How to Make Back-to-School a Successful One
08/01/11
It’s no secret that getting back into the school routine can be a challenge for many students. San Francisco’s public schools open Monday, August 15, so it’s time for students and their families to get back into the routine.
Reasonable Bedtimes - Start Now
Teacher Celia Magtoto sees sleepy kids in her classroom at Jean Parker Elementary every fall. She has a few hints for families.“Start a reasonable bedtime before school starts and stick to it,” says Magoto. “And make time for breakfast for them because, honestly, it does make a difference in your child’s day.”
If your child is going to a new school, take your child to the school grounds before the first day to see what the building and yard looks like. The school may not be open, but getting a preview can help. Take a trip to the library to check out books about the first day.
Magtoto knows most young kids, especially those starting kindergarten, may be feeling first-day jitters, and it’s important to have conversations with your child about them in a positive way.
“Ask open-ended questions about good things to expect, like ‘what do you think school will be like?’ and what do you think you might learn on the first day?’ “
As the school year continues, Magtoto says it’s important to continue asking those open-ended questions. “Ask things like, ‘what was the best part of your day today?’” (And remember that ‘recess’ or even ‘going home’ are legitimate answers.)
Another way to ease first-day jitters, suggests NurJehan Khalique, who was an elementary school principal for 11 years before becoming LEAD Assistant Superintendent this year, suggests something you can do at home.
“Have your child draw a picture of him or herself, or even write a letter, to give to the teacher on the first day,” says Khalique. This is a great way to help your child start building a relationship with the teacher, she says, “even before that first step into the classroom.”
Teenagers Have to Adjust, Too
For students who have been going to school for several years, back to school time has different challenges, but parenting still plays a key role in a child’s success.
“Set limits at bedtime,” says Balboa High’s assistant principal Susan Ritter. “Most teens need 8 hours of sleep to have a good day at school.” Ritter suggest parents hold on to the child’s cell phones and video game controls and even unplug the TV at bedtime to reduce distractions.
“Don’t be afraid to set boundaries, especially with teens,” she says. “They still need strong parenting, even in high school.”
She adds that this should be the year for families to improve on the amount of nutritious foods and snacks kept around the house. Stock up on fresh fruits and whole grain breads, for instance, which are sometimes cheaper than processed food and teens will eat it if sugary or salty foods are not in the house. For families on extremely tight budgets, the SF Food Bank is a good resource.
And those first few weeks are all about getting organized. “High school students need to use academic planners,” says Ritter, “they are taking up to six classes a day and juggling homework and after school responsibilities.”
Ritter says it’s okay to ask your teen on a regular basis about any big assignments that are coming up and what he or she is doing to get them done.
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