As summer fades and the back-to-school season approaches, students everywhere are gearing up for the shift from relaxed summer days to the structured routines of school life. This transition often brings a whirlwind of emotions—from excited anticipation to nervous uncertainty. But don’t worry—with a bit of preparation, you can help turn these mixed feelings into a smooth start. Here are five simple yet powerful strategies for parents and caregivers to help students navigate the new school year with confidence, turn stress into success, and lay the groundwork for a year full of growth and achievement.

Reconnect and Reacquaint: Kick off the school year by helping your child reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. Arrange playdates or casual get-togethers with classmates before school starts to ease any social anxieties. Visit the school together to familiarize your child with their new environment—locate the classroom, practice using their locker, attend back-to-school events, and explore the school’s website for photos of new teachers. It's also important to have a conversation with your child’s teacher about any necessary accommodations or interventions related to mental health, learning differences, or past experiences. Make sure the teacher is aware of your child’s Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plan, if applicable, to ensure that any mandated services begin promptly.

Establish Routine and Organization: To ensure a smooth changeover, establish a consistent routine and keep things organized. Start adjusting your child’s sleep schedule and mealtimes to align with the school routine before classes begin. Boost organizational skills by color-coding academic materials, posting visual reminders of daily routines, and preparing school items the night before. Make it a weekend habit to help your child check and organize their backpack to keep everything in order.

Foster Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with your child and offer support. Instead of bombarding them with rapid questions, ask open-ended ones like, “What was the best part of your day?” or “What are you looking forward to tomorrow?” and allow time for them to respond. Validate their emotions and provide a supportive listening ear, meeting them where they are academically, socially, and emotionally. Help ease their anxieties by finding small positives to look forward to, like a favorite first-day shirt or new pencils. Additionally, plan for quiet time after the first day or week to help them unwind through calming activities such as yoga, music, journaling, or coloring.

Encourage Good Attendance: Promote strong attendance habits from the start. Since the pandemic, chronic absenteeism is a growing concern, with rates nearly doubling since 2019 in South Dakota, according to the South Dakota Department of Education. Even occasional absences can add up, leading to lower grades and higher dropout rates. Set clear attendance expectations and focus on developing positive habits rather than using punitive measures. If your child shows disinterest in school, discuss with teachers or counselors about engaging in Career and Technical Education classes or other activities that align with their interests.

Seek Support and Collaborate. Remember, you don’t have to navigate this process alone. Reach out to the school for assistance with any challenges your child might face, whether related to adjusting to the new routine, making friends, understanding academic material, or transportation and childcare issues. Schools are eager to work with families to overcome these barriers and ensure student success. Work with educators to create a supportive learning environment that promotes a sense of belonging and encourages academic achievement.

Start implementing these strategies today to help your child adjust smoothly into the new school year. For additional information on successful attendance across grade levels, as well as resources on mental and behavioral health interventions, explore these valuable resources.

Learn why good attendance matters at https://doe.sd.gov/attendance/.  

For resources and training to support school aged youth, visit https://dss.sd.gov/behavioralhealth/resources.aspx#school.

Learn how to support someone’s mental health at https://sdbehavioralhealth.gov/support.

Learn more about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at https://sdbehavioralhealth.gov/988.

Learn about how 211 connects people to local resources and supports at https://www.helplinecenter.org/2-1-1/.

#30

The mission of the Human Services Center is to provide individuals with a mental health or substance use disorder or both with effective, individualized professional treatment enabling them to achieve their highest level of personal independence in the most therapeutic environment.

The mission of the Division of Behavioral Health is to strengthen and support children and adults through community-based substance use disorder and mental health treatment services, crisis and prevention services, recovery support services, and psychiatric hospitalization.  

To read previous editions of the Mental Health Memo visit https://dss.sd.gov/keyresources/news.aspx#mhmemo