Most parents think that products made specifically for babies would be gentle and free from anything harsh or potentially dangerous. But, that’s not always the case.

Pregnancy Resource Centers provide a number of services for free to expectant mothers

Many parents are struggling with long wait times and a shortage of speech therapists.

As a mom of two, I want to hear what works - and doesn’t work - for your family when it comes to helping your kids cope with stress. We’ll compare notes on what we’ve learned, and together, identify the best ways to help our children thrive.

These products will make back to school as easy as 1, 2 3!

Let's get the Elf on the Shelf to work for us this year (and hopefully every year moving forward).

November is National Adoption Month

Top treats and toys for Halloween family fun

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month

"Mom hacks" to get you ready for the busy fall season

Social media stars and dads, The Broadway Husbands, joined us in the studio alongside their son, Maverick.

The head of the Food and Drug Administration is facing congressional lawmakers for the first time over the national shortage of baby formula, the Associated Press reported Thursday.

We should really be celebrating our moms all the time, but especially on Mother’s Day, it’s more important than ever.

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, you might be scrambling for a gift idea: And we all know the usuals. Flowers, gift cards, maybe a cute purse or a trip to her local nail salon.

Whether your family just welcomed a baby, or your partner is about to give birth, it's safe to say that it's a really exciting time for everyone involved. Infants are snuggly and sweet, they have that classic new-baby scent and bringing home your first child is definitely a little surreal, in a good way!

When it comes to Mother’s Day, it makes sense that you might think about your own mom -- or the maternal figure in your life, whether that’s an aunt, grandma, or any special woman who has made a difference for you, personally.

Moms -- aren’t they just the best?

A trend that seems to be sweeping the internet the past few Easter seasons is naturally dyed eggs.

Whether you’re just a road trip away from Chicago, you go there on business every so often, or you’d love to visit someday, it’s truly a fantastic city, with so much to offer.

We'll bet you never thought the words "Disney" and "cheap" could go in the same sentence. Well, guess again.

In honor of what would have been Dr. Seuss' 115th birthday, we're sharing some of his best lines from his very best work.

There is nothing cuter than little-kid artwork, is there?

If your children have access to technology and social media, it’s important to provide them with tools to proactively keep them safe online.

If you welcomed a new bundle of joy in 2021, you likely did a little research whilst attempting to pick your favorite name.

As an adult, by my late 20s, I started to feel a little bit “meh” about Christmas. Sure, it was a nice time of year, and I enjoyed seeing my family when I could, but I didn’t really understand the appeal of decorating, baking or most holiday-themed events. All of that changed, however, once I got into my 30s and had kids.

In this day and age, it’s impossible for our kids to be offline.

This dad is a super fun “follow,” if you’re looking to add to your social media lists! He’s funny, smart, and his posts will make you think.

Whether you love the idea in general or you think it'd be cute for Facebook or your next family photo session, we're here to provide some inspiration

Saturday marks National Adoption Day, so with that in mind, we’d love to see your pictures.

The all-new Peppa Pig Theme Park will open as a certified autism center, leaders announced Tuesday at the IAAPA Expo at the Orange County Convention Center.

BabyCenter has released the 100 most popular names of 2021 with Olivia and Liam topping the list.

Last summer, we asked: “Are you or your partner pregnant -- or have you delivered in the past few months?” ... “We want to hear from you.”

Mental load: Are you familiar with that term?

I’m not always the best “get on the floor and play” kind of mom, but any time one of my kids wants to bring me a book, I’ll drop what I’m doing in favor of some cuddles and reading time.

Getting dinner on the table at a reasonable hour can be a challenge, but those who have Instant Pots know that dinner can be done in 30 minutes or less with this trendy cooking machine.

The first day of school is hard, but one 8-year-old boy helped his classmate with autism, who was having a particularly hard time.

With the rise in COVID-19 cases and the Delta variant, many parents of school-aged children, especially those who are too young to be vaccinated, are pleading for a virtual learning option.

If you’re a new mother or an expecting mom-to-be, you don’t need another news article telling you about all the benefits of breastfeeding and breastmilk.

