First - UHEA is hosting a Graduate Recognition Night for students who have completed their high school journey. A $30 registration fee covers admission for the graduate, parents, and a few close family members and/or friends. The fee also includes one Graduate Recognition Book (with bios and pictures of the graduates), a certificate, flower, and light refreshments. There will be table space for grads to display talents and accomplishments. You can find details here, and don't delay - the deadline for registration is May 25th!
For this month's meeting we talked about how our schooling does or doesn't change during the summer. Some families don't change much at all, instead choosing to take longer breaks during other periods of the year. Others take advantage of the weather and move some of their studies outside or begin nature journals.
For those families who do "take a break" from their regular schedule, there are lots of opportunities to avoid summer "brain drain." Continuing with your favorite "extracurricular" activities can be fun! Book clubs and park days don't stop just because "school is out for summer." There are tons of activities in the community all summer long - the libraries plan lots of great events and have summer reading programs. Volunteer opportunities that are more kid-friendly often pop up when school is out. Star gazing and astronomy projects can be wonderful on warm summer nights. Planting gardens is fun, educational, and you might get to eat the results!
Finally, there is a lot going on in Utah right now! The Leonardo is a fabulous new science center (or so I've heard! It's time to go!), and homeschoolers can get an educational discount on a family membership (call for details - I believe you get $45 off of your membership, you may need to bring your homeschooling affidavit letter). The new Utah Natural History Museum is another wonderful place to spend the day. And the Hogle Zoo is opening Rocky Shores, a new exhibit featuring polar bears, otters, seals, and sea lions. There's so much to do in the summer - who has time for "school" anyway?
