This week, I was forwarded an interesting article from the UK’s Daily Mail that describes a strange new trend among primary school kids in Britain. Apparently, at the end of the school year, these elementary schools host a miniature version of the American high school prom. Complete with professional hairstyling, expensive dresses and even tuxedos.

The article cites rising concerns about the financial cost of these types of events, but also the bizarrely grown-up nature of a “prom” in the elementary school setting.

Would you encourage your little ones to attend prom before their time? What do you think about the primary school prom trend? You tell us!

It’s the last day of school for kids across the country, and with the end of the year generally comes class parties, art projects and extended hours of movie watching.

For the most part, teachers use this time to reward students for a year of hard work and personal growth (and to steal a little time to input their grades and straighten out the classroom library before the long summer stretch). But does it bother you when your kids come home to report that they spent all seven periods of the school day watching movies?

Do your kids deserve a break at the end of the school year, or would you prefer more intellectually stimulating projects as assignments? You tell us!

If you haven’t heard about the Swine Flu by now, you must have either been visiting outer space or you have no access to any sort of media whatsoever (doubtful, since you’re reading this blog!). Although the regular flu kills far more people each year than what the Swine Flu has done so far, fears are high because there is no real vaccine yet in existence for this strain.  Additionally, those who have died are healthy young adults as opposed to children and the elderly.

Although, the flu has sickened only 141 people in the United States and 363 in the world to date, schools across the United States are closing to avoid the chance of infection in young children.  While some parents are thankful, others are scrambling to find child care or keep their kids entertained for a full 7 days away from school.  So, tell us, what do you think?  Is it worth it to close schools and have your kids home for a week straight?  Are you fearful that your children might catch Swine Flu at school?  Does it scare you more than the “regular” flu?  What are you doing to avoid the outbreak?