By Kathy DeLozier, Principal, St. Nicholas Academy and Debbie McMurray, Counselor, St. Nicholas Academy
By now, we have all turned our calendar pages to August and a startling reality has set in: School has officially started! Parents may cheer, children may grumble, and teachers will dread hearing an alarm clock in the wee hours of the morning. As educators, we have dealt with back-to-school issues for a combined 55 years. As moms, we have even more years of experience! Allow us to offer a few tips for a peaceful re-entry into school routines.
First of all, institute a bed-time for all of your elementary and even early high school students. Many studies have been done on the ill effects of a lack of sleep. Elementary school students should get about 9-10 hours of uninterrupted sleep. That likely means a bed-time between 8:00 and 9:00 each night, with a lights-out time of 8:30-9:30. Start now, not the night before school starts.
While we know that sleep is incredibly important for brain development, we also know that sleeping with electronic devices nearby is detrimental to sound sleep. Make it a family practice that all devices are charged anywhere but in the bedroom. If your child uses his or her phone as an alarm clock, go out and buy a real alarm clock! The ambient light from electronic devices interferes with beneficial sleep. And we know from experience that kids succumb to the temptation of getting on devices during the night. For more information on parent tips about technology, visit commonsensemedia.org or watch the documentary, Screenagers.
We are well aware of the time constraints faced by families. Between work schedules, sports schedules, school meetings, and everyday life, parents are hard-pressed to squeeze in meaningful time together and with their children. We offer a list below – not to induce guilt, but to affirm that even small things that can be incorporated into daily routines will pay big dividends throughout the school year.
- During the first few days of school, review your school’s handbook with all of your students. Make sure all aware of any new policies that the school may implement. Know the absence and tardy policies; check over dress code policies; and read over homework expectations.
- Make breakfast part of your family routine. If there is not time to eat at home, check to see if your school provides breakfast in the school cafeteria.
- Create a family calendar. If this is a digital calendar, make sure that all family members can access it and edit it as important events are announced.
- Designate a homework spot for all your students. Have supplies handy to the spot – from pencils and pens to crayons, from a computer and printer to a dictionary.
- Take a few minutes each night to organize for the following morning. Uniforms should be laid out, backpacks packed, paperwork signed and placed in school folder.
- Insist on at least 3-4 nights where your family will eat together. And, please, say grace together on these nights. Be thankful for the food you are about to eat, and be especially thankful for those with whom you are sharing it. Teach your children to be thankful, too, for the time and expertise it takes to prepare a family meal.
- Turn off all cell phones during family time. Children need to see parents model responsible use of technology. Checking emails or social media during valuable time together sends a message to children that they are not valued at the moment.
Finally, make prayer and regular church attendance part of this year’s school routine. When adults value prayer life and celebrating the Liturgy, so do our children. Give them the gift of faith, nourish the gift, talk about it, let it blossom.
