2012/13 school year starts Aug. 8
The 2012/13 school year is here. In less than 24 hours, tens of thousands of students along with the district's faculty and support staff will head back to school. The first day of school can be a little nerve-wracking and not just for students.
Here are some quick tips to help get you through the first day and beyond:
Students and parents
Make as many preparations Sunday night prior to the first day of school. This could entail pre-packing any backpacks, compiling any needed paperwork (i.e. class schedules, maps of the school campus, etc.) anything to help avoid last-minute scrambling, which can add to the anxiety level on the first day.
Try laying out the outfit your child wants to wear the night before again, to avoid any last minute issues. And if you bought a new pair of shoes for school, you may want to have your child "break them in" a bit prior to "lacing them up" for the first day.
If your child is bringing a lunch, be sure to make and pack it in time to hit the road or make the bus stop. If they are participating in the school's lunch program, be sure they have money or that you've enrolled in any pre-pay program that may exist (and don't forget to check out the lunch menu on the District's Web site!)
Hopefully parents have attended the Open House event at their child's school. If not, you can contact the school's front office to schedule a meeting with the principal or assistant principal if needed.
Being nervous on the first day is normal for both students and parents. There's always a certain level of excitement on the first day. Let your child know it's okay to feel that way, but remind them that they will quickly be making new friends and having fun and learning new and exciting things!
Community members / Commuters
Please slow down.
Remember, summer is over and that means more vehicles on the roadways in the morning and afternoon especially those really large, yellow school buses. Be sure to plan extra time getting to and from work.
Watch for children in the pre-dawn hours as they make their way to school or the bus stop drive slowly to avoid a tragic situation from taking place.
Watch for established school zones the flashing lights and/or signage that indicate a slower speed during certain times of the day.
When a bus stops and extends the flashing "Stop Signs" on its side, be sure to do just that stop. If the bus is dropping students off in the afternoon, be vigilant to ensure they don't dart out in front of your vehicle as you start to drive away.
The goal is for everyone students, faculty, staff, parents and community members to be safe as we start a new school year.
