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Families: Get the 411 on back to school!

Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010

In addition to pencils, crayons, and notebooks, consider adding a few back-to-school tips to the school supply list this fall. Parents can get their child’s school year off to a smooth start by taking some steps to prepare during the final weeks of summer.

  • Get kids back on a schedule. As summer winds down, start by putting kids to bed early and waking them up at their usual school time a week or two before school starts. Don’t forget to add eating breakfast to your routine. Be sure to review with your child their plan for after school too, such as walking or taking the bus, and practice this as well to be sure they get home safely.
  • Read to your child before bed. Once parents implement an early bedtime, spend a few minutes each night reading to their child. This can help improve the student's reading and listening skills, which are essential to learning in the classroom.
  • Go back to school yourself! Most schools host a back-to-school night or an event to help parents and students get acquainted with their peers, teachers and school. Attending this event helps lay the foundation for a strong parent-teacher relationship. If you can't come to the back-to-school events, try to stop by the classroom sometime to get to know the teacher, and discuss goals to help your child succeed.
  • Prepare school supplies. Purchase the items from your child’s list, and be sure to label them clearly with your child’s name.
  • Plan for school lunches. Parents should decide if their child will eat lunch at school or bring one from home. If going the sack-lunch route, stock up on your child’s healthy favorites for them to enjoy.
  • Arrange play dates. Having a child meet and spend time with fellow classmates before school starts helps ensure that a child won't feel alone or anxious on the first day.

Don’t forget major transitions. It is quite normal to feel anxious about changing schools or going from half-day kindergarten to full-day first grade. Parents and adults can play a very important role in helping students deal with these difficulties and prepare for a new school year. Talking about the changes beforehand to ease a child's worries or fears, and visiting the school prior to the first day so students can get familiar with their new surroundings help tremendously. Professionals in the schools can also be called on for assistance

  • Contact a WRAP worker for support. WRAP workers, mental health professionals in each school, are a great resource for those parents and kids with jitters about the new school year.
  • Offer the student an opportunity to go to their school building, during Cardinal Craze, or get a hold of a WRAP worker or counselor for a touring time prior to the beginning of the school year and to become more familiar with the school layout and daily procedures.  
  • If a student is bothered by a specific concern, such as using a locker, help the student practice prior to the school year.  
  • New students also can benefit from having a “first friend” in a new school. The school counselor or WRAP worker can help connect a new student with a peer mentor or other classmate.

WRAP workers and school counselors are available year round to support students and parents in overcoming life’s challenges:

 

 
 

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