EDITOR'SNOTE
Today, many schools start that first day of class before Labor Day. But first-day jitters exist for many children whether class begins in September or August. Full Story
Bay State Parent Named One of North America's Best
Bay State Parent magazine was honored as one of the best parenting publications in North America by Suburban Newspapers of America (SNA). The magazine earned third place for "Best Parenting Publication" in SNA's 2007 Advertising & Promotions Contest. Entries came from both the United States and Canada. Full Story
LETTERSTOTHEEDITOR
Dear Bay State Parent, Just a quick note to say "thank you" to everyone for the media coverage (in your Calendar of Events) of our benefit event, the 20th annual Sheepshearing Festival on Sat, April 28. The weather defied all predictions and we had our best turnout ever! A great day was had by all! Full Story
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TEARS AND FEARS
8 Dos & 5 Don'ts of Helping Your Child Cope with New Situations
I was holding my mother's hand tightly. You know the feeling; I wanted to run forward and hide behind my Mommy at the same time. We walked together across the parking lot towards Mt. Pleasant Elementary School with my brother, Scott, who was returning for his third grade year. As Mrs. Full Story
SCIENCE EDUCATION GETS A BOOST
2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the Soviet's successful launching of Sputnik, a barrier-breaking event which caused the United States to make science its top education priority. Textbooks, films, and lesson plans were churned out, and five years later President John F. Kennedy decreed "We choose to go to the moon. Full Story
BACK TO SCHOOL IN Timely Fashions
Left to right:
short sleeve polka dot sweater by Little Marc, Jeans by Seven, all
at Bloomingdales, the Mall Chestnut Full Story
Goldilocks Parents 'Do Things Just Right'
We've all heard stories of so-called helicopter parents, the moms and dads who hover over their children's lives. They write their kids' papers, then challenge teachers when they don't like the grade. These are the overly involved parents who push uninterested kids into violin lessons or lacrosse because it will look good on a college application. Full Story
Technology Makes Life Accessible
By fostering self-reliance, purpose, inclusion, and acceptance, "Assistive Technology" is often a step towards freedom for many individuals. For Caitlyn Cronin of Auburn, "It has absolutely opened up the world," said her mother Cristi Corey. "She's very motivated and wants to learn. Full Story
SHOULD TWINS BE SEPARATED IN SCHOOL?
For Janet Williams, preparing her triplets for kindergarten turned into much more than buying clothes and taking a tour of the kids' new school.
It was 2003, and the family was living in Auburn. Williams said she was stunned by the news that followed the children's kindergarten screening tests:
Full Story
Make Plans NOW for Sick Child or Snow Days
"We've had stay-at-home moms call us when they're sick so mom can get some sleep. We've had grandma call us when the grandchildren come to town and they're a little more work than expected.''
If you haven't lined up child care for the school year, it is not time to panic, at least not yet. But working moms and dads should start looking now to avoid the added stress that comes along with an already hectic time of year for families. Full Story
The BUZZ in Education
Learning to Talk the Language of Educators
If 40 is the new 30, and brown is the new black, what's new in the field of education? Trends and buzz words seem to come and go quickly these days; so it's easy to see why many parents feel out of the educational loop. Balanced Literacy? Assessment? Rubrics? Has school really changed that much from when we were kids? The answers may surprise you. Full Story
calendar of august events
All listings are accurate at press. Please call ahead to confirm events. Listings are arranged alphabetical by community. A Adult C Child Y Youth M Member NM Non-Member PP Per Person For bonus calendar listings, please visit our BLOG at http://baystateparent.blogspot.com and check out www.baystateparent.com for complete listings, under featured articles. Full Story
Free (and $1) Museum Admission
Free Wednesday Nights at the MFA. Musuem of Fine Arts, Boston. 4-9:45 p.m. www.mfa.org. 18 Target $1 Friday Nights. Boston Children's Museum. 5- 9 p.m. 617-426-8855. www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org. Free Thursday Night at ICA. Full Story
Summer Flicks
Free Friday Flicks. Hatch Shell in Boston. Storrow Drive. Fridays thru 8/31, Sunset. Rain or shine. Title Hotline: 617-787-7200. Summer Movie Camp: Free Wednesdays Movies. AMC Theatres, Boston Common, Braintree, Burlington, Framingham, Harvard Square, Chestnut Hill, Methuen, Tyngsboro. 10 a.m. Full Story
Weekly Story Hours
