A fresh start. A clean slate. A new day. The terms I hear from teens regarding this chance are “do-over” or “re-do”. Each of these statements evoke that hopeful feeling of new opportunity with all the mistakes and questions of the past erased. A new school year brings about these feelings for “kids” of all ages from the youngest in pre-school to the most experienced teacher and parent.
From a student’s perspective, looking at this year as a “re-do” might be the opportunity to establish a new perspective – achieve better grades, try out a new peer group, or simply shed bad behavior in favor of positive. Other students may simply focus on improving a good thing – maintaining a high GPA, strengthening their leadership skills, or contributing to a cause behind the scenes. Either way, students are looking to put into practice the lessons from the mistakes of the past and garnish the success that only experience and a new perspective can bring.
Regardless of his/her vision, your child might not share these thoughts with you outright. You may need to listen for cues such as, “This year I’m going to try…” or “I need a new lunch table…” Other children might not envision the need for change, so you might initiate the conversation regarding goals for the year. You might ask, “What do you hope to have as a memory at the end of 7th/8th grade?” or “If you look back at the yearbook next year, where do you hope your picture(s) will be?”
Take the opportunity to help your child brainstorm strategies for success, keeping in mind that his/her course of action might be slightly different from your own but still accomplish the desired outcome. As parents, it is hard to see our children take risks regarding their goals. We love them as they are and want so much for them. I have said to my own children, “If you would just do what I tell you…” but have found that they are most successful when they recognize the need for change and select the course on their own terms. Help your children see the small steps toward the big goal (keeping track of homework in the planner for improved grades or being confident enough to stop and scan the cafeteria to look for a new table option each day that first week) and know that positive change takes time to evolve into good habits.
In an article we shared with the teachers, Thomas Guskey challenges teachers to set students up for success the first weeks of school. He suggests that students identify their achievement level with early assessments of their performance. We have asked teachers to strive for a positive and successful first experience for each student in the classroom but know that they can only do so much to set up a positive “re-do”. You can find this article at
http://www.aasa.org/SchoolAdministratorArticle.aspx?id=19626
We challenge you to see this school year as your child’s fresh start—his or her chance at a “re-do.” Support your child as he/she takes a chance to try something new. Help him/her establish and maintain habits that lead to a year of success academically, socially, and behaviorally. Instead of reminding your child about what you have always seen, help him/her develop the vision to experience success this year. We will be right beside you along the way.
Welcome to Novi Middle School; we wish you and your child the very best!
