Ahhh summertime. For kids everywhere, it’s a time to sleep in, run around in the sunshine, and generally unwind after a busy school year.
However, for many parents, it ought to be a time for encouraging their school-aged children to squeeze in a little summertime learning.
And, this is actually a very important concern; expert research shows many academic skills degrade over summer vacation. As a matter of fact, over the summer months, students can lose up to 60% of the math and reading skills that they learned during the previous year. Naturally, this will lead to a lot of recapping and relearning come the fall.
But, good news - you can help your grade-schooler stay academically nimble through some critical-thinking activities over the summer. Here are a few ideas!
1. Backyard Scrabble
Here’s a really cool idea we discovered while browsing the web. Make words and spelling fun and outdoorsy with your own homemade cardboard-and-paint letter tiles. Think the popular smartphone app Words with Friends, only way more summery and social!
2. Visit The Library
This might not make the kids leap out of their seats with joy, but then again, they might not know just how many different things the local library has to offer. With free literary activities, social clubs and science-minded outdoorsy field trips, public libraries are quickly shedding the old reputation of just being a quiet place to be a bookworm. And let’s face it, air-conditioning is always a plus on the hottest of summer days,
3. Budgeting Skills = Lemonade Stand, Car Wash
Many of us have at least one entrepreneurial summertime activity in our pasts. For this writer, it was definitely a lemonade stand. Now, in addition to being a source of a little pocket change, a small summer business is a great - and rather sneaky - way to promote practical math skills!
4. Cooking / Baking
Here’s another excellent, math skill-building activity with a fun result. Pick a few simple recipes and watch the kids practice their measurement and time skills. For an extra challenge, get a group together and work on doubling the recipe. Math can be very fun - and delicious!
5. Designated Reading Time
Alright, not exactly the most fun sounding of the ideas on our list, but reading has really taken off in a mainstream sense - thanks to a slew of bestselling books-turned- blockbuster movies. Encourage a set time on a daily basis for reading a few chapters of a fun book. Who knows? This idea could turn into a neighbohood book club!
These are only a few basic, educational activity examples; we bet you have a few of your own. Leave us a comment and share them with us!
It’s the end of the 2013-14 school year, and everyone involved is breathing a much-needed sigh of relief.
But, for those who have spent this most recent year of learning volunteering with their local Parent-Teacher Organization, (PTO) this also means getting things buttoned up and organized for when the next academic year rolls around.
Here at Quality Wholesale, we know many of you are active participants in school organizations, so we’ve put together this simple checklist of things to remember before powering down your PTO for the summer.
ORGANIZE FILES
A great first step into summer is to go through your PTO files to make sure everything is there. Collect committee files and other information from fellow members and store everything in a safe and accessible location. And, while it can be fun and rewarding to purge files of things you don’t need anymore, hang on to all things related to finances; PTO groups are audited like everything else, and you’ll want to make sure you have your fiscal information in a completed state.
KEEP TABS ON SCHOOL SUMMER HOURS
Even though the balance will shift dramatically from school to home over the summer months, many groups still like to hold regular meetings. If you’re planning on using your school building for this, look into open building hours. It’s always a drag to set something up, only to find out last minute that your chosen venue isn’t available.
SUMMER = RECRUITMENT OF MEMBERS
Summer, with all of its leisure activities, youth sports and more, is a great time to connect with like-minded individuals to gauge their interest level in joining your PTO. Take advantage of community activities to share with others what your group has been up to - and get them excited about potentially getting involved!
REFRESH YOUR PTO DISPLAY
Many parents and their children visit schools over the summer to check them out prior to enrollment. Keep your PTO group’s public display sharp and current so they get a strong idea of what’s going on at your school. This can really make a strong impression on new families!
REVIEW INCORPORATION STATUS
If your PTO is incorporated, look into whether or not you’ll need to review that status over the summer. Most incorporated PTO chapters do need to renew their membership yearly, and often, that renewal date arrives during summer break. Double check to make sure your status doesn’t lapse!
GATHER VACATION DATES
If you are planning to meet with your fellow PTO members over the summer months, reach out for their vacation dates. Summer can be a real scheduling headache, so get out in front of it by getting planned trip dates of your fellows into a calendar.
SET PRELIMINARY BUDGET
It’s always a good idea to reflect on your budget for the previous year, while it’s still fresh in your mind, before heading into the summer. If you’re not contemplating or forecasting any particularly large changes for next year, the odds are good that your operating budget will remain relatively unchanged. This will alleviate some stress for you come fall.
RECOGNIZE YOUR FELLOW PTO-ERS
Finally, before the bell rings and everyone is released, take some time to thank fellow PTO members for their dedication throughout the school year. If you have any retiring members, consider thinking of a way to honor them.
Anything you’d add to this list that we might have missed? Leave us a comment and let us know. Happy summer!
