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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.
Three Fairfax County public schools will benefit from a five-year $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) to expand programming in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Fort Belvoir Primary School, Fort Belvoir Elementary School, and Whi…
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.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand presented a plan to the Fairfax County School Board to begin in-person instruction in a phased plan for small groups—or cohorts—of students who are likely to experience the greatest challenges with distance learning. The …
George Mason University’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is partnering with EduTutorVA, a new education nonprofit, and seeking volunteers to help tutor local K–12 students at risk of falling behind in their classes during the coronavirus pandemic.
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.
Under waivers granted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) free breakfast and lunch program for all FCPS students is being extended through December 31, ensuring that students have access to nutritious food during the ongoing COVID-19 p…
The Fairfax County School Board has joined the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors by passing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Free Student Bus Pass Program that provides bus passes to all Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) middle and high school students to ride local buses at no cost.
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.
The Fairfax County Park Authority is introducing programs designed to support online school education and homeschooling students.
To support families who are working with their children during virtual learning, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is launching a new Parent Technology Help Desk, effective August 24. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between…
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.
RICHMOND – Governor Ralph Northam announced August 13 that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will conduct a pediatric coronavirus disease serology study in Northern Virginia.
Supporting Return to School (SRS) is a new Fairfax County program developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and this year’s virtual return to school. The program will provide full-day on-site programming for children in Kindergarten through sixth grade, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. …
Between sheltering-in-place, online learning and time away from friends, many children will need a little extra support as they head back to school this fall.
Returning to learning may bring more new experiences this fall than anyone ever imagined. Regardless of the learning environment, there are some tips and supplies that can make it easier on the whole family to restart curriculum.
Between July 29 and August 1, Pinehurst, North Carolina hosted the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship. Local youngster Matthew Schreibman won first place in his age division. Schreibman has been learning to play since he was two years old with the guidance of his father, Jeff Schreibman. The …
With the right guidance an exuberant toddler who declares "I did it all by myself" can grow into a self-sufficient preteen who can handle household tasks and everyday activities with healthy self-esteem. The key is starting early and practicing the skills.
The Fairfax County School Board has approved a number of changes to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) regulation, effective with the 2020-21 school year, including language pertaining to the student dress code; digital citizenship; new behavior codes, and leveled responses t…
Explore some of the favorite (relatively) recently published books recommended by the collections staff at Fairfax County Public Library.
The Virginia High School League (VHSL) Executive Committee met in special session July 15, for the purpose of discussing the fall sports season. The Executive Committee unanimously voted to meet July 27, to vote on the three recommended models presented at the meeting for reopening sports an…
As we look forward to a virtual or in person new school year, students need school supplies to be prepared to learn. Once again, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and the Foundation for FCPS are leading the Collect for Kids effort, a consortium of not-for-profit, for-profit, and governmen…
At their July 9 business meeting, the Fairfax County School Board approved delaying the start of the 2020-21 school year to provide staff members additional time to plan instruction and schedules, provide professional staff development, and finalize transportation and other operational details.
Fairfax County Public Schools has extended the deadline for parents to choose how they want their children to return to school this fall for the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. Responses are due no later than Wednesday, July 15.
Tina Williams, President of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers issued the following statement in response to Betsy Devos’s criticism of the Fairfax County Public School “return to school” plan:
It is going to be hot and humid for the next several days. With that in mind, everyone needs to remember a potential danger that can impact young children. Did you know that a car’s temperature can rise over 20 degrees in ten minutes? Or that the temperature inside your car can reach 110 deg…
Join FCPS Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services Sloan Presidio, and director of the office of special education procedural support Jane Strong for an FCPS virtual Town Hall on Monday, July 6, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. View the livestream on fcps.e…
Thinking about what your kids will be doing this summer might seem like a long way off, but before we know it, school will be out and our kids will need something to do.
The 4th of July as well as summer in general means, among many things, fireworks may be filling the sky for all who wish to see them.
Family vacations are a great way to bond and take a step back from the hectic schedules that accompany everyday life, but sometimes time or money (or both) make planning an elaborate trip a non-starter.
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