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A Supplement to the North County Outlook

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Safety tips for school bus riders Make school day mornings easier

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any students of all ages take the bus to school and back home, five days a week.

Approximately 26 million elementary and secondary school children ride school buses daily in the United States, and the U.S. Department of Transportation says more than 50 percent of all K-12 students in the country ride yellow school buses, traveling approximately 4 billion miles each year.

The vast majority of these miles are traveled without incident. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, the national school bus accident rate is 0.01 per 100 miles traveled, compared to 0.96 for other passenger vehicles, which makes school buses considerably safer than other passenger vehicles.

Though school buses are safe, there are other ways to make them even safer.

Children, especially those new to school buses, may find the bus fun and unique and not pay attention to simple safety rules.

But parents should take steps to ensure that youngsters always heed the following school bus safety guidelines.

“Parents should talk with their children about keeping safe on the bus,” said Sid Logan, executive director of operations at Arlington School District.

For complete listings of the Arlington Public Schools’ Bus Rules and Bus Routes, go their website at www.asd.wednet.edu and click on the Bus Routes link on the right side of the page under the Quick Links heading.

Safety Tips

n Wait for the bus in a safe location that is away from traffic, ideally staying in a designated school bus stop until the bus arrives. n Dress for optimal visibility, especially in inclement weather when it can be difficult for the school bus driver and other motorists to see pedestrians. n Do not board the bus until it comes to a complete stop. Wait for the driver to open the door, which engages the “Stop” sign for oncoming motorists. n Use the handrail and enter the bus in an orderly manner. n Promptly find a seat, sit down and

buckle the safety belt if there is one available. Students assigned seats on the bus should take their seat without making a fuss. n Keep backpacks and other belongings out of the center aisle.

Store them under your seat or on your lap. n Remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion. n Keep arms, hands, legs, and heads inside of the bus at all times. n Always follow the driver’s instructions and avoid situations that will cause driver distraction. n Wait for the bus to stop completely before standing up or attempting to exit. n Exit the bus in an orderly manner, without pushing fellow passengers. n Only cross the street in front of the bus. It is very difficult for the driver to see students crossing behind the bus. n Wait for the driver to check traffic before crossing the street and be on the lookout for inattentive motorists.

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chool day mornings can be hectic, as getting kids ready for school and out the door on time is not always easy. Working parents may find school day mornings especially difficult, as their own work schedules can make mornings feel even more rushed. Fortunately, parents can employ several strategies to free up time in the morning so everyone starts their days off in a more relaxing atmosphere.

Wake up earlier.

Sleep might seem like a precious commodity, but waking up just 10 to 15 minutes earlier can remove some of the stress from weekday mornings without costing you a lot of sack time. Let kids sleep in until their normal walk-up time, using your extra 10 or 15 minutes to shower or enjoy your morning cup of coffee before the house is abuzz with activity.

Tackle certain chores the night before.

Delaying certain chores until you wake up makes for a hectic morning, so tackle as many morning chores as possible before you go to bed for the night. Prepare school lunches, lay clothes out for yourself and your children, and make sure

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Parents can take several steps to make sure school day mornings go more smoothly. kids have their backpacks packed and ready to go before they go to bed.

Each of these things may only take a few minutes, but when left for the morning, they can add up to a substantial amount of time.

Encourage kids to pick up the pace. Some people are morning people, while others dread setting their alarms for early morning hours.

Kids who fall into the latter group may drag their feet in the morning, but parents should offer encouragement when kids are moving slowly in the morning. Allowing your frustration to show may only make kids less fond of mornings, so remind them as nicely as possible that everyone has a schedule to stick to if they seem to be dragging their feet.

Keep the television off. If watching the

television is ingrained in your morning routine, try going a few days without it to see if this makes it easier to get out the door on time. Kids might grow distracted by morning cartoons, and even adults may get caught up in morning news shows or other forecasts.

Eliminating television from your morning routine can save time and also may help your family grow closer, as you will have more distractionfree time to speak to one another. In addition to turning off the television, resist the urge to turn on your devices or scan work e-mails when getting ready in the morning.

Parents know that school day mornings can be hectic. But there are several ways to make those mornings go more smoothly so everyone gets where they need to be on time.

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2015-16 Calendar SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER Sep 7 Sep 9

Labor Day Holiday - All Buildings Closed First Day of School (all)

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER Nov 11

Veterans’ Day Holiday - No School

Dec 21-Jan 1

Winter Break - No School

JANUARY/FEBRUARY Jan 1 Jan 18

Winter Break (cont.)

ML King Jr. Day Holiday - No School

Feb 15

Presidents’ Day Holiday - No School

MARCH/APRIL Apr 4-8

Spring Break - No School

MAY/JUNE May 30

Memorial Day - No School

About Arlington Arlington, Washington is a thriving community of approximately 17,000 residents with a small town feeling.

