Do you enjoy writing? Do you want to get better and feel more confident? The Advanced Writing Class at University Settlement is a welcoming place for you. It is open to anyone who loves writing and wants to improve. In this class, people learn together, share ideas, and support each other as writers.
The class is taught by a professor from New York University (NYU). NYU is a respected university with a strong writing program. This means students can learn from an experienced teacher who can help them grow, improve their skills, and try new ways of writing.
At the end of the year, students have the special chance to see their work published in a collection of writing. This is a proud moment for many writers. It is also a wonderful way to celebrate each personβs hard work, progress, and voice.
If you or someone you know may be interested, please reach out to the Adult Literacy office at the beginning of the school year. We would love to welcome new writers into our community. Whether you have been writing for years or are just starting again, this class is a place to learn, connect, and grow.
For many of us, summer is the time when we have more time for ourselves. No classes, no rushed schedule of school, kids and work. Things move at a slower pace, maybe itβs the heat of a NYC summer, but maybe itβs just all of us taking the time to slow down a little, a change from the busy-ness of the rest of the year. Whatβs better to do with this found time than read a book? Or read several books?
First things first! Get a library card!
If youβre 13 or older, and live, work, attend, or pay property taxes in NY State, you are eligible for a card. Your card can be physical or digital.
If you prefer to complete the application for a physical library card in person, please visit an NYPL location with proof of ID and address. Find a location near you.
The New York Public Library even has a special card for this year!
With thanks to the New York Times, University Settlement has prepared a reading challenge list:
π β Read a really short book. π β Read a really long book. π΅οΈΒ β Read a mystery book. π¬ β Read a book thatβs been adapted for a movie. βοΈ β Read a book that takes place in the summer. π§ β Listen to an audiobook. Β
Competition — n., a contest to see which participant is the best
Host nation — n., the country where the event will be held
Stadiums — n., a large field surrounded by many seats for a large audience
Championship — n., the final game where the winner receives the trophy
Minimal — adj., the smallest amount possible
The FIFA World Cup is starting this month! This international football (soccer) competition occurs every four years. Teams from all over the world compete to win the World Cup Trophy. Only the best teams in the world can be part of this competition.
There is also a competition for the host nation, the country where the games will take place. Many countries want to host the matches because millions of people watch them. Some are in the stadiums to watch in person, but most watch on television. More people watch the World Cup matches than watch the Olympics!
The FIFA World Cup is being played in 16 different cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 48 teams will play 104 matches, and the championship game will be played in New Jersey, just a short distance from New York City!
Many people also love to play soccer. Equipment is minimal — all that’s needed is a ball and some feet! No wonder football is played all over the world.
Oasis, n. – some place that provides refreshing relief
Tranquility, n. – peacefulness, calm
Maintain, v. – to take care of
Stumble, v. – to trip or to find something unexpectedly
Distinctive, adj. – something which stands out from its surroundings
Flora, n. – plant life
Contemplation, n. – deep thought or meditation
Drown out the noise, expression – to cover up noise
New York City has plenty of pavement, but did you know there are also little pockets of green space? Nature turns up in unexpected places and weβre providing a list of secret gardens that will be fun to explore this summer.
First up, the Creative Little Garden, “an oasis of tranquility in New York’s East Village.”
Located at 530 East Sixth Street, between Avenues A & B, the Creative Little Garden has been a “community backyard,” maintained byΒ volunteers from the neighborhood since 1978. You can sit and relax, have your lunch, or just enjoy the landscaping.
Heading north and west, we stumble into the Jefferson Market Garden, now celebrating 50 years in Greenwich Village. This garden welcomes everyone, and drinks are permitted, but not food. They have a βblooming guideβ on their website, https://www.jeffersonmarketgarden.org/bloom-guide so you can plan to visit your favorite flowers. Open from April to October, this garden is located on Greenwich Avenue, between 6th Avenue & West 10th Street.
The gardens at St. Luke-in-the-Fields are special and extensive. You are welcome to visit βsome of the most distinctive and admired gardens in New York City, comprising more than two-thirds of an acre of walks, lawns, and a fine collection of garden standards…and native American flora.β These gardens are open for quiet contemplation; cell phone use, smoking, and pets are not allowed.
Another lovely urban green space can be found on the east side of Manhattan, at Tudor City (between First and Second Avenues, just south of 42nd street). Tudor City Greens is open to the public daily between 7 am and 10 pm. They also host events, from Halloween parades to Afternoon Teas.
