Happy August--and where did the summer go?
The middle of August marks the start of transitions. There is a buzz around NDSU, MSUM, Concordia and M State Fergus Falls as students return to the region for their upcoming year. The activities around our school systems are getting back into the swing of things, with fall sports already practicing and every store in the area running a back-to-school sale.
And transitions happen around the YMCA, too.
In less than two weeks--depending on when the school year starts for our students--our Learning Center programs will provide care for nearly 2,000 students, from infants to 10 years old. The Y will operate nearly 30 program sites between the FM and Fergus Falls areas, either at our schools or our learning centers. Almost 600 staff will be focused on those kids and their families--and we will hire nearly 100 new staff each year to help. That’s transition.
Notice that we don’t call these locations “childcare” or “day care”. We refer to them as Learning Centers on purpose. We believe that after-school time is just as important as the school day. Children are supported with their homework, are nourished by our food programs, and get some physical activity to boot. Childcare and day care are too limiting of terms for the resources we provide to these students.
As we head back to school, it is important for us to give families a chance to get their “school legs” under them. Getting kids back on a sleep schedule, making sure that homework is completed, and keeping the whole family moving forward is a huge task--especially during the first few weeks of the new school year. A little grace is deserved. We hope for the same grace as our staff get their “Learning Center legs” under them.
As we transition away from summer, we are reminded of our summer staff motto, “let’s make this the best summer ever!” Now we transition to the fall, our new motto becomes, “let’s make this the best school year ever!”
Transitions!
Here’s to a great school year filled with learning and fun!
See you at the Y,
Steve Smith, President and CEO