Lifestyle

Parenting
Deadly “Benadryl Challenge” Warning Issued To New York Parents

A sobering new trend called the “Benadryl Challenge” is sweeping across social media, putting teenagers in harm’s way. Officials and parents in New York are sounding the alarm over the easy accessibility of this over-the-counter medication and its potential to cause life-threatening outcomes.

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 Deadly “Benadryl Challenge” Warning Issued To New York Parents
Calhoun County industries lean on steady growth, workforce pipelines heading into 2026

Calhoun County’s industrial landscape continued to expand in 2025, with leading local companies investing significantly in their facilities. Educational programs, including those at Gadsden State Community College, are preparing a skilled workforce to meet growing demand as the region moves confidently into 2026.

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 Calhoun County industries lean on steady growth, workforce pipelines heading into 2026
Test your knowledge | Black History Month trivia, Part 3

A dedicated group of Illinois community members and educators present Part 3 of a trivia series honoring Black History Month. Featuring questions created by multiple contributors, this installment continues to engage and educate readers on Black heritage.

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 Test your knowledge | Black History Month trivia, Part 3
Early Learning: Building strong foundations for lifelong success

From birth to age five, children undergo the most rapid period of brain development. This piece highlights how strong early learning programs can shape a child’s future and underscores the lasting benefits of establishing a strong foundation in the earliest years.

Child Development

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 Early Learning: Building strong foundations for lifelong success
KCA holding Kindergarten Round-Up

Keokuk Christian Academy will hold its annual Kindergarten Round-Up on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 8:30–11:15 a.m. Families with children entering kindergarten in the fall of 2026 are invited to learn about the academy’s offerings. Eligible attendees must be five years old on or before September.

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 KCA holding Kindergarten Round-Up
Valley early literacy nonprofit thanks thrift shop

Raising A Reader Aspen to Parachute extends heartfelt gratitude to a local thrift shop for its support of early literacy. This letter to the editor highlights how community generosity bolsters children’s reading programs and motivates young learners across the valley.

Child Development

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 Valley early literacy nonprofit thanks thrift shop
MLK Jr. Awardee Raj Mukherjee’s Peace Education Program

Dr. Debraj “Raj” Mukherjee, a neuro-oncosurgeon at Hopkins, has dedicated himself not only to medical excellence but also to fostering community through the Peace Education Program. Recently honored with the 2025 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Award, he continues his mission to bring hope and wellness to Baltimore and beyond.

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 MLK Jr. Awardee Raj Mukherjee’s Peace Education Program
Applications for Beltrami Electric’s Washington DC Youth Tour due Feb. 27

Beltrami Electric Cooperative is inviting high school juniors to join the 60th annual Washington, D.C., Youth Tour from June 15-20. Eligible students must apply by Feb. 27 to be considered for this educational opportunity. Participants will explore the nation’s capital while gaining insights into civic engagement and leadership.

Education Resources

A Tempe initiative aimed at helping boys of color with literacy is expanding

A city in Arizona is working to improve literacy for boys of color through a targeted program that has earned special recognition. With support from My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, Tempe is expanding its reach to offer more resources to young men in need of academic support.

Child Development

Education Resources

Secure Rural Schools federal funding secured for 3 years

A three-year lifeline for rural school districts was signed into law on Dec. 18, extending the Secure Rural Schools program once again. Local education leaders say the renewed funding will help alleviate financial challenges in remote communities.

Education Resources

Citrus County Community Centers

Citrus County’s Community Centers provide locals with a welcoming space for nutritious meals, social gatherings, and an array of enriching activities. From health screenings to dancing classes, these centers offer a valuable blend of education, wellness, and companionship.

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 Citrus County Community Centers
Test-run of outdoor classrooms in Georgia schools clears General Assembly

Georgia’s General Assembly has taken a step toward embracing the outdoors as a classroom. A new measure paves the way for students to learn amid fresh air, marking a shift in how academic experiences might soon be delivered across the state.

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 Test-run of outdoor classrooms in Georgia schools clears General Assembly
Dad Stunned By What Babysitter ‘Admits’ After Bedtime: ‘Embarrassed’

A father turned to Reddit after learning his babysitter had been listening in once his child fell asleep. The admission left him feeling embarrassed and sparked a wider discussion on trust and boundaries in child care.

Parenting Tips

 Dad Stunned By What Babysitter ‘Admits’ After Bedtime: ‘Embarrassed’
Abby: Husband wants young family to uproot for a new job

A young mother of a 7-month-old is anxious about her husband’s career ambitions, as he’s constantly on the lookout for new positions. Despite their otherwise good relationship, the possibility of uprooting the family leaves her uncertain about their future.

Parenting Tips

 Abby: Husband wants young family to uproot for a new job
Verde Valley preps for February SciTech festival

Every February, the Verde Valley SciTech Festival sparks enthusiasm for science among local children. At the heart of it all is the Science Vortex at Cottonwood Community School, where young innovators proudly don lab coats and crystal growing kits.

Child Development

Education Resources

TeachTown enCORE Wins in Primary and Secondary Education Categories within Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Best of 2025

TeachTown’s enCORE curriculum, designed for K–12 students with moderate to severe disabilities, has been recognized in the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Best of 2025. This prestigious honor highlights the program’s dedication to adaptable, standards-first learning solutions in both primary and secondary education.

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 TeachTown enCORE Wins in Primary and Secondary Education Categories within Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Best of 2025
More LPS students are getting ready for college with Advanced Placement courses

Lincoln Public Schools reported a notable increase in students taking Advanced Placement exams in 2025, mirroring the upward trend seen across Nebraska. This rise reflects growing enthusiasm around college-level coursework and the pursuit of early college credit.

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 More LPS students are getting ready for college with Advanced Placement courses
Why Some Adults Thrive After Childhood Adversity

Some individuals who endure hardship in childhood emerge stronger and more capable as adults. New findings suggest that early adversity may hasten development, including the onset of puberty, raising intriguing questions about resilience.

Child Development

 Why Some Adults Thrive After Childhood Adversity
My View: Parental discipline often went too far back in the ‘good old days’

In an era many recall with nostalgia, children were expected to be respectful toward their elders—sometimes at the expense of healthy self-esteem. While parents hoped to instill manners, their methods often taught subservience, leaving lasting psychological effects on children.

Child Development

Parenting Tips

 My View: Parental discipline often went too far back in the ‘good old days’
Lehigh University College of Education to Host Educator Job Fair and Recognition Ceremony Amid Pennsylvania Teacher Shortage

Lehigh University’s College of Education is set to host two significant events this February, providing a much-needed boost to teachers and aspiring educators. As Pennsylvania grapples with a teacher shortage, these gatherings aim to recruit new talent and celebrate the vital work of current educators.

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 Lehigh University College of Education to Host Educator Job Fair and Recognition Ceremony Amid Pennsylvania Teacher Shortage
DAV donates to Noon Kiwanis efforts

A local Disabled American Veterans chapter has donated $500 to the Albert Lea Noon Kiwanis Club’s Bringing up Goals (BUG) and book programs, bolstering key initiatives that support children in the community. This show of generosity underscores the power of local organizations working together to improve educational outcomes.

Child Development

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 DAV donates to Noon Kiwanis efforts
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