Latest news with #SarahCarlson
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
D11 announces new low-cost preschool option
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — On Tuesday, April 29, Colorado Springs School District 11 (D11) announced a new low-cost extended care option for 4-year-olds. D11's preschool programs are free for eligible families, and the district said its new option couldn't come at a more critical time, as El Paso County has implemented a Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) enrollment freeze. 'We know our families have been asking for it for a long time. The typical preschool schedule doesn't work very well for families who are working full-time jobs,' said Sarah Carlson, the Director of Early Childhood Education for D11. 'And so we're so excited that we can finally offer this extended care option to our families.' At an open house on Tuesday, families got to meet with teachers, tour classrooms, and learn more about half-day and full-day options, as well as locations and scholarship support. The program will begin in August of 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
WIRED
12-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- WIRED
The Vuori Performance Joggers Are Everything a Pair of Sweatpants Should Be
These sweats strike the perfect balance between comfort and looks. Photograph: Vuori; GETTY IMAGES If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more. I've always been a sweatpants and leggings girl. Maybe it's a hallmark of having worked from home for eight years and counting, or the burden I bear from being a millennial, but to me, blue jeans are an occassion pant. Even when I'm out in a skirt or dress, the second I get home, I'm putting on sweatpants. My favorite pair has been the Vuori Performance Joggers, ever since I first tried them back in 2020 for a now-defunct buying guide. These sweatpants have been beloved across the internet since then and probably before it. Influencers, reviewers, and redditors sing their praises. I'm not saying anything new. These pants have 4.8 out of 5 stars based on over 46,000 customer reviews. But if you haven't heard the gospel, please do yourself the courtesy of listening to me proselytize for just one moment. I know a ton of differently shaped people who love these sweatpants. I'm short and curvy, but friends and colleagues with different body types swear by these sweatpants. Be you tall or short, slim or thick, no matter your gender, your weight, or where you like to wear your loungewear, these'll work for you. They're like magic. Pants You Can Wear … Some people might think sweatpants are basic. How hard can it be to get it right? So perhaps my love for the Vuori Performance Joggers is best illustrated with details about what they don't get wrong. I spoke with Sarah Carlson, vice president of design at Vuori, to lift the curtain a bit. Let's start with the fabric. The Vuori's DreamKnit fabric is special. Carlson says it's made with advanced knitting techniques to promote a second-skin feel, and she says it is meant to 'provide a buttery-soft feel while delivering the durability and functionality needed for active lifestyles.' I'll be the first to admit I'm skeptical of any marketing claims, but these sweatpants genuinely are so soft and stretchy. DreamKnit is made with 89 percent recycled materials. It has four-way stretch, which keeps it flexible, and it's designed to keep you cool and dry. It's not too thin or too thick. If I wear these sweatpants in the fall, they keep me pretty warm. If I wear them in the summer, I don't get too hot. I can regulate my own body temperature. They're not aggressively lined or bulky or thick. They just work. In the winter, or on particularly windy days, they aren't the warmest, but that breathability is a feature and not a bug. Carlson says, "The initial concept for DreamKnit came from our desire to create a fabric that felt as good as it performed.' And it does! She adds that each iteration was wear-tested by athletes, yogis, and everyday users to get feedback on fit, feel, and functionality. Vuori also conducted lab tests to 'ensure the fabric could withstand repeated washing and activity without losing its shape or softness.' The slash pockets are thoughtfully designed, too, with enough depth that I can stash my phone, wallet, and other essentials inside—and, most importantly, nothing falls out when I sit down or shift around. This is a surprisingly common issue I've found while testing sweatpants. What's the point in a pocket if things don't stay inside it? Again, the Performance Joggers have pockets that work as intended. And they don't stick out or show an obvious outline while I walk around—another added benefit that other sweatpants haven't managed to achieve. Carlson says that 'fit is everything, and we spent countless hours perfecting the cut of the Performance Joggers. They're designed to be relaxed but not sloppy, with a tapered leg that flatters the body without restricting movement. The elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring ensures a customizable, secure fit.' Even the drawstring is well designed. It doesn't slip too easily out of its sleeve, and it's not too thick or obvious. It's soft on my