Superior District and School News

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.

"What's for breakfast?" is a question that can be heard throughout most homes in America. To some parents it can be a dreaded question; especially in the rush to get everyone out the door to school on time. We have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so what do we feed our kids for this ever important meal?   

Studies published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association and Nutrition Research Reviews have proven that children who eat a good breakfast perform better academically then those who don't.

Imagine your body is a machine; during the night your body depletes all the fuel your machine needs to keep running. Breakfast is the fuel to get your machine up and running again. 

Are all breakfasts created alike? No. The best combination for brain alertness and better learning is: a carbohydrate (whole grain variety) and a protein. A breakfast that is high in carbohydrates and low in protein (think sugary breakfast cereals) seems to decrease brain stimulation.   

Examples of a good breakfast are:

• Yogurt with fruit and nuts
• Whole grain toast topped with peanut butter and a glass of skim milk
• Fruit salad with cottage cheese
• Scrambled eggs with vegetables and cheese mixed in

You’ll find other examples at Kids Health.

If you find yourself running out the door late, here are some great breakfast ideas to go:

• Trail mix of nuts, dried fruits, pretzels, and crackers
• String cheese with whole wheat crackers
• Single serving bowls of whole grain cereal

For additional ideas, check out the online sites:

• Cooking Light
• BuzzFeed
• Pinterest

Finally, according to Kids Health, kids who eat breakfast do better in school, are more likely to participate in physical activities, and tend to eat healthier overall. So, when your children ask "What's for breakfast?" you can answer confidently with a variety of options to help them perform better in school.

One way to ensure each day starts on the right foot is to end on the right foot the night before. Being prepared for your day allows your children to be more comfortable with their surroundings and takes stress out of their day at school. Here are some tips:

The night before

• Check homework. Nothing is worse than realizing, on the way to school, that homework is incomplete. Even if your child says it is done, check it! Then, teach him to leave his backpack by the door so he remembers it in the morning.
• Prepare lunches. A sure-fire way to cut back on morning stress is to get those lunches ready ahead of time. Pack lunches and leave them in the fridge until morning. Yours included.
• Have your child pick out his clothes. This will prevent any arguments when it comes time to get dressed in the morning.
• Establish a bedtime routine. Children that have an established bedtime wake up more easily in the morning. And, more rested, they are more cooperative as they get ready for school.

In the morning

• Leave the TV off before school. The television is a sure-fire distraction.
• Set a departure time. Let your child know what time you must leave the house to get to school on time. If necessary, pad the time by 10 minutes.
• Keep it positive. Getting up and out the door in the mornings is difficult for nearly everyone. Give your child positive feedback and words of encouragement as he completes each morning task.

We all dream of weekends and school vacations to avoid the stress of getting ready in the morning. However, getting into a routine and sticking to it can minimize the hassle and anxiety that rushing often causes.

Middle school can be a difficult time for kids. They’re no longer elementary students, but neither are they quite ready for that “young adults” label. While it’s important for kids in the middle years to have some autonomy, it’s also important for them to have consistency and discipline in their lives to enable success. As a parent, you are becoming very familiar with mood swings. Add to that a school campus change, new interests, and classes that are more difficult, and you are in for some interesting and challenging experiences.

So what’s a parent to do? Thanks to the Internet, a lot of help is out there for you.

• Your school’s website can help:
  • Calendar page—Keep track of their activities and events.
  • Staff page—If you have questions, contact your child’s teacher via e-mail.
  • Quick Links—Useful information at the click of the mouse.
• Scholastic offers a series of articles:
  • What to expect in each grade
  • Getting ready for school
  • Learning who’s who at school
  • How to stay connected with your child

Outside the classroom, allow your child a good balance. Children this age start to come into their own. They develop interests, pay more attention to what’s going on in the world, and acquire a sense of empathy. Nurture these new ideals by talking to your children often, encouraging them to expand their extracurricular interests.

Now that you’ve done your homework, encourage your child to do the same. Kids Health allows children to walk through the steps to prepare for middle school on their own. It also offers advice from the kids themselves.

We look forward to seeing you on the first day of school!