We get back-to-school advice straight from the experts: CPS kids
Back-to-school advice from the experts — CPS kids
Know how to read books. Be yourself. Don’t goof around. And definitely don’t cheat. That’s some of the back-to-school advice we got when we asked the experts — Chicago Public Schools kids ranging from age 5 to high school — what they wish someone had told them about school when they were younger.
What do kids need to know before walking into school?
“Kindergarten should be really easy for you, like you fit in kindergarten, and, like, some people know a little bit more than you, but you can also catch up.” — Kamaria Lewis
“They should know how to read books, listen to the teacher, be nice to students — and don’t ever walk out. When a teacher tells you to walk out, that’s when you walk out.” — Destinye Vickers
What’s the best part about the grade you just finished?
“We get to play in the park, you get to play inside with blocks.” — Marquise McMorris
“Math because I really love math and I just like the equations.” — Kamari Lewis (Kamaria’s twin)
“When you had a week of, like, relief that you didn’t have, like, no tests or any homework.” — Kamila Solis
The hardest part?
“Quiet time. Everybody couldn’t be quiet.” — Vickie Williamson
“Reading and comprehension because I just don’t like comprehension.” — Kamari
“Grades — keeping them up. Homework — there was a lot of homework every day, and the tests were, like, very hard. ” — Kamila
“Tests.” — Ja’keeta Lewis
What about when school gets hard?
“You can’t cheat. You cannot look at other people’s stuff.” — Destinye
“You have to rely on yourself to make sure you put in all your work.” — Don Rose
What should you bring?
“School shirts, school sweaters and different kinds of shoes.” — Marquise
“Glue, scissors, paper, pencils, pencil sharpeners.” — Vickie
“A book bag. A lunch box if you want to bring lunch — Black Panther.” — Victor Williamson Jr.
What about making friends?
“I asked people what are their names. I asked them, ‘Do they want to be friends?’ And they say, ‘Yes.’ ” — Vickie
“I ask them at lunch if you want to be friends and sit together, and then they’ll be your friends.” — Kamaria
“You lose a lot of friends. A lot of teachers separate other kids, from your best friends … because they want the other kids to listen and not, like, pay attention to the bad kids.” — Kamila
“If you’re not popular, you’re still going to find a group you could fit in with.’’ — Don
“Try not to make friends. Just act yourself, and they’ll come to you.’’ — Ja’keeta
Bottom line for a good year?
“Listen, and pay attention to everything.” — Victor
“Stay on task. Don’t goof around with your friends. And listen.” — Kamila
“There’s a lot of homework you’re gonna have to do. And if you’re just, like, too lax and you forget to just do like a couple of assignments, and you have, like, a test on Friday ... you’re probably going to fail the test.” — Don
“Focus more on the quizzes and activities and stuff.” — Ja’keeta.
What if you’re scared?
“I was scared before I went to pre-K. I started crying for my mom. I don’t cry anymore. … It’s nothing scary.” — Marquise
“Don’t be scared. It’s OK.” — Destinye