, and the world,” while noting there are currently no California design standards for these facilities. In other words, the trend is already underway, and the standards are still catching up.

The planning section of the CDE page is even more candid about the scope of what is being proposed. It describes “shifting from multi-user gendered restrooms and single-user all-gender restrooms to offering blocks of restroom facilities for all students;” meaning the goal is not just a single converted nurse’s bathroom tucked in a hallway. The ambition is to redesign entire blocks of school restroom facilities so that boys and girls share the same space.

What Would It Look Like?

The new all-gender bathroom designs typically eliminate urinals entirely, replacing them with individual private stalls accessible to everyone. The CDE’s resources page recommends an academic article published in the Education Sciences Journal titled “Expanding the Scope of Universal Design: Implications for Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation,” by Ellyn Couillard and Jeanne L. Higbee (2018), as a guide for implementation. That an academic paper on gender identity ideology is among the state’s recommended planning resources tells you something about the ideological framework driving these design decisions.

But keep in mind, SB 760 doesn’t require a complete redesign of a single-sex bathroom for it to become all-gender. 

You Already Saw It at the State Capitol

If you want to get a glimpse of what legislators have in mind when they convert a single sex bathroom into an all gender bathroom, take a look at one of the converted male bathrooms at the state capitol, used by legislative staffers, adult visitors, and elementary school children visiting on field trips. California Family Council recently took a video of the empty bathroom located to one side of the Capitol Dome.

“I’m pretty sure most parents would object to their young children sharing a bathroom while men are using the urinals,” Burt said. “Even without the adult issue, I’ve witnessed the chaos that occurs when young boys are pouring into the same bathrooms as the girls while visiting the Capitol. The girls are not happy about it.” (Watch video tour of Capitol bathroom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okTcKcP3ACQ) 

So, what should parents expect when multi-stall bathrooms are converted to all gender at their child’s school?

What the Law Actually Requires — And What It Doesn’t

It is important to be clear about what SB 760 does and does not mandate. The law requires that every school campus have at least one all-gender restroom option available to students. It could be single-stall or multi-stall. It must be supplied with menstrual products starting in 3rd grade, and it must be unlocked and easily accessible. But there are no requirements that urinals be removed or that additional privacy measures be added to stalls.

Sex-separated restrooms are still permitted, and most schools will continue to have them.

Burt explained what this means in practice for families. “How each school fulfills this new requirement is entirely up to the local school board. A conservative district might simply relabel a single-occupancy nurse’s bathroom and call it done. A progressive district could use this law as a green light to convert entire multi-stall restroom facilities to mixed-sex use. Parents need to find out right now what their district is planning,” he said.

The CDE’s planning resources make clear that the broader vision goes well beyond a single-stall accommodation in the corner of the building. It points toward a wholesale redesign of school bathroom facilities, one that treats sex-separated restrooms as a problem to be solved rather than a common-sense protection for children.

The Question Nobody in Sacramento Answered

SB 760’s supporters argued the law was needed to protect transgender-identified students from harassment, but the legislature never seriously asked the parallel question: does giving boys access to girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms create new opportunities for harassment and assault of girls?

California has seen case after case in recent years where policies designed to accommodate gender identity have created unsafe situations for female students. The discomfort of girls sharing intimate spaces with biological males is not a lesser concern. Lawmakers who refused to weigh it have not protected children. They have simply chosen which children’s safety matters.

Parents: Now Is the Time to Speak Up

Because each school board will decide how to implement SB 760 on its own campuses, parents have a real opportunity to influence what happens at their child’s school, but that window will not stay open indefinitely. Decisions about restroom redesigns and facility changes get made early in the budget and planning process, often before most parents are even aware the conversation is happening.

If you want a say in how your district handles this new requirement, call your school board member and school administrators now. Ask them directly: how does our district plan to fulfill the SB 760 all-gender restroom requirement? Will existing sex-separated restrooms be preserved? Will multi-stall facilities be converted? Every parent deserves to know the answers. 

