In the aftermath of stormy weather from Hurricane Debby, summer's sun still shines brightly...soon school bells will be ringing with the first day of school for most Polk County students coming up next Monday, August 12.
Many families are shopping for new school supplies and other essentials that come with the start of a new school year. To help make the back-to-school transition a bit easier, our friends at Lakeland Mom have you covered with a Back-to-School Guide for Polk County (link below) to help you find all the information you may need to download school calendars, get a list of back-to-school events, sign up for after school programs and homework help, and much more.
It's a good idea for parents to help their students transition from summer break to a more structured back to school routine before the start of the new experience by not waiting until the last minute when everyone is in a rush. Think about introducing earlier bedtime and morning wake-up schedule this week so your child's body clock will have a few days to adjust and they'll be well rested.
Some youth thrive on change, but others may find the transition difficult to navigate. Watch for signs of distress as children enter a new grade. Help them prepare by monitoring mood changes, sleep patterns, and signs of isolation.
You want your child to know you are there for them every step of the way to avoid the dangers of stress and the harmful temptation to turn to substance use and other risky behaviors to cope. Keep the lines of communication open by talking about their feelings. Encourage healthy coping mechanisms such as daily exercise, nutritious meals, staying connected to positive social supports, and modeling healthy ways to manage stress.
Wishing you a safe and successful 2024-2025 school year!
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