Back to School

If your child will be walking or riding their bicycle to school, here are a few tips for them to ensure a safe commute.

• Take extra care when you approach intersections, driveways or other busy parts of the roadway. Look left, right and left again before crossing the street. Continue looking in each direction as you cross. Use extra caution when crossing:
  • 66th & Penn
  • 66th & James
  • 66th & I-35W
  • 70th & Lyndale
  • 73rd & Lyndale
  • 75th & Penn
  • 76th & I-35W
  • 76th & Lyndale
• If biking, always wear a helmet. Use the bike corral in the front of the building to park your bike and don't forget your bike lock.
• Use sidewalks and bike lanes whenever possible.
• Be alert. Having your eyes on your phone means they aren’t on the road or traffic. If using headphones, keep the volume low to hear what is happening around you.
• Dress for the weather. Bright or reflective clothing is never a bad idea, especially in the darker winter months.

Check out this map with recommended routes to RMS. If you would like more information or have questions, please visit the Safe Routes to School web page.

It’s important that students practice healthy sleep habits as they prepare for school this fall. 

For children and adults, school breaks can change our sleep patterns and affect our sleep health. Irregular bedtimes and wake-up times can disrupt our body’s sleep clock. A lack of sleep and sleeping at the wrong time can cause a number of problems for children including poor school performance, irritability and poor behavior.

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the keys to success. And when we sleep is just as important as how much we sleep. Children 7-years-old and under have a need to go to bed early and wake up early whereas adolescents have a powerful drive to go to bed later and wake up later. 

If your child’s sleep health has been impacted by a summer schedule, you are not alone! Now is a good time to begin resetting your child’s sleep schedule. Here are some strategies you can use to help improve your child’s sleep routine in time for school:

• Keep in mind that school-aged children need between 9-12 hours of sleep per night. Teens need between 8-10 hours per night. 
• Create a bedtime routine that begins 30-60 minutes before bed - bathroom duties, brushing teeth, washing face. Children need and do best with routines. 
• Turn off all devices at least one hour before your child’s actual bedtime as these get in the way of sleep. Devices should be stored in a living room, kitchen or common area of the house away from bedrooms. 
• Gradually move bedtime and wake-up times a little each day. For example, bedtime could be moved 15 minutes earlier every night until you reach the ideal bedtime.
• Allow up to two weeks to reset your child’s sleep schedule before school starts.

By considering your child’s sleep health now, you will be helping to kick off the school year with success!