Five Steps To Set A Positive Tone For The New School Year

The first day of school for the new school year sets the tone for the remaining 179 days of school. The more you focus on the positive and the more prepared your child is, the more likely your child will look forward to school and be ready to succeed.

There are many things you may want to do so your child starts the school year off on the right foot, but some of it may be out of your control or simply not within your reach. But, there are several things you can do before classes start on Monday, August 6 to make sure your child has a positive school year in the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD).

At least one week before school starts, set and enforce a bedtime for your child that allows them to sleep for eight hours and still get up early enough to get to school on time.

If your child will be eating breakfast at school, make sure you both know what time breakfast is served so your child has time to eat before class starts.

Make sure your child knows how they will be getting to school each day and what is expected of them to make it on time. If your child will be walking to school, walk the route with them at least once before school starts so you know they know the way and you’re familiar with any obstacles, such as broken sidewalks or busy intersections. If you or someone else is dropping your child off at school, make sure you and they know where the safest drop-off points are. If your child is taking the bus, make sure they know where the bus stop is, which bus they are supposed to ride, and the rules of the bus. If your child faces significant barriers to getting to school on time on a daily basis, please contact SBCUSD Youth Services at 880-6812 for assistance before August 6.

School means homework. You and your child should set up a homework routine before school starts. Decide if your child will start homework as soon as they get home from school or if they will be allowed a short break before getting down to business. Make sure you have pencils, pens and paper available and easily accessible so your child doesn’t waste time looking for them. If you don’t have a computer or internet access at home, you may borrow a Chromebook and/or an internet hotspot for free from your child’s school. Only one Chromebook and hotspot are available per family.

Help your child feel like they have some control over their education. Before school starts, ask your child to set one positive goal for the school year, one that matters to them. It can be anything from making a new friend or joining a school club to improving their grades in science. What matters is that the goal relates to school, is positive, and is something your child can realistically accomplish. At the end of each week, you can check in with your child to see how they are doing in achieving their goal. You might even consider sharing your child’s goal with the teacher during Back-to-School Night so they can help and encourage your child.