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Tuesday, August 16, 2022 | View in browser
 District 65 school starts Wednesday, August 24; preschools and private schools are also gearing up for the school year! Ready for school to start? Some of us are eager, others apprehensive. The library is your resource for books and research assistance both in person and online. We can assist with making your child's return to school smooth:
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Summer Reading: These next two weeks are the last chance to check in and pick out a cool gift! Soon we will be drawing our Grand Prize Winners! More information.
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Get a Museum Adventure Pass: Now is the time for leisurely strolls at the Chicago Botanic Garden or the Brookfield Zoo! One pass per family per week. More information.
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Enjoy a Mural Tour: Before school starts, take a self-guided tour of the four brand new murals in Evanston. More information.
Summer Saturdays! (books aimed at ages 3-5) Join us "beyond the beaten path" for an outdoor storytime and water play! Saturday, August 20, 10 am, Lee Street Beach: More information.
Gymnastics 101-with Actors Gymnasium! Want to learn what it takes to be a gymnast? Come to this FREE 101 course with Actors Gymnasium to learn some intro tricks and flips! All ages, all levels, no experience necessary. This is a first come, first served, no registration event. Friday, August 19, 5-7 pm, James Park: More information.
Celebrate National Fox Day (ages 4 and up) with The Evanston Ecology Center! Hike through the Arboretum as you discover how to spot a fox in nature from an interactive storywalk, followed by a campfire and s’mores. Pre-registration is required. Saturday, September 16, 6:30-8 pm, Ecology Center, Fee Included: $7 Residents /$9 Non Residents: Call (847)448-8256 to learn more or to register.
All park programs are weather permitting and are canceled if there are dangerous conditions: light sprinkles don't count but lightning or 100 degree heat does. Call 847-448-8610 for the latest information on library programs.
Grab & Go for August: Letter Monster (ages 4-7) Make a letter monster here at the library or grab a kit to work on at home. While supplies last. More information.
Messy Art: Water and Watercolors (Toddlers and Preschoolers with a Caregiver) Wear your old clothes and prepare to have fun with art materials. No need to register, just drop in! Thursday, August 18, 10:30-11:30 am, Robert Crown Reading Garden: More information
Evening Family Storytime and Craft (ages 3-5 and families!): Favorite Things Our after-work preschool craft program is fun for kids and parents; we'll share stories and make something fun. Wednesday, August 24, 6:30 pm, Barbara Friedberg Storytelling Room, Main Library: Register.
On the Same Page Book Club: Zoey and Sassafras (Grades 1-3)! Check out a book club kit from either location which include two copies of Zoey and Sassafras, two themed craft kits, discussion questions and more! Available while supplies last: More information.
Graphic Novel Bookclub: Red Panda & Moon Bear! (Grades 3-5) Come discuss Jarod Roselló's graphic novel, Red Panda & Moon Bear. We have copies available at the Youth Services desk, ready for you to check out! Join us to discuss this whimsical, adventure-packed book! Saturday, August 20, 3 pm, Children's Public Conference Room, Main Library: Register.
Jam, Jelly and Pickles: A Demo! (Families) Want to learn how to preserve your produce bounty? This demo will go over the basics including how to process the jars and include a tasting of finished products. This program is for adults and families, kids can attend with an adult. Sunday, August 21, 2 pm, Robert Crown Multipurpose Room: More information.
Evanston Public Library@ Erie Family Health Center: Fidget Spinners! Join us as we make fidget spinners and discuss the importance of self-care. Join us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month for some fun! Wednesday, August 24, 4-6 pm, Erie Family Health Center: More information.
Drop In Movies at Crown! Join us every Fourth Friday for Movie Marathons! We'll have great movies running in the Multi-Purpose room. Friday, August 26, 12-4 pm, Robert Crown Multi-Purpose Room: More Information.
Dedicated to the Dream: Curiosity Lab (families of grades 2-4)! Want to support your child’s positive racial identity development? Do you hope to raise kids who recognize-and fight-racial bias and racism? Would you like your family to talk together about these difficult but important and nuanced topics? Join us for a series of kid-friendly in-person workshops to explore race and culture as a family with other families. Watch our trailer to get an idea of what to expect. Filling out this survey does not constitute registration in the program, only interest. We will contact you in late August with further information.
