School’s (Almost!) Out for Summer – Now What?

With temperatures soaring to a sweltering 97° this week, it’s impossible not to begin to dream of the light at the end of the tunnel – summer break. Our Middle School students have hit the point in the year where they gleefully remind me of the countdown of days left at every opportunity. (If you’re not yet counting down at home for yourself, we have just 12 days … two of which are half days … to go! Wasn’t it September just last week?!)

For many middle schoolers, summer may seem like the perfect opportunity to stay up too late, play video games, text friends late into the night, and sleep in the next morning. For some families, it’s an opportunity to get ahead – to dive into a summer course, to study a new topic, or to get ahead in a specialized summer program.

It’s true – these are valuable summer experiences. Even the late night bonding and the sleeping-until-noon. Make time for them! That said, as we head towards summer, I look forward most to one of the greatest gifts we can give our children: the opportunity to unplug. In a world filled with notifications, schedules and the need to always be “on”, summer offers something wonderfully different: time to slow down. Time for long conversations around the dinner table, family trips both big and small, backyard games, bike rides with friends and afternoons spent simply being kids.

Some of the most meaningful experiential learning happens away from screens and outside of classrooms. Summer is a chance for students to explore hobbies they love, discover new interests, create, build, cook, draw, practice music, garden, or just spend hours immersed in imaginative play with peers. Unstructured, student-led play – yes, even into the pre-teen and teenage years! – helps young people develop creativity, independence, collaboration and confidence in ways that are difficult to replicate during the busy school year.

And, of course, there is the joy of reading for pleasure. Our summer reading lists, available on our school website, offer students a wonderful opportunity to discover new stories, explore different perspectives and continue growing as readers throughout the summer months. A great book can transport students to new worlds, spark curiosity and help nurture their love of learning in a low-stakes way.

When students have the chance to truly recharge over the summer, they return in the fall refreshed, energized and ready to succeed. They come back with new stories to tell, new experiences to share and renewed excitement for the year ahead.

Though we aren’t there quite yet – we have lots of learning and a great deal of fun packed into these remaining days – I want to take a moment to wish all of our families a summer filled with laughter, rest, adventure and meaningful time together. Unplug a little. Explore a lot. I cannot wait to welcome everyone back in the fall and hear all about your summer adventures!