An ideal transition from summer vacation into September school would involve weeks of preparation, such as reversing sleeping habits, buying and organizing school supplies, practicing brainteasers, and summarizing what was learned in the previous year. But for many kids, the first day of school will be the first time they’ve woken before 9 a.m. in two months. And for many parents, Labor Day weekend will be the first time they have a chance to go shopping for school supplies. Don’t fret if you have to kick summer cold turkey. There are still some steps you can take to ease into the routines of school.

1. Don’t buy everything on a store-provided school supply list until you confirm with the teacher that you will need everything on that list. Many schools or grade-level teams go overboard on these lists to make sure students will have everything they may need throughout the school year, but many items on these lists may be superfluous.

2. Other than confirming supplies, ask your child to listen for three things on the first day of school: a.) teacher expectations for behavior and protocol, b.) how grades will be weighted and calculated, and c.) what the first few assignments will be and when they will be due. Give teachers a few days to relay this information to students. If your child still is unsure of these expectations after the first week, you may want to contact the teacher.

3. Supplies and clothes get your child ready for school on the outside, but it is also a good idea to prepare your child on the inside as well. Talk about his or her expectations as a student, both academically and socially. How will their friends have changed? How will their teachers and classes change? Walking verbally through these anticipations will help your child be more open to change in the new school year.

We at Better Grades In-Home Tutoring want to wish all parents and students of Vancouver, Washington, and all of Clark Country a very successful and happy school year!