Summer Tech Tips: Balancing Screentime and Engagement

 

Summer is the perfect time to relax and recharge, but it can also be a great opportunity to explore new interests and learn new skills. As parents, we often feel the guilt of trying to fill our kids' time with productive activities while balancing the screen time battle. The good news is that we can tap into their desire for screen time and use it for learning and growth. Here are some tech tips to help you and your children maximize the summer:

1. Educational Apps

• Khan Academy: This app offers a wide range of subjects, from math and science to history and art. It's a great way to keep your children's brains active and learning something new every day.

• Duolingo: Want your kids to learn a new language? Duolingo makes it fun and easy with its game-like structure. Spend just a few minutes a day, and by the end of the summer, they’ll have a good grasp of a new language.

2. Online Courses

• Coursera and edX: These platforms offer courses from top universities on a variety of topics. Whether your child is interested in computer science, business, or creative writing, you'll find something that piques their interest.

• Codecademy: If your kids have ever wanted to learn how to code, Codecademy offers interactive lessons in various programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS.

3. Virtual Museum Tours

• Google Arts & Culture: This platform allows you to tour museums and galleries around the world from the comfort of your home. Explore the collections of the Louvre in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and many more.

4. Creative Projects

• Canva: Get creative with graphic design using Canva. Kids can design posters, social media graphics, and even resumes with its easy-to-use tools.

• Tinkercad: If your children are interested in 3D design, Tinkercad is a great tool to start with. It's user-friendly and perfect for creating simple 3D models, which you can even print if you have access to a 3D printer.

5. Health and Fitness

• MyFitnessPal: Track nutrition and stay on top of fitness goals with this app. It helps maintain a healthy diet and keep track of workouts.

• Nike Training Club: This app offers a variety of workouts for all fitness levels. Whether you have a fully equipped gym or just a small space at home, you can find workouts that fit your needs.

6. Reading and Audiobooks

• Libby by OverDrive: Borrow eBooks and audiobooks from your local library for free with Libby. It's a great way to keep up with summer reading lists without spending a dime.

• Audible: If your kids prefer listening to books, Audible has a vast collection of audiobooks across all genres. They can listen while relaxing by the pool or taking a walk in the park.

7. Time Management and Productivity

• Trello: Organize summer projects and tasks with Trello. It's a great tool for keeping track of what needs to be done and staying productive.

• Forest: Stay focused and reduce screen time with the Forest app. Plant a virtual tree that grows while staying off the phone, helping maintain a healthy balance between tech use and other activities.

8. STEM Exploration

• NASA's App: Explore the universe with NASA's official app. It provides access to the latest NASA content, including images, videos, mission information, and more.

• The Exploratorium's Science Snacks: These are fun, hands-on science activities that can be done at home with everyday materials. They’re perfect for curious minds looking to explore STEM topics.

Technology offers endless possibilities for making your summer both fun and productive. Whether your kids are learning a new skill, exploring creative projects, or just staying active and healthy, these tech tips can help you make the most of their break. By integrating these activities, you can turn screen time into a valuable learning experience. Here’s to a guilt-free, enriching, and enjoyable summer!

A Moving Graduation Ceremony: Reflecting on the Past and Embracing the Future

 Our recent graduation ceremony was a profoundly moving event, made especially poignant by the presence of alumni Austin Harper. As the five graduating seniors stood before the audience, Austin's heartfelt speech created a lasting impact, filled with reflections, encouragement, and a deep sense of shared experience.

Austin began his speech with a quote from John Lennon, setting the tone for the day: "Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end." This sentiment resonated deeply with the graduates and their families, offering a reminder of resilience and hope as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

Addressing the graduates—Brady, Peyton, John, Max, and Anderson—Austin celebrated their achievements and the significance of this milestone. "Well, the day has arrived. Congratulations, you did it! You young men have just accomplished one of the earliest milestones of your life: high school. This is one of the first steps into the journey of your adult lives."

Austin’s words were not just a reflection on past achievements but a call to recognize the power of their hard-earned high school diplomas. "A high school diploma is a powerful tool in this world, one that opens the door of opportunity for anyone who is strong enough to take it!" His message underscored the importance of this accomplishment as a foundation for future success.

Drawing a parallel to the fictional X-Mansion from Marvel's X-Men comics, Austin likened JCS to a place that nurtures young superheroes, emphasizing the unique talents and strengths of each student. "In turn, their students later on go to become some of the best superheroes with unique attributes who utilize their strengths to help save the world!" This analogy highlighted the school's role in preparing students to make a positive impact on their communities and beyond.

Austin also shared a powerful lesson from his own journey, encouraging the graduates to embrace personal growth and step out of their comfort zones. "One of the most powerful lessons I’ve had to learn in my 27 years on this Earth is about continuous personal growth. Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone because if you do not expand your knowledge, you will never grow & rob yourselves of loving a better version of yourself!"

As he concluded his speech, Austin left the graduates with a message of perseverance and determination. "Continue to do what you've always done since the day you came into this world. Prove to people who don't believe in you, your abilities, your goals, your dreams, that you are still here despite the challenges before you & that you're not going to stop ‘til you have achieved success!"

The ceremony was a beautiful reminder of the power of community, the importance of education, and the boundless potential within each graduate. As the seniors move forward, they carry with them the wisdom and encouragement of those who have walked the path before them, ready to face the future with confidence and courage.