It’s one thing to be a new mom: Unpredictable, frazzled, busy; you’re trying to get to know your baby, heal your body and maybe even breastfeed, which can be unfamiliar and challenging, especially at first.

A new study found that physical punishment, like spanking, doesn’t yield positive results in children and is more likely to worsen their behavior over time.

It’s quite a daunting task, to ready yourself for a severe weather situation when you have a new baby in tow.

Beech-Nut Nutrition, a baby food maker, voluntarily recalled for one lot of Beech-Nut Stage 1, Single Grain Rice Cereal after finding high arsenic levels.

Do you know what you’re getting your dad or husband -- or any similar father figure in your life -- for Father’s Day?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a major new federal safety standard aimed to provide a more protective environment for infants using products marketed or intended for sleep.

Get ready, parents – diapers are about to get even more expensive.

No one ever thinks it will happen to them, but a record 53 children died of heatstroke between 2018 and 2019, after being left in a vehicle.

No one ever thinks it will happen to them, but a record 53 children died of heatstroke between 2018 and 2019, after being left in a vehicle.

Author and columnist, Amy Klein, details her struggles to try to get pregnant in her successful New York Times “Fertility Diary” column.

The number of children living with their mother only has doubled in the past 50 years in the United States, according to the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey.

There’s a new friend in the neighborhood!“ Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” that is.

For fans of Julia, the 4-year-old Muppet with autism on “Sesame Street,” you are in luck.

Did you realize that as early as 3 years old, kids are classifying people based on their appearances?

A congressional report published by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy on Thursday revealed finding toxic heavy metals in baby foods. According to the report, investigators found that some baby foods contained dangerous levels of heavy metals that could “endanger infant neurological development and long-term brain function.”The committee’s investigation, led by Democratic Chairman Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, found that leading baby foods including Gerber, HappyBaby and Plum Organics, contained dangerous levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury. The subcommittee’s staff report found that these manufacturers knowingly sell baby food containing high levels of toxic heavy metals,” Krishnamoorthi wrote in a statement, according to Fox. AdAccording to the report, the significant levels of toxic heavy metals can cause “permanent decreases in IQ, diminished future economic productivity, and increased risk of future criminal and antisocial behavior in children. Toxic heavy metals endanger infant neurological development and long-term brain function.”Click here to read the entire congressional report.

Are you anticipating your intellectual, ambitious firstborn child will become a doctor or your youngest will pursue an artistic occupation? These common expectations of people’s career choice being influenced by their birth order may have been overestimated in previous research, according to a new study by a University of Houston researcher. According to two dominant models, the links between birth order and careers are explained differently. The niche-finding model proposes personality traits should explain such links whereas the confluence model points to intelligence. “Our findings suggest that the role of birth order on career types, occupational creativity and status attainment might have been overestimated in previous research, and the only finding that replicated previous research was a small effect of birth order on educational attainment,” Damian said.

Having a baby, and bringing that baby home from the hospital for the first time as a new parent, is a whirlwind.

That’s what happened to Ms. Davis, who didn’t want her full identity revealed, Sunday at 9:30 p.m. the Westpark Tollway and Grand Parkway interchange in Fort Bend County near Cinco Ranch. “It frightened him, He was crying, he was hysterical.”After stopping her vehicle, Davis and her husband grabbed the little boy and placed him inside their vehicle -- even as other cars continued to drive by at normal speeds. Davis said she is thankful she was there to help and thankful he was reunited with his mother. “Because I didn’t sleep because I was like, ‘What if they just dropped this kid off?’ I was thinking some of everything.”CPS was called to the ER where the boy was determined to be in good health. CPS released the child to the mother pending its open investigation for neglectful supervision.

HOUSTON – Who qualifies as a special education student? Grace Jester, 17, looks like any other Cypress Ranch High School student. “I want Cy-Fair to designate Grace as a special education student,” said Steve Jester, Grace’s dad. But so far Cy-Fair ISD has refused to grant the “special education” designation. The Texas Education Agency has resources for parents who have questions about the Special Education Program in Texas.

