Families are an important part of our students’ success. As summer vacations begin to wind down, and students, parents and teachers prepare for the upcoming school year, there are a few things that parents can keep in mind to get their children ready for the first day of school.
Families are an important part of our students’ success. As summer vacations begin to wind down, and students, parents and teachers prepare for the upcoming school year, there are a few things that parents can keep in mind to get their children ready for the first day of school.
1. Meet New Teacher(s): For students, one of the biggest back-to-school fears is meeting their new teacher. One way to alleviate this fear is to attend your school’s open house, at which time you will have the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, exchange phone numbers and email addresses, register and generally take the time to tour the school building. This will allow your child the chance to find their homerooms and walk-through their class schedule. For some students this will be a time to familiarize themselves with their locker location and practice using the combination lock. Open House information can be found on the Tecumseh Local Schools webpage.
2. Connect with friends: A familiar friend can make transitioning to a new building a smoother experience. You might try calling parents from last year’s class and asking them for their advice regarding their experiences from the previous school year.
3. Tool Up: Obtain a class supply list (supply list can be found on the Tecumseh Local Schools webpage) and take a special shopping trip with your child to gather the appropriate tools that he or she will need. This will help your child feel prepared and less anxious about going to school. If possible, allow for a couple of splurges like a cool notebook, or a favorite-colored pen.
4. Chat about today’s events and tomorrow’s plans: While it’s important to support learning throughout the summer, don’t spend the last weeks of summer vacation reviewing last year’s curriculum. All kids need some down time before the rigors of school begin.
5. Ease into a routine: Switching from a summer to a school schedule can be stressful for everyone in the household. Avoid first-day-of-school mayhem by practicing your routine a few days in advance. For example, set the alarm clock, go through the morning routines, get in the car or practice going to the bus stop on time. Routines help children feel comfortable, and establish a good school routine.
I hope these suggestions help you and your child successfully transition into the new school year.
We look forward to seeing you and your student Aug. 16!
Enjoy the rest of your summer vacation and have a great school year!
*Article information taken from PBSparents webpage at www.pbs.org “Back to School Tips for Parents”
By Cecil Foley
Curriculum Specialist
Posted Saturday, July 29, 2017