A Parent’s Guide to Preparing for a Successful School Year: Advice from Dr. Jamelie Johns, Principal of Normal Park Museum Magnet
By Emma Smith
Summer is in full swing, and you know what that means—the kids are home until August.
With so many weeks away from school, many Northshore parents may find themselves wondering what they should be doing to ensure their kids are well prepared for a successful upcoming year. With that thought in mind, Dr. Jamelie Johns has shared five of her best tips for parents to keep in mind over the summer.
As Principal of Normal Park Museum Magnet School in Northshore and as an educator with more than 20 years of experience in Hamilton County Schools, Dr. Johns knows this community, and knows how to bring the best out of students. It’s important to mention that not all advice is right for every family, so just take what resonates with you!
Without further ado, here are five ways that parents can set their kids up for success in the upcoming school year:
1. “Spend the summer exploring new places, reading books, journaling, playing games, meeting new friends, problem solving, painting pictures, volunteering, developing independence, et cetera. Students of all ages need time to rest, play, and be kids.”
This first tip from Dr. Johns is crucial. Kids need time to be kids! This advice is relevant year-round, but summer is an especially opportune time to encourage activities that allow for fostering creativity, being social, having new experiences, and being imaginative.
2. “When getting back to school, establish routines that work for your family. Every family is different and what works for one may not work for others. Most students need structure, routines, and a plan that they can count on. This includes finding a bed time that works to help them fall asleep and get good sleep.”
Structure is another key component here,as are the merits of a good night’s sleep. Summer can be a more relaxed time for many families in terms of sticking to daily routines, and that’s okay! It’s called “Summer Break” for a reason. That said, it can be beneficial to keep to some sort of a schedule, so that the transition back to a school routine in the fall is more seamless.
3. “Work with students to develop empathy for others. Oftentimes school is a place for students to learn teamwork, collaboration, and how to be in a community. This comes with learning how people are different and how we work together through our differences to accomplish goals as a community.”
Fostering empathy and introducing students to new people and experiences are fantastic ways to encourage collaboration both in and out of school. A few ideas for how to do so are listed in Dr. Johns’ first piece of advice! Consider exploring new places, reading books that deal with communities or cultures different from those of your own family, or spending some time volunteering around town!
4. “Be present at school meetings and events. Communicate with your child’s teacher. School is a partnership.”
Being engaged year-round in your child’s education is one of the best ways not only to set them up for success, but to maintain that success.
5. “Cell phones and social media impact students more than you know. Monitor your student’s social media accounts and messaging. Talk with them about who they are messaging and what they are talking about.”
This last tip is another that’s relevant year-round! It should be said that this isn’t an argument one way or the other about screen time. Whatever rules you’ve set about technology and social media for your kids, it’s important to know what’s going on in their online lives. These days, a healthy relationship with technology is something that kids will have to build both in the classroom and outside of it, but it isn’t necessarily something they’re equipped to manage on their own.
Summer can be an especially hectic time of year, so for all of the parents reading, you’re doing an amazing job! Keep up the good work, use this advice as you see fit, and have a great summer!