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Volume 45 Number 33 329 Broadway., Bethpagc. NY 11714 Aug.-jW- Sept. 6, 2007 (516)681-0440 ext. 21 FAX (516)681-9354 Email: Nuz2u@aol.com 50 Cents
Start The School Year Right
Bv Emily Graham
Forget last year's late-night home­work
sessions and missed bus rides -
the start of a new school year is a
great time to reevaluate family rou­tines
and set guidelines to help your
child succeed. This year, make going
back to school about more than buying
school supplies. Think ahead to help
your family ride out the surprises the
year is sure to bring, and follow these
expert tips to start off right.
Lav the Groundwork
Going back to school doesn't have
to mean homework fights and bedtime
protests. While some experts advise
creating homework schedules or activ­ity
charts, parenting coach Erin Brown
Conroy says the first step parents
should take to minimize disputes is to
communicate their expectations clear­ly.
Talk about homework rules and
daily routines before school starts.
Enforce family rules consistently.
Even on the toughest of days, it's
important to keep a positive attitude.
Instead of focusing on what children
"have to do" for homework, empha­size
what they "get to learn," Brown
Conroy says. If your child becomes
overwhelmed by homework, help
break down the work into easily
accomplished tasks.
Ease Anxieties
Starting a new grade or moving to
a new school can be frightening.
Parents can ease these anxieties by
helping students feel prepared for
school. If your child walks or rides a
bicycle to school, walk or ride the
route with him. If your child rides the
bus, show her where the bus stop is,
tell her about the schedule, and make
sure she knows how to find the bus
after school. Remind your child where
he will go after school, whether it's
home, to an extracurricular activity, or
to a babysitter.
This is also a good time to talk
about strategies for dealing with bul­lies.
The American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends telling chil­dren
to look the bully in the eye, stay
calm, and stand tall. Teach children to
respond to bullying by saying, "I don't
like what you are doing." "Please do
not talk to me like that," or "Why
would you say that?" Tell your child
to walk away from a bully, and teach
her when and how to ask for help.
It's best to make an appointment
for you and your child to meet the
principal, your child's teachers, and
even the school counselor before
school starts, says John Wherry, pres­ident
of the Parent Institute, a private
company that encourages parent
involvement at school. Alternatively,
find out when the school will hold an
organized teacher night and make
plans to be there.
"Let your child see what the place
is like instead of just riding a bike
around the school all summer and not
knowing what goes on behind those
doors," advises Wherry, a former
teacher.
If your child has special needs,
inform the teacher before classes
start. Also let the teacher know of
changes that may affect your child's
behavior, such as a divorce, an illness
or death of a family member, or a
recent or pending move. In addition,
help the teacher connect with your
child by mentioning his interests or
hobbies, Wherry says.
Learn about the Curriculum
The No Child Left Behind Act has
made standardized tests more high-stakes
than ever. Help your child do
her best by understanding what she is
expected to learn in her grade level.
Because each state has different stan­dards,
the National Education
Association recommends contacting
the state department of education, the
school district, or your child's school
for a copy of the standards.
The NEA suggests finding out the
goals your child's teacher has for the
year and how students will be tested.
In addition, look for ways to help
your child develop academic skills at
home. Younger children's literacy
skills, for example, can benefit from
playing reading and rhyming games
with parents. More advanced readers
should be encouraged to talk about
what they've read.
Get Involved
Find a way to be more involved in
your child's education this year. It
might be volunteering to help in the
classroom, or it could be as simple as
talking with your child each day
about what he's learned. Set the stage
for sharing by telling your child high­lights
of your day, Wherry advises.
"Just by asking and paying attention
you send a message that you think
school is very important."
Wherry recommends asking children
to talk about the best part of the day,
whether they learned anything that
surprised them, and whether they
asked good questions in class.
Plan Healthy Meals
Keep nutritious food on hand for
breakfast or make sure your child
eats breakfast at school. Students
who eat breakfast focus better in
class, perform better on tests, behave
better, and are more likely to main­tain
a healthy weight.
Find out how to obtain a copy of
the school menu and pack lunch on
days the school serves meals your
child doesn't like. If your child packs
her own lunch, establish guidelines
about what she is allowed to take.
Consider limiting sugary soft drinks
or drink boxes and junk food with
low nutritional value, such as potato
chips. Build a Parent Network
You never know when you might
need to call on other parents for help
or advice. Seek them out at school
events and parent group meetings.
Compile a list of names, phone num­bers,
and e-mail addresses to coordi­nate
carpooling and emergency baby­sitting.
Keep a copy at work so yoif*
know whom to call when your
schedule changes unexpectedly. Ji •>
For more information on back t
school visit back2school2007.co!
a wonderful source for all your ba
to school questions.
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