Hear from U.S. Constitutional scholars on Constitution Dayin-person or online
By Gail Murray, League of Women Voters Diablo Valley
On Constitution Day, September 17, two eminent U.S. Constitutional scholars will discuss the challenges of maintaining effective presidential leadership while preventing abuse of power. Their conversation will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.at St. Mary’s College in Moraga in the Claeys Room of the Soda Center and will be available simultaneously on Zoom.
Speakers will be:
Vikram Amar, the Daniel J. Dykstra Distinguished Professor of Law at UC Davis Law School. Amar is one of the most eminent and frequently cited authorities in constitutional law.
Dan Farber, the Sho Sato Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Edley Center on Law & Democracy at UC Berkeley Law School. Farber is the author of Contested Ground: How to Understand the Limits on Presidential Power.
Recent public debates have renewed longstanding constitutional questions about the proper scope of executive power. The speakers will engage in a discussion about perennial questions:
How should we balance the need for effective leadership with the need to prevent abuse of power?
Have we achieved that balance?
What would the founders think about the powers of the modern presidency?
Professor Barbara McGraw, Director of the Center for Engaged Religious Pluralism and professor of Social Ethics, Law, and Public Life at Saint Mary’s College will moderate the discussion.
Professor Steve Woolpert of St. Mary’s College, an organizer of the event, is available for interviews. Contact woolpert@stmarys-ca.edu He can speak about this panel and other activities around the 250th anniversary of the U.S. and the Declaration of Independence.
The Contra Costa County Library will provide closed captioning for this event, and the Library and the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley (LWVDV) are underwriting simultaneous Spanish translation. This program will be recorded and uploaded to the Library and LWVDV YouTube channels after the event.
For more information, contact Diane Bianchi of the LWVDV at programs@lwvdv.org
Sponsors of the event are St. Mary’s College, The Disney Forum, the League of Women Voters Diablo Valley, the League of Women Voters West Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa County Library and CCTV.
Antioch Superintendent Dr. Darnise Williams is on paid administrative leave, and Jose Banda has been appointed Interim Superintendent in her place. Photos: AUSD (left) and LinkedIn (right)
Following four meetings on her performance evaluation
Interim Superintendent appointed, starts Monday
By Allen D. Payton
During another special meeting of the Antioch School Board on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, on a split vote, the trustees placed Superintendent Dr. Darnise R. Williams on paid administrative leave after less than 14 months in the job. Following a Closed Session during the fourth meeting at which they conducted the superintendent’s public employee performance evaluation, Board President Dr. Jag Lathan reported, “The Board took action in Closed Session by a vote of four yays and one no to place Superintendent Williams on administrative leave effective…August 25th, 2026 until further notice.” Lathan was the only trustee to vote against the action. Williams will continue to be paid during her leave.
Tuesday night’s meeting agenda included three items of discussion: A. Public Employee Evaluation – Superintendent; B. Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release; and C. Public Employee Appointment – Acting and/or Interim Superintendent, all under Gov. Code § 54957, which allows local agency legislative bodies to hold closed sessions for employee matters.
Lathan also reported, “The Board took action in Closed Session by a vote of three yays and two no’s, to finalize Superintendent Williams’ evaluation. Trustee Brown, Cobos-Smith and Trustee Rocha voted yes, Trustees Hernandez and Lathan voted no.”
Finally, the Board also, “took action in Closed Session by a unanimous vote…to appoint Ed Dacus as Acting Superintendent effective August 26th through August 30th, 20206 and Jose Banda as Interim Superintendent effective August 31st, 20206 through and until his services are no longer needed,” Lathan stated. His contract will be discussed at the next regular board meeting which is scheduled for Sept. 9. (See 2:12:25 mark of meeting video)
AUSD Board President Dr. Lathan reports out from Closed Session during the meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. Video screenshot
Williams was hired during the June 11, 2025 School Board meeting on a 3-1 vote with Area 5 Trustee Mary Rocha the lone dissenter and Area 4 Trustee Olga Cobos-Smith absent. This is Williams’ fourth position in five years, and she was paid $357,234 this past school year. (See related article)
The Board conducted the performance evaluation of Williams during three previous meetings. At their Special Meeting on May 27, which was not live-streamed, the report out reads, “There was no reportable action taken during closed session.” Then during the August 5 Special Board Meeting, which was also not live-streamed, the report out of Closed Session reads,“The Board took action by unanimous vote of all trustees present to assign Trustee Cobos-Smith with the duty of compiling the Board’s evaluation of the superintendent consistent with Board Policy 2140.”