HOUSTON – Thousands of students at Houston Independent School District will receive books through country music star Dolly Parton’s foundation. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a gift program that gives free books to children from birth to age 5, will provide books to up to 5,000 children in Houston. The program called “Book of the Month” will provide children in Houston access to books by mail. Children will receive a book every month until the child turns 5 years old. A drive-through sign up event will be held at Sherman Elementary School on Wednesday, where parents can sign up for the book program.

Oh, baby... baby... baby...After being told by a doctor that they would be unable to have children, a Pittsburgh couple is now expecting triplets in a rare double pregnancy, according to a Because of Them We Can (BOTWC) blog. “Last year, my doctors told me that I wouldn’t be able to have kids and would need surgery,” Dee wrote on Instagram. “But God said otherwise and gave us three healthy babies along with a completely healthy mother!”The parents-to-be are experiencing superfetation, an instance in which a second, new pregnancy can occur during an initial pregnancy, Healthline Parenthood explains. Despite the high-risk nature of the pregnancy, the expecting parents are hopeful of a healthy delivery. “We are believing that all three of our babies will be healthy, equal in size, and have no complications," Dee wrote on Instagram.

Editor’s note: After this story was published, the Texas Department of State Health Services removed the data from its website, citing “issues” with the numbers. The state recorded 1,212 new cases among public school students between Sept. 13 and Sept. 20 and 660 new cases among staff. The numbers, the first comprehensive state data showing where cases have occurred in Texas, illustrate how widespread infections are. The coronavirus has put Texas school districts, and parents, in the difficult position of balancing health and educational concerns for their children. In Texas, 53% of public school students are Hispanic, and 13% are Black.

HOUSTON – A tool for new parents is now being used by doctors in the fight against the coronavirus. Baby monitors can be a comfort or added stress to new parents. There’s a variety of baby monitors for parents to choose from, such as a monitor that goes on the baby, often the foot, and connect to the wireless cameras and monitors, which will alert the parents if a baby’s breathing is irregular. The hope is that such baby monitors will help parents monitor their children in their sleep and help eliminate Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It’s another tool that’s been tough to come by during the pandemic but they’re starting to come back.

KATY, Texas – The Katy Independent School District is providing free meals to all students in the area, even if they aren’t part of the district, after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) extended the food program waiver, the district announced. Katy ISD began providing meals Monday and students can receive free breakfast and lunch through Dec. 31, or pending available funds through the USDA and TDA. “All students are eligible for one breakfast and one lunch meal per day per federal guidance,” said Nutrition & Food Service Executive Director Donna Pittenger. “Parents can however add funds to their student’s Pay N' Go meal account for a la carte purchases or in preparation for when the USDA waiver ends,” she added. Once the waiver expires, Katy ISD will switch back to the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, according to a press release.

HOUSTON – The Moody Foundation is giving the Houston Independent School District a $1 million grant to help Texas' largest public school district purchase of more than 2,000 devices for students in need. The grant will cover devices for Pre-K through fifth-grade students in the district’s achieve 180 schools, which are underserved an underperforming HISD feeder pattern communities. About 35% of HISD’s 209,000 students lacked internet at home at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March, the Moody Foundation has given out grants amounting to more than $10 million to more than 100 nonprofits in need of relief. Ross Moody, Trustee of The Moody Foundation, spoke to KPRC 2′s Andy Cerota about the donation and the impact he hopes it will have on increasing student achievement and educational equity across the district.

HOUSTON – The Children’s Museum Houston will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with virtual activities and storytimes via social media. The museum’s free event will recognize the achievements and success of the Hispanic community between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15. Wednesday at 3:45 p.m.Toma Todo – via FacebookUp your chances in this traditional Mexican spinning top game where the winner takes it all! Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln – via InstagramExplore how a talented Venezuelan girl showed her amazing skills to President Lincoln in this storytime. Thursday at 3:45 p.m.Grilled Mexican Street Corn Recipe – via FacebookThere’s no celebration without food!

