The Belt and Beyond | August 13th, 2015

Back To School: Get a Smart Start to the School Year
(BPT) - The start of the new school year is fast approaching. It's a time
when kids will rush back to the classroom, ready to see their friends,
enter a new grade and jump back into sports. While the last month of
summer can be eaten up by never ending to-do lists, there are plenty
of ways to make the transition from the carefree days of summer to the
school year a breeze for parents and students alike.
The key is getting organized and easing back into a routine so it doesn't
feel like such an adjustment for the family. The following tips help both
students and parents ease any last minute jitters and instead feel ready
to conquer the year.
• Plan outfits early: Nothing can throw off a morning routine like
hearing, "Mom! I can't find my shoes!" The week before school starts,
organize your child's closet with them, ensuring shoes, shirt and pants
all live in their designated areas. Then, you can easily pick out outfits for
the entire first week, allowing your child to infuse their personal style
and guarantee excitement for the ever-important first day of school
outfit. This will help establish the routine of always laying clothes out
ahead of time, so getting dressed is a snap!
• Conquer the routine: You can't spell lunch without PB&J. Never
miss an ingredient with your digital personal assistant. With Microsoft's
Windows 10 you can have Cortana remind you to get bread the next
time you drive past a grocery store. Lisa Gurry, Microsoft's consumer
lifestyle expert, says, "With my kids' school 20 minutes away, I rely on
Cortana to alert me if traffic is causing a longer-than-normal commute.
Cortana is a lifesaver!" With carpool and shopping done, your parent of
the year award will be pending!
• Reschedule bedtime: Long summer days mean later bedtimes. Two
weeks before school starts, get your kids back on course by easing into
earlier bedtime, but don't forget to wake them up earlier too! Setting
daily reminders on your phone will keep you and your kids on track.
• Upgrade your tech without breaking the bank: The only thing that
moves faster than summer is tech innovation. This school year the best
tech money can buy just might be free and waiting on your student's
PC. Microsoft has made its latest software available for free with
Windows 10, bringing users a suite of new features, including Cortana.
To upgrade, visit www.Windows.com.
Whether it's your child's first year in the classroom or you're a
carpool veteran, following these tips will ensure you have a smart and
successful start to the school year.
Over 35 Years Building Character and
Academic Excellence through
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(Corner of Dante St. & Liberty Ave.)
Full Day Kindergarten thru 12th
Busing is provided from Bangor,
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Stroudsburg, Pleasant Valley,
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(610) 588-3414
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