Schools should be places that nourish dreams, not destroy them. Yet, on April 16, 2007, the unimaginable happened once again. It was another school shooting, this time on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). The first shooting was in a dormitory, then two and a half hours later in classrooms […]
This post was submitted as part of our “You Said It” program.” Your voice, ideas, and engagement are important to help us accomplish our mission. We encourage you to share your ideas and efforts to make the world a better place by submitting a “You Said It.” The phone call came at 2:14 a.m. A mother’s […]
Dinner conversations with kids often hit a wall: “How was school today?” “Fine.” But what if you could turn that routine question into a launchpad for deeper thinking? Picture your family’s version of the following scenario. Instead of asking your kids to describe something they learned, try asking them to share one new question that […]
January 7, 2025, altered the lives of Angelenos — both human and animal — forever. While homes and buildings can be rebuilt, lives lost to the flames cannot. First responders worked tirelessly to evacuate residents and their pets, but many domestic and wild animals weren’t as fortunate. At Pasadena Humane, which has been serving the […]
Avian flu is decimating poultry farms, driving up egg prices, and spreading beyond birds to unexpected species. Since 2022, more than 148 million farm birds — including chickens and turkeys — have been euthanized to contain outbreaks, sending ripple effects through the food supply. The virus isn’t just a problem for farmers—consumers are paying the […]
A 10-year-old aspiring fashion designer who is battling cancer got the incredible opportunity to design her own dress with the help of Make-A-Wish and some Disney pros. Inspired by the iconic ball gowns in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Cinderella, Rita wished to step into the world of costume design at Disney. As part of her […]
If a friend sends you a bouquet, says Emiliana R. Simon-Thomas, the science director at the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, don’t just say “Thank you.” Instead, expand it to something like, “Thank you so much for sending me tuberoses; you know that those are my favorite. I felt so […]
For many youth athletes, the new year marks the start of a new winter sport season or early preparations for the spring season, along with the excitement, expectations and, in some cases — concerns that can accompany it. Here’s some expert advice — and a new app every parent should download — to help young athletes navigate […]
Anyone living in the Chicago area knows winter weather can be brutal — even with the right gear. But many Chicago students lack sufficient winter outerwear, and this can mean the difference between walking safely to school and staying home. To provide Chicago children with warm winter essentials, Cradles to Crayons Chicago hosted its 9th […]
In 1996, I wrote a book called Gifted Children: Myths and Realities, and ever since then parents have written to me either to say “You described my child exactly!” or to ask “How can I tell if my child is gifted?” Most parents want to think of their children as gifted. Most teachers want to […]
