School is back in full swing.
With new class schedules, teachers and schools, the transition can be a lot for students and families alike.
Fourth grade Milwaukee Academy of Science teacher Lillian MacKinney remembers what back-to-school season felt like when she was a student.
“It was so exciting, but also really nerve-wracking,” she said.
As students flock back to classrooms, teachers want to help families make the transition as smooth as possible.
Connect with teachers early on
MacKinney said parents should connect with their child’s teacher early in the school year.
“They’re going to be your point person for all things class, whether it’s field trips or classroom management or what the student needs to bring,” MacKinney said. “Every classroom is different.”
She said it’s important that parents attend parent teacher conferences or find other ways to meet the student’s teachers.
Jazmine Cervera, a third-year teacher at Indian Community School, said she likes to connect with the whole family, especially when she might have a student’s siblings in the classroom in the future.
“Not only am I making that relationship with the adults, I’m also making it with the students, but also the students’ siblings,” Cervera said.
MacKinney said it’s also worth familiarizing yourself with your student’s school portal. Milwaukee Public Schools uses Infinite Campus and Milwaukee Academy of Science uses ClassDojo, for example.
She said she and other teachers often communicate with families through these portals, which hold important information about your student’s education.
Reestablish school routines
Morning and night routines can look much different for students over the summer compared with school time.
Cervera said establishing a morning and night routine that’s compatible with school will help ease the transition for students.
“Maybe screen time down a little bit … going to sleep at a reasonable time … so then their body is used to it,” Cervera said. “It’s not as hard for kids to wake up during the school year once school starts.”
You should also familiarize yourself with your student’s school breakfast options, Cervera said. Some schools, like Milwaukee Public Schools, offer free breakfast and lunch for all students.
“It’s nice knowing kids have the opportunity to eat so then when they come into school, they’re not either sleepy or hungry,” Cervera said.
Check in with your child’s emotions
Back to school can be an exciting, yet difficult transition for students.
“Going in as a new student, whether it’s a new school or even a school that they’re used to, they’re still going to be in a classroom with students that they don’t know fully,” MacKinney said.
MacKinney said to check in with your child’s emotions and see if there’s anything they need to navigate their days easier.
At Milwaukee Academy of Science, MacKinney said sometimes students have a hard time with the change in their class schedule at the start of the year and other new situations.
“Checking in, making sure they’re understanding … How do you go from one classroom to another? What do you think of your classmates? Who have you talked to so far?” MacKinney said.
Alex Klaus is the education solutions reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.
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