School Column
The start of a new school year is just weeks away. Getting your student ready for a productive school year involves more than just shopping for new clothes and school supplies.
You can help your child get a great start by following a few “Back to School Basics.”
Re-acclimate to school routines. Begin now to reestablish the school year schedule.
Gradually adjust bedtime over the next two weeks so your student will be able to awaken early when Sept. 6 arrives.
Set aside some quiet time each evening to devote to reading. Establishing the school routine well in advance of opening day helps to ensure that your child will have plenty of time to dress, eat an unhurried breakfast, and leave the house early enough to arrive at school or the bus stop on time.
Reacquaint your child with the route to and from the bus stop or school.
If your child walks to the bus stop or to school, familiarize him or her with the route by walking it together several times before school begins.
Remind your child of the need to cross streets safely, obey the crossing guard and traffic signals, and walk with a buddy.
Bus routes will be posted at each school the week before Labor Day. The starting time for each route is listed and each bus stop is approximately 3–5 minutes apart. If your child is a rider, please review the rules for bus safety. A helpful brochure on the district website — www.chclc.org — includes bus safety rules.
Remind your child to complete that summer reading assignment. Our older students — middle and high school age — have summer reading assignments. Summer reading assignments are intended, in part, to combat the “summer slide” that can occur when school is not in session.
But reading also helps students to better understand themselves, others, and the world around them.
It helps students to process information and promotes mental growth. Reading is a lifetime skill; like most skills, reading improves with practice and deteriorates when neglected for even a short time. You’ll find links on the district website, from the Curriculum & Instruction drop-down menu, or on the individual school websites.
Attend orientation.
For students who are transitioning from elementary to middle school or middle to high school, orientation is an opportunity to visit your new school in a relaxed setting with old friends and new classmates.
Orientation dates for our secondary schools are as follows:
• Aug. 17: Rosa 6th Grade Orientation, 7 p.m.
• Aug. 23: Carusi 6th Grade Orientation, 7 p.m.
• Aug. 25: West Freshman Orientation, 7 p.m.
• Aug. 25: East Freshman Orientation, 7 p.m.
• Aug. 30: East Freshman Orientation, 9 a.m.
• Aug. 31: West Freshman Orientation, 7 p.m.
• Sept. 1: Beck 6th Grade Orientation, 7:30 p.m.
Save the date for Back-to- School night. Whether your child is just starting kindergarten, entering his senior year, or is somewhere in between, plan to attend Back to School night at his or her school.
Back-to-School night dates for all of our Cherry Hill Public Schools are posted on the district website.
September is always an exciting time, filled with the promise of new beginnings.
Our teachers, administrators, and staff are looking forward to the return of students and to another year of working with parents toward our common goal: helping our children succeed in our schools, our community, and beyond.
Susan Bastnagel is the Public Information Office for the Cherry Hill Public Schools. She can be reached at 429–5600, ext. 4325, or sbastnagel@chclc.org.
