On Sunday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a phased reopening for New York City's public schools, which have been shuttered since Thursday, November 19. School buildings reopen Monday, December 7, for elementary and early childhood students; District 75 students are eligible to return to school buildings on Thursday, December 10.

In an abrupt shift, de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza announced they would be moving away from the hybrid model; students who have opted for blended learning will be moved to full, five-day, in-person schedules as soon as schools can accommodate them with adequate space and staffing. There is still no timeline for middle and high school students to return to school buildings.

It's no secret Christmas light drive-thrus are the it attraction of the 2020 holiday season. In fact, just after we published this massive list of 20 must-see holiday drive-thrus in the tri-state area, we caught wind of another destination-worthy drive-thru. Fresh off the success of its summer drive-thru safari, Six Flags Great Adventure debuts a Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru on Monday, November 30.

The theme park is already a holiday destination for its weekends-only Holiday in the Park experience, but this new holiday lights drive-thru means you can visit Monday through Thursday nights to experience some holiday magic and over-the-top festive displays. Read on for the details on this new attraction, including how to score the required reservations, and find plenty more holiday happenings in our Holiday Guide or our Event Calendar.

The New York City Public School system's latest shutdown wasn't exactly a surprise to city parents, but that doesn't mean we can't all use a little support to get through this period, however long it lasts. From FREE child care to paid programs and info on FREE meals and DOE-issued devices, here's where New York City parents can turn for help right now.

Be sure to bookmark our Homeschool and Online School Guide for parent-tested tips, tricks, helpful hacks, and more to break up the monotony of remote learning.

Think cool, fresh air against your cheeks, hot cocoa around the fire, and quality outdoor time with your kids: A trip to a Northeast ski mountain is the perfect cure for cabin fever and the winter doldrums in 2020 and 2021. Parents looking for a day trip or weekend escape will be excited to know that many nearby ski resorts are adopting capacity restrictions and social distancing plans to keep families safe while they hit the slopes. Here are some of our favorite ski areas where you can purchase lift tickets, make reservations, or even book ski or snowboard lessons now, including spots in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and even one gem in Virginia.

Read on for our family ski picks, as well as important information about interstate travel restrictions and other safety policies that may guide your choice. Be sure to check out our Snow Sports Guide for the scoop on more winter fun in the great (and safe) outdoors.

In the midst of the rising COVID cases, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza have announced New York City Public Schools will close temporarily beginning Thursday, November 19.

"We do need to close our schools for the coming days," Mayor de Blasio said at a late-afternoon press conference. "No one is happy about this decision because so much good work has been put into opening the schools to begin with and making them so safe. We set a very clear standard, and we need to stick to that standard. I want to emphasize to parents and educators, to staff and to kids, that we intend to come back. We intend to come back as quickly as possible."

The school closure is the latest development in a roller-coaster back-to-school season for New York City families, marred by delayed starts and changes to opt-in rules for blended learning.

Every Christmas season the Philadelphia area comes alive with stunning holiday lights and decorative displays. Festive light shows can be found everywhere, including farms, gardens, and even theme parks.

We've picked some of the best Christmas lights events in Philly and the suburbs for families, many professionally choreographed to Christmas music. While most of these events are FREE, some are so spectacular they are worth the price of admission.

Looking for more seasonal ideas? Our Philadelphia Holiday Guide includes details on cut-your-own tree farms, Christmas season day trips, and more.

We all have our hands full with family and work obligations, and the holidays certainly don't lighten the load. And yet, it's a time of year when we're extra-inspired to count our blessings—and teach our children to do the same. Volunteering with kids helps them learn to give back to their schools, churches, and communities. These charitable organizations invite families to help individuals in need over the holiday season while keeping social distance, from collecting warm clothing to packaging up wholesome meals to creating stockings for veterans.

Around turkey day, kids can crafty with these Fun Projects That Help Kids Give Thanks, too. And as we head deeper into winter, consider these 20 ways kids and teens can help others during coronavirus. Never has there been a better time to teach our youth the importance of spreading love and hope, near and far.

A ride on the Metro-North can whisk your family away to close-enough-to-see-in-a-day destinations minus the hassle of a car. Even better, the Metro-North offers discount packages and deals for many nearby attractions in Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Connecticut. So, grab a ticket out of town to explore these five train-friendly destinations along popular Metro-North lines.

All are less than under an hour and a half from Midtown Manhattan, and Westchester families are likely to find these little mini family day trips are made extra special with the thrill of a ride on a train.