District 46 Kids Head Back-to-School This Week

Photo caption: The sunraise at Park Campus in Round Lake on Monday. Photo credit: Community Consolidated School District 46 Facebook page

Community Consolidated School District 46 students will be heading back-to-school this week.

The first day of school for grades 1 through 8 will be Wednesday while kindergarten students will start on Thursday. Superintendent Ellen Correll provided the following message to students and parents as children they head back to school:

We are nearing the middle of August and back to school time is almost upon us. Backpacks have been selected. New folders, crayons, pencils, and school shoes have been purchased. Children have excitedly shared who their new teachers are with their friends. But are they ready to head back to class?

For kindergarteners, going to school is a new and exciting adventure! They are finally old enough to go to school like their big brothers, sisters, or neighbors. But it can also be a scary time as well, full of unknowns. Here are some tips to help make the transition to school a successful one:

>> Get the lay of the land. Hopefully you were able to visit your child’s school on Kindergarten Meet & Greet night back in March. If not, make sure to attend Kindergarten Orientation day on August 26th. Just being familiar with the hallways and classrooms helps to stem fears of the unknown. Meet the ladies in the office - they are always there to help with smiles on their faces. And make sure to visit the playground as well.

>> If your child has medical needs, and you have concerns, contact the school office to set your mind and your child’s at ease about how they handle emergency situations. CCSD 46 has two certified nurses in the district in addition to a health clerk in each building to address any health or medical situation. Visit the Health webpage: ww2.d46.org/health.asp.

>> A week or so before school starts, begin preparing your child by setting up your morning routine. Getting up early, having breakfast together, even packing a lunch is fun that you can enjoy later in the day. Talk to your child about the “what ifs.” What happens if he/she misses the bus or forgets a lunch?

>> During Kindergarten Orientation (August 26) speak with your child’s teacher to see how she handles students who are a bit more apprehensive about leaving Mom or Dad. She has been through this situation a number of times before.

>> First day of Kindergarten is August 27th. Make the first day special. Include a special note or picture in your child’s lunch if they attend full-day kindergarten. And make sure to take a photograph to capture the first day!

For older students in grades 1-4, the newness of school may have worn off, but each new year brings new adventures and challenges. Here are some suggestions for helping them fit in socially and succeed academically:

>> It is important for parents to stay upbeat about going back to school. Talk about the new things your child will be doing this year, new supplies they get to bring. Everyone loves a fresh new box of crayons!

>> Share your family calendar with your kids. Show them the upcoming events and plan to attend some of the wonderful family events put on by the PTO/PTF organizations in the schools. Scholastic Book Fairs take place during Conference Week in early October and it is a great time to pick up a new favorite book or two.

>> Start incorporating some time in the evenings for homework time. Perhaps share an extra story, or begin looking at some flashcards to get your child in the swing of things.

>> Remember, in addition to school, and sports, and other activities that keep kids busy, they also need downtime to relax and unwind.

>> And on the first day of school...don’t forget to take a photo.

Middle schoolers are dealing not only with new schools, new classmates, but hormones and pre-teen angst as well. It is a challenging time for everyone! It is also a rewarding time when your children are beginning to develop their own identities. Here are some suggestions to stave off the anxiety:

>> Have your child attend the Frederick Kick-Off Camp (Aug. 17-18), or the Grayslake Middle School Locker Tryout Day (Aug. 20). Nothing strikes fear in the heart of middle schoolers like not knowing where they are going, or how to open their lockers! Frederick students do not have locker combinations to worry about, but a new two-story school to navigate can be harrowing. And older students at GMS or Park Campus suddenly have to remember a locker combination AND figure out how to open the lock!

>> Make sure your child is getting plenty of praise for who they are, rather than being compared to older siblings. They need to feel their experiences are important, that they are being heard, and their opinions matter.

>> Try to lessen some of the pre-teen drama by talking to your kids about hormones and the ups and downs they are bound to feel at their age. Remind them that while you went through the same situations, you want to hear about how things are going for them.

>> Even if your child gives you “the look” be sure to snap a photo. You will be glad you did, even if they are scowling.

We greatly look forward to welcoming all of our students for their first day of school August 26th for first through 8th grade students, August 27th for kindergarteners, and August 31st for our pre-k students. If you have any great tips to share, or just want to share a first day of school story, visit the CCSD 46 Facebook page, or Twitter page. We love to hear from you!