Back To School At GK: 10 Ways To Help You Prepare For The 2018–19 School Year

Summer may still be in full-swing, but the start of the 2018–19 school year for GK students is right around the corner.

Classes start Wednesday, Aug. 15 — here’s what you can do before then to make sure you start the year off prepared and ready to go:

1. Get back on a regular sleep schedule: One of the most significant (and challenging) transitions from summer to fall for students is getting back on a common routine — particularly when it comes to re-implementing sleep schedules that require consistent early mornings. The National Sleep Foundation recommends a gradual, two-week process in which students incrementally go to bed earlier, and get up earlier, each day until they’re waking up at the appropriate time for school. However, a full, restful sleep is also crucial, according to experts. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine free from caffeine, screens, distractions and big meals or snacks is key to getting in a full night’s sleep.
2. Set your school transportation route: It’s critical to know where, and what time, the bus will arrive in the morning. Use this list of community bus routes to find your neighborhood and see your schedule. For students who walk, bike and drive, it’s also a good idea to make sure the entire family is familiar with the primary routes to and from school, and to practice them together prior to the start of the school year. This will help to check the route’s efficiency, timing and overall safety.
3. Make sure all school supplies and materials are organized: Do you know what items are needed for school this year? K-2 students at Kingston Elementary School can find their supplies here, students in grades 3–5 at Genoa Elementary School can find their supplies here and Genoa-Kingston Middle School students can find their supply list for grades 6–8 here. Incoming 9–12 grade students at Genoa-Kingston High School will have a materials pick-up day from 12–8 p.m. on Aug. 8 which will include yearbook purchase, Chromebook pick-up, registration support, schedule pick-up and Mealtime deposits. Parents can also pay fees or set up payment plans, as well. That day will also serve as picture day for high schoolers on a first-come, first-serve basis — though all students are encouraged to try to attend. Retakes will occur Sept. 28.
4. Get those health check-ups in: Staying healthy is key to maximizing learning. From 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. on Aug. 2, the DeKalb County Health Department will hold a Healthy Start to School event at its 2550 N. Annie Glidden Road facility for on-site school and sports physicals, immunizations and dental exams (9 a.m.-1 p.m.). Additional vendors and resources will also be on-hand to help you prepare for the upcoming school year, such as: Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantry (10 a.m.-1 p.m.); Adventure Works (9 a.m.-1 p.m.); car seat safety checks from the Illinois Department of Transportation (9–11 a.m.); Grow Mobile Produce; and a shoe share distribution.
5. High schoolers, don’t forget to get your school picture taken: From 12–8 p.m., GKHS students can come by the high school to get their school picture taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. For those unable to attend, retakes will occur Sept. 28.
6. Set academic and personal goals: What do you hope to accomplish this year — not just in the classroom, but within yourself and within your community, as well? Before school starts, begin trying to set some target goals: What subjects do you want to improve in? Do you want to try new clubs or sports? Can you increase your volunteer hours by 10 percent? The George Lucas Educational Foundation recommends setting SMART goals, which are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely and Trackable.
7. Put an after-school plan together: Work together as a family to establish what the daily routine will be, especially when it comes to after-school hours. Take a look at what extracurriculars are involved in your schedule to easily coordinate transportation, timing and people who will be available to help — whether it’s someone to drive, babysit, or help out in some other way. This will help draw clear guidelines and expectations from both student and guardian.
8. Make a list of contacts and resources: It’s essential students have a list of resources and primary contacts at their disposal so they know who to seek in the case of an emergency, and how. Create a list of local contacts such as police, fire, and EMS, and also include names and numbers for immediate family members (as well as any adult workplaces), neighbors and trusted family friends. Stick the list in a set place on the refrigerator or bulletin board, program into a cell phone, email to oneself, or all of the above!
9. Be ready the night before: Don’t wake up on Day 1 and realize you forgot to unpack your supplies from the truck or lay out an outfit. Before bed, save yourself time, effort and stress by pre-packing your book bag, setting aside your back-to-school clothes, taking a shower at night, and planning out your breakfast. By Aug. 15 you’ll be ready to roll out of bed and go!
10. Get acquainted with your school community: It can be intimidating to start a new school year: New teachers, classes and expectations can be a little challenging to navigate right away. Stay updated on what’s going on in the GK CUSD #424 community by following us on social media, and be sure to use the #GKCogs, #GKProud and #GKStrong hashtag when sharing your GK success stories! Follow @gkschools, @gescogs424, @kescogs424 and @gkhscogs424 on Twitter, and GK Schools, Kingston Elementary School, Genoa Elementary School, Genoa-Kingston Middle School, Genoa-Kingston High School on Facebook.

See you soon, Cogs!