Ready for a New School Year

To be ready for a new school year we must plan ahead of time.  We must plan and must prepare for what could take place throughout the year.

There will be supplies that will be needed like backpacks, paper, pencils, and erasers.  Supplies that, though they may seem as common sense to most, are either out of reach for some due to financial factors or, for others, are expected to be supplied to the students by the schools.

There will be transportation needs like walking with a buddy, getting a ride from a friend, or taking public transit to and from school, in addition to other student activities that they may participate in either on or off campus.  How will you get to where you need to be? To school? To practice? To the study groups?  Students and parents must plan and coordinate these transportation logistics ahead of time.

There will be nutritional needs that also take priority in a child's education.  Proper nutrition plays an important role in the development of the child, as well as amount of energy that will be available for them to complete tasks from staying awake in class, to making the team, and even study sessions.  From breakfast to lunches, dinners and snacks, preparing to meet the nutritional needs of students should be a priority.

With the proper supplies, coordinated transportation, and right nutrition, students will have more energy focused on paying attention in class, and less energy worried about who can they get writing materials from, what are they going to eat when they become hungry, and how are they going to get home after school.

It takes time to plan ahead for the new school year, but it is worth it when it is done together between students and parents, classmates and neighbors, adult and children.  We can collaborate together and be ready for the school year if we just take the time.

Author - Manuel R. CortezRodas (Educator)

Copyright 2013.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Starting the Year (Part 2)

Classroom Status

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas

As noted previously, educators have 6 months from now until Year-End's graduation.  A large portion of this time will be taking place in our schools and classrooms.  Educators not only need to take the time to map out and plan the next 6 months, but also need to take the time to review the status of the classroom.  After all, this is the place where we, and our students, will be spending a large portion of our education time.

• Structure

1. Take a tour of your own classroom.
2. How does it look on the first day of the year?  
3. How did it look on the first day of school?
4. How can the classroom be improved?

• Weather

1. From the cold of winter to the heat of summer.
2. Check for heating during winter and cooling for summer.
3. Can students be comfortable indoors during bad weather.

• Lighting

1. Sunlight continues to increase as we move toward summer.
2. Indoor lighting should be adequate for visual reception.
3. Spring should remind us with its equinox that outdoors and indoors are equal.

• Basic Supplies

1. Paper and pencil are still the most basic supplies needed for education.
2. Pens and colors provide a new dimension of professionalism and art.
3. Boards, both writing and bulletin.   They provide communication.

Educators will spend the next 6 months in their classrooms.  As we begin the new year, and prepare to get back into these places of learning, let us take a look at our classroom status, to ensure that these places of learning have all that is needed, from the basics like pencils and paper, to the advanced like LCD projectors and climate control.  We should request the supplies that are needed, replenish the ones we have exhausted, and share with others the surpluses we won't need.  Let us prepare the place where we will spend our time learning.

Copyright 2013.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.