Chronic absenteeism skyrocketed during the pandemic, creating major challenges for teachers and school administrators eager to bring students back to regular classroom routines. But for many schools, elevated levels of chronic absenteeism have persisted well past the reopening of school buildings, and schools across America are continuing their work to reduce the amount of missed class time and address its far-reaching consequences. Chronic absenteeism has been associated with a slew of problems, including lower reading…
Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) are conditions that are characterized by a sudden and severe onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or restrictive eating disorder in children before puberty. PANS and PANDAS are also often associated with noticeable changes in mood, behavior, and sensory and motor function in children. PANS may be triggered by various infections, immune system issues, or environmental factors. PANDAS is a subtype…
There are many January activities for families to enjoy in the Boston area this year. Check out our list of January activities and events happening in the Boston area. Wayland Winter Farmers Market Thu, January 1, 2026 – Sun, March 15, 2026 The Market takes place weekly on winter Saturdays. The market is located in the greenhouses at Russell’s. More than 100 vendors will attend over the course of our 10-week season. Paint On Stage!…
There’s no doubt that more and more kids are getting cell phones. According to a study by Common Sense Media, nearly nine in 10 teens aged 13-18 own a smartphone; and 23% of kids own a smartphone by age 8. While cell phones provide convenience, they can be a huge distraction to kids, which leaves many folks wondering: should cell phones be allowed in school? There’s a case to be made both for why phones…
While there is broad consensus among education and technology experts that students will need to be AI literate by the time they enter the workforce, when and how, exactly, students should be introduced to this tech is less prescribed. That leaves teachers with the difficult task today of determining when it is age-appropriate to introduce students to artificially intelligent technologies, and they’re largely doing it without a road map. There is no avoiding AI; whether…
Many children with ADHD have a sense that they’re somehow different from their peers, even if they don’t have a diagnosis. These children are right; they are different — and that can be both a great thing and a source of challenges. Some children have a harder time bouncing back from failures, criticism, and rejections than others. Children with rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) may start to fear that others are harboring resentment for them or…
Not feeling particularly cheery this time of year? You’re not alone. Many find that the holidays bring as much stress as they do joy. To help make the most of your festivities, Neda Gould, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and director of the Johns Hopkins Mindfulness Program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, shares some mindful tips for dealing with holiday stress. “Mindfulness is bringing your attention to the present moment with an element of…
Thousands of titles have been removed from public schools across the country this year. PEN America has documented nearly 23,000 banned books in public schools nationwide since 2021, a number never before seen in the life of any living American. This censorship is being mobilized by groups espousing conservative viewpoints and has spread to nearly every state. It predominantly targets books about race and racism or books featuring individuals of color and LGBTQ+ people and…
Are you willing to spread the holiday cheer this year? Boston Tutoring Services is happy to promote organizations who help people in need. There are plenty of fantastic organizations that give all of us the chance to donate and give back, and the holidays are always a time of year in which people need some extra help. Times have been tough for all of us this year, but if you are able to help those…
There are many December activities for families to enjoy in the Boston area this year. Check out our list of December activities and events happening in the Boston area. Copley Square Tree Lighting & Grand Reopening 2025 Monday 12/1/25 The Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and The Friends of Copley Square will welcome revelers to the annual Copley Square Tree Lighting. The celebration will feature appearances by Santa Claus and Rudolph. A Celtic Christmas by…
