She's Ready
Getting back in the academic saddle is a family effort as you stock supplies, organize, and prepare for the busy year ahead. Take these three steps to ensure your whole family makes the grade.
1. Return to a routine. At least a week before school starts, return to the wake-up time, bedtime, and meal times you normally follow during the school year. Be ready in the kitchen by stockpiling quick, healthy snack and dinner recipes. We love the collections at rachaelray.com and, of course, www.Scholastic.com/parents.
2. Get your house ready by dedicating an area for homework that is comfortable, tidy, and well stocked with lots of age-specific supplies. Put together an inbox in which your child can deposit school notes and notices to your attention. Hang a calendar and lunch menus on the refrigerator and special hooks for backpacks near the door.
3. Look at your calendar now, and pencil in plans to get involved at your child’s school—the rewards are immeasurable. Before your schedule fills up, talk to the teacher, principal, PTA president, or librarian, and find out what kinds of periodic assistance they need. Perhaps you can write a newsletter, take home and sort a few folders, or shelve books once a month.
