Summer Solstice and Summer Break

June 20th is the Summer Solstice, a day which marks the longest daylight/sunlight of the year. For students that means summer is here! In fact there are only 4 more days (the last day is June 26th) and I bet a lot of students in school are looking forward to the summer break.

6th graders, how was your first year in middle school? 8th graders, this is your last few days at M.S. 158 and I hope you’ve had a great time here. Some may have vacation and travel planned for the summer, while others may have just wanted to take a break from school and its never-ending mountains of work. 

During the summer, people might want to go outside and have a water fight, while others might just completely avoid the outside and just eat a sundae in their fully air-conditioned house. Either way, the stress-free summer makes everyone happy, but do something that doesn’t involve staying on screens for too long, because “some people” can’t control your daily screen time, and end up wearing glasses by a few weeks into the summer.

There are many activities one can do over the summer that does not involve screens; call up/message a few friends to go play tag or going outside to an ice skating rink (there are a few indoor skating places on Long Island.)

Trying something for the first time could be one option too (But I don’t mean “go up on the top of Burj Khalifa and skydive with no parachute” that’s just crazy). Playing with friends is another option. Just don’t play too aggressively that a teasing little shoulder bump eventually turns into a full-on out fight, and your friendship eventually breaks. Enjoy activities that don't involve violence when you play with people. 

Here’s a list to remind you guys of upcoming holidays:

• Independence Day -           July 4th, 2025

• Labor Day -                    September 1st, 2025

• Columbus Day -             October 13th, 2025

• Veterans Day -              November 11th, 2025

• Thanksgiving -               November 27th, 2025

• Christmas -                     December 25th, 2025 

• New Year -                          January 1st, 2026

• MLK Jr.’s Birthday -          January 19th, 2026 

• Groundhog Day -               February 2nd, 2026

• Lincoln’s Birthday-            February 12th, 2026

• Valentines Day -                 February 14th, 2026

• Washington's Birthday-        February 16th, 2026                                   

• April Fool’s Day -              April 1st, 2026

• Easter -                               April 5th, 2026

• Memorial Day -                  May 25th, 2026

There is a lot to look forward to, but why rush? Summer just started and I am in no rush to come back to school. Enjoy every moment, even read a book for enjoyment. Whatever your decision, just relax and enjoy every free moment you have until the school year begins.