Then during their Regular Meeting on August 19th, the Board again conducted the performance evaluation of the superintendent. But Lathan did not report out from Closed Session any action on the matter.
Public Comments
Before the board entered Closed Session this past Tuesday night, only one person spoke during public comments, Dr. Kimberly Payton (no relation to this reporter) of the East County NAACP said, “Put children first. Put equity first. Put their future first.”
“For far too long students in this district have suffered educational setbacks and unacceptable levels of progress,” she stated. “Now, at a critical moment, we finally have a superintendent who appears to be committed to recognizing the true value of education and to be delivering quality, equitable and inclusive educational opportunities for every child and now, she may be terminated. We must ask ourselves, why would we turn away from progress when children need it most.”
“The East County NAACP is asking you to make a choice and take a chance,” she continued. “Choose children over politics. Choose equity over excuses. Choose inclusion over exclusion. Choose progress over continued failure. Our students deserve an education that prepares them to succeed not a system that accepts persistent gaps from the normal.”
“We cannot ask another generation of African American students to wait. We cannot tell families to wait while their children fall further behind,” said Payton. “Today, I urge you to…give the students of this district opportunity, support, resources and leadership that they need to succeed. Their future cannot wait.”
“Stand with our children. Stand for equity. Stand for educational excellence, and do not support the continued failure and non-progress of African American students,” she concluded.
The Board then adjourned to Closed Session and returned an hour and 40 minutes later with their decision.
About Interim Superintendent Banda
On Wednesday, the District issued the following statement from the Board about Banda’s appointment (but did not provide it to local media):
“The Board of Trustees of the Antioch Unified School District acted by a unanimous vote of 5-0 on August 25, 2026, to appoint Jose Banda, a qualified administrator and retired superintendent, to serve as Interim Superintendent. This appointment followed the Board’s prior action by a vote of 4-1 to place Superintendent Darnise Williams on a leave of absence, effective August 25, 2026, until further notice. Mr. Banda will commence his service as Interim Superintendent on August 31, 2026. Until then, Director of Educational Services Ed Dacus will serve as Acting Superintendent.”
According to his Linkedin profile, Banda is the former Superintendent of the Sacramento City Unified School District and earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies from has Cal State University Sacramento and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership and Administration, General from Chapman University.
Suing District, Threatens to Sue Two Trustees
Rocha claims Williams is suing the district and threatened to sue her and Area 2 Trustee Dee Brown for $5 million, but would not share the details of the potential lawsuit. Rocha only said, “I was expecting the papers. But she hasn’t yet. She might now.”
Efforts to reach Brown were unsuccessful prior to publication time.
When reached for comment Cobos-Smith responded, “This is a confidential personnel matter, and I have no further comment. Mr. Banda is an experienced and retired superintendent qualified to lead the District during Dr. Williams’ leave of absence. I have no further comment.”
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
Interested in learning more about the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office? Apply for our Fall 2026 Citizen’s Academy!
This free, six-week program offers a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at the vital work of the Office of the Sheriff and its role in keeping our community safe. Topics include patrol, investigations, dispatch, and more, along with guided tours of several Sheriff’s Office facilities.
October 7 to November 18 (No class November 11)
Wednesday evenings in Martinez, 6 PM to 9 PM
Saturday session: October 24 in Clayton, 9 AM to 3 PM
Open to adults 18+ who live or work in Contra Costa County
For more information, visit our Community Services/Crime Prevention Unit webpage:
Pepper spray is legal in CA but not for minors to possess
Could face up to $1,000 fine and/or up to 3 years in prisonfor misuse, up to $2,000 fine and/or 6 months in county jail for battery
By Lt. Franco Cesar, Antioch Police Department
On August 21, 2026, at approximately 1:47 p.m., Antioch Police Department officers responded to Antioch High School following reports of multiple students exposed to pepper spray. The incident occurred in a school hallway during a passing period.
