Back-to-School Bewilderment: Paraqeet Helps Users Identify Solutions to Their School-Year Concerns
Every back-to-school season brings a set of challenges, often influenced by ever-changing government regulations and political winds, shifts in the economy and health concerns.
A Paraqeet search showed how educators, caregivers and health officials have focused their Twitter conversations on life’s basics for students: health, sleep, food and, as always, school supplies.
Concern No. 1: Classroom Essentials
Paraqeet showed that parents and caregivers across Twitter are openly fretting about affording necessary school supplies, especially with the current rate of inflation. @RNCResearch shared a CNN clip highlighting the financial hardships millions of families face this academic year.
Parents aren’t the only ones struggling to obtain these essential items. Teachers on Twitter are grappling with how to acquire supplies for their students. Many have resorted to reaching out to other Twitter users, asking them to contribute to their Amazon wish lists. Mrs. Beach, a technology teacher for a pre-K thru fifth grade school in Missouri, tweeted:
Paraqeet uncovered a host of options for school supply seekers. Users across the social channel have pulled together to create school supply giveaway contests and to host community events to provide students and teachers with adequate equipment.
While spiral notebooks, No. 2 pencils, tape and glue sticks may top back-to-school checklists, @OnOurSleeves, a nonprofit working to improve children’s mental health, reminded parents and caregivers that preparing for life back in the classroom requires more than a trip to Staples. Reducing stress, getting a good night’s sleep, creating a new routine and addressing classroom expectations are all crucial steps in preparing for academic excellence.
Concern No. 2: Burdensome Backpacks
Paraqeet showed parents aren’t worried just about the rising cost of school supplies but about their children’s overall health and wellness in connection with their school days. The burdensome weight of backpacks sends approximately 7,500 children to the ER annually for back- and neck-related injuries. This New York Post article outlined the issue in more detail and provided solutions to this problem, including ensuring that students’ backpacks weigh no more than 15% of their body weight.
As always, COVID-19 remains an unforgettable health concern for students, families and faculty this school year. Though approximately 75% of children 12 and older are fully vaccinated, only 29.5% of those younger than 11 had received both doses as of June 16. This has led to another emergence of COVID-precaution discourse on Twitter.
User @SarahLerner tweeted a heartfelt message on the importance of masking. It received nearly 5,100 likes and more than 1,000 retweets. Paraqeet identified her as the No. 1 influencer under topics “back to school” and “COVID.”
While COVID invariably leads to conflict on Twitter, pandemic posts often provide a public service by informing users about where they can get vaccinated before the school year. Rainier Vista, a neighborhood in Seattle, used Twitter to reach out to its community and look after the academic and physical welfare of students.
Concern No. 3: Cost of School Meals
Even though the virus is still kicking, many pandemic-era provisions, including universal free school breakfasts and lunches, are soon to disappear across the nation. As inflation fuels an increase in the cost of school meals, a Wall Street Journal article explored the issue, including how proposed state and federal legislation could “lessen the blow.”
A Paraqeet search of “back to school” and “lunches” showed that states such as California and Nevada are on the case. Gov. Steve Sisolak of Nevada tweeted:
Concern No. 4: Lack of Sleep
One of the final components that affects students’ well-being throughout the school year is the amount of sleep they get. Though the issue fell by the wayside in the face of the pandemic, experts reemphasized the importance of pushing back school start times in the name of student health.
A Paraqeet search showed @opinion — the Twitter feed for Bloomberg Opinion, as the No. 1 influencer under the topics of “back to school” and “health,” covering this issue. On July 1, California enacted a state law making later start times a reality.
What’s the 411? Paraqeet Has the Answer
Returning to school raises myriad challenges for parents, students, caregivers and educators. Paraqeet makes it easy to see not just what key stakeholders are discussing but how they’re addressing the concerns. Enter a few keywords in the search bar, and Paraqeet brings the Twitter connections to you.