Back-To-School Essentials; Don't Let Your Children Leave Home Without Them
Posted: Tuesday, September 08, 2009
by Ronyae
Writings by Ronyae
Ah, yes. It's that time of the year again, when the children head back to their daily 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (maybe later or earlier for some students) 'jobs'; let all the parents say: "yeah! Hip, hip, hooray!"
But before you get too excited, we need to have a short discussion on making sure your student is prepared to "go back to school". Of course parents and/or guardians have been busy purchasing new clothing, shoes, backpacks, and supplies in order to 'prepare' their children for the upcoming school year, and that's a wonderful thing. But, are you sure you have everything? Have you double-checked your list, or the list provided by your child's school? Are you really, really sure you have provided your child with the essentials needed for the upcoming school term?
Maybe you have. But, I'm sure there are a few parents who may have either over done the preparing, or under done it. When I speak of over and under, I am speaking of preparing the student by keeping them focused on what 'going to school' is all about; school is a place for your child to be a student. Meaning the student is there to learn, not sit in a classroom texting a friend, or not paying attention in class because they cannot hear over their iPods, mp3s and other personal entertainment gadgets. Parents I cannot stress how important this is. Where is the placement of control for the administrators and educators, when your child has not been "prepared" to give control to their school's administrators, educators? Students have no respect for the staff at the schools because they have not been trained to respect them. And this leads me to wonder if they are disrespecting their parents and other elders at home.
Students are seeing no reason to respect the education system. But, why? Why is there a shortage on the value of a good education? I'm seeing a reason sprouting from the media hype and social standards created by the media hype; no need for school, when you can sell drugs and make records. But, they are wrong, People. The students must be guided with the traditional methods of wanting to be successfull in life: hard work. Simple as that. It takes hard work, dedication and commitment to be successful in life. Beyond that, it takes a person "wanting" to be successful, wanting to be a hard worker, and committed.
Which leads me back to home. The students' home life has got to be an extension to what the child is learning at school; when the child comes home from school, make their homework assignments a priority. No, television or video games, iPods, mp3s or anything until the homework/housechores have been completed. Parents should check their child's homework; get involved. Nothing says "I love you" like a parent being involved with their child's school life ... and, life period. Know what's going on in your child's life.
I submit this as a collection in reference to school etiquette; a child is a student once they walk through the doors at a school. That means they are at the school to learn ... nothing else; if they are arriving at schools with pagers, cellphones, and/or other [personal] gadgets, they are not at the school to learn. But, are there to 'entertain' themselves because simply they must feel that whatever is [happening] at the school is not as "important" as what's [entertaining] them. Help your children understand that a school is not for entertainment, nor for their personal gadgets of disrespect to their educators. The student must realize that for 8-9 hours a day, they are in school under the 'control' of the staff. Another important factor to the success of your student is the support and motivation of family ... no matter what the dreams are for your child. Have a successful school year!
But before you get too excited, we need to have a short discussion on making sure your student is prepared to "go back to school". Of course parents and/or guardians have been busy purchasing new clothing, shoes, backpacks, and supplies in order to 'prepare' their children for the upcoming school year, and that's a wonderful thing. But, are you sure you have everything? Have you double-checked your list, or the list provided by your child's school? Are you really, really sure you have provided your child with the essentials needed for the upcoming school term?
Students are seeing no reason to respect the education system. But, why? Why is there a shortage on the value of a good education? I'm seeing a reason sprouting from the media hype and social standards created by the media hype; no need for school, when you can sell drugs and make records. But, they are wrong, People. The students must be guided with the traditional methods of wanting to be successfull in life: hard work. Simple as that. It takes hard work, dedication and commitment to be successful in life. Beyond that, it takes a person "wanting" to be successful, wanting to be a hard worker, and committed.
Which leads me back to home. The students' home life has got to be an extension to what the child is learning at school; when the child comes home from school, make their homework assignments a priority. No, television or video games, iPods, mp3s or anything until the homework/housechores have been completed. Parents should check their child's homework; get involved. Nothing says "I love you" like a parent being involved with their child's school life ... and, life period. Know what's going on in your child's life.
I submit this as a collection in reference to school etiquette; a child is a student once they walk through the doors at a school. That means they are at the school to learn ... nothing else; if they are arriving at schools with pagers, cellphones, and/or other [personal] gadgets, they are not at the school to learn. But, are there to 'entertain' themselves because simply they must feel that whatever is [happening] at the school is not as "important" as what's [entertaining] them. Help your children understand that a school is not for entertainment, nor for their personal gadgets of disrespect to their educators. The student must realize that for 8-9 hours a day, they are in school under the 'control' of the staff. Another important factor to the success of your student is the support and motivation of family ... no matter what the dreams are for your child. Have a successful school year!
