We hope many of you are settling into your “new” normal. Unfortunately, this “new” normal may be around for a while. I have reflected a lot during the rapid changes this pandemic has caused, and in those reflections, I am able to appreciate all the good things happening during this unprecedented time. One of those good things is increased family time. Since evening events/activities have been cancelled, I am seeing a lot of families spending quality time together. I see families sitting around the dinner table having wonderful conversations. I see families riding bikes and taking walks together. I see basketball games, sidewalk chalk drawings, and hear lots of laughter! I hope you can embrace the joy family time has brought you, and that you can strive to continue this routine when things go back to “normal.” I think it has been nice to slow down and truly appreciate family.

This past year, the Family Advisory Board (FAB), suggested the goal of improving conversations and how to ask open-ended questions with their children at home. We previously shared the document, “Conversation Strategies” with you. The National Association for the Education of Young Children has now released a great tool for you to use at home when conversing with your child.  If you struggle beginning a conversation, or simply would like scripted open-ended questions to use with your child, check out our family article this month.

This month we celebrate Flag Day, Juneteenth, and Father’s Day. Flag Day is June 14 and commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States in 1777. Many flags will be displayed throughout BCS. Load your children in the family vehicle on Sunday, June 14, and drive around to look at all the flags!

Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19 and commemorates the freedom of slaves in the United States. Texas was the last state to get notified of the Emancipation Proclamation on June 19, 1865, several years after it was issued. Juneteenth did not begin as a celebration, as this was a hard time for African Americans. Over time, this important day in history became a celebration. Thanks to Houston Rep. Al Edwards, the father of Juneteenth, it was framed it as a “source of strength” for young people.  Galveston is where many people gather to celebrate by participating in rodeos, fishing, playing basketball, barbecuing, and drinking strawberry soda pop.  Texas blazes the trail with this celebration, and on January 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an official state holiday, the first emancipation celebration granted official state recognition.

Sunday, June 21 is Father’s Day. Father’s Day is a day of honoring fatherhood, paternal bonds, as well as the influence of fathers in society.

Father’s Day. (2020, May 13). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father’s_Day

Flag Day. (2020, May 8). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_Day

Gates, H. L., Jr. (2013). What Is Juneteenth? https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/

Juneteenth. (2020, May 17). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneteenth

Juneteenth.com World Wide Celebration. Retrieved May 15, 2020, from http://juneteenth.com/