How you get your children started in the new school year will set the tone for their success.

Better prepared children have a better chance of doing well.  The following are some suggestions on how to best prepare children for a successful academic year:

1. Talk with your child about being apprehensive, nervous, or excited about school.  Assure your child that fears and concerns are normal feelings and that many of the children, parents, and teachers will have some of these same feelings.

2. Attend school informational meetings with your child.  Take a school tour.  Help your child find his/her way around the school, the location of his classroom, where the bathrooms are, the office, the cafeteria, and the library.  If your child will ride the bus, show him where the bus will drop him off.

3. If your child requires medication, treatment, or special needs, talk to the school nurse; teachers; and administrative staff.  Talk to your child about how his/her needs will be handled at school (what time to go to the office for medication, what foods she must avoid in the cafeteria, etc.)

4. Make a plan when any emergency situation happens.  Specify what your child should do if you are late picking him up from school, or if no one is at home when he arrives there.  Having a plan will help your child avoid panic and stress.

5. Make arrangements with your child as to the drop off and pick up plan if he/she is a car rider.  Go over that process with your child.

6. Start a morning routine.  Allow enough time for a good breakfast, as well as enough time for slow-moving, sleepy kids.  Encourage your children to go to bed early and to get up 15-30 minutes early so that everyone is not rushing around in the morning and starting the day flustered.

7. Talk to your child about his/her day.  Let him tell you all about it and encourage him to share his feelings about school with you.  Discuss any concerns your child might have.  Be a good listener.

8. Don’t schedule too many after school activities.  Kids need time for rest and free play before doing homework, dinner, bath time, and bed time.

We are all looking forward to a great year at GSMS! If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me, Wendy M. McIntosh, Counselor-wmcintosh@bcbe.org