School days just around corner

PORTALES — Educators agree, sleep is the No. 1 factor for students’ success in returning to a routine for the new school year.

Area teachers all said having a regular schedule in the last week or two before school starts back up will be the best thing to help students get back into the swing of things.

“Start by going to bed early and getting enough rest,” Jacqueline Duran said.

Duran teaches fifth- and sixth-grade math at Lindsey-Steiner Elementary School in Portales.

Duran also had advice for parents who will be sending their children back to school.

“Keep an agenda because now their routine has changed once again. Parents now have to think about after-school activities and sports and keep an organized schedule,” she said.

Heather Sanchez, a fourth-grade teacher at Valencia Elementary in Portales said she follows these tips as a mother herself.

“I try a week or two before school starts to get them going to bed early again, and have them practice waking up early so it’s not: wham, back to waking up early.

“I make sure their eating habits are on schedule as well and have them start winding down from electronics,” Sanchez said.

“Try to pay attention to what kinds of foods they should eat to keep them full until lunchtime, since they won’t be able to have snacks throughout the day,” she said.

Educators also said re-introducing academic activities is important to prepare the students for the new school year.

“Many students received reading packets and reading lists for the students to take home over the summer, as well as a full list of educational summer activities to do to keep the momentum,” Duran said.

Sanchez said she makes her kids read more as the school year approaches.

“They don’t read as often during the summer time ... I try to get their fluency back to a comfortable rate and have them practice math facts for their level to get their brain back in gear,” Sanchez said.

“These tips are beneficial for all (age groups) but obviously my 10-year-old should go to bed earlier than my 14-year-old,” she said.

Clovis’ Marshall Middle School Principal Todd Morris said it’s not just students who need to get ready to go back to school.

“Teachers are preparing as well. (We) are getting used to waking up earlier and having a new schedule again,” Morris said.

“There are plenty of resources online for students to use to help them get back into the swing of things,” he said. “Students should be challenging their brain to get it functioning in that modality again.”

Morris also had advice for incoming sixth-graders who are attending Marshall for the first time this year.

“Everyone is in the same boat. Everyone is nervous. Once you get into the routine, you’ll realize all the students will be the same from your previous school,” Morris said.

“We’re going to work hard and play hard,” he said. “We’ll work hard in academics and celebrate the things we do well.”

Johnnie Cain, Superintendent of Portales Municipal Schools, said he wants to encourage students to enter the new school year with a good attitude and be ready to learn.

He also said it is important for students and their parents to attend open house for their school to meet their new teachers as well as the other students in class.

“Those relationships are important, and in our school system, those can be lifelong friendships,” Cain said.