June 7, 2002 – As the academic year ended Friday, some public school youngsters headed off to summer vacation with traditional reading lists from their next-fall teachers. But the organization representing all teachers is suggesting something different.
Students, parents, teachers and others involved in summer youth programs are invited to check out "The Summer Times," an online "summer learning calendar" published by the American Federation of Teachers. The St. Thomas-St. John AFT chapter president, Vernelle de Lagarde, said she saw the new calendar while browsing the union's web site and decided to promote it locally.
"Parents and teachers like The Summer Times because it's educational, and kids like it because the activities are fun," she said.
So far, de Lagarde admitted recently, the idea has been catching on slowly. When she mentioned the summer calendar earlier this week at a meeting of AFT building representatives, "Some had heard of it," she said, but none had checked it out for themselves.
But a quick cybervisit to the Summer Times site reveals a kid-friendly calendar, colorful characters and a welcoming melody upon opening. The theme for this year's summer site is "Cool Kids Create," and each month students are led on an exploration of the creative arts. June's focus is on learning about painting, photography, flower arranging and other visual arts. July is for performing arts, and August is music month.
Adding to the fun is a page filled with art trivia. There was, for instance, one week in October of 1582 where no one composed a song, no one finished a picture and no one put on a play. The trivia page tells why.
There's a glossary of art terms, links to the learning line, and a guide for grown-ups that includes a list of materials they might want to stock up on to help bring the inner artist out in their child.
With so many V.I. families having home computers these days, de Lagarde said, she expects many youngsters will have easy access to The Summer Times. Those who don't have computers at home can go online at the territory's public libraries. And more information about child-friendly summer arts activities is available by calling the toll-free AFT Learning Line at (800) 242-5465 — as the web site indicates.
By the time the school year ends, most parents have already enrolled their children in summer camps, classes or other activities, or have plans for them to travel off island, de Lagarde noted. But, she said, 10 percent to 20 percent will find themselves spending their summer days leisurely at home or in unstructured activities. One of the unique things about the summer learning calendar, she said, is that it can be used by those working with youth groups, by parents together with their children, or by students on their own.

Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.