That time of year has quickly approached us yet again. With summer coming to an end, sooner than we all hoped for, the new school year is just around the corner. It can be stressful preparing your student for the next year of their education. For some, preparation for the new school year may begin with one last family barbeque, back-to-school shopping, or revisiting previous learning skills to get our minds into the swing of learning again.
Preparing your Student for New Learning Objectives
Exposing your student to the thought of new skills before the start of the school year is a
great way to get their wheels turning again. For some students, new challenges in school can become overwhelming. However, being exposed to new skills, even at a surface level, can create a less intimidating learning environment for your student at the start of the year. Introduction to the upcoming curriculum can allow your student the ability to have a basis of understanding to expand their knowledge through the school year. Some schools may post new curriculums to their website each year. You may also reach out to your student’s teacher for the upcoming year.
Example:
- Skim the district’s curriculum guide or state standards online.
- Pick 2–3 major topics (fractions, early U.S. history, ecosystems) and introduce them casually through books, YouTube videos, or museum visits.
- Pre-Teach Key Academic Vocabulary. If math will focus on multiplication and division, review words like “factor,” “product,” “quotient” with flashcards, pictures, or real-life examples (e.g., dividing snacks or pizza slices).
For children with IEPs:
- Read through your child’s last IEP or progress report and highlight the skills they mastered and those still emerging.
- Share this summary with your child in a positive way: “You really improved in reading comprehension last year — this year you’ll get to use those skills in science class, too.”
- Create social stories with your child for the first day of school.
Getting Back into a Routine
With laid-back summer days still here, the last thing students have on their mind is waking up to the infuriating alarm clocks for school. It can be helpful to introduce your student to a new school routine in the upcoming weeks in preparation for the new school year. Creating a daily schedule for your student now, can set the stage for when it is time to return to school. For students with anxiety specifically related to school, getting into the
swing of a routine now can help decrease any impact the first weeks of the school year may have.
Example:
- Start the school-year bedtime/wake-up schedule 1–2 weeks before school.
- Practice a “morning routine” dry run: wake up → get changed/ready → breakfast → backpack check → out the door.
- For students with executive functioning goals, use a visual checklist.
Confirming Individualized Education Program and 504 Plans are Finalized
If your child receives special education or has a 504 Plan, it may be a good idea to reach out to your student’s IEP team or counselor to schedule a meeting prior to the school year beginning. Meeting with your student’s teacher, counselor and/or IEP team gives parents the opportunity to discuss goals they would like to set for their student. Parents can provide information about observations made over the summer such as behavior changes,
possible medication changes, or any developments in the student’s learning. This allows parents to be on the same page with their student’s teachers and team and pave the way for a more productive learning environment and well-informed support system for their student.
Visit the School and Meet Staff
Many districts offer orientations or “sneak peek” days before the school year starts. Walk around the building with your child so your student knows where the classrooms, bathrooms, and cafeteria are. If possible, meet the new teacher(s) and share a one-page “About My Child” summary to the teacher(s) that identifies your student’s learning strengths, needs, and preferred supports. If your child has a locker for the first time, find
the locker and practice the combination a few times.
Preparing for the new school year is not always an easy task.
However, here at Cherkas Metcalfe Law, we are focused on ensuring the transition into the new school year is as smooth as possible for both you and your student. Should you have any questions or wish to discuss further ways to prepare, our firm can be reached at (484) 873-8010 or on our website at cmstudentlaw.com.
The information within this article is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Please consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your personal situation.