'Safe, healthy, fed and well-rested:' Advice from educators to start the school year

The days of summer vacation are limited, and with some districts starting in late July, the first day of school is not too far away.

The start of a school year is a new beginning for students, educators and parents that can be both exciting and overwhelming.

IndyStar went to educators to ask for their best advice for how to prepare for the new academic year and to start it strong. Many of their answers centered around: Be prepared, ask questions and get involved.

And much of it was universal, no matter the age of the student.

Jennifer Barce, assistant dean for teacher education at Purdue University College of Education, said the advice she gives student teachers preparing for their first day in the classroom is advice that works for kindergarteners too: “Be safe, healthy, fed and well-rested.”

Here’s more advice from Indiana educators:

Before schools starts: Get excited

Brooke Kandel, dean, Butler University College of Education: “Start talking about the start of the school year.” This builds positive anticipation and parents can ask their children open-ended questions about the start of school to help easy any fears or anxiety. Have a countdown to school to help build excitement.

Jack Lawrence, principal, Hinkle Creek Elementary (Noblesville Schools): “If your child/student knows you are excited and looking forward to a new school year, then your student will likely be excited as well.  It is very important to keep all conversations positive about returning to school.”

Before school starts: Prep your routine

Jeffrey Anderson, associate dean for undergraduate and teacher education, Indiana University Bloomington School of Education: Plan to help reduce the stress of the start of the year. Know who sets the alarm, how much time you need to get ready and what to do if the bus doesn’t show up on time.

Lawrence: “The week before school starts, begin following school bedtime routines. Children need time to adjust and develop sleeping patterns.”

Katie Biltimier, special services teacher, Carmel Elementary (Carmel Clay Schools): Create an afterschool routine. “Decide where and when homework will be completed, school devices will be charged, and an appropriate bedtime.”

Anderson: Start practicing homework time a week before by having family reading time in the evenings the week before school. This can be a time when everyone reads individually, or parents read to younger kids, but it puts in place the structure of what will be homework time.

Kelley Warbinton, music teacher, Chapel Glen Elementary (Wayne Township Schools): Start your morning routine a week in advance. “Also have the bookbags, lunch boxes and clothes packed and layer out the night before."

Before school starts: Get organized

Lindsey Catellier, fourth grade teacher, Reagan Elementary (Brownsburg Community Schools): Think about if students will be buying or backing their lunch and if it’s the latter think about what things they want for lunch and if they can open all the packaging.

Derek Eaton, principal, Achieve Virtual 7-12 (Wayne Township Schools): Pay attention to the information coming from the school – emails, flyers, phone calls, etc. – “and if unsure or confused, call the student's school's office for clarification.”

Deiara Jones, secretary, Ben Davis High School (Wayne Township Schools): "Get bus route ahead of time."

Timothy P Wickard, principal, Stout Field Elementary (Wayne Township Schools): If parents have questions, “don’t wait until last minute for your questions. Give our schools a call next week if you have questions so you can avoid doing it last minute.”

Jennifer Mae Nichols, principal, McClelland Elementary (Wayne Township Schools): Parents, tell the schools in advance if there is something they need to know about your student’s needs such as the way they learn or allergies. And if there are items they need, let the school know so community partners can help with things like school supplies and clothing.

Lawrence: Parents and students can “schedule a special time together to go back to school shopping for supplies and/or clothes.  Make it a fun, low stress, and relaxing time together.”

Before school starts: Set goals

Anderson: Encourage kids to get involved in extracurriculars such as clubs and sports. These can also be activities not at school such as at the local library or YMCA. For secondary students, aim for one club and one sport.

Kandel: Students should start thinking about goals and have growth orientation in mind. “How do you hope to grow? What new experiences do you want to have?” This also reminds them that some of what they learn is in their control.

Wickard: Remember that "everyone is anxious about the first days of school - teachers, Principals, parents and even students.” So stay positive, get back on a schedule and talk about the upcoming year.

Erin Probus, principal, Hornet Park Elementary (Beech Grove Schools): Help your student to feel capable at school and read together whether that’s stories or signs while you are out and about. “There is such power in story time together.  Modeling reading and talking about the stories you read will jump start their thinking.”

Before school starts: Visit school

Amanda Dillon, kindergarten teacher, Prairie Trace Elementary (Carmel Clay): “If you have a kindergarten student or moved to a new school, take time to play on the playground and become familiar with the school before the year begins. Use every opportunity to attend events your school offers and meet new friends. This will help ease fears on those first days."

