Teach for America Rio Grande Valley Shares Tips for Preparing Kids for Back-to-School Season

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RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS (Aug. 2, 2024) — It’s officially back-to-school season and Teach For America Rio Grande Valley, a local nonprofit committed to ending educational inequity, offers tips to prepare your students for a great school year:

• Have a Last Hurrah: Take advantage of the last days of summer by engaging in local educational offerings at your local museum, garden, and educationally-based activities. There are plenty of cost-effective or free options available in and around the Rio Grande Valley!

• Establish a Routine: Reintroduce a regular sleep, wake-up, and mealtime schedule before school starts. Having structure to the day helps kids adjust before heading back to class.

• Integrate Academics into Everyday Activities: Start incorporating academic activities like reading and math into daily routines to ease the transition back to school.

• Discuss Academic Goals:  Talk to your child about personal and academic goals for the school year and write them down somewhere visible. Doing this exercise can help set expectations and give them a sense of empowerment.  

• Collect Needed School Supplies: Whether it’s pencil and paper or a school uniform, make sure to review your student’s supply list for their school. Take advantage of back-to-school drives to ensure your child has all the supplies they need to be successful in the classroom. Learn more about local back to school events:
• Back to School Events Across the Valley
• Back to School Bash
• Back to School Events in McAllen

• Create an Open Dialogue: Listen to your child and have a candid conversation about their fears and anxiety about the upcoming year. Provide a safe space for them to talk about their concerns, whether they are worried about passing a particular class, whom to sit by at lunch, or their safety.

• Stay Positive: Go into the school year with a mindset that it will be a year of growth and success. Be optimistic about what is to come. 

“Students should experience a smooth and stress-free return to the classroom,” said Ana D. Gonzalez, Executive Director of Teach For America Rio Grande Valley. “By implementing a few easy steps at home before school starts, children can set themselves up for a joyful, healthy, and successful school year.”

For more information about Teach for America Rio Grande Valley, visit https://www.teachforamerica.org/Rio Grande Valley.