As families across British Columbia get ready for the first day of school when students and teachers head back to the classroom, here are some tips to help families prepare for the start of the new school year.
* Check what time your child’s classes start. 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 the week before 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 to learn.
* Keep nutritious snacks, like cut-up fruit and vegetables, cheese sticks, low-fat yogurt and butter-free popcorn on hand to make healthy eating easier.
* 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 body weight 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.
* Limit your children’s screen time. Explain to your children that it’s important to sit less and move more in order to stay at a healthy weight. 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.
* Setting up a regular time to work together with your children.* 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.
This information bulletin is available in French at:http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/news/docs/20
10/tips-success_fr.pdf In Chinese at:http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/news/docs/20
10/tips-success_ch.pdf In Punjabi at:http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/news/docs/2010/tips-success_pu.pdf
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
Editor’s Note: Press Release from the BC Government Public Affairs Bureau
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