The summer is half way over and the 2009-10 school year is getting ever closer. The economic environment has put its mark on family, business and school budgets. Money is tight. Parents will be asked to provide more than every before. Teachers will be trying to fill in what the school budgets cannot supply. Never mind that teachers aren't paid what they are worth. Some teachers are supplying food, clothes and supplies to some of their students. Everyone will need to work together even harder this year.
The primary key to being ready for the school year is to begin with a positive attitude. Things are what they are and everyone will need to do the best with what is available. Getting help from the community probably won't be as easy as in previous years. Be creative. It never hurts to ask for discounts, donations or write grants to purchase science equipment, updated technology, etc. Be resourceful and be ready to delegate but use your paraprofessionals and volunteers fairly. Find out what they feel comfortable doing. What are their experiences? A volunteer may love making bulletin boards or simply reading to your students.
Communication with parents will be invaluable in working together. Realizing that parental goals differ greatly as some are simply surviving from day to day is important. Be prepared. Homework might not get full attention, if some students have to work to help support the family or take care of siblings at home while a parent works a second job. Try to look at the world through the eyes of others. Be prepared. Take care of yourself and make sure you have a support system for when the going gets tough. A negative attitude rubs off on those around you making it difficult to establish rapports with students and their parents. Working as a team, the school year can be more successful than you think. It's not too early to get prepared to make a smooth transition from the lazy days of summer to the busy classroom. Now is the time for setting some realistic goals and a plan of action to involve the community, parents, fellow teachers and para-professionals in new and exciting ways.
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