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“We are working from imperfect options, and we are choosing the best of those imperfect options,” said [Champlain Valley School District Elaine] Pinckney, quoting the district’s director of learning and innovation, Jeff Evans. “The perfect option is: Our kids are back in our schools full time. We need a vaccine for that, I think.”
Image: James Buck
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Your personal staycation may be no further than your own backyard. If you’re planning on a local adventure, NEFCU has options! Ask us about our loans for swimming pools, ATVs, RVs, motorcycles, boats, campers and jet skis. Call us at 866.80.LOANS or visit nefcu.com.
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In the spring, Bridget Butler of St. Albans started seeing some of the positive aspects of having her kids at home. The stress of hustling to get three kids up and on the bus by 7 a.m. every morning disappeared. The “witching hour” — that time at the end of the day when everyone is tired and cranky — also vanished. Her kids began learning at their own pace and had time to explore their personal interests. Those factors are part of the reason she's decided to homeschool her three children this fall.
Image: Matthew Thorsen
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Have a feel-good summer with the Good Citizen Challenge! a youth civics program for young people in grades K-12. Each month we’ll announce new activities focusing on history, community, government, advocacy and news literacy to keep you and your family active and engaged.
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"Castle in the Sky is a fantastical adventure film with a steampunk aesthetic that includes classic Miyazaki elements such as environmentalism, breathtaking flying scenes and strong female characters," writes Matt KillKelley. "It’s also a ton of fun to watch, with great set pieces — suspenseful action scenes featuring a unique setting and incredible stunts — scattered across the film."
Image: ©1986 STUDIO GHIBLI
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Let Seven Days be your travel guide. Introducing Staytripper, the road map to rediscovering Vermont. Every month we’ll be rounding up mini excursions, dining destinations, lodging, tours and more into a curated itinerary for you to grab and go. Why? Because you’re on vacation — let us do the work. (Image: Nathanael Asaro)
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From the granite Whales Tails to Queen Connie, a gorilla hoisting an old Volkswagen Beetle into the air, check out these spots to seek out on your next long drive.
Image: Matthew Thorsen
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The Fight for Fertility Equality
"Fertility equality activists are asking, at a minimum, for insurance companies to cover reproductive procedures like sperm retrieval, egg donation and embryo creation for all prospective parents, including gay couples who use surrogates. Ideally, activists would also like to see insurance cover embryo transfers and surrogacy fees. This would include gay men who would transfer benefits directly to their surrogate."
New York Times, 07/22/20
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Portland Dads With Leaf Blowers Join Wall of Moms to Blow Back Tear Gas From Police
"One photo posted by Twitter user Hermits United, shows the group of dads, holding leaf blowers, a sign that says, 'FATHERS AGAINST FASCISM' and wearing helmets. The group of dads refer to themselves as the 'PDX Dad Pod' according to the Twitter account."
Newsweek, 07/22/20
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How Homeschooling 'Pods' Might Just Make Education Inequality Worse
"Will Huntsbury of the Voice of San Diego — where schools aren't reopening this fall — argues 'pods are almost like a 200-year leap backward in history.' Watching prerecorded video lessons is no substitute for in-person instruction, 'but it's also obvious that creating a pod takes resources' some families just don't have."
THE WEEK, 07/20/20
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What My Kids Learned When They Weren't In School
"They learned that everything can change in an instant. They learned about viruses. They learned that when people are afraid, they lash out. They learned that, even during a global pandemic, people can be brave and kind. They learned to appreciate our library. They learned that going grocery shopping is a privilege. They learned that the world is fragile. They learned that in spite of that fragility, life goes on."
The Atlantic, 07/22/20
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Find two new columns in our pages this month. In "Vermont Visionaries," photojournalist Cat Cutillo will highlight local educators and role models helping to inspire Vermont kids. "Musical Notes" is a new column that explores the intersection of music and parenting, written by Burlington dad Benjamin Roesch.
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This week, school districts began announcing their tentative plans for the fall. Many schools will be giving families the opportunity of a hybrid model — in which students go to in-person school two days a week, and learn at home three days a week — or a fully remote model (see my article below for more details about what's happening in the Champlain Valley School District, the largest in the state). I know there are still so many questions and concerns that parents have about school reopening in the fall. What are you concerned about? I'd love to hear from you. Email me at alison@kidsvt.com.
