The first 9 weeks or the first quarter of the year is where the tone is set. If you do not get off to a strong start, it can make for a long school year. While it sets the tone, it does not define the entire journey.
My first series of the school year is titled: Thriving beyond the first quarter: A blueprint for Black excellence in education. This three-part series was created for parents, teachers, and administrators to pause, reflect and reset. I believe this is a pivotal time to ensure we are not just moving through the school year but moving forward with purpose.
As a school leader, I see that this work with families and educators, the work of cultivating excellence, is both urgent and generational. The work is rooted in resilience and fueled by a community that believes our children deserve nothing less than the best.
I hope this series offers practical, powerful steps each stakeholder group can take to strengthen their role in educating our children this year. One of my favorite quotes by James Baldwin is at the core of this series: “For these are all our children, we will all profit by or pay for what they become.”
We begin this series with parents. I firmly believe that as parents, you are your child’s first and best teacher. At home, children can build confidence, have their identity affirmed, and have their dreams nurtured.
Parents, as we get closer to the end of the first quarter of the school year, let’s take a moment to pause, reflect and reset. I want you all to know that supporting your children goes beyond just knowing their grades; there are initial things you should do. Here are five ways to ensure your child thrives after the first quarter.
Four actionable tips for parents:
- Create consistent routines: Excellence is built through consistency. Consistency at school is supported by consistency at home. Parents, whether your student is in elementary or high school, we need your support in ensuring your student has a routine. Students are at pivotal ages where they need to be taught and motivated to have consistent routines, so the routines at school are not new to them. Structure at home provides stability. Set aside time for reading, homework, and conversations about their school day.
- Affirmations are important: With everything happening in the world and what students are exposed to on social media, they need to hear more from those who love and care about them, affirm and show and tell them that they are capable, brilliant, and worthy of success, even in spaces where they may feel unseen. Make this a daily practice for your student.
- Stay informed and involved: Get connected to all parent communication. Attend all parent meetings and the Parent University. Email your child’s teacher, and be sure to maintain consistent touchpoints with them to stay informed about your child. Volunteer for events and be an active parent. Here is a secret: We like the parents who are overly involved. Do not be afraid to show up at the school and make an appearance. Your voice matters in shaping what happens to your child.
- Build relationships with the school: The most significant indicator of a child’s success is the relationship between the school and home. That must be the most important relationship. That relationship matters the most in ensuring students’ success. Parents, do not wait until there’s an issue. You want to be proactive and connect with teachers and school members to celebrate successes and identify areas for growth.
Parents, if you do not remember anything else from this, remember that your presence, persistence, and partnership are the foundation of your child’s success.
In the next installment of this series, we will shift the focus to teachers and explore how educators can reignite classrooms with purpose, equity, and cultural affirmation to ensure excellence.
Be on the lookout for the next series installment, which focuses on teachers.
Dr. David McGuire is the Principal at Rooted School Indy and an education reporter.
Dr. David McGuire is an educator and education reporter. He attended school in Indianapolis, K-12, and is a graduate of Central State University and holds advanced degrees from Indiana Wesleyan University and Marian University. In addition to his work as an educator, he also navigates the education system as a parent.
