Your weekly “wait, that’s happening?” digest
Spring break is in the rearview for some of you. If you spent it googling "easy no screens ideas", you're not alone. For others, don’t lose hope, only 1 more week!
Have you ever stopped to realize that summer is only ten weeks away ?! And if spring break taught you anything, it's that unstructured kid time is ❋not it❋.
So we're working on something we've all needed forever: a free, community-powered babysitter directory. Local sitters recommended by local families and we need your help to make it great!
Know an amazing sitter? Recommend them here
Are you a sitter? Sign up to be listed
this is a safe space to share
The goal is a go to resource for local fams, especially with a potential strike on the horizon and summer right behind it. More on that below.
Now onto some stuff worth knowing this week.
UTLA Strike Update
The April 14 strike deadline is one week from Tuesday.
And it just got bigger: AALA, the union representing LAUSD's principals and assistant principals, is joining the strike. That makes this a three-union walkout: UTLA (teachers, nurses, counselors), SEIU Local 99 (bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians), and now AALA (roughly 3,000 administrators). This has never happened before in LAUSD history.
As AALA president Maria Nichols put it: "We're fighting for the same things. All the unions have a staffing shortage. All the unions have an overabundance of work. The district's priorities when it comes to investing in human capital have fallen short."
The numbers gap hasn't closed either. UTLA is asking for roughly 17% in raises over two years. The district is offering about 8% plus a one-time bonus. The LA County Federation of Labor unanimously sanctioned the strike and pledged to join picket lines.
Acting superintendent Andres Chait has acknowledged that with all three unions striking, it is "exceedingly difficult, if not nearly impossible, to maintain schools open."
If the strike happens, it would affect nearly 400,000 students and pull more than 60,000 workers off the job. No end date has been specified.
What parents should be thinking about now:
Start lining up childcare for the week of April 14 (our free babysitter directory can help)
Talk to your kids about what a strike is and why it might happen — age appropriately
Check your school's communication channels so you don't miss updates
If you work and depend on school hours, start having the conversation with your employer now
We'll keep updating as we know more.
Top Picks This Week
Moo Moo Musica at Electric Lodge | Tue 9:30am + Fri 9am | Family music class — a Venice institution for the little ones. $25/class or grab a series pass
Stroller Fitness at Club Joyful | Tue 9–10am | Full-body parent-and-me workout focused on core and pelvic-floor recovery. Babies welcome, obviously
Heal the Bay Volunteer Orientation | Thu 6:30–8pm | Meet at the aquarium under the pier in Santa Monica. Learn about volunteer programs, meet fellow ocean people. Great for families wanting to get involved
Big Feelings Weekend at Cayton Children's Museum | Fri 8am–5pm | April's theme is "Caring for Our Planet" — activities about nature, animals, and community. Included with admission. Perfect for the under-8 crowd
DadTime at Virginia Avenue Park | Sat 9–11:30am | Free. Dads + little ones (0–3), unstructured play with a StrongStart facilitator on hand. Free coffee and snacks. Every Saturday
Money & Power Literacy: Black Families Fun Day | Sat 11:30am–1pm | Burton Chace Park, Marina del Rey. $8. Family workshop exploring financial literacy, cooperation, and collective care. Part of the Savvy Saturdays series
Craft Cafe & Supply Swap at Circular Library | Sun 2:30–5:30pm | 1221 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Free. Monthly upcycling meetup — bring unwanted art supplies to swap or just bring a project to work on.
Worth the Drive
12th Annual Bob Baker Day
Sunday, April 12 | 10am–5pm | LA State Historic Park | Free (RSVP required)
If you've never been to Bob Baker Day, this is the year
The beloved marionette theater's annual festival returns with this year's theme: Recovery Through the Arts. The Hooray LA village has free all-ages art activities running all day from a wild lineup of partners like Getty Museum, Corita Art Center, Aquarium of the Pacific, Academy Museum, and more. Puppet performances throughout the day.
This is also a milestone year for the 63-year-old theater: they're heading to Coachella the same week and debuting their first brand new show in 40 years next month.
RSVP is required! Head to bobbakerday.com to grab your spot. Suggested donation of $25 but completely free if you can't swing it.
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