Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is one of our preferred charities. Lets face it, there were people…read morealready hurting before COVID hit and now that's all the more exacerbated. When it comes to food security or a lack thereof, you need a charity that literally helps put food on peoples table. They provide food for those that would otherwise have to do without. They also take fruits and vegetables (You must call ahead and set it up) along with the more typical donations. In addition you can also volunteer to help sort and setup. They have a website to help direct you. However, it is very popular and sometimes days are already filled up. As with all charities they need our help. How can you help? 1) Food donations. Every bit helps 2) Volunteer to help out 3) Cash is king. Consider a cash donation so they can pay for operations and buy essential items that they don't get donated. I mean how many cans of pumpkin filling can you make someone eat right?

I have incurable cancer. I have been through chemo and have lingering serious side effects so…read moregetting to a food pantry is hard not to mention. I don't have a car. I found Second Harvest Food Bank delivers food to the door. So I applied and they have been delivering to my door when they don't send lazy delivery drivers that leave my food outside my apartment building for everyone to get, or in the lobby or in the mail room to leave my food to rot. Even if I could go to the lobby or mail room, I can't lift my box and bring it up five floors. Not to mention, I don't get notification that the food box has even been delivered so I don't know if it's been delivered to the lobby, mail room, or left outside. I have called several times explaining I am not getting my food boxes, even though they send out another food box 5 days later, I shouldn't have to wait five extra days for food. Not to mention 7 out of 10 times I get my box it's loaded with rotten fruit and vegetables full of mold. To which by the way I am highly allergic to food mold. I have called. I have spoke to supervisors. I have spoken to several different people at Second Harvest Food Bank. They apologize. Which I appreciate, but that doesn't help me with my food. They said if you don't want to receive moldy fruit and vegetables come and pick up the box yourself. Nice I would if I could. I'm sure others with my health issues and my age would attest to the fact that we would do a lot of things if we were physically capable of doing it. So apologies fall on deaf ears because I still don't receive my food boxes when I should and like I said half the time the food is rotten full of mold. Shaking my head because I see the commercials and I see people donating to which I appreciate. I see people in their cars in line getting all this beautiful fresh fruit and vegetables not to mention holiday boxes to which I don't receive a holiday box I don't get anything to celebrate Easter, Thanksgiving no turkey, no Christmas box just beans and rice is what people who get their food delivered get along with moldy fruit and vegetables. I guess that is Second Harvest Food Bank's way of saying happy holidays. You don't get a holiday box you don't need to celebrate a holiday.

