Education

Before there was “Downton Abbey”

As Arizona fans of "Downton Abbey" were awaiting Sunday's third season premiere on PBS, Valley theater goers were enjoying Saturday's opening night for Arizona Theatre Company's...

The handwriting — in cursive — is on the wall

Hope your Christmas decorations are put away because National Handwriting Day, sponsored by the Writing Instruments Manufacturers Association, is coming up on Jan. 23....

Understanding Common Core Standards

If you have a school-age child, you have likely heard the puzzling term “Common Core State Standards.” What does it mean? Why do we...

Weekly schools and education roundup

Ten Arizona graduating high school seniors receive the Baird Foundation scholarships to the University of Arizona Honors Collegeeach year. Each Arizona high school can...

We can play jury

Typically, people groan when they get a jury summons. They don’t want to rearrange their schedules to sit in jury box or in the...

French circus comes to town

When the circus comes to town, people think Barnum & Bailey with elephants, tents and trapeze artists. International School of Arizona in Scottsdale saw...

Teen drivers practice skidding, texting and avoiding hazards

Kids want to drive, and driving is dangerous. Ford Driving Skills for Life  offered free classes last week at Firebird Raceway. East Valley Institute...

New Vistas celebrates diversity…and more education news

The diverse student body at New Vistas Center for Education in Chandler will hold their “World of Learning Expo” to “highlight the unique geography,...

Finnish schools in Phoenix?

On the AZStem Network's  Facebook page there's a link to a story about Finnish schools as described in Pasi Sahlberg's Finnish Lessons: What Can...

Peoria district in the running for Race to the Top funding

The U.S. Department of Education’s Race to the Top program grants money to school districts to spur innovation and reform education. The best place...

Online teacher in close contact with students

Meg Kirby teaches second through sixth grades, but not all at once, and her students aren’t in a classroom, at least not the physical...

Counting on rote knowledge

Young children learn the ABC song, how to count to 10 and the days of the week. They build up rote information so they...

Fun art options at Mesa Arts Center

Now that the Valley is filled with freeways, it's easy to explore areas outside your own hometown. As you're looking for ways to spend...

Girls engineer project for water safety

The STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) class at Girls Leadership Academy of Arizona has developed a product designed to reduce the incidence of childhood...

Weekly schools and education roundup

The Gilbert Rotary Club  is in the process of distributing dictionaries to 2,700 third graders in Gilbert Public Schools. This is the dictionary project's...

National Park Service children’s music CD gets kids thinking about the environment

Here's a fun way to get kids thinking about the environment. “Songs for Junior Rangers,” a National Park Service CD, features 20 catchy tunes...

PARTY ARTICLES

Money Lessons from Birthday Parties

Teaching Kids the Value of Gifts & Gratitude Between the cake, balloons, and wrapping paper tornado, birthday parties are often all about fun, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to teach kids early lessons...

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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