Plant Swap! (Families) Bring a cutting; take a cutting. Bring in a plant cutting and pick up a new plant to add to your collection. Houseplants of all kinds are welcome as well as vegetable and flower seedlings (please only bring pots that you are willing to part with!), and extra produce! This is a perfect opportunity to divide those overgrown but healthy houseplants and share plant tips with other plant lovers. Saturday, September 10,
2-5 pm, Robert Crown Branch Library: More information.
Did you know August 17 is National Thrift Store Day? From a climate change perspective, the fewer brand new clothes we can buy for ourselves and our kids, the better. Parents buy the most clothes for kids just before school so this is the best time to thrift!
Evanston is full of great thrift stores! Some shops carry young kids' clothes and others are more for pre-teens and teens to shop smaller adult items that might work. Check them out before heading to a store selling new clothes:
- Classy Closet Consignment on 701 Washington Street
- Crossroads Trading on 1730 Sherman Ave
- Goodwill Store and Donation Center on 1916 Dempster Street
- Junior League of Evanston/North Shore Thrift House on 920 Chicago Ave
- Stepping Out in Faith Consignment Shop - 1632 Orrington Ave
- YWCA Crowded Closet - 820 Dempster Street
Kids not on board? Come to the library and pick up this great book for them: Fashion Forward: Striving for Sustainable Style by Raina Delisle. Full of great ideas for kids to reduce their clothing footprint, this book is also about looking good and having fun! Older kids may also want to check out these tips for successful thrifting.
In any case, consider a thrift store for your too-small or never-gonna-wear items!
Happy Janmashtami to those who celebrate! August 18 is Lord Krishna's birthday! Krishna (Kṛṣṇa) is the most widely revered of all Indian divinities, worshipped as the eighth incarnation or avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu and also as a supreme god in his own right.
The night before, Hindus fast, act out the story of Krishna's birth, and pray and sing until midnight. The following day is a joyous party! Each different state and territory in India has unique celebrations of this holiday. It is also known by many names: Krishnashtami, Krishna Jayanti, Gokulashtami,Yadukulashtami, and Srikrishna Jayanti.
Krishna is said to be very fond of sweet milk recipes; learn how how to make Kheer (a delicious mixture of rice, milk and sugar). Vegans can use coconut milk.
Also, check out the book The Fantastic Adventures of Krishna by Demi to learn more about Krishna's story.
It can be a challenge to shift out of a “summer-fun” mentality and back into early mornings, routines, homework, separating from parents, and perhaps increased worries about what returning to school may mean. Kids may be excited to see friends again, learn new things, and engage in new activities, and they also may be worried about the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, bullying, school violence, community violence, academic performance, and separating from parents.
Adults can help kids feel prepared to encounter these worries and stressors:
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Identify Feelings and Role Play. Validate their feelings and talk through various scenarios and ways in which they can respond. Help kids find ways to express themselves through words, if possible, and role play at home how to respond to bullying, panic, and social fears that may come up in school or other activities.
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Look for Adult Support. Remind them that they can talk to you or other trusted adults about what is going on; sometimes just saying things aloud can make it feel less scary.
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Handle Big Emotions. Help kids find ways to manage big emotions through breathing exercises, carrying a grounding object in their pocket (such as a rock, photo, or other soothing-to-them item), writing or drawing out their feelings, and identifying a trusted adult at school to talk to if overwhelmed.
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Create Mindfulness Routines. Build daily routines which include mindfulness activities, such as breathing and grounding exercises, so that kids learn to utilize these early on and know to expect them each day. Check out books from the library on age-appropriate mindfulness activities and coping strategies for kids to learn more.
Communicate often with teachers, school counselors, and health care providers, especially if you are concerned about your child’s behavior, and to find additional support if needed.
Take good care of yourself too and remember to breathe, talk through your feelings, and ask for help for yourself as needed. Hug your loved ones tight and ground yourself to the here and now when things feel overwhelming.
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