I'M sure that all parents on the island are thanking the Lord that school has restarted. The summer can be fun and is a lovely break, for kids, teachers, parents and for the schools but too much free time and too many breaks can lead to kids getting into trouble. Life is better when they have lots of homework, projects, school commitments and when the parents have to attend PTA meetings and the vast array of other requirements that schools place on families.

On this subject, although the Government and the public school system receive a lot of flack, I can tell you that they are trying. In fact, I am convinced that at the preschool and primary level we're actually doing OK. The problems seem to creep in at the middle school level and throughout the teenage years. This is why so many people have no problem putting their kids in public primary schools but want to transfer them into private schools around the time when they would enter into middle school.

The real issue is that a child can learn in any environment if the proper support is in place at home and if the parents are involved with their child's education.

It takes a whole village to raise children, however, we don't have neighbourhoods like we used to in the old days.

Last weekend, though, I found a neighbourhood that is a throwback to the way things used to be. More on this after the latest installment of Bermuda's Top 20.

Still at number one is Heaven Sent by Keyshia Cole.

At number two is Trey Songz' new hit, entitled Last Time.

Improving to number three is Love Is Wicked (Soca Remix) by Brick and Lace featuring Kess.

Advancing to number four is another soca anthem, Defence (the anthem) by Machel Montano featuring Lil Jon and Pitbull.

Up to number five is Take A Bow, a sad love story by one of the hottest pop divas around, Rihanna.

Tumbling to number six is A Milli by Lil Wayne, who has quietly racked up quite a repertoire of hits.

Slipping to number seven spot is I Luv Your Girl by The-Dream.

Climbing to number eight is Put On by Young Jeezy featuring Kanye West.

Up a touch to number nine is Fall by Kimberley Locke.

Soaring to number ten is When I Grow Up by the Pussycat Dolls, one of the hottest groups around.

Now some new hits.

Up to number 11 is Give It To Me by Madonna, a kicking dance track.

Spotlight by American Idol diva and Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson (pictured) advances to number 12.

Improving to number 13 is Road Jam, a soca kicker by recent visitor Shurwayne Winchester.

Falling to number 14 is a former essential new tune, Teenage Love Affair by Alicia Keys.

Falling to number 15 is Bust it Baby Part 2 by Plies featuring Ne-Yo.

Up to number 16 is Jazmine Sullivan with her new hit entitled Need You Bad.

Improving to number 17 is Disturbia by hot girl Rihanna, a smooth dance track that currently sits atop international dance charts.

Climbing to number 18 is The Business by Yung Berg featuring Casha, a current hip hop fave.

Now, this week's essential new track. In at number 19 is Whatever You Like by T.I. Its good to have T.I. back with a hit.

New at number 20 is Can't Believe It by T-Pain and Lil Wayne.

Now back to this week's words - neighbourhoods, or the lack of them.

Years ago, life was different and everybody in a neighbourhood looked out for one another and each other's children.

You would have no problem going to your neighbour's house and borrowing four eggs or some sugar.

In our quest to be independent, self sufficient and "uppity", we have stopped talking to each other and are no longer good neighbours.

I have, however, found one neighbourhood that is still like the good old days and that neighbourhood is the one on Boundary Terrace, off Hermitage Road in Devonshire.

I went to a party there last weekend and the place was totally alive.

This was a block party in the truest sense. There was a DJ kicking some awesome music in one person's yard. There was a fun castle for the kids in another yard. There was parking in another neighbour's yard and the food was provided by and served from yet another family's house/property.

Children from toddlers on up roam and ride their bikes on the estate road without fear of being run over by cars because the cars slow down for them and allow them free run of the neighbourhood street.

At Boundary Terrace, people are welcome in each other's house at any time of the day and night and most of them enjoy a good toddy, or two, or three, etc.

However, the common denominator is that they all love to have a good time, they love life and they live it to the fullest.

Most importantly, they love the children in the neighbourhood and make a fuss over them.

I've been to many parties in this neighbourhood as well as simply stopping by and this community will tell you that they may not have it all together but together they can have it all. More importantly, they don't just talk the talk about being a true, caring, loving, friendly neighbourhood - they walk the walk as well.

It takes a whole village to raise a child and in addition to providing discipline, a village must also provide good, safe, clean fun for its children.

Children with this support are happy and often have smiles on their faces. Here's to more communities in Bermuda becoming true neighbourhoods, like the brothers and sisters on Boundary Terrace.

I am my brother's keeper. Let's take the time to go and talk with, eat with, sup with and play with our neighbours.

Let's invite them over for dinner and tell them that any time they need anything they can call us or drop by. We can do this and it will make the country stronger and its people happier. The real winners will be the children, because they will be taught how to be a sustainable, loving, caring, child-rearing community.

Peace ¿