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by Rosemary Lee Potter, Ed.D.
Special to Tropical Breeze
So school has begun despite all the weather problems confounding local openings. Students have loaded up with planners, supplies, padlocks, and signed documents, permitting use of the Internet and other on-campus and class facilities. They even have lined paper and brand new pencils. What a start!
A few parents were talking over their children’s fairly smooth start. Almost all agreed that the first days are daunting as to how much information they and their offspring can receive and to which they must respond, as in filled-out clinic cards and permissions to try out for teams.
The discussions went on, but there emerged thoughts about school year life at home and how the “new” schedule is going. Here are some of the ideas shared which might be of benefit to other parents.
ORGANIZE FOR TOMORROW: Besides snacks and a break on arrival home, one parent helps the student organize right then for the next day! Why — when they so do not want to it right then? Experience shows no parent wants to make a store run in the late evening when it is tired time and suddenly the student remembers that they must have this or that for school the very next day! Keep this immediately after-school tomorrow readiness short — for example — need not lay out clothes, etc. unless that idea regularly takes a long time in the a.m. Some folks do relate that by doing the clothes choice right after school, it’s ever so much easier then to determine there is a stain on the shirt or the location of the matching sock, than in a groggy, maybe grumpy, early morning or a really tired later evening.
SUPPLIES: Try to get the items required as soon as possible so that the child can participate at school at best readiness for the required work. On the other hand resist buying extra and cutesy items which will be distractive in class, such as permanent, smelly markers for decoration (of what?) and pens with feathers (to wiggle and tickle people). Oversized materials get in the way on and under desks, even in lockers!
Speaking of lockers, those students in middle school really do need an organizer frame in lockers AND a parent who, in only about a month, does a locker check as an assist in getting things inside under control and made handy again.
WHAT IS SLEEP? There really needs to be a good night’s sleep here. It is not up for debate. No sleepy student does well in school. Teachers are already reporting a student here or there with head down on the desk almost asleep. Set a schedule for school nights and keep to it.
NO BREAKFAST? The word actually means stop not eating all night. No student should go to school without eating something. It does not mean it must be a traditional egg platter or cereal and toast. It could be a sandwich and some juice. It just must be some food to produce the energy the student needs to do well, listen intently, follow directions, complete tasks.
TUNE AND LISTEN CLOSELY! Parents need to turn up their listening, to tune up their listening ears! Folks report listening for both complaints and good comments. Early on is better for fixing things, IF there are things to fix. However, folks suggest that parents try not to be too picky, in other words, judge the relative importance of any issue which they believe needs to be addressed. Take a breath! They say also not to drop in to school excessively and always then to report to the front office to sign in. For example, teachers can not be interrupted while teaching to talk with parents. A conference may need to be scheduled.
There are many more ways parents can help their children happily readjust to school. Parents who make these transition efforts work, show their offspring that your family matters.
©2008 Rosemary Lee Potter All Rights Reserved
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