Anderson: Go to the ice cream social or the back-to-school gatherings and build that into the schedule for preparing for the school year. It’s important for parents and students to know things like what doors to go in and where rooms are.

Once school starts: Early on

Katie Overbeck, English teacher, Carmel High School (Carmel Clay Schools): “Establish good attendance routines early. It’s so much easier to understand content and assignments when present every day compared to when students have to play catch-up after absences.”

Catellier: Once students get an agenda or assignment notebook, add in weekly activities like girl scouts or softball so students know what else they have going on. It helps build good habits and time management.

Lawrence: On every school day, “make sure your student has plenty of time to get ready for school and eat a good, healthy breakfast. Rushing around in a hurried environment only creates stress.  Try to avoid unnecessary stress.”

Barce: Due to the teacher shortage, many schools have open teacher spots. If your student has a long-term substitute teacher, ask questions of the teacher and the principal about their experiences and resources available to them. Ask schools what they are doing to fill the openings.

Lesley Karpiuk, technology education teacher and coordinator, Carmel Middle School (Carmel Clay Schools): Get involved. “There are so many great clubs and ways to get involved to help feel connected to your school all year long, and that's especially important at the beginning of the year.”

Brian Zachery, director of transportation, Noblesville Schools: Be patient the first few days with the buses as drivers adjust to new students and routes. “Buses may be late initially as we make sure everyone is picked up and dropped off safely.

Wickard: Parents often want to drive their students on the first few days, but it’s important that students ride the transportation they’ll ride all year on the first few days of school. “It is way safer and more efficient to allow them to be bus riders on the first day if this is their normal transportation.” Plus it helps the schools make sure everything goes smoothly.

Once school starts: Create a good parent-teacher relationship

Catellier: Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially those first few weeks. Teachers are there for the kids, so message and ask the questions. And have a good line of communication. Make sure your parent contact information is up-to-day and the teacher knows the best way to communicate: text, email or phone. “I would much rather have an additional meeting or phone call -in the first couple weeks, then wait until parent/teacher conferences to find out a question.”

Anderson: On the flip side, also know the best way to reach the teacher and the best way to contact them: Is it text, email or phone?

Probus: Talk to your teacher or others at the school about your student’s potential roadblocks or obstacles so you can work together for your student’s success. “Does your child struggle with certain social situations?  Does your child have behavioral challenges?  Are there medical considerations? ...The better the school knows your child, the better the school can serve your child.”

Once school starts: More for parents

Jill Shedd, assistant dean for teacher education, Indiana University Bloomington School of Education: Be involved in your students' learning/school. “Ask how the school day went, what did they do that was exciting, ask about friends. Help with schoolwork and show interest in their work…Attend events.”

Lawrence: “Make sure your student knows you are thinking about them during the school day.  For example, write a "Have A Great Day!"  note and slip it into their school lunch box or in their school backpack.   It doesn't matter the age of your student, your student will love it."

Jennifer Smith, clinical assistant professor of special education, Purdue University College of Education: Empower students to advocate for themselves. As they get older, have them be the first one to email a teacher with a question. They are going to send a lot of emails in their life.

Once school starts: More for students

Brian Garman, director of personnel and human resources, Beech Grove City Schools: Remember there are two things always in your control: your attitude and your effort. “Come to school each and every day with the right attitude for learning and ready to give your very best.  If you do those two things, you will have a successful year."

Smith: Reach out to teachers if you have questions. They are there to help – “no one went into teaching not wanting to help.” And don’t wait until the last minute to ask for help.

Shedd: “Find at least one adult in who you have trust and can share thoughts and/or concerns. It may be a teacher, a counselor, a school safety officer, but find at least one adult to whom you may reach out.”-Jill Shedd, assistant dean for teacher education, Indiana University Bloomington School of Education

Nichols: “If you are an older student, know that your former teachers and administrators would love to hear from you. Send them an email, mail them a note, or reach out to ask when you can arrange a visit. We always love to see how much you have grown and to hear how you are doing. In fact, it would mean the world to us!”

Smith: “Always do the extra credit – even if you think you don’t at the time."

Call IndyStar education reporter MJ Slaby at 317-447-1586 or email her at mslaby@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @mjslaby.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Back to school 2022: 9 tips from Indiana teachers to start the year