HOUSTON – The La Porte Independent School District announced this week that all of its students will begin to receive free meals after the U.S. Department of Agriculture extended the Summer Food Service Program. The program will also provide free curbside meals for children 18 and younger who are not enrolled in the district. “This (waiver) essentially allows us to provide meals to all children without the added burden of determining who is eligible and who isn’t,” said Yvonne Bennett, La Porte ISD nutrition director. “If students are not present in the vehicle, the parent or guardian must present the student’s school ID number or badge to the cashier. Find more information on the La Porte ISD website.

HOUSTON – The Texas State Teachers Association announced Monday that its members had reported hundreds of COVID-19 protocol discrepancies or violations in the first couple weeks of the school year. In the Houston area, the most complaints of violations were submitted by teachers in the Cy-Fair Independent School District with 210 reports of violations since the school district began the academic year last week. We hope we haven’t prolonged the day when we can think about being normal again.”See the Houston-area districts where the most teachers reported COVID-19 violations during the first couple weeks of the school year. Across the state, TSTA claims it has received hundreds of reports of COVID-19 protocol violations from members in 135 school districts. What the school districts are sayingKPRC 2 reached out to the Houston-area school districts with a high number of reported violations.

Her daughter Hilary is a senior at Glenda Dawson High School in the Pearland Independent School District. He’s a senior at Strake Jesuit High School and says the “new normal” is anything but. Financial aidProjectGRAD Houston is a free resource for parents and students which helps them with college and career prep. Check and update your college listDue to COVID-19, many colleges and universities have made changes to their admissions deadlines and important dates. The experts suggest that you need to make sure you’re informed about the school’s most up-to-date deadlines and information.

Thats how students enrolled in the landmark, Sanctuaries of Learning program began their first day of school in the Third Ward Tuesday. As part of the program by the United Methodist Church, 14 different Houston-area churches have been converted into virtual learning centers so about 800 Houston Independent School District students will have a place to learn virtually while their parents go back to work. Created specifically to help working parents by providing laptop computers, a powerful WiFi signal and even meals, the program completely free for the students in attendance. Thats when she found out about Sanctuaries of Learning through her sons elementary school. HISD elementary school students are eligible for this program and to register, call your school office and ask for the Turn-Around Specialist.

CYPRESS, Texas – A virtual town hall organized by community members of the Cy-Fair Independent School District Monday night aims to get parents, educators and mental health experts and doctors all on the same page. Classes for students Cy-Fair ISD will begin Sept. 8 but before that, the community-organized town hall is a way to discuss concerns across the board. They’re just not,” said Tana Lam, a parent with kids in Cy-Fair ISD. She will be part of the community-organized town hall panel along with educators, a state lawmaker, a pediatrician and a psychologist. The hosts of the town hall say they extended invitations to representatives of Cy-Fair ISD, including board trustees and the superintendent but hadn’t heard back.

HOUSTON – Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, many companies switched to making much-needed products like PPE and hand sanitizer. Because they already had the containers on-hand, many of the companies that switched to making alcohol-based hand sanitizers have been packing it in containers meant for food or drink. “It’s dangerous to add scents with food flavors to hand sanitizers, which children could think smells like food, eat and get alcohol poisoning,” said Hahn. For more information, people can read the FDA’s guidelines on safe use of hand sanitizer or check out the agency’s question and answer page. People can also go online to see a list of hand sanitizers the FDA says people should not use.

Starting Sept. 8, Texas will require school districts to file weekly reports on new COVID-19 cases among students, teachers or staff, state education officials announced Thursday. School administrators must fill out forms including any new COVID-19 cases their schools were notified of the previous week, whether the cases were contracted on or off campus, and whether the entire campus closed as a result. School districts that began the school year before Sept. 8 must also report all prior positive cases for this year. State leaders had previously considered requiring school districts to report confirmed cases within 24 hours. Public health experts have warned that reopening schools in the fall would undoubtedly result in infections on campus, as Texas COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths climbed this summer.

“Now we already have this priming of anxiety and stress compounded with this hurricane threat,” Passe said. But we’ve done hard things before and we can do another hard thing. Like sometimes I think we misinterpret that kids need for us to be a knight in shining armor. Remind them that you have been through other hard things and made it through and you will do it again and be alright4. Help give kids a little sense of controlOne coping mechanism is to help kids feel in control of something of their own, considering a lot of things around them are out of control.

