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I want to encourage my kids to go back to school this year with an open mind--about the teachers they will have and the classmates they will be with. They already are feeling negative, mostly due to "playground gossip."
The teachers they will have are good ones, and they know this...but they hear one thing from one kid (who may or may not be a good student or a reliable source) and all common sense goes right out the window.
Having been a teacher myself I know how much a good attitude contributes to their performance.
How do you help your kids to return to school with the right attitude?
Bumping this thread as it is Back to Schooltime again.
Along with Barbszy's original question about helping our kids, I would like to add --Do you have a back to school routine to help your kids get ready for another school year? Do your schools hold "Open House" before school starts so students can meet new teachers and see their classrooms?
Please share your tips so we can all get this school year off to a good start.
We to to encourage our dd to go into the new school with a gook outlook about the teachers she will have & to set goals on what she want to do for this new year. Also to not to listen to what others say about the teachers she has but to make up her own mind as she gets to know them.Above all to do the best she can in all classes.
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Since my son was new to his school last year, he really doesn't know many of his teachers for 4th grade this yr. There is one male teacher, though, that he said he would would really like to have this yr.
His open house isn't until Sunday afternoon. He starts school on Monday. For the life of me I can't figure out why they wait until so late to do this.
We have already gone through his clothes to set up all of his school clothes. Right now we are working on lunch ideas. I have most of the snacks and drinks ready to go. I will have to stock up on fresh fruit and veggies this weekend.
We are keeping the same routine from last yr.....home from school, eat a snack, do homework and read, play time, dinner, chores, outside to play again(if there is time) , shower, quiet time to relax---this is tv, board games, family time.....no romping around, then bed time.
So far, he is really looking forward to going back to school.
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Tami--Our elementary schools also have Open House the night before classes begin. They usually have the kids bring in their school supplies, meet the teacher, find their lockers etc. so some of that is out of the way before the first day. When my kids were younger I was never a big fan of this as we had alot to do at home the night before the first day of school and I felt rushed. I like the Open House idea--just not the timing.
DD is a sophmore in HS and back to school is getting easier. The one thing we still do is plan breakfast. DD doesn't really like eating early in the morning, but I don't like her leaving the house without something in her stomach. I usually ask her to pick something--muffin, cereal, breakfast bar--anything she thinks she will eat and I will have it available.
Today was her first day and she was looking forward to being back in the routine.
I'm challenged right now with my younger DD. She is almost 13 and beginning 8th grade in a new school. All three Middle Schools in our district enter eigth grade together in this Secondary School. DD has no one she knows in any of her classes, knows NONE of her teachers, will have to traverse large areas of the buliding in a short amount of time between classes, which she is dreading because of her arthritis.. she has begun crying herself to sleep every night this week. School doesn't start till after Labor Day, and I'm hoping I can help her turn this around before hand.
No matter what encouragement I try to offer (the oportunity to make new friends, meet new teachers that she might love, have new types of classes in a modern building) my DD turns it into a negative. She is terrified, and other than letting her just go through it and see what happens.. I'm at a loss... It really tears me apart to see her like this.
Oh-Val I feel for you. It is so hard to watch our children struggle.
When DD2 was younger I practically had to brib her to go to school. those were some trying years, but we did get through.
One thing that I think has really helped all my kids is getting involved in extra-cirricular activities. Schools offer so much more than sports these days and there is usually something to appeal to everyone. My kids found things they liked and other kids who shared their interest. Not only did they make new friends and had fun, but they felt good about being good at something.
Val, I am surprised that they won't make an accommodation for your DD in terms of travel, with a condition like arthritis! Have you had a chance to speak to her guidance counselor about that, and about her anxiety?
Joy, thanks for your kind words.. Your advice is good.. she has been part of the HS marching band, and gets bussed over there after school. Kids from 6-12 grade can belong. We're also looking into bartering for some voice lessons at a local music conservatory for her.. she has a lovely voice! In the meantime, I'm sure all this is harder on me than in her. ...
Barb, Julia does have a 504 plan, but it never had to include extra time to get from class to class in her old school. I do have to call and speak with the special ed coordinator at the school this week.. I'm calling tomorrow. But the tough thing with a kid whoi had an "invisable" disability..... Is that it's so important ti them that they not look different. Having her dismissed a few minutes early sets her apart from the other kids. If she were in inclusion classes, it may not be such a big deal, but in the regular classes, it's a hard call...
I'll let you know how the conversation with the school goes this week, and how she makes out when school starts.
One great idea, once the weekends come, have your children lay out the clothes they want to wear for the week and place them in order in a drawer or table. That will give them something to look forward to for the school week and get them excited about it. This also gives them some control over what they plan to wear. I do this myself by planning out several outfits that I plan to wear. That gets me psyched up for the week. This is also a great transition activity between the weekend and the school week.
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He starts school on Monday. For the life of me I can't figure out why they wait until so late to do this. 
It's time for another smiley story contest!
