Head Start out May 29
Xavier has only two more days at school before the local Head Start Program is out for summer vacation. His normal school week is Monday through Thursday with Fridays off as well as weekends. Monday May 27, 2013 is Memorial Day** in the USA and since it is a federal holiday there is no school. So, two days next week Tuesday and Wednesday are it!
He will be returning next year because his birthday falls beyond the cutoff date for enrollment in Kindergarten. Even though he is reading, writing, counting to 100+. He quickly solves math in his head, no finger counting. As an example, 10 + 6 – 2 and he correctly answers.
When I picked him up today one of the teachers in his class encouraged him to show me something he had just done. All on his own, after seeing the word pig in the book he was “reading” , he got out a piece of paper and a marker. He then wrote the word PIG! It was very exciting to see how proud he was! Naturally, I am proud and boasting about my super smart 4 ½ year old grandson. When school began he last September he didn’t understand how to press hard enough with a pen, pencil, crayon or marker to leave even a small mark on the paper.
Earlier this week the school sent home a flier from Milwaukie Public Library with the Heading, “Summer Programs for Everyone” . I was disappointed to see that the programs Xavier would be interested in are for 5 year olds and up. He won’t be 5 until mid-September.
Needless to say I am seeking ways to keep him entertained (no children and computers at my house) that are inexpensive, educational and fun! Of course there are many parks in our neighborhood, as well as innumerable parks throughout the city. Then there are indoor playgrounds which charge $$. One is “PlayDate PDX™” (“PlayDate SEA™ is opening in Seattle WA with the Grand Opening Jun 01, 2013) The prices are on the high side but the hours are great and your children can play 9 AM to 8 PM M-F and 9 AM-9 PM S-S. There is ample seating for the adults and a small snack bar. Pizza, sandwiches and beverages are a few items you can purchase while there. Portland OR has several smaller play (locations) each having a lower price and different types of activities available. We are lucky to have many libraries in the Portland Metro area. Some are open 7 days a week.
** Memorial Day is the last Monday in May each year. The holiday is in observance of the men and women who fought for our country and died. It is also the (so-called) traditional start of summer due to children being out of school now or soon after. Sometimes this overwhelms exactly what Memorial Day stands for.**
Related articles
- TGIF: 3 Memorial Day Facts Before the Summer Kickoff Begins (thewiseme.com)
- Head Start Centers Feeling ‘Sequester’ Pain (edweek.org)