Located in Snohomish County just north of Everett, 40 minutes north of Seattle and 90 minutes south of the Canadian border, Arlington has modern technology in their schools, but you can still go to the local movie theater for a two-for-one night.

Golf, hiking, bicycling, fishing and picnicking in the park are just a few of the recreational activities available in the City of Arlington. Arlington is home to a full-service municipal airport with fixed-wing and helicopter flight instruction. Located nearby are majestic mountains and scenic Puget Sound beaches, allowing for a variety of additional recreational activities.

Higher educational opportunities are available from community colleges, located within 25 miles and universities, located within 50 miles.

Arlington School District enrolls approximately 5,444 students in grades K-12, employs 571 people, and has outstanding community support and parental involvement. Recently Arlington High School received the School of Distinction Award from the state of Washington.

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Tips for a healthy school year S

tudents are most likely to get sick when school starts because being at school puts children’s immune systems to the test, offers The Mayo Clinic.

Young children who are in close proximity to others in large groups tend to spread organisms like bacteria and viruses that cause illness.

Breaking the cycle can take some work, but it’s possible to make this a healthy school year.

“Some ways parents can encourage healthy children who are ready to learn are through nutritional meals, exercise, up-to-date immunizations and checkups with the doctor and dentist,” said Andrea Conley, public information officer at the Arlington School District.

Here are some other ways to promote health: Encourage handwashing Frequent handwashing is a great way to prevent illness. Handwashing habits

are essential for school-aged children and should be taught as soon as possible. Children should wash their hands after they use the bathroom and before they eat. If they’ve been playing outside or have interacted with children who are sick, handwashing can help remove some of the germs lingering on their hands. Antibacterial wipes are another option, but they may not be as effective as washing hands with warm, soapy water.

Stop (some) sharing Sharing develops good manners and can foster new friendships. But children should be discouraged from sharing food, drinks and other personal items.

Once the item has been placed in a child’s mouth, it should not be shared.

Take a sick day Rare is the student who will never come down with an illness. When kids get sick, keep them at home. Schools may have guidelines indicating when

The Back to School Guide Production Team

Content/Photography . . . . . . . Scott Frank, Christopher Andersson, Emyly Hall Advertising Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sue Stevenson, Terrie McClay, Barry Davis Graphics, Cover Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christina Poisal Billing/Administrative. . . . . . . . . . . . Leah Hughes-Anderson, Sharon Graafstra

Published August 12, 2015 by

North County Outlook

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it is acceptable for children to return to school, and it’s important that parents adhere to those guidelines so illnesses cannot spread around the school.

Promote adequate sleep and nutrition While adults may need between seven and nine hours of sleep a night, children often require more. The National Sleep Foundation recommends eight to 13 hours of sleep a night for school-aged children. Begin adjusting sleep schedules during the latter part of summer vacation so that children can readjust to their regular sleep schedules. Parents also should feed kids nutritious diets consisting of a variety of foods. Avoid high-calorie junk foods, reserving such items only as special treats every so often.

Donate cleaning supplies Some schools may be underfunded and may not have enough supplies to keep all of the classrooms and surfaces clean. Parents can help by donating

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Sick children should stay home from school to protect themselves, their classmates and teachers. cleaning wipes and sprays so that students and teachers can thrive in clean, healthy environments.

Easing the high school transition

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ach school year brings new opportunities. Although attending a new school can involve some butterflies as kids acclimate to their new classmates and teachers, the transition from grade school to high school is typically one of the more dramatic transitions students have to make.

“We know that a strong start to high school is essential to successful high school experience. We are a family and we work every day to ensure Arlington High School is a place where everybody is connected,” said Brian Beckley, principal of Arlington High School.

Although starting high school can be an overwhelming experience full of change, there are many ways for students to ease this transition.

Take part in high school orientation. “At Arlington High School we value the importance of a strong transitional program to welcome our incoming high school freshmen,” said Beckley.

Orientations help students acclimate to their new surroundings. Orientation sessions can provide insight on coursework and help kids learn about the campus and any amenities it provides. Learning the layout of the school in advance can help calm any first-day jitters students may encounter.

Arrive prepared. Make sure all summer assignments are completed so you start off on the right foot.

Unprepared students are likely to be apprehensive.

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Entering freshmen can take several steps to make their transition to high school easier.

Adjust to new sleepwake schedules. Summer vacation may have been filled with late nights and sleepy mornings, but now that school will begin anew, it’s time for students to gradually readjust their schedules. That will make it easier to wake up for school. Many high schools begin the day earlier than grammar schools and middle schools. It may take a few weeks to grow accustomed to the earlier hours, so start waking up earlier as the summer winds down.

Plan to arrive with friends. Seeing familiar faces can help students feel more secure. High schools tend to be larger than grade schools and include kids from various neighborhoods, but chances are your friends will be attending the same school as you.

