Make sure your kids get a healthy breakfast! Kids who eat breakfast do better at school-make better grades, perform better on the playground and have fewer nurse visits. It’s hard to think on an empty stomach! AND breakfast eaters tend to weigh less than breakfast skippers. Michelle, McCallum PTA, Austin If your child has any type of special needs whether covered by 504, RtI or IDEA, make arrangements for them to meet their teachers before school starts and not at Meet the Teacher when all of the other classmates will be there too. Also if they are a secondary student, and especially those transitioning to jr high or high school, make arrangements for them to practice their class schedule several times before other students are around and have them practice opening their lockers. This will help them be more comfortable when school starts. Laura, Cinco Ranch Jr High PTA, Katy 4
Shop early for back to school supplies... Buy a few extra to share w/your child’s Teacher for the student who maybe needs a little help on the side with out being pointed out. Lennie, Polser Elementary, Carrollton Parents start the School night routine in mid July. Kids are happy and you are rested. Deborah, Friendswood Show your kids that you care and be there for them when the bell rings. Don’t show them that you are sad, instead show them that you are happy, and that you love them. Carol, Brentwood Elementary, Austin
Your
We asked for School advice If you happen to be a dad who is also an elementary PTA president, my advice is for you. Keep your boots on. Few parents have ever seen a dad as a PTA president. Win those people over. Work hard, play hard, and laugh with the kids. Victor, Wooden Elementary PTA, Red Oak
I think the best advice in the history of giving advice came from Douglas Adams: DON’T PANIC. While I’d love to take credit for his incredible words of wisdom, I can only pass them on to as many parents as possible.
Dream BIG this new school year! Plan BIG goals, set the bar HIGH for yourself, even exaggerate a little in what you want to accomplish. Make sure others think you make no sense... After all, everyone who dreamed to reach the stars landed in the sky and that’s the limit!
Michelle, Smithifield Middle School BISD, North Richland Hills
Oswaldo, Forest Lane Academy PTA, Richardson