NEW YEAR’S EDUCATIONAL RESOLUTIONS

Another year goes on without any serious attempt on my part to develop New Year’s resolutions. If I really thought about it, I would probably include: a.) losing 10 pounds, b.) developing a workable exercise program for myself, and c.) saving more money in my list for 2004.

However, if I thought specifically about my own children’s education and my role advocating for the kids at Harold Martin School, I could develop a New Year’s Educational Resolutions or Goals list just as easily. Let’s give it a try:

1. I will read to my kids for at least 20 minutes every night shifting regularly between fiction and non-fiction and various literary genres. I will check out the International Reading Association’s Literacy Links for Parents at: http://www.reading.org/links/lit_tp.html for plenty of ideas.

2. I will ask my children how their school day went with specific questions. That is, instead of asking, "how was school today?", and receiving the typical "fine" in return, I will be more specific and ask about a particular class or subject area, unit that they are studying, field trip, guest speaker, or project. The more questions I ask, the more I will understand what is filling his/her time at school, and the better my questions will be over time.

3. I will volunteer at school for at least one day for every child of mine. This is hard for me, given the job I have, but it means so much (even for teenagers) to have their Dad or Mom chaperone a trip, come in as a guest speaker, or just be around the building. Volunteering models to your kids how important education truly is.

4. I will make sure that my kids see me reading at home. Actions often speak louder than anything, and finding time to read in your easy chair without having the TV on is a great example.

5. I will spend at least one day a year exclusively with one child at a time. There’s nothing like a solo day with a child to make them feel
important and enable both parent and child to learn about each other. That’s a real education.

6. I will spend one evening a week with the entire family together engaged in a fun activity. Having a family game night is an easy way to turn the TV, video games, and computer off and engage in actual conversation with the clan.

7. I will put less pressure on my kids by examining their busy schedule and lightening the load if necessary. Recently at our PTA/PAC meeting, Counselor Nancy Brown spoke on "The Hurried Child". She was articulate in explaining the need for parents to lower the stress that occurs with activity that is out of control.

I hope that you find some of the above suggestions helpful and can implement one or more of these or some that I missed. In fact, if you think of some good general resolutions, feel free to email me and I can share them in the Parent Flash.

-Bill Carozza