Help for those in needTexas State Rep. Dan Huberty wants schools to open their doors to special education students now. In Fort Bend Independent School District , students returned to both in-person and virtual learning began on August 17. Becoming your student’s best advocateJones-Taylor admits the return to school is going look different for many special education students. It is TEA’s responsibility to monitor the implementation of special education services across the state. If school districts fail to meet the needs of students receiving special education services, TEA will require that district to take corrective action.

Are you ever flipping around on TV and you come across some sort of golf tournament? Golf looks pretty fun, and somewhat less strenuous than some of the other professional sports. Plus, golfing seems like an enjoyable group activity or a bucket-list item for a scenic vacation.

Without government assistance, a single mother and her four children were forced to live in their car after being evicted amid an economic crisis as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, according to a GoFundMe account asking or help or the mom. According to Monroe, Madrigal was laid off at the start of the pandemic and denied unemployment and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The mother of four was unable to find work for several months but once she did, it was too late. Madrigal and her children -- ranging in age from one to 11 years old -- were evicted from their home. Monroe describes Madrigal as a hardworking, optimistic, and brave mother who was unfortunately failed by the United States’ response to the pandemic.

Reliant Gives and the Deshaun Watson Foundation donated $175,000 dollars to Comp-U-Dopt, an organization that repurposes old devices for students to use for virtual learning. Hundreds of families lined up outside Comp-U-Dopt of Houston and while it helped many families, theres still a long way to go. Comp-U-Dopt teamed up with Reliant Give and the Deshaun Watson Foundation to provide 500 computers to help bridge the digital divide. Its really tough to do virtual learning without a computer and proper technology so weve donated $175,000 between us and the Deshaun Watson Foundation, said Leanne Schneider, the Director of Community Reliant Relations. Volunteers and Texans Quarterback Deshaun Watson helped load up cars and pass out devices.

HOUSTON The Etoile Academy Charter School in southwest Houston hosted two weeks of teacher training before starting the semester with remote learning on Monday. The schools founder and superintendent, Kaleigh Colombero, says the key to success is communication with families. Is a link not working?More than 200 students are enrolled in the charter school. The school has been doing regular surveys with families, Colombero said. The most recent one showed the vast majority of students are going to stick with virtual learning once in-person instruction begins on Sept. 8.

HOUSTON The Houston Independent School District will offer labs in August and September to help parents of special needs students learn how to navigate virtual learning for the 2020-21 school year. The district will offer 20 sessions to parents that will be available by disability area or special population group. Parents will be able to experience these labs live or in a recorded format. The labs are designed to help parents with programs like autism, dyslexia, speech/language, 504, intellectually disabled and gifted and talented. Join our Zoom conversation with education leaders, health expertsAs we embark on a school year like no other, we know that extra supports for parents and students are vital as we navigate a more virtual approach to learning, said HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan.

But before you take that leap of faith, by finding help on Facebook, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office has a warning. Threat 2: Online predators“Internet access can be dangerous for children,” said Chris Suefert, Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney. During the first eight months of 2020, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office has charged 59 defendants for internet crimes against children. Kids’ increased access to the internet has also increased the risk of predators contacting and grooming children online. Investigators have continued to make significant arrests of suspects who are accused of soliciting children online and exchanging images and videos of child sexual abuse.

HOUSTON The Houston Independent School District Board of Education approved amending the FY-2020-21 budget and appropriate $31 million towards buying laptops and hotspots for students in need to help bridge the digital divide. The agenda item was part of a greater discussion to appropriate $54.6 million towards ensuring students are able to reconnect safely and return strong, ahead of a school year like no other. Greg Abbotts Office, the Texas Education Agency and the Dallas Independent School District. So far, the district has provided 76,362 devices for students in need since the pandemic and plans to distribute 22,750 additional devices by next month, officials wrote in a press release. They have also provided 6,628 hotspots for students in need and plan to distribute 19,000 more wireless devices by next month.

