Wayne County school buses began loading and unloading both reluctant and excited students last week when the 2023-2024 school year began its new session on Wednesday, August 9.
“The upcoming school year promises fresh opportunities for our students as well as our staff,” said new Director of Schools, Dr. Ricky Inman. “Not only is this a new opportunity for me, but Wayne County is also fortunate enough to welcome 11 new teachers into the system. I’m very excited to see what this new school year will bring.”
Dr. Inman shared at the last school board meeting that the current enrollment number (not including Pre-K) is 2,024 students. That is right in line with last year’s enrollment of 2,030.
As kids and parents get back into the school routine, what seems to be difficult can actually be a good thing. Kids thrive on routine because it gives them a sense of predictability in their lives. Routines can help them feel like they have their needs met on a regular basis. With a back to school schedule for kids, they are able to depend on the sense of security they feel in a familiar way with their other routines.
As children grow, new activities pop up, new patterns emerge, and new habits form. When regular routines are in place, kids can handle these changes with less stress.
Back to school is probably the biggest time of year for making adjustments to the family’s daily activities. With the start of a new school year comes early mornings, busy schedules, and often some frustration as parents try to get everyone going in the right direction each day. Kids go from a relaxed (or non-existent) summer schedule to suddenly being expected to get up, dressed and out the door fairly quickly each day. There are new stressors and new transitions with added interactions and after-school activities.
When you include a child in the process of creating a routine, they are an active participant in it, rather than feeling like tasks are being imposed upon them, says Green Child magazine. They have a sense of ownership in the process and are more likely to initiate the steps on their own.
For everyday routines in which a lot of steps are involved, such as getting ready in the morning, after-school responsibilities, or going to bed at night, it can be helpful to have a chart or a list. Having something tangible to post like a family command center on the wall is a handy reminder of what needs to be done every day without a parent having to nag. Keep the chart simple—include the necessities without making the routine an overwhelming chore.
Green Child magazine also suggests that instead of starting your day with a flurry of activity and a rush to get out the door, try starting it with a few minutes of one-on-one time with your child. Often, this can make the difference between a morning of resistance and a morning of cooperation. Waking up just 10 minutes earlier to cuddle, talk, or read together in your child’s favorite chair starts the day from a place of harmony and connection.
You let your child know they are important, and that in that moment, you don’t have anywhere else to be—not work, not school, just right there in the moment with them. Then they feel closely connected to you, and they’re much more ready to face the day.
