Learning to read can be a joy for many children, but it can also be a real challenge for others. Some children need extra support and teaching methods that might not be offered in mainstream schooling options — which makes support systems imperative for success.

Period Zero is an innovative nonprofit organization connecting students to much-needed career experience and local entrepreneurs. North Hills Monthly had an opportunity to learn more about the groundbreaking programs they offer from founder Audra Lewis Hoesch.

The value of creative expression for young people is sometimes overshadowed by the emphasis many schools place on sports or other extracurricular activities. But those involved in arts instruction for children will tell you that engagement in creative endeavors is beneficial in numerous ways.

High school seniors across the Pittsburgh region often spend hours crafting personal statements for national scholarship competitions, convinced that a 4.0 GPA or financial hardship is the price of admission. What many don’t realize is that thousands of dollars in scholarship funding are right in their own backyard.

School mascots are a lot of fun, and you can even say that some are out of this world.

While school lunches have improved due to federal nutrition standards, not all students buy lunch every day. For busy parents who want to provide quality lunches to their children, several nutritionists and dietitians weighed in.

Allegheny College’s alumni network is more than a list of names. In Pittsburgh, it’s a working web of mentors, employers and advocates that helps students land jobs, former students find new paths and graduates stay connected long after they hang up their graduation caps.

Faith Mudd felt that as a first-generation college student, she had many added pressures going off to college.

Natalie Grow remembers when Allegheny Health Network had four primary care dietitians. That was 2020. Today there are 14, but the pace of hiring has not slowed the shortage.

May is Teacher Appreciation Month, and what better way to say “thank you” than to recognize a few outstanding lifelong educators.

Women in STEM fields historically have been underrepresented. While the percentages of women entering technology fields have improved over the years, women in STEM leadership positions are still lagging fairly far behind men.

For parents of young children, the cost of a college education can seem like a distant and daunting concern. But financial advisors generally say the best time to start saving is right now, even if the amounts are small.

While many kids enjoy ‘traditional’ summer camps, filled with swimming, sports and playing outdoors, many others are drawn to summer arts camps to fulfill their creative spirits. Pittsburgh has no shortage of these types of programs for kids of all ages.

Now very successful in her career, Liz Gryger wishes she had known the value of a mentor earlier in her professional journey.

“I had the idea for the store since high school,” said McGinley, owner of SoMe Artisan Wares and Jeweler’s Studio in Pittsburgh. “I was in art class and surrounded by so many artists when I was younger. They would always have their amazing artwork leaning on their walls in their basements, and no one was seeing it.”

Whether they’re looking for an academically enriching experience or simply curious about new possibilities, students will find a welcoming environment in Thiel College’s Dietrich Honors Institute (DHI).

Through its Summer Staycation program, the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), in conjunction with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, has made it possible for Allegheny County residents to visit a number of local attractions this summer, with the only requirement being possession of a library card.

Just north of Pittsburgh, in the quiet borough of Harmony, Ruby Sandham is pioneering a different approach to wellness—one musical note at a time.

As the summer months approach, Pittsburgh-area families are focused on finding engaging and enriching activities for their children.

Hertz said that most parents who send their children to La Scuola D’Italia love the concept of their child learning another language.