HOUSTON Pediatricians are sounding the alarm about a concerning side effect of the coronavirus. They say immunization rates have plunged since the start of the pandemic. Mostly because the particular vaccine my son was getting was a second-round Kubala said, explaining her thoughts behind wanting to delay getting her baby immunized. Texas vaccination ratesTexas children fall short on vaccines compared to other kids across the country, state data reveals. However, according to data from children born in Houston in 2015 and 2016, they are above the national rate for vaccine coverage at 73.7%.

Question: How will seating arrangements work inside school buses? Some school districts have various methods to provide transportation to students while keeping them as safe as possible. READ ALSO: What school buses will look like in the COVID-19 eraMost school districts, like the Houston Independent School District and Clear Creek Independent School District, will follow TEA guidelines on school bus safety, which includes lowering windows, have one or two students per seat, and conduct a deep cleaning after each route. If you need bus transportation for your child, contact your local school district. RELATED: School bus safety tips for drivers from the Texas Department of Health and Human ServicesClick here to see a full list of Houston-area school districts with reopening plans.

Some are worried their districts are unable to offer a strong virtual learning program. One day the school district says X and four days later they say Y, Ray said. And then the governor says another thing and then that changes what the school district can do. Clearly the interest we have been getting has exploded, said J. Allen Weston, the executive director of the suburban Denver-based group. But she said the virtual learning she oversaw in the spring was very monotonous and that she plans to switch to homeschooling if the first month goes poorly.

But if you’re in need of more ideas, how about this one: Have you tried taking your kid golfing? Depending on which part of the country you golf, other wildlife such as deer and alligators can also easily be present on a golf course. On a side note, you don’t have to have your kid hit EVERY shot. Golf courses know the value of introducing the game to youngsters, and thus, will often offer heavy discounts for kids to play, if they even charge them at all for a round. Some golf courses also will offer discounts for families who want to play.

Marriage spotlight: meet Tristen and CC SuttonTristen and CC Sutton have been married for 13 years. “So needless to say, that didn’t work,” CC explained. Before the pandemic, CC was super social, with networking events, dining out and even ballroom dancing. All that extra love has helped them and hitting the road has also helped the marriage stay in stride too. They’ve managed to put a positive spin on the situation for their marriage and for their three kids.

HOUSTON – The Klein Independent School District board voted 6-1 to delay the start of the 2020-21 school year in a meeting Monday night. The school year will now begin on Sept. 8 instead of Aug. 19, district officials decided Monday. This delayed start will apply to all students, whether they are learning online or in-person in the coming year. Read more about the school district’s reopening plans here. At the time, McGown said while all school districts have trained for the race, for the most part, it’s become a challenge to continue to alter plans without much notice — plans that took months to develop.

HOUSTON – A group of parents held signs that read “Facts not fear” outside of the Clear Creek Independent School District Educational Support Center in League City Monday afternoon. The protesting parents said they don’t want school officials to change the back-to-school date again and they want their kids to go back to in-person learning on Sept. 8 and no later. Parizo, who has two children in Clear Creek ISD schools, said she organized the protest outside of the school board’s workshop to pressure school officials. Other parents say they are glad the school district is phasing students in and taking their time bringing students back. A spokesperson for Clear Creek ISD told KPRC 2 that the district is following “valuable input from the medical field,” while making decisions.

SPRING, Texas Parents and students lined up at several schools in two Houston-area school districts to receive devices that will make learning from home easier in the new school year. Schools administrators from the Galena Park Independent School District and the Spring Independent School District passed out Chromebooks and chargers ahead of the 2020-21 school year. The district said it could be until late August event September before elementary and student middle school students can pick up their equipment. On Monday, the district passed out hundreds of Chromebooks, chargers and school supplies to middle school students at several drive-thru locations throughout the district. The district said elementary school students will be able to pick-up their equipment on Aug. 13 and 14.

