It won't be long now. A new school year gets underway this week.
We all need to be ready for it. Yes, all of us, kids or no kids.
For some, making adjustments to the daily routine can be an odious task. Taking certain steps now can help ease the transition.
Students, you know the drill. While tools of the trade today might vary some from what Mom and Dad took to class, the basics really haven't changed. Backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks — they're all standard fare and you might have already received some guidance on what you'll need the first day. In the days ahead, you'll find out more.
If you're like most kids, you'll likely need to adjust your sleeping habits. Getting to bed earlier is a good idea since you'll be up earlier. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that children ages 6 to 12 years get 9 to 12 hours of sleep per 24 hours; teens ages 13 to 18 years should sleep 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours. The academy says students who get enough sleep may have fewer attention and behavior problems.
Parents and/or guardians have their assignments, too. Important ones. If you have children in school, their education should be a top priority at home. In most cases today, that means dealing with distractions. Between video games, cell phones and social media, addictive behaviors pose a serious threat, and the adults in charge who don't monitor their children and keep them on task could be setting them up for some serious problems.
That's not to say kids shouldn't have free time. They need it. But you need a firm set of ground rules in place so your student knows that school comes first. Set up a study area at home — desk, bookcase, supplies — where he or she can work. Check daily on homework assignments and make sure it gets done. Be there to help when needed. When you get stuck — that seems to happen more often these days — suggest that your child talk to his or her teacher. Intervene yourself, if necessary, but don't be a pest.
Show your child that you care about their education. Students in primary grades will usually have folders with assignments and other vital school-related information you'll need to know. Little ones aren't always likely to alert you to these things, so make it a point to go through the folder with your child daily. This will help avoid surprises — like tonight's open house, Tuesday's bake sale or next week's half day of school.
Communication between home and school that is vital for success. It important that you establish a rapport with your child's school be involved without being a pest. Teachers and administrators will appreciate it.
One good way to be involved is by attending open houses. These are designed to create a connection between home and school. It's an opportunity for you to get to know the teacher and find out what's expected of students. Get involved with parent-teacher groups — they're always looking for volunteers.
Get to know the school support staff, too — your child's bus driver, the school custodian, nurses, secretaries and others. Remember, your child's school is a community and you should know all the people in the neighborhood because they are all part of your child's day. Understand their roles and their challenges. And appreciate them.
A few other quick tips:
• Read with your child every day. No homework tonight? That's nice, but don't skip the reading. A good reader will be a good student because reading is the foundation for learning. A child who struggles to read will flounder in other academic areas and that will put them at a great disadvantage in the classroom. Homework or not, set aside time every day and have them read — anything — to help develop skills and keep their mind sharp. Join them. If they see that reading is important to you, it'll become important to them.
• Support school activities. It's not all reading, writing and arithmetic. It's also music, theater and sports. Education comes in many forms, and well-rounded students will be involved in a wide range of activities outside the classroom. Support them. Attend the book fairs, school plays, band/choral concerts, athletic events, science fairs and other school-community events. School is your child's community. If he or she sees that you're interested in that, they will be, too.
• Motorists, be alert, particularly during early morning and late afternoon, when children will be riding buses to and from school. Remember, when school bus lights flash yellow, slow down because they'll soon turn red, requiring drivers in both directions to stop. Whenever a bus is near, be cautious. Kids make quick decisions and could dart out into your path at any time. Passing a stopped school bus not only puts kids a harm's way, but it comes with a steep fine for the lawbreaker. A new law allows cameras to record the offenses, so there's little chance you'll get away with it.
Whether you have children in school or not, we're all part of the school community. The resumption of school changes the character of our communities. Stay tuned into your district. Read newsletters, support programs, attend events. See what you're getting for your tax dollars.
And remember, educating the next generation is critical to their future. And ours.