skin. It's flat and therefore easy to tie, and it stays tied throughout the day. I can adjust the sweatpants to sit high on my natural waist or sling them low around my hips. The drawstring doesn't create an obvious outline or get twisted up over time. It simply works as intended. … Anywhere And the length of the pants is just right. On my 5'1' frame, I don't find them to be too long or too short. But reviewers who are taller than me have said the same thing. Like I said—these are like magic. The actual inseam length is 25 inches. The sweatpants keep their shape throughout the day, and the cuff loosens imperceptibly if at all. The ankle cuff is tight enough to help the pants maintain their shape but not so tight that it pulls them down or restricts movement. And finally, the silhouette. Vuori suggests ordering a size up if you want an oversized fit. I wear my usual size, and I find that the pants are tight and loose in all the right places. They hug my hips and butt, they nip in my waist, and they're a little tight toward the ankles. The shape is downright flattering, and I feel just as comfy wearing them with a gigantic fleece-lined hoodie while lounging as I do pairing them with a bodysuit and some cute sneakers while going out or over my shorts to the gym. I've worn these to chill on the couch during the holidays at my parents' house. I've worn these while hanging out around the campfire. I've worn these to my favorite bar. I've worn these on a date. They just work. If you conjure a pair of sweatpants in your head, they'd probably be the Vuori Performance Joggers—whether or not you realize it yet. I appreciate the wide variety of colors (14 at press time) and sizes (XXS to XXL in Regular or Long lengths). I appreciate the way these hold up over time, maintaining their softness and shape over nearly five years of wear. But mostly, I appreciate that they absolutely nail everything a pair of comfy pants should be. They're expensive, but to me, they're worth every penny.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EDITORIAL: Cuts in Dover-Eyota paint a grim picture of the path ahead
Mar. 22—When a school district's leadership starts discussions of fiscal belt-tightening, the potential targets usually include extracurricular activities, after-school programs, the arts, and perhaps delayed tech upgrades. Jazz band and drama club are wonderful, but when push comes to shove, they can be seen as expendable. Dover-Eyota Public Schools is way past such "easy" financial fixes. Last November, residents of the district were asked to approve a new school operating levy that would have provided an additional $1 million per year for the next decade. Sixty-four percent of voters said no, leaving the district with few good options for the immediate future. During a school board meeting on Monday, the public learned the full repercussions of that vote. This fall, both the middle school and the high school will be under the guidance of just one principal. Sarah Carlson, the current high school principal, will take over middle-school duties, too. That's a disconcerting change, but it pales in comparison with selling the district's entire bus fleet. That's going to happen, too. D-E will reap a short-term cash windfall from this sale — which one board member described as getting "a little breathing room" — but the district will have to contract with an outside vendor for student transportation. And finally, there's this troubling development: Starting this fall, Dover-Eyota High School will operate with just 13 teachers across its math, English, science and social studies programs, compared with 18.5 teachers in those same areas in 2022-23. That's a 30% reduction in teachers across core educational areas. This isn't trimming the fat. This is cutting muscle and bone, and it's almost certainly going to hurt educational outcomes for students at D-E. Of course, this isn't the final word on Dover-Eyota Public Schools. The district will go to voters again in the very near future, hopefully with a new sales pitch and a better-organized get-out-the-vote campaign. The next referendum might produce a very different outcome without the increased turnout caused by a presidential election. While there are no guarantees, at some point down the road the district likely will squeak out a win at the ballot box — especially if the D-E floats the possibility of an imminent building closure, or even consolidation with another district. This same process is playing out in communities across the state. Dover-Eyota was among 30 districts last year that asked for additional local per-pupil funding, and voters in 18 of those districts said "No." Byron joined D-E on the list of failed levy proposals, while Lewiston-Altura and Rochester were among the districts where voters approved new levies for the next 10 years. While of late there have been a few much-talked-about instances of schools' financial mismanagement (including at Byron), the root cause of most funding woes for Minnesota school districts is neither nefarious nor mysterious: State per-pupil funding isn't keeping up with rising costs. Education funding in Minnesota comes from three primary sources — state, federal and local. Since 1980, the state has covered a majority of