Back to school

Back to School

It’s time to start a new school year, ready or not. Parents, grandparents, guardians, must engage in the frenzy of getting kids ready for the inevitable first day of school. There is the necessary checklist: new clothes/uniforms and shoes (check), backpacks (check), books (check), school supplies that for a while have included not just crayons, pencils, rulers etc., but paper and plastic products and cleaning supplies like tissues, paper towels/napkins, hand and surface wipes and plastic forks and spoons (check). Thank goodness, face masks and face shields have fallen off the list.

Physical exam forms (check), sports participation forms (check), medication forms (check), immunizations and proof of immunization forms – while it is difficult to start kindergarten without up-to date immunizations, at 12 years old or entering the 7^th grade presents another milestone for providing proof of immunizations at the beginning of the school year. As the saying goes, “there is always one in a crowd”, and there are always a handful of parents who seem to not have received the memo regarding the 7^th grade vaccine requirement. Please check this one off and don’t let your child be pulled out of school early in the 7^th grade for lack of compliance.

Parental concern and involvement however needn’t end with the above check list and the start of the school year. To ensure success, parents’ engagement is needed until school breaks again next summer. Variety it is said is the spice of life, and while some kids are self-propelled, others require motivation, and still others require strict supervision to stay occupied and productive. Even within the same household, there may be a need to apply varying stratagems to ensure that each child works toward their potential.

Success during the school year may depend on the following recommendations serving as a further check list.

-          Firstly, will you check off the need to impress on your child the importance and value of education and their part in compliance with teachers and administrators, and with that, a responsibility to themselves and others to enhance the experience and glean every advantage afforded during the school year?

-          Secondly, will you meet with your child’s teachers at the beginning of the school year and ensure that your child is noticed, and their strengths and potential weaknesses are addressed?

-          Will you ensure that your child is completing and turning in assignments on a timely basis and is not figuratively “out to lunch” when assignments are being done and turned in, including the dreaded homework?

-          Will you ensure that your child puts in the work needed for tests and exams? As much maligned as tests and exams are, there needs to be a benchmark for measuring learning, achievement and possible need for revision or remediation. Will you care that your child learned and retained knowledge or information?

-          Will you check back in with the teachers before progress reports or at least prior to quarterly report cards to ensure that the educational train has not derailed to too large an extent before you’re aware, both regarding behavior and academics? Too often parents are blindsided after significant issues or deficits have persisted for months and become insurmountable.

-          Will you keep abreast of social situations and potential relational issues with your child’s associates and teachers? Even students who are talented academically may have schooling adversely affected by difficult situations such as bullying or conflicts with peers or teachers.

-          Will you follow your child’s progress closely enough to acknowledge and praise accomplishments and to seek assistance when needed?

-          Despite the busy schedules particularly when extracurricular activities like music, clubs, and sports are thrown in, will you check mark ensuring some nights of communal meals when everyone is having dinner together and taking time to converse?  A simple open-ended question such as “how is school going?” or “how was your day at school?” may reveal triumphs and struggles in a casual manner that the family needs to be aware of, monitor, intervene with, encourage, or praise.

This school year will be over far too soon. Achievement usually requires time and steady engagement. Let’s checkmark each student reaching their potential and a successful school year for all.