Back to School Readiness for Parents: Is Your Child Ready?
Tips to Help Prepare for School
Be interested and enthusiastic about your child’s first day of school. Your encouragement and enthusiasm will help your child to make a successful transition after the summer break. Listen to their concerns and guide them through your expectations. Be positive at all times!
Many students who are entering elementary school will not have to attend an orientation session; Kindergarten students have already been oriented through the Grand Beginnings Orientation program at their school in the spring. Many high schools have a registration day and it’s important to know the dates so you can attend with your child. Learn more about whether your child’s high school has a registration day.
Get used to the alarm clock again. It’s important to plan your mornings early so that it’s not a shock to their systems when the first day of school starts. Remember to encourage enough time in the morning to help your child have a healthy breakfast, pack a lunch and have time to safely walk or get to the bus stop in time. This will avoid the morning rush when school starts.
Make sure travel arrangements to and from school are organized. Be sure to know where your child needs to catch the bus and at what time.
Keep a look out for upcoming events and activities at your child’s school. These may give both of you a better insight into what’s ahead.
Many students feel unsure about changing grades. Discuss the changes that they may experience and emphasize that there will be a caring staff member at the school to help each and every child adjust to the changes in their new grade or new environment.
Organize your child’s closet well before the first day of school. Assess what they need to begin their year and if there are items of clothing or athletic shoes required for courses such as physical education.
Planning nutritious lunches will go a long way to help your child’s growth and development. Access the Canada Food Guide or visit your local public health departments to learn more about healthy eating. Also, refer to our nutrition policy to find out more about the healthy standards that Grand Erie is proud to serve.
Help your child to develop good study habits. Talk with your child about setting aside a time for homework and study each day. This should be somewhere private and quiet if possible. Work out a daily timetable with them that incorporates all of your child’s needs and interests but which also fits in well with the rest of your family. Regularly viewed TV programs, club activities and sport should all be part of timetable.
Practice organizational skills. In the first few weeks of school you might want to check with your child that they have the right books and supplies. Keep a copy of their timetable on the fridge so you can refer to it – this will quickly encourage your child to be organized.
Discuss emergency and safety issues. Talk about these issues – including crossing roads, if a stranger approaches them or taking essential medication. Allow your child to contribute their views. Find out from the school how you can help them on issues such as medication or other concerns they may have such as allergies.
Familiarize yourself with the school staff, including your principal, teacher(s) and school secretary. Know who to contact if you have a concern. It’s also a good idea to know who your Trustee representative is for the school.
Let your child know that you trust them and that they can trust you. Keep communication open about all your child’s experiences, and make sure they know you’re available if they need you.
Stay connected with Grand Erie at granderie.ca for any updates or announcements before the school year and during. Be sure to like us on Facebook and Twitter as well!
And one last tip: Enjoy the time left this summer! It’s going fast but we still some sunny days left.
More about parent involvement
Parents/Guardians are the first and most important teacher in their child’s life. Grand Erie believes that parent involvement starts at home, working directly with your child. For those who would like to get involved, there are many opportunities at the school and system level.