Here's How Moms Are Making School Exciting Again After Summer School

Yahoo

5 days ago

Summer break is cut short for students who are required to do summer school. Here's how their parents are ramping up for the new school year a bit differently.
For many kids, summer is a time to unwind but, for those who've spent it in summer school, the break may have felt more like an extension of the academic grind. As the new school year approaches, these children might feel burnt out, discouraged, or even unmotivated. Parents will play a crucial role in helping shift their mindset from fatigue to anticipation, helping their child rekindle their enthusiasm and build positive momentum for the months ahead.
Making the Most of Free Time
Vanessa Gordon, mom of two and Hamptons travel and lifestyle expert, explains that her daughter was diagnosed with ADHD, and summer school was offered complementarily by the school. Because of her ADHD and since she did not get her IEP until the latter half of the year (late April), her daughter would have struggled or potentially would have had to repeat the grade. Summer school was the most seamless solution.
'We felt it was a wonderful opportunity to help her stay academically inclined and focused during the summer months. It also gives her a chance to build better habits for success in a supportive environment. She genuinely loves learning, so we wanted to continue to foster that enthusiasm,' Gordon says.
Although her daughter initially asked why she needed to attend summer school, Gordon says that she has become mature enough to process those feelings and understand that school, even during summer, is an important part of her growth. 'We talk openly about it, and she can see how her efforts pay off through her report cards and reading logs, which we keep to help measure progress and celebrate successes. This helps her feel proud of her hard work and see the value in staying engaged academically.'
To help her child get excited for the new school year, Gordon plans to take advantage of the break in between sessions to recharge. 'Summer school hours are very manageable,' she notes. 'It runs only from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, Monday through Thursday, so she still has a nice balance of structured learning and free time. We make sure there are plenty of opportunities for beach days and time outdoors.'
After summer school has finished, Gordon also plans to continue to assist with reinforcing a consistent routine and positive learning habits to help her daughter feel confident and prepared. 'Over the summer, we set aside time to review her 5th-grade workbooks together, practice handwriting and cursive (skills that often get overlooked but are so important) and work on art projects both at home and outside at the local park and in other open-air settings.'
Gordon says that spending time at the East Hampton Library is also part of their routine. It helps her mentally transition into a focused mindset and reminds her that learning can happen anywhere but still in a structured setting. The library offers plenty of additional structured activities like preteen nights, Saturday crafts, cooking classes, and team-building events – these fun experiences help keep her daughter motivated and looking forward to the school year ahead.
'We also take mini field trips to places like the local clam hatchery, pick-your-own farms, and our historical center, which keep her engaged and curious, especially as she always tells me how her mind is always so active,' Gordon says. 'These are also activities that she genuinely enjoys and they help her reconnect with the joy of learning. This also helps her start the new school year with a positive outlook and without that overwhelming feeling.'
Building Excitement About School
Nicole Pomije, mom of two and founder of The Cookie Cups, says that her daughter needed to attend summer school because her reading scores were below what they should be. 'I'm not sure what the actual number was but on the 'Fast Bridge Testing' that they do in Minnesota, she came up under the average for reading twice in her 1st grade year. Because of this, she was nominated by her teacher to be a part of 'Summer Explorers'—a 6 week program ending the week of July 25 that takes about 325 students from the district.
After this program, Pomije says that her daughter has a week of art camp and some family traveling. 'It will be a good break to get ready for the fall back-to-school season that doesn't start until after Labor Day here. I believe the program not only will show that her test scores have improved, but has also helped her confidence with the skills she will need to succeed in 2nd grade.'
Furthermore, she likes to do school supply shopping to get her daughter excited for the new school year. 'She's a 7-year-old girl, so shopping is always on the 'fun' list for her. I like to let her pick out what she wants, from cute headphones to pencil boxes. I have found that if she gets to pick her school supplies, she's excited to use them and show them off in school. It's not about price either – even the dollar tree has super cute items.'
Fostering a Joy of Learning
Nieka Richard, an assistant principal in California, explains that in her district, which serves approximately 5,600 students, they offer some families the option to enroll their children in a program called Extended School Year, or ESY. Unlike mandatory summer school, ESY is a targeted support and enrichment opportunity offered during the summer months to help reduce the learning loss that often occurs when students are out of school for an extended period.
'ESY is typically offered to students who meet specific criteria. These include students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities who require consistent support to retain skills and maintain academic progress. Additionally, ESY is extended to students who participated in our after-school intervention programs during the year, many of whom come from low-income households or have parents working extended hours,' she says.The focus in her district is on targeted intervention and enrichment rather than retention. ESY is designed to support continued growth, close learning gaps, and prevent regression, especially for the most vulnerable student populations. Rather than being seen as a consequence of failure, it's a proactive approach to equity and academic support.
Richard says that there are many ways that parents can get their child excited for the new school year after having to work through the summer. 'Families can engage in conversations that help students look forward to new beginnings such as new teachers, new friends, and new goals. Shopping for school supplies, updating backpacks and clothing items, or even setting small academic or personal goals together can build anticipation in a positive way.'
She also recommends visiting the school campus before the year starts (if possible), attending fun orientations, and talking about favorite school subjects or clubs to help create a sense of connection and curiosity.
Even if students have spent the summer in ESY, Richard sees it as a part of her job as an assistant principal to help students connect with the joy of learning. In collaboration with her teachers and staff, they do this by creating welcoming environments that feel safe, inspiring, and student-centered from day one.
'This includes offering choice in assignments, highlighting student strengths early on, and building relationships before diving deep into content,' she says. 'Most importantly, we remind students that school isn't just about grades, it's about collaboration, social and emotional learning, and growing into the best version of themselves. When students feel seen and supported, they find joy in learning, even after a summer of hard work.'
Read the original article on Parents
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