Education

The Be Kind People Project works to create kinder kids and safer schools

Marcia Meyer didn’t start out to create a movement, but she did. The founder of The Be Kind People Project has seen her program...

Schools teaching mindfulness cite improved memory and better behavior

The word “mindfulness” can conjure images of yogis sitting cross-legged on a rug, eyes closed, hands resting on knees, forefingers and thumbs touching. But consider...

Q&A with Arizona’s 2018 Teacher of the Year Josh Meibos

Physical education teacher Josh Meibos says it was an honor to be named Arizona’s 2018 Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Educational Foundation....

Josh Meibos of David Crockett Elementary is AZ Teacher of the Year

Josh Meibos, a kindergarten through sixth-grade physical education teacher at David Crockett Elementary School in Phoenix, was named 2018 Teacher of the Year by the...

“Tomás and the Library Lady” celebrates the power of imagination

Tomás, born to a family of migrant workers, loves the stories Papa Grande tells him nightly. Before long, he knows them all by heart....

Choosing the right early childcare environment

Some decisions are easier than others: Should I let my child go to school wearing a Batman cape? (Yes.) Should I make good on...

An open letter of gratitude to my children’s teachers

This is dedicated to the many teachers and elementary school staff who have enriched my children’s lives; you know who you are! I hope that...

Q&A: Arizona’s new English Language Arts and math standards explained

Last month, the State Board of Education adopted new English Language Arts and mathematics learning standards --- the first update in seven years. The...

Helping Hands for Single Moms offers mentoring, scholarships

For most young adults, going off to college is an exciting adventure --- a new chapter that promises to deliver new friends, unique experiences...

First-grade teacher in Osborn Elementary School District is 2017 Teacher of the Year

Michelle Doherty, a first-grade teacher at Encanto School in the Osborn Elementary School District in Phoenix, was named 2017 Teacher of the Year on Thursday...

Kindergarten redshirting: Should you hold back your preschooler?

Arizona parents with pre-K children right now are prepping them for kindergarten. For some, the process is pretty straightforward: “My child turned 5 by...

Phoenix Coding Academy draws future tech leaders

Imagine commuting three hours round-trip to high school and being grateful. That’s how Harrison Kerkhoff of Wittmann feels about Phoenix Coding Academy. Harrison, 14,  joined...

What’s after high school for children with learning differences?

About eight years ago, the staff at New Way Academy, a Phoenix private school for children with attention and learning differences, became curious about...

An unexpected joy: Home schooling a child with learning differences

When I first considered home schooling, it wasn’t because I thought it would be fun. It sounded like another obligation piled on top of...

Make an informed decision on Proposition 123

On Tuesday, May 17, Arizona voters will head to the polls to approve or reject a measure state legislators have proposed to resolve a...

Arizona Spelling Bee champ heads to national competition

R-E-C-U-M-B-E-N-T. That’s the word it took for Nicola Ferguson to win the Arizona Spelling Bee. The 13-year old Phoenix girl, a seventh grader at...

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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