Must Reads for Your Teen This Summer
We value reading at Summit Academy North High School and we want your teen to enjoy reading throughout the summer.
Here are 3 books that are sure to make summer reading a blast.
Crossed
by Ally Condie
Cassia makes her way to the Outer Provinces in search of Ky–taken by Society to his certain death–only to find that he has escaped into the grand, but treacherous, canyons. On this wild frontier are flickers of a different life . . . and the gripping promise of rebellion. But even as Cassia sacrifices everything to unite with Ky, clever surprises from Xander may change the game.
Forge
by Laurie Anderson
The Patriot Army was shaped and reinforced by the desperate conditions of the Valley Forge winter. This is where Curzon the boy becomes Curzon the young man. He lives with the fear of discovery, because he’s an escaped slave passing as free. Then there’s Isabel, also at Valley Forge—against her will. She and Curzon have to sort out the twisted threads of their friendship while sorting out what stands between them and true freedom.
You Don’t Even Know Me
by Sharon Flake
This collection of original stories and poems offers insight into the minds of teenage African American boys. There’s Tow-Kaye, getting married at seventeen to the love of his life. James writes in his diary about his twin brother’s terrible secret, while Tyler explains what it’s like to be a player with the ladies. And Eric takes us on a tour of North Philly on the Fourth of July, when the heat could make a guy go crazy.
Preventing Summer Learning Loss
Did you know?
• Student lose about 3 months of grade level equivalency in math skills during the summer.
• Teachers spend roughly 4-6 weeks re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer.
You Can Prevent Summer Loss By:
• Spending time at your local library. Librarians can suggest books and resources that will keep your teen mind fresh throughout the summer.
• Reaching out to us for help finding summer programs and learning activities for your teen.
• Taking advantage of teachable moments throughout the summer. Vacations, day trips, or even walks through the neighborhood can all present wonderful opportunities to reinforce concepts your high schooler learned during the school year.
• Reading often and reading as a family.
• Enjoying museums, concerts, zoos, gardens and other activities together. Many of these places offer free or discounted admission.
Remember, the more enjoyable you can make summer learning, the more information your teen will retain.
Limit Screen Time This Summer
Using tablets and phones for fun can be a simple way to pass the time, but don’t forget to get outdoors and have fun this summer.
Set Limits, Not Bans
Tablets and phones have their place, and there’s nothing wrong letting your kids use their devices to connect with friends or play games. The problem occurs when that is the only thing they do with their time. We all know how easy it is to spend hours on our phones. However, summer time means longer days and more sunlight to enjoy outdoor activities. Don’t ban your kids from spending time on their devices; rather set limits that encourage them to get outside and be active. For example, for every 30 minutes of screen time they have, ask them to spend 2 hours doing something that doesn’t involve a screen. This could be as simple as playing a sport, doing a craft, or working on things around the house.
Content Matters
Limiting screen time also means knowing what type of content your kids are consuming. Many older kids may think summer is all about binge watching their favorite TV shows. Balance is a must, though, when setting screen time limits.
Instead of allowing your child to binge watch a show, it may help to set a limit of 1 hour each evening for TV entertainment. This doesn’t mean only an hour for screen time each day; rather, it allows them to fill the remainder of their screen time with games or educational activities. You can even encourage your kids to watch YouTube videos that will help them learn a new school this summer, instead of just watching a TV show.
However, you choose to manage screen time this summer, be sure to make the most of the nice weather with your family and stay active!
Happy Summer!
Another school year has come and gone. What a wonderful year it has been! Looking through pictures and walking through the halls, it’s easy for our staff to see how much the students have grown. I see the great projects classes have worked on.
It may be trite to say, but it does indeed take a village to raise a child. We are so privileged to have such a student focused environment at Summit Academy and we are so pleased to provide our students with a family they can count on outside of home.
We are grateful for your support and involvement in our schools. Without your efforts and attentiveness, we could not offer the different programs and individualized learning our students receive here. Thank you so much for being with us each step of the way this year.
We hope that all of you have enjoyed this school year as much as we have. We look forward to another exciting year with you and your children in the fall!