Project Knapsack working with elementary students at the Molalatladi Primary School in Soweto, S. Africa. The Principal is Mama Julia Ngobeni. Amazing students and teachers. Project Knapsack delivers backpacks filled with school supplies to children in Africa and Latin America. A number of Los Angeles private school partner with Project Knapsack as part of their community service programs. April 2014.Porcha Dodson, Beyond The Brochure co-author (and former teacher at Curtis School) talks to students in Soweto, S. Africa. April 2014.Students at the Molalatladi Primary School in Sowets, S. Africa, excited about their new school supplies donated by Project Knapsack, founded by Porcha Dodson, Beyond The Brochure co-author. April 2014.At the Celebrate Mother’s Lunch to benefit Prototypes, an organization dedicated to helping women recover from drug abuse and reunite with their children. Amazing event at the Luxe Hotel on Rodeo Drive. With Matt Steiner and Rachel Sarnoff of Prototypes/Mommy Greenest.Tired, but happy team. Over Spring Break, we spent four days in Las Vegas where my son’s club team, Pacific Elite, took 2nd place in the Las Vegas Invitational Tournament!Go #23! Las Vegas Invitational Tournament
LILA Gardening Club
Lycée International De Los Angeles(LILA) (above) has a new Gardening Club on the Los Feliz campus, created by students, parents and staff. They were approved for a $2,000 grant from the Whole Kids Foundation to keep their garden project going! (LILA news release).
Many of you know how much we love school gardens at Beyond The Brochure. According to a study by Cornell University, kids get more exercise if their school has a garden (Cornell University).
I posted the articles below on Beyond The Brochure’s Facebook Page. If you didn’t see them, check your “Pages Feed” on the left column of your Facebook Page. Facebook now only shows readers a small portion of what we post. The more “likes” and comments on the Facebook page, the better!
Dealing withprivate school rejection is hard. This mom puts it all in perspective. Rejected From Preschool, A Toddler Is Fine, Her Mother Is Getting There (NYT Motherlode).
My friend Tanya Anton is an expert on all things public schools. I love this piece about what to do if your child’s school isn’t the right fit. Tanya’s advice is spot on for private school parents too. (Go Mama Guide).
Christina and her daughter at Splendid at the Grove for Design Love Fest event.
Speaking at the Mary Alice O’Connor Family Center in Burbank. Director, Jamie Patrick and Porcha Dodson with Christina Simon. A great group of parents and an amazing preschool facility!
An elegant afternoon at Oscar De La Renta. With Ashley Faucet of Move Live Style. Hosted By Elizabeth Street and Baby Buggy (proceeds benefit the charity).
The Adventures of Sophie And The City at Oscar De La Renta!
Porcha Dodson, Beyond The Brochure co-author in the classroom with school children in Soweto, S. Africa. Project Knapsack, the non-profit founded by Porcha, has delivered thousands of knapsacks filled with school supplies to African children. Christina recently joined the PK board of directors.Project Knapsack backpacks worn by school kids in Soweto S. Africa.
With my friend, Robinne Lee, co-star of the romantic comedy, “Miss Dial” at L.A. screening. Super-fun movie with Gabrielle Union and Sam Jaeger, available 3/12 on iTunes and Netflix. Robinne’s kids attend a westside private school.Porcha Dodson and Christina Simon at Project Knapsack’s backpack stuffing event at California Pizza Kitchen this morning. Project Knapsack, founded by Porcha, delivers school supplies to children in AfricaThe knapsacks filled with pencils, dictionaries, composition books and more!Christina’s daughter writing a pen pal letter to a friend in Africa at Project Knapsack event at CPK
Our friends at Launch Education Group, tutoring and test preparation, are quoted as experts in The New York Post!
