Prep for Success

As the new school year approaches, you may be searching for ways to help your children start strong and thrive. To support a smooth and successful transition back to school, here are some practical tips we’ve found helpful:

Bedtime Routines

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• Children 3-5 years of age should sleep 10-13 hours per 24 hours (including naps)

• Children 6-12 years of age should sleep 9-12 hours per 24 hours

• Teenagers 13-18 years of age should sleep 8-10 hours per 24 hours 

Sleeping the recommended number of hours regularly is associated with better health outcomes, including improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health. 

• Prep for Success Tip: Start easing into school-year bedtime routines at least one week before the first day. It will help create a consistent, healthy sleep habit.

Parental Controls and Electronic Devices

Common Sense Media provides the Parents' Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls. Now is a great time to research the parental controls offered by your internet provider, cell phone contract, and devices to ensure your child’s internet safety. 

• Prep for Success Tip: Contact your cell phone or cable provider to see what parental controls are available to you. Research your child's device to determine if there are any additional controls. Know your child's username and password for all social media accounts.

• Prep for Success Tip: Simple rules—like “No devices after 8:00 p.m.” or “No devices in the bedroom overnight”—can help show your child what healthy moderation looks like.

Please note that the 2025-2026 MDIH Handbook contains information on how we will manage devices during the school day:

Distractible Items

Students have the responsibility of not bringing to school any item that could cause interference with the educational program or the orderly atmosphere of the school. Examples include, but are not limited to, skateboards, toys, and/or other devices. Cell phones and other electronic devices are to be put away during the school day if not used for teacher-approved educational purposes. Devices being used during the school day may be confiscated and taken to the main office for pickup at the end of the day. Students who need to contact family members during the school day may go to the main office and use the school phone or their cell phone to do so. 

All devices, including cell phones and smart watches, will be collected during all assessments.

• Prep for Success Tip: Talk with your child now about plans for electronic devices at school. Discuss whether they will keep them at home or take them to school and leave them in their locker. Remind them that devices should not be used during the school day.

• Prep for Success Tip: Talk with your child about how they can get in touch with you during the day. Discuss appropriate steps, such as speaking with a teacher and asking to go to the office. Even if your child isn’t feeling well, it’s important that they go to the office so staff can help them and prepare for their departure before a parent or guardian arrives.

Medication Routines

Ensuring that your child follows the proper medication routine is crucial for their health and well-being. It is essential to understand the prescribed dosage, timing, and any specific instructions provided by the healthcare provider. Keeping a detailed medication schedule can help avoid missed doses and prevent any potential side effects or interactions. By staying organized, you can help your child manage their condition effectively and feel a sense of responsibility for their health.

• Prep for Success Tip: Start your child's medication routine a week or two before the start of school. Just like adjusting bedtime, this helps build a habit and reduces the risk of side effects overlapping with the stress of a new school year.

Talking to Your Children About School Safety

The National Association of School Psychologists offers the following tips for talking to your children about school safety. While these tips are typically better for conversations after a violent event has occurred, it is also important to talk to your child before the school year starts about school safety; and more importantly, never joking about school safety. We occasionally have to help a family through a situation where their child joked about school safety. While these situations are difficult for everyone, the school takes these comments very seriously and will get local law enforcement involved to ensure schools are kept safe. Please talk to your children early and often about the importance of not joking about school safety.

• Prep for Success Tip: Have a conversation with your child(ren) before school starts about school safety and the importance of not joking about school safety. This conversation can include the importance of "see something/say something."