Exploring Summer With Your Family

Dear Parents,

At the end of April, I went to Mt. Vernon’s Revolutionary War Weekend to see our fifth grade teacher, Josiah Depaoli, participate in a war reenactment. It was such a wonderful time and I was reminded, while there, of the vast resources we have in the Northern Virginia area and how summer is a great time to get out and explore them. 

Visiting Mt. Vernon again is high on my list as is touring the Natural History Museum and the National Gallery of Art. My family and I also enjoy hiking at Great Falls National Park and then stopping for ice cream at the Great Falls Creamery afterward. My favorite ice cream flavor there is Coffee Oreo – I highly recommend it!

Another favorite summertime activity is a trip out to McKay Used Books in Manassas with a walk around the Manassas Battlefield to follow. I am also looking forward to exploring antique and secondhand shops with the family. I used to give Luke a few bucks to shop with on these trips, and he would delight in finding something to spend his money on. One time he ended up with a giant decorative “I” and another time it was a cow statue which is still used as his door stop today.

Summer is also a great time to catch up on personal reading and to read aloud to your children.  A few summers back I read aloud The Invisible Man by H.G.Wells and The Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter. On my personal list this year is Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn and My Antonia by Willa Cather. Our website also has a list of age-appropriate book titles that will get you started with some ideas.

If you find any hidden gems that would make a great outing or any books you think others in the Ambleside community would enjoy, post to your Instagram account and tag @amblesideschoolmclean.

May you find rest, refreshment, adventure, and inspiration in our time apart this summer! I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Affectionately,

Affectionately,

Krise Nowak, Ed.D

Head of School