Getting your back-to-school checklist ready

Summer's almost over and the schools are all planning for the fall.

Are you?

Alison Schmaltz, prevention specialist and counselor at Elrod School in Kalispell, and Montana's Outstanding Elementary School Counselor for 2005, wants to help families prepare.

"Just like Sunday night during the (school) year, August brings around stressors," said Schmaltz, who has 30 years of teaching, counseling and parenting under her belt. "We change during the summer."

At this time of year, she said, students, parents and teachers all are "reversing routines. Going back to something we haven't done for a couple months can bring challenges."

Nearly all Flathead Valley schools start on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

A word to the wise: Don't put off preparation until Aug. 30.

Schmaltz has some practical suggestions to get the ball rolling.

. A minimum of one week before school starts - two would be better - families need to think about regular meals, regular amount of sleep each night, and regular rising times each morning.

Meals are big. Gather the family at regular times, and make the fare nutritious. Be sure to allow enough time for breakfast.

"All research shows a nutritional breakfast is extremely important to the learning environment," she said. "It sets the stage for the time when they will hopefully be assimilating as much information as possible in as short a time as possible."

. Family time can be very different in the summer, when children are more available to a parent's work schedule.

. I've always had a thing about a family spending as much time together doing quality things as possible," Schmaltz said.

When school starts, families don't have that uninterrupted time. So plan ahead.

"Just like you have dreams and goals, children do, too," for what they really want to do before school starts again, she said. "Plan that one last camping trip, so the kids can say, 'We did that, we had our summer vacation.'"

. Clothes need another look.

Both children and adults tend to leave a little more skin uncovered, so parents probably need to buy their children some new, appropriate clothing.

Formerly sandaled and bared feet now need to be in shoes with toes, she said. Gym shoes can be an issue, too.

"The financial part comes in then," Schmaltz said. "Parents need to spread it out, take a couple paychecks to buy school supplies and clothing."

Back-to-school sales are in full force right now, so take advantage of them. New shoes could be a great gift from Grandma and Grandpa. Those really on top of their game start looking for those sales early in the spring or summer for items that are less size-sensitive.

. Everything doesn't have to be new, particularly when you're fighting the budget wars.

"Look at their old school supplies, and clean them up," she said.

Last year's hardly-used paint set can be wiped off for another year's artistic endeavors.

A new decal, a lace trim or added fabric on last year's jeans that still fit can make a world of difference. Ask children what they'd like to see done, then follow through.

. Adjust kids' activities.

Compensate for the change in pace from outdoor summer activities to more sedentary studies by sitting down and reading with your children before bed.

Have them cook meals so they get used to doing the math needed for recipes.

Plan that vacation and put them in charge of the map so they think things through and feel valued.

"Parents (and extended family) do have to block out that time," to make the best use of summer, she said. "Enjoy that freedom summer offers. It's like a gift you give to each other. A lot don't realize how important time with you is to a child."

. Realize the transition isn't easy for anyone.

Suddenly, children must communicate with people outside the family again. They have less free choice in activities.

"But if the family values school, the children will pick it up," Schmaltz said. "That's why it is so important to read with your kids."

Realize, too, that the children are looking forward to happy reunions with friends.

"The social interaction is less during the summer, people are gone so they don't see their friends as much. So there is joy in going back to school," she said. "There is fun in it, socially and educationally."

. Emotional preparation is huge.

"There's value in a schedule," a certain stability, she said. "In routine is a sense of safety."

Teachers foster that by setting up the classroom long before students return in the fall.

"One thing families can do which teachers do is get their preparation done throughout the summer," she said. "Not just supplies or clothing, but (anticipating) routine changes, setting priorities."

Talk with your children about them, she encouraged.

"It's not only the physical preparation, but the emotional. Then they can communicate their worries, their goals, their joys."

Initiate natural, easy conversations with children during daily activities. Ask them what they want to see different this year, what they want for goals.

"I hear this a lot: 'I wish Mom or Dad would spend more time with me,'" Schmaltz said.

. Try volunteering in the school or classroom - it lets you spend more time around your child, and gives you a clearer picture of their world.

Here, Schmaltz shared a big secret: Community members without children in school are just as welcome to share their skills and time.

"Schools have all kinds of roles to support children and families and staff," she said. "So it's really important for a family to do the same in reverse, to say 'I'll do what I can to help the school.'"

. In the end, it's all about balance.

"Part of that plan is to plan for the balance," Schmaltz said. "A lot of adults know that, but kids need to be taught that."