Welcome Back 2020-2021

I am so excited to welcome back our students for the new school year. Our year may look different than any of us could have expected, but it is going to be a great year! We have so many opportunities for fun in learning with our modified schedule this year and I can't wait to see how much we all grow! Nonetheless, it can also be a stressful time for students as they return to a school that looks different than ever before. If your student is feeling a little anxious about the start of the year, try out some of these tips and tricks:

Set up a bedtime and wake-up routine in advance. One of the most difficult parts of transitioning back to school is getting back into a scheduled routine. Starting this routine as early as possible will help make the first week of school less stressful.

Get in the Back to School Mindset. Look back on the successes and achievements from the previous academic year with your student. The summer might have made your student forget about that awesome project they did or how far they came in their reading. A quick review can help energize them for the new school year. This is also a good time to help your student set some goals for themself.

Ask your kids about their concerns. Take a few minutes to ask your kids what they are most looking forward to during the school year, and what things may be worrying them. By giving them a forum to express their concerns, you can help them work through any worries in advance of school starting and clear up any issues that could lead to a bumpy start to the year. Remind them about the fun that awaits them at school and on the weekends too. It’s important to normalize school and keep a positive spin; for example, ‘I understand you’re nervous, but also remember how much fun you had with your classmates last year. I’m sure this year will be just like that.'

Don’t underestimate the importance of healthy habits. Encouraging your student to eat healthy, spend time outdoors after school, and get enough sleep will not only help them be more successful academically, but will also positively impact their emotional wellbeing.

Encourage continued learning at home. Promoting learning outside of the classroom not only helps children perform better in school, but also teaches them to value education. Read to your child, or have him or her read to you. To support math skills, challenge your child to add up the cost of the groceries in the cart next time you’re at the store. Also, make sure your student has an organized space that is quiet and distraction free for completing nightly homework.

Finally, remember, if you are excited, your student will be excited! Please don't hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can do to help support your child at school. Your child's success is our number one priority. Here's to a great 2020-2021 school year!