Back to school affects all of us | Column
Phillip Potenziano
The month of August is always a mixed bag of emotions. It starts with us getting every last squeeze out of the summer and ends with making plans to transition back to early bedtimes, packing lunches, and catching the bus.
Back-to-school is a rhythm. And it’s a challenge because we are all making adjustments to march to that new beat. If you’re a parent, student, teacher, or even someone who commutes through our district, you’re not alone in this effort.
For households with elementary-age students, one of the biggest hurdles is dealing with separation anxiety. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, establishing predictability and consistency is the best way to get ahead of it. Start your back-to-school routine a week before school starts with an earlier bedtime and a predictable morning routine. And this one might be harder for the parents than the students, but keep those goodbyes warm, but brief and consistent; the classic “hug, kiss, goodbye.” It tells your student that they are in a safe environment with trusted adults.
Middle school is where everything changes. Families with students at Brunswick Junior High will want to start managing less and fostering more independence. This is the value of “scaffolding,” providing age-appropriate support and gradually reducing it as children develop these skills. And it’s hard to peel back at times. Advice from Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child suggests that parents begin to lower the safety net. For example, don’t automatically check the backpack every night; help the student create a system to track homework and materials, rather than doing it for them. When questions (or complaints) arise about how to get a project over the finish line, ask questions such as, “What’s your plan?” rather than supplying the solution. Think of your role as changing from “manager” to “coach.”
Households with high school students will want to dial in on stress management. One tool to combat stress is to create a manageable schedule. The AAP suggests families help their teens create flexible schedules with goals broken into smaller steps so that they do not feel overwhelmed. And do not gloss over the value of sleep. The CDC recommends teenagers get eight to 10 hours of sleep every night. Don’t try to solve an overloaded schedule by sacrificing sleep; adjust the schedule so your teen is less overwhelmed.
Remember, BSD always has resources available to help households navigate transitions at all grade levels. Never be afraid to start a discussion with our counselors and social workers.
Even if you don’t have children in the school system, this back-to-school transition period affects all of us. Remember to bring your patience with you before you head out on your commute, as school buses bring our precious cargo to school. Getting stuck in a line of traffic behind a bus can trigger your stress, but we’re all in it together. Patience isn’t just a courtesy; it creates a safer, smoother start to the school year.
Welcome back!
Phillip Potenziano is superintendent of Brunswick schools.
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