The start of a new school year can be overwhelming for both kids
and parents. But it doesn't have to be, according to Illinois' top
teachers. Tapping into their collective 2,000 years of teaching
experience, the members of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators have
compiled a list of the "Top 10 Ways to Make Back-to-School a Breeze,"
to aid Illinois parents as they prepare their children for the first
day of school.
"The Number 1 thing parents can do to help their kids succeed in
school on the first day, and every day, is to demonstrate that school
is important -- in what they say and what they do," said Dom Belmonte,
president and CEO of Golden Apple and a former high school English
teacher.
Golden Apple is a community of expert educators who work to ensure
that all Illinois children have the excellent teachers they deserve.
Members of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, including Belmonte
himself, are winners of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in
Teaching, a program that honors those who exemplify the highest
standards and practices of the teaching profession.
A recent survey of Academy members revealed a general consensus on
the most important steps parents can take -- at home and at school --
to help their children succeed. Golden Apple shares the list as part
of its ongoing efforts to improve the quality of the education
experience for Illinois students.
Golden Apple's Top 10 Ways for Parents to Make Back-to-School a
Breeze
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1. Establish a daily routine - and stick to it!
Make sure there is enough time in the morning for your kids to eat
a healthy breakfast and get themselves ready without being
rushed. And after school, designate a physical place in your home
for homework and agree on a time and schedule for completing
homework every night. No exceptions.
2. Make your home a year-round haven for learning.
Demonstrate the importance of education and learning by making it
part of your home life. Visit a library or museum or attend
concerts and plays. But be sure to limit extracurricular
activities, so your children aren't over-scheduled and over-
stressed. And most importantly, read to or with your children. "I
know this is the Internet/text-messaging generation," said a
Golden Apple Award-winning retired high school science teacher,
"But OMG! They should read books!"
3. Your positive attitude will rub off on your kids!
Make sure your attitude about school is positive and supportive.
Share your favorite memories about starting a new school year and
emphasize that a new year means a fresh start.
4. Build a "learning team" with your child's teacher(s).
Meet the teacher early in the school year and check in more
frequently than parent-teacher conferences. Find out about
special projects and activities and offer to help when you can.
Find out what online services your school provides and utilize
them to stay abreast of grades, lesson plans and school
activities, and to communicate with the teacher and staff. At the
same time, said Louis Broccolo, retired Central Middle School of
Tinley Park social studies teacher and 1998 Golden Apple Award,
"Be involved but don't be a helicopter parent," hovering over
your child and taking too much of the teachers' attention away
from the first priority of running the classroom.
5. Keep tabs on what your child is doing in and out of the classroom.
Know who their friends are and talk to them about what they're
learning and who they're meeting and spending time with. Make
sure you see all returned tests and papers and that you get notes
and materials sent home from school. Older students, in
particular, don't always remember or want to share information
sent home from the teacher. Communicate with other parents to
keep each other abreast of new developments and information from
the school, and be aware of issues facing your school.
6. Start the transition from summer vacation to school-day schedules
early.
Establish earlier bed times and wake-up times a few weeks prior to
the first day of school to get your kids used to the new
schedule. Connect with classmates they didn't see over the summer
and talk or write about your summer experiences so they have them
fresh in their minds.
7. Remember, grades aren't the only measure of success!
Success is defined differently for everyone. Discuss expectations
for the school year and ask your child to set his or her own
goals, along with yours. Encourage them to be themselves and do
the best they can - not follow someone else's definition of
success.
8. Support your student in big ways and small, through the low spots
and highs.
Ask your child every day how school went. Make your questions
specific and engage them in conversation about what they learned
and what they did. Make sure your child has everything necessary
to start the school year and follow through on what is needed to
be prepared and participate throughout the year. In addition,
recognize that things won't always go perfectly and help your
child through the rough spots, all the while congratulating them
when they meet or exceed your expectations.
9. Recognize and help ease that back-to-school anxiety and
uncertainty.
Build confidence and self-esteem, not dread, about the start of
school. Talk about school everyday with an upbeat attitude.
Discuss ways they can help themselves get ready for the new
school year. Writing a letter to or drawing a picture for their
teacher or picking up a book to donate to the class library can
give them something tangible and positive to focus on leading up
to the first day.
10. The little things really do matter!
For younger students, accompany them to school and to their
classroom on the first day. For middle school and high school
students, know their schedules and their locker combination. Make
sure that all forms are filled out and physicals are completed on
time and have their school supplies purchased, out of the
package, and labeled before the start of class that first day.
Above all, hug them. Encourage them to do their best and support
them along the way.
"Back to school can be stressful for everyone, with new schedules,
new schools, new supplies and clothes to buy, but it's our jobs as
parents to ease the transition from the lazy days of summer to the
more regimented school-year schedule," Belmonte explained. "And the
place to start is by paying attention, following through, and keeping
a positive attitude to get you and your child off on the right foot
this year."
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