Want to make the most of the school year? Here are tips for students, parents
Showing her “young at heart” spirit in 2019, Sarah Jean Watson, then principal of St. Lawrence School in Indianapolis, gets in on the fun with some of her students for a photo opportunity with Clifford the Big Red Dog. (Criterion file photo)
By John Shaughnessy
As a former principal in Catholic grade schools in the archdiocese, Sarah Watson often found a way to combine joy and motivation for her students.
She once told the students in one of her schools that if they read 1,000 books, she would sleep on the roof of their school. And if they read 5,000 books, she would also dye her hair purple.
The students met both challenges and loved them—the same feeling they had for Watson, who also had a way of living her Catholic faith so fully that students, parents and faculty at her schools often chose to enter into the full communion of the Church.
That overall approach led to her being honored in 2019 with the “Lead, Learn, Proclaim Award” from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), for her dedication and commitment to excellence in Catholic education.
Now as an assistant superintendent of Catholic schools in the archdiocese, Watson was asked by The Criterion to share some advice for grade school students and their parents to make the most of this new school year. Here are her insights:
Best advice for parents:
Family participation in the school life is critical.
“Contact your child’s teacher and school and see how adults can offer support during the school year,” Watson says. “Maybe it is practicing spelling words or math facts, maybe it is donating class snacks, maybe it is making sure homework gets returned the next day. Whatever it is, remember we all have the same goal: successful students.”
Set up a daily routine.
“When considering your routine, remember to include prayer life, a healthy diet, physical activity, time dedicated to schoolwork, time for families to relax, and getting plenty of sleep. Children thrive on routines, and sticking to one will make them more successful in the classroom.”
Live your faith.
“Prioritize Sunday family time and participating in the holy Mass. Ask your children to lead prayer at home. Their intentions will tell you so much about what is going on in their life.”
Model how to answer the question, “What did you do today?”
“Driving in the car can be a great time to learn about your child’s day. Instead of first asking about how their day was, ask if they want to know about your day. Model how you would like them to respond, and then give them a chance to respond. This teaches compassion, empathy and also helps you really learn about their day.”
How to handle the struggles you may have with decisions made by the school.
“Try to refrain from voicing these [struggles] in front of your child. Children can have a voice about their frustrations, but time and time again their behaviors can be impacted negatively when they know you are also frustrated.
“We are all human, and we will all make mistakes. Educators make them, students make them, and we as families make them. Approaching these with grace and the spirit of reconciliation benefits students.”
Your child’s use of mobile devices.
“Don’t be afraid to check your child’s mobile device.”
Best advice for students:
Success and failure are connected.
“Success is a process, not an event,” Watson advises. “Failure is part of this, and it is an essential piece of the learning process. If we begin perfect, we don’t need school.”
Stay close to God.
“Remember God made you, and God doesn’t make mistakes. He forgives us for ours.
“You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Asking for his [help] is necessary and beneficial.”
Be kind.
“Having empathy, grace and acceptance for others builds your relationship with God.”
Show your family your love for them.
“Tell your family you love them, and thank them for sacrificing for your opportunity to attend Catholic school.” †
Related: Tips for high school students
