Back to School 2018

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Published Saturday, August 18 in The Berkshire Eagle

Saturday, August 18, 2018 | Berkshire Back To School

Back-to-school ice breakers to ease first day fears The first day of school can be difficult for some children. Fun activities and some extra effort from parents and teachers can make the return to the classroom less stressful.

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Parents and educators can sometimes underestimate children's anxiety over the dawn of a new school year. Many students feel nervous when wondering if their teachers will be nice or if they will make new friends. These worries may be compounded by the return to routine and the end of an enjoyable period of rest and relaxation.

In 2015, CNN polled campers at a summer day camp outside New York City. The campers were elementary school students who were asked about what they were most nervous about for the return to school. Homework, tests, competition, greater expectations, grades, and making new friends topped the list of fears.

To help students transition to the classroom with fewer worries, teachers and parents may want to initiate ice breakers and other stress-reducing interactions. Here are some ideas.

Buddy up Back to school!

Many schools will give out classroom assignments a few days before the first day of school. Parents can investigate who is in their child's homeroom and initiate contact with the parents of one or more of those students. Collectively, parents can make a buddy plan for students to arrive to school together and enter the classroom as a team. Coordinate clothing colors or have students wear another

unifying symbol. This may allay fears and make the first day of school more fun.

School selfie

Students can craft "school selfies" on a piece of paper using a smartphone image template. This selfie illustration will give the class key facts about each student and present an interesting, creative and enjoyable way for students to get to know one another.

Student word search

Word searches are entertaining and educational tools that can be put to use in the classroom. Parents or teachers can create word searches featuring the first names of all the students in the class.

Children often enjoy searching for their own names, and then they can help others, opening up lines of communication.

Word searches also can be customized for any subject. Therefore, if student names aren't desired, the theme can be classroom items or school terms.

Personal introductions

Students may worry about teachers mispronouncing their names or using a full name instead of a nickname. Rather than a traditional roll call, teachers can encourage students to introduce themselves to classmates, using their preferential name and including a brief synopsis of their interests and what makes them unique.

Teachers also can initiate other ice-breakers by giving students a sheet with various questions, which students then have to complete by asking around among the other students. For example, "Who has a pet fish?" or "Find someone who has blue eyes."

Children are in close contact with others at schools and daycare facilities, where germs can be easily transmitted. Children may not be as conscientious as adults in regard to the health risks associated with poor hygiene. These tips can keep students stay healthy and help prevent germs from being transported home, where they can affect other members of the family.

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S ERKSHIRE OF THE B PITTSFIELD B U L C S IRL ET, BOYS & G MELVILLE STRE

Hand washing is essential to good hygiene. Children should wash their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, before eating and after playing outdoors.

Children can bring along their own tissues and use them when their noses become runny. Tissues should be promptly discarded after use.

Parents should ensure that fingernails are clean, as under the fingernails can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Clipping fingernails and regular hand washing can remove a number of germs.

Keep ill children home from school, especially if they have a fever.

Kids should not return to school until they are fever- or symptom-free.

BACK TO

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Madeline Cantarella Culpo – Director 116 Fenn Street-Pittsfield, MA 01201 413-442-1307 cantarellaschoolofdance.org cantarelladance@gmail.com

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The Berkshire Eagle, Greylock Federal Credit Union, and other sponsors are pulling together to give out 1,000 backpacks to children in need this upcoming school season.

In addition to the giveaways, there will be free haircuts from 3-5, health checkups for the kids and financial tips for Mom and Dad. Registration is not required. Backpacks will be given out on a first come, first served basis.

Items that will be included in the backpack are: Water bottle Crayons Safe-scissors Ruler Notebook

Regular pencils Pencil sharpener Glue stick Tissues

Students in the following schools/districts and organizations will be beneficiaries of this program: Adams-Cheshire School District

Central Berkshire School District

Pittsfield School District

Berkshire Children and Families

Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center

Southern Berkshire Regional School District

Berkshire Dream Center

Kidzone

Tot Spot

Berkshire Hills School District

Lee School District

Williamstown School District

BART Charter Public School

Lenox School District

YMCA

Boys & Girls Club of Pittsfield

North Adams School District

Berkshire County Head Start

BACK TO SCHOOL! colorful cotton clothing • Colorful•cotton clothing • backpacks & lunchboxes • Backpacks & Lunchboxes • pencils, pens, erasers • Pencils,• fun pens, erasers accessories

Albany Berkshire Ballet Nutcracker Auditions Sunday, September 16th Open to all area students (Audition fees apply) Complete schedule online at www.berkshireballet.org Auditions held at 116 Fenn St.-Pittsfield, MA 01201 • 413-445-5382 Ages 4 & 5: 10:00 am • Ages 6 - 8: 11:00 am Ages 9 - 11: 1:00 pm • Ages 12 & up: 3:00 pm

Welcome Back

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Toys and community supplies should be washed or disinfected regularly to kill germs. Cleaning classroom furniture regularly also can help establish healthy educational environments.

Preschool through 8th Grade Progressive, Heartfelt Education Since 1975

Berkshire Back To School | Saturday, August 18, 2018

School hygiene tips

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Saturday, August 18, 2018 | Berkshire Back To School