BACK TO SCHOOL 1-EAST

August 16, 2018

Dusting off the cobwebs School readiness starts in the summer

back to school buzz Make the grade in style

bye summer!

Get your household routines in order for back to school

off to class in style without overspending

August 16, 2018 — BELLMORE HERALD LIFE

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Getting kids ready for a new school year is about more than updating their wardrobe or organizing carpools with fellow parents. Reacclimating everyone in the family to the routine of school after a relaxing summer is a significant undertaking.

Dusting off the

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cobwebs School readiness starts in the summer Just when it seems like you have gotten into your summer groove, it's time to get back into your school routine, which can be cause both relief and stress at the same time for parents and students alike. Even if your kids are fairly adaptable, big changes like heading back to school after a summer of limited scheduling can be stressful.

Head off potential problems as you transition into the busy back-to-school season to get everyone back on the school-time track.

Set a Family Schedule Rather than rushing into school season all at once, try to plan your schedule ahead of time. Easing into school season can make for a much smoother transition.

This means gradually tapering off later bedtimes and enforcing an earlier wake up call. If meal times have gotten lax, it's also a good idea to start working back toward your school-time schedule.

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Stay Organized From weekly meetings to extracurricular activities and weekend sports, try using lists and charts to stay organized. Especially as kids grow older and their activities lists and school deadlines expand, keeping track of everyone can become a real chore.

Find a place in the house where you can post calendars and lists that everyone can see. Try color-coding by child or type of activity (school, work, sports, etc.) for extra organization.

Communication Central Many kids struggle in school simply because they can't manage the paperwork: field trip permission slips didn't make it out of the book bag, completed homework doesn't make it back into the book bag.

Create one designated place to drop off book bags and gear, collect important school papers for signatures and communicate family announcements and plans.

Establish another place for homework that's always clean, stocked with supplies, inviting, well-lit and away from TV and other distracting devices. Add comfortable seating at a table or desk. This will also be where you double-check for teacher notes and assignments and repack the book bag. Remember to have them clean up each night!

List Family Goals Have each person in the family list out his or her goals for this school year. They can be small or challenging, but it can give everyone something to strive for.

It's also a good way to remind kids about family values like encouraging one another and making time to support everyone's individual interests.

Buy Supplies Ahead of Time Don't wait until the last minute to search for school supplies like notebooks, pencils and paper or the bigger ticket items like backpacks. Seeking out necessary items ahead of time can alleviate the stress of not being able to find what you need, and spreading out purchases over time can eliminate a major one-time hit to the family budget.

After School Options Encourage kids to sign up for extracurricular activities. Get a head start on the new school year by discussing and encouraging after school options with your kids. Whether athletics, a club, or theater or music appeals to your kids, start exploring those options and build enthusiasm with you kids. n

buzz

Make the grade in style

By Sharon Mosley

Go about your back to school purchases with a game plan.

Off to class in style without overspending Ways to simplify that shopping rush

The back to school season is not without its share of stressors for busy families. The start of school means new schedules, teachers, shoes, backpacks and friends; as well as new academic challenges. And shopping.

In terms of general back to school shopping stress, for parents, it’s money; for kids, it’s not being able to find the stuff they want: If the shopping itself is adding stress to your household, start with a strategy to simplify shopping for the school year ahead.

Make note of your inventory. School lists often carry over each school year, so make sure you aren't buying multiples of things you already own. Some supplies are more exciting when refreshed every year, but buying the same old boring ruler year after year is simply a waste of money.

Make a list with your children. Put everything you need on that list, and be clear that once the list is done, it's done. Having everyone on the same page with a complete list helps ensure nothing vital is forgotten, and the list can serve as a handy tool to keep your budget in check. Get uber-organized by making color-coded lists by kid or category to make your shopping more manageable.

Begin shopping as early as possible. Hunt bargains before the traditional back-to-school season to get the best deals. Not only will you save some cash, shopping before the rush will give you a wider selection to choose from, so you're sure to find the items you need in the styles you (and your kids) want. Spreading the shopping over several weeks or months also allows you to distribute the expense across several pay periods, helping lessen the chance that you blow your monthly budget with one mega shopping excursion.

Be a savvy shopper. Check out your favorite brands and retailers and sign up for their email alerts, so you'll be

Publisher StuaRt RIChneR

Section Editor KaRen Bloom

Executive Editor SCott BRInton

Editorial Designer Cover Design JeffRey a. negRIn

in the know when the best deals hit. Many retailers now offer online-only specials, so watch ads closely to know when you're better served making purchases in-store or online.

Create a back-up bin at home. You may find that your kids consistently run out of certain items midyear.

