CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Chelsea Brantley, media coordinator at Nags Head Elementary School, visits with a group of students. The new school year begins in Dare County on Aug. 27.
Goodbye summer: Tips for back-to-school success Come Aug. 27, school buses will be rolling again across eastern North Carolina as students head back to school for the 2018-19 school year. Schedules, supply lists, bus routes, new clothes are a given in back-toschool season. But that’s not all kids need for a successful new school year.
ROUTINES
Start now building a routine so children can adjust properly. This means structuring activities so kids know what to expect, including healthy
meals at the same time each day and a regular bedtime. Getting enough sleep is critical to students' well-being and ability to learn, says Dr. Suresh Kotagal, pediatric sleep expert at Mayo Clinic Children's Center. He suggests establishing a bedtime routine before school starts to help children fall asleep and get a good night's rest. He adds that children rest better if they skip caffeine after dinner, get regular exercise, turn off electronic devices an hour before bedtime, and
silence phones so text this to you at no charge messages or alerts don't simply by calling or stopdisrupt sleep. ping by and fi lling out a request, just make sure to allow a week or more for VACCINATIONS AND processing. MEDICAL RECORDS By reviewing this reMake sure your child has recommended vacci- cord you can also verify if nations and to aware of your child is up-to-date on changes to those recom- vaccinations and wellness mendations. (See our sto- visits. ry on required vaccines on Page xxx) ANXIETY If your child is starting a Heading back to school new school or after-school is exciting and a little program, you may be re- nerve-wracking. For some quired to supply medi- children, it can fuel anxcal records or vaccination iety, which parents can forms. Doctor's offices help get ahead of by taking should be able to supply proactive measures.
"Some kids are more anxious than others, and transitions like going back to school can be more difficult for them," says Dr. Stephen Whiteside, psychiatrist with the Mayo Clinic Children's Center. "Talking to them and preparing them ahead of time by doing things such as visiting the schools and meeting teachers can be beneficial."
BULLYING
One reason a child may have anxiety about heading back to school is he or she experienced bullying
previously. Before school starts, ask your child about their concerns. Learn about what happened and discuss how to respond if it happens again in the new school year (for example, walk away or get help from a trusted adult or peer). Build up your child's self-esteem so they have confidence to handle difficult situations. Finally, reach out to teachers to build a team mentality. By taking a few proactive steps now, both parents and children can be well prepared for the start of a great new school year.
Know the rules Free and reduced-price meal applications available now of the road August is Back to School Safety Month. The North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey who also serves as the Chair for SafeKids NC, reminds students, parents, and motorists to use extra caution as students walk, drive, or ride the bus to school. On a typical school day, more than 14,000 school buses carrying nearly 800,000 students operate on North Carolina roads. “Passing a stopped school bus can result in injury or death to children.” Commissioner Causey encouraged all motorists to learn the rules of the road and watch for children walking to school or waiting by the roadside for a school bus. In most cases, vehicles must stop in either direction if the school bus stop sign is out, red lights are flashing, and the bus is stopped to load or unload passengers. In some cases, where a median or physical barrier divides the traffic going in different directions, or where a center turn lane separates a fourlane road, motorists traveling the opposite direction from the school bus are not required to stop. In addition to obeying the stopped school bus law a motorist should not block crosswalks and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks taking extra precaution in school zones. A motorist should never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians. Motorists should stop far enough back from a school bus to allow children room to safely enter and exit the bus. The area 10 feet
around a school bus is the most dangerous for children. The National Safety Council has released tips to help keep students safe. If your student walks to school they should walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk and they must walk in the street or road, walk facing traffic. Before crossing the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming. Never dart out in front of a parked car. Parents should Practice walking to school with their child, crossing streets or crosswalks when available. Students should never walk while texting or talking on the phone and they should not walk while using headphones. If your student rides their bike to school they should always wear a helmet that is fitted and secured properly. Teach them the rules of the road: Ride single file on the right side of the road, come to a complete stop before crossing the street and walk the bike across. Watch for opening car doors and other hazards. Use hand signals when turning and wear bright-colored clothing. If your child takes the bus to school teach your children the proper way to get on and off the bus. They should line up six feet away from the curb as the bus approaches. If seat belts are available, buckle up. They should wait for the bus to stop completely before standing. If your student must cross the road they should walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus.
