Elvi Mackintosh

I’m interested in creating a video to present to parents during Back to School Night. This video would demonstrate simple steps that parents can follow at home to give their children the best opportunity to be successful at school. Many of these steps, which we assume to be universal knowledge, are completely foreign to many of our families who come from generational-poverty backgrounds. A tentative name for the video is: “Simple Steps Secure Students’ Success.”

Some of the steps that I would like to include are:

• Having a great day at school begins the night before. Put your child to bed not later than 8:30.
• Wake him up at least an hour before school starts.
• Help them/train them in hygiene basics. (Shower, comb hair, clean clothes)
• Provide a nutritious breakfast free of extra sugars and other empty calories.
• Pack a piece of fruit or a granola bar for a midmorning snack.
• Make it a habit to take your child to school a few minutes before the bell rings.
• Make it a habit to pick them up on time.
• Set up a “study area” and a schedule to do homework.
• Remove all distractions (Turn off T.V., videogames, cell phones, etc.)
• Check homework and sign it when completed.
• Together, check backpack and prepare it for the next morning.
• Talk to your child about their school day.