Our Observation

This is the time of year when school supplies are pushed to the front of the store and every other TV commercial is about back-to-school clothing sales. It’s when parents and kids meet their teachers and communities help collect items so no child goes into the classroom unprepared.

It’s great to see such a positive buzz about education but disappointing later in the school year when that buzz dies down.

Education is something that should be celebrated year round, not just when the school year starts. Education-related community events and supply drives shouldn’t end in August but instead should be incorporated into many of the events that take place throughout the year. A booth with donated books at the farmers market, a clothes and supply drive for needy kids at a community picnic or adding story time for kids into the mix at the next big festival are all ways to make sure our kids and parents stay excited about school into the fall, winter and spring months.

It’s also important to encourage parents to be the best education advocates they can be year round, even during the summer when kids are away from school. It’s easy for the excitement from back-to-school time to wear during the year, but kids need cheerleaders at home just as much, if not more, as they do at school.

The Children’s Trust, a national organization that promotes community involvement in education, says parents should do things like read to their child, check their homework, ask them how their day at school was, keep in touch with their teachers and encourage them to befriend positive role models. Parents should also vote in their local school board elections and become an advocate for better education in the community and state. With so many single-parent households and busy parents in general, it’s hard to go the extra mile but even the smallest gesture will pay off in the end.

It’s also important to help your child’s teacher make education fun and exciting. Make a game out of your child’s math homework, mix fitness in with a history lesson or even start a book club in your family. We all know that kids model their parents’ behavior. If you don’t eat lima beans, chances are your kids won’t either. And if you don’t read, that could translate to the whole family.

According to the North Central Region Education Laboratory, increased involvement of families in a child’s education is one of the most important ways to improve public schools. Of course, it’s not just up to the parents. School must also be sure to provide ways to let parents be involved in their child’s education. “The resulting partnerships between parents and teachers will increase student achievement and promote better cooperation between home and school. Together these efforts will connect families and schools to help children succeed in school and in their future,” according to the organization’s website.

It’s difficult to keep the momentum going once school gets started and everyone falls into a routine, but it’s important to make sure education always remains the entire family’s priority.