Hello,
It’s that time of the year again. School is out for the summer. Kids are super excited about not having homework, projects, or quizzes for two months. The weather is getting better lately, which is something to be celebrated about, especially after a rainy and cold spring.
I am writing this note to remind you all that not all kids are excited about summer. Yes, they are super happy that they no longer have homework or assignments for two months. However, kids have shared some concerns with me this week that they are nervous about going home for the summer because they don’t have someone to sign with. They are anxious about the idea of not being in a signing environment for two months. I am sharing this with you in case you might wonder what’s up with your child and their anxiety during the first two weeks of summer. While it’s not possible to open the school year round, there are many ways for your child to participate in a signing environment throughout the summer. There are some events such as Deaf Youth Today, sleepover parties, organize a small event for kids who live close to each other (e.g. Surrey area, North Vancouver area, or Burnaby). You can also arrange a beach day for your child’s friends to get together and enjoy the sunshine. I am sharing this with you all because I have seen many students “hungry” for a signing environment at the beginning of September when school reopens. This is something you can do with your child throughout the summer. We are all living post-covid world, and our recovery from the pandemic is far from over. Same holds truth for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and their access to American Sign Language in their daily environment throughout the summer.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child throughout the summer, please get in touch with me at jonathan.macdonald@burnabyschools.ca.
Keep on signing,
Mr. MacDonald.