Dear daytime students,
Due to the winter storm, Monday’s English classes (Monday, February 23rd) are canceled.
Please stay safe and warm, and we’ll see everyone on Tuesday, February 24th.
Category: Weather
School is closed on Sunday, January 25th
It’s holiday time!
Winter Holidays Around the World
Winter is a special season. The days are shorter, the nights are longer, and in many places, it is cold and snowy. Around the world, people celebrate different winter holidays with family, friends, food, and traditions. Let’s look at some of the most popular winter holidays.
Christmas
Christmas is celebrated on December 25th in many countries. People decorate a Christmas tree, hang lights, and give gifts. Families often eat a big meal together. In some traditions, children wait for Santa Claus to bring presents. Popular Christmas colors are red, green, and gold.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that usually happens in December. It lasts for eight nights. Families light a special candleholder called a menorah. They eat foods fried in oil, like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). Children often play with a small toy called a dreidel.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is celebrated in the United States from December 26th to January 1st. It honors African traditions and culture. Families light candles in a holder called a kinara. Each day represents a different value, such as unity, creativity, or faith. Music, dancing, and storytelling are also part of Kwanzaa.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
All around the world, people celebrate the New Year on December 31st and January 1st. Many people stay up until midnight to welcome the new year. Fireworks, parties, and special foods are common. People also make resolutions—promises to themselves about things they want to do in the new year.
Vocabulary to Remember
- Tradition – something people do again and again over many years
- Celebrate – to enjoy a holiday or special event
- Candle – a stick of wax with fire at the top for light
- Meal – food eaten together at one time
- Resolution – a plan or promise for the future
✨ Winter holidays bring light, joy, and warmth during the cold season. Even though traditions are different, the message is often the same: spending time with loved ones and sharing happiness.
KEEP COOL IN NYC!
Many people like summer sunshine, but too much heat can be dangerous and unhealthy. Hot and humid weather can cause heat illness and even death. If you or someone you know has these symptoms, you need to cool down quickly!
- Heavy sweating
- Muscle cramps
- Light headedness, feeling faint
- Headache
- Decreased energy
- Loss of appetite, nausea
Luckily, New York City has increased the number of ways to Keep Cool during heat emergencies. The parks department has concentrated on water features, drinking fountains, and tree cover as ways to beat the heat outside.
Here’s a link to a map of all the places where you can cool off:
https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/health-and-safety-guide/cool-it-nyc
Spray showers are fun and feel great for kids. The sprinklers are turned on when the temperature reaches 80 degrees F. These are indicated on the map as well as the beaches and outdoor pools that are open to all. NYC even provides free sunscreen at the pools.
There are thousands of drinking fountains across the city – even some for pets!
The map also shows the parks with thick tree coverage, as well as the shadiest blocks to walk.
Another option: If you’re looking for a fun and safe way to beat the heat, consider requesting an official hydrant opening. You can go to your local firehouse and they might open and close a hydrant safely for you.
And if you’re not an “outdoors person,” NYC has many cooling centers. They are located in air-conditioned facilities that offer people relief from the heat, such as:
- Libraries
- Community centers
- Senior centers
- NYCHA facilities
To find a cooling center: https://maps.nyc.gov/oem/cc/
Most important: drink lots of water even if you’re not thirsty, wear loose light-colored clothing, and avoid sun and strenuous outdoor activity between 11 AM and 4 PM.
Enjoy the summer in the city!
It’s Fall in New York City!
Autumn, also known as Fall to many Americans, is one of the best times to be in New York City!
We all know the seasons, so let’s learn a new word,
“Foliage”.
Fall Foliage to be specific!
The noun “foliage” (pronounced: Fole-EE-edge) means – plant leaves collectively.
So when you imagine “fall foliage”, you may imagine the photo below:
Luckily for us, this beautiful scene is right here in New York City!
Whether you’re a plant lover, or not, checking out the fall foliage around NYC can be a fun free activity for the whole family. (or a romantic retreat!)
Take a look at these 5 fall foliage spots to check out in New York City!
- Fort Tyron Park in Washington Heights!
2. Prospect Park in Brooklyn
3. Central Park, Manhattan
4. Alley Pond Park, Queens
5. Greenbelt Nature Center, Staten Island
My favorites are Central Park and Alley Pond Park!
If you have been to one the parks above, let us know in the comments!
Happy Fall!
Spring is in the Air- and so are Allergies
As spring arrives in beautiful New York city, so does something not so beautiful- allergies!
Many people suffer from allergies. This can cause many problems, like itchiness, red eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, swelling (1) and much more.
How can you feel better? How can you beat the allergies this spring?
The Website, WebMD , has 5 ways that can help!
- Stay indoors more (limit your time outdoors)
This is easy. The trees and flowers that cause allergies are outside. Stay inside to keep yourself away from their pollen.
- Take medicine
Many allergy medicines can stop you from getting a runny nose and an itchy face, but be careful! They can also make you sleepy.
- Take medicine 1 week early (Protect yourself early on)
If you take medicine early, it will already be in your body when you need it.
- Take natural medicine (Get Natural Relief)
Some herbal medicines help allergies too! Remember to talk to a doctor about safety.
- Make small changes at home (Tweak your home)
There are small ways to make your home a place without allergies. You can close your windows, take off your shoes when you come inside the house, vacuum, and don’t smoke. Smoking makes allergies worse!
Enjoy the spring, but remember to beware of allergies!
Reference:
Spring Allergy Fixes: Medicine, Herbs, Allergy-Proofing Your Home (webmd.com)
April Showers Bring May Flowers
There’s a saying in English “April showers bring May flowers,” which means that although you might not like all the rain we get in April, it will help all the beautiful flowers grow in May. Which is kind of another way to say that sometimes you first have to experience something unpleasant in order to to experience joy later on. Here’s an old song using this phrase along with the lyrics – enjoy!
“April Showers”
Written by Louis Silvers and B. G. De Sylva
Performed by Judy Garland
When April showers may come your way
They bring the flowers that bloom in May
So when it’s raining, have no regrets
Because it isn’t raining rain, you know, it’s raining violets
And when you see clouds upon the hill
You’ll know they’ll bring crowds of daffodils
So just keep looking for a blue bird and listening for his song
Whenever April showers come along
And when you see clouds upon the hill
You’ll know they’ll bring crowds of daffodils
So just keep looking for a blue bird and listening for his song
Whenever April showers come along