Here is one of the committee hearings from 2023, when SB 760 was discussed, and CFC provided opposition testimony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwk7J82Prn8&t=1s

About California Family Council

California Family Council works to advance God’s design for life, family, and liberty through California’s Church, Capitol, and Culture. By advocating for policies that reinforce the sanctity of life, the strength of traditional marriages, and the essential freedoms of religion, CFC is dedicated to preserving California’s moral and social foundation.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

At the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds)

“It’s a ‘free to be me’ preschool where the students can use their imaginations.” Director Mary Halbasch

By Allen D. Payton

So Big Preschool invites the community to join them for their Open House, Thursday, July 23, 2026, from 4:30-6:30 PM and “discover what makes our school such a special place to learn and grow! Come meet our amazing teachers, tour our classrooms, explore our curriculum, drop off school supplies and get all your questions answered before the new school year begins,” says Director Mary Halbasch.

The preschool has been open since 1955 and she’s been here since 2008.

“Two doctors’ wives in Antioch started it so their children could play and learn with other children because there was no daycare or preschools in the 50’s,” she shared.

“The parents come in and participate in their children’s education if they want to,” Halbasch explained. “First-time parents don’t know what to expect. That’s why they’re here. We let them know what’s appropriate to know for each age.”

“We work with Los Medanos College students in ECE90 who need practicum hours. So, I have student teachers work with me. Each semester I have two to four,” she continued. “They work on a project approach, come in, get to know the students and then pick a topic from their child’s interest. The student teachers direct it and the parents participate.”

“We do field trips, here,” Halbasch shared.

“Since one student teacher was working on birds and the other on gardening, our next field trip was to Big Break in Oakley,” she said during the Spring Semester.

“It’s a non-profit organization. Jameelah Smith is the Board President,” Halbasch stated. “Currently we don’t have other members on the board of directors.”

During spring, she had five students and they all graduated this year.

“That covers the cost of rent from the Fairgrounds and insurance. I work for free,” Halbasch said.

The preschool can have up to 25 children as a licensed community care facility.

They’re governed, regulated and inspected by the state with surprise visits she shared.

Halbasch formerly worked in law enforcement as a patrol officer in Crescent City.

But when her daughter started preschool Mary decided that’s what she wanted to do, went and got her Early Childhood Education degree and started at Little LuLu’s in Antioch. She later started Cornerstone Christian Preschool.

When the director at So Big retired, Halbasch applied for the position and was hired.

“I like it where the children can be themselves which is what So Big is all about,” she shared. “It’s a ‘free to be me’ preschool where the students can use their imaginations.”

The classes are open 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday.

“Friday is our deep clean day. We sanitize everything and get it all cleaned up,” Halbasch added.

The cost for two days a week is $200 per month, three days is $300 and four days is $400.

“Because the tuition is low, we ask the parents to help with the maintenance, including cleaning and yard work,” she said.

“We’re considered a ‘play-based’ preschool and we have a complete Kindergarten Readiness program,” Halbasch added. “We do the American flag salute. I pray with the students.”

“I love to teach life cycles,” she continued. “In the fall we bought baby chicks and now they’re grown and we’re gathering eggs every day.”

“We love the kids, here. I try to make sure they’re safe. They ride their bikes and play outside in the enclosed playground. They have so much fun,” Halbasch concluded.

You’re Invited!

“We can’t wait to welcome new and returning families for an evening of fun, learning and excitement as we get ready for another wonderful school year,” Mary said.

So Big Preschool is located at 1201 W. 10th Street, Antioch, inside the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds).

Questions? Give them a call at (925) 489-4890. See you there!

For more information visit sobigpreschool.org.

Biological mother has history of arrests including by Antioch Police on July 12th for battery.

By Allen D. Payton

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, July 19, 2026, the CHP announced two boys from Antioch have been missing since July 13. It reads, “ENDANGERED MISSING ADVISORY – San Joaquin and Contra Costa Counties Last seen: Redwood Drive and Gentrytown Drive, Antioch. IF SEEN, CALL 9-1-1.”

The boys are 12-year-old Isaiah and 13-year-old Gianni Figueroa who are listed as victims and a 33-year-old woman named Yesenia Villasenor is listed as a suspect. But the flier does not mention her relationship to the boys or that she kidnapped them.