Editor's note: Story hours are free, unless noted. Drop-in Storytime. Acton Memorial Library, Acton. Fridays, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 978-264-9641. www.actonmemoriallibrary.org. Story Hour. Barnes & Noble, 800 Boylston St. Full Story
ICONS Festival Features Music, Dance, & Artists Celebrating Irish Culture
From storytelling to step dancing, traditional Irish music to headlining international rock and folk acts, there will be something for everyone at the 2007 ICONS Festival on Aug. 10-12 at the Irish Cultural Center of New England. Spread out over nearly 50 acres in Canton, this festival will truly offer a range of activities suitable for families. Full Story
EDITORS'PICKS
10 Picks for Family Fun
Bay State Parent magazine is sponsoring a night at the diamond in Lowell, Stuart Little performances in Worcester, Bookworm Wednesday movies across Eastern & Central Massachusetts, & the ICONS festival in Canton. Consider making plans for these events along with our other picks below. Full Story
Family Theater and Musical Performances
Playhouse Disney Live! The Mullins Center, Amherst. Tickets on sale for Oct. 26 show at 6:30 p.m. www.mullinscenter.com. Grease. The Barre Players Summer Youth Theater at the Barre Players Theater, 64 Common St., Barre. 8/16,17, 18, & 19 and 8/24, 25, & 26. $14 general admission, St. $10, C (12 and under) $7. Reservations: 978-355-2096. www.barreplayers.homestead. Full Story
ANNUAL FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Visiting the fair each year is a family tradition. Use this comprehensive list, and you won't miss your favorites. Enjoy!
July 28 - Aug. 5: Annual Newburyport Yankee Homecoming. Downtown Newburyport. Shows, tours, baby contests, concerts, bed race, beach blast, blood drive, kids' talent show and races, kids' and family days, floats/parade, fireworks. Mostly free. 978-462-7676. For daily schedule, visit: www.yankeehomecoming.com. Full Story
A Whale of a Day
On a New England Aquarium Whale Watch
If you've always wanted to go on a whale watch but just haven't booked one, consider this morsel: Whales are on a feeding frenzy off the coast of Boston this summer, so this is your big chance to get a front-row view of the buffet. Full Story
CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF Swim Lessons
Pool birthday parties. Summer camp. Trips to the beach. Sailing lessons. Chances are, your child will take part in these or other events centered around the water this summer. Can she swim? Many parents consider swimming lessons a sine qua non for their young children. Full Story
CAPE BOUNTIFUL
Farm Fun On Cape Cod
Cape Cod may be best known for its fruits of the sea, but in addition to its fishing fleet, the sandy peninsula hosts a variety of small working farms that grow fruit, vegetables, and herbs. Local farmers are happy to invite families in to see how produce is grown and even prepared into tasty treats. Full Story
RECIPES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM
Cranberry Relish from Cape Farm Supply & Cranberry Company Full Story
DAYTRIPDESTINATION
Discovering Chimpanzees: The Remarkable World of Jane Goodall at the Museum of Science
The Museum of Science, is hosting the New England premiere of Discovering Chimpanzees: The Remarkable World of Jane Goodall this summer. This inspiring exhibit draws visitors into the complex world of chimpanzees and presents an up-close look at Jane Goodall's revolutionary work with chimps in Tanzania. Dr. Full Story
MUGAR MOVIE FOCUSES ON CHIMPS, TOO
To complement the Jane Goodall Discovering Chimpanzees exhibit at the Museum of Science, the Mugar Omni Theater is presenting Jane Goodall's Wild Chimpanzees. Full Story
Circle of Friends
AUGUST CALENDAR OF ADOPTION-RELATED EVENTS
Listings are arranged alphabetically by organization. Adoption Community of New England, Inc. New Address:45 Lyman St., Westborough. Pre-register and RSVP at least 24 hours before events (including free offerings). 508-366-6812. AdoptionCommunityofNE.org. Adjustment of Internationally Adopted Children. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. $20pp NM. Full Story
AUGUST'SCHILD
Brianna is a verbal and open 9-year-old girl of white and Latina descent. Her current foster mother describes her as "social, loving, friendly, and fun." Brianna enjoys a variety of activities. She likes to swim, do arts and crafts, and go out to eat. She is an avid reader and learning games on the computer. Full Story
ADOPTIONINSIGHTS
Adoption Community of New England Says Goodbye To Its First Executive Director
This month, the Adoption Community of New England (ACONE), will take its first step forward without Joan Clark, the organization's first and only executive director, who resigned from her post in July. Full Story
What's Ahead for the Adoption Community of New England?
So, now that Joan Clark has packed up her office, there are two big questions: Who will take her place and will this new director change the organization? Full Story
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