Summer!

By Rosemary Warren

As the school year comes to a close, it's essential to gently guide our children into the summer months, celebrating their accomplishments while preparing them for the adventures ahead. Here are some thoughtful tips to help your children embrace summer and make the most of it.

Begin by engaging your child in a heartfelt conversation about the school year, reminiscing about favorite memories, accomplishments, and areas for growth. Encourage them to embrace their journey, rejoice in their successes, and learn from their experiences. To provide a comforting sense of routine, create a harmonious summer schedule that includes a mix of structured activities, unstructured play, and downtime. This ensures a fulfilling summer experience while giving your child the opportunity to recharge. Consider enrolling your children in summer camps or classes that cater to their interests, such as sports, arts, or STEM. These activities keep them engaged, active, and learning throughout the summer months.

While it's important to relax, preparing for the upcoming school year is also crucial. Review assigned summer work, collaborate on it together, and discuss their goals for the next year to prevent last-minute stress by engaging your children in outdoor activities and exercise, such as swimming, biking, or sports. This promotes a healthy, active lifestyle while ensuring they have fun.

Plan family outings and vacations to create cherished memories and strengthen family bonds. These experiences offer a welcome break from daily routines and encourage quality time together. Use the summer months to teach your children valuable life skills like cooking, budgeting, or basic home maintenance. These skills not only benefit them in the future but also keep their minds engaged and instill a sense of achievement. Help your children stay connected with school friends by organizing playdates, sleepovers, or group outings, promoting socialization and nurturing friendships outside of school. Encourage your children to take on age-appropriate responsibilities during the summer, such as assisting with chores or caring for a pet. This teaches them the importance of responsibility and contributes to their personal growth.

The transition from the academic year to summer vacation is an exhilarating time for both our children and us as parents. By following these gentle suggestions, you can support your children in embracing the opportunities summer brings while also preparing them for the challenges of the upcoming school year. n

By Elizabeth Hickcox

With the vast array of digital resources available at our fingertips, it's easy to overlook the value and enjoyment of visiting a library in today's era. However, libraries offer a multitude of advantages beyond their vast book collections. They provide access to a wide range of resources and services that benefit children and families, making them a prime destination for spending quality time and promoting a love for learning.

This summer, make sure to take advantage of the libraries in our community and experience the joy and benefits they offer.

Calabasas Library

Located in the heart of Calabasas, the Calabasas Library offers a wide range of resources and services for children and families. The library has a dedicated children's section with a large collection of books as well as a variety of educational and fun programs throughout the year. From storytime and craft sessions to book clubs and summer reading programs, there is always something happening at the Calabasas Library.

In addition to books and programs, the Calabasas Library also has a number of digital resources for children, including online homework help, e-books, and audiobooks. The library also offers a number of online resources for parents, such as tips for helping children develop strong reading skills and access to educational websites. Visit cityofcalabasas.com/government/library.

Westlake Village Library

The Westlake Village Library is a great place to spend time with your children and encourage their love for reading and learning. The library has a dedicated children's section with a large collection of books as well as a number of programs and events throughout the year. From storytime and puppet shows to Lego clubs and coding classes, there is always something fun and educational happening at the Westlake Village Library.

The library also has a number of digital resources for children, including online homework help, e-books, and audiobooks. In addition, the library offers a number of resources for parents, such as parenting books and workshops on topics such as child development and effective communication. Visit lacountylibrary.org/westlake-village-library.

Agoura Hills Library

The Agoura Hills Library is another great option for families in the area. The library has a dedicated children's section with a large collection of books as well as a number of programs and events throughout the year. From storytime and crafts to movie nights and book clubs, there is always something happening at the Agoura Hills Library. The library also has a number of digital resources for children, including online homework help, e-books, and audiobooks. In addition, the library offers resources for parents, like parenting books and workshops on topics such as child development and effective communication. Visit lacountylibrary.org/agoura-hills-library. n

Chs Un Team Triumphs

The Calabasas City Council honored a special group of students from the Calabasas High School Model UN Team on April 12. These outstanding students triumphed by taking first place as Best Delegation at the National High School Model United Nations Conference in March. The team flew to New York City to compete against thousands of other delegates at the biggest conference in the world. The team also attended the closing ceremonies on the floor of the UN General Assembly. Two CHS seniors, Aashi Jhawer, club president, and Cary Bloom each delivered a 45-second speech. The team champions are Carly Bloom, Bella Raichelson, Erin Marshall, Sofia Bronshteyn, Aashi Jhawer, Ethan Perlmutter, Zach Davis, Audrey Rumteen, and Ashi Bhati. The current iteration of CHS’s Model United Nations Club was founded in the 2016–2017 school year by Mr. Boelman (advisor, 2016–present) and Ethan Lee (president/founder, 2016–2019) with the goal to empower individual students to reach their full potential.