I am a member of the Saints Squad. The parent welcoming committee. I understand the importance of…read moreonline reviews, researching and looking at schools to assess whether or not it is the right fit for you and your child, so here is a more updated review. Many of the reviews that you will find online are outdated, and comments about those administrative personnel are no longer with the school. I also know that each individual family will have their own experience and perspective, but here is ours. We have one child that graduated two years ago (at Serra now) and have two more still at the school. More recently one who started kindergarten. We are the largest of the catholic elementary schools in the San Francisco Archdiocese. We like the academics and structure and I will say... it's challenging. But there's no other way to prepare these kids than to give them this structure and chance to learn boundaries and how to succeed themselves. Personally, my kids are thriving here. My two boys like that the school offers sports as early as 4th grade as a way to introduce them to baseball, basketball and track and field. They also have volleyball for the girls. Like with any school, you have to find a balance. We try not to get too looped into the politics, as all schools will have them. If you can have a small filter to block out some noise, you'll be fine. We find that we like the structure and the rigor of the academics and find that the kids are well prepared going into high school. St. Matthews feeds many kids mainly to Serra, SI, Notre Dame, or Mercy when they graduate. Then there is a mix of the public schools like Hillsdale, Aragon, Burlingame, and San Mateo. The parent community is second to none. Everyone that goes here says that it is the BEST! There are so many ways and opportunities for the parents to get involved and interact. This is what makes us different and I would agree. Many different parent committees to plan events for the school. Carnival, auction, etc. The school is closely tied with the parish. There is a school and parish committee that try to align together on events and religious education. This year, 2024, Saint Matthews Catholic School has adopted a new administrative team approach to providing leadership to the school and it has worked really well. So well that the Archdiocese is looking to this as a model for all schools based on its success so far. We don't have a set "Principal" or "Dean" in terms of title, seeing that a Leadership team that works together can leverage each other's strengths to get things accomplished in order to meet the needs of the school and students and not have to rely on one person to do a "job description" or part of it when it is not their strength. It's a team approach to success. The community here is great. The 40 volunteer hours per family is so easy to do. And that's what helps to create the community that we have. People say that Saint Matthew's Catholic school is large with over 600 students. However, my family preferred this when deciding on a school to start our oldest child. Thinking about our own experience growing up, there were two classes per grade and just didn't realize that maybe that is more the norm. My wife and I preferred that there were two classes per grade because each year they will mix up the students. We felt that this would better prepare the students socially to adapt to larger sized schools when they go on to high school. We felt it also helps them to learn how to adapt to different people and personalities, of which is a very real world life skill. So, we actually do not mind that there are two classes per grade. The lower classes also have a full time aid in the class to help with the teacher, so it is not a 1:32 ratio. One classes per grade will have our kids be stuck with the same 30 people for the entire nine years. Which can be very challenging. But for some families, that is what you are looking for, so I understand. There are many activities for the students to get involved with. Sports, Drama, Journalism, tech, Student Government, Music. They learn Spanish at an early age. And have volunteer hour opportunities. The school does integrate religion into the curriculum. There are many families and students that are not Catholic that attend this school. We are hitting the re-start button with our family as our five year old has entered kindergarten this fall. However, we do not regret going here even though with all the changes that have been going on. We were impressed with how they had handled the COVID situation and learning. They kept the students' best interest in mind in terms of continuing with their academics and making sure that they were not missing classroom instruction. The gym is by far the nicest gym for the kids! It's bright, lots of natural sunlight. The side doors roll up, so during hot evenings, can open them up and the siblings or parents can watch from the courtyard by the tree. According to my

We've been part of the St. Matthew community since our child started kindergarten last year, and we…read morecouldn't be happier. Our child continues to grow academically, socially, and spiritually in ways that have truly exceeded our expectations. What really sets this school apart is the strong sense of community. From day one, we've felt welcomed and supported--not just by the faculty and administration, but by fellow parents and the parish community as well. There's a real partnership between home and school, and parents are encouraged to take an active role in campus life. Whether it's volunteering for traffic duty, participating in fundraising events, or coaching sports, there are many opportunities to get involved--and so many parents who genuinely want to pitch in. The staff and teachers are warm, approachable, and passionate about what they do. The values-based education and emphasis on faith development have been a wonderful foundation for our child.

My kids have loved their summer and winter camps here! The teachers are highly skilled and I love…read morethe variety of media and techniques taught in the classes. My kids have gotten to do watercolors, chalk pastels, india ink, printmaking, sculpture, and more. They are able to use high-quality supplies and the class sizes are good.

This review is for their summer camp. The kids eat lunch on the curb. No attempt is made to take…read morethem to a playground or a park or even an adjoining grassy area! They can perhaps talk to the church authorities close by for use of their grounds or take them to the end of scenic way (4 minute walk) and use the grassy area there! There was no ice-breaker so the kids shy to talk to each other and there was little or interaction among the kids! Classes start at 9 am. Break is from 10-11 an and lunch is from 12-1 pm and classes end at 3 pm! I will update this review if things change!

