Article published August 13, 2006
BACK TO SCHOOL 2006
Ready or not, it's almost time to head for the classroom
Lisa Sobecki, Ottawa River Elementary School PTO president, organizes school supplies with her sons Zane, 6, center, and Jacob, 8.
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THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY
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By TAHREE LANE
BLADE STAFF WRITER
OK parents, the (summer-vacation) party's over.
With those school bells programmed to ring soon, it's time to do some planning so the next nine months will be successfu, for your youngsters and the whole family.
"When children have problems at school, a lot of it comes back to organization," says Linda Dukate, principal of Temperance Road Elementary in Bedford Public Schools.
Time management isn't easy for everyone, but it's paramount: Routines have to be established (and even harder, maintained), starting with earlier bedtimes, breakfast, and regular dinner times. Decide when you have to rise to get the morning show on the road. What time should homework be finished, baths or showers taken, clothes laid out, and lunches made? And when will you review homework, school papers, the daily planner, and the flotsam and jetsam in the backpack?
Assess how the routine will be affected by extra-curricular activities (including yours) and what's a manageable level of activity. How much screen (television, video game, computer) and phone time will you permit, and when?
About a week before school starts, the family of Bill and Amy Renwand gradually moves up bedtime and breakfast.
"Sleep is No. 1," says Mr. Renwand, father of three and principal of Holloway Elementary in Springfield Local Schools. Arriving at school on time and being prepared for classes are also essential, he said.
At the home of Steve Riddle, principal of Leverette Junior High School in Toledo, the family does a dry run the day before school starts, rising at the appointed time, eating breakfast, and even walking to the bus stop.
Steve Riddle, principal of Leverette Junior High School, says his family schedules a dry run of morning activities the day before school starts.
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THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY
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"It gets us mentally prepared," says Mr. Riddle.
There's still time to dust the cobwebs off the kids' brains by having them read some books, review flash cards, and practice some math. Older students may have assigned summer reading to complete. Mr. Riddle suggests brushing up on skills by using online resources found at the Toledo Public Schools Web site (www.tps.org) or by doing a search for a single word such as "reading."
The student handbook may not be the most riveting piece of literature, but administrators wish parents would read it thoroughly to understand the reasons behind policies, advises Mary Zaums, principal of Bedford Junior High School. And setting limits, especially for adolescents, is important, she adds. "Don't let kids grow up too fast."
Before shelling out cash for school clothes, parents should know the dress code, says Michael Short, principal of the 1,500-student Perrysburg High School. Teens will need reminding about cell phone use. Most schools require phones to be turned off and/or in a locker; if they're used during the school day, you can bet they'll be confiscated and the parent may have to pick them up.
Involvement in school activities is especially good for high school students, adds Mr. Short. And parents need to stay on top of what their teen is doing online, and review his or her MySpace or home page.
Parents of high schoolers won't be supervising homework as closely as in earlier years, but are responsible to see that their students sit down and do it. Perrysburg has an electronic grade book parents can use to track their child's performance. Students who are intensely driven to earn stellar grades may need to hear a message of moderation from their parents.
A teen's sense of self develops in middle and high school, says Mr. Short: "The realization [is] that every student is going to be their own individual and carve their own path."
The avalanche of school papers headed your way can be tamed by designating a box for each child's papers - all of them for the entire year, including newsletters, flyers, returned assignments and tests, advises Ms. Dukate. Being nearby when kids are doing homework is also beneficial, she adds.
Regardless of a child's age, it's essential for parents to introduce themselves to the school's staff as well as to other parents at open houses, school gatherings, and parent-teacher conferences. It takes initiative and for some, even courage.
"It's important for the students to see their parents and the staff are on the same page and we know each other by first name, so when you have something come up, you're going to have that communication," says Mr. Riddle. "Before or after school there's always time [to talk to staff]."
Lisa Sobecki suggests meeting the entire staff, including the lunchroom crew, custodian, and bus driver.
"You never know when you might need them. You form a friendship and they're more apt to tell you things about your child," she says.
Conversing with other parents, especially the friends of your daughter or son, can be invaluable. The feeling that you're the only one going through a difficulty sometimes evaporates when you check in with other parents, says Ms. Sobecki, president of the Parent Teacher Organization at Ottawa River Elementary School in Point Place. That may mean dialing up those parents and introducing yourself. And those relationships sometimes turn into friendships.
Volunteering is part of the equation for success. Parents who can't get time off during the school day can ask the teacher to send home some work for the parent to do over the weekend, such as cutting out or assembling something for a class project.
The mother of Jacob, 8, and Zane, 6, Ms. Sobecki has found it useful to put her boys' names on everything they take to school. She makes sure they can open a container before she sends it in their lunch and she packs small fruits.
A positive attitude toward learning and the school, even if a parent has a beef with a teacher or had a bad experience in school themselves, will establish the right tone. So will encouraging words and showing kids how you get things done.
"Teach them the value of hard work and perseverance, that you can get smart by learning to be a problem-solver," says Ms. Dukate. It's beneficial for children to see their parents tackling a big project by breaking it into small parts or talking about resolving a conundrum by looking at it from several perspectives.
Contact Tahree Lane at: tlane@theblade.com or 419-724-6075.
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