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Packing Up Summer For School
by Rosemary Lee Potter, Ed.D.
Special to Tropical Breeze
Every summer there comes an inevitable moment when parents must reorient and redirect their children’s attention toward school days. This is no easy task as young people’s attention is still devoted to the favorite pursuits of summertime — travel, sports, swimming, camping, the mall, staying up and out and over late and more.
Yet parents must be on task for the rerouting of students toward fall studies, be it seeing that physicals or vaccinations are taken or appropriate clothing and supplies are laid in and on time. Although, the autumn here-comes-school changeover seems to come all too soon, parents are often surprised to find that their youngsters are just as eager as their parents are to get back to a school schedule! However, students are not looking to return to books and homework, but to a more expected schedule, believe it or not. Of course, their biggie motivation is definitely getting back with their daily social connection — their friends. So while students appear reluctant to go back to school, with secret glee, many are happy to rid themselves of “boorrring!”
Here are some positive ideas successful parents have shared about “back-to-school” planning:
Clothes: Doubtless teens are no problem about getting out to buy clothes, except for wanting a lot of them. Yet, parents need to be sure that their fad fashion-conscious teens and pre-teens, in their buying zeal, do not purchase clothes which will not meet their school’s dress code, if any, much less parent standards. A first day back to school can be spoiled if a young lady needs to sit in an office waiting for her parent to bring her a longer skirt, a bigger tee shirt to cover her midriff, or jeans without holes. Check the school dress rules.
Another point is to encourage buying a variety of separates, instead of one major outfit for the first day. The separates may encourage a new “look” for longer. Boys may not be as fashion-concerned as girls, but the reverse can be also true. Check for what statements are written on any tee-shirts to be worn. Edgy remarks on shirts often wind up with the student having to wear the shirt inside out the rest of the day if no other shirt is available.
Supplies: What about backpacks, locks? Again, the school may have sent out a list of items needed for the school year, sometimes for a particular teacher’s room, especially in elementary school. Middle school students often show up the first day with massive notebooks which actually cause them more logistical problems than help, particularly before there are lockers assigned in which to place heavy books and notebooks.
It is usually a better first day plan for middle school students — particularly first-timers — to take in a simple folder with three clips and perhaps 10-15 sheets of wide rule paper and two sharpened number 2 pencils.
Why the suggestion of pencils when pens are so cool and big-time? The first day there are always lots of instructions and maybe notes which often need revision, thus erasers. However, if the student really must use a pen there are now some available where the ink can be neatly erased. Still send in pencils for use in math. Later 3-ring pencil bags that fit into notebooks and folders are a tremendous organizational help in class.
Savvy parents plan an early supper and visit to stores for supplies the first school night, so that on the second, more complex day finds the student prepared with the materials needed. Early is to avoid cranky everybody and ease getting home to bed.
Biggie ABCs: Sit down and discuss these priority expectation. They will not just happen by chance.
A. Set simple goals. School job description: Show up, listen, do and learn.
B. Eat some kind of breakfast and also do lunch. This is brain fuel.
C. Sleep. No late flicks, computer, games or sleep-overs including the night before school starts — no longer really summer vacation!
“Mind your manners” and “Make your family proud” are probably two other good student-child expectations parents should express.
Whether parents are first-time school parents or old-hands, they must remember to tell the school if their children have any problems, new or old, which need accommodation. It’s the law for schools to help with disabilities and to support parent and medical efforts in cases such as diabetes and allergies. Do this the first day — before that day, if at all possible! Earlier will make it easier to inform all teachers and personnel who are involved with a child, for example, to provide them with instructions for emergencies — which could occur even the very first day!
Most parents survive their children’s school years well. They volunteer when possible, have teacher conferences, but mostly support the school in the education of their children including verbally supporting teachers. Parents should ask questions and express concerns. Politely. Children watch their parents in these efforts learning first-hand how much your family matters!
© 2006 Rosemary Lee Potter. All Rights Reserved.
Rosemary Lee Potter, Ed.D., has been a teacher since 1960, including 21 years at Safety Harbor Middle School, and is now a reading teacher at Carwise Middle School, Palm Harbor. Contact her at
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or by mail in care of Tropical Breeze, P.O. Box 585, Safety Harbor, FL 34695.
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