My 10 year had the best time at Digtal Art camp this summer…read more You need to have a IPad, Apple pencil that is pressure sensitive and Procreate downloaded for camp. They learn about shading, creating 3D look, outlining and layering art. They provide snacks which she enjoyed since they had options like Oreo's and chips lol and I believe they go to the park daily which they have to walk 2 blocks to get to. The business has a shared parking lot so drop off is pretty easy but tends to be busier at pickup. On the last day the kids get to present their work and the teacher high lights what she loves about it. My only complaint is that we stood for a hour to go through all the kids work, it would be nice if half way through, the kids that are done can be excused to leave so that half the chairs would free up so the remaining parents could sit. At the end of the camp the kids get a token they can use on the class machine and a extra one for a Yelp review. I would totally do this camp again as I hear every is a different theme. Last year my friend daughter did making their own stickers.

CalColor offers amazing summer camps and weekly classes. The instructors are kind, talented, and…read moreprofessional. The themes are thoughtfully planned and every class sparks my kids' creativity. Highly recommended!

A few years ago, after trying to pack away and donate items that could no longer comfortably fit…read moreinto my apartment, I finally decided to let go of a few very well-maintained stuffed animals (less than 10 years old). It was bittersweet, but they were all packed away in a storage container in my closet, taking up space. Yet, childishly I was very heartbroken with the thought of throwing them away. I did a myriad of internet searches and was surprised that neither Goodwill nor the Salvation Army would accept gently used stuffed animals. It was then that I found Kendra and Project Night Night SF. What a wonderful idea! It was an easy process involving cleaning (washing) the items, packaging them and dropping them off. I was pleased that they were accepted and that they fit the criteria size-wize and condition wise. Plus, they would be used for gift baskets to comfort children who really need extra TLC. Sadly, I don't think that they accept used items any longer, but I'm not 100% certain. Plus, they provide you with a tax receipt if you would like to list as a deduction.

Project Night Night is my absolute FAVORITE organization. Every single person who works for PNN or…read morehas worked with them are incredibly friendly, outgoing, and knowledgeable and above all extremely committed to the cause. Anyone who has a child, or remembers their childhood knows how important having a special lovey is! We all had them, a blanket and stuffed animal, something that we just couldn't bear to part with, and still lives in that box on the closet shelf. Well, Project Night Night reaches out to those who need the comfort of their lovey the most. PNN is dedicated to promote the well being of children (and parents for that matter) who are in a transitional phase and experiencing something that the majority of us would never have to- life in a shelter. Through the distribution of "Night Night Packages" which include a blanket, a stuffie, and a book the organization is able to promote warm and fuzzy feelings in a not so ideal situation. Kendra, the executive director, is INCREDIBLE. Through a little thought and a lot of help she turned something that is an assumed given for children and created an organization that reaches out across the country bettering thousands of children's lives. Project Night Night collects donations of books, blankies, and stuffies throughout various locations in the city, so it's super easy to help out! Check out ProjectNightNight.org for more information, to get involved and to hear from those who have been touched by Project Night Night. :)

We have been a family at EDS for 14 years - all 4 of our children have attended. My kids have all…read morebeen academically prepared and socially/emotionally developed during their years here. It is important to note that we as parents, love the adult community. I enjoy attending the Day School Parent Association meetings, the family events like Fall Festival and Donut Day, and the adult gatherings like Cheers and the Spring Party. It is a community for the children and the parents.

Good school for neurotypical kids who are into sports, but not for kids who don't fit that mold…read more Small class sizes, supportive teachers, friendly community and fun events are plusses. But the curriculum is inconsistent, there's a high turnover rate, and an appearance driven culture. Lots of talk about diversity, community, SEL but mostly displayed with performative events, not curriculum or genuine fellowship. Changes in administration went from "We'll do whatever is necessary to support him" to "No, if we do that for him, we have to do it for everyone" (and everyone could benefit). With mild ASD, all our son needed was accommodations for field trips, a sensory space to take breaks and explicit SEL for all the students about teasing and bullying. With a high tuition and large administration, we thought we could expect those things, but we couldn't. Even the social connections we and our son made during six years at EDS have nearly all vanished. The school is not what it used to be.

