Keep it cool going back to school

  • Published
  • By Ashley Mangin
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs volunteer
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Summer is winding down and the first day of school is coming soon.

For the children attending schools in the Pulaski County Special School District, that means Thursday.

After a leisurely summer of fun in the sun, it can sometimes be difficult to reacquaint children with a school year schedule. Thankfully, there are steps that parents can take to ease the transition back to school.

"It's important to start a bedtime a week or so before school," said Julie Davenport, Arnold Drive Elementary School principal. "Make sure the child gets a good night of sleep and a good breakfast."

Arnold Drive Elementary School also hosts an Open House Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. to introduce the students and their parents to their teachers and faculty. The children are also encouraged to set up their work spaces.

"We have the open house the night before school so children can bring in their school supplies and meet their teachers. Then the next day they feel right at home," said Ms. Davenport.

She also suggests familiarizing students with the route to school both to make them comfortable and to keep them safe.

"Since a lot of our students walk to school, I think a really good thing is to practice walking to school a few times," Ms. Davenport said. "That way it becomes a more automatic thing that they are not afraid to do."

It's also important to make sure children walking to school are well aware of the crossing guard and that they only cross when prompted.

"We will certainly take care of your babies once they get to Arnold Drive, but please have transportation lined up," Ms. Davenport said.

Airmen and families without school-age children still need to be mindful of the safety of the children at Arnold Drive when driving past the school.

"When the flashing lights are enabled, lower your speed to the posted limit," advised Master Sgt. Reed Witheright, 19th Security Forces Squadron operations NCO.

"We will have selective patrols out," Sergeant Witheright continued. "So please maintain the lowered speed until you are completely out of the school zone."