8 ways to handle the new school year

Are you nervous about the new school year? I am. My grandson Ben Mathews, age 2 years and 9 months, is starting nursery school.

Our worry is, will we blow it? Will some flaw in our approach to school condemn our children and grandchildren to a life of ignorance and penury?

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It may not be that bad, but we all want to do it right. Parents who are new to a school or whose child is starting pre-kindergarten or kindergarten may have no idea what to expect. Here are answers to eight typical questions from those of us who wonder how to make it a good school year.

1. How can we get our child into the class of that great teacher?

This is tricky. Parents aren’t supposed to pick their children’s teachers. John Porter, who was principal of T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria for 22 years, said parents should avoid deifying someone they “heard about at work or at a cocktail party.” But if your child has a crucial need and you plan months ahead, you can sometimes arrange the placement you want.

Get to know an administrator or counselor at the school well, Porter said. As the school year ends, he said, drop the hint that Ms. X “is an excellent teacher who might work well with my son” next year. A callback or e-mail in July won’t hurt either.

2. How do we get the most out of Back-to-School night?

Just show up, listen carefully and take notes, several local educators said. “This is a great opportunity to build a relationship with the school community,” said Gregory C. Hutchings Jr., director of the preK-12 programs in Alexandria. “You will be able to better understand your child’s teachers’ expectations for the school year.” If you’re new to the school or the teacher, there are no stupid questions on Back-to-School night. Curriculum? Grading? Whatever it is, don’t be afraid to ask.

3.What can we do if our child is turned off by school?

Foster a love of learning outside the classroom with summer reading the student enjoys and visits to exhibits and events that fit his interests, said Ron Fairchild, former chief of the National Summer Learning Association. Debra Bishop, professional development and program specialist for the Prince William County Public Schools, said it is particularly important to “make sure your child knows one adult at the school who can provide them support, if needed.” This might be their teacher, but if that doesn’t work, an assistant principal, a secretary or a coach might fill that role.

A year of home-schooling, or a transfer to a different school could create for them more choices of how and when to learn, and improve their attitude.

4.What should we expect from the principal?

“Parents should expect to be able to contact the principal via telephone or e-mail to discuss a concern after they have shared the concern with the classroom teacher, “ said Eric A. Davis, director of the department of family and community partnerships for the Montgomery County schools. “Generally, most schools have a process in place that calls and e-mails are responded to within 24 hours.”