Hes enrolled in The Urban Enrichment Institute, an extra-curricular youth leadership and development program for young men deemed at-risk, located in one of Houstons poorest communities. The program was founded in 1984 with a mission to reach young boys in Fifth Ward. In our summer program, this was the first time we had the chance to initiate a virtual learning format with our summer program, Savage said. We start seeing differences in how African American and Latinx boys are performing in school, how they are treated in school. Have a space for all the stakeholders that are focused on Latinx and African American male youth, said Dr. Smith.

HOUSTON – Alief Independent School District community members got a chance to ask Superintendent HD Chambers questions in an exclusive Zoom conversation Wednesday night, ahead of the first day of school Thursday. Some high school students take classes where they have labs and need to have access to school facilities. But the number of hours teachers are expected to teach in virtual learning is based on the content they are teaching. There’s nothing that a school district can put in place that will resolve that issue 100% until students come back to school. Question: How will college counselors help high school students virtually?

HOUSTON – Two Houston-area school districts handed out school supplies, laptops and hotspots to students in need Wednesday ahead of the start of the 2020-21 school year. Alief ISDThe Alief Independent School District will be the first Houston-area school district to begin its new school year with online learning Thursday. Aldine ISDWith school around the corner, parents in the Aldine School Independent School District got some much-needed help Wednesday. Several volunteers and organizations teamed up to give away free food boxes and school supplies to families in need. Around 4,000 cars wrapped around the school waiting to get the supplies and a box of food from Baker Ripley.

HOUSTON The 2020-2021 school year has already begun for some and is just weeks away for others. Tax-free weekendStarting Friday through midnight Sunday, most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks under $10 will be tax-free. Back 2 School FestAlso this weekend, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Shell will be hosting the 10th annual Back 2 School fest. The event is held in partnership with the Houston Food Bank and is usually an indoor event where kids can get much-needed school supplies for free. Food distributionWells Fargo is partnering with the Houston Food Bank to distribute meals to those who need them.

Question: Do parents have a choice between synchronous and asynchronous virtual instruction? Answer: Whether a students virtual instruction is delivered in the synchronous or asynchronous way will vary by school district and students will likely engage in both formats. Virtual synchronous instruction requires students and teachers to interact in real-time through a computer or electronic device. During virtual asynchronous instruction, students will work independently and teachers are required to provide daily feedback. Heres a look at what the virtual instruction schedule for Lamar CISD:Are your students signed up for virtual instruction this fall?

HOUSTON As students across the Houston-area prepare to resume school in the coming weeks, parents still have concerns for their children amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. KPRC 2 asked parents what their childrens greatest need is for the upcoming school year. Classes will be starting soon for students across the Houston area, but it will be far from the usual first day of school. Parents also presented a concern for the health and safety of their children while attending school. KPRC 2 is providing reopening outlines with the latest updates for more than 40 Houston-area school districts.

But if they fall short on safety, private schools are more vulnerable to lawsuits than public schools. Texas has about 900 accredited private schools that served about 250,000 students last academic year, according to the Texas Private Schools Association. Public schools usually have to set aside a portion of federal money for equitable services for private school students. The latter option means Texas private schools could potentially get up to $44.2 million in federal funding, while the former would allocate about $5.5 million to private schools about a more than $38 million difference. Disclosure: The Texas Private Schools Association has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Question: How will school districts distribute free and reduced-price meals to students participating in virtual instruction? Answer: Several school districts have announced plans to continue providing free and reduced-price meals to students enrolled in virtual instruction for the upcoming school year. Katy Independent School District has also announced students enrolled in its Katy Virtual Academy will continue to have access to Grab and Go meals. KPRC 2 is providing reopening outlines with the latest updates for more than 40 Houston-area school districts. For a quick glance at your school district and what others are doing, click here.

When you’re on the hunt for a new nanny or babysitter, it can be incredibly stressful.

As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: Are SNAP benefits also being extended to August for P-EBT cardholders? Answer: No, the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) remains a one-time benefit of $285 for families with school-aged children who have temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals because of closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the deadline to apply for P-EBT has been extended to Aug. 21, according to a press release from the Office of the Texas Governor. Families who receive SNAP benefits do not need to apply as they will automatically receive the funds on their current Lone Star Card.