New Principal: Take the Stress Out of Back to School

Back to school can mean back to stress for many families: Changing schedules, anxiety over new classes and teachers and the promise of an early morning alarm can add to kids’ and parent’s first-day-of-school nerves. Even if you’re dealing with the final years of high school, every year changes and offers different sets of circumstances and obligations.

Classes commence Aug. 29 at local schools. Patch caught up with Steve Williams, the new principal of , who offered great tips and ideas for students and parents anticipating the start of school.

While older students may already have their routines and expectations in check, Williams’ advice can calm and encouraged parents and kids of all ages.

Practice Your Routine

“Get the routine started the week before,” Williams advised, “including bed time and waking up.” Rule out flustering surprises by making a test run to school, walking or driving the route at the same time you will be on  the first day.  

Prep the Night Before

Williams suggest laying out clothes and gathering all the materials your child needs for the next day the night before. This eases arguing over what to where and last minute searching for misplaced books or bags that can lead to tardiness.

Make Homework and After School Plan

Before school starts, develop a homework plan.

“Go over homework, but make it more of a preview,” Williams said. “Don’t do it for them. Homework is pretty much a review of what is learned in class. If your child is struggling with his homework, that should be a red light.” Williams also encourages parent to familiarize themselves with the expectations of their children's grade level in an effort to better gauge when and where extra help might be needed.

Keep it Positive

“Parents need to not push their anxiety onto the child,” Williams said, noting that this can be particularly challenging for parents of kindergarteners who are just letting their kids go for maybe the first time.

“Help them to become more independent so they know how to handle themselves when you’re not there,” Williams said

Get to Bullying Early

Williams defined bullying as continuous victimization by a stronger kid or group. “It’s important for kids to learn to use dialogue,” Williams said of nipping bullying in the bud. “Have a conversation to understand what’s happening.”

Williams noted that many times, the situation is simply a shifting of schoolyard dynamics and misunderstandings. Nonetheless, schools take bullying seriously, and if it is suspected, talking to teachers and school administrators as soon as it begins is a good idea.

Bottom Line

 No matter what the grade, Williams encourages parents to “stay involved,” which sets the kids up no only for success in school, but success in life.