Tips for Back To School

By 250 News

As families across British Columbia get ready for  students to head back to  school,  there  are a number of tips  that an help you prep for the new  school year.

* Check what time your child's school starts; students in different grades may start at different times.
* Get your children used to the back-to-school routine before the first day of school by having them shift to their school bedtime and wake-up routine a  few days school begins.

Parents play a key role during the school year by keeping their children safe and healthy. Here are some ways to achieve this:
* Make sure your children eat breakfast every day so their minds have the fuel they need for school.
* Keep nutritious snacks, like cut-up fruit and vegetables, cheese sticks, low-fat yogurt and butter-free popcorn on hand to make healthy lunches easier to put together.
* Schedule regular dental and any necessary medical checkups for your children.
* Ensure your children's backpacks are no more than 10 to 20 per cent of their bodyweight and that your children use both shoulder straps.
* Make sure your children know safe routes to and from school. Start a Walking School Bus or Bicycle Train program in your neighbourhood, or find out how your children can join an existing one.

Students are often more successful in school when they develop good study habits early on. Parents can help their children study by:
* Setting up a homework area away from the television and with adequate supplies and lighting.
* Letting your children see you reading and setting aside time each day to read as a family.
* Keeping an assignment calendar on the fridge or bulletin board for quick reference of due dates, exams and other activities.

At School:

* Encourage children to use the water fountains at school, instead of relying on bottled water.
* Support your children to become active in an existing recycling club at school or to start one themselves.
* When shopping for school supplies, buy products that are reusable or have recyclable packaging, and reuse leftover school supplies from the previous school year.
* Recycle as much waste as possible and aim to produce waste-free lunches for your children by sending food in reusable containers and bags, and by avoiding pre-packaged and processed foods.

At Home:

* Clean waxed paper, plastic bags and tinfoil can be reused several times, and instead of including pre-packaged drinks in school lunches, a small thermos of cold milk or juice will cut down on unnecessary packaging.
* Buy good-quality, long-lasting products that can be handed down to younger children.
* Use cold water when washing clothing.
* Encourage children to take shorter showers using a restricted-flow shower head.
* Make sure children turn off taps when brushing their teeth instead of allowing a constant flow of water.

On the Road:

* Walk or cycle with your children to school instead of driving to reduce vehicle emissions.
* Join an existing Walking School Bus or Bicycle Train in your neighbourhood to get your children safely to school, or coordinate your own.
* Encourage your children to take public transit to school as often as possible or arrange a neighbourhood carpool.
* Join a car sharing co-operative for school commutes instead of owning a car.
* If you must drive children to school, incorporate short-distance errands in the trip so your engine stays warm.
* Maintain proper tire inflation, check your tires weekly, and schedule regular maintenance checks for your car.

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