A Note From the Head of School:
Transition Back to School: The Metamorphosis from Nervous Butterflies to Joyful Journeys
As a Head of School, there are few joys in life greater than the first day of school. The summer weeks of planning, anticipating student and staff needs, facilities preparation, and admissions work all come to fruition as the cars and the buses roll up, and students begin to enter the building. Some students throw open the door and run into school forgetting to say goodbye. Others slowly ease out of the back seat and tiptoe towards the school. Every single child (and adult) has hope and excitement for the new school year. It’s a new year filled with the promise of new beginnings.
When I was talking with some students yesterday, some children readily admitted, “I have nervous butterflies in my tummy.” I told them that most of us get those butterflies. The butterflies are a sign that we are excited for new friends, lots of learning, and a fun school year.
Sometimes that transition back from summer vacation and the expectation of a new year can be overwhelming and exhausting. Typically cheerful kids can often become grumpy, have meltdowns, or be incredibly tired in the mornings as parents try to pry them from their beds those the first few weeks of school. Before you become overly concerned, remember how much energy it takes to be focused, meet new people, learn a new schedule, master the school layout and follow new classroom routines. Once your child masters all these and feels comfortable with their new classmates, that exhaustion fades away. Contact your homeroom teacher if things don’t get easier on the home front.
Also, consider the following for your children:
- Try not to schedule too much after school for the first few weeks of school so they can rest.
- Hydrotherapy is good for a tired child! A nice long bath or swim in the pool, and book and early bedtime helps them to be ready for the next day.
- Ensure they are eating their snack and lunch during the day. (At Radcliffe, we have microwaves in the classrooms to reheat favorite foods.)
- Make sure your student has a water bottle and remind them to stay hydrated during the day.
- If they are overwhelmed, write out their schedule from waking up until bedtime so they can mentally rehearse their day.
- A cheerful note in their lunchbox is a secret way for them to know you are thinking about them and that you know they will have a great day.
Wishing you a wonderful Labor Weekend!
Head of School