State requires school children be immunized
North Carolina law requires all children in the state to receive certain immunizations. Records are checked when children enter school or child care. Every year, all public, private, charter and federal schools are required to report the immunization status of their students. To enter kindergarten, children are required to have the follow ing immunizations: Dtap , polio, MMR, Hib, Hep
B, varicella and PCV. Parents of rising seventh graders, children must receive TDAP and meningococcal meningitis vaccines. All students entering NC schools for the first time must submit a completed North Carolina Health Assessment Transmittal Form. Provide your school nurse with your students health assessment and updated vaccination record. Check with your school for the correct form.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction recently announced its policy for the 2018-19 USDA free and reduced-price meals for children enrolled in state schools. The federally assisted school nutrition programs help ensure all students have access to wholesome, nutritious, appealing meals at school. “Research indicates access to healthful meals at school can enhance students’ overall health, well-being and academic performance,” said state Superintendent Mark Johnson. “Children who are hungry or poorly nourished have difficulty learning and do not perform as well in the classroom as students who are well-nourished. Healthful meals at school, coupled with a safe, student-focused learning environment, are top priorities in North Carolina because they help prepare students for success.” Household size and income criteria will be used to determine student eligibility for free and reduced price meal benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels identified are eligible for free or reduced price meals. Children who are members of households that are eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or Cash Assistance (CA) are automatically eligible for free meals. SNAP/CA families will be certified by the determining official by direct certification. Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a social services agency or court are considered categorically eligible for free-meal benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. (Note: The SNAP was formerly known as the “Food Stamp” Program. In North Carolina, the SNAP is called “Food and Nutrition Services” or FNS. The CA program was formerly known as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF. Applications for free and reduced-price school meals are being made available to all households. Applications should be available in the principal’s office at each school. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, house¬holds must complete the application and return it to the school or to the School Nutrition Office within the school district, charter school, non-public school or other institution participating
in the National School Lunch Program. The information provided on the application for free and reduced-price meal benefits will be used to determine student’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Families receiving FNS or CA do not need to complete an application because they are automatically certified by the determining official via direct certification. For school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits, an adult household member must sign the application. Applications must include the names of all household members, the amount and source of income received by each household member, and the last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the household member signing the application does not have a social security number, he or she must indicate that a social security number is not available. All applications for free and reduced-price meal benefits are subject to verification of income at any time during the school year by school or other program officials. Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, the School Nutrition Administrator or designee in each school district will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to the school district, charter school, non-public school or other participating institution. If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may qualify children of the household for school meals benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the levels shown above. Some of the most common questions and answers about free and reduced-price meals are addressed below: Who can receive free and reduced-price meals? • All children in households receiving benefits from Food and Nutrition Services (FNS, formerly known as Food Stamps), the
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) or Cash Assistance (CA), are eligible for free meals. • Foster children who are under the legal responsibility of a foster-care agency or court are eligible for free meals. • Children participating in their school’s federally funded Head Start program are eligible for free meals. • Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals. • Children may receive free or reduced-price meals if the income of their household is within the limits on the federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. How do I know if my children qualify as homeless, migrant, or runaway? Do the members of your household lack a permanent address? Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary housing arrangement? Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis? Are any children living with you chosen to leave their prior family or household? If you believe children in your household meet these descriptions and you have not been told your children will receive free meals, please contact your Local Education Agency (LEA). Do I need to fill out an application for each child? No. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. The household application cannot be approved if the application is not complete, so be sure to provide all required information. Should I fill out an application if I received a letter this school year saying my children are already approved for free meals? No, but please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. If any children in your household were missing from your eligibility notification, contact the School Nutrition Administrator in your school district immediately. Can I apply online? Yes! You are encouraged to complete an online application, instead of a paper application, if you are able. The online application has the same requirements and will ask you for the same information as a paper application. My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out a new one? Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year