Back to school readiness doesn’t just mean making sure you buy enough pencils and glue sticks. The weeks leading up to the beginning of a new school year are a perfect time for families to help their students prepare mentally and physically for school. Want to know what you can do to help your student be Back to School Ready? Check out these great tips.

Establish A Routine

Helping your student create a routine that will help them feel prepared for school is a great thing to do in the weeks leading up to the first day of school. Getting enough sleep (Please click here for information from the CDC), establishing a morning and evening routine and even just designating a place in the house for important school papers can all help students feel ready to take on the school day.

For younger students, parents can start students off on the right foot by helping them set a bedtime, create a bedtime routine, talking about expectations for school and even role playing in preparing for school.

• Please click here for a Back to School Checklist from PBS
• Please click here for a First Week of School Worksheet from PBS

Older students should be involved in setting a routine, so parents’ role may be to start with a conversation. W.F. West Assistant Principal Christine Voelker gave us the following suggested questions to get your student thinking back to school:

• What time do you plan to get up tomorrow and what do you plan to wear?
• Do you have a place to store your school supplies so they’re in one place in the morning? (In the case of kids who have more than one household, think about having a backpack and school supplies at both homes so kids at least have basic school supplies with them at school every day)
• Where should we keep important dates and paperwork from school?
• Where would you feel most comfortable doing your homework?
• What are you most excited for this school year?
• How can I help you get ready for school?
• What parts of your day worry you? How can I help with that?
• Who is a person at school you feel you connect with?

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep is especially important for our brains, and can support many other biological systems as well. Developmentally, children need more sleep than adults – but some kids have trouble getting to sleep. Consider these “sleep hygiene” ideas:

• Make the bedroom completely dark. Removing distracting light can help you sleep more soundly. (Please click for the source for "The Benefits of Sleeping in a Dark Room" here)
• Keep the bedroom slightly cold.  This can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. (Please click for the source for "Sleeping In a Cold Room: Pros & Cons" here)
• Only sleep in the bedroom. Keep it unstimulating. Reading, eating, looking at your phone or tablet, watching TV, should all be done in another room. (Please click for the source for "Technology in the Bedroom" here)

Talk It Out

At any age, conversations with families about whatever they are feeling about school can help them process those feelings and be more prepared to take on a new school year.

• Please click here for information from the Child Focus organization on how to help students ages 5-11 mentally prepare for school
• Please click here for more information from the Skyland Trail organization on how to help teens mentally prepare for school

Get Involved

Parent partnership with schools is key to supporting students’ academic success and overall wellbeing. There are many opportunities for family members to volunteer in our schools. Please click here to learn more about volunteering at Chehalis Schools. Involvement can also mean communicating with your student’s school and teachers. If your family has a barrier to your student attending school, being on time or being prepared to learn, please let us know because we would love to help you overcome barriers that can stand in the way of student success.

• Please click here for resources for parents from the U.S. Department of Education