It’s 95 degrees outside, skies are blue, the kids are running through the sprinklers, you’re firing up the BBQ and making plans for a weekend trip to the beach. In that moment, the last thing we’re ready to think about is going back to school. Not because we don’t love school…but it can be hard to transition from long, lazy summer days to early mornings, schedules and homework.
This is the problem we face every year when it’s time to roll out our July/August issue. Gwinnett County goes back to school on Monday, August 10th – but right now we still have a whole month of summer left to savor! And savor it we will! But, it’s also important to start preparing for the school year ahead – and making that process equally fun. On our cover, we captured that concept of transition by photographing one boy, Dallan Elk, standing back-to-back with himself. For this rising 5th grader and member of Actor’s Edge summer camp, it was just as fun to play with the Super Soaker as it was for him to envision going to school. Because for him, back-to-school means back to soccer season!
There are a lot of ways to get your children excited for the school year ahead while enjoying these final weeks of summer. Check out our Summer 2 School transition tips from local moms, teachers and experts in education for some fun ideas. The “Southern Summer Traditions” story really illustrates what it’s like to grow up in Georgia, and gave me an even greater appreciation that I live here now. However, the sentimental details were a little bittersweet to read, as it was written by a valued staff member, Aoife Healy, who recently moved to Ireland to shape new memories with family there. But, we know she’ll be back to visit and we can’t wait to hear about her adventures- over a pitcher of sweet tea on the porch.
We’re thankful to welcome back UGA student and contributing writer/intern, Mackenzie Stephenson in this issue. She gave a warm Suwanee-style welcome to Tomorrow’s Hope Montessori with a story that shares the new school’s mission and goals, as well as a firsthand look at the process of opening a business in our community.
You may notice that the Arts section is brimming with stories in this issue. One of my favorites is about the Hans Godo Fräbel glass sculpture exhibit in Suwanee City Hall. He is an internationally-renowned, award-winning, highly-respected artist with work displayed in private and public collections throughout 80 countries worldwide; and an active member of the North Gwinnett Arts Association. Fräbel art collectors include the likes of: Queen Elizabeth II, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan, Margaret Thatcher, Anwar Sadat, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, to name a few. For the first time ever, Fräbel is displaying his “Seven Sins and Virtues” collection in its entirety – and we have the privilege, as a community, to host this exhibit at Suwanee City Hall through September 1, 2015. Not only is this an enormous honor, but also demonstrates the depth of respect for culture, community and the arts in our humble city.
We hope you enjoy the rest of the summer and find the Summer 2 School transition tips helpful!
We suggest reading this issue from a hammock or beach blanket, with a glass of cold Georgia beer or chilled wine, mentioned in the “Summer Sipper” and “What’s Brewing” articles.
