| It's school time again! You're probably feeling | | | | you can come stocked up on pencils, folders, and |
| excited and maybe a little sad that summer is | | | | whatever else you'll be needing. Once you've |
| over. Some kids feel nervous or a little scared on | | | | covered the basics, you might tuck an extra |
| the first day of school because of all the new | | | | dollar or two in your backpack for an emergency |
| things: new teachers, new friends, and maybe | | | | (like forgetting your lunch money). Or maybe |
| even a new school. Luckily, these "new" worries | | | | you'd like to bring along a book or magazine to |
| only stick around for a little while. Let's find out | | | | read while you're on the bus. |
| more about going back to school. | | | | Whatever you put in your backpack, make sure |
| The First Day | | | | you pack it the night before. This prevents the |
| Most teachers kick off the school year by | | | | morning panic when you can't find your |
| introducing themselves and talking about all the | | | | homework or lunch box. Speaking of lunch, that's |
| stuff you'll be doing that year. Some teachers | | | | something else that can help you feel good at |
| give students a chance to tell something about | | | | school - whether it's the first day or the 100th |
| themselves to the rest of the class. | | | | day. Pack it the night before if you don't like |
| When teachers do the talking on the first day, | | | | what's on the menu at the cafeteria. Try to |
| they often go over classroom rules so you'll know | | | | include a variety of foods in your packed lunch, |
| what's allowed and what's not. Pay close attention | | | | especially fruits and vegetables. |
| so you'll know if you need to raise your hand to | | | | Get Oriented |
| ask a question and what the rules are about | | | | The first day of school is your first chance to find |
| visiting the restroom. | | | | your way around a new school, or learn the |
| You might already know a lot of people in your | | | | pathways to new classes in your old school. It's a |
| classes on the first day. But it's a great day to | | | | lot to learn in one day, so don't be surprised if |
| make a new friend, so try to say hello to kids | | | | you need a reminder or two. |
| you know and new ones that you don't. Make the | | | | It might help to write a few notes to yourself, so |
| first move and you'll be glad you did and so will | | | | you'll remember the important stuff, like your |
| your new friend! | | | | locker combination and that lunch starts at 11:43, |
| Moving to Middle School? | | | | not 12:10. Before you know it, your fingers will fly |
| Sixth grade often signals a move to middle school | | | | as you open your locker and you won't have to |
| or junior high, where you'll find lockers and maybe | | | | check your notes to know what time lunch starts! |
| a homeroom. This is just what it sounds like - a | | | | A Bad Start? |
| classroom you'll go to each morning, kind of like | | | | What if you hate school by the end of day one? |
| your home in the school. In middle school, you | | | | Teachers recommend giving things some time to |
| might move from classroom to classroom for | | | | sort themselves out - once you know your way |
| each subject. Your teachers know that this is a | | | | around the building and get adjusted to the new |
| big change from elementary school and will help | | | | routine, you'll probably feel better. If those feelings |
| you adjust. | | | | don't fade, talk to your mom, dad, teacher, or |
| Most teachers let you pick your own seat on the | | | | school counselor. |
| first day, but by the second or third morning, | | | | Here are a few final tips for a fantastic first day: |
| they'll have mapped out a seating plan. It's a good | | | | Get enough sleep. |
| idea to write down where your seat is in your | | | | Eat a healthy breakfast. |
| notebook so you don't forget. | | | | Try your best. |
| Feeling Good on Day One | | | | Develop good work habits, like writing down your |
| Seeing friends you haven't seen in a while can | | | | assignments and turning in your homework on |
| make the first day a good one. You also can | | | | time. |
| make the day feel special by wearing an outfit | | | | Take your time with school work. If you don't |
| you like. Maybe you got a great T-shirt on | | | | understand something, ask the teacher. |
| vacation, or your new sneakers put a spring in | | | | Keep a sense of humor. One teacher we know |
| your step. If you wear a uniform, you might | | | | shows his new students a picture of himself |
| wear a favorite watch or piece of jewelry to | | | | graduating high school - a grinning ape in a red |
| show your personal style. | | | | graduation cap and gown. This usually makes the |
| It can make you feel good to be prepared and | | | | kids laugh, and it's a good way to remind them |
| have all the supplies you need. Some schools | | | | that school is fun! |
| distribute supply lists before the year begins, so | | | | |