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5 ways parents can show thanks for teachers and schools
Between Election Day, parent-teacher conferences, and field trips, it always seems like things get nutty in November. The novelty of the new year has worn off, and kids—and parents—start slowly slipping into the mid-year blues or pre-holiday anxiety. And if things are crazy for our family, I can only imagine how difficult things can be for our teachers. So November is a great time for us all to step back and extend a bit of thanks to those teachers with whom our children spend hours and … Read More...
halloween class party: 10 quickie activities for that extra 10 minutes
Planning class parties can be a real struggle, especially when you're rolling solo as the Room Parent. But for years now, I've made it my goal to share as much as was humanly possible so that no one's stuck trying to figure out what to do with 30 kids eager for a good Halloween par-tay. If you need a full-fledged Halloween class party, you can check out: Halloween class party ideas MORE Halloween class party ideas for the whole deal. But if you just need a quickie 10-minute activity … Read More...
free fire prevention resources and games
This is a post sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association and Sparky.org. It's October, which means I get to share all about the free fire prevention resources and games from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Woo-hoooo! The resources for educators and families that NFPA provides are totally amazing, and it's something that everyone, whether at home or in school, needs to know about. Here's the skinny. . . Free Fire Prevention Resources and Games First, … Read More...
Ward’s Science: grants, lessons, products and more
This week, Owen and I had an absolute blast taking a look at some of the fab science kits that were sent to us from our friends at Ward's Science. Ward's Science is seriously an educator's one-stop shop for all things science, and it has been for years and years. They've got tons and tons of products, resources, lesson plans, and support for helping students connect to science and to really make science come alive for them. And the coolest things about this company are the … Read More...
tuition insurance: not even kidding–3 reasons you NEED it
It’s crazy, all of the things we need to think about as parents, isn’t it? Healthcare, school community, family dynamics. Vaccinations, online safety, and friendships. It can be so much. So, when I come across something that is recommended to me by a reliable source or good pal, I tend to go with it. I didn’t have the bandwidth to do the legwork and research needed to find an orthodontist, so when we realized that Maddy was in dire need of some teeth-straightening, I … Read More...
online PD to fit your busy schedule
I have been writing about the importance of meaningful learning for over ten years, and whether you’re in the classroom or not, I cannot stress enough the importance of continuing to learn--no matter your age! The problem is that often, as busy parents and educators, we just cannot find the time for it. We’re running on steam as it is, so how can we add one more thing to the list, even if we know we need it? Even if our certificate needs to be renewed or if we know we need to learn more in … Read More...
5 fun back-to-school rituals for busy families
Friends. There's no denying it. Back-to-school season is in full swing, so I thought I'd take a minute to share a few fun back-to-school rituals for busy families. I Here's the skinny. . . 5 Fun Back-to-School Rituals for Busy Families Family Camp-In No matter where in the world you live, the weather's always perfect for a Family Camp-In. A Camp-In is the opposite of a Camp-Out, of course! A Camp-In takes place in your house, in a room large enough for the whole family. And though you … Read More...
the teACh team: Advancement Courses Ambassadors
Friends, many of you have messaged me asking for more information about why I keep sharing so much about Advancement Courses, and I'm thrilled to tell you that I am a part of Advancement Courses teACh Team! The teACh Team consists of three rock-star educators (and me!) who have been working with the awesome team at Advancement Courses for the past year. We connect regularly to talk about issues relevant to busy educators, and each of us can speak to the fact that the professional … Read More...
summer swim team: an absolute MUST for families
Summer swim has been a staple for our family for the last six years. Ever since Maddy joined the pre-team the summer before Kindergarten, we've spent the first seven weeks of summer camped out at the pool in the mornings and have spent our Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings at swim meets and Sunday afternoons at dive meets. We are grateful that our neighborhood pool is within walking distance from our home, and we definitely take advantage of it. But even if your family is not within … Read More...
help for you to start saving TODAY for your kids’ college education
Did you know: When you open a Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer College Investment Plan Account, you could be eligible for a $250 or $500 State contribution. I’d say that’s worth checking out, wouldn’t you? But that’s why I’m thrilled about what’s happening over here in the State of Maryland. You can seriously put your kids’ future in motion with the Save4CollegeState Contribution Program. Here’s the skinny. . . Help For You To Start Saving Today For Your Kids’ College … Read More...
