Back to School: Tips for a Successful School Year

EDUCATION UPDATE

CACHE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

CREATE A PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHERS. Take advantage of opportunities such as Back-to-School Night, parent-teacher conferences, and classroom events to get to know your child’s teacher. A good relationship and regular communication will make it easier for both of you to share concerns and celebrate successes.

ENCOURAGE HEALTHY HABITS AND HYGIENE. Send your child to school equipped with a good night’s rest and nutritious breakfast. Experts suggest that during their elementary and early middle school years, children should get 9 to 11 hours of sleep each night. Sufficient sleep helps students to be alert and ready to learn. Likewise, a healthy breakfast will boost your child’s attention span, concentration, and memory. Teach your child the importance of frequent handwashing and good hygiene.

TAKE ATTENDANCE SERIOUSLY. To help prevent the spread of illness in our schools, we depend on parents to keep their children home when they are sick. However, when they are healthy, it’s important that students arrive at school on time every day, ready to learn. Late arrivals are disruptive and can affect everyone in the classroom. Excessive tardies and absences can result in missed classwork and homework, which can be stressful and interfere with a child's learning. When a child is ill and needs to miss several days, reach out to their teacher and let them know. Ask if you can pick up or be sent any missed work and homework to help your child stay caught up. HELP YOUR CHILD DEVELOP GOOD STUDY HABITS. At the beginning of the school year, take some time to discuss and set homework expectations with your child. Support their efforts by helping to create an effective study environment: a welllit, quiet, and comfortable workspace with all the necessary supplies. Encourage your child to put away distractions until after their homework has been completed. Make yourself available to offer guidance or review your child’s finished work.

TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT SCHOOL. Check in regularly with your child about what’s going on at school. Try asking questions like “What was fun?” “What was the hardest part of your day?” or “What did you learn today?” Then, listen carefully, make eye contact, and avoid multitasking while you talk. Most importantly, demonstrate to your child that you care and are anxious to support them in their studies and success.

VISIT YOUR SCHOOL’S WEBSITE OFTEN. The school website is a great way to stay informed about what’s happening at your child’s school. You’ll find school schedules, upcoming events, staff contact information, curriculum, and program details, recent news stories, and school/ district policies. There are also links to PowerSchool (the parent/student portal), EZSchoolPay for school meals, and other school and district resources.

FIND WAYS TO GET INVOLVED. Kids do better in school when parents are invested in their education. There are many ways to contribute: volunteer in your child’s classroom, attend or help organize school events, serve on the PTA, or join your school’s community council. Getting involved allows you to make an impact in the areas which are most important to you and your family, as well as to strengthen relationships with school administration, staff, and community members.