Devote a special area of your home to keep extras in stock, and take advantage of sales during back-to-school season or buy in bulk to get a better price.

Put quality ahead of price. While it's tempting to go for cheap when your list is long, remember that, depending upon the item, sometimes quality buys actually save more in the long run.

Make your children shopping buddies. Involve your kids in the back-to-school shop- ping process by giving them a budget. Help them allocate money for all the expenses, including clothing, school supplies, shoes and more. Use the opportunity to talk about how shopping smart for the necessities can leave room for some fun buys, too.

Make the old new again. Turn barely used items into something new by decorating or adding stickers.

Not only is this a fun activity that can help get the kids excited about and engaged in planning for the year ahead, it's easy on the budget and eco-friendly. Keep leftover supplies on hand to revive the enthusiasm with fresh designs at the end of the quarter or semester.

Swap with other moms. Make back-to-school time more fun by hosting a swap event with other moms for clothing, backpacks, shoes, etc. It seems that kids are forever trading with their friends, so embrace that mindset and see what exciting new treasures you can find for your kids to call their own. n

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Got the first day jitters? Not to worry. With school starting in just a few weeks, it's not too early to start planning what to wear. And if you want to be dressed cool for school, here is a quick list of five top fashion trends for kids of all ages.

Do deluxe denim. Of course, jeans rule for school. Considered a "uniform" for the back-to-school crowd, denim always is a best buy for the new season.

This fall update young kids' wardrobes with stretch denim joggers.

Older kids will love the new distressed looks in vintage washes with frayed hems. If you want to blast out of the blues, then get into some colorful neon jeans. Overalls are another trendy denim item. And of course, the denim jacket is always a classic piece that will layer over everything.

Embrace embellishment. It may be what's on your clothes that really makes them cool this fall.

Mix up prints and patterns for a back-to-school From elaborate embroiwardrobe that rocks. dery to personalized patches to sparkling sequins, the more "graphic" the better. Whether it's a novelty t-shirt, a bomber jacket, a new pair of jeans or even a backpack, adding a little something extra is extra special this year.

Go mad for plaid. Plaids have led the BTS fashion parade for years. But this time around, it's all about mixing the varsity classic with other prints ... yes, all in the same outfit.

Think plaid with animal prints, plaid with camouflage, plaid with stripes, plaid with florals, plaids with checks. Gingham is still a big hit, too. The key: keep prints all in the same color family and create different looks by layering with colorful solids.

Get cozy with knits. What kids (or adults for that matter) don't like the current "ath-leisure" craze? There are lots of ways to dress for school in sports-inspired clothes that make high grades in style and comfort.

From the ever-popular leggings (stripes down the side make them new this year) to zip-front hoodies (lined with Sherpa fleece) to long-sleeved graphic tees (rainbow stripes are trending) to sweatshirts and sweatpants (a little oversized), these are comfy ways to look cool for school.

Rock the schoolhouse. Mixing up all the fashion favorites above is one of the newest ways to give a back-to-school wardrobe individual flair.

Wear metallic sneakers with your uniform. Dress up a denim miniskirt with a ruffled off-the-shoulder peasant top. Wear camo leggings with a pink satin bomber jacket. Rock faux leather pants. Add glowin-the-dark star patches to your backpack.

Just think outside the basic subjects and create your own unique vibe. After all that's what school is all about ... studying the world around you. Just don't forget to explore what you wear too! n

BELLMORE HERALD LIFE — August 16, 2018

Back to School

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Bye Summer!

Get your household routines in order for back to school

By Janelle Cox

Come see why we’re thriving!

Back to school time is always a big transition, not only for children but for parents.

While children are filled with excitement and first-day jitters, parents are filled with thoughts of “Am I prepared enough?” To help eliminate these thoughts, and help you and your child prepare for the new school year, all you need is a little organization and forethought. Here are some strategies to kick-start the new year and get you prepared for a fresh start.

Get back into your sleep routine. To help eradicate those stressful school mornings, set up a regular bedtime and morning time routine to help prepare your child for school. Begin your usual school sleep routine about a week or so before school starts.

Shop for school supplies together. To get your child excited about starting a new grade, shop for supplies together.

Allow them to pick out their own backpack, lunchbox, etc. This is a great way to give them a little bit of responsibility too!

Re-establish school routines. Have your child practice getting back into the rhythm of their daily school routine. You can do this by having them wake up at the same time every day, and eat around the same time they would at school.

About a week or so before school starts, plan a few outside activities where your child will have to leave and come home around the same time they would if they were in school. This will help them be rested and ready for the big day.

Set up a homework station. Sit down with your child and together designate a time and place where he can do his homework each day. This can be somewhere quiet like in the den, or even in the kitchen while you are preparing dinner.

