{"id":282065,"date":"2018-08-13T06:00:08","date_gmt":"2018-08-12T20:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=282065"},"modified":"2018-08-13T06:00:08","modified_gmt":"2018-08-12T20:00:08","slug":"get-your-child-ready-for-the-new-school-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/get-your-child-ready-for-the-new-school-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Get your child ready for the new school year"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-282065 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/get-your-child-ready-for-the-new-school-year\/amanda-dunn\/'>AMANDA DUNN<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-282066'>\n\t\t\t\tAmanda Allen Dunn of Saipan Community School. (Contributed Photo)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/get-your-child-ready-for-the-new-school-year\/cherlyn-cabrera\/'>CHERLYN CABRERA<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-282067'>\n\t\t\t\tCherlyn Cabrera of Marianas High School. (Contributed Photo)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/get-your-child-ready-for-the-new-school-year\/rizalina-liwanag\/'>RIZALINA LIWANAG<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-282068'>\n\t\t\t\tRizalina Liwanag of Hopwood Middle School. (Contributed Photo)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/get-your-child-ready-for-the-new-school-year\/san-crawford-pix\/'>San Crawford pix<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-282069'>\n\t\t\t\tSan Crawford, academic librarian\u00a0and acting director of Library Programs and Services at the Northern Marianas College. ( \n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/get-your-child-ready-for-the-new-school-year\/sara-forti-pix\/'>Sara Forti pix<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-282070'>\n\t\t\t\tSara Forti of Brilliant Star Montessori Saipan. (Contributed Photo)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon '>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/get-your-child-ready-for-the-new-school-year\/susan-book\/'>Susan BOOK<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-282071'>\n\t\t\t\tSusan Book of Isla Montessori. (Contributed Photo)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>It\u2019s crunch time. At the start of every school year, everyone\u2014and that\u2019s all parents, school principals, and teachers\u2014are busy grooming every child to get ready for school. They all work together to make the new school year an enjoyable, fulfilling and successful year for the child. <\/p>\n<p>Parents have a lot on their plate and these tips from Saipan schools principals and teachers hope to ease the burden and give children a smooth transition back to school.<\/p>\n<p>According to Sara Forti, a lower elementary teacher at Brilliant Star Montessori Saipan, parents should prepare children for school a few days before school actually starts. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is especially true for young kids. Put it on the calendar when school starts, so they know what to expect when the day comes and school begins\u2026 When young children know what to expect, and what is expected of them, they are able to be more successful. Simple [preparations] go a long way and [children] feel good about their new schedule,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cInclude children in school shopping so they can be a part of the experience and get excited to use new materials in class. Teachers can also start getting together with students who will be in the classroom with them so they have someone they feel comfortable with throughout the long days,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<p>Saipan Community School principal Amanda Allen Dunn said that getting the child familiar with a new daily routine is a start of a good habit.  <\/p>\n<p>\u201cSet a routine of waking up at same time\u2026 Many students have spent much of the summer gaming and on tech devices such as tablets and phones&#8230; It\u2019s best to start limiting the time on these devices to help wean them before school starts,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMake sure to eat a good breakfast each morning before school and pack healthy snacks for them to eat and keep energized for the start of school. Get them a good water bottle they can use all year, and express the importance of being responsible for that water bottle and use it often to stay hydrated,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<p>Marianas High School principal Cherlyn B. Cabrera encourages parents who have children who go to MHS to keep informed of school updates.  <\/p>\n<p>\u201cVisit our school website, www.marianashighschool.com. We have lots of helpful information for logistics such as the school calendar, bell schedules, student meetings, contests, scholarship information, and much more. This is updated every school day and parents can stay informed with real-time information.\u00a0 To see your child\u2019s grade in real-time, sign up and visit our Plus Portal,\u00a0https:\/\/www.plusportals.com\/marianashighschool. Once parents have access, they can see real-time updates in grades as they are entered in the teacher\u2019s grade book,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBe an active part of our school community as parents are welcome to volunteer, attend PTA [parents teachers association] meetings, watch our numerous student performances, watch our sports games, attend our recognition events, and much more. Build and strengthen your relationship with your child because even though they are physically grown, they still need their parents\u2019 guidance, wisdom, and encouragement. Kind words and a caring tone of voice means a lot to your children, especially teens,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n<p>Isla Montessori School elementary teacher Susan Book understands that the first day of a new school year can be full of emotions for a child and parents. \u201cOften there is a combination of excitement and nervousness. The best way to set both parents and child up for success is to prepare ahead. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cGiving your child a visual of where they will be dropped off, where they will be spending their days, and meeting their teacher helps them to find comfort before the first day. During this visit, make sure you practice how you will say goodbye to your child and show them where they will be picked up because knowing what to expect eliminates fear and nervousness.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTalking about the new schedule by creating a calendar and schedule at your child\u2019s level helps them to take ownership of time management\u2026 Make sure you are not allowing children time on iPads, phones, or in front of the television before school. Even better, no television during the school week because this allows them to focus and be successful learners. In my family we have a rule: no screen time until you build something, read a book for 20 minutes, do a chore, or play outside, and during the week only a documentary or educational show,\u201d she added<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Rizalina Liwag, school principal at Adm. Herbert G. Hopwood Middle School, said that parents should make sure that the child is registered in the school that they will attend.  At Hopwood, it is very important that parents visit the registrar\u2019s office before Aug. 15, 2018, to make sure that the child is enrolled. Parents have to make sure that their children have Hopwood school uniforms\u2026 students need to bring and wear their I.D.\u2019s  so they can access the cafeteria and library. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur students have free breakfast and free lunch so all students  can eat at the cafeteria for free without pulling out any money. We encourage every student to eat breakfast and lunch at the school cafeteria,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Hopwood Middle School School vice principal Victorino Borja highlighted the importance of having basic school supplies. \u201cWe have a list for the school year: composition notebooks, pens and pencils, a pair of scissors, a pack of crayons, glue stick, pocket folders and an extra shirt for P.E.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sam Crawford, academic librarian and acting director of Library Programs and Services at the Northern Marianas College, said that having a conversation between the parent and the child is vital. \u201cHave conversations with your child about both the previous and the upcoming school year: What did they enjoy doing or learning about most?\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 What was difficult or challenging for them at school last year?\u00a0 What changes do they want to make in order to make school a better, more rewarding experience for them?\u00a0 What are they looking forward to\u00a0this year?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf the student is preparing to graduate from high school soon, are they considering college\/university? Trade or vocational school? Armed services? Workforce? Get to know your children and try to support who they are as well as their interests in as many ways as possible,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>Crawford also encourages parents to read with their children.  \u201cRead to them, or have them read to you and let them see you reading.\u00a0 You have the natural power to inspire and engage your children through tactile, off-screen reading materials,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cVisit libraries often, let your children explore and read the books of their choosing. \u2026The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, for one, has a really cool MotherRead\/FatherRead program,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s crunch time. At the start of every school year, everyone\u2014and that\u2019s all parents, school&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":282066,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[16547,20350,22293,21695],"class_list":["post-282065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-supplement","tag-amanda-allen-dunn","tag-isla-montessori-school","tag-sara-forti","tag-susan-book"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/282065","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=282065"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/282065\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/282066"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=282065"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=282065"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=282065"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}