Summer Not Over, Even When Elmhurst Schools Open Doors

ELMHURST, IL – Many identify summer as their favorite season, but they often prematurely proclaim it over.

At Tuesday's Elmhurst school board meeting, Superintendent Keisha Campbell spoke about preparations for the Aug. 13 start of school.

"Summer is over," she declared.

Board members jokingly protested.

Campbell corrected herself, saying, "Summer is quickly fleeting."

She is hardly alone in her perception. Many parents and their kids consider summer finished once the school doors open.

So just when does summer end?

Any science expert will tell you that summer officially starts June 21 and ends Sept. 22.

But most people see summer starting when the calendar turns to June. And they see it lasting through August. September is considered fall.

The thing most people like about summer is the warmer temperatures. If that's the main factor, then September should be seen as summer.

In Elmhurst, the average high temperature is 76 in September. That's warmer than May, when temperatures reach 71 on average. The averages are 80 in June, 85 in July and 83 in August.

By that measure, summer continues through September, even if kids are back in the classroom.