Carpool with friends during the first week of school so your first steps on campus are with friends.

Enroll in a mentoring program. Some high schools pair freshmen with upperclassmen so younger students can learn the ropes of the school.

New students can benefit from these personalized guides and should feel comfortable asking ques-

tions about teachers and school protocol.

Arlington sets aside a day before school begins to welcome Freshmen.

“It’s a day set aside for our upperclassman Link Crew members to lead our new students in welcoming activities and give them a chance to walk their schedule and meet their teachers,” said Beckley.

Participate in clubs and extracurricular activities. Another way to feel more comfortable at a new school is to participate in activities. High schools offer numerous extracurricular activities that cater to an array of interests. Band, choir, sports teams, debate teams, student government, and foreign language clubs are just a few examples of enjoyable extracurricular activities. Joining such groups can introduce you to like-minded students.

Arrive to class on time.

Teachers may be more lenient the first few weeks of school, but over time they will expect students to learn their schedules and arrive to class on time.

Students can make arrangements with friends to share lockers or employ other strategies to make it easier to get to class on time.

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Strategies to help kids focus on schoolwork S ome youngsters experience difficulty when the time comes to focus on their schoolwork. Such difficulties may be linked to a variety of factors, and parents can be overwhelmed as they attempt to identify the root cause of their youngsters’ struggles in the classroom.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 6.4 million American children between the ages of four and 17 have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. ADHD most often occurs in children, and these children may have difficulty with concentrating, paying attention, staying organized, and remembering details.

Those with ADHD are often able to stay in the general population at the school, said Connie Reiss, director of special education at Arlington School District.

“In some cases the inability to attend to instruction will be cause for holes in a student’s learning. When learning difficulties appear and the child qualifies for special education and an IEP, specific levels of interventions are put into place dependent on the severity of the learning disability. In most cases, students with ADHD can be served in the general education setting with certain accommodations and modifications to the instruction,” she said.

But not all children struggling to focus on their studies have ADHD.

Parents who want to help their kids overcome their issues with regard to focusing can consider a host of approaches and strategies.

Speak with a qualified healthcare professional.

“We do not diagnose nor do we tell parents we think their child has ADHD,” said Reiss. She said professional doctors must give the diagnosis.

Because ADHD is so common, parents should seek the opinion of a licensed healthcare professional to determine if their child has the disorder.

According to the National Resource Center on ADHD (www.help4adhd.org), psychiatrists, pediatricians, neurologists, psychologists, and certain licensed counselors or therapists are qualified to diagnose ADHD. “If a parent goes to a doctor looking for a diagnosis the doctor will send a rating scale to specific staff involved with the student as well as have the parents fill one out,” said Reiss.

Determining if a child has ADHD is a great first step toward helping that youngster overcome his or her struggles in the classroom.

A qualified healthcare professional can help develop a strategy to improve focus, and that may include prescribing medication to improve the child’s ability to concentrate.

Speak with your child’s teacher. Students who don’t have ADHD can still have trouble focusing on their school-

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There are a variety of things parents can do to help their kids focus on schoolwork. work, and parents of such students may want to speak to their children’s teachers to solve the problem. Educators have significant experience dealing with students who have trouble focusing, and they may be able to make certain suggestions to help kids focus on their work.

Minimize distractions at home. Some kids may do well in class but find it hard to focus once they arrive home. That’s because home often has far more distractions than the classroom. Once the time comes for your child to do his or her homework, minimize distractions that can compromise his or her ability to focus. Turn off the television and take kids’ phones away if they have their own phones.

During homework time, only allow them to use

their computers for their lessons and not to connect with friends via social media. Parents also should make sure they aren’t the distraction.

Let kids do their work in peace and quiet, offering to help if need be, but steering clear of kids work areas so they are encouraged to focus and not strike up conversations with mom or dad.

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Before education reformists began to campaign for tax-funded schools in the late 1800s, only the very wealthy were able to get an education in the United States of America. Children whose parents could finance their education attended costly private schools. Education eventually became available to more youngsters, but it wasn’t until the 1930s that people attended school beyond the customary eight years. In fact, “high school” wasn’t even heard of before the Great Depression, when it was apparent that it was more productive to keep teenagers in the classroom so they wouldn’t be competing for the scarce jobs available. Millions of kids now attend school each year, and public schools enable students of all socioeconomic backgrounds to earn an education.

Encourage breaks. A breather every so often can help kids avoid growing tired. Make sure kids don’t take up another task, such as playing video games or watching television, during their breaks.

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Make lists. Some kids focus better when they know exactly what they have to do. Encourage such youngsters to make lists of their assignments and check items off as they are completed.

Checking items off can give kids a sense of accomplishment, which can motivate them to stay focused on their schoolwork going forward.

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