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New York City
August 2002

Getting Ready to Make a Fresh Start
By Dr. Carole G. Hankin with Randi T. Sachs

As we all know, the month of August means one thing: school and September are just around the corner. There’s a very amusing television commercial for a stationery supply store that plays that December holiday song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” while showing parents enthusiastically stocking up on new school supplies. But our children do have the wonderful advantage of starting each school year with a clean, fresh slate. They may need you, however, to point out why this is truly to their benefit.

School plays a major role in every child’s life. Did you ever notice how consistently children link significant events in their lives with the grade they were in when it occurred, or the teacher they had at the time? They will say something like, “My little sister was born when I was in third grade. I remember because Mrs. Black made me a big brother party.”

Being promoted to a new grade can provide the motivation a reluctant student may need to try a little harder this year. August is the real time for New Year’s resolutions to be made. You can use the time you have with your children on a lazy, hot day to talk about their expectations for the coming school year. Discuss very calmly any subjects that gave them difficulty before and see if together you can come up with a plan to avoid the same thing this year.

Also, talk about the areas in which your child has been most successful and how he or she can continue to grow and improve in these subjects. What about extra-curricular activities at home or in school? It’s not too early to make some plans in August if your child wants to try something new in the fall.

The real magic that happens in September is that your child has the opportunity to make a new start in not only specific subject areas, but socially and emotionally as well. A new class means new classmates and a chance to make new friends. A new teacher (or teachers, for secondary school students) is also an opportunity for your child to form a new, positive relationship that may very well have an important effect on his or her life.

Moving on to the next grade may also be the right time to give your children some new responsibilities or new privileges to show that you recognize that they are growing more mature. You could consider raising their weekly allowance, extending their bedtime, or increasing travel privileges if you deem it appropriate. It will be doubly appreciated if you make the offer yourself, without any prompting or persuading from your children. Remember, it is easier to grant privileges than to revoke them, so take it slowly, one step at a time, and make sure that your children know that they will have to show they can handle the new privileges and responsibilities before they are made permanent. Most of all, enjoy each new year with your child.#

Dr. Hankin is the Superintendent of the Syosset School District in Long Island.

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