Christine Isaacson is one experienced educator - she's been a site supervisor, teacher, and school district behavior specialist.

But even this Vineland Preschool teacher admitted she learned more than a thing or two from family expert Steven Constantino in his two days of staff, parent, and community workshops on family-friendly schools.

Well, we made it past a gray, wet winter and spring is just around the corner. Already the weather is warming up and we are seeing signs of Spring. Now is the perfect time to stretch your child’s knowledge and experience by noticing and experiencing the weather, plant, and animal changes that take place during spring. Spring is the time for new beginnings, the start of a new season, plants beginning to re-emerge and flourish, and animals starting families. You and your family can get out of the house and lose that cooped- up feeling.

If you are currently a parent of a child under the age of 5 years, or expecting a child, you will want to hear about Birth & Beyond. Birth & Beyond is a team of child and health care professionals that help support you and your family through pregnancy until your baby is 5 years old. They have a team of specialists that provide a variety of services including child development classes, parent support groups, information on other family s e rvices, parent and children groups as well as connections with other community resources.

Rio Linda Unified School District A new Teacher Qualification Index that rates districts on the credential status and experience level of teachers shows favorable results for the Rio Linda Union School District.

The district has only .8 percent of teachers classified as "underqualified" (those who are pre-intern or on emergency permit or waiver) compared to 12.1 percent statewide, and a lower percentage of beginning teachers, 11.7 percent here compared to 12 percent statewide. This put Rio Linda teachers as the most highly qualified among all 16 districts in Sacramento County.