Now is the time to remember those in need! As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, food banks and other charitable organizations all over Massachusetts are now accepting donations. Please consider getting into the spirit of giving and help those who really need it. You can make a monetary donation or collect food to drop off at a food bank. Recommended donation items include cereal, oatmeal, rice, beans, low sodium soup and canned vegetables, stew, chili, pasta, low…
Autism spectrum disorder (or ASD) is diagnosed four times more often in males than in females. Some research suggests that it could be because of the way ASD is diagnosed. Specifically, the symptoms that are included in the assessment for obtaining an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis might be more applicable to the ways males behave as opposed to females. On the other hand, it could be true that males do indeed experience autism more often…
Kids love the magic of a Happy Halloween, but costume and traffic safety are essential for trick-or-treaters. These tips can help make a safe and enjoyable holiday for everyone. To help ensure adults and children have a Happy Halloween, fda.gov has compiled a list of Halloween safety tips. Before Halloween arrives, be sure to choose a costume that won’t cause safety hazards. If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes…
Lego makes a great variety of toys and buildable sets, but did you know about their realistic MRI scanner sets? Lego’s MRI scanner sets, which feature a scanner, patient bed, waiting room, staff figures, and medical instruments, were designed specifically to help children learn about the procedure through hands-on play. The miniature MRI machine table even moves back and forth, mimicking a real procedure. The toy company recently announced that more than 1 million children…
Figuring out what extracurricular activities to do or join in school isn’t easy. Everyone knows that extracurriculars look good on a college application; however, you don’t want to spread yourself thin by doing too many at once. In fact, colleges value being able to see commitment and excitement for a few activities that you are passionate about; they want to see passion and commitment to activities that you find meaningful. By joining clubs that reflect…
There are many November activities for families to enjoy in the Boston area this year. Check out our list of November activities and events happening in the Boston area. Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos Family Celebration Saturday 11/1/25 Enjoy three floors of activities for the young and young at heart including crafts, scent stations, traditional decorations, Nahuatl stories, decorating a sugar skull (extra fee), painting demonstrations, folk dances, and more. Halloween Spooktacular –…
The percentage of students with good attendance fell sharply between 2019 and 2023, while the share of chronically absent students more than doubled, offering further evidence of the pandemic’s shattering effect on the nation’s classrooms and chronic absenteeism. A new analysis of data from three states — North Carolina, Texas and Virginia — shows that prior to COVID, 17% of students were chronically absent, meaning they missed at least 10% of the school year. By…
Applying to private schools is a busy and exciting time for a family, but it can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. That’s where this timeline from Boston Parents Paper can help. Not every school follows the same timeline, but many follow similar timetables for admission. The below timeline is designed to help you in the admissions process. Many schools will not need all of the materials presented here; it depends on…
The ISEE and SSAT tests have long been application staples for private school admissions. The test scores help independent school admissions offices evaluate candidates from different schools and regions with a standard metric. COVID-19 changed many things, however, and college and private school admissions are no exception. During the time when the pandemic disrupted in-person testing for both the ISEE and SSAT, at-home testing was introduced, but some schools also decided to go test optional.…
The presence of cell phones in schools has ignited one of the most enduring debates in modern education. Educators, parents, and students often find themselves split between the benefits and the drawbacks of allowing cell phones in the classroom. Should schools ban them entirely, or can they be harnessed as powerful tools for learning? One of the strongest arguments for banning cell phones in schools is the distraction they pose. Research has shown that students…
