NEAR. the dawn of every summer holiday, I write a column that dis- cusses the reasons why parents should consider having their children do a little schoolwork dur- ing the lazy, hazy days of summer. The result is often a few ‘nasty e-mails from kids whose parents have cut it out, stuck it on the fridge and told their children, they've seen the © light. “.. The e-mails are usualiv . pretty similar, starting out with a thesis statement such as the following: ; <> “Whar, are you nuts?” or “Get a life, mister, and fet us have one too.” -/~, Fhe thesis statement is then followed by some dramatic -evidence of the folly of my thinking. “The only reason [ failed was because my teacher was lousy." 2” “I worked my tail off this torytime: “A stories, Songs, ‘fingerplays and 7 puppetry for the whole. family. ; We 130 tnceday ‘and: Fri ay at 10. am. or’ Tha, rate 2 ernational Pairyaics and Craft:°.°For.°:6-9.> = years. hursday, « June. a ‘at’ 3:30 North Van City Library. aiti'is the country featured. ter: 980-4424 : Babytime: Stories, songs, and : inger . plays for.6. to 24° ' months accompanied by.a ' Wiese v or caregiver” at the: 17,-10 am.-J] ‘p.m., 10:30. ‘am. | or Til never have the ¢ go back in Septembe no proof that reading in the summer will make vou a better student.” Pretty hard points to argue. They offen go on to say that they need relief from the stress of schooling, they just want to hang out with friends and there’s more to life than school, particularly if they are not very good at school out are good at something that doesn’t get done much at school, like mechanical things. Now here, I have to admit there are some scoring points made. Kids do need some down time. For that matter, we all do, but I’m just nor sure 60 days or more in 2 row is the best option. It’s a kind of boom or bust scenario. Give me the year-round school con- cept of three months in and one month off, anytime, to reduce this risk. T also can’t find much wrong with the argument that lots of learning can go on out- side of school, particularly in the area of experimentation with building or other such skills rarely dealt with in schools, After all, when vas the last time someone built a tree house in school or formed a rock band that practised four hours a day? The summer gives kids “register § 980-4424. Dro -in Babes. Storyzime: For te oa to-24 months > at the North Van City Library. ..Tuesday. and Thursday at 10:30 a.m, Info: 980-4454. SATURDAY . Child’s Discovery Daycare: Non-profit - parent: run’: day- care and preschool is holding - an open house, Saturday, June hind Lucas | Centre: at Hamilton :Ave., NV. Info: 985-0116. 2132" with a passion for some inter- est, an opportunity to pursue that passion with some con’ don, not having to constany put it away to go to school or do homework. That's not such a bad thing. Suill, wonder if there’s a to do i? Can kids read a fittle, do a little math review, have some down time and still pursue an interest of their own on those long summer days? I have to believe that with 15 hours of daylight, there’s gor to beaw two of simple basic skill prac- ‘tice, not at the expense of those other important issues, but rather to avoid the expense of reinventing the wheel of those skills come September. So moms and dads, give the kids a break, Iet them have some fun, but if they need a fiedle reintorcement.of their basic skills, program that into the daily regimen and stick to it. My eager sons are anxious, (nor), to get started on their summer reading program, in benween fishing, hiking, boat- ing and sleeping in until their grandfather says at 9 a.1m., “The day’s almost gone!” As for me, save your e- mails kids. I’m off-line for awhile, ! admit to being nuts every so often, and what life I do have is dedicated to encouraging students to read _Benjamin a Vecole. For all ages at the North Van City — Library, at 12 am. on Saturday, June 24. Info: 980- 4424. French for Fun Storytime: Drop in ‘for ali ages at the North - Van City |: Library, Saturdays at.9:30 or 1) a.m.. Info: 980- 4424, Saturday Storytime “and : “craft: For 4-8 years, 10 a.m. at North Van City Library. ister: 980-4424. ; See more page 27 grow up, get a good job, have to fit in an hour or drag and general merccandies chain. 50 TRUCKLOADS OF FAMOUS BRAND MERCHANDISE WIL. i BE LIQUIDATED AT ALL 86 LIQUIDATION WORLD OUTLETS ACROSS HORTH AMERICA: INVENTORY SELECTICON WILL. CHANGE DAILY! SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! .-~ SELECTION WILL VARY AT EXCH OUTLET. est. Van. Memorial . Library | n ‘Tuesdays and‘ Thursdays. Drop-in® for June, July and August. Info: 925-7408. . Kindergarten - Storytime: --For “£6 years 3 at the North Van ° City. Library, ‘Thursdays at 9: 30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Pre- . DRTC A aie TAS EVE ESTRELA uhe"14, 2000 — Northi Skorée Nows - 25 livingroom ¢ so they can have ful opportunities to children and try to get them to read and wnite a little dur- ing the summer. — Graham Hookey is the author of Parenting Is A Team Sport. “RAMTIN Jamshidi, Tirajen Ghazvini, Reza Peyk, and Devon Hird cut the cake i their mock double wedding ceremony. The Grade .12 students at Carson Graham _ Staged the everit as part of é a family, management class. : - Lowe's ‘Resort. Since.1952, Lowe's” Resort has been Pender Harbour’s #1 holiday destination. Come visit! - Enjoy «the. comfort. of our. self- _; contained cottages, book a tour to’: " spectacular Princess Louisa Intet,: * take an exciting trip through’ Skookumchuck Narrows . and enjoy a delightful ‘salmon barbecue. 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