A preliminary investigation revealed the incident stemmed from an ongoing dispute between two students. During the altercation, pepper spray was deployed, inadvertently affecting several nearby students.
Officers identified seven students affected by the spray. Emergency medical personnel evaluated the victims on scene and transported three students to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment. No serious injuries were reported.
Responding officers located the juvenile responsible for deploying the pepper spray. She was issued a citation for Possession/Use of Tear Gas by a Minor and Battery, then released to her parents. Due to the suspect’s age, her identity will not be released.
Source: Antioch PD CitizenRIMS
The Antioch Police Department remains committed to campus safety and continues to work in close partnership with Antioch Unified School District administrators during school incidents.
Case No.: 26-7951
According to the Antioch Police CitizenRIMS Map, the incident occurred at 1:38 PM and is listed as a misdemeanor possession of a weapon at school K-12 626.10(A)(1) PC and 243(A) PC – battery. Incident Number:2608210130.
Pepper Spray is Legal in CA But Not for Minors to Possess
According to Zarc International, “Pepper spray in CA is Legal. Subject to certain restrictions, Section 12403.7 of the Penal Code provides ‘any person may purchase, possess or use tear gas and tear gas weapons for the projection or release of tear gas if the tear gas and tear gas weapons are used solely for self-defense purposes.’
“The definition of tear gas also includes pepper spray. The restrictions include a prohibition against selling such a unit to a minor, and a provision limiting the size to 2.5 ounces by weight.
“The misuse of tear gas in California comes with state penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and/or up to three years in prison, not to mention a possible felony conviction on record. Some examples of misuse include: using tear gas on people in anger, spraying it as a joke, possession of tear gas by prohibited persons, minors, drug addicts or persons convicted of felonies.
“To be legally purchased, possessed or used in California, any canister must have a label that says ‘WARNING: The use of this substance or device for any purpose other than self-defense is a crime under the law. The contents are dangerous–use with care.’ The maximum legal net weight for a canister is 2.5 ounces, or 70 grams of OC, CS or CN. CR is not legal for civilian use.”
Bright Starts Center, a Head Start site in south Los Angeles, provides learning opportunities via play, meals and dual language instruction. Photos credit: Betty Márquez Rosales
Top Takeaways
Current regulations aim to ensure consistency across Head Start sites regardless of geographical location or other local factors.
The proposed changes would cut over 100 pages of regulations down to about 10 pages.
Federal officials say program quality would not be jeopardized; proposal’s critics say Head Start’s standards are what make it high quality.
On a recent Thursday morning, 12 preschoolers at Bright Starts Center in south Los Angeles moved between Spanish and English as they cleaned up after painting and playing with blocks. They stretched before outdoor play and reviewed how to stay safe on the slide, at the water station and while riding bikes.
A teacher and assistant stayed with the children throughout the morning. A third adult prepared meals in the kitchen — mini banana loaf with apple, homestyle cheese pizza with mixed veggies and apple chips with a colby jack cheese stick.
The routines at Bright Starts illustrate the holistic approach toward educating children while caring for them that has defined Head Start for more than six decades. Federal rules set standards for staffing, nutrition, physical activity and services for children who are learning English, among other areas, with the goal of providing low-income children and their families with education as well as behavioral screenings, parent engagement opportunities and other support.
Now, the Trump administration seeks to dramatically reduce those federal regulations with a shorter set of rules, and give states and local programs more authority over how Head Start operates.
The proposal’s critics say it would cut down present regulations, over 100 pages long, to about 10 pages, and fundamentally change Head Start as it’s known now. The changes, if approved, would eliminate regulatory requirements governing classroom ratios, group sizes and services for children who speak languages other than English. It would also require English-only instruction.
The changes could theoretically add, according to federal officials, over 200,000 slots for children nationwide while reducing administrative costs. Federal officials say the changes would reduce administrative burdens, give programs greater flexibility and could allow Head Start to serve more children. Critics say the proposed changes could lead to lower quality and considerable variation from program to program, even within states.
Federal officials disagree. Lizbeth Casco White, director of the federal Office of Head Start, said in announcing the proposed changes that they would not “create a patchwork of standards” or compromise quality.
