If You Must Send Home a Packet this Summer...

I know, I know. Skills are important. We worry a lot about the "summer slide" that researchers always want to warn us about. I get it. I used to spend a lot of time developing "summer packets" full of reading, writing, and math practice. Over the years, I started to shift a little bit in my mindset. So... If you MUST send home a packet this summer... please be sure to check out these touch points! 

*Keep it optional, not mandatory: While skills practice is great, not all students will have the resources to be able to complete the whole thing. Plus, summer is long and packets get lost. We also don't want any students to panic during their final days of summer and sunshine and have to spend hours upon hours completing a packet to turn in, only to get a sticker or a paper certificate. Oof. We also don't want to punish students who are starting a brand new school year for a packet they didn't complete over their summer months.

*Include blank paper to write, draw, and create. Lined paper, printer paper, construction paper, graph paper... Can you send home a blank notebook or journal instead? 

*Include some fun stuff, too: things like word searches, Sudoku, or QR codes with links to fun, free, and safe online games.

*Include ACTIVITIES, not just worksheets. 

*Check out these free printable calendars from Action for Happiness that come in multiple languages! These PDFs could be great additions! I absolutely LOVE how many languages they have available!

*Encourage students to share their contact info or gamer handles if/when appropriate, so they have buddies to connect with over the summer.

*Include information about local food banks, including hours, special days/events, and phone numbers. You may also wish to include any multilingual staff information.  Don't just provide this info to specific families you KNOW have this need - food insecurity impacts every community, including many of our friends, families, and neighbors. Please, please, please - share this information with everyone. They may not need it or use this info, but at least they'll have it.

*Include directions on how to access a library card: Bonus Points if you can support students and families in obtaining a card before the end of the school year. Invite the public library into your building during all May events! Include bus routes, hours, phone numbers, special events, etc.

*Include supplies, like pencils, scissors, glue, markers, crayons, paper, folders, etc. You may even wish to gather unused materials (if you happen to be fortunate to have any of those - or reach out to local agencies to see if they could support the purchase of any of these materials) and send those home with students so that they can create, write, read, and play at home. 

*Include a calendar of accessible/free/low cost community events. Go on your social media feed and follow organizations and agencies like your fire department, public library, park district, youth organizations, etc. 

*Include directions for how to register for summer activities. Bonus Points if you can talk to your park district about sliding scales for costs for programs or scholarships for students who may have financial needs.

*Include information about deadlines for registration/residency/healthcare, etc. Also include any back-to-school event dates, if those have already been identified by your school or district! 

Finally, remember that not all students are excited for summer. When we get back to school next year, let's remember some alternatives to the "What did you do this summer?" question/activity:*What's something that makes you smile? *What's something boring you did? *What's your favorite music to listen to right now? *Have you read anything interesting lately? *Tell me about someone you admire or respect. *Describe your perfect day. *Tell me about something important to you!