Help Your Kids Adjust to a New School

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Last week, we finished registering both kids for their new school in our new city of Gainesville, Florida. Bryce will be entering Kindergarten and Lydia will be in second grade, so this is the first time they will be in the same school together. Because Bryce only went to half-day school for PreK, this is also the first time we will have to buy them similar school supplies, pack school lunches each day, do homework together, and so many new school adventures {don’t worry… Walmart can help with the back-to-school preparation}. While we have some exciting changes ahead, I know the kids will miss some of their friends back home and their old schools, so Richard and I are doing all we can to help the kids adjust to a new school.

Is your child beginning at a new school this year? Here are some ideas to prepare them for the 2017-2018 school year:

1. Visit the school several times before the school year begins.
2. Join the parent-teacher group {e.g. PTA, PTO, PSO} to get to know some of the other families.
3. Attend school functions like Meet the Teacher and Open House.
4. Register to be a school volunteer so you can help out in your children’s classrooms and around the school.
5. If you are new to the neighborhood, set up play dates at the beginning of the school year so your children can bond with their peers.
6. Purchase new clothing and school supplies that help your children feel confident about attending a new school.
7. Pack a lunch each day with their favorite snacks.

In addition to making a lunch with some of my children’s favorite foods, I also created these Printable Lunch Notes {click to print} for the first day of school. Lydia is an excellent reader, but Bryce is still working on his pre-reading skills, so I designed notes for readers and notes for non-readers. I can put one in their lunches on the first day and one in their backpacks.

You know that old expression “You only have one chance to make a first impression”? Well, that definitely applies to children in school. Make their first day in a new school a great day so that they are excited to return each day! You can personalize the notes by writing a special message on the back {or drawing pictures for your non-readers}.

I like to include fresh fruits and vegetables {strawberries and baby carrots are their favorites}, cubes of cheese, Goldfish® crackers , deli meats, and a treat in their lunches each day. I use small containers because they provide the perfect portion and prevent the snacks from getting squished as they could in zipper bags. I want the kids to come home with full bellies and empty lunch bags!

Hover over the photo below to purchase all of your back-to-school essentials.

To purchase the produce featured in the image above, find a Walmart near you!

Here’s another tip! I purchased Goldfish® Bulk Cartons (30 oz) to pack in their lunch bags, but I also purchased a large container for each of their classrooms. Teachers love when parents help out {I was a teacher for 10 years, so I know that firsthand}, and a classroom snack is a great way to help!

I think Lydia is ready for a great year at her new school! I hope Bryce is, too, now that he’s transitioning from a preschool to an elementary school.

Head to Walmart where you can purchase Goldfish® crackers, fresh produce, and back-to-school supplies! Check out the great rollback price on Goldfish® Bulk Cartons (30 oz): Just $5.98. And be sure to look for all the great deals on back-to-school supplies, including backpacks, markers, crayons, pencils, notebooks, and so much more! Get more back to school inspiration with Goldfish® crackers here.

How do you help your children prepare for the new school year?