Starting the school year strong: Simple ways families can stay connected
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A new school year always seems to bring a little bit of everything, excitement, nervousness, new routines, busy mornings, and maybe even a few missing shoes or forgotten lunch boxes.
For children, the first few weeks are about getting used to new teachers, classmates, schedules, and expectations. But families are adjusting, too. The beginning of the year is also a good time for parents and caregivers to think about how they want to stay connected to their child’s school and learning.
The good news is that family engagement doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t have to volunteer every week, attend every event, or understand everything that happens at school. Some of the most important things families do happen at home and in everyday conversations.
Don’t wait until parent-teacher conferences or until there’s a problem, to introduce yourself to your child’s teacher. Take advantage of an open house, send a quick email, make a phone call, or simply say hello when you have the chance.
It doesn’t have to be a long conversation. Letting the teacher know that you’re looking forward to working together is a great place to start.
This is also a good time to share something about your child. What do they enjoy? What are they proud of? What motivates them? Is there something that helps when they become frustrated or have a hard time?
Parents and caregivers know things about their children that aren’t going to show up in a student file. That information can be helpful as a teacher gets to know your child.
Schools have a lot of ways to share information these days. Between emails, newsletters, text messages, parent portals, apps, social media, websites, and papers stuffed into backpacks, it can be hard to keep track of everything.
Early in the year, find out which communication methods your child’s school and teacher use most often. Make sure your phone number and email address are up to date and that you’re signed up for any apps or notifications you need.
It may also help to pick one day each week to check the school calendar and look ahead at what’s coming up. Ten minutes of planning can save you from discovering at 9:00 at night that a permission slip was due yesterday!
How was your day? Many families know this conversation all too well:
“What did you do today?”
“Nothing.”
Instead of asking questions that can be answered with one word, try asking something a little more specific.
“What made you laugh today?”
“What was the hardest part of your day?”
“Who did you spend time with?”
“What is something you learned today that you didn’t know yesterday?”
“What are you looking forward to tomorrow?”
You don’t need to turn the ride home or the dinner table into an interview. One good question can be enough. More importantly, give your child time to answer and really listen to what they have to say.
Those everyday conversations can tell you a lot about friendships, learning, successes, and things your child may be struggling with.
Going from summer schedules to school schedules isn’t always easy. Suddenly there are alarms, earlier bedtimes, homework, activities, lunches to pack, and places everyone needs to be.
A few predictable routines can make mornings and evenings much easier.
Where will backpacks go when everyone gets home? Where should school papers be placed? When will devices be put away? What needs to happen before bedtime? What can be done the night before to make the morning less hectic?
There isn’t one “right” routine. What works for one family may not work at all for another. Find something that fits your household and helps your child get to school rested, prepared, and ready for the day.
If something doesn’t seem right, you don’t have to wait. Maybe your child suddenly doesn’t want to go to school. Maybe homework is becoming a nightly battle. Perhaps they’re having trouble with friends, falling behind in a subject, or you’re hearing something at home that you’re not sure how to handle. Reach out and ask.
Teachers, counselors, principals, family liaisons, social workers, and other school staff can help. Schools may also have resources for families who need assistance with things like transportation, meals, technology, academics, attendance, or other challenges. It’s much easier to ask for help when you already know who you can contact.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember at the beginning of a new school year is that you belong on your child’s educational team. You don’t need to know every educational term or have all the answers. You bring something to the table that no one else can, you know your child.
So, as backpacks get packed and another school year gets underway, don’t worry about doing everything. Start with one small thing.
Introduce yourself to the teacher. Ask your child a different question about their day. Check the school calendar. Share something important about your child. Start a new family routine.
The beginning of the school year is a great time to start.