Make sure to choose a time where you are available in case

home by themselves. This will help eliminate any confusion during the first few weeks.

Turn off the TV and video games. For a lot of children summertime is filled with endless video games and TV programs. Children are usually in shock when they begin school and realize that six hours of their day is going to spent learning and not playing games and watching TV. Ease your child into the learning process by turning off the electrics and encouraging them to read or play quietly.

Review school material and information. For most parents, schools send home a packet with a ton of information regarding their child’s new teacher, important dates to remember, emergency forms, and transportation routines. Make sure that you read through this information carefully, and mark down all important dates on your calendar.

Get organized. The best way to prepare for back to school time is to be organized. With school comes a massive amount of paperwork which can consume your household. Designate a spot in your house for homework, permission slips, and any Rethink and restructure to eliminate household hassles and set the other school-related papers. This can help eliminate all of that right approach for a successful school year. paper clutter and make your life less stressful.

Get your child’s yearly checkup. School and germs go your child needs your help.

Prepare for the unexpected. Working parents know that hand in hand, so it’s best to get your child’s yearly checkup it can be difficult to find a sitter when your child is sick. Before before school even starts. Get any required vaccinations and school even begins, it’s a good idea to have a sitter already ask your pediatrician the best ways your child can stay healthy lined up in case you get that phone call home from the nurse throughout the school year.

Through preparation and organization, you can ensure saying your child is ill.

Make an after-school game plan. Make a plan for where that your child will have a smooth transition to the start of the your child will go after school lets out for the day. Depending new school year. By doing so, you and your child can enjoy the upon the age of your child, figure out if they will go to a neigh- rest of your summer break. n bor’s house, an afterschool program, or be allowed to stay Courtesy TeachHUB.com

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Quick bites

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BELLMORE HERALD LIFE — August 16, 2018

Healthy and quick breakfasts for busy school mornings Breakfast has long been referred to as the most important meal of the day. It’s especially important for kids to start the day off with some nourishment in their bellies before heading off to school. There’s ample evidence to show that the simple act of eating breakfast — every day — is a big part of maintaining a healthy weight and gives you brain power.

Studies have found that children who eat a healthy breakfast have higher energy levels and better learning abilities than similar students who do not eat breakfast. Harvard University researchers found that those who eat breakfast are significantly more attentive in the classroom and have fewer behavioral and emotional problems.

Of course, many of us find that time is not in abundance in the morning when we are getting ready for school or work. As a result, we grab a couple of bites or gulp down some coffee (or maybe some hot cocoa for the kids) before heading out — or skip breakfast altogether.

Eating a nutritious breakfast is a great way for children to be on target to meet their daily needs for key nutrients like calcium — the allimportant bone-building mineral. Children who don't eat breakfast also are less likely to get all of the essential nutrients they need each day to thrive.

Shake up your family’s milk and cereal routine and think outside the [cereal] box: it's easy for every family member to find their favorite way to start the day. Try these ideas to boost school success.

Yogurt packs a punch: Individually packaged yogurts make a healthy and quick meal for anyone in the family. A good source of protein and calcium, yogurt is also filled with helpful bacteria that promote digestive health.

And try creating parfaits with layers of vanilla yogurt, fruit and granola.

Focus on fruit: Keep a container of fresh fruit salad in the refrigerator. A bowl of mixed fruit is refreshing and healthy.

Wake up to crunch: Whole grain granola bars that feature fruit and nuts can be a quick meal and a satisfying snack.

Satisfying smoothies: Smoothies made from fruit and yogurt are fast and can be stored in portable cups to take in the car on the way to school.

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Breakfast is brain food but it can be a challenge to feed the kids healthfully and get out the door in time for school.

Start the day right and boost school success with breakfast that packs a punch.

Excellent eggs: Whip up a fast egg sandwich. Saute egg whites in a frying pan and place between two slices of toasted whole wheat bread.

Muffin mania: Make a batch of low-fat, high-fiber muffins over the weekend. Grabbing a muffin and a banana is an easy breakfast.

Beyond the bread: Use a sandwich or panini maker to create homemade breakfast tarts.

Fill bread or pitas with fresh fruit or peanut butter and use the cooker to seal them shut.

Think grab-and-go When time is of the essence and the morning seems to be overwhelming, it’s tempting to forgo breakfast despite our best intentions.

Therapeutic dietitian Lena Beal, M.S., RD, LD, shares some of her favorite grab-and-go breakfast ideas: √ Blend one cup of almond milk, half of banana, and bag of frozen blueberries or strawberries for a delicious smoothie. √ Spread two brown rice cakes with natural peanut butter and add a side of Greek yogurt.