Finally, we recommend a visit to Greenacre Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With plenty of seating to enjoy the sound of the waterfall (and drown out the noise of the city!) this beautifully landscaped pocket park is at 217 East 51st Street, between Second and Third Avenues.
(to) Honor (verb): To show deep respect or admiration for someone or something.
(to) Mourn (verb): To feel or express deep sadness, especially because of someone’s death.
(to) Serve (verb): To perform duties for a person, group, or countryβespecially in the military.
Communities (noun, plural): Groups of people living in the same area or having common interests.
Graves (noun, plural): Places in the ground where people are buried after death.
Recognition (noun): The act of acknowledging or honoring something or someone.
Solemn (adjective): Serious, respectful, and often sad or reflective in tone or mood.
Remembrance (noun): The act of remembering or honoring the memory of someone or something.
Marks (verb): Indicates or shows something significant; to signal or commemorate an occasion.
Unofficial (adjective): Not formally recognized or authorized, but commonly accepted or understood.
Associated with (verb phrase): Connected or linked to something in meaning, use, or relationship.
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday for honoring and mourning military service members who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is observed annually on the last Monday of May.
Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday began on May 30, 1868, when communities decorated the graves of Civil War soldiers with flowers and flags. Although several towns claimed to be its birthplace, the holiday gained national recognition after General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic issued a proclamation establishing it, which lead to its nationwide observance.
In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved Memorial Day from May 30 to the last Monday in May, creating a three-day weekend for federal employees.
Note the riderless horse, with boots turned backwards. This is a symbol of a fallen soldier, who will never ride again.
Today, Memorial Day is observed across the country through visits to cemeteries and memorials, the placement of flags and flowers on military graves, and community parades and ceremonies that honor fallen service members.
While it remains a solemn day of remembrance, Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer, often associated with cookouts, retail sales, and travel.
A β April(noun) π¦οΈ The fourth month of the year, often associated with springtime weather.Β
B β Bloom(verb) πΈ πΉ To produce flowers.
C β Cherry blossoms(noun) πΊ The pink or white flowers of cherry trees, commonly seen in early spring.Β
D β Daffodils(noun) πΌ Bright yellow or white trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in early spring.
E β Easter(noun) π£ π° A spring holiday celebrating renewal and, in Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus.Β
F β Flowers(noun) π πͺ» The colorful, often fragrant reproductive parts of plants that bloom in spring.
G β Garden(noun) π» π± π₯¬ A space for growing plants, flowers, or vegetables.
H β Honeybee(noun) π A flying insect that collects nectar and helps pollinate plants.Β
I β Insect(noun) πͺ² π πͺ° A small animal with six legs, a body divided into three parts (head, thorax, and abdomen), and typically one or two pairs of wings.
J β Jump(verb) π€Έ To push oneself off the ground into the air using the legs.Β
K β Kite(noun) πͺ A lightweight object flown in the air on a string, often for fun on windy days.Β
L β Lamb(noun) π A young sheep, often born in spring.Β
M β Migration(noun) ποΈ π¦ The seasonal movement of animals, especially birds, from one region to another.Β
N β Nest(noun) πͺΊ π£ πͺΉ A structure built by birds to lay eggs and raise young.
O β Outdoors(noun) π³ π² π The open air or natural environment.
P β Picnic(noun) π§Ί π· π₯ͺ A meal eaten outside, especially in a park or natural setting.
Q β Quack(noun/verb) π¦ (Noun) The sound a duck makes. (Verb) To make the sound of a duck.Β
R – Rainbow(noun) π Bands of colors in the sky caused by sunlight and rain.
S β Sunshine(noun) βοΈ Β Light and warmth from the sun.Β
T β Tulip(noun) π· A brightly colored, cup-shaped flower that blooms in early to mid-spring.Β
U β Umbrella(noun) β A tool used to protect yourself from rain or strong sun.
V β Vibrant(adjective) β¨ πΈ π Full of energy and life; bright and striking in appearance.
W β Warmth(noun) π A comfortable temperature, often associated with springβs rising temperatures.Β
X β Xylem (noun) π± Plant tissue that carries water from the roots to the rest of the plant.
Y β Yellow(adjective/noun) π Β (Adjective) A bright color often seen in spring flowers. Β (Noun) The color itself.
Z β Zinnia(noun) πΌ A bright, hardy flower that blooms in late spring and summer.Β