We initially chose Odyssey because it promised a strong sense of community, solid education, and…read moresafe educational trips. Unfortunately, our experience was far from what was advertised. My son was bullied by a group of girls for half of his crucial final school year, and when he failed Algebra 2 (with a D grade), the principal--who also taught the class--blamed my son entirely. What was left out was that the principal had to frequently cover for other teachers, making his own teaching inconsistent, and the school even went without a science teacher for half a year. Worse yet, he failed to inform me when my son came forward about the bullying. The teachers at the 8th-grade level didn't step in to stop the bullying until I personally got involved, and that's unacceptable. While the trips were enjoyable, they were not as safe as we were led to believe. There were several issues that my son told me about only after the fact, and I wish I had known earlier. Overall, I can no longer recommend this school based on our experience.

Odyssey School in San Mateo has been a gem for our family. Over the years, both our sons went to…read moreschool and graduated from Odyssey (not at the same time). The impact on them? Huge. As products of public K-12 education followed by college, my wife and I always put academics as a priority. We were a bit wary of Odyssey's smaller size at the start. But, a close friend's endorsement and our interactions with the faculty convinced us to take the plunge. The outcome? Our boys got more than just book smarts; they received tailored education thanks to the smaller classrooms. Importantly, each of the boys didn't just pass through Odyssey; they flourished there. Both boys enrolled in their preferred local private high schools post-Odyssey. While we always emphasized academics, the expeditionary feats at the school--like scaling Mt. Whitney, exploring Japan, or sailing the Channel Islands-- helped make them who they are today. Big kudos to Odyssey for this experience.

Excellent preschool in the heart of Belmont. We love it here and feel like our child is getting the…read morebest preschool experience we could ever hope for. We feel so lucky to have found such a gem of a program. The teachers are SO caring and great with communication (they send daily pictures and videos and are responsive to messages), the curriculum is thoughtful, they have the best teacher to kid ratio of the preschools we looked at in the San Mateo/Belmont/San Carlos area, and we love how they do so many fun activities with the kids! Besides learning their colors & letters and going on fun field trips in the area, they focus on different subjects each week (insects, planets, emotions, vehicles, etc.). For example, during their insect section, they grew caterpillars into butterflies and got to release them in the school's garden (they have an onsite garden!) and during vehicle week, a backhoe came onsite and did a demonstration for the kids! Special guest instructors come to the class to expose the children to sports-related activities, juggling, cooking, and there is also a music teacher who does music class with the kids a couple times a month. The school throws fun events for families to enjoy with the kids, like Spring Fling (the kids were ecstatic about SF Bubble Man!). The classrooms are very clean and are attached to a play area dedicated to the preschool classrooms. The preschool rooms have dedicated restrooms within them. There is also access to a larger playground and field which is fun for kids and parents to spend time at after pickup. There is a dance school that operates in the same building complex and the preschool teachers help get students ready for dance (if they're enrolled with the dance school) and will walk the kids to the dance classes & bring them back to the preschool rooms afterwards. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided, and the school offers extended hours (730am-6pm), if needed, which is a huge plus for our family's schedule. Our child has been thriving in this preschool program and has blossomed so much since starting at BCLC.

I have to send a shout out to BCLC. I am enrolling my third child here, and they have always done…read moreand continue to do a stellar job. My kids have always loved it here. The teachers are patient, kind, and very experienced in dealing with the children. They have had the same staff for years. The director is very responsive. Their new protocols in light of Covid-19 are quite adequate and make me feel comfortable with having my child attend. They do crafts and projects, and have lots of enrichment activities for the kids. Unfortunately for safety, some of these are on hold for the moment due to Covid-19 but I'm sure they will be back when the time is appropriate. If you're looking for serious academics, perhaps this is not the place. They do story time, and they do projects with letters but they are not going to drill your child. It's preschool, I want my kids to enjoy themselves and interact with other children. They do talk about numbers, letters and phonics but they keep it fun and light, in an age appropriate manner.