√ Scramble two eggs with low-fat mozzarella cheese. Add baby spinach and salsa and serve on two whole-wheat tortillas. √ Grab a cup of plain low-fat yogurt and top with fresh raspberries and crunchy wholegrain cereal or granola. √ Make a bowl of plain oatmeal and add cinnamon, walnut halves and raisins. √ Spread low-fat cream cheese on a whole-

grain toasted bagel. Top with sliced strawberries. √ Add lean ham and low-fat Swiss cheese to a toasted whole-grain English muffin. √ If your taste buds just don't crave breakfast foods, try a peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole-grain bread or even leftover rice mixed with low-fat yogurt, dried fruit and nuts, and sprinkled with cinnamon. n

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Reduce, reuse, recyle

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DIY projects to make school supplies and reduce waste

By Kristen Castillo

Ready for back to school? It's time to fill backpacks with all the school tools children need for success. But before you buy new supplies, consider the environmental impact.

Do you really need all new supplies? And if so, how environmentally friendly are these items?

"You can find everything from recycled pens and pencils to notebooks and even ecofriendly cardboard binders," says health and wellness expert Caleb Backe.

Reduce and Reuse According to a survey by the National Retail Federation, last year the average cost of back-to-school shopping for families with kids in elementary school or high school was $687.72. The total spend was projected to be $29.5 billion, with $4.9 billion of that spent on school supplies like pencils, backpacks, notebooks and folders.

Inventory your child's school supplies before going shopping for new ones.

"More often than not, the school supplies from the previous year will do just fine," says Backe, urging parents and kids to reuse existing old school supplies. "It's pretty rare that your child will use all the pages in their notebook, or pens or pencils."

Backe suggests teachers incentivize students to reuse old school supplies by giving them extra credit. The clean side of used copy paper is perfect for scratch paper, doodling and making to-do lists.

Reuse notebooks that still have blank pages. Rip pages out of a spiral notebook, trim the fringe and place the pages in a different binder for a fresh look.

He suggests trying to only buy paper, pens and pencils made with recycled content. And when you need to buy new products, make sure they aren't sold with a lot of extra packaging. Whenever possible, reuse the packaging before recycling it.

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What's Old Is New Approximately 60 million crayons are trashed every year. But there are ways to save the nonbiodegradable color sticks from the landfill.

Repurpose old, broken or unused crayons with this easy do-it-yourself project: Melt your old crayons into new ones. Break the used crayons into little pieces, then place those pieces into small silicone molds, such as ones meant to make candies. You can find silicone molds for sale online. Bake the bits for 10 to 15 minutes at 200 degrees. Let them cool and presto — one-of-a-kind writing tools.

Get creative. You can use all the same color, such as various shades of green. Or consider mixing complementary or contrasting hues. Go for the rainbow!

Don't want to make your own crayons?

Send them to The Crayon Initiative, a nonprofit that recycles crayons and gives them to hospitalized children for art projects.

The Crayon Initiative was started as a way to repurpose used restaurant crayons that would otherwise end up in the trash. So far, they've collected 18.9 million used crayons, from restaurants, schools and homes, which have benefitted sick kids at 120 children's

Don't trash your old crayons. Melt them into new ones in minutes. hospitals.

Send those old crayons to The Crayon Initiative, 540 Glasgow Circle, Danville, CA 94526.

Green Swaps When you purchase new supplies, choose quality items that are good for the earth.

Instead of using plastic sandwich bags, choose reusable ones. For example, Onya's Reusable Sandwich Wraps are made using up to four recycled plastic bottles. They're 100 percent vegan-friendly and have a fully food safe PEVA lining.

Bag brown bags, too. Instead invest in a sustainable lunch tote.

Instead of throwing away used glue containers, recycle them with Terracycle. The company recycles hard-to-recycle items like empty glue tubes and bottles, as well as food pouches, binders and more. Schools and other groups can order a zero-waste box to collect the items. The small box to collect glue containers is $80.

Don't buy new folders. If the ones you have are in good condition, simply print out new labels for the tabs.

Reuse last year's backpack or buy a new one that is made of ecofriendly materials. For example, EcoKids sells PVC-free bags featuring owls, pandas, monkeys and puppies. The fabric is made from recycled water bottles, while the buttons and buckles are created from recycled plastic parts and sustainable wood.

Smart Shopping According to Green Schools Initiative, there's no agency that certifies school supplies as sustainable. They recommend looking for items marked recyclable or reusable and those made with recycled content and remanufactured products. They also advise avoiding items made with phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA) or PVC, all of which can be health hazards. n

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BELLMORE HERALD LIFE — August 16, 2018

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