Superior District & School News

The start of the school year is an exciting and sometimes scary time for children. Not knowing what to expect that first day often leads to nervous stomachs and sleepless nights before the first day of school. Advance preparation can help relieve some of your child’s anxiety.

• If possible, visit the school before the first day of school, either at a scheduled event or by appointment. Even if your child is a return student, it’s been a whole summer since he’s walked the halls, and a little refresher doesn’t hurt.
• Talk about your child’s fears and expectations in the weeks before school starts. Recount some of your memories as a child. While it’s best to focus on the positive, a funny story or two about your past struggles could help put things in perspective too.
• The week before school starts, work on getting back into a routine. Set your child’s alarm each morning, and have him get up and go through the school-morning rituals. This will help reset his body clock and get him ready to get moving in the morning.
• Check out the school supply list, and make sure your child is prepared.
• Get everything ready the night before. Prepare your child’s lunch, set out backpacks and outfits, and decide what will be on the breakfast menu. Then, send your child to bed early. He’s sure to have trouble falling asleep, so some extra quiet time may help settle his nerves.
• Get your child up a little early that first day to alleviate some of the stress of rushing through the morning routine. Leave the television off to ensure your child keeps moving.
• After school, talk to your child. Kids are notorious for one-word answers, so ask open-ended questions that require a longer response. “Tell me what you did today.” “What is your teacher like?” and “What was the best part of your day?” are some great starters.

We hope your child is looking forward to his return to school. Some advance preparation is sure to help! Most of all, send him to school rested, prepared, and ready to tackle the year ahead.

Your brand new school supplies are packed into a new backpack, and you are about to walk through the front door of your new school for the first time. Feeling nervous? Don't turn around and run; you can do this!  

Everyone has experienced the scary feeling of going to a new school and not knowing anybody. Lace up those new shoes, sharpen those pencils, and don't worry! Take a minute to read through these five tips that will help you face your first day feeling confident and excited.

1. Be confident. Focus on being kind and friendly to everyone so that you're putting your best foot forward.

2. Introduce yourself. You will not be the only new kid in school, so look for students who are not talking to anyone and say hello. Ask them if they are new, where they live, or if they have just moved to the area. They will be grateful to you for making the first move to be their friend.

3. Get involved. After-school activities are a great tool for meeting other students who share the same interests as you. Check out the hall bulletin boards for postings about academic clubs, social clubs, and team sports. 

4. Take notes. Write down important details, such as your locker combination, class schedules, teachers’ names, and other students’ names. 

5. Ask questions. Ask for help finding classrooms, the cafeteria, or the restroom. Most people actually like to help and will gladly help you find your way. After they have answered your questions, ask for their name, give your name, and thank them for their help. Now you know someone!

Let’s face it—it’s not easy being the “new kid” in school, but if you are willing to put some effort into beginning a conversation with someone new, it will help you get through the day as well as set a positive tone for a successful experience.