It's Back To School Time

School season is back! School staff, parents/guardians, kids and everyone in between is affected by this season. Here some Facebook followers share their favorite and least favorite thing about this time of the year. There are also some tips to maneuver through the school year.

"Being alone in my peace while the kid is out is my favorite. Rolling out of my warm bed is my biggest issue," said work from home mother Donna Ash. Many work - from - home parents can relate. While you now have the house to yourself again, schools usually start an hour or two before work schedules. Establishing a route may help with getting up and ready in the morning.

Doctoral Candidate Grace Leanne shared her thoughts, "As long as I've been in school... I don't know what my favorite thing about the season is the weather changing maybe?? Least favorite is heavy foot traffic." For college students, especially those that spent the summer on campus getting used to the light foot traffic, preparing a route to classes can help avoid some high traffic areas. The roads and streets during the school year are also loaded up. "My least... school buses on the same path I am on to get to work," said Kathleen Liedel. Liedel's drive to work is usually an hour. The shorter route may be crowded, look for alternatives routes and plan the time accordingly.

Below are some general tips on how to make this school a successful one.

Preparation

-Parent/Guardians and kids

oEstablish a routine- morning and evening

oEstablish social manners

oLimit screen time

oGet enough sleep

oNavigation routes

School Community

-Faculty, Administration, Students and Parents

oEstablish relationships with community

Attend Community events

oSet and enforce school rules

oSet clear classroom rules

oEncourage students to follow through these principles

-Icebreakers for classrooms help students and teachers get to know each other.

Savings and Safety

- Look at what you already have. Folders, notebooks, and paper unused can come in handy. Backpacks, water bottles, pens and pencils can be recycled if possible. SAFETY, teach safety every chance. For kids, especially younger, quantity over quality for school clothes. Elementary and middle schoolers grow fast and damage/stain clothes. Paying less is more, look for sales.

-Provide students with emergency contact information and go over the information so it is known by memory. Provide clear instructions for students traveling to and from school without adult supervision. Teach them how to cross the street and signs of stranger danger. Provide whistles, lights and cell phones if needed.

As first year retiree teacher, Lauralyn Taylor, said, "Kids keep us adults young even though they make us gray." Have a great school year!