September 2024

There are both joys and traumas in going back to school. After a summer that begins feeling endless--and is sometimes even boring--September is suddenly upon us.  Some children (and parents!) approach the return to a more predictable life rhythm with relief, others with trepidation.  When you deliver them on that first day, some bounce off to play with hardly a backward glance, and others hang on your legs and need to be coaxed inside.  Being in a family tied to an academic community, each new school year feels like a beginning, and a chance at a fresh start.  However that first day went, here’s wishing you and your kids a very Happy New Year of learning and discovery.   

Read: The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall or Apples, Apples, Apples by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace 

Explore: Venture out of the city to go apple picking! The farms listed have additional kid activities, like corn mazes, tractor rides, etc. chicagoparent.com/things-to-do/apple-picking 

Create: Apple stamps.  You can cut an apple in half lengthwise, or horizontally and remove the seeds to reveal the “flower” inside. Both make wonderful stamps with a little tempera paint. apple stamping craft 

Watch: On YouTube, a sock puppet friend shares 7 Facts About Apples (then moves on to other fun facts!) 

News from the Parenting Community

We will be officially introducing the UChicagoGRAD Parenting Community this fall, with weekly classes and playtimes, monthly family mixers and student Parent Write-Ins in various campus locations. For details visit our website and sign up for the Studentparent listserv (if you haven’t already.) We hope you will be a vital part of this community and help our programming grow. grad.uchicago.edu/family-resources 

Join Laura for Stories and Songs at Nichols Park Thursday mornings at 11am through the end of September.   

And for postdoc parents only!  Check out the many fun offerings in celebration of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, including a Family Event Weds, Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 11:00AM-12:30PM, GRAD HQ (3rd Floor, Bookstore Building) Bring your partners and little ones to mix home-made playdough, listen to stories and songs, and hear from fellow postdoc parents about some of the challenges and joys of raising kids while working at UChicago. Light refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is requested to ensure there are enough supplies. Family Event registration or ahark@uchicago.edu.  Include the name of your postdoc in the RSVP. 

Cooking with Kids: An apple tasting board. 

Supplies & Ingredients: several varieties of apples with cool names, lemon juice, Post-it notes and yummy things to eat with apples.  Some possibilities:  peanut butter, cheese, yogurt, chocolate hazelnut, cream cheese, or honey (A Rosh Hashanah treat symbolizing hope for a sweet year.)

Cut the apples into wedges then sprinkle with lemon to delay browning.  Arrange on a cutting board, with a tag saying what kind of apple each is. If the apple has a sticker on it, you can use that.  Sample and choose your favorite apple and accompaniment! BTW, the apple slicing tools are a great way for kids to safely help with the cutting. 

Ideas from your Neighbors

Shared by Hyde Parkers and UChicago families via various community listservs

UPCOMING

Community CollaBOOration Yard Sale. Tomorrow, Sept. 14, 10am-2pm, Augustana Lutheran Church (55th & Woodlawn Ave.) The sale is a fundraiser for musicians, giveaway treats and other activities for Halloween night teen activities on 53rd street—now in its 5th year. 

Children’s Book Fair of Hyde Park. Sunday, Sept 15, 11am-4pm, 57th and 56th street, Kenwood, Kimbark & Woodlawn Ave.  In its 35th year!  There will be storytellers, characters from books, craft activities, and of course, lots and lots of great books to buy. thechildrensbookfairofhydepark.org  

Hyde Park Jazz Festival Global Voices Program Saturday, September 28, 7-10:30pm, International House Assembly Hall (59th & Dorchester Ave.) The 18th Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival has performances all over Hyde Park on this weekend, including one shosted by I-House , with performances by Pharez Whitted Quintet and the Natural Information Society Community Ensemble with Ari Brown. $10 requested donation. ihouse.uchicago.edu/hyde-park-jazz-festival 

Author Storytime with A.T. Woehling.  Saturday, Sept 28, 10:30-11:30am, 57th Street Books (57th & Kimbark Ave.) Elementary educator and author shares her book All About May: May's Big Messy Family! A young girl thrives in her big and chaotic family in this zany and exhilarating Level 1 Ready-to-Read! Free.  RSVP requested. semcoop.com/event/storytime 

Southside Science Festival.  Saturday, October 5, 11am-6pm, Crerar Quad (58th & Ellis Ave.) Featuring experts across the natural sciences and 100’s of incredible hands-on demonstrations, UChicago’s 3rd annual festival is your chance to try it all. With events and activities for all ages and experience levels, everyone can learn something new. Free, but registration is requested. southsidescience.event.uchicago.edu 

Try a Language Course at the English Language Institute (ELI).  Registration opens Sept 23 and classes start Oct. 7. UChicago’s ELI teaches many classes geared towards different groups and ability levels—including one specifically for partners.  Improve your English and make new friends, too! esl.uchicago.edu 

Reading Corner

20 Books to Read Aloud at the Beginning of the School Year  funinfirst.com/books-for-back-to-school 

We hope you enjoy our new format—no more opening attachments!  Newsletters are on the 2nd week of the month, and contributions are very welcome.  Email Laura at lmacgregor@uchicago.edu 

Happy back-to-school!  
Laura MacGregor 
UChicagoGRAD Parenting Community Coordinator