Government and business leaders are calling on Islanders to help make going back to school a positive experience for children and families.
Education Minister Mildred Dover said the first day of school is a very important day and it can be an anxious one for children and parents. “For a young child, leaving familiar surroundings, going to school and even riding on the bus for the first time is a major event. Older students often also feel uneasy about changing schools,” she said. “Parents are understandably anxious. By offering support and encouragement, employers and friends can ease the pressure and make the first days of school a positive experience for everyone.”
Craig Thompson, president of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce asked employers to give special consideration to parents on the first day of school if possible. “This can be a trying time for employees, especially those who have children starting school for the first time. Having a little flexibility with their work day can help to give employees peace of mind that their child is safe and happy at school. It can also help employers demonstrate the value they place on happy, confident employees and family friendly workplaces,” he said.
The Chamber of Commerce acknowledges the need for each employer to determine what works best in his or her workplace. They suggest that some ways employers can support parents on the first days of school are to let them arrive an hour later or leave a little earlier, allow them to take a flexible lunch break or to switch shifts with another employee on that day.
For more information on how to make your workplace more family-friendly, contact the Premier’s Council on Healthy Child Development at 902 368-6153.