“Head Start would still exist, but it would not be Head Start as we know it and love it today,” said Melanee Cottrill, executive director of Head Start California.
“One-size-fits-all mandates from Washington cannot fully account for the realities facing more than 1,600 local grantees serving vastly different communities across America,” Casco White said. Her remarks echoed statements from Alex Adams, who leads the federal Administration for Children and Families that controls billions in childcare and preschool funding.
The proposed changes are subject to a 60-day public comment period. Hundreds of comments have already been submitted, and the administration must review public feedback before deciding whether to finalize the changes.
A child enrolled in Head Start at Bright Starts Center cleans his workstation after finishing a painting.
Critics say Head Start would fundamentally change
Federal officials have said that lower administrative burden and greater flexibility for local programs are, in part, why the regulatory changes must be made.
Luis Bautista, executive director of the Head Start and Early Learning Division at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, said reducing some administrative requirements could allow programs to spend more resources on children and families — but only if they do not risk quality.
“I think all of us who are in the program will welcome the opportunity to reduce any unnecessary administrative burden, especially when those changes allow us to spend more time serving children and families,” Bautista said. “But flexibility should never come at the expense of quality or safety or equitable access. And some of these proposed changes are going to actually impact all of those things.”
The L.A. County education office is the state’s largest Head Start grantee — teaching thousands of babies, toddlers and young children — and works with the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, the nonprofit that oversees the Bright Starts Center.
While federal officials say the changes would give local programs flexibility, critics question how much discretion programs would have in practice if federal funding does not increase.
Head Start programs receive federal grants, and their budgets are tied to the number of children they are funded to serve, and the requirements attached to those grants. Cottrill, of Head Start California, said that could limit how much flexibility programs actually have.
Head Start programs are currently required to meet specific staff-to-child ratios.
“When we ask for that grant, we have to justify it. We can pay that many teachers because we’re required to. While the Office of Head Start is saying ‘you’ll have flexibility,’ they still have the ultimate say on those grants,” she said.
Cottrill said she fears that if the federal office requests local programs to serve more children without increased funding, the proposed changes could lead to reduced staffing or services to accommodate the additional enrollment.
“How do you do that? Well, you hire people who are less qualified. You give them more children. You cut services like toothbrushing and monitors on buses and all those wraparound things that make Head Start such a unique program that really creates positive results for those kids,” said Cottrill.
The Office of Head Start did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Casco White of the federal Office of Head Start has said federal regulations are not what solely drive early education services like Head Start.
“Federal regulations establish minimum requirements. They do not define the ceiling of excellence,” she said in announcing the proposed regulatory changes.
The proposed changes come after months of uncertainty for Head Start, including a federal budget proposal that called for eliminating funding altogether. After opposition from Head Start’s advocates, Congress ultimately restored funding to roughly its previous level. Some local Head Start programs temporarily shut down because furloughed federal staff were not able to process grants during last year’s historic federal shutdown.
Five 2-year-olds enrolled at Bright Starts Center in Los Angeles at the end of outdoor activity time.
The Trump administration has pursued other changes to the program as well. In May, federal officials proposed removing certain wage and benefits requirements for Head Start staff, saying the move would “restore needed flexibility and autonomy to local programs” while reducing paperwork.
Most recently, in June, right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation published a report outlining why Head Start should be deregulated “until officials end it.”
Back at Bright Starts, the children returned to their classroom after outdoor play, moving between Spanish and English as they settled into their next activity.
For now, the routines that shape their day remain in place — two adults in the classroom, time for physical activity, meals and snacks, and opportunities for children to learn English while maintaining their home language.
Whether those practices remain federal standards or are left to states and local programs to decide could depend on what happens next. If the changes are approved, legal challenges are likely, particularly in response to new requirements such as English-only instruction.
Bautista said the outcome should ultimately be measured by what happens to children in classrooms like Bright Starts.
“Will these changes improve outcomes for children?” he said. “I think we have to stay rooted in that.”
Betty Márquez Rosales is based in Los Angeles and covers juvenile justice, youth homelessness and other education topics.
