What if your Mom was forced to retire after contracting severe health ailments from the dilapidated school where she taught? While many of her coworkers relied on air fresheners to disguise the mold, most went home with the typical “2:30 headache” due to the conditions.

Rachel Gutter told us that this was what urged her to work for The Center for Green Schools in 2007 & to become it’s Director two years later.

Tomorrow, Sept. 29th, the US Green Building Council is holding it’s 1st Green Apple Day of Service, where over 1,000 schools across the nation will join with their communities for healthier, more sustainable space.

The Center for Green Schools is putting out a clear message that a school’s physical environment truly affects the outcome of it’s students. Once parents, educators & school officials realize that there are some simple steps that can convert their school into a healthy, safe & enhanced learning environment, they realize it’s a win-win for everyone.

“It’s also about putting funds back into the classrooms” says Ms. Gutter. A school in Kentucky learned that after calling in an energy manager to review their building, they would save enough (over a short time period) to keep 104 teachers on payroll that were about to be dismissed. Our children’s (& teachers’) health and ability to succeed should not be compromised as a result of situations that have solutions.

You can find locations in your area that are taking part in the greening at MyGreenApple.org, because we need to take care of tomorrow’s leaders today!

What does one do when life seems to fill up your to do list..why, get a new puppy of course!

Introducing..Samoa.  Our latest (Bichon Shih Tzu) addition!

Who knew that Dads Take Your Child to School Day was in fact, today? Or that there was actually a day set aside for it?

Last year 9,000 New York dads/significant male caregivers participated.

That being the case, get involved whenever you can & however you can!

Click HERE for more information on this cause

David Newell, better known as the “speedy delivery” man on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, began working with Fred Rogers in 1967 to create the role of Mr. McFeely. Growing up, I would have swore that he lived in my neighborhood too. But on Friday, I received a speedy delivery upon opening my in box..from the man himself, Mr. McFeely :

Hi Angela.   Congratulations on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

I remember the first time you came for a visit to a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood taping. I even remember you sitting in one of those metal, uncomfortable, folding chairs we had for guests. Little did Daniel Tiger know at the time that he was looking out of his tree & seeing the creator of his son’s television series.  I am so glad you tuned into our Neighborhood early on because you are really in tune with Fred’s message & philosophy….& pace.

Thanks for being our neighbor as we all help deliver Fred’s message to future generations. He would be so proud of you. You did what he was conveying to his audience…as he often said “Attitudes are caught not taught!”

All the years you spent watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, you caught the creativity among many other attitudes that he was offering!

Congratulations to you & all of the neighbors at “Out of the Blue”……You came to watch the taping out of the blue…..we are delighted that we caught you!!!!!!!!!!!!

David Newell

(aka Mister McFeely)

On the anniversary of 9/11, it helps to have age appropriate answers for your kids questions.

In May of last year I interviewed my graduate school adviser,  Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, (VP of Research & Education at Sesame Workshop) on PBS Parents’ The Parent Show. While we are typically exposed to more coverage than we need, it’s important to understand how our kids are processing disturbing talk & visuals that are hard for even adults to comprehend. I discussed this with Dr Truglio & hopefully the conversation may assist.

Watch Talking to kids in the aftermath of scary news on PBS. See more from The Parent Show.