Vail District's Suggestions Can Ease New School Year

Students in the Vail School District start school Monday.

"There's nothing more important than parent involvement and interest," said Deborah Frazelle, principal at Desert Willow Elementary School.

Here are a few ideas from the district and the Kumon program to help make the school year successful.

Focus on the positives. Talk to children about summer accomplishments and recognize the skills they used to be successful. These are the same skills that will help them in school.
Give children genuine and frequent praise. Let children know you believe in them and recognize their efforts, not just their final accomplishments.
Set up a study area for children. It should be quiet, well ventilated, well lighted, equipped with school supplies and free of distractions. It's important to spend study time talking and reading rather than focusing on TV and video games.
Establish consistent routines. Schedule daily homework time so it becomes part of the family's routine and go over homework together. Get supplies and materials ready the night before.
Make time to get acquainted with teachers and keep communication open. Discuss goal setting with both the child and the teacher. Attend parent-teacher conferences.
Be involved at the school. Join the PTA, volunteer at the school and attend performances.
Talk with children each day after school. Ask open-ended questions and find out what kinds of things they are leaning.
Create learning opportunities outside of school. Visit museums, explore or take children grocery shopping.
Get enough sleep and eat a good breakfast. The district offers a breakfast program for students.
Read. No matter what a child's age, the parent should read to the child and the child should read to the parent.