Photo cutlines:
8. Bright Starts Center, a Head Start site in south Los Angeles, provides learning opportunities via play, meals and dual language instruction. Credit: Betty Márquez Rosales
9. A child enrolled in Head Start at Bright Starts Center cleans his workstation after finishing a painting.
7. Head Start programs are currently required to meet specific staff-to-child ratios.
4. Five 2-year-olds enrolled at Bright Starts Center in Los Angeles at the end of outdoor activity time.
Antioch School Board incumbent Mary Rocha will face off against newcomer Brandon Dawkins for Area 2 Trustee in the November election. Sources: Official and campaign photos.
Deadline is Wed. Aug 12 at 5:00 p.m.
By Allen D. Payton
In the elections for the two seats on the Antioch School Board, the race for Area 5 Trustee is set as of last Friday, while the filing period for Area 2 Trustee has been extended until Wednesday, Aug. 12th at 5:00 p.m. because incumbent Dr. Jag Lathan did not seek re-election.
In Trustee Area 5, incumbent Mary Rocha will face only one opponent, Brandon Dawkins, as Brandon William Lawson did not complete the filing process. As previously reported, according to his campaign Facebook page and his campaign website, Dawkins is a “Healthcare Worker, Labor and Community Organizer” and “a father of five, with four of his children attending Antioch Unified schools.” His campaign slogan is “Whole Student, Whole Community.”
In Trustee Area 2, Oakley resident Roxanne Reece so far faces no opponent. But because the incumbent didn’t file to run for re-election by last Friday’s deadline, the filing period has been extended five days until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12th.
According to Reece’s campaign Facebook page she is a “Parent, Advocate, Community Voice” and is “Committed to students, families, educators, accountability and a stronger future for Antioch schools.” A portion of Oakley is within the Antioch School District boundaries.
Registered voters who live within the light green area shown in this Antioch School District Trustee Area 2 map can run for the school board. Source: AUSD
To run, candidates must live within the Trustee Area, acquire nomination papers at and submit them to the Contra Costa Elections office, 555 Escobar Street in Martinez. Interested candidates can schedule an appointment by emailing candidate.services@vote.cccounty.us or by calling (925) 335-7800. Walk-ins are accepted, but service is subject to the availability of staff. Appointments are available on weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Filing documents and information will be provided to interested constituents at their appointment. The process takes approximately 20 minutes. For more information visit www.contracostavote.gov/elections/candidates-campaigns-measures/run-for-office.
KP LAUNCH Program Coordinator Stephanie Ponce with Summer Intern Jessica Chambers and Jessica in her scrubs at Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center. Photos: Kaiser Permanente
Including Antioch resident, an LMC student
By Elissa Harrington, Senior Media Relations & Public Relations Representative, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Stephanie Ponce, an Antioch resident and student at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, spent her summer interning at the Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center.
She applied for the eight-week paid summer internship program, earning $25.09-$29.16 per hour, after taking a college course that piqued her interest in medicine.
“This is an amazing opportunity to see if health care is for you,” said Ponce. “There are many jobs in health care that aren’t just working with patients, but also administrative roles.”
Ponce is one of more than 300 interns who participated in Kaiser Permanente’s KP LAUNCH program. The paid internship gives high school and college aged students exposure to careers in health care at Kaiser Permanente hospitals and medical offices. They learn practical skills and receive mentoring from health care professionals.
Ponce said she did administrative work and had the chance to shadow pediatric nurses. She watched one nurse help a child who was scared to get a shot. “I saw how she comforted the patient during a shot. She stayed there, talked to them, and explained what the medication was and how it was going to work.”
Jessica Chambers is a Program Coordinator for the KP LAUNCH program at the Antioch Medical Center. She helped with scheduling and coordinated with the departments on how to provide opportunities for the interns to learn and grow.
“We educated the interns on a variety of different topics,” said Chambers. “We have different people who come out and tell them a little bit about their departments or their jobs.”
Chambers said it was important to keep the interns engaged every day and provide them with opportunities to develop their skills. “We gave the interns an opportunity to see what it looks like in real life. We also had a variety of different guest speakers, because every journey is not the same,” she said.
Ponce said she has always loved helping people, and this internship confirmed she’s on the right career path: “It reinforced my love for health care and doing a people-facing job like this.”
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.
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.”
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
