Back-to-School Tips for a Smooth Transition and Thriving Learning Space
Summer is winding down, and the back-to-school season is upon us. As parents, we’re shifting from beach trips to store runs for notebooks and pens. But being an involved parent means more than just stocking up on supplies; it's about setting the stage for a smooth and successful school year. From purchasing essentials and making classroom donations to emotionally preparing your child for the transition and keeping your home organized, this season can feel overwhelming without proper planning.
To help you start the school year on the right foot, we spoke with Marilena, a high school English teacher with 21 years of experience. She shares her top advice for parents, must-have items for the first day of school, and her go-to tips for creating a focused, stress-free learning environment
Preparing for Back to school
As the first day of school approaches, it's important to ensure your child is ready to step into the classroom with confidence. Having the right supplies on hand not only helps them stay organized but also reduces any first day anxieties. We asked Marilena what she recommends students bring, as well as how parents can best support their children during this transition.
What are the essential items every student should bring on the first day of school?
On the first day of school, students should be bringing their backpacks and at least a notebook, folders, and writing utensils. Elementary school teachers often will send a list of supplies that they need parents to purchase for their child or the communal classroom before school begins or that first week. Older students in middle and high school aren’t usually told until that first week of school what supplies are necessary. Some teachers prefer students keep a binder for their classes while others prefer notebooks and folders
What advice do you have for parents to help make the back-to-school transition as smooth as possible?
One piece of advice is to remember what it was like for you going back to school when you were their age. No matter what age a child is, there’s usually a sense of anxiety on the part of the child. This is often mixed with excitement for seeing their friends again. Many students haven’t seen their majority of their peers for months so sometimes relationships and friendships can change. Another thing to remember is that times are very different from when you were in school and there are often different types of expectations for students, especially in this technological age.
How can parents support their children’s learning at home, and what supplies might they need?
Parents can definitely keep on top of their children’s learning by making sure to login to whatever online grading portal their children have and keeping up to date with their progress. For younger aged children be on the lookout for emails and even paperwork sent home by parents in your child’s backpack. A computer is always important to have if one can afford to have one or even a Chromebook or tablet. There are so many useful apps out there to help parents make learning fun for their children. Small whiteboard may also be useful for parents as well! For older age students, I would recommend a tablet or Chromebook as many assignments are now collected by teachers on Google classroom
Maintaining a clean classroom
Maintaining a clean and organized environment is essential for students’ well-being. Not only does a clutter-free space reduce anxiety and improve focus in the classroom, a tidy setting can also encourage students to take responsibility for their surroundings. As parents, the following cleaning and organization tips can easily be extended into the home, where you can apply similar strategies to create a peaceful and productive environment for your children. From using storage bins to adopting non-toxic cleaning products, Marilena shares with us her best tips for both maintaining a healthy classroom and ensuring the best at-home learning environment.
What is your approach to keeping the classroom clean and organized throughout the school year?
For myself, I keep everything organized in storage bins, filing cabinets, and rolling carts. When everything has its place, it makes the classroom feel more like a home. A cluttered classroom can create anxiety for sure! I also try to go through my drawers and closet and get rid of things that I no longer need. At our school we can place things we no longer need in the faculty room and someone who may need it is sure to grab it.
How do you involve students in maintaining a clean and tidy classroom environment?
Since I have a place for everything, I trust students to put things back in the places they belong. When you make students part of the process they are more willing to help as it becomes their space as well.
What items do you wish parents would consider to help with classroom maintenance and cleanliness?
I would love for parents to help supply tissues, cleaning supplies and organizational supplies as well. Regular utensils are definitely a big help as teachers often pay out of pocket for many supplies!
Non-toxic cleaning products are so important when it comes to maintaining a clean space for children, what cleaning products do you prefer to use in your classroom?
I prefer to use any natural and nontoxic supplies that make the classroom clean such as Cloth+Bristle supplies! However, I often use whatever supplies are shared with me.
What are some overall cleaning suggestions you have for both parents and teachers?
I think one should try to have a place for everything so that their homes and classrooms are organized. Storage bins are a big help and labeling everything is so important! There’s a lot of time lost looking for things that we misplace. As for maintaining a clean physical environment, I would make sure to wipe everything down whenever possible and clean as often as you can!
As the new school year begins, being prepared and organized can make all the difference in creating a positive and productive environment for both students and parents. From having the right supplies on the first day, to maintaining a clean and orderly space at home and in the classroom, these small efforts contribute to a smoother, more successful school experience. By following these tips and staying involved in your child’s education, you’re setting them up for a year filled with growth, learning, and achievement.
Don’t forget to thank your children’s dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to create nurturing, organized, and encouraging environments where our children can thrive.
Consider donating to Marilena’s back-to-school Amazon wishlist today! https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SINEV55S9L2O?ref_=wl_share