Celebrating Presidents Day – A National Tradition

Many kids spend the third Monday of February sleeping in late and enjoying a day off from school. With an extended weekend in their future, it’s a perfect time to explain to your children the full—and slightly complicated—history of Presidents Day.

How to Improve Kids’ General Well-Being in 2019

Everyone knows what it’s like to go to work when we’re tired or not feeling well. The day is long, we don’t do as good a job as we usually do, and we’re sluggish and unenthusiastic. If that’s how it is for adults, think of how long and difficult the school day must be for children who aren’t feeling as well as they could be feeling.

Halloween Treats you and your Kids Can Make Together

There are several holidays that kids love. They love the parades and fireworks on the Fourth of July; they love the decorations and excitement surrounding the end-of-year holidays; they may even love all the good food and getting together with friends and family at Thanksgiving. There is, however, no holiday more kid-centric than Halloween. Oh sure, many non-kids like to get in on the Halloween action, but they are interlopers…intruders.

Don’t Miss Harvest Fest!

Our annual celebration of autumn will take place on Friday, October 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring friends and family for an evening of food, games, activities, and fun for all ages.

Ballet Folklorico Classes Return to La Paloma South

Instructor Carlos Montanez and assistant Brianna Delsid will teach dances and background from different states in Mexico. Classes will begin with learning fundamental steps from which students will develop a repertoire of steps and movements involving coordination, balance, and stamina. Students will learn to better understand dance sequences or beats to follow when applying steps or techniques.

Is Reading Important? It Could Mean a Lifetime of Success

There are hundreds of statistics to reinforce the value of developing good reading habits at an early age. While every parent has probably heard the dire warnings, the development of reading skills is so important, it bears repeating again and again. Good readers have brighter futures than poor readers, and the die is cast as early as fourth grade. Children who are not reading at a proficient level by the fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.

Important Information Regarding Tax Credits

Proposed federal tax regulations may forbid a federal tax deduction for any donations made which also qualify for state tax credits, if the credit is more than 15% of the total donated. Recent changes in federal tax laws, have increased the standard deduction allowed when filing taxes for 2018, which will also reduce the number of taxpayers who will itemize their deductions. The new standard deduction amounts for taxpayers are:

Kids and Phones: How to Know When and What to Buy

Does your child have a cell phone? The odds are the answer is “Yes.” Statistics show that 56 percent of children 8-12 have a cell phone. It’s difficult to think of a product or technology, designed for adults, that was so quickly and ubiquitously co-opted by kids. Of course, Mom and Dad have to buy the phones and pay the bills, but cell phones have become a necessity in many kids’ lives.

Transitioning From Summer to School

As a new academic year begins, students start school with new goals, opportunities, and challenges. After a few months of vacation, it may be difficult for children to get back into school mode. Here are some ways parents can help their kids transition from summer break into the school routine.