After a long summer break, it is finally time for children to head back to school. A return to the classroom means a return of new lessons, projects, tests, etc., and you want to make sure your child is prepared for everything that comes their way during the school year. United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) partners with several nonprofits and programs who look to ensure the success of youth in and outside of the classroom. Working together, we hope to arm them with the necessary resources they need to thrive.
A child’s success is one of the most important things to most parents, take a look at how you can secure a successful school year for them.
After school programs
At the end of the school day, it is important to keep children engaged in their schoolwork because they are often given homework assignments and various projects required to complete outside of school that are crucial to their grades. Some parents may have evening jobs or busy schedules and need extra support with childcare during the evening, this is where after school programs can be valuable.
UWGSL partners with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of Alton and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis that have great after school programs that can be tremendously helpful for students. They have homework help/tutoring, visual and performing arts, teen development programs, sports and recreation, and more. With programs and organizations like these, children can spend their after-school hours surrounded by people who are dedicated to ensuring their academic success and helping them pursue their personal interests.
Mentorship
A positive role model is an invaluable resource for youth and teens. Mentors can offer valuable advice and be a living example of what it means to be successful. They are vessels for children to have someone to listen, understand and counsel them. According to Youth.gov, mentorship can lead to improved behavior for children in and out of school, enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence, increased high school graduation rates, and more.
UWGSL partners with nonprofits like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois that offer mentorship opportunities for children. They are paired with adults that are compatible with them and they spend time building a personal connection, participating in fun activities, volunteering, and more. Mentorship matters and that is why our partners prioritize putting programs in place for adults to have a meaningfully positive impact on a child’s life.
Start thinking about the future
A study done by the Institute of Educational Sciences showed that college and career readiness programs in middle school can help them expand their specific and realistic career and college goals. In March, UWGSL partners with the St. Louis Regional Empowerment Coalition and Money Smart Committee to host our annual Money Smart Kids Essay Contest for sixth through eighth grade students in the St. Louis region. Students will have the opportunity to receive scholarships by submitting a 500-word or less essay that demonstrates their knowledge of basic economic concepts of a specific topic. This initiative and others are a part of efforts to give children the opportunity to work towards securing a successful future while they’re still young.
Parental involvement
A supported child is a thriving child. Parents should keep track of their child’s grades, attend parent-teacher conferences, attend their games or events if they are involved in extra-curricular activities, and most importantly, regularly check-in on their mental and emotional state. The more parental support your child receives, the better off they will be. Research conducted by the American Psychological Association shows a strong relationship between parent engagement and educational outcomes, including school attendance, higher grades and classroom test scores.
UWGSL is proud to partner with organizations like the Fathers and Families Support Center that offers a Family Formation Program where after a six-week training period, parents emerge with the abilities and skills necessary to be the actively involved, responsible parents that their children need and deserve.
These are some of the many ways we hope to create a prosperous and productive school year for parents and their children. UWGSL takes pride in helping our local children grow and develop. Over 400,000 of those served by UWGSL programs and partners are children and youth. The prioritization of children and their success is paramount for us now and into the future. It all starts with the 2024-25 school year, let’s work together to make it a special one!
Take action now:
- Find out how mentorship can change a future.
- Take a look at three ways UWGSL fosters learning.
- Share this story with family and friends.
