From the return of the songbirds to the slow, slow thaw after a long, cold winter, we are finally seeing the first welcome signs of spring. But while we may look ahead to warm, sunny days, and the promise of time spent outside (not shoveling snow), our kids are still very  much immersed in the school year.

In fact, spring is one of the busiest, most important times for our students and even though the end is in sight, our kids – and our schools – need our support now, more than ever.

As the chair of our school’s Parent Council, and co-chair of our board’s Parent Involvement Committee, I know how easy it is to succumb to end-of-the-year fatigue. The special days are harder to keep track of, the mountain of paperwork, forms and newsletters have taken over our desks, and the thought of having to make lunches for four more months is enough to make us not want to get out of bed in the morning.

But if it’s becoming exhausting for us parents, think about how our students and teachers are feeling. From EQAO testing and other exams to playdays, field trips and athletics, schools are typically buzzing with activity during the last few months of the year. Helping our kids stay focused and engaged can be tough as the sun shines brighter, but there are ways to help foster our students’ success as the school year winds down:

Attend school functions. Your support and investment in the school has positive ripple effects on your student, and helps foster good relationships with the teachers and administrators.
– Volunteer your time. Coordinate with teachers to help with activities, reading, and other classroom needs.
– Spring brings lots of rain and indoor recesses. Can you come in during an indoor recess break and lead students in an activity? Coordinate with the principal to implement these ideas:

• Coach students  in a volleyball, dodgeball, basketball game, jump rope or hula hoop contest in the gym.
• Utilize smart boards  and put on some Just Dance routines for kids to follow
• Volunteer to lead a ‘club’  during indoor recesses, lunch breaks or after school. Some ideas: drama, chess, Soduku, computer science/programming, photography, crafting, art, drama, science, magic, etc.
• Lead a workshop  for students – mine your area of expertise and engage with the kids. Do you have an interesting job or hobby the students might like to hear about?
• Donate  those hula hoops or jump ropes
• Donate  new or gently used board games to play with during indoor recess

After school:

– Talk to your kids about their day. Find a new way to ask, “How was your day,” to which the answer will always be, “Fine,” or “What did you learn,” to which the answer will always be, “Nothing.”
– Read with your kids, even if it is not assigned. Teach your kids that reading is enjoyment, not homework.
– Help your kids prep for EQAO and/or exams by encouraging them to stay calm, get enough sleep, eat well and study (if applicable). Anxiety can be high at this time, so check in with your kids regularly to make sure they are coping well.
– Get to know your kids’ friends. Ask your little ones about their classmates; I guarantee you’ll hear some interesting stories.
– Attend school council meetings. You’ll be amazed at how much you didn’t know about the interesting things going on at your school, and your input is necessary, welcome and important!