Getting Ready for a New School Year
School is starting next week at public schools across the region, and a lot of us are thinking about how to make the transition back to school as smooth as possible. Last year and this year, we talked with parents, caregivers, young people, and school staff about what they find helpful. Here are some of the tips that came up again and again!
Tips from Parents, Caregivers, Youth, and School Staff
Schedule and structure
- Sleep. Now is a great time to get back on a school sleep schedule. For many families, that means going to bed earlier and waking up earlier.
A few minutes earlier each day for several days in a row works well for two high school students we talked with: They explained “It’s less of a shock to the system than a couple hours all at once!” and “I’m way more awake during the day and don’t hate the morning as much when I do it over a few days.” - Morning and evening routines. To help ease the morning crunch time, some families suggested practicing school year routines, like making breakfast and picking out clothes the night before (and getting backpacks ready) to reduce the morning scramble!
Also, it can help to set up a system that reminds each person what they need to do, especially if each person is involved in setting up reminders that work for them. For non-readers, it could be a visual checklist; for people who like digital tools, it could be on a phone, etc. - Practice leaving the house on time. Shortly before the first day of school, try making an appointment or scheduling a fun activity at the same time that school starts so there is a clear reason to get ready.
- Meals. Several young people said they really like knowing what they’ll have for lunch, whether it’s school lunch or lunch from home. Families suggested making lunch together the night before or looking at the school meal menu together. School meals are still free for all K-12 public school students in Massachusetts!
- Phone use and other screen time. One of the hardest things for some youth about going back to school is not using their phones during the school day. A ideas that can ease the transition:
- Fun family or youth activities without phones (e.g. swimming, hiking in an area without good cell service, a meal or outing they pick with the expectation that phones will be away, etc).
- Some families have tried fun “screen-free” challenges for the whole household or had a friendly competition with another family to see who could spend the most time without screens. (Prizes included a pie and new fidget toys.)
- Tech-focused tips for reducing screen time and social media use.
Build positive anticipation about the school year.
This can help the whole family, especially kids and youth feeling anxious about going back to school. A few things to try:
- Visit the school grounds (younger kids may enjoy playing on the playground) and meet a teacher or another school staff member if they are available.
- Try brainstorming positive parts of the school day (e.g. seeing a favorite teacher or other school staff member) or something special that the family will do together after school or on the weekend.
- Plan to check in after the first day.
More on easing back-to-school anxiety
- This updated article, How to help kids manage worries and have a successful start to the school year, from the Child Mind Institute on back-to-school anxiety has some great tips.
- This resource page for parents on School Anxiety & Refusal, includes sections on What makes young people feel anxious about school?; Finding out what’s going on for your child; Making changes at school; Strategies you can try at home; If your child isn’t able to go to school at the moment; and Helping your child return to school after an absence. It’s from England, but we found it useful for concerns here in the U.S, eve though there is a little terminology at the end that is different from ours.
- Many schools have Meet and Greets or Open Houses at the start of the school year. This can be a way for the whole family to meet a teacher and get familiar with the school. It may help to ease anxiety, reconnect with friends and neighbors, and foster positive feelings about the school year.
Include refreshers during the day about things students will be doing at school.
You can help students of all ages get back in the swing and feel more confident by reviewing info from last year and talking about what they will be doing in the coming year.
- For elementary school students, try including things they’ll be doing at school in daily activities like reading out loud, sending a postcard to a family member or friend, or doing some math when baking together.
- For middle and high school students, educators suggest talking about what they learned last year, especially what they learned about themselves as learners or something that connected with other parts of their lives. Encourage them to ask questions about what’s coming up this year. If there is a movie or show that connects to something that interests them, watching it together can be a fun conversation starter.
Helpful tips for families with a new kindergartener.
The transition to kindergarten feels big for most kids and families. This is especially true for children who haven’t been to preschool. Here are a few tips from families, school nurses, and educators:
- Drop off:
- Practice saying goodbye by acting it out beforehand at home or on the school grounds.
- Quick transitions are usually easier on kids than slow ones.
- Meals and snacks:
- If your child will eat school meals, tell them what is on the menu for that day. If they don’t like the hot lunch, most schools have a sandwich or other simple alternative meal option. It can help to talk through the options.
- Items that are higher in sugar (e.g. chocolate milk) or foods the family doesn’t eat at home can be a concern for parents and caregivers. If you don’t want your child to have something, the promise of a healthier treat at home is an option that works for some families.
- If your child has allergies or dietary restrictions that are important to communicate to school staff, send an email to the school nurse and your child’s teacher.
What to bring to kindergarten:
- Most schools encourage kids to bring water bottles.
- Change of clothes. Accidents and messes happen!
- School supplies. Many schools ask families to pack these, but if you forget or supplies are hard to afford, schools almost always have extras!
- What not to bring: stuffed animals, toys, and anything that would be really upsetting to lose.
Find more tips on starting kindergarten in this article in English and en español. We especially liked the sections about the first day and weeks of school. (And don’t stress if you don’t follow the article’s advice about labeling – a child’s name on important things is usually all you need!)
Check-ins after the first few days – and throughout the year
Check in time
Setting a time for other important aspects of your day can help to fit it in, including when you are going to check in and connect with family members about how the new school year is going. Mealtimes can be great opportunities to do this. The Family Dinner Project has ideas for talking with children and youth, including these Resilience-Building Back-to-School Questions.
Support and community
You don’t have to do it alone! Local families we spoke with prepare for school by checking in with friends and family about helping each other with hand-me-down clothes, carpooling, childcare, and being an emergency contact for school pick up.
Local, Year-Round Support
Local organizations, including the Community Action Family Center, Valuing Our Children, and The Brick House help families to navigate challenges, get help with school-related issues, and support their children and youth all year round!