Back to School: Embrace the New Year with Positivity and Action
School’s back in session, and... I know (I know) some of you might be feeling a bit bummed out because the trips are over along with the long days and late night fun (excluding weekends). But hey... it’s just a part of life (again... excluding weekends). The plus side? You get to see your friends again and dive into new adventures together.
Some of you need a bit more encouragement than that... especially at a new school, in a new class, with new classmates you don't know from a can of paint on the other side of the planet, but... talking about video games can be a great ice breaker.
Ask fellow students what their top 5 videogames are. Teachers can even have their students present their top 5 video games and present team building ice breakers like something I call... CLASS VS TIME: This came to mind because it would get the students involved and working together to figure out the answer to brain teasers or other questions (i.e. Math problems) before the time runs out. The reward could be an idea the teacher comes up with that allows the students to look forward to something fun on Fridays... or something.
If it were me (hehe)... I'd have the weekly brain teasers also result in students being able to play a simple game (i.e. Pac-Man 256 or Crossy Road) if they solve all the brain teasers. If they can solve them every week, they can either walk away with a treat bi-weekly... or pizza once per month (gotta have a budget for such a thing)! I might even give a treat bi-weekly + pizza once per month if the students reach a certain collective score in the game to unlock pizza for the month. Can you... imagine... the excited they'd have if they reach that combined score together? That's the feeling I'd go for, and... I love pizza, so I'd be on the side like a proud coach.
Over the summer, we spoke to parents, including the grandmother of a kid who was being bullied. Bullying is far from... cool, and I remember those random kids who tried to make school difficult for a number of us. It’s crucial that we encourage our school districts, schools, principles, and teachers to decrease tolerance for bullying. Everyone deserves to feel safe and supported on their journey through school life.
Parents, Your Role is Vital
Parents, make it a point to know the principal and have a presence at your child’s school. If the school knows you won’t hesitate to show up and address issues like bullying, they’ll be more motivated to find solutions. Don’t let your kids suffer in silence, let them know that the truth can bring solutions.
Schools and Teachers, Step Up
Schools have the power to remind students regularly to keep their hands to themselves, show respect, and aim to be great. Implementing a reward system for good behavior can also help curb bullying, as students won’t want to miss out on the rewards. Offering second chances and encouraging students to... make things right, can show bullies that they can change and do something positive. This can truly go along way, and good guidance counselor can play their part by showing them that there are opportunities ahead if they don't get in their own way. This is actually a message that can apply to all students.
Teachers can also play a significant role by creating a supportive classroom environment. From what I remember, our teachers had more flexibility to implement such systems if they wanted to, and it made a difference when it came to those who cared.
Embrace the New School Year
So, now that school is back in session for students, encourage them to have a fun and amazing year. Learn lots, especially about the things that elevate their talents and prepare them for the road ahead. You can implement milestones so they can see the progress in a fun way. If they find great interest in something, there are courses they can take that can elevate their skills without going to college, and it doesn't require them to be out of school either. If they're able to comprehend what's being taught, it's another tool in their arsenal that can open their eyes to their own potential and make them career ready before they even walk across the stage (students do it via dual enrollment). So remind them to be great + have fun in the process, enjoy their family and friends + game on!
Remember, school is a place for growth, learning, and making memories. It's good for students to figure problems out to a degree, but in terms of bullying when it comes to a school structure that's similar to a company. You can't just knock someone out, you have to go up the chain of command and respect their authority, so it's up to the authority to make a positive impact. Outside of that, if you have things that come to mind that you can contribute to your child's school to make the year that much cooler... see if it's possible or see if you can fund it or even chip in to help them fun it up even more. Let’s work together to make it a safe and positive experience this school year!
BTW - If you like the backpack you see above, check it out... here.
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