On last Friday’s Up-Close Show, host Gary Daigneault spoke to MUSD Superintendent Dr. Patricio Vargas and Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Amy Woods for a general back to school check in, for a conversation that included tips to set up our students for success on the first week of school.
With school starting a week earlier this year, many families must change their routines in advance. Host Gary Daigneault asked Vargas and Woods what parents can do to get their kids to prepare for the school day in a stress-free manner from the moment they get out of bed in the morning.
“There’s quite a few things that we can do as parents, especially the night before. If we think about our kids, they are already not in their routine because they’re in the summer so we had to get them back to their routine. I would recommend for parents to send them to bed at least 15 minutes earlier than usual. They should also choose their clothing the night before to avoid those rushes in the morning. Another thing that we recommend is that each kid should have a backpack fully stocked with the things that they need. Now, we understand that some parents may not have a backpack for their kids so we have backpacks available for our students. If they ask for one at their school site they will get one for free.”
Dr. Vargas also suggests taking night showers before bed to save time and taking a walk to the bus stop with your children to alleviate potential confusion. “Before they go to bed they should take a shower so they can be that much more ready for school the next morning. What we’re recommending also is for parents to walk with their students the day before to the bus stop. That way they recognize where they need to go, how long they need to wait, and at the place that the bus will actually pick them up.
”For after school, Vargas recommends making sure your children have a designated quiet place to do homework to further prioritize and value education, and to set students up for success.