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Top-level comments on this article: (9 total)Would love to see a piece on "educating" them not to "learn" the wrong worldview by default too - that, to me, would be almost the most scary aspect of public education. MarijoAstounding subject, Marijo! This is a growing problem among our youth, and one that definitely needs to be brought to light ... any suggestions?I feel out of water here having never had kids but I can see the dangers and know how I used to think "oh, that's just my mom or dad what do they know" when they cautioned me about things we were taught. Imagine it hasn't changed much, has it?None of our family knew the Lord then but even with political things,Dad was right!Now how do you make it safe for your kids when, for instance, they are being taught "theories" as scientific fact - when the one who had the theory in the first place plainly stated it was a THEORY etc. I am sure you can get my drift here?I know Ipods pose a distraction but think maybe there are more subtle things happening that might be ultimately more dangerous for an impressionable mind? We though about adopting from Haiti several years back (another story) and I seriously was considering home schooling - my health took a down turn and we ended up not adopting (and the orphanage closed etc.) BUT it is something I had though about....MarijoWe're in the same boat for now, Marijo. I don't have any children of my own as well. But, I feel very strongly about our future, and it seems as if we're in big trouble from the way our youth are acting. I agree with you on the more dangerous point.
Ronyae, as I volunteer sometimes at the Schools, I find some parents do little or no teaching. Somehow I knew this by observation. Some parents drop the kids off before the car stops moving it seems. They rush in and rush out. One kid got out of his mother's car with his belt caught in the door. She drug him on the concrete about 5 yards before she recognized his knocking on the car door. The parents seem to drop kids off rather than taking them to School. Oh, through communications with the kids, you know which parents are involved, the kids innocence will tell you. Very good article.Thanks Dr. I, too have witnessed the same drastic lack of participation from parents, and it's a shame. A downright shame.Thanks for reading and sharing your comment.
Good article, Ronyae. For the most part, I agree, but since Columbine, I don't have a problem with cell phones at school, as long as they are off and put away. The rest of the electronics? I think they can wait until school is out for the day.Thanks Lorrie, and I agree on the cellphone emergency reasons; which is why I added a point of having school etiquette.
Great article. Well done.I remember this very well. Yet I always managed to forget something other than what we done last term.LOL. Connor, thanks for reading and leaving a light-hearted comment.
sadly,most kids see school as an interference with their free time and would rather watch TV than read;Obamas speech formall charged each student with personal resonsibility for their own education.But the bookrooms are filled with the same old classics that bored us to tears when we went to school and teaching methods are equally lackluster and dull;the kids dream off.I agree, Paul, and thanks for reading and sharing a great comment.
That's a very good topic you've chosen. It's a problem all over the world now. Earlier in my school days, it was the bubble gum or the chewing which was a problem, and also hand video games and other small electronic gadgets. The most important thing is, does the school clearly mention certain strict guidelines, what you are allowed and not allowed to bring to school? :-) The debate on the system and quality of education is very huge, and the problems are too many. I have noticed each individual has his/her own idea of an "ideal education". Nice!Thanks DM, I mean Shylam (smile). It is a national dilemma.For you, yes it's a national dilemma, but this problem is occurring everywhere. You have seen it in America, so it's a national dilemma, I have seen it in India, so it's an Indian dilemmawow. So, let's say: Worldwide! So sad, but true. Thanks DM (I see ur name changed back, lol)
My wife and I once sat in the back of her sons class and it was a pitiful sight! Talking and acting up in spite of the teachers meager instructions to pay attention.Back in my day she would have busted out the paddle and actual learning would have happened!Say it again, Ken! Say it again. I sure miss the "good ole' days"...
You touched on some good points Ronyae. I've always believed that a child's education begins at home, long before they attend school. Teaching a child respect for others and for themselves is critical in everything they do in life. Once they begin school, parents need to keep an open line of communication with teachers and work 'with' them, not 'against' them, in helping provide their child with the best learning experience possible.Brianna, I couldn't have stated it better myself. Thanks for reading and sharing your comment.
Ronyae-thank you for bringing up this subject. I will say after Columbine, cell phones are thought of as essential at school. Also, i think that needs to go both ways, teachers need to teach for the nine hours then instead of giving busy work. Kids turn to gadgets out of boredom. Thanks for sharing the article! I agree there is a time and place for everything!Thanks, Laura. I believe incidents like the Columbine incident has made it nearly impossible to send your children to school, and feel safe about them being there.
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