We hope everyone had a wonderful summer filled with lots of family fun! As the season winds down, it’s time to get ready for the kids to hit the books. After a less-than-normal 2020-21 school year with remote learning and COVID restrictions, children and parents alike are looking forward to a new chapter. Here’s to a fresh start and a great return for all!
In the August edition of Memphis Parent, we’ve embraced an educational theme. Within the issue, you’ll find stories on some of the stellar learning institutions in our area. Beginning with “Sign On,” our student intern Risha Manga shares the story of Sign Tribe and its founder Dr. Luanne Sailors, whose unique perspective as a child of deaf adults led her to create a program to help individuals learn to communicate with others via sign language.
In “Outside the (Music) Box,” Jesse Davis dives into Alex and Yelena Ovando’s mom-and-pop music school, which goes beyond traditional music lessons and teaches children music as a language. Abigail Morici takes a look at Memphis Oral School for the Deaf in “Sound the Bell.” The organization’s programs help with developing children’s listening and spoken-language skills.
We’ve injected a bit of humor in this issue as well with 18 rules to make the most of grandparenting (“The Grand Life”), written by Jon W. Sparks, a seasoned, but still-learning Abuelito whose grandkids may or may not have him wrapped around their fingers. We’re betting some of you grands out there can relate.
In the “something to look forward to” department, check out our events listings. It’s fair and festival season! From the Delta Fair to Cooper-Young Fest, the Mid-South Fair to Latin Fest (and more!), there’s a lot to be excited about. Mark your calendars now and plan to get the family out for fair food, carnival rides, and community fun.
We’ll see you again in print in October. In the meantime, be sure to frequent memphisparent.com for more stories and comprehensive family-friendly events listings you won’t find anywhere else.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I hear the school bell ringing — better get to class!
Take care,
Shara Clark
Editor