New York City is examining a range of ways to reopen public schools in the fall, including staggered schedules and potentially more remote learning, according to a letter Chancellor Richard Carranza sent to school staff earlier this week. The chancellor breaks down the reopening plans into an eight-point "Fall Framework" and points out that there are still many unknowns.

While the letter does not offer a firm NYC school reopening date other than September, the city's mayor hinted that September 10 is a possibility during a Thursday press conference. Mayor Bill de Blasio referenced the date several times in responding to questions about the school reopening plan, saying, it's "impossible to say, 'Here's exactly what's going to happen on September 10, 2020,'" and "there's going to be a certain number of parents that even if school was open to all in person, they're not going to be ready necessarily on September 10 to send their child back."

Read on for the full contents of the chancellor's letter to learn more about what the new normal might look like for NYC's 1.1 million students come fall, including a combination of in-person and online instruction, split schedules, social distancing protocols, enhanced health measures, and more.

Give Father’s Day 2022 an extra special homemade touch with these DIY gifts from the kids.

Homemade Father’s Day crafts, gifts, cards, and desserts are the perfect way to show dad just how much he means. Create the perfect Father's Day card from the kids using candy, footprints, or even potatoes. Love and a little bit of frosting are all you need to whip up these desserts. So go ahead and grab the kids for some easy Father's Day crafts.

When it comes to the swim season, summer 2020 has got everyone in PA asking “Will they or won’t they?” Will Philly area pools and lakes be open for swimming or will these facilities, due to health concerns, be forced to close the beaches and pools until next year? But thankfully, as the state of Pennsylvania moves from the red to yellow phase and yellow to green, news is starting to improve for families looking to cool off this summer with a dip in the pool or a day at the beach. That doesn’t mean it’s all good news, however. So where exactly can Philly area families go right now for a swim? We’ve got the scoop so grab your swimsuits and sunscreen and read on!

For ideas on stay-at-home fun, check out our Stay-at-Home Guide or nab a spot at summer camp with our Phildaelphia Summer Camps Guide.

Connecticut is getting ready to open a slew of family entertainment venues for Phase 2 of Reopen Connecticut. In addition to beaches, parks, campgrounds, and summer camps, there is big news about amusement parks, pools, movie theaters, and other indoor recreation preparing to welcome guests again. The Governor has announced that many of these venues can reopen in time for Father’s Day weekend. Connecticut businesses are still deciding when and how to open, but there are several safety measures you can expect across the board, including face coverings, limited capacity, and enforced social distance guidelines. Many venues are anticipating advance registration requirements or reservations as well as contactless payment.

Read on for the latest reopenings in Connecticut.

Legos are one of those toys that span ages and gender, offering hours of hands-on, creative building for kids and adults. There are dinosaurs, princesses, and plenty of other fun themed Lego sets. But if your kid keeps passing over the pile of Lego toys you've painfully collected to reach for the video game controller or tablet, we've come up with the ultimate resource of over 100 Lego ideas that are anything but boring. The best part is that you don’t need a huge collection of Lego bricks for most of these activities; just bring your imagination.

And while planning your next vacation, consider a trip to Legoland Florida, which recently reopened, with your little Lego fanatic. Find more indoor activities for kids in our Boredom Busters Guide.

New York parents and day camp directors alike got some much-needed good news this week: Summer camps statewide will be allowed to open on June 29, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday. 

While the order applies only to summer day camps (no decision on sleepaway yet), the decision offers some parents weary after months of distance learning a helping hand on the horizon. 

This summer is sure to look different than years past—both at camp and elsewhere—but the other good news is that after 80 days on lockdown, New York City moves into Phase 1 of reopening Monday, while the Mid-Hudson and Long Island Regions are likely to enter Phase 2 next week if necessary health metrics are met.

Read on for more details on summer camps and the other reopenings each NY region can expect soon. Visit our Summer Camp Guide for open local camp slots. You can also register for our upcoming Online Camp Fair, where you can attend live panels and info sessions with camps and explore virtual info booths for online and in-person camps. We've also got a safety summer camp checklist to help everyone have a healthy camp experience. 

It can be hard to talk about uncomfortable things with children. Books are a great way to introduce different ideas and experiences and talk about them together. 

In the groundbreaking parenting book Nurtureshock, by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman, the chapter, “Why White Parents Don’t Talk About Race” taught me something about myself. The section explains that white parents often think that by ignoring race we will teach our children that race is not important and everyone is equal. In fact, they write, research shows that this does not work. 

I have a feeling that if Bronson and Merryman were writing this today, they might go a step further and say that white parents must actively teach children that it’s not enough to see everyone as equal. We must also see how people are not treated equally and actively work to change this inequality in our society. The following list of books for children, from toddlers to teens, goes beyond celebrations of diversity; these acclaimed books educate children about racism in our society and open conversations about social justice. 

It may be the holy grail of parenthood: Your toddler playing alone on the rug while you work on your laptop, chat with a friend, or just sip coffee. If you have a little one at home, you know what a dream this is (emphasis on the word "dream"). Getting kids to play independently is important for your sanity and for their development too. YOu can encourage toddlers to learn to play on their own. By developing the skills needed for independent play, they'll be able to access those skills throughout the day.

We polled parents, caught up with some of our favorite pediatric blogs, and came away with these seven tried-and-true ways to encourage toddlers to play independently. Our Big List To Keep Kids Busy While Mom and Dad Work and 30+ Toddler Activities to Keep Little Ones Busy (and Happy) at Home are full of more ideas for keeping kids busy while you are, too.