Updated School Calendar

ACPS Posts Updated School Calendar

By Nicole Irving, Publisher and Editor-In-Chief | February 23, 2025 | Blog
Today, Alachua County Public Schools released the calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. That means time to updated those family calendars with all the important school dates and vacations times. This updated calendar reflects the current start date for all Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) which will be Monday, August 11. The last day of

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perfect your pie's next crust

3 Pie Crusts to Jazz Up the Dessert Table

By Colleen McTiernan | November 25, 2024 | Forks & Spoons , Recipes
Making the perfect pie crust can be an art, and on Thanksgiving, the pie is often times the star of the show! The dough recipe you follow is just as important to making a delicious pie as what goes inside. But there are so many variations on the basic dough recipe that it is hard

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Managing Parenting Differences

“But Mommy said I could!” Managing Parenting Differences

By Olivia Pitkenthly | November 12, 2024 | Life
Take a look around your neighborhood, playground or child’s school, and you will see a variety of parenting styles. The “helicopter” parent who monitors every step the child makes, not only knows the names of her friends, but also her friends’ parents, and makes sure the child stays fed and hydrated every hour on the

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Labor Day Weekend

Fun Labor Day Weekend Plans for the Whole Family!

By Amanda Roland | August 26, 2024 | Blog
Believe it or not, Labor Day is this Monday! The year is flying by, kiddos are already back in school and I'd say that a day off is much needed – for everyone. Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend in a safe way with these fun plans for the whole family! Carson Springs Drive-Thru Safari The

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free meals for kids in alachua county

ACPS Starts the Free Summer Meals Program Next Week

By Amanda Roland | May 29, 2024 | Blog
Alachua County Public Schools will be providing meals to families over the summer now that school is officially out with the Free Summer Meals program. Beginning June 3 and continuing through the summer until July 26, the district’s free grab and go meals distribution will be available, according to the Alachua County Public Schools Food

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Beach Safety Tips for This Summer

By Nicole Irving, Publisher and Editor-In-Chief | May 27, 2024 | Blog
The beach can be a wonderful place to relax and unwind with the family, but it is always best to learn and practice beach safety to make sure your vacation goes on without a hitch! Here are some things to keep in mind when visiting the beach! First Aid Kit It is always good to

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memorial day

Gainesville Memorial Day Events and Activities

By Amanda Roland | May 13, 2024 | Blog , Holidays
With Memorial Day weekend approaching, we have put together a list of Gainesville Memorial Day events and activities! Florida Folk Festival Friday, May 24 -Sunday, May 2610 a.m.Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park This three-day event celebrates the music, dance, stories, crafts and food that make Florida the place we love! There will be

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watermelon festival

The Annual Newberry Watermelon Festival is This Weekend!

By Giggle Magazine | May 13, 2024 | Blog
The Newberry Watermelon Festival is an old tradition in Newberry, 79 years old to be exact! This year, the festival will held on  Saturday, May 18, as the small town comes together for the 79th time! At the Newberry Watermelon Festival, you can expect live entertainment, vendors, food trucks, kids' activities and lots of watermelons!

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nighttime fears

Help Your Child Cope With Nighttime Fears

By Olivia Pitkenthly | October 15, 2023 | Toddler
Monsters, darkness and ghosts are among the top 10 fears of children, according to “Fears Stress and Trauma: Helping Children Cope” by Edward Robinson. In his book, Robinson reports that these nighttime fears are a normal part of a child’s development. They typically start at a young age and may last until middle school. If

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