Good Planning Helps Students Thrive in New School Year

Shopping for new school uniforms and shoes, getting haircuts, and getting back on a schedule signals a new school year is about to begin. Moving forward with a positive rhythm, rather than a strict minute-by-minute countdown can help children succeed in school, say Catholic school administrators in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

Parents can begin by gently shifting to the back-to-school routine before school starts, according to Kristy Monsour and Angele Fontenot. Monsour is principal of St. Alphonsus School in Greenwell Springs and Fontenot is principal of St. George School in Baton Rouge.

"In the summer, they're sleeping late maybe, not getting up and getting dressed, staying up late. Their little bodies need to get back into routine with getting up early, having breakfast, going to bed early, because it's going to be really hard when school starts if their routine is off," said Monsour.

Fontenot also advised parents to build responsibilities in their children's day.

"Students are having to function independently," Fontenot said. "Their teachers are there to help them, but they have to take out their work themselves, complete assignments by themselves, get their cafeteria trays by themselves. "

Children who are entering kindergarten can practice getting up and putting on their uniforms by themselves, packing their book sacks and getting their supplies together. 

Parents can boost children's excitement about the school by talking positively about it, Fontenot and Monsour emphasized.

They can ask their children what new activities they could do that year, such as joining a club or trying a new sport, or participating in Mass. This helps them see that school is more than just academics, according to Monsour.

"Try to focus on things that would make them excited, such as seeing their friends and who's going to be in their class and meeting their new teacher,” Monsour said.

Talking positively about the school is especially helpful for children who may struggle with an academic subject, said Fontenot.

"Always focus on the fact that a new year is a new opportunity," said Fontenot. "You can tell them, 'Even if you didn't like science last year, you have a new science teacher. It's new information this year. You'll have new classmates that bring a different perspective to those subject areas.'"

It's also important to continue academics over the summer. 

"Add some academic work in there, whether  a little reading time, even a little bit of math time, reminding them of the skills that they ended the year with and get that brain going again," said Fontenot.

She and Monsour advised parents of students who will be transitioning to new schools to participate in any back-to-school orientations or "meet the teacher" nights, and any opportunity to get on campus.

"They could probably walk around the campus a little bit before school starts," said Monsour. "They can drive by, maybe look at their social media to try to get them excited about what's been going on."

Parents should also communicate with their schools if anything happened over summer with their children that the schools need to know about.

"If parents are anxious because their child either got hurt or had a traumatic event or any kind of issue that might cause them anxiety, please communicate that with the school so the school can be on the same page and help as needed," Monsour said.

In early August, schools typically communicate via email any changes made to the school handbook that have been made over summer.

Supporting children in their faith development ensures that children mature spiritually, Fontenot and Monsour said.

"Being a Catholic School, we include our families in faith formation," said Monsour. "We communicate what's going on with Mass or school retreats or themes, anything that has to do with our faith development. It's important for parents to start taking their kids back to Mass and if they haven't yet over the summer to pray with them. I think it will help cause a little more calm too for parents and children to pray together about the school year. Maybe bring some peace into a chaotic situation."

She added that parents don't have to have all the answers. Some of the best conversations happen when families are learning and growing in their faith together. 

"When children see their parents living their faith – not just talking about it – they realize that being Catholic is something we do every day, not just on Sundays or at school. Be good role models for your kids. They will imitate your behavior," Monsour said.

Catholic schools support parents in this way.

"St. George has a Hallow app, and it offers all the different ways to develop your faith in age-appropriate ways," said Fontenot. "Our classroom management and our school-wide behavior management programs are all faith-based. When a child performs well at St. George, they get what we call a gold slip. On that gold slip, there is a picture of Jesus, and it says, 'I acted in a Christ-like manner by ...' On the flip side, we do offer pink slips, which are for non-Christ-like behavior. On that one it says, 'Today I did not act in a Christ-like manner because ...' and it lists what they did that day."

Perhaps most importantly, students should have fun, said Fontenot and Monsour. Hopefully they will think school is fun as well.

"Sometimes kids think of it is a job, like their parents have a job, ... 'My job is to go to school,'" said Fontenot.  "We all have responsibilities to do. But responsibilities don't have to be bad. Responsibilities can be fun, and they help us grow into good functioning adults later on."

For some resources from trusted websites on student preparedness, visit HealthyChildren.org and childmind.org.