Help your student succeed

Parental involvement is a key factor in student performance
Research has found that kids benefit significantly when parents and other caregivers are strongly involved in the child’s education. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community found that parental involvement is associated with improved academic performance.

Specifically, children whose parents are more involved in their education have higher levels of academic performance than children whose parents are not as involved. It’s never too early to begin. You can start now by ensuring that your child is engaged in learning opportunities over the summer, whether it’s a reading program at home or through the local library. Here are some strategies to get more involved once the school year begins.

Develop a partnership with the teacher. Open communication with teachers can help parents stay up-to-date on what is going on in the classroom and learn early on where a student may need extra support. Then parents can offer extra guidance, if needed, or look for an experienced tutor.
Be firm but supportive. Too much academic pressure may cause a child to pull back or even test boundaries, and that can lead to students falling behind in school. Parents must find the right level of involvement and guide their kids without sounding like good grades “make or break” the relationship.
Attend school functions. Parents can go to open houses, back-to-school nights, conferences, and other events held at school to show support and interest in their children’s education. Involved parents also build school-based networks this way, which can be called upon if their student needs additional support in the future.
Establish a schedule at home. Students can benefit from a schedule, with regular bedtime, homework time and opportunities to relax. Knowing what to expect and when to expect it can take some of the stress out of learning and studying.

Study tips for a strong start in school
At the dawn of a new school year, students get a fresh start to improve upon or continue strong their study habits. These study tips can optimize study skills and boost confidence in school and in areas outside of the classroom. Talking about these tips now will be less overwhelming than at the start of the school year.

Find an optimal study space. The ideal study spot varies from student to student. Some need a quiet nook in the library, while others may prefer the sounds of nature while seated on a park bench. There’s no one-size-fits-all study location, so students may need to experiment with what works best for them.
Devise a study plan. Setting goals and a plan of attack allows students to space out their studying over several days. This can reduce stress and make the task seem less cumbersome.
Avoid cram sessions. Devising a study plan is better than cramming the night before a test. The American Psychological Association says students may perform well on a test for which they’ve crammed, but that doesn’t mean they’ve truly learned the material. Studying with a goal of retaining the material long-term is important.
Learn how to actively study. Some students think that studying requires reading over the material or highlighting text. Active studying involves engaging with the material and constructing meaning from the text. One way to engage with the material is to try acting as the teacher and explaining concepts to another person.
Balance intensity with laid-back study approaches. Students may procrastinate with their studying because they don’t want to devote a lot of time to the task. Instead, they can do shorter sessions mixed with longer sessions of studying. In fact, The Learning Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill says shorter, intensive study time can be more effective than drawn-out studying.
Ask for help. Asking a teacher or another student for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a good strategy to develop early on. The longer one waits, the more difficult it may be to catch up on material. Asking for help goes hand-in-hand with setting up a buddy system for studying. Study groups enable students to go over material together, which can provide different perspectives and help the material resonate more effectively.

School supplies
Several nonprofits provide backpacks and school supplies to area schools to help ensure that every child has what they need to start the year off right. If your child needs a backpack or supplies, contact the administration office of the school your student will be attending in the fall.

Looking for a new school
Many schools are hosting open houses in August for families looking for new school for their children. Minnesota has open enrollment, which means families may choose a school that is not within their resident district. Families have many choices: public, magnet, parochial or charter schools, as well as homeschooling. Post-high school choices include trade schools, two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Registration deadlines for post-secondary are fast approaching.

Free summer meals for kids
St. Paul Public Schools is providing free meals this summer to all children age 18 and under, even if they aren’t enrolled in the district. Meals are available at more than 50 schools, recreation centers, libraries and community sites, and the schools’ food truck will serve burgers, sambusas, gyros and other favorites at parks and community centers around the city. For locations or more information, visit spps.org (search summer meals) or call 651-767-8100.

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