Education

April means AzMERIT testing

This month, Arizona students in grades three through 12 will be tested on English language arts and math as part of a new statewide...

Opportunity closes achievement gap at Pueblo del Sol

Where others might have seen a problem, math teacher Jason Catanese saw an opportunity. Catanese works at Pueblo del Sol Elementary School in the Isaac...

Public school funding – how we pay for K-12 schools

With all the recent controversy about budget cuts to education, school funding is much on the minds of Arizona parents. But there is an...

The impact of Arizona’s education budget cuts

Last week, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a budget that cuts K-12 funding by $113 million (5 percent), university funding by $99 million (13...

ESAs: What parents of students with disabilities need to know

Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) offer parents of students with disabilities more control over their children’s education. But parents considering it should carefully assess...

Kindergarteners still learn best through play

In 1895, Friedrich Froebel, founder of the first kindergarten, wrote: “Children must master the language of things before they master the language of words.” In...

AzMERIT preparation – Trying the sample tests

In April, Arizona students in grades three through 12 will be tested on English language arts and math as part of the new AzMERIT...

How to respond to proposed education spending cuts

Frustrated at the prospect of yet more education spending cuts? You're in good company. Students, families and educators have been protesting at the Arizona State...

PEN Phoenix supports families facing learning and attention differences

As a preschooler, Colin Erfle struggled to learn the names of colors. He couldn’t memorize the ABCs. Rhyming was tough. “He couldn’t memorize our phone...

Cooking up quality in the kindergarten classroom

Kindergarten teachers are master chefs of the classroom. They know just the right ingredients to make curiosity blossom and new skills abound. So how do...

For Arizona kids with learning differences, what’s after high school?

The idea of college and postsecondary education can be very intimidating to families with children who have attention and learning differences. Parents will learn...

2015 Arizona Teacher of the Year John-David Bowman

Letting students know you care about them is key to being a successful teacher, according to John-David Bowman, the 2015 Arizona Teacher of the...

Parents are invited to comment on updated education standards

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is inviting public comment on drafts of updated standards for foreign and native languages and physical education. Drafts available...

Arizona students must pass new civics test

Is your child a sophomore in high school or younger? Beginning with the class of 2017, Arizona students will be required to pass a...

Is college worth it? ASU president weighs in

Arizona State University President Michael Crow presented his case in favor of higher education during a recent and well-attended annual "community conversation" at ASU’s...

School funding lawsuit pending against state

The Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest (ACLPI) and its executive director, Tim Hogan, plan to file a school funding lawsuit against...

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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