Extra school work, reminders

Local schools are welcoming back students and teachers from their summer break, which officially ended three weeks ago and we wish everyone a successful year of learning, personal growth and good health.
Schools in Sonoma County began opening as early as Aug. 18, with 33,000 students enrolled and some school districts scrambling to fill the last few teacher spots. Some of the happiest faces on Opening Day belonged to school administrators who, once again, have full budgets and new remodeling projects.
Like most other elements to living here, the back-to-school ritual is marked by supportive communities, well-run facilities, a safe environment and a quality experience. It should not be taken for granted. Not all schools across America have safe neighborhoods. Some school districts are mired in political and religious battles about core values, race relations, immigration policies and censored books.
In other lands, like Syria and places in Central America, it is too dangerous to go to school. Going back to school in other regions is a gift that was earned at a costly price of bloodshed and revolution, like for young girls in Afghanistan.
Here, the school year of 2015-16 is a very different story. That doesn’t mean local students and parents are without extra homework or new tests.
One of the most important of these tasks is  immunization requirements for all students and families. New state laws passed during the summer restrict who may opt-out and eliminated the “personal choice” exclusion for parents who don’t believe in immunizations.
California, and parts of Sonoma County, have been put on heightened alert by public health officials over recent cases of measles and whooping cough. The scientific-based precaution of vaccinations should be given to all students, with only rare exceptions for compromised health or religious grounds. This requirement is part of the definition of safe schools.
Another aspect of a safe school definition is anti-bullying reminders and counseling. Students of all ages now have full access to electronic devices and social media where hurtful words and bigotry are spread as easily as a measles virus. Parents have the ultimate responsibility for their children’s behavior.
Also, new and near the top of the school safety list of reminders is the spreading awareness about head injuries and concussions that occur in youth sports. Local schools have adopted new safety precautions and practices that have added a new layer of serious business to the fun of football, soccer and other activities. Parents should ask about their individual school’s concussion protocols. It also is a new state law.
Going back to school requires good teamwork. At the end of the year, students may get all the good grades, but it takes early work from parents to make it happen.
Does everyone have a school calender on the kitchen wall? Sure, all the team practices and games are listed there, but when is the first parent-teacher conference? Write it down and show up. Parents should visit school and meet the teachers.
Next to the calender, make room for a display of student awards, classroom samples and written goals. For extra credit, volunteer for a school function. Meet the parents of your student’s classmates. Nothing can be more powerful in creating excellent schools than parent involvement.
Our broader community is a partner to all of our students’ education where uncountable experiences and lessons will unfold outside of a formal classroom setting.
It is very telling to watch a local community as it marches back to school at the end of every summer. Here, we have just witnessed a tradition full of excitement, pride and purpose.
Great communities make great schools so we can have great students. Let’s never take it for granted.
 — Rollie Atkinson