2010-05

To highlight the importance of play in children’s lives, the Children’s Center of Austin sponsored an “Under the Big Top” play day.

Kids ages 10 and younger romped with Kiwi the clown, tossed balloons, enjoyed carnival games, had their faces painted, and listened to stories.

The point was to draw attention to the fact that too many children today don’t spend enough time just being kids.

It was a fabulous run.

After besting debate teams from Texas to Singapore, the McNeil High School Debate Team reached the quarterfinals of the Bickel & Brewer/New York University International Public Policy Forum.

Then, last month, the McNeil team received an all expense-paid trip to New York City to debate the Henry Clay High School team from Lexington, Kentucky.

It was a fabulous run.

A new partnership between the Texas Education Agency and the company that produces the ACT achievement test means Texas kids now can take the test for free.

If you’re concerned about your child’s behavior but don’t have the resources to see a private psychologist, the Austin Child Guidance Center can help.

The City of Austin has honored Brykerwoods Elementary School with the 2010 Environmental Awareness Award for its work in protecting and enhancing the environment. The school joins such notables as the Zero Waste Alliance and the Austin Energy Green Building Program in receiving the award.

“We've been told that our application stood out among the nine submissions in our category for our outreach in our community,” Amy Chamberlain, former Go Green Chair of the Bryker Woods Elementary PTA, tells Parent:Wise.

It has been more than four years since our most recent move to Austin and yet, until a couple weeks ago, we had failed to introduce our children to the Hill Country’s most famous landmark.

Thirty years later, I can still recall the frozen horror that filled the kitchen that Sunday.

My son kept watch
over his godzillas
in this very closet.

He washed and dried
his pet godzilla
in our family tub.

One afternoon after a hot day at school and a sweaty ride home on scorching black leather Volvo seats, the kids ran directly into the pool with their clothes on.