How to Prepare Your Students for a Successful School Year (Without the Pressure)

August has arrived, and we’ve officially entered “Back to School” season. While our kids remain firmly in vacation mode, parents and caregivers often start worrying about how their family will manage the end-of-summer transition. While the move to school-time routines can be disruptive, preparing isn’t a checklist you have to complete before day one. Instead, implementing small changes in the weeks leading up to school can make things smoother for everyone.

That's why Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA) wants to share back-to-school tips for parents by answering the questions families ask most in August.

When Should We Start Shifting Back to a School-Year Sleep Schedule?

Late nights are a hallmark of summer vacation, and suddenly shifting the sleep schedule back to a school-time routine is very disruptive. Parents can make this change a little easier by slowly adjusting their kids’ bedtime and wake time in 15-30 minute increments beginning a week or two before the first day of school.

Online school students don’t have to catch a bus at a certain time or adhere to a set bell schedule. While this flexibility is a real advantage for our families, parents and students still need to build routines that ensure they can get logged in for their first class.

How Do We Set Up a Learning Space in a Small or Shared Home?

When parents start preparing for online school, they often worry about their students having enough space to learn, especially in smaller living spaces. While space is nice, it isn’t essential. What matters most is having a consistent, defined place for learning. This could be a spot at the kitchen table, a desk in their bedroom, or anywhere where there’s room for a laptop and reliable internet. ​

Some handy student organization tips include keeping their school supplies in a bin or rolling caddy so they’re easily accessible and learning how to use online calendars to track assignment due dates.

How Involved Should I Be in My Student’s Daily Learning?

A parent’s involvement in their student’s schoolwork depends on their grade level. Parents of elementary-aged students act as learning coaches who work alongside their kids every day. When kids move into middle school, parents should stay nearby, but hand off much of the day-to-day responsibilities to their kids. By the time a student reaches high school, they should be self-sufficient. However, parents should check in frequently with their instructors and review Canvas (our virtual learning platform) to ensure they’re meeting expectations.

When preparing for online school, parents of older students should check in more frequently during the first few weeks and then taper off as their students settle into a consistent routine.

How Can Students Balance Schoolwork, Activities, and Family Responsibilities?

Staying on top of a jam-packed schedule is a common source of back-to-school anxiety for families. But a shared weekly calendar built for students can help make life much easier for everyone. One of the most useful back-to-school tips for parents is to time-block dedicated school hours in the calendar first, then layer in other activities like sports, family events, and work around them.

The flexibility of online school is an asset here. Students have the freedom to complete asynchronous work on their own schedules. Appointments and activities can fit around occasional synchronous learning sessions, which is why ORCA is a great choice for students who work, play competitive sports, or just need more flexibility in their learning.

What if My Student Feels Anxious or Unmotivated About the New School Year?

Back-to-school anxiety is common for students, and parents need to validate these difficult feelings. Adjustment takes time, especially for students who are new to online learning. One helpful back-to-school tip for parents is to have their student name a specific worry and then conduct a low-stakes dry run (like logging into the learning platform for the first time) before classes actually begin.

Sometimes it's apathy that students struggle with. If parents are wondering how to motivate students for school, they can begin by helping them set one small goal during the first week. Once students start feeling successful, even in small moments, that feeling can carry over to much larger responsibilities. If these issues persist into the school year, we always encourage parents to reach out to their teachers for support. 

When or How Should We Contact Teachers or School Staff?

Parents shouldn’t wait to contact teachers or school staff if they believe they have a problem. Early intervention is always preferred because problems frequently compound when they’re ignored. Another handy back-to-school tip for parents is to introduce themselves to their child’s teachers during the first few days of school and begin building a positive relationship that will last throughout the year. ​

ORCA teachers are available by Canvas, email, or phone to answer questions or talk through concerns. ORCA staff members also prioritize being available for parents. We view our students’ success as a cooperative effort, and good communication is a hallmark of collaboration.

Join Us for a Virtual Information Session

Preparing for online school is a process, not a deadline. Parents should aim to have their students settled into their new school routines by October, rather than cramming to be perfect in early September. That small mindset shift can help families enjoy the last fleeting moments of summer before the first busy days of fall begin. ​

If you’re a parent who’s interested in making the transition into a virtual school this year, it’s not too late. Join us for one of our upcoming virtual information sessions to learn more about ORCA’s curriculum, student activities, or approach to online learning. It might be just the change your family is looking for.