The Fresno Bee

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• Kids Day fundraiser hits $480,000 goal, sets record

  Kids Day fundraiser hits $480,000 goal, sets record

  The 26th annual Kids Day fundraiser for Children’s Hospital Central California on Tuesday reached a record total, hospital officials said. By the end of the business day Thursday, the total had met this year's goal of $480,000 with a few sites still to count. The record had been $470,514 set in 2008.

• You're hurting the kids

  You're hurting the kids

  The relationship between the 113th Congress and President Obama is analogous to a strained marriage. Both have the same problems. They don't spend enough time together and they don't talk to each other. When they do talk, it turns into arguing and name calling. They never seem to be on the same page.

  In this type of marriage, the ones who suffer the most are the kids -- America! We are the kids in this dysfunctional relationship. Every day they don't get along, we suffer. The sequestration is causing more harm than good. It is time for us kids to scream, "Please stop arguing. Can't you see you're hurting us."

  Monroe Celestin

• Baird has the right idea

  Baird has the right idea

  Fresno Unified's review of suspensions and expulsions is overlooking the impact of eliminated classes deemed unimportant to state testing. These are the very ones that keep kids in school: sports, art, band, chorus, PE, social studies, languages, science, auto shop, woodworking, drafting, cooking and home economics.

  The fact is that school is boring. Kids are bored. Good teachers work hard, but it is a challenge to keep kids motivated.

  Kids are flocking to Baird Middle School and fleeing home schools that offer only the bare basics. The school's motto, "Every Day is a Good Day," is evident on campus where teachers are as enthusiastic as the students. Beside the basics, the school offers real PE, real math, science, German, ag, study skills, art and a variety of electives. Its uniform and strict homework policies aren't scaring kids away.

• Family events downtown

  Family events downtown

  Multiple trips to the downtown ice rink this winter had my kids asking, "When are we going downtown again?" The easy parking, signage, cleanliness and great customer service had me taking them again and again.

  As a mother of four children, I believe it is these types of family-friendly convenient "experiences" that will help create a generation of kids who grow up wanting to visit and support downtown Fresno. Wouldn't it be great to see mobile/traveling children's art, science, cultural and learning exhibits -- similar to those that used to be at the Met -- showcased monthly downtown and supported by community partnerships?

  My kids are asking me how long before we get to go ice skating again, so I hope that families in our community continue to support downtown events so that they become a permanent fixture in the minds of our children.

• Ask Amy: Parent-to-be doesn't want kids in her house

  Ask Amy: Parent-to-be doesn't want kids in her house

  Dear Amy: My husband and I do not plan to have children for a few more years. We already know we are the "I only like my own kids" type of people.