Summer Splash
Live, Laugh, Love, and Learn
MIRACLE MOMENT®
“If children grew up according to early indications, we should have nothing but geniuses.”
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A MESSAGE from Founder/Executive Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN
Who will be the first in the pool? Within a few days, schools will be out for the summer. As the warmer days of the season approach, our children are focused on fun in the sun. We need those summer splashes but we also need to maintain our educational achievements.
On average, students suffer a learning loss during their vacation. Some students sign up for three or four-week summer programs. However, studies indicate that to yield a measurable academic benefit, instruction needs to be for three hours a day for at least five weeks.
Taking time off to recuperate, rest, repair, and play is equally important for a healthy body, mind, and spirit. Families want to spend time together, take a vacation, travel, or enjoy time at home. Taking a vacation reduces stress, improves moods and sleep, and increases the bond in family relationships by making memories. The bottom line is that taking a time out will boost your happiness.
To reduce learning loss for all ages, choose to read stimulating books. Students can join our Star Teen Book Review Team to write a review that will be published after a book is read. Our talented Book Review Coordinator, Stephanie Cogeos, evaluates each review submitted for accuracy and provides feedback to the writer. It is then published at http://www.btsya.com/book_reviews. To be considered for the team, a volunteer questionnaire must be submitted and approved. The Star Teen Book Review Team is one of the most popular and productive outreach programs BTSYA provides for teens to reduce learning loss at any time. Check out the program.
Our two award-winning radio shows, StarStyle® and Express Yourself! Teen Radio broadcasts weekly all summer with new episodes, so check the lineup and tune in for unapologetically authentic information and edutainment. Live, learn, laugh!
Here at Be the Star You Are!® we are still basking in the limelight of our Moraga win as the 2024 Nonprofit of the Year. We will continue celebrating all year, and we encourage you to mark your calendars for Saturday, September 28 as Be the Star You Are!® continues the party by participating in a parade, ribbon cutting, and the Pear and Wine Festival.
Congratulations to all the graduates from pre-school through grad school! Be a genius and continue to be kind!
May you have a marvelous summer with enchanting festivities filled with family and friends frolicking. Live fully, laugh loudly, love boldly, and learn daily.
Make a Splash! It’s summer!
With gratitude for your support.
Sending love and peace,
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO box 376
Moraga, California 94556
https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
PRESALES FOR NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK ENDS JUNE 3
The third book in the children’s picture book series Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventure is Books in the Barnyard: Oh Deer!, a delightful tale based on the true story of a baby fawn who is rescued by children and shares a secret superpower. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit Be the Star You Are!® charity. While the book is being published, presale orders are discounted through June 3, 2024. The regular price is $14.95 but the presale price is only $11.95. Buy your copies now, ask for autographs, and reap the extra rewards. If you want to buy books in bulk, email info@BetheStarYouAre.org for a greater discount. Visit https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store
To find out more about the Stella Bella Barnyard Adventure series, read the terrific article penned by Vera Kochan. Vera also took this photo! Thanks Vera!
Are you looking for first-edition book packages as keepsakes or gifts? Be the Star You Are!® offers our special book package containing six books in our most popular two series for adults, teens, and children.
The total donation is $125 for the six books including tax and shipping. Visit https://www.bethestaryouare.org/book-gift for order information.
GET INSPIRED WITH BOOKS
Looking for a great book? Check out our two portals with proceeds benefiting Be the Star You Are!®
Amazon Store: http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity
StarStyle® Store: https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store
SUMMER KINDNESS
by Karen Kitchel
Summer is a time of year when smiles seem to be abundant. It might have something to do with the intoxicating scent of flowers or the virtually cloudless and miraculously bright blue sky. Adding to this sunny state can be a satisfying feeling of knowing you’ve just made someone’s day.
Here are a few simple summer kindness ideas:
Interrupt the ordinary
Think about the people who help you get life done (trash collector, mail delivery person, etc.) Interrupt them on an ordinary day with a bottle of sparkling water or a candy bar and a “Thanks for what you do.”
Ice cream scattering
While at the grocery store, pick up a box of popsicles or ice cream bars and drop them off at a local shelter or food shelf for the volunteers. All you have to say is “Enjoy!”
A line to say to make someone’s day
“You are really good at what you do!”
Kindness cards
Make up a few note cards to keep in your car or purse to randomly give to those wonderful folks who keep restrooms clean, police officers, teachers, or those who make your life a bit better. Cards can say things like: “You are appreciated” or “Thanks for all you do!”
Karen Kitchel is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She purchased the book, No Barnyard Bullies, as a gift for every kindergarten student where she is a volunteer teacher. www.scatteringkindness.com
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
On Saturday, September 28th, as part of the 50th Anniversary of the Town of Moraga, volunteers of Be the Star You Are!® as the 2024 Nonprofit of the Year, will participate in the parade and be acknowledged on the BandStand at the Pear and Wine Festival. Since we will be celebrating our 25th year of being a 501c3, we will have a ribbon cutting and celebration at our festival booth. Our teen coordinator for the 25th-anniversary celebration is Ella Kalpakjian and our teenchairpersons for our booth at the Pear and Wine Festival are Saanvi Phanendra and Sharanya Roy. We welcome sponsors and those interested in participating to contact us at info@BetheStarYouAre.org. Details will be posted at https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org during the summer
LINKS FOR BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® 501 C3
Positive Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results
About Us: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/about_us
Programs: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/programs
How to Help: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help
Blog: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/blog-1
Events: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/events
Contact us: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/contact
GREAT NON-PROFITS REVIEWS: https://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-inc
GUIDESTAR: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-3333882
We invite you to volunteer, get involved, or make a donation. Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
Enjoy books! Reading is succeeding! Be a GENIUS!
Splash and have a safe and fun summer!
