Ready Set Go: 2021 Week 8

In a few short weeks, you and your scholar will return to school. For our 1st - 8th-grade scholars the first day will be August 23rd. For our kindergarten scholars, the first day is August 25th. Let’s talk this week about a few tips to help you prepare your scholar for a great first day of school. It is not too early to start preparing for the first day since it takes a little time to change routines from summer casual to the structure of the school year.

1. Establish a new bedtime
A few weeks before the first day, start getting into a new routine so the night before school is a lot easier. During the school year, children need to go to bed early in the evening so they get enough rest. Research tells us that children who are well-rested perform better in school. Try putting your child to bed a little earlier each evening in preparation.

2. Get organized and prepared early
In the weeks leading up to the first day of school, get everything together — and that means more than just school uniforms. Make sure you have completed registration which includes permission slips, special education services, and preferred language spoken. The calmer and more organized you are, the better your child will feel about the start of school. You can call the Office of Student Enrollment at 216-367-5720 to make sure your registration is complete.

3. Establish a school routine
Determine what time you and your child will wake up in the morning to get ready for school? Will you and your child lay out the uniform the night before? Will your child have breakfast at school? Establishing a routine helps your child to know what to expect and helps to reduce anxiety about going back to school.

4. Meet the teacher
Take advantage of opportunities to meet and build a relationship with your child’s teacher. Make them aware of the little things you notice about your child. Find out how you can be involved. Establish how you and the teacher will communicate.

5. Get ready the night before
The night before school will be full of excitement, and it’s the perfect time to start getting ready for the big day. Lay out backpacks, clothes, and anything else needed in the morning to cut down on morning chaos. When that is done, relax, have fun, and celebrate the upcoming big day.

Here is a printable checklist that will let your child take the lead with getting ready on school nights elementary-aged checklist.

6. Be on time
Once the big day has arrived, stick to the routine that you established. Being rushed out the door will make your child anxious and may impact how they feel about school.

7. The end of the first day
After the big day is over, plan some fun that you and your scholar can do together. Brainstorm ideas with your child about things to do when school ends on the first day. Knowing this plan is in place will help get you and your child through the initial stressors of that first day.