Back-to-School Guide For Parents

Ebony, August, 2000

THE precious summer months have whizzed by, and it's time for back-to-school" preparations, not only for students but also for parents.

Those three, simple words--back to school--may trigger excitement in some youngsters and dread in others. But for parents, the time-worn phrase signals the start of an important process--getting the children physically, mentally and emotionally ready to face the rigors and uncertainty of the school year and adjusting your routine to the hectic pace of fall from the lazy days of summer.

Whether you have a child in elementary school, high school or college, experts say that with a little planning, patience and scheduling, you can make life a bit easier for you and for your child.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

A good way to make sure you and your child are ready for the first day of elementary school is to get organized. Experts say making lists of school requirements for each child is a good way to stay on schedule. It's far easier to remember that your daughter needs booster shots and your son needs new sneakers if you write it down on your calendar.

During the month leading up to the start of school, contact other parents to arrange carpools for school drop-offs and pick-ups as well as after-school activities. Some parents spend the entire month of August getting themselves and their children ready for school. But if that's not possible, make sure you're organized enough to get everything done. Getting organized helps to keep last-minute headaches to a minimum, and helps your child's chances for a successful adjustment.

Another key activity that helps you and your child prepare for success in school is to "continue the learning curve" throughout the summer, says Sheryl Walters, a psychologist for Chicago public elementary schools. Encourage your child to read books, magazines or newspapers to keep their minds stimulated. Your child may also benefit from working on math problems and writing while school is out of session.

"I personally don't think that kids need three months of doing nothing," says Walters, who has worked as a school psychologist for more than 20 years. "Children are supposed to be exposed to other activities that foster learning."

Those other activities can also include sports, volunteering or camps, all of which can help children develop socialization skills outside the home, says Kelley Lewis, a single mother who is raising two boys in an Atlanta suburb. Lewis enrolled her sons, Xavier, 8, and Isaiah, 5, in a summer program affiliated with their school. "They already have some friends," says Lewis, who docs training and development for a telecommunications company. "Familiar faces are helpful."

Another helpful practice is to set guidelines and establish a routine for your child during the weeks leading up to the first day of school. Earlier bed times and getting up at the same time every day brings more structure and discipline into your child's day, experts say. Elementary school children need about 10 hours of sleep each night, psychologist Walters says. That way, they'll be refreshed and ready to face the day's expectations with few surprises.

And as the big day draws near, Lewis says her boys already know a little about what to expect in the classroom and about what their teacher expects of them. Each year, Lewis meets with her sons' teachers, either over the telephone or in person. During those meeting she talks with the teacher about each boy's strengths and weaknesses and becomes part of the educational process.

HIGH SCHOOL

With high school comes a passage into young adulthood, and a back-to-school experience that is a bit more intense, experts say. There's more at stake in high school, as students compete for scholarships, grants and awards. And then there's the clothes.

"Initially, the first thought is clothing," Steven Ballard says of preparing his son, Brandon, for school. "Now that he's 16, he's more fashion-conscious, so we want to find him something that he'll like and want to wear. So we begin to think about and budget for that far in advance."

Experts suggest that you begin shopping for clothes and school supplies early, so that you can take advantage of sales and have more merchandise choices. But clothes are just a small part of the back-to-school experience. Getting ready to face the academic pressures are perhaps the most essential part of the process.

Dr. JoAnn Roberts, principal at Lindblom High School in Chicago, says parents and students have to get the big picture by answering this question: "Where do I want my child to go from here?" Students should try to take honors or college-level courses if they're given the opportunity. Along with that, parents must make sure their children attend a school where they're allowed those opportunities and given a chance to excel.

"We, can no longer afford to send our students to mediocre schools," Dr. Roberts says.

Neither can high school students afford to choose their friends and relationships carelessly, says Linda Miller, a guidance counselor at Lindblom. High school students begin to form the nucleus of their social groups, and that often sets the tone for the rest of their lives. Parents should he aware of how and with whom their children spend their time. At Lindblom and other high schools, Miller says, guidance counselors and administrators give students and parents information about class schedules, academic and social issues the students may encounter, and extracurricular activities.