As summer nears its end, there are two distinct thoughts flowing throughout homes across the nation. A mild depression has probably swept across the younger generations as the freewheeling days of summer vacation are traded in for set schedules, homework, and earlier bedtimes. Parents across the country are beginning to breathe a sigh of relief as their lives begin a return to normalcy. No more need to juggle to keep the kids entertained—schoolwork and extra-curricular activities will soon take care of that responsibility.

Getting back "into the groove" of a school schedule impacts the entire family. To help ease the transition back into a school schedule mode, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) suggests doing things such as re-establishing bedtime and mealtime routines and turning off the television a week before the start of school to physically and mentally prepare your child for the proper learning mindset. The NASP also recommends scheduling visits to the doctor and dentist to make certain your child is in good physical health for the start of school, reviewing any materials sent home from school as soon as they arrive so you have all the pertinent information regarding your child's schedule and can complete any emergency forms. Visiting the school with your child to meet teachers, locate classrooms and lockers may also help alleviate first day anxieties.

For those students riding a bus to and from school, the National Safety Council offers the following guidelines for a safe journey:

• Have a safe place to wait for the bus away from traffic and the street.
• Stay clear of the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the bus driver signals you that it is safe to enter.
• Use the handrail when entering and exiting the bus.
• When exiting the bus, exit and walk ten giant steps away from the bus. Keep a safe distance between you and the bus.
• Remember, the bus driver can see you best when you are away from the bus.
• Be aware of the street traffic around you. Although drivers are required by law to stop for buses, not all do. Protect yourself by always looking both ways before crossing a street.

As a parent driving to and from work or running errands, you must also adapt to the return of school season. If your daily commute takes you through residential areas, remember to allow additional time in your commuting schedule to compensate for the loading and unloading of children from school buses along your route. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds all drivers that they are required by law to stop when a school bus stops to load or unload students. Illegally passing a stopped school bus with red lights flashing is referred to as a "stop-arm violation" which refers to the stop-sign shaped arm that extends from the left side of the bus when the red lights are activated. The stop arm is in place to give students time for safe passage to and from the bus.

Over the past decade, backpacks have become a necessary back to school accessory for kids. But just as with a purse or wallet, our natural tendency is to stuff them full of whatever we think we'll possibly need during our travels. When it comes to a supply of heavy books, it takes very few to make a backpack cumbersome.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following considerations and health warnings regarding backpacks and children:

• Backpacks should have wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
• Backpacks should not be overloaded. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the child's body weight.
• Heavier items should be packed closest to the center of the back and items should be evenly distributed to utilize all of the backpack's compartments.
• Both shoulder straps should be used. Carrying a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles and may also increase the likelihood of developing a curvature of the spine.
• For students who must carry a heavy load, consider a rolling backpack but remember it still must be carried up stairs and may be difficult to roll on certain surfaces.

The first day of school is also a time for anxious stomachs and nervousness for many kids. If this the case in your household, the APA has a few recommendations for making the first day of school a bit easier:

• Make special note of the positive aspects of starting back to school. Remind your child that he or she will have fun and get to see old friends and make new friends. Recall good memories about previous school years and how your child returned home after previous "first days" happy and excited about the year ahead.
• Remind your child that he or she isn't the only person nervous about the first day and that teachers realize students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make certain everyone is as comfortable as possible in the new environment.
• In advance of the first day, find another child in the neighborhood with whom your child can walk to school or ride with on the bus. A familiar face can make a world of difference in a new environment.
• You may also find it beneficial to drive your child or walk to school and pick your child up the first day to help relieve some of the anxiety.

It's been a long, fun-filled summer—long enough for established school patterns and habits to change. Getting back into the rhythm of the schedule that school demands will help make the transition easier for all involved. The school experience should be fun for your children and helping eliminate some of the first-day jitters will help start the new school year out on the right foot!

Sources:
Federal Citizen Information Center—www.pueblo.gsa.gov
National Association of School Psychologists—www.nasponline.org
National Safety Council—www.nsc.org
American Academy of Pediatrics—www.aap.org
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration—www.nhtsa.gov

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