The Dotte

Getting the School Year off to a Good Start

With summer vacation almost over, kids of all ages are heading back to school.  Like adults, some may be anxious about facing new situations, new teachers and unfamiliar faces.  Randy Callstrom, executive director of PACES, Wyandotte County’s agency serving children, adolescents and their families, offered some helpful tips to get the school year off to a good start.

Callstrom, who has worked with youth for the past 30 years, said that preparations are key to helping minimize fears and anxiety.  He encouraged parents to talk to their children, particularly young ones and middle school students, about what will be different in the learning environment.  “If it’s possible,” Callstrom said, “make a visit to the school before classes begin so the child or pre-adolescent can find his or her way around the new setting.”

Kids of all ages need to get in the habit of going to bed earlier, waking up earlier and being on more consistent schedules than they may have been during summer holidays, he added.  Callstrom suggested some practice days of rising earlier to avoid groggy and cranky dispositions when school starts.

He also said that it’s important for kids to have the supplies they need.  Callstrom said that there have been several back-to-school fairs to help families with this in Wyandotte County.  “Having what they need on their school supply lists gives the kids a jumpstart toward being organized in the classroom,” he said.  “It also helps to have extra supplies on hand at home for homework.”

Callstrom encouraged parents to get to know their children’s teacher(s) and to get routine updates on their child’s progress.  “Be involved with the school,” he said. “Attend back to school night and parent/teacher conferences. Children are more successful when parents are engaged with their school.”

Making sure homework assignments get completed and monitoring grades and progress is a practice parents should adopt early on in the school year, Callstrom recommended.  Some youth may need tutoring to be better prepared for taking tests or completing paperwork. For high school students, parents need to stay engaged and be observant of the balance of studies and extracurricular and social activities in their teenagers’ lives.  As their adolescents prepare to transition to college, it’s important for parents to be aware of what’s required in terms of entrance requirements and the application process.

Talking with and listening to kids about their school day and activities is another important habit for parents to adopt, Callstrom said.  “Parents are on the front line in understanding if the child or adolescent is feeling more anxious than usual,” he said.  “Talking this through can help reduce fears and offer encouragement.”

If challenges persist, or if emotional and behavioral concerns develop, Callstrom said that school personnel or the staff of PACES are available as resources to help parents with the situation.  For more information, visit www.paceswc.org or call 913-563-6500.