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Christina Simon, Billy Bush (Co-Host, Access Hollywood) and Porcha Dodson at Faconnable, Beverly Hills for event benefitting Lollipop Theater
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I’m thrilled to be joining the board of Project Knapsack, founded by Porcha Dodson to deliver much-needed school supplies to Africa! We’re getting ready for the annual fundraiser in a few weeks…
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Click on the flyer to enlarge
Beyond The Brochure co-author Porcha Dodson's 2nd Young Doctor's program for Middle and High Schoolers
Have a great weekend! Thanks for reading the blog. – Christina
Actress/Mom Robinne Lee talks about going through private elementary school admissions process last year
Recently, Beyond The Brochure was pleased to co-host a fun event with an education theme. At about 6:00 p.m. on a Tuesday evening, many of L.A.’s most savvy, influential mom bloggers gathered at my house for an evening of socializing, networking, cocktails and a program, “Education Resources Moms Can Use.” The women in the room were some of my favorite writers and bloggers. I know many of them, but I was thrilled to meet those I didn’t know. As we sipped wine and enjoyed delicious Skinnygirl Cocktails(the Sangria is amazing!) we got ready to hear from our event sponsors: Launch Education (now ArborBridge) Project Knapsack and L.A. Private School Guide. Our special guest for the evening was the multi-talented Actress/Mom, Robinne Lee.
As moms, we all ask each other for advice and recommendations for products and services. The message for our event was simple: the event co-sponsors are all mom-tested education resources we all can use–and trust.
The evening’s special guest, Robinne Lee, actress/mom/Yale grad, lawyer and producer, told the group about her experience applying to private elementary schools last year. Her son is now in kindergarten at a top Santa Monica K-12 school. Robinne is a talented actress (who is also incredibly nice and insanely beautiful). Standing in line at a book signing for fashion blogger, The Sartorialist, he asked to photographer her. She couldn’t say no. Robinne co-stars in three films due out this year: Miss Dial, The Under Shepherd and Divorce Invitation. You can also see her in this flat-out hilarious video, Sh*T Duran Duran Fans Say. Find her on Twitter: @robinnelee or Facebook.
Christina Simon, Robinne Lee and Porcha Dodson
Yvonne Condes, co-founder of Moms LA, Matt Steiner and Christina Simon
Project Knapsack, a non-profit, founded by Porcha Dodson, Beyond The Brochure co-author, is getting ready for its ninth trip to Africa to deliver essential knapsacks filled with school supplies for African children who lack even basics like pencils. Parents and their kids are encouraged to volunteer with Project Knapsack’s pen pal program and help stuff backpacks at one of the organization’s many events. Supporters include Lisa Kudrow (Friends), Dwayne, “The Rock” Johnson, Kristen Cavalleri and Staples. My daughter has walked in two Project Knapsack charity fashion shows and stuff backpacks with other kids at California Pizza Kitchen. My son participated in the organization’s Hoop-A-Thon at with the men’s basketball team at Loyola Marymount University. Super fun!
LA Private School Guide is a booklet for families seeking private secondary schools, especially those who are moving from public to private schools. Mia Johnstone, the publisher, is a former admissions counselor. She understands the L.A. private secondary school process from the inside. And, she’s focused on schools east of the 10 freeway.
The Event Sponsors with Robinne Lee: Tim Benson (ArborBridge), Christina Simon, Porcha Dodson (Project Knapsack & Beyond The Brochure), Robinne Lee, Elise Lopez (LA Private Schools Guide), Matt Steiner and Barry Perlstein (Christina’s husband).Sarah Reisert (Salt and Nectar), Christina Simon, Jennifer Brandt (Perfectly Disheveled) and Robinne LeeCourtney Lewis (Santa Monica Macaroni Kids), Christina Simon, Missy Boyer, Matt Steiner, Susanna Morgan (Momangeles) and Lorena Costino.Linda Maltz Wolff (Carpool Goddess), Diane Mizota (Moments Of Motherhood) and Robinne LeeChristina and Sarah Maizes, author of upcoming children’s book, “On My Way To The Bath”Sarah Reisert (Salt and Nectar), Jamie Bakal (LA School Mates) and Jennifer Brandt (Perfectly Disheveled)
A huge thank you to our amazing event sponsors and the fabulous companies who generously donated drinks and food. Guests enjoyed delicious salads from Mendocino Farms. Incredible bite-sized brownies donated by Akasha Restaurant. Mini cupcakes donated by Magnolia Bakery. And, absolutely divine s’mores fromGotta Have S’More. A special thank you to BAO Style for gift bags filled with their beautiful petite accessories bags made from vintage silk kimonos. A big thank you toScott Stewart Photography for capturing the evening.
BAO Style Accessories Bag by Carole Yu, Crossroads School momMini brownies, Akasha RestaurantSkinny Girl Cocktails!Gotta Have S’More!