costs, and in 2003 the state's share peaked at 75% of the K-12 education tab. By 2020, that number had fallen back to 67%. While consumers have had some ugly firsthand experience with inflation during the past 18 months, it's been a constant problem for schools for two decades. In Rochester, for example, even the most conservative estimates indicate that if state per-pupil funding had been indexed to inflation for the past 20 years, RPS would have received at least $20 million more for the current school year. Local taxpayers have had to cover that gap, and it keeps growing. The immediate future holds little promise of relief. Minnesota has a $6 billion projected budget deficit and a deeply divided Legislature, so don't expect any big pushes to increase state per-pupil funding. Also, while Minnesota currently gets $1.4 billion annually in federal education funding, the apparently imminent dismantling of the Department of Education could reduce or eliminate the flow of federal education dollars. In other words, we might soon discover the real meaning of "local control" of education. When push comes to shove, and it's local money that must pay an even bigger share of the tab, what will districts keep? What will they cut? Do Minnesotans — especially small-town Minnesotans — truly value their local public schools, or are they ready to consider other, less-expensive options? Perhaps Minnesota will follow the path that Iowa took in 2023, allowing families to take their child's per-pupil state funding and spend it at an accredited private school. This year, that grant amounts to $7,826 per child, and nearly 28,000 Iowa students exercised that option. Put another way, this year Iowa's coffers are sending $218 million to private schools. Enrollment trends for our southern neighbor are tracking quite predictably. More private schools are opening every year and are filling quickly, while enrollment in public schools is steadily declining. We would not be surprised to see support for a similar system gain headway in Minnesota — especially if Iowa's educational outcomes show signs of improvement. Whether you are for or against school "vouchers" (some of us on the editorial board cringe at the idea), you can't deny that Minnesota schools and the taxpayers who support them are nearing a tipping point. Costs are soaring. Many small towns are losing population, leaving fewer homeowners and business owners to carry an ever-larger tax burden. Every viable option needs to be on the table. We hope that eventually, voters in Dover, Eyota and Byron will see value in supporting their local schools. But we also hope that before Rochester voters are asked to extend (and probably increase) the school levy 10 years from now, the Minnesota Legislature will find a way to provide consistent, reliable, better-than-barely-adequate funding for K-12 public schools.
Telegraph
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Outdoor running gear (that's stylish enough to wear for coffee after your jog)
Disruptor brands like Alo Yoga and Vuori also tap into this, exuding a California-inspired run-to-brunch aesthetic and gaining on powerhouse competitors like Lululemon and Nike in the process. Little wonder the latter made a bid for continued relevance within the womenswear market by announcing a collaboration with Skims, Kim Kardashian's £3 billion shapewear behemoth. Tracksmith is another big name in the space, exuding a covetable brand of New England athleticism that's immediately recognisable from its elegant leaping hare logo. That hare adorns everything from temperature-regulating leggings to mesh T-shirts and tank tops, and the overriding palette is chalky tones of ivory and oatmeal, with a few pastel touches. There's a whole swathe of such neutral pieces out there this spring, as well as a generous helping of mocha mousse-flavoured minimalism. 'Effortless tones, inspired by nature, are a signature at Vuori and a great transition option,' says the brand's senior vice president of women's design, Sarah Carlson. 'Sedona Brown', a rosy taupe shade, is one of their bestsellers, particularly in the brand's popular shorts and leggings. A bomber-style jacket in a similarly chic shade of taupe has sold out at M&S, as has an ivory incarnation, but a deeper taupe version is still available (for now). For light beige pieces, look to H&M, where a running jacket and water-repellent sport cap provide an ideal defence against the spring showers that runners will inevitably face this season. Meanwhile, Scandi brand Sisterly Tribe is bringing a touch of Pilates-chic to running, with separates in shades of clay, cappuccino and off-white that feel too pretty not to keep on post-workout. Back on the high street, Uniqlo's entire Sport Utility range is another great source of muted running gear, which can be relied upon for moisture-wicking, quick-drying and UV-blocking fabrics as well as stylish cuts and hues. Decked out in your spring best, the sun-dappled streets, parks and fields will seem all the more appealing. And if you end up deciding against the run in the end, no matter – at least you'll have a stylish outfit for the weekend coffee run. Nobody has to know you're sticking firmly to the 'leisure' end of the athleisure movement.
