5 Ways to Get Ready For “Back to School”
Take a look at your local department store and you will see the shelves stocked with back-to-school supplies. Summer is coming to a close, and with only a short time remaining before school begins, it is time to begin preparations to make the transition to the classroom smoother. The Catholic Diocese of Orlando, which houses the best private schools in Orlando, offers the following tips for you and your child.
- Time change: The sleeping-in schedule of summer should be slowly transitioned a few minutes a day until the appropriate time to wake up for school arrives. Depending on the child and the normal summer waking time, this may be accomplished in five, 15, or 30-minute increments. Likewise, bedtime schedules should also be adjusted.
- Shop early: School supply lists are already out in many stores, and families are flocking to the registers to purchase this year’s pencils and binders. With so many supplies needed for every student, chances are many of the supplies will be depleted if you wait until the last minute to shop. Also, with supplies on hand, you can organize by class and stock backpacks.
- Learning is in: Take a day trip to a museum, visit the library, attend Vacation Bible School, play an educational board game, or watch a documentary on television. Any of these activities stimulate learning without your children realizing it. Intersperse daily activities with online science and math games, and make sure your child reads at least 20 minutes a day. Many schools require a reading log during the summer or assign books to read. Be sure to check your school’s website for any summer activities your child may need to complete before school begins.
- Check up: Fall school sports require physicals, and enrolling in school for the first time or changing schools may also necessitate a school physical. It is also advisable to schedule dental and orthodontic appointments before the beginning of the new school year.
- Plan for extracurricular activities: If your child is involved in after-school activities, such as sports or clubs, research the dates and times for each event and ensure those times do not overlap or otherwise interfere with family activities. Knowing beforehand which sports and clubs can be joined and which are not possible will keep disappointments from occurring.
These back-to-school tips will allow a simpler segue from summer break to the beginning of the school year.For more information on Catholic education in the Diocese of Orlando, visit the Diocese of Orlando Catholic Schools website or call 407-246-4900.