ParentInfo, August 1, 2007

Last Updated on Wednesday, August 01, 2007 at 10:22 AM

In this issue:

*Back to school tips

*Keeping backpacks safe

*Getting to and from school safely

*”No Pass, No Drive” law implemented

*Kids Count Report

Back to School tips

Over the next few weeks, students across Kentucky will be returning to school. As a parent, there are several things you can do to help your child get a good start on a successful school year.

Sleep

If your children have become night owls this summer, it’s time to start getting them back on a normal sleep schedule. Adequate sleep will boost a child’s energy and enthusiasm as he or she heads back to school. Good-quality sleep also can help your child learn more easily and reduce many behavioral problems.

Experts estimate based on research, preschoolers (3-5 years old) need 10-13 hours of sleep. School-aged children up to age 12 need 10-12 hours of sleep per night. Teens need nine or more hours of sleep each night.

Of course everyone’s needs are unique, and you should base your child’s sleep schedule on his or her actual needs. Here are some tips from the National Sleep Foundation for making sure your child gets a good night’s sleep:

Set a regular time for bed each night and stick to it
Avoid feeding children big meals close to bedtime
Avoid giving anything with caffeine less than six hours before bedtime
Make after-dinner play a relaxing time
Establish a calming bedtime routine
Try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends and during vacations

Breakfast

It’s easy, especially those mornings when you’re running late to skip breakfast. But doing so may jeopardize your children’s ability to concentrate and learn when they get to school.

Just like with other meals, try to feed your child a variety of foods for breakfast, including grains, protein, fruits and vegetables and milk, cheese or yogurt. If your child doesn’t like traditional breakfast foods, be sure to offer nutritious alternatives. And don’t forget about leftovers. They can be a good source of a non-traditional but nutritious breakfast. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) offers some sound advice for breakfast.

For those in a hurry, try these grab-and-go breakfasts from the ADA:

Fruit and Nut Oatmeal: Add dried cranberries and almonds to instant oatmeal, and microwave for 60 seconds.
Shake It Up, Baby: Whir low-fat milk, frozen strawberries and a banana in a blender for thirty seconds. Drink it down with a whole-wheat bagel.
Banana Dogs: Spread peanut butter in a whole grain hot dog bun; plop in a banana; and sprinkle with raisins.
Breakfast Taco: Sprinkle grated Monterey Jack cheese over a corn tortilla; fold in half; and microwave for 20 seconds. Top with salsa.

As an alternative to fixing breakfast at home, many Kentucky schools operate a school breakfast program. Check with your child’s school for prices and hours of operation.

Keeping backpacks safe
Almost every student carries a backpack to and from school these days. If you’ve ever picked up your child’s backpack, you know it can weigh a ton.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers these suggestions for keeping backpacks safe:

· Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.

· Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the student's body weight.

· Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles. Wearing a backpack on one shoulder may also increase curvature of the spine.

· Consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. However, remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs. Be sure to check with your child’s school to make sure backpacks with wheels are allowed.

Getting to and from school safely
With the start of school, a lot more children will be out walking and biking to school as well as riding in cars and school buses. No matter what their age or mode of transportation, it’s important to talk with your kids about simple safety rules. The following thoughts can serve as a reminder for all of us.

School Buses
Although drivers of all vehicles are required to stop for a school bus when it is stopped to load or unload passengers, children should not rely on them to do so. As a driver it’s always wise to expect the unexpected and be especially cautious in areas where children

might likely cross your path.

The National Safety Council encourages parents to teach their children these school bus safety rules:
Getting on the school bus:

Wait for the bus away from traffic and the street. Avoid roughhousing or other behavior that can lead to carelessness.
As the school bus approaches, line up away from the street or road. Wait until the bus has stopped and the door opens before stepping onto the roadway to board the bus.
Use the handrail when getting onto or off of the bus.

Behavior on the bus:

Once you’re on the bus, find a seat and sit down. Never put head, arms or hands out of the window. Try to keep the noise level down as it can distract the driver.
Keep aisles clear -- books or bags are tripping hazards and can block the way in an emergency.
Before you reach your stop, get ready to leave by gathering your books and belongings.
At your stop, wait for the bus to stop completely before you get up from your seat. Then, walk to the front door and exit.

Getting off the school bus:

Step away from the bus immediately. Always keep a safe distance from the bus.
If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk at least ten feet ahead of the bus along the side of the road, until you can turn around and see the driver. Make sure that the driver can see you. Wait for a signal from the driver before beginning to cross. When the driver signals, walk across the road. Watch out for sudden traffic changes.
Do not cross the centerline of the road until the driver has signaled that it is safe for you to begin walking.
Stay away from the bus' rear wheels at all times.

Walkers and Bike Riders

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following advice for kids walking or riding their bikes to and from school:

Never walk or ride alone; always travel with a buddy.
Wear reflective or bright-colored clothing to increase visibility.
Respect traffic lights and street signs.
Make sure your child's walk to a school follows a safe route.
Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision
When riding a bike, always wear a helmet.
Ride your bike on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.
Avoid loose-fitting clothing that could get caught in spokes or pedals.
Use appropriate hand signals.

Car drivers and passengers

· All passengers should wear a seat belt or use a correctly installed an age- and size-appropriate booster seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides online information on the proper use of booster seats.

· Your child should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle's seat belt fits properly (usually when the child reaches about 4' 9" in height and is between 8 to 12 years of age).

· All children under 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles.

· Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. You may want to limit the number of teen passengers to prevent driver distraction.

Do not allow your teen to drive while eating, drinking or talking on a cell phone.

“No Pass, No Drive Law” implemented

Parents, better warn your teen drivers now. The “No Pass/No Drive” law has been reinstituted. Schools will start reporting appropriate data to implement it starting today.

The law is intended to support dropout prevention and to provide an incentive for students to stay in school and pass their courses. The "No Pass/No Drive" statute results in the denial or revocation of a student's driver's license for academic deficiency or dropping out of school as a result of excessive or unexcused absences.

Academic deficiency is defined as a student who does not have passing grades in at least four courses, or the equivalent of four courses, in the preceding semester.

A student is deemed to have dropped out of school when he/she has nine or more unexcused absences or tardies in the preceding semester. Any absences due to suspension shall be unexcused absences.

You will want to talk with your student so he or she knows that, to continue driving or pursue getting a driver’s license in the future, grades and attendance (including tardies) must be within the acceptable state guidelines as stated above.

Kids Count Report

Kentucky improved its rank to 40^th in the nation in a new state-by-state study on the well-being of America’s children. The 2007 National KIDS COUNT Data Book, released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, ranks states on ten key indicators of child well-being.

A closer look reveals that Kentucky improved on four indicators (infant deaths, teen births, high school dropouts and teens not attending school and not working). The state experienced setbacks on five indicators (child and teen death rates, low-weight births, securely employed parents and single-parent families) and saw no change on one of the indicators (children living in poverty).

“The economic indicators are a bellwether for future progress, and the message is not a positive one,” said Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates.

In addition to seeing an increase in the percentage of children living with parents without secure employment (meaning neither parent worked full-time, year-round), the state showed no progress between 2000 and 2005 on the percent of children living in poverty (income below $19,806 for a two-adult, two-child family in 2005).

“We ranked among the worst ten states on four points, and until we make progress in those areas, it will be difficult to make substantial overall progress,” said Tara

Grieshop-Goodwin, KIDS COUNT coordinator at Kentucky Youth Advocates.

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