How Should Christian Parents Help Students Start the School Year Well?

1) Paint the Bigger Picture

First and foremost, as Christian parents, we must always make sure that our children understand the bigger picture as to why they even need to go to this thing called “school.” 

For one, it is so that they can learn and grow and gain the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue whatever path God has for them. Likewise, the Christian education (including the weekly chapel!) at Emmanuel Lutheran School will help your child in better understanding the truth of God’s Word. 

Even when it comes to extracurricular activities, we provide high-quality, Christ-centered athletics, fine arts, and other extracurricular programs. Our athletic program sees the organized sports experience as a platform for developing athletic, social and spiritual skills.

Incredibly significant as well, is the fact that this new school year provides the perfect opportunity to “practice what we preach!”  This new year serves as a fantastic way for our children to begin living out their faith on a daily basis, even in small ways. 

By being obedient in the small things (like doing homework, listening to teachers, speaking kindly to schoolmates) your student is learning to be faithful with a little, so they can be faithful with much (Luke 16:10). 

Likewise, remind your student that, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV). 

2) Familiarize Yourself with the School Curriculum and Schedule

Another key part of starting the new school year off well is by familiarizing both yourself and your child with the school curriculum and schedule. 

Thankfully, here at Emmanuel Lutheran School, you are always welcome to schedule a tour of the school or to call (828-281-818). Any of our staff members would be more than happy to help you and your student gain a better understanding of what to expect once your student begins the new year.

Emmanuel Lutheran School is the only Christian parochial school in western North Carolina that implements a STEAM-based curriculum. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. 

STEAM empowers students using technology along with the arts to build confidence and inspire students to do great things past their middle school experiences. 

Getting familiar with the STEAM experience will greatly help your student to be prepared for this new school year! 

3) Establish Expectations

It has been shown that by a parent providing clear expectations to their children regarding school behavior and performance, the child is much more likely to succeed. 

Be clear with your child that you do not expect them to be perfect, but that you do expect them to put in their full effort, to obey their teachers, to treat their classmates kindly, and to continue to improve in areas that need improvement.

4) Develop Lasting Habits

Now is the time to begin developing the healthy habits you want your child to continue once they start the school year! By establishing these patterns now, it will be much easier for your student to continue in them, as opposed to not starting them until school starts. 

Some habits to begin practicing:

• A daily quiet time with God, despite the distractions of the world (and soon, school!).
• Scheduling time wisely, making sure to leave time for God, work, and play!
• Developing a routine bedtime/wake-up time so that it is not a shock to the system once your student goes back to waking up early!
• Eating healthy! If you start this with your student early, it will be much easier for both you as a parent (in planning meals), and your student, in that he or she will begin having more energy and more motivation! Don’t forget the impact Daniel had by eating healthy (Daniel 1:15)!

5) Review Previous Learning

Students lose a huge amount of their learning over the summer and are more likely to continue this pattern in subsequent summers if it is not changed. 

Prevent this by occasionally taking the time to review with your student what they learned last year! By doing so, you are giving your student a tremendous head start by preventing them from having to relearn academic content that they forgot this summer while they were playing soccer, riding dirtbikes, etc. Your students (and teachers!) will thank you!

As a Christian private school in Asheville, the team at Emmanuel Lutheran School adores this city and community, and we love seeing our students grow into well-rounded people who give back to this area. 

Every student has many opportunities to hear and believe the gospel, with teachers discipling and mentoring them to help them become the person God intended for them to be.

We would love to answer your questions and schedule a tour for you to see and meet teachers and faculty. Contact Emmanuel Lutheran School for more information.