Back to School Tips

MAKING THE FIRST DAY EASIER * Remind your child that she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible. * Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. She'll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her memory about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time. * Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride with on the bus. * If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with him) to school and pick him up on the first day. BACKPACK SAFETY * Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. * Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the student's body weight. * Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles. Wearing a backpack on one shoulder may also increase curvature of the spine. * Consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs, and they may be difficult to roll in snow, ice or inclement weather. DEVELOPING GOOD HOMEWORK AND STUDY HABITS * Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Youngsters need a permanent workspace in their bedroom or another part of the home that offers privacy. * Set aside ample time for homework. * Establish a household rule that the TV set stays off during homework time. * Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do a child's homework for her. * To help alleviate eye fatigue, neck fatigue and brain fatigue while studying, it's recommended that youngsters close the books for 10 minutes every hour and go do something else. * If your child is struggling with a particular subject, and you aren't able to help him yourself, a tutor can be a good solution. Talk it over with your child's teacher first. TRAVELING TO AND FROM SCHOOL Review the basic rules with your youngster: School Bus * Wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb. * Do not move around on the bus. * Check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing. * Make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver. Car * All passengers should wear a seat belt and/or an age- and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat. * All children under 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles. * Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. You may want to limit the number of teen passengers to prevent driver distraction. Do not allow your teen to drive while eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone. Bike * Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride. * Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic. * Use appropriate hand signals. * Respect traffic lights and stop signs. * Wear bright color clothing to increase visibility. * Know the "rules of the road." http://www.aap.org/family/bicycle.htm Walking to School * Make sure your child's walk to a school is a safe route with adult crossing guards at every intersection. * Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision. * Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers. -- These tips are courtesy of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Back to School Tips

MAKING THE FIRST DAY EASIER

    * Remind your child that she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
    * Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. She'll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her memory about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time.
    * Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride with on the bus.
    * If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with him) to school and pick him up on the first day.

BACKPACK SAFETY

    * Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
    * Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the student's body weight.
    * Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles. Wearing a backpack on one shoulder may also increase curvature of the spine.
    * Consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs, and they may be difficult to roll in snow, ice or inclement weather.

DEVELOPING GOOD HOMEWORK AND STUDY HABITS

    * Create an environment that is conducive to doing homework. Youngsters need a permanent workspace in their bedroom or another part of the home that offers privacy.
    * Set aside ample time for homework.
    * Establish a household rule that the TV set stays off during homework time.
    * Be available to answer questions and offer assistance, but never do a child's homework for her.
    * To help alleviate eye fatigue, neck fatigue and brain fatigue while studying, it's recommended that youngsters close the books for 10 minutes every hour and go do something else.
    * If your child is struggling with a particular subject, and you aren't able to help him yourself, a tutor can be a good solution. Talk it over with your child's teacher first.

TRAVELING TO AND FROM SCHOOL

Review the basic rules with your youngster:

School Bus

    * Wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb.
    * Do not move around on the bus.
    * Check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing.
    * Make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver.

Car

    * All passengers should wear a seat belt and/or an age- and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat.
    * All children under 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles.
    * Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. You may want to limit the number of teen passengers to prevent driver distraction. Do not allow your teen to drive while eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone.

Bike

    * Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride.
    * Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.
    * Use appropriate hand signals.
    * Respect traffic lights and stop signs.
    * Wear bright color clothing to increase visibility.
    * Know the "rules of the road." http://www.aap.org/family/bicycle.htm

Walking to School

    * Make sure your child's walk to a school is a safe route with adult crossing guards at every intersection.
    * Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
    * Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.

-- These tips are courtesy of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

document.write (document.title)

In compliance with federal law, Union County Public Schools administers all educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of gender, race color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.