Back To School

The Anti-Bullying Network is now an independent operation with the following objectives:

• to support anti-bullying work in schools;
• to provide a free website;
• and to offer an anti-bullying service which will include the provision of training, publications and consultancy services.

Face Bullying With Confidence

• 8 Skills Kids Can Use Right Away

1. Walking with Awareness, Calm, Respect, and Confidence
2. Leaving in a Powerful, Positive Way
3. Setting a Boundary

 School Bus Safety Tips for Parents and Students

Please take a moment to review the following safety tips to help ensure our children arrive to and from school safely each day:

• Get to the school bus stop five minutes early, so you won’t have to run across the road to catch the bus.
• When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic. Line up at least five giant steps away from the curb or the roadway to wait for the bus.
• Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop.
• Never push when getting on or off of the school bus.
• Always walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing so that the school bus driver can see you.
• Be aware – Cross with Care! Wait until the school bus has stopped all traffic before stepping out onto the road.
• When the school bus is moving, always stay in your seat. Never put your head, arms or hands out of the window.
• Talk quietly; do not distract your school bus driver.
• If your school bus crosses railroad tracks, be calm and quiet so that your driver can listen for a train. Always obey your school bus driver’s instructions, so that he or she can make safe decisions.
• Never play with the emergency exits. Backpacks, band instruments, or sports equipment may not block the aisle or emergency exits. If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions.
• When getting off of the school bus, make sure that all drawstrings and other loose objects are secure so that they don’t get caught on the handrail or the door.
• Never cross the street behind the school bus.
• If you leave something on the bus or drop something outside of the bus, never go back for it. The driver may not see you and begin moving the bus.
• Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger.

 Here are 12 tips on making the most of your public library:

Link to the rest of the site and tips. 

1. Get your child a library card. Show your child the joy of checking out books from his local library. At some libraries, kids can also check out videos, educational games, and puzzles. Teach your child to take care of the books and other items he checks out and to make sure the items get returned on time.

2. Visit often. Make the library a routine place that you visit with your kids, like the park or a favorite pizza place. Become regulars—get to know your way around your library, and get to know the librarians.

3. Teach your child how to find books and media at the library. Though most libraries have moved to all-digital systems, some still use card catalogs. Others that have shifted away from the Dewey decimal classification system—a method of assigning numbers and letters for organizing books—now arrange books similar to bookstores, with certain subgenres organized and shelved together. Since most libraries generally evolve to meet the needs of their patrons, in many places kids can also learn to use the interlibrary lending system for libraries within a network and other book-finding procedures, giving them more options for how they use their local library.

4. Visit different branches. Every library branch has its own personality. “Try several branches and see which one you like,” Fox says. “It might be worth traveling a little farther to get to the branch that has the most to offer.”

Here are 10 ways you can help your child have a smooth return to school and start the new school year on a positive note. Here is the link to the page and the rest of the tips.

1. Chat with your child. Keeping an open line of communication is important.

2. Create a sense of community. Feeling a part of things is important for children at every age. Even if your child hasn’t moved or changed schools, getting in touch with classmates before school starts can help break the ice for many kids. Pediatric nurse practitioner and mother Meredith Pasciuto from Dedham, Mass., suggests reconnecting with friends just before school starts.

3. New school? Keep the old friends, too. If your child is starting at a new school, parents can help bridge the emotional gap between making new friends and leaving a familiar circle of friends by encouraging kids to keep in touch.

8 Back-to-School Family Traditions link to the rest of the tips and site

http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/10849-8-back-to-school-family-traditions

“Last Supper of Summer” or “Back-to-School Breakfast”

Fun “Night Before School” Preparations

Kindergarten Academics: What To Expect link to rest

Prereading Skills

Math, Science, and Other Subjects

Time for Fun, Learning

Back-to-School Shopping: Money-Saving Tips

Make a list and set a budget

Start early

Shop online, too

Less Homework Stress

1. Diagnose the Problem

There are a few familiar reasons why kids don’t get their homework done. Experts recommend that parents start by pinpointing the reason the child is having trouble:

The child is overwhelmed with the quantity of homework. It takes hours to complete each night, and mom has to constantly nag to get her to finish.

The child doesn’t understand how to do the work. He can’t do the math problems, or the reading is overwhelming. Parents spend hours trying to address weaknesses and get the homework done.

The child doesn’t have too much homework. She knows how to do it, but she has trouble focusing. Any of these problems can lead to frustration and conflict.

What Kids Need To Succeed in School

1.  Make Sure Your Child Gets Enough Sleep
2. Make Sure Your Child Eats a Healthy Breakfast
3. Manage Screen Time