From the Superintendent's Seat

All Set for Summer?
by Dr. Carole G. Hankin with Randi T. Sachs

Summer days are flying fast, and very soon you and your family will be making plans for a new school year. Every school child and parent knows that the first day of school is the real “New Year’s Day,” and most face it with several resolutions designed to make it the most successful year ever.

This year, along with all the good intentions to set times for homework, to complete assignments before they are due, and to strive for better grades, I propose you and your children consider trying one new thing this year. Instead of automatically rejoining the same sports, clubs, lessons, teams, etcetera…talk about whether any of your child’s interests are being pushed aside—possibly to be in step with what “all the other kids” do. It is also a good time for you and your child to evaluate each of their current activities and decide if the time has come to discontinue any of them. Parents often will insist that children finish an activity through it’s entire course or season once it is started, but having given it a fair chance it should not be considered a failure or quitting to move on to something else.

In fact, finding something new to try and promoting your child’s sense of self and independence is a very good combination. Whether college application time is two years or ten years away, students who have pursued an independent interest will have an easier time distinguishing themselves among the thousands of other students competing for admission to the college of their choice.

Choosing a new venture can come with many other benefits as well.

Your children may meet someone who will make a positive difference in their lives, or may find a whole new group of friends with similar interests. Skills developed in outside activities are very likely to strengthen many of the skills important to academic success—even if it looks as if the outside activity is taking time away from regular schoolwork.

It is almost working against type to convince an adolescent to take an independent path. Children in middle school, and even younger, place a great deal of importance on fitting in and being one of the group, but parents can show their children that they do not have to sacrifice their standing in the group to follow their individual interests. At this age, where self-esteem is often very fragile, success at something different from their friends can be a tremendous ego-booster.

So there you have a number of reasons to consider a new activity for your child. Take the time now, well before school starts, to talk to your children and explore together what kinds of things they would like to get involved with. You have time now, but summer will be over sooner than you can imagine.#

Dr. Hankin is superintendent of Syosset Central School District. Randi Sachs is Public Information Officer of Syosset Schools.