Education

The pre-kindergarten year

You are sitting at the park with another parent, watching your 4-year-olds play together. They are only a few months apart in age, yet...

Reactions to the new AzMERIT test

In 2015, the AzMERIT (Arizona Measurement of Educational Readiness to Inform Teaching) test will replace the AIMS (Arizona’s Instrument to Measure Standards) test to...

Seton Catholic Preparatory announces Valleywide art and poetry contest

Students across the Valley can participate in an art and poetry contest sponsored by Seton Catholic Preparatory in Chandler. Prizes are gift cards ranging in...

“Missing” posters remind parents about tax credits

"Missing" posters going up all over town are reminding parents that they can earn tax credits while helping schools fund extracurricular activities. Several posters note...

What parents need to know about AzMERIT

Remember that week every spring? That week when your kids must be well rested, well nourished and can’t miss school? Standardized testing is here to...

Sanford Harmony Program – Teaching empathy and inclusion

We tell young children that if they want to grow up to lead happy and successful lives, they need a good education. But on...

Success in School: Make sure kids love learning

Throughout the Success in School series, we have covered areas in which parents can positively influence their children’s educational outcomes. In this final article,...

Success in School: Develop a flexible mindset

Thanks to the science of neuroimaging, our understanding of what is happening inside the human brain is growing exponentially. One new area of study...

Common Core works at Heritage Elementary

In Kiko Hermosillo’s fourth grade classroom at Heritage Elementary charter school in Glendale, students played a "Jeopardy"-style game to review a math exercise in...

Think your vote won’t make a difference?

Did you know that school bond elections are often decided by a very small margin of votes? In some Arizona school bond elections, as...

Success in School – Mastering math

Parents of children from preschool through sixth grade often ask how they can foster their child’s math success in school. There is no easy...

Success in School: Parent-teacher communication

Research shows that children do better in school when their parents and teachers communicate effectively. A team approach is helpful to foster children’s character...

What is The Kindergarten Project?

“All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.” This credo was penned by American author Robert Fulghum 25 years ago to pay homage...

Who will be Arizona’s next superintendent of schools?

Children are the ones who reap the consequences of policy decisions about public education in Arizona. So parents, more than anyone, deserve the chance...

Arizona’s qualifications for Superintendent of Public Instruction

In most states, the superintendent of schools is appointed by the governor or another designated official or governmental body. Only Arizona and 12 other states...

DAVID GARCIA: “Transformational” education is the goal

As a senior at Mesa High School, David Garcia made a routine visit to his guidance counselor. It was time to turn in a...

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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