Positive affirmations. A check-in text message, or treats and notes tucked into lunchboxes with the encouraging words, “You got this!”

Parents devise no shortage of creative ways parents to ease those back-to-school jitters.

Seasoned educators, however, will tell you the best tips and tricks boil down to three key components: routine, boundaries, and communication.

For the first Connect Canyons episode for the 2023-2024 school year, we sit down with Sally Sansom, Canyons District’s Director of Elementary Schools, and Mindy Robison, Director of Middle Schools, to discuss what they’ve observed works best to set up students for learning success.

Both leaders got their start teaching in the classroom and together they have dozens of years of experience to draw upon.

“We’re all working together,” says Sansom. “We love kids. We went into education because we love them, and our goal is to support students and their families.”

Routine

The first day of school can be exciting and daunting all at once. One of the ways to handle those jitters is to establish a manageable routine.

“Routines are an important part of helping kids get back to school,” says Sansom. “Set realistic routines. Start with an appropriate bedtime, an appropriate time to wake up. Start helping them to practice a routine and build it in so it becomes natural for them.”

Sansom recommends managing expectations when it comes to things like breakfast or lunches, to plan meals that are doable on mornings where you might be running late or something you can take on the go. Also consider helping your student set out the next day’s outfit the night before. Sansom says having to learn multiple new routines at once can become overwhelming, so starting them well before school starts can help them develop those routines.

Part of the reason some students are nervous is they’re entering a new school with new teachers and fellow students.

“Take opportunities before the first day to go to the school,” Sansom says, “Attend back-to-school night if there is one, or go to the Open House. You can explain to kindergarteners what school is, what happens, you can go through a mock schedule.”

Boundaries

One of the ways Canyons District is helping to establish boundaries is setting restrictions on the use of personal devices in schools. Canyons District policy allows schools to determine how to manage cell phone use in their classrooms. Some schools say they are seeing success with those policies. 

“We’ve tried to create better learning environments by making it so cell phones aren’t out as much and we’ve already seen learning increasing significantly,” says Robison. “I think it’s important first, for students to understand why we’re doing this. This is not a punishment. This is about learning and creating an environment where you can learn without distractions. I think as we’ve seen in the last couple of decades, there has become a reliance on phones in both adults and kids.”

We all feel the tug and pull of our cell phones and it’s hard to set examples of appropriate cell phone use, even as adults. But Robison says setting aside phone-free family time each day is one way parents can comfort students who may express anxiety about separating from their devices.

Some parents worry about being able to reach their children during the day, but Robison says schools are always willing to relay messages. “If there is an emergency, there are 100 phones you can call, and I promise, we will get to your students so fast. There are safety nets in place,” she says.

Teachers in phone-free schools have shared their excitement at seeing students interacting again at lunch, instead of isolating on their phones. They’ve also been able to help students who may be more shy, and prone to hide behind their phone, to find a new friend.

Communication

“It’s ok to be a little bit nervous,” says Robison.

The first day of school can be emotional for students and parents, and the key to finding the best path forward is through communication.

“Some students may adjust on the first day, the first week, some may take a little longer, and that’s OK,” Robison says, “Don’t expect your child to be just like the neighbor child, or your other children you’ve sent to school. Every student is unique.”

If students trust their parents or guardians and teachers all have their best interests at heart, they are going to have a great day.

There will be days when the parent, picking up on subtle cues, will know their child needs a little reassurance or help with tasks their child normally handles with ease.

Keeping open lines of communication is key, says Robison, noting schools have a wealth of resources at their disposal to help when needed. 

“These schools have such incredible wellness staffs, and their entire goal is the wellness of your child,” she says. “Our schools are so well equipped to deal with the mental health of our students as well as their academic success.”

Sansom recommends attending parent teacher conferences, even if you’re keeping good track of students’ grades online.

“The whole goal of parent conferences is to build up that student,” says Sansom. “Look at the strengths the student has, the challenges they may be facing, and develop individualized support.

Robison agrees, saying conversations with teachers can be more than just academics and which assignments students may need to complete.

“With Canvas and Skyward, I already have that knowledge,” Robison says, “but I don’t know how she’s interacting, is she doing well with her peers, involved in group discussions?”

At the end of the day, Robison and Sansom agree – supporting students on their educational journey is the main goal.

“We can’t wait for another great year,” says Sansom, “Your kids are in good hands in Canyons schools.”