Whether you’re hosting a get together or just want to keep everyone in your household entertained, it’s the best time of year to take the fun outdoors. Check out these five ideas for backyard fun for people of all ages:

Pools are great for play, exercise and therapy. However, it is critical that while enjoying ourselves, we take appropriate safety precautions.

Tornados, floods, hurricanes and more - severe weather is increasing around the world. Are you ready if a threatening storm hits your home?

The summer months are often accompanied by rough weather that can do a number on a roof if it’s not designed to withstand the elements. Experts say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The long-awaited Brood X cicadas have been emerging all over Fairfax County Public Schools’ grounds in the last few days, as they wake from their 17-year slumber.

Playing in or around water is one of the joys of summer, but this treasured seasonal pastime comes with some serious risks. Drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of 14 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For many Americans, a run to the grocery store is a simple task. You quickly grab items off the shelf with the next week of meals in mind. By the time you get up to the checkout counter, your cart is full of essentials and you swipe your card without a second thought. But for many others, pu…

Summer is almost here! But with the sunny days and warm weather comes another concern for parents in an already challenging year: How their school-age children will be spending their summer days.

Gardening enthusiasm is surging thanks to our increased time at home - whether on a small-space patio or in a larger backyard. In fact, people spent 42% more time gardening in 2020 than the year before, according to Axiom Marketing’s 2021 Gardening Insight Survey, and it is estimated the pan…

Acknowledge your accomplishment

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the uncertainty and worry college students annually feel about focusing on the right career and finding their dream job. The job market for young people is down, many schools have switched to remote learning, and many school resources aren’t available.

Like all previous holiday parties at school this past year, the tradition of passing out cards and candy for Valentine’s Day will look different for kids. Although some schools will still allow the passing out of Valentine’s Day cards and treats, all will be practicing social distance protocols. 

Due to the pandemic, everyone’s lives have been turned upside down. This is especially true for families coping with altered routines at school, learning from home or both. Children are stressed about their routines, and parents are anxious, too.

It’s no surprise that as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the amount of time kids spend on a screen remains high according to a recent study by SuperAwesome. When the pandemic lockdowns began in March 2020, SuperAwesome found that screen time was up 50%. Nearly a year later, screen time is s…

Working from home is the new normal for millions of Americans, and many companies are planning to make the move permanent even if vaccines bring an end to the pandemic.

COVID-19 restrictions mean the holiday season will be different this year, but that doesn’t mean you have to become a Grinch. Although extensive travel, large group gatherings and many traditional activities can’t happen, you can find imaginative ways to be just as joyful with a dash of crea…

It’s that time of year again - when gift-givers everywhere struggle to get presents wrapped and shipped ahead of the holidays. If you are one of the many who need tips, inspiration or a little nudge, why not turn to the experts for great ideas this year?

Uncertainty continues into the holiday season, with limited travel, canceled events and strict budgets changing how Americans will celebrate this year.

Are you ready for the holidays? Searching for the perfect gifts for friends and family can be fun and exciting, but it can also be stressful. Especially when money is tight, it’s a challenge to shop for just the right gifts for your loved ones and BFFs. But with a bit of planning, holiday sh…

The idea of writing a hand-written letter might be foreign to kids these days, but there are still many skills children can learn from writing letters to their friends, family and loved ones. Writing a hand-written letter can help kids confirm the importance of a relationship, speak to older…

This year has been tough for many. Despite the challenges, acts of compassion and generosity can bring together the global community. With this holiday season different than those before, it is important to remember the world’s shared humanity and help make the season brighter.  

2020 has been a year of change, reflection and resilience. But most of all, 2020 has been a year of seeking new ways to connect - with your family and loved ones, or with others in your community who need support.

Shopping for holiday gifts for kids? Looking for activities that don’t involve a screen? Consider toys and activities that will inspire them this holiday season and beyond. Here are four great gift ideas that will encourage kids to be creative and use their imaginations:

Explore some of the favorite (relatively) recently published books recommended by the collections staff at Fairfax County Public Library.

Whether for enjoyment or learning, reading regularly has a significant number of benefits. From mental stimulation to stress reduction to vocabulary expansion to memory improvement, reading is a great way to entertain yourself while you are cooped up inside during the winter months. Here are…

COVID-19 restrictions mean the 2020 holiday season will be different this year, but that doesn’t mean you have to become a Grinch. Although extensive travel, large group gatherings and many traditional activities can’t happen, you can find imaginative ways to be just as joyful with a dash of…

Traditionally, the holiday season is a time to gather with family and friends to reminiscence and celebrate all that has happened throughout the year. But with an ongoing pandemic, many are left looking for new and unique ways to enjoy those time-honored traditions in a way that keeps everyo…

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an undeniable, unavoidable impact on the world - from the way you conduct business, to how you shop for groceries. It may have even shifted your idea of what is important in life.

Fairfax County Public School Superintendent Scott Braband proposed on September 15th that the nationally-ranked Thomas Jefferson High School is considering altering the admissions process with the hopes of increasing student body diversity.

As American families continue to track developments of the pandemic, many are opting for regional travel experiences this fall.

Social distancing guidelines across the country have made visiting a conventional movie theater difficult, if not impossible. However, what was once a relic of the past has now become an innovation in entertainment, the drive-in movie theater.

As Fairfax County Public Schools began classes virtually this Tuesday, teachers and county staff members spent the summer preparing services and resources for English learning students. 

If there's one thing parents know, it's children thrive on routines. When it seems like everything is changing, routines can create stability.

A free tutoring service for Northern Virginia students moved its services online as Fairfax County Public Schools turned to virtual learning in March. 

For many parents, investing in your children and their education is the best money you can spend. In the era of Covid-19 this may be truer than ever. As a financial planner, my goal is to help parents manage and reduce educational costs by making wise investment and tax-planning decisions. 

Reports of alleged child abuse and neglect began to drop significantly starting in March of this year once the spread of COVID-19 instigated a massive shut down of public spaces. 

Backyard movie nights are trending in summer 2020. Whether you want a romantic evening with your partner, a fun family activity for all ages or a memorable event with friends, backyard movie nights are a great option that can be planned again and again.