The post included the above flier which reads, “This EMA has been activated by the CHP ENTAC (Emergency Notification and Tactical Alert Center) on behalf of the Antioch Police Department. The CHP ENTAC was notified on July 19, 2026 at 1415 Hours (2:15 PM).”

The flier also shares that the boys were “last seen on July 13, 2026, at approximately 1800 hours, in Antioch, Contra Costa County. Isaiah and Gianni are possibly traveling in a vehicle.”

A photo, license plate and description of a vehicle is included in the flier: White 2109 Toyota Highlander with CA license plate number 8KJR109.

In response to efforts to reach Antioch Police about the matter, as of 5:43 pm, Lt. Bill Whitaker wrote, “They are safe. Post coming out shortly.”

UPDATE 1: A post later Monday on the APD Facebook page reads, “f you have seen this posted on social media or on the freeways, we wanted to update you that the children have been safely located. No further assistance is needed. Thank you.”

Whitaker was asked for additional details and if Villasenor was arrested. He responded, “No arrests.” It was a “custodial and court order issue.”

UPDATE 2: Asked if she is the boys’ mother and where they were located, Whitaker responded, “Yes, their biological mother. We won’t answer their whereabouts for the safety of all involved.”

According to localcrimenews.com, Villasenor has been arrested multiple times dating back to 2015 by various agencies including Antioch, Concord and Pleasant Hill Police, and most recently by the El Dorado Sheriff’s Department on March 1, 2026, for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. Her other arrests were for DUI alcohol with blood alcohol continent greater than .08, driving while license is suspended and for warrants or holds only.

According to Antioch Police CitizenRIMS, Villasenor was arrested on July 12th at 9:27 AM in the 5100 Block of Monitor Pass Way in Antioch for battery on a spouse/ex-spouse/date/etc. – Simple (Misdemeanor).

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, she was booked into custody on July 12th at 12:07 PM and released on July 14th at 12:12 AM.

By Antioch Police Department

Join us this Saturday, July 18th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Antioch Walmart for our annual Backpack Drive!

We are coming together to support local families in need and ensure our students in the Antioch Unified School District start the school year ready to succeed. Last year, thanks to your incredible generosity, we donated 300 backpacks, let’s beat that record this year!

Where: Walmart – 4893 Lone Tree Way, Antioch

When: Saturday, July 18th | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Thank you for supporting our community’s kids.

Monster Truck visit! Volunteers needed

By Team Jesus Outreach Ministries

ATTENTION KIDS!

Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the Team Jesus Outreach Ministries Community Backpack Giveaway!

Come out and take your picture with a REAL Monster Truck! This is an exciting opportunity for the whole family, and we can’t wait to see your smiles!

Saturday, July 18

Monster Truck Visit 10am-12pm

Backpack Giveaway-10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

11 Texas Street, Antioch

~Children must be present to receive a backpack (No Exceptions). *While Supplies Last*

Volunteer Arrival: 7:30 AM

As always, we kindly ask everyone to be respectful and patient with our guests, vendors and volunteers.

They are working incredibly hard to make this event a wonderful and successful day for every child and family in our community.

We look forward to serving you and making this a day to remember. See you there!

Thursdays in July | 8:30pm

By Antioch Recreation Department

This July, free outdoor movie nights are back! 

Start Time: Dusk (approximately between 8:30 pm and 8:45 pm)

Location: Prewett Family Park Hillside (Located next to the Antioch Water Park)

Grab your blankets and lawn chairs, and bring the entire family out to enjoy popcorn, kids’ crafts and a movie. Happening on the Prewett Family Park Hillside, next to the Antioch Water Park, movies will begin just after dusk (approximately 8:30 pm to 8:45 pm depending on sunset). Did we mention it will also be Food Truck Thursday, brought to you by FoodieCrewSF? Don’t forget to grab dinner before the movie begins! You won’t want to miss this.

**Free popcorn, refreshments, and kids’ crafts while supplies last.

**Dates and locations subject to change.