This week marked back-to-school for the 1.1 million children in NYC public schools, as well as many private-school counterparts, and the 2015-2016 academic year brings with it no shortage of new systems to master and even new holidays! For example, the DOE's new parent portal we told you about last spring—NYC Schools Account—is now up and running!

Parents will find students' test scores, attendance records and report cards (in 10 languages) in the new portal, which is accessible by computer, tablet or smartphone—a major improvement over its predecessor. You'll need an activation code handed out by your child's school to access the personalized, free account page. All the instructions and required documents can be found on the schools account page.

Read on for more school news and updates throughout NYC.

Summer, shmummer, who needs it I say. This is the weekend that has it going on, with a supercool comic con that you don't need to drive all the way to San Diego for, a tall ships festival with cannon battles, pirate school and mermaids, nom nom lobsters, hang ten surfers, and the Hollywood Bowl finale with the B-52s and fireworks.

We've even got holidays. Break out the apples and honey for the Jewish New Year. And, hola, the fiesta's on Olvera Street for LA's largest celebration of Mexican Independence Day. (It's big!) 

And we've got heat – lots and lots of heat. 'Cause that's the best part of summer, isn't it? (If you need an escape, you could always take in one more screening of Frozen.) So don't you be feeling bad for summer, because technically it still is. Summer, that is. (And boy, is it hot.)

 Keep reading for the hottest picks for this weekend....

Fantastic festivals abound this weekend. The only problem is trying to choose just one!  If you're like me, you're going to feel pulled in a billion different directions when you peruse our picks below. A performing arts or music festival? Or maybe appealing to the foodies in the family with Nordic food or food from the farm? There are even two great choices for Sox fans on the Common and at the Lawn on D during Sunday's game. The only way to solve this (wonderful) dilemma is to have my family vote for our pick. Whatever your family chooses to do this weekend, have a great time!

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• Summer isn't officially over yet. There's still time to enjoy some summer fun after Labor Day.
• Camping 101 for Boston Families will help you plan your first camping trip with kids. 

As if there weren't already enough activities to choose from this weekend, there are even more to check out on our full Event Calendar. Have a fun-filled weekend!

By mid-September, Philly families are getting settled into their new routine. Soccer practices, piano lessons and dance classes begin to fill the family calendar. But, don't forget to add some family fun into the mix.

Nothing says family fun better than a festival! This weekend there are many options such as Philadelphia's Honey Festival, Kennett Square's Mushroom Festival and Devon's Fall Festival. Make sure to include the grandparents in your family time since Sunday, September 13 is Grandparents' Day. Take Nana and Pop Pop to a baseball game, visit a museum or explore an arboretum.

Continue reading below to check out our top picks for the weekend. If you are looking to plan ahead, be sure to investigate our September GO List filled with ideas for the entire family. Enjoy your weekend!

With all local schools in session, your family might be looking to soak up the last few weekends of summer weather. Head outdoors to the Fiddle & Folk Festival at Benner's Farm or the Hallockville Fall Festival in Riverhead.

Families can also get all aboard the Long Island Live Steamers in Brookhaven, or get connected to the earth at a Family Nature Club in Islip.

Don't see your event listed here? Add it to our events calendar. And if you don't receive this post in your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter. 

It may be back to the grind at work and school, but for family recreation in Westchester, the party is still on this weekend. Among our top picks are several events we highlighted on our September GoList, including a multifaceted celebration of the Hudson River at the Yonkers Riverfest. Also this weekend, the Greenburgh Nature Center hosts its annual Harvest Party, and shoe enthusiasts will enjoy Westchester Sneaker Expo.

Don’t forget: This Sunday is Grandparents Day, and Caramoor’s Grandparents and Grandchildren Fete is sure to please all generations. Another seasonal event is the all-day indoor/outdoor End of Summer Music Festival.

These are just a few of our top picks—read on for all this and more!  Also visit our Events Calendar for more ways to celebrate Grandparents Day and to get the most out of this weekend. 

That end of summer sigh that usually comes with Labor Day weekend  seems to have eluded us this year with this unrelenting heat wave that, fingers crossed, will leave us so that we can enjoy this coming weekend. It's packed full with all kinds of fun, whether you're interested in maritime history, agriculture, or Caribbean culture. If you're still finding your back to school groove, you won't want to miss the Connecticut Kids Closet Consignment event, which promises deals on everything you need for kids of all ages this fall and winter. 

If you're celebrating Rosh Hashanah on Monday, we here at Mommy Poppins wish you the happiest of New Years, and if you're not celebrating but have the day off of school, we remind you that our event calendar is updated for weekdays as well as weekends. For the latest and best family-friendly events, subscribe to our weekly newsletters and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Have a great weekend!

Did someone say robots?

One of the greatest joys of parenting is that look of pride our kids get when they make something on their own. I’m always looking for classes that can give my son's creativity free rein, improve fine and gross motor skills—but robots? That moves the cool meter all the way to red.

Our sponsor Brooklyn Robot Foundry is a place that empowers kids through building. The Foundry's after-school and weekend programs for kids in preschool through 6th grade invite young engineers to plan, design and create any type of robot, whether it’s a soccer player or a princess.

Find more NYC classes in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings.