Getting Schooled: Helping Your Kids Transition into the New School Year By Tana Poncsak
Perhaps it can be normal to have some anxiety as the end of summer is in sight with students soon returning to the classroom. But if they’ve been learning from home due to the pandemic, your student’s anxiety level may be higher than usual. The more physically and mentally prepared your child is, the more confidence he or she will have as he or she steps inside the classroom. Here are a few things that might help make for a smooth start to the new school year. Remind your student about any summer school-related activities or projects that need to be finished up. This would include summer reading assignments and/or any writing projects. When school supply lists are available, purchase your child’s supplies so he or she is ready for class on day one. As the school year starts and schedules become clear, make any transportation arrangements. Are they participating in school sports or activities that meet after school? If so, they will feel more confident knowing how they will get to and from activities. The lazy days of summer always give way to more structure and routine once the school year starts. Talk to your students about the new routine. They may need to ease into the new schedule by getting to bed earlier so they can wake up in time to get ready and catch the bus. The last thing you want is for your student to scrounge around for something to wear and then run to the bus at the last minute. Create a morning routine starting with school clothes. Make it easy for your student to find and pull things together. Or better yet, have your child pick out his or her clothing the day before school. We’ve all heard the importance of a good breakfast. Have some simple breakfast items on hand that your kids can eat on the run when necessary. Make-ahead quiche muffins, breakfast bars, and fruit all make a nutritious start to a busy day. Keep all school items such as backpacks and lunchboxes in one place so they’re easy to grab as your child heads out the door. Again, due to the pandemic, there may be more anxiety this year than usual. You can help your kids by encouraging them to talk to you about any trepidations they might have about returning to the classroom. A listening ear and a bit of encouragement may be all your child needs, but if your child seems to have more anxiety and is struggling, contact your school’s counselor for advice or a mental health provider who can give your child the help he or she needs. And finally, keep in mind that even with all the planning, things may not go as smoothly as you would like it to in the first few weeks. It’s likely the entire family may have a period of adjustment as they settle into a new routine. Visit either your child’s school website, the Gwinnett County Schools website, for the latest information on COVID -19 guidelines and protocols, academic calendars, and more. Disclaimer: This information is based solely on experience and not intended as medical advice. Should you need medical advice, seek help with a licensed physician. August 2022 Our Town Gwinnett
Back to School Continued from page 13 2. Eliminate distractions. Children often cross the road unexpectedly and may emerge suddenly between two parked cars. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing. 3. Reverse responsibly. Every vehicle has blind spots. Check for children on the sidewalk, driveway, and around your vehicle before slowly backing up. Teach your children to never play in, under, or around vehicles – even those that are parked. 4. Talk to your teen. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death for teens in the United States, and more than one-quarter of fatal crashes involving teen drivers occur during the after-school hours of 3 to 7 p.m. 5. Come to a complete stop. Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding. 6. Watch for bicycles. Children on bicycles are often inexperienced, unsteady, and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and the bicycle. If your child rides a bicycle to school, require that he or she wears a properly fitted bicycle helmet on every ride. 7. Look for AAA School Safety Patrollers. Nationwide, more than 679,000 AAA School Safety Patrollers stand guard at over 35,000 schools. When you see one, a school zone is likely nearby. “If parents and other driver’s follow these simple rules when driving in and around school zones, countless children can avoid injury and death,” says Townsend. “It’s up to us to help all drivers become more aware of the risks of driving around our schools.” More information at https://member.acg.aaa.com/mi/driving-safety/aaa-school-safety-patrol.html
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