Apple Valley Educators: Prepare For a Great School Year

With the first day of school just around the corner, Patch asked Apple Valley educators for tips on to start the school year out right.

“Be ready, because we’re ready!” said Lynn Hernandez, principal at .

Hernandez, Principal Dave McKeag and Assistant Principal Laura Kay Allen and Principal Steve Degenaar offered parents the following advice:

• Banish bleary morning eyes. Allen suggested that kids ease into going to bed earlier and getting up earlier in advance of the first day of school. “Start having your child go to bed earlier each night, to get ready for the early morning school wake-up call," she said. Changing the sleep schedule gradually as the first day of school gets closer makes it easier for kids to reset their inner alarm clocks.

• Get a healthy start. If your child is a kindergartener, you’ll need proof of immunizations to start school. But those aren't the only students who need to be vaccinated; check the Minnesota Department of Health’s website for a complete vaccination schedule. Remaining dates for Dakota County walk-in immunization clinics at the in Apple Valley are Sept. 20, Oct. 18 and Nov. 15.

• Fill in the blanks. Your child’s registered for school, and you have the immunization situation squared away. But that’s often just the start of the year’s paperwork. Luckily, in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district, each school’s website has the forms you need for everything from kindergarten lunches to high school soccer—and most of them can be printed or filled out online. Go to the District 196 website for a link to your child’s school.

• Help them find their way. Visit school with your child prior to the first day. “Once your child gets their schedule… take an afternoon off and bring them in," McKeag said. "Help them learn where their classes are, how to open their locker, make sure all their stuff fits. The administration’s around to answer any questions." District schools are open to the public after back-to-school nights are held, and students are welcome to check things out with a parent in tow.

• Ask, listen, plan. Have a conversation with your child about the school year ahead. McKeag suggested you start with the positive: “What do you think is really exciting? What’s a turn on?” Later in the conversation, he said, ask your child about any worries or stressors. And then move on to asking your child, “Next June, what do you want your teacher to say about you?” Use this conversation to help your child set goals, and then ask your child how you can help them achieve those goals. As the year goes on, recognize and reward you child, and review, add to and change the goals as needed. “Open up that ground," McKeag said. "Plant a few seeds. It’s the single best thing you can do.”

Looking for more back-to-school resources for your District 196 student? Check out the district's back-to-school page.