EDGE

Back to School — 
Tips for a Successful Year

By Debra Fryson

As a child, did you dread the sight of sale flyers with back-to-school savings? How awful to be reminded that it was time to stock up on pencils, pens, and notebooks. How alarming to realize that all too soon summer vacation would be over and it would be time to head back to school.  While that is no longer your worry, perhaps you have children who now find themselves in the same predicament.  Ready or not, it’s that time of year again.  Here are some tips that may help you and your child have a successful school year.


Before the School Year Starts
Reestablish bedtime routines that may have been relaxed during the summer. According to the National Sleep Foundation, preschoolers need from 11 to 13 hours of sleep each night, school-age children need from 10 to 11 hours, and teens need from 8.5 to 9.25 hours.  Students will think more clearly and function better if they have had proper rest.

As summer comes to an end, The Association of School Psychologists recommends that parents turn off the television. They advise that you “encourage your child to play quiet games, do puzzles, flash cards, color, or read as early morning activities instead of watching television. This will help ease your child into the learning process and school routine.” 

Save money by stocking up on school supplies during annual back-to-school sales, and by taking advantage of tax-free days. Many states have tax-free weekends that allow you to purchase school supplies, clothing, books, computers, and other back-to-school items without having to pay sales tax. An Internet search for your state’s tax-free weekend will reveal scheduled dates and items that qualify for tax-free status.

Once the School Year Has Begun
Time and again, research shows that parental involvement has a major impact on student success in school. “When parents are involved students have:
•    Higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates
•    Better school attendance
•    Increased motivation, better self-esteem
•    Lower rates of suspension
•    Decreased use of drugs and alcohol
•    Fewer instances of violent behavior.”

To be involved, communicate frequently with your children about their schoolwork. Ask them about things that are going well or that are not going so well. Discover in what subjects they excel, or in what subjects they struggle. Show an interest in, talk positively about, and encourage your children regarding schoolwork. Provide resources that will help them do their best.

Set high expectations. In most instances, when parents set realistic high expectations, children strive to reach them. When children know their parents expect them to make good grades, they do. When children know the expectation is that they will go to college, they do. Celebrate small successes, so that a desire to do one’s best becomes contagious. When setbacks occur, teach your children to learn from them and to embrace them as opportunities for growth.

Parental involvement at school and regular communi-cation with teachers is also very valuable.  Participate in school activities and events, and become an active member of the Home and School Associa- tion. Also, establish an open line of communication with your child’s teachers, who will appreciate knowing that you are concerned about your child's progress. Phone calls, email, and visits to the classroom are effective ways to stay in touch and to show that school success is important to you.

While your children may be sad to see the care-free days of summer come to an end, help them reflect on friends and activities they’ve missed while they’ve been out of school. Encourage them to look forward to a new year with excitement in anticipation of all the things the year has in store. Here’s to the start of a successful year!

Debra Fryson is Southern Union director of education.