FANTASTIC FOUR (4) KEY ITEMS TO CONSIDER FOR THE RETURN TO SCHOOL

Start practicing routines before school starts back

Staying calm and being organized in the morning will help you and your child feel positive about the day ahead. It will also help you reduce stress, which is good for everyone's wellbeing. One of the best ways to stay calm and get organized is to have an evening preparation routine and a morning routine for school. Starting these routines in the last couple of weeks of summer will promote a smooth transition when it is time to go back to school.

It’s Not Too Late to Start Reading and Math

Today is a great day to read a book. Starting now, set aside time for reading every day. Encourage reading the world around us (advertisements, billboards, even closed captions for their favorite cartoon show, etc.). Trips to the grocery store can be full of practice with numbers at any level of math, from recognizing and identifying numbers to calculating the cost per ounce for their favorite juice.

Every Moment is a Teachable Moment

Every day is a new day in our adult lives and in the lives of our children. The main difference between the two is usually adults have seen what children are just realizing for the first time. In this way, every moment is a teachable moment. Pause to reflect on the things that seem simple and menial. Ask questions that make your child say, “Hmmm… I think…” as a way to stir their imagination, increase their attentiveness, and show them how to be more reflective. Capitalizing on random moments can quickly add up to a child who becomes thoughtful and aware of the world around them.

Listen to Their Hearts

Is your child excited about going back to school? Do they dread ending summer vacation for a return to the land of academia? What are they worried about? Why are they excited? Start the conversation rolling so there is time to steer their hearts and minds in the right direction. We all have anxieties about something at some point in life. The Back-to-School season is a big deal for students (and parents). Talking about how everyone is feeling helps to calm the anxieties so the start of the year can be met with focus and clarity.

PBIS | POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTENVENTIONS & SUPPORT

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (P.B.I.S.) will again be at the core of our climate and culture. We have three goals: Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. With our goals front and center in our minds every day, we plan to enjoy a positive environment in every area of our school.

Challenging thoughts to consider:

• How can our three (3) behavior goals make a difference in our students’ behavior outside of school?

• If our families begin the conversation now, will our All-Stars return to school ready to thrive with positive behavior?

Let’s help our students remember to be Safe, Respectful, and Responsible in all walks of life, especially while at school. Start the conversation now and keep it going all year long. We will certainly do the same here at Hickory Bend.