As summer break winds down, the Grande Prairie Public School Division has released several tips for students to ensure they keep their minds healthy as they prepare to hit the books.
According to the GPPSD, some students describe the back-to-school rush as a “wonderful” time of the year, but some say the time can be quite stressful. As a result, some of the school division’s mental health experts collected a few resources to help students more easily transition.
Officials suggest that the first step to take is a simple one- establishing a healthy routine. According to the GPPSD, families can help their students smooth out the back-to-school jitters with praise, understanding, and a little bit of structure. Mental health officials within the school division suggest establishing a morning routine, a more rigid sleep schedule and even a bit of homework can help alleviate some of the shock that comes with the end of summer.
When it comes to anxiety, the school division says anxious feelings are normal for children and teens returning to school, and empathy can be one of the number one tools for parents who have a student who might be experiencing some anxiety before the school year.
“Preparing for a new school year is a shared journey,” the GPPSD says.
Parents of children who require additional mental health support can now reach out to their school administrators directly ahead of the school year.
