Erin Reasor doesn’t subscribe to the adage that children follow in their parents’ footsteps. For Erin, it was the opposite. At 53, she followed in the footsteps of her two daughters when she attended the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. “It’s rather unconventional, but it’s…

Across Richmond, students are discovering new ways to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) in the classroom and beyond. Eighteen-year-old twins Avani and Bhoomika Kaur have done science experiments with their parents for as long as they can remember. While some families enjoy game nights or movie nights,…

When searching for a childcare provider for her two daughters, Alex McPherson was drawn to BilingualKid Language Immersion School in Glen Allen because of its intimate, nurturing environment and low student-teacher ratio. She quickly realized the school’s Spanish immersion component was an added bonus. “Now that I’ve seen how amazing…

Fall is always a busy time for Virginia families, adapting to new school routines, fall sports schedules, and enjoying everything from apple picking to going to the Virginia State Fair. As you settle into fall and prepare for sweater weather ahead, it’s the perfect time to get your home ready…

I’m a total space nerd. My eyes have always looked to the skies and beyond. Needless to say, I knew Taylor Jenkins Reid’s newest and bestselling novel Atmosphere would be a read I couldn’t miss. Fans of Reid’s novels know that her protagonists are often strong, dynamic women confronting the…

Materials Small paper cup or bowl Yarn Scissors Instructions Starting from the top rim of your cup or bowl, cut down toward the base, without cutting all the way down. Repeat to create at least five sections on your cup or seven or nine sections on a bowl. You must…

Modern Battery Technology Modern battery technology has transformed our lives. From smartphones and laptops to power tools and toys, lithium-ion batteries deliver fast charging and high energy storage. Yet this convenience comes with a serious caveat: if misused or damaged, these batteries can overheat, catch fire, or even explode. For…

Each year, more than 2,000 teens are killed in motor vehicle crashes across the United States, making it the leading cause of death for young people. In Virginia alone, around 80 crashes a year involve teen drivers, and approximately one-fifth of those are linked to unlicensed or underage drivers operating…

Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo Ages 4-7 Who is Mr. S? It’s the first day of school, and the students are confused. A classroom sign reads “Welcome to Mr. S’s Class.” But where is Mr. S? There’s no teacher to be found, but there is a sandwich on the teacher’s…

My 6-year-old son River expresses joy with his whole body. He jumps to the sky when he spots “Mr. Moonlight,” leaps in the air after finding a toad at night with his flashlight, and skips through his days to the beat of his eclectic playlist. My 4-year-old daughter Lanier begins…

By the time you read this, school will be in full swing across our region, but as I write this, my baby boy just headed out the door for his first day of his senior year of high school. I typed up and printed the final “First Day of xx…

When Jontae Burton applied to Partnership for the Future (PFF) as a freshman at Henrico High School, he admitted, “I had no idea what my future would look like and knew nothing of the college admissions process.” As a first-generation college student and the eldest of three boys growing up…

Pinwheel Sandwiches Makes 24 pinwheels Ingredients 4 large sheets lavash bread or flatbread 4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, softened ¼ cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt 1 ½ tablespoons ranch seasoning mix 8 oz sliced turkey breast 8 slices cheddar cheese or American cheese 1 cup butter lettuce Optional veggies: tomato…

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” – this is a question often asked of kids during their formative years. And once students are in high school, the reality of “what’s next” looms even larger. Students have many choices for postsecondary education or training, whether they’re opting…

Back to school is quite different for me this year. Sure, each year has come with its own changes. There was the era of hunting down a precise quantity of an exact pack of a specific brand of crayon. There was the age of waiting as debate raged as to…

Picture this: You’re at your kid’s soccer game, cheering them on from the sidelines. They’re excitedly running after the ball, jumping to get that cool header just like their favorite player, and overall giving it their best effort. Meanwhile, you’re there, sitting stationary, watching from the sidelines. Sound familiar? As…

You’ve heard of the dog days of summer, right? Well, my fiancé and I took that saying quite literally over the past few months. We already live with our 12-year-old pitbull Rosie, a calm girl who’s more interested in naps and walks than anything else (except for the occasional squeaky…

Q: My kindergartener is having a really hard time with separation at drop-off and says she doesn’t want to go to school. She was so excited about starting and now our school mornings are brutal and full of tears! How can I support her in feeling more comfortable and confident…