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.

Conundrum Continued from page 11 2. Take account of the resources available to you and add them to your Your Best Smile Starts Hereconundrum toolkit. 3. Make a decision to act. Moving out of the conundrum state all depends on YOU. Initiating that first action may seem difficult, but

Doctors Stewart Helton & Beau Upshawany step you take is a step forward.

After reading all of this and analyzing your situation, check in with yourself by asking, “Am I in a state of conundrum?” Look over your conundrum checklist and take the step towards what you need. Peace, clarity, and harmony are never far away if you’re willing to put in the work.

Jane Bishop is a Positive Interrupter and Leadership Coach. More information at www.janebishop.live

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Grad School Continued from page 17 offerings. Convenience is expensive, right? Once the general population got a taste of working from home, there was a demand for more. So now I had more options and didn’t have to wait until my children were older before going back. I didn’t have to take MARTA down to Georgia State University throughout the work week like I did when I was 24 after teaching each day. Kennesaw State University (KSU) would allow me to work from my living room, or bedroom, or basement crafting room.

So, all of this is to say, if you’ve torn open issues of Our Town eagerly looking for articles specifically written by yours truly, then you’ll have to content yourself with back issues of the previous 54 I’ve already written for a good while. This wife/mother/teacher/quilter will be headed back to grad school for her specialist degree and, possibly, doctorate. Instead of dazzling the citizens of Gwinnett with my thoughts and showcasing our Gwinnett County Schools graduates, I’ll be attempting to impress professors at KSU. Heck, maybe MY high school alma mater will showcase me. As you miss my articles and pine for my wit and insights, take comfort from the same thing I’ll be telling myself as I reply to tedious message boards and annotate article after article – this is all my Aunt Gail’s fault.

Pet Perch: Continued from page 11 your dog out. Down drills are push-ups for your dog. Recalls (coming when called) has your dog running back and forth, but in a controlled manner. Kennel drills also include push-ups because you will teach your dog to enter their kennel and lie down. Even duration commands such as Down and Place burn a tremendous amount of mental energy as your dog practices impulse control while holding those commands.

All drills are done with a leash until your dog consistently follow commands without engaging the leash. You can even use their food (not treats) as a reward. Doing these simple drills will burn tons of energy and sharpen your dog’s obedience skills. In a couple of weeks, you will be rewarded with a much calmer, better behaved dog.

I am not saying don’t play with your dog. I am saying, even if you did 50-50, or better yet, one out of every four interactions with your dog, you played and the other three you trained. The outcome would be a tremendous difference in your dog’s overall behavior, equaling an amazing difference in your relationship with your dog.

Terie Hansen is the Owner of Good Dog! Coaching & Pet Care. More information at www.gooddogcoaching.com

Why We Need the Filibuster Continued from page 13

in 1992, there was no majority opinion, but the plurality of the court, again led by three GOP-appointed justices, maintained several critical elements of Roe while also allowing states the right to prescribe some limits and regulations on abortions during second and third trimesters.

Most of our states currently have a majority of GOP governors and at least one chamber of their legislature, or both, operating with GOP majorities. Other than constitutional amendments, most state legislatures operate on the rules of a simple majority. Several states have a one-body, unicameral legislature. Want to propose a new law on ANY topic, secure the support of half your chamber, plus one, and then repeat on the other side. The bill then moves to the governor’s desk for signature. Yes, passing a law is a bit more complicated than that, but without procedural breaks LIKE THE FILIBUSTER, we have a truly simple majority and in some cases, MOB Rule.

As with safe driving, a more regular application of the brakes than the accelerator is quite often a VERY good thing. Think of the filibuster as those brakes.

Bill Crane owns the full-service communications firm CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com August 2022 Our Town Gwinnett

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