It’s only October, but this has already been a challenging school year for students, parents, and teachers. At Academic Approach,
even as students and teachers work remotely, we continue to offer one-on-one tutoring and school programs that empower students from all backgrounds to increase their scores, skills, and confidence on and beyond standardized tests. Here are five tips from our team to help you ensure your middle schooler gets the preparation they need to tackle their next challenge.

It’s a challenging time for families—particularly when it comes to school. If you would like to find out what your child’s school day would be like at St. Luke’s, please join them this Sunday, 10/18 at 12pm for the Middle School Virtual Open House. Hear from Head of School, Head of Middle School, teachers and students who have been back on campus since August. The team at St Luke’s looks forward to meeting you!

In the spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to feature rockstar momma and breast cancer survivor, Melissa Levy. After 15 years running her own company, declutter + design, helping people maximize the value of their space, she was faced with an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis which began with her first mammogram, and led her down a road she had never expected to travel. As she continues her own fight, Melissa is working to create an online space for people going through the journey she has to share, to support each other, and to heal together, and could not be more excited about its potential. In another life, she will return to her acting and singing roots, and looks forward to a time when we all can travel once again! In the meantime, she continues to fight – with her husband and eight year old son by her side – and looks forward to empowering other women to do the same! Melissa’s story is extremely real, raw and inspiring, and we are so grateful she has shared It with us! We are sending her – and all those fighting this fight – all our positive energy, love and strength during this time!
reminds us all how precious each moment is, how much stronger we are than we often even know, and that we need each other to get through! Thank you for sharing; you are an inspiration!

Wondering about CBD? Meet New England Hemp Farm – a new Westport company, committed to delivering only the highest quality, thoroughly tested, CBD products to their customers. Not only are the founders two local Dads but the VP of Sales- Colin Bannon is the coach for the Staple’s High School Lacrosse Team! Use the discount code “MOM15” for 15% off your first purchase.

Pinstripes has begun a new promotion for their Kids Club Program. Monday through Thursdays, up to 4 Kids are able to enjoy $5 Kids Meals and/or $5 hour of Bowling or Bocce including shoes with each adult meal purchase.
Pinstripes has lots of activities coming up for children 12 years and under, including fun special parent / children events beginning around the middle of October to help safely celebrate Halloween this year.

As moms, we all want to give our kids a healthy start, and that’s why so many of us have made our own baby food. From those adorable first bites to enticing picky toddlers, feeding our kids can be rewarding, a struggle, or (in most cases), both. That’s one of the reasons we love Cerebelly, a new brand of baby food developed by neurosurgeon and mom Teresa Purzner. Learn more about her story, and why Cerebelly might be the right choice for your family!

We’re calling it now—pumpkin bread is the new banana bread. And besides the fact that it is a delicious fall treat, the beta-carotene in pumpkin (converted to Vitamin A in the body) is a true powerhouse vitamin. It boosts the immune system, promotes eye health and helps prevents sun damage! We love the recipe below from The Local Moms Network contributor Maria Provenzano because it uses ingredients you probably already have and is simple, making it a great activity to do with kids.

Mom to 13 year old Sadie and formerly the fashion Editor at Vogue, O Magazine and the Editor-in-Chief of Hamptons and Gotham Magazine, Samantha is new to Westport and couldn’t be happier to be here! A branding and marketing expert, she has her hand in many projects including launching her own agency (Samantha Yanks Creative) and serving as the VP of Marketing for Fashwire – a fashion marketplace for discovering new designers! Samantha and her family love museums, visiting local farmstands (follow her at @curated_for_you) , and eating delicious food. Fun facts: Samantha still doesn’t know how to ride a bike (though is open to being taught!), might be a lobbyist in another life, and is a daredevil at heart. By those closest to her she is often described as fiercely loyal, confident and caring – and her creative genius is bar none. We are thrilled to have her here in Westport, and look forward to all the amazing things we know are ahead with her in our community!

Did you know that our partner Nurtury Montessori School offers full time daycare for infants (0-9 months and 9-18 months). The Nurtury keeps infants in a dedicated space to help them develop naturally in their own way and at their own pace. Their newest location in Rye Brook has its Grand Opening set for October! Click through to learn more and call 914-632-6200 to set up your tour today!