Commentary; Posted: 6/9/04

Timely advice for summer activities

Joe Nathan
Guest Columnist

Last week Minnesota school principals offered wise advice, both expected and unexpected, to families. Noah Kippley-Ogman, a summer intern at the Center for School Change, and I surveyed about 25 principals about how families could help youngsters make good use of the summer.

Steve Massey, principal of Forest Lake High School, spoke for virtually every principal we interviewed. ìThe more youngsters see how reading can be fun, and useful, the better off they will be.î Youngsters ought to see adults in their family reading ñ whether itís a newspaper, magazine or book.

Janet Palmer of Forest View Elementary in Forest Lake School agrees, and urges that families spend some time, even if just a few minutes a week, reading together. John Beach, principal at Princetonís North Elementary, had the intriguing suggestion that families find one or two poems or short stories that they like and present them at family gatherings. This way, the family can be a sort of ìReaderís Theatre.î

One wonderful resource for reading (and writing) is a federal Website: www.ed.gov/free. This site has literally thousands of brochures, reports, and other items on subjects from astronomy to zoology. Itís a great place for youngsters to explore their interests, and request free material.

Neal Fox, principal of Columbus Elementary School in Forest Lake, sees summer as a time for informal learning ñ ìand many of the best things to do donít cost much, if anything.î Simple things like going to the library together to read and pick out books, or going swimming together.

Brad Johnson, principal at Rushford-Peterson High School, urged that families plan time together. He sees ìtoo much of people going their separate ways.î

Greg Clausen, principal at Rosemount High School, suggested building some learning into any vacation trip. ìWhether driving or flying, youngsters ought to follow the familyís progress on a map, and read a bit about the places theyíre visiting.î

Glenn Muster, principal at Hibbing High School, added the common sense suggestion to ìreally listen, as well as talk with your youngsters. Be open and persistent, without being pushy. If young people arenít ready to talk, be patient. But make it clear you really want to know whatís happening in their lives.î

Dave Hauer, principal of Meadowvale in Elk River stressed the value of youngsters ìrelaxing and taking time to recharge their batteries.î He worries that sometimes young people are too busy.

Hauer agreed that reading, and other activities such as those suggested above, make great sense. But he also made the common sense point that he and other educators want youngsters to have fun in the summer, and return to school with lots of energy. Itís important not to over-program young people.

Iím going to take these principalsí advice and do something different this summer. Iím going to try writing a book. So this will be the last column until August. Best wishes for a great summer.

The writer directs the Center for School Change at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. He can be reached at jnathan@hhh.umn.edu.

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