| Backpack, full of supplies. Check! | | | | 4. Double-check the dress code. It may be over ninety |
| First-day outfit, clean and ready to go. Check! | | | | degrees, but does the school allow students to wear |
| Everyone knows where they're going and when to be | | | | flip-flops or tank tops? Make sure you know, so that |
| there. Check (more or less.) | | | | really cool first-day outfit doesn't merit a trip to the |
| Even though you are pretty sure the kids are ready, | | | | principal's office. |
| and they are all in bed, you think ahead to tomorrow. | | | | 5. Visit new schools in advance. If your child is new to |
| How will you help make sure they have a good first | | | | a school, see if you can come a couple of days |
| day, and you do, too? | | | | before the school year starts. Arrange to meet the |
| | | | teachers. Bring your child for a tour. Ask if you can |
| 1. Prepare. Like the list above, make a list for your | | | | bring some of the school supplies early. There's nothing |
| family. What needs to get done before the first day? | | | | like being the new kid, not knowing where the |
| Don't wait too long to get the school supplies, or you | | | | bathroom is, and dropping pencils all over the floor |
| may find yourself running all over town because some | | | | because your hands are full. |
| things are sold out. Lay out clothes the night before, | | | | 6. Plan for de-briefing. Even if you have a busy day, |
| just in case a pair of favorite socks is dirty or a shoe | | | | set aside time to visit with your children when they get |
| is misplaced. If you don't prepare, the first day will | | | | home from school or you return from work. Ask how |
| almost always be chaotic. | | | | things went, what was new this year, if they need |
| 2. Plan breakfast. Be sure to think about breakfast | | | | anything else for school supplies, what their teachers |
| ahead of time. If you know your children will be hard to | | | | are like, etc. Keep the communication lines open early |
| wake up that first day of school, don't make a huge | | | | in the school year. |
| breakfast. Have a fast breakfast planned (granola | | | | 7. Listen with a level head. Remember that children |
| bars and grapes is fast and portable.) Then, if time | | | | have unique perspectives, so don't overreact when |
| allows and all goes well, go ahead and serve them | | | | you hear wild stories. You may want to ask the |
| homemade pancakes with smiley faces. But, don't feel | | | | teacher what really happened and get a more |
| like they're wrecking your perfect breakfast because | | | | balanced account. Be sure to check in with the |
| they're sleepy. | | | | teachers as soon as you hear any reports of bullying. |
| 3. Sharpen pencils ahead of time. This will save your | | | | It is best to deal with that problem early. Hopefully you |
| child a long line in front of the pencil sharpener the first | | | | and your children will have a great first day of school |
| day. It may seem like a little thing, but it helps your child | | | | which sets up a positive outlook for the entire year. |
| be more ready for writing. | | | | |