All
across the state and country children are returning to school. While
summer vacation for most students was less than three months long, many
of our children return to school a few inches taller, several students
have either gained or lost teeth, and some of our high school students
have even learned to drive. The start of a new school year truly is an
exciting time in our schools and communities, and in Menomonie, back to
school time has an added dimension of excitement as college-aged
students from near and far have enrolled at UW-Stout.
There
is no shortage of advice for parents on how to support our children and
help them have a successful school experience. While I believe that
each child and each family situation is unique, some practices and
expectations have been proven to be important and successful over time
for many children and families. Establishing a daily routine and
communicating well are two strategies that my wife and I try to
emphasize with our own children.
Having
an established routine can reduce anxiety and help keep our children
happy and healthy. When possible, setting aside a consistent time for
completing homework, sitting down for a family meal, and having a
consistent bedtime may lead to greater student success. Allowing time
for playing and having a snack could also be something that parents
might consider. Certainly, not all families can manage a routine in the
same exact fashion, but there often might be friends, neighbors,
relatives, or other organizations that are willing and able to help
support our children.
Educating
our children is a team effort! Without good communication between
parents and educators, it is difficult to provide our children with a
consistent message and clear expectations. Communicating with your child
and his or her teachers on a regular basis is very important. Teachers
in the Menomonie Area School District can be regularly contacted by
phone or email, and all of our teachers are willing to schedule parent
meetings before or after school.
If
there is a problem or concern, please do not wait for parent-teacher
conferences to talk with your child’s teacher. It is often best to
discuss problems or concerns in private, so the teacher, parents, and
possibly the principal, can work out a solution. In most cases, our
children will experience more success if parents are able to support the
authority of our teachers and reinforce classrooms expectations.
It
is also important that community members are aware that school is back
in session. It is very important that we all pay extra attention to our
surroundings when driving. In addition to students walking and biking to
and from school, we rely on our buses to safely transport many of our
children. Please be careful to watch out for our children and obey all
traffic laws. Never pass a bus when the lights are flashing!
The
2014-2015 school year will come and go like the blink of an eye. By
working together and taking proper safety precautions, we can continue
to provide our children with a wonderful environment for healthy growth
and successful learning.