As both a seasoned educator and a parent of young school-aged children, Chelsea Bennardo brings a unique perspective to back-to-school prep. Entering her 20th year in public education, she currently serves as an instruction and intervention specialist at Haine Elementary School in Seneca Valley School District in Butler County. In this role, Bennardo works closely with students, families and teachers to support academic success. At home, she is also preparing for the school year alongside her own children, Isla (6), who will be entering first grade, and Salvatore (5), who is starting kindergarten. Her experience on both sides gives her valuable insight into the often-overlooked steps parents can take to help ensure a smooth transition back to school.
What are some helpful suggestions from a teacher’s perspective of what you would find beneficial that parents may not have thought of?
- If the building does not have central air conditioning, offer to purchase a quiet, standing fan for the classroom. We did this for both of my kids’ teachers at the beginning of last school year and both teachers and students were grateful! It’s hard to focus on learning when you’re uncomfortable.
- Reaching out to your child’s teacher about any unexpected changes or events that occurred over the summer. This will help your child’s teacher to support the student from the very start of the year without having to troubleshoot what is going on.
- From a social/emotional perspective, if possible, have your child interact with their classmates prior to the start of school. It will provide your child with some familiar faces and continue to build relationships that were established the previous year. If your student is new to the school, this may give your student some comfort in the transition to a new, unfamiliar setting.
- Stick to the supply list that the teacher has provided. It can often be distracting when students have extra supplies such as a larger set of markers or pens instead of pencils. It can also lead to other students feeling left out or wanting something that their peers have but they don’t.
What are some things you’d love for parents to know about teachers that you think might be overlooked?
We get first-day jitters, too! The start of a new school year is a new start for all of us. No matter how many years you’ve spent in the classroom, the first day always feels a little nerve wracking. We teachers truly aim to build a classroom family and want what is best for every student sitting in our classrooms. Some of us even lose sleep over those first few days.
Also, we truly mean it when we say, “Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.” One thing I’ve learned over the past two decades is that most worries and concerns take root in some type of miscommunication. By having open lines of communication, we can all be on the same page and work as a team to help students find success.
What are some signs that a child is struggling academically, socially or emotionally that parents should watch for during the first few months of school?
This is a tough one, but I always go back to you know your child best, you’re their expert! If anything seems out of character for your child, don’t sit on it. Reach out to the teacher or school counselor to see if they have any concerns or have noticed any changes. A few obvious signs would be not wanting to go to school, not bringing work home that is graded or completed, withdrawing from their typically preferred activities and, of course, low grades on progress reports or report cards. Some less obvious signs would be not talking about their friends or their day at school or always giving the same response about those topics.
What simple daily or weekly habits at home make the biggest difference in a student’s success at school?
Routines, routines, routines! Although it sounds simple and silly, truly sticking to a routine will help your student find success. When students are adjusting to change at school — learning new teachers and getting into school routines — continuing their typical routines at home helps them maintain a sense of normalcy. A morning routine, an after-school routine and a bedtime routine will go a long way. Another easy habit is to have one designated place to keep school materials such as homework and library books. This will help prevent the early morning chaos of trying to track down that missing homework assignment or the library book that has suddenly gone missing. By having a designated space, everyone will know where to find important school-related materials.
What back-to-school tradition or routine does your own family follow?
Our favorite back-to-school tradition is going out for ice cream with the kids’ grandparents and cousins the last weekend before school starts. It’s always a sweet way to say farewell to summer and usher in good vibes for the new school year ahead!
Carrie Woodard is a National Certified Counselor, National Certified School Counselor and a Pittsburgh mama of two.
