Dear Lion Families,

The first month of school has been wonderful at Mason Elementary!
It is an exciting but intense time for children—new friends, new teachers, and new responsibilities can overwhelm even the most confident child. There are small things you can do that your child will appreciate to help them adjust to the new school year:

Make sure home routines are very regular.
This provides children with a sense of security as they adjust to the new demands of school. Firm bedtimes and consistent routines such as reading together just before lights out will help your child master the new routines away from home much more quickly.

Organize that book bag!
Now is the time for you to set up a quiet area, time, and ground rules for help with school projects or homework. Read any materials sent home about the school rules and routines carefully, so you can help your child with new responsibilities and rules.

Set up an area for doing homework.
Help your child choose a spot at home in which to do homework. Keep the study area quiet (no TV or radio) and off limits to others during homework time. Make sure it has enough light. Fill a container, such as a shoebox, with supplies need to do homework (paper, pencils, pencil sharpener, stapler, tape, crayons, ruler, paper clips, erasers, dictionary). This will keep your child from wasting time looking for supplies. Avoid using these special homework supplies for other family needs. Schedule daily homework time. Consider writing the time for homework for each day of the week on a calendar and displaying it where it can be seen. Encourage and reward your child for sticking to the schedule. This will help eliminate arguments about when homework is to be done.

Read aloud every day
Reading aloud every day is the best thing parents can do at home to prepare children for successful school experience.

Parents can also help children become good readers by:

1. Asking children to read aloud to you – then ask what they like best about the story and main characters.
2. Starting a family reading time – take turns reading aloud from a book for at least 15 minutes every evening.
3. Getting a library card for each child and visiting the library regularly – ask the librarian to help you select books.
4. Making sure children see you reading as part of your everyday life – and talk with them about what you are reading.
5. Taking advantage of educational TV programs that teach the alphabet and letter sounds – this helps reinforce learning to read.
6. Selecting books and magazine subscriptions as birthday or holiday gifts – besides being educational, this shows reading is fun.
7. Reading together: a time to relax and feel close

Hide a note or two
Write a short note to your child reminding them that you’re thinking of them all day long, and then hide it in their lunch or backpack. Thank them for following the Mason Character trait: RESPONSIBILITY. Your child will love coming across a happy note from home as they are in the midst of adjusting to a new environment.

Plan a special event for the weekend.
It might include preparing your child’s favorite meal, or a last trip to the beach or favorite playground. Celebrate the hard work your child (and you) have done all week adjusting to school by treating yourselves to time together you can both enjoy.

Remember, we need you! Parent involvement improves student performance at school. Thank you for your help and support!