It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over. Whether your child will be attending private school, or one of the Wausau, Mosinee, Merrill, or DC Everest schools, read on to find out ways help you and your student have a great start to the school year!
Visit the School
- Attend all meetings and events before the start of the school year, and bring their school supplies to the summer open house
- Visit the school during special events (look up your child’s future schools – you can get them familiar with the buildings many years ahead of time!)
- Play on the playground during the summer – this is especially helpful for younger kids (Thanks Ashley!)
School Involvement
- If you don’t have much time to talk to your child’s teacher at the open house, write an email to introduce your child and your family (you can also alert your child’s teacher to any learning or health issues this way)
- Find ways to spend time with your child at school – eating lunch with them occasionally, volunteering in the classroom, and helping with a field trip are all great options
- Consider ways can help your child’s school – attend PTO meetings, work at a school fundraiser, donate needed items to your child’s classroom or art teacher
Streamline Mornings
- Have a few easy breakfast choices (we like oatmeal, muffins, and yogurt)
- If your child is slow or groggy in the morning, have them pick out their clothes the night before
- Set a timer for when they need to start getting ready (leave lots of extra time the first week)
- Get their backpack packed the night before (except for cold lunch!)
Drop-off or Busing
- Quiz your child about how they will get to and from school (role-play what they should do if an adult or another child tells them to do the wrong thing)
- If your child is younger and is going to ride the bus, you can write their bus number on their hand (Thanks Carissa!) or tie a tag with important information to their backpack (car rider, bus rider with bus #, etc.) – CLICK HERE FOR MY FREE PRINTABLE
- If your child will be riding the bus, find out if there is a bus tracking app and save the bus company number in your phone in case of emergencies
The First Day
- Let your child pick out a special food – their favorite dinner, snack or breakfast food
- If your child is nervous about their first day of school, ask them if they want to have a “happy goodbye” (smiling, hugging, calm) or a “sad goodbye” (crying, clinging, upset)
- Help your child find something to wear that makes them feel brave or confident (Thanks Allison!)
- It doesn’t have to be the first day of school, but many schools recommend that kindergartners try hot lunch at least once during the first week
I hope parents benefit from this advice and that all of the student have a great school year!
Are you looking for a preschool for your child? Check out my Wausau Area Preschool Guide by clicking below!
