Another school year has started, and our children are doing homework, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.

As parents, it is time for us to play our important roles: Ensuring that our children are prepared to learn and helping foster success throughout the year.

In today’s digital, global economy, a good education is critical for children to become tomorrow’s skilled workers and strong leaders.
Active parents and proactive teachers have huge impacts on fostering a child’s desire to learn.

Research has shown that students whose parents are involved in their schoolwork are more motivated and set higher career goals than students whose parents are less involved.

While helping our children understand classroom material at an early age helps improve their chances for success in high school and college, parents visiting their child’s school has also been cited as a key factor in a student’s development.

I encourage all southwest Michigan parents to try to make time to help and support your young students. For assistance in this endeavor, the Michigan Department of Education has many useful resources available on its website at www.michigan.gov/mde.

The “Parents and Families” section offers numerous links and information that can be tremendously helpful. Parents may also get help by calling the Van Buren Intermediate School District at (269) 674-8091 or the Berrien RESA at (269) 471-7725.

To parents of first-time students, this time may seem daunting. Relax. Sometimes the best thing you can do to ensure a child’s academic success is to simply be there for them. Ensure they get plenty of sleep, arrive to school on time, complete their homework and eat healthy meals.

And remember that the framework to success also lies in building up a child’s self-confidence with positive reinforcement and encouragement.

I hope you have a great school year!

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents the 21st District, which includes Berrien and Cass counties and most of Van Buren County.