1. 40 ways
Countdown to
School
to help your
kids learn
more!
Success
A month-by-month
guide filled with the
advice, tools, and
online resources
you’ll need to
help your children
have a school year
packed with fun
and learning.
Developed in partnership with:
Countdown to School Success 1

2. Join Us!
What’s inside:
Pledge to have
your child read
20 minutes daily.
parenting.com/
Talking with your child’s teacher / Homework helpers pledge
Easy ways to get involved at school / Fun family activities
The start of school is the most exciting
time of the year for students!
They want to meet their U.S. Department of Educa-
teachers, catch up with their tion, National PTA, and
friends, and begin explor- Parenting have teamed up
ing a whole new world of to bring you Countdown to
knowledge. As exciting as School Success. This booklet
these first weeks of school takes you step-by-step
are, your children can’t do through the typical school-
this on their own. They need year calendar, explaining
your help to get ready—now how you can help your chil-
and every day. You need to dren at home, support them
read aloud to young chil- in the classroom, and assist
parenting.com/success. THIS PAGE: Ariel Skelley/GETTY IMAGES
dren to reinforce the impor- their teachers as they ad-
COVER PHOTOGRAPH: JON WHITTLE. for additional credits, see
tance of literacy. You have to dress each of your children’s
be ready to help them when unique abilities. We hope
they’re stuck on homework. your whole family enjoys
You should make sure they following this road map to
have a nutritious lunch the exciting year ahead.
every day. You need to build
relationships with their
teachers so you’re all work- Arne Duncan
ing together to provide your U.S. Secretary of Education
children the best learning
experience possible. Betsy Landers
Helping your children National PTA President
with school is one of your
most important jobs as a Ana Connery
parent. That’s why the Parenting Editorial Director
2 Countdown to School Success

3. september
developing muscles and joints.
Encourage your child to use
both straps, and tighten them
so the pack hangs close to the
1 Reach out to your kids’
teachers Attend meet-the-
Many use e-mail as the main
form of contact, but phone
body, about two inches above
your child’s waist.
teacher night, orientation,
or other welcome events, but
don’t stop there. Make a point
calls and conferences (make
an appointment first) are usu-
ally welcome, too. For more
5 Commit to volunteering
With help from parents
like you, your school can
of introducing yourself and advice on building a parent- offer many more programs
learning about class activities teacher relationship that will and services for your kids.
and expectations for the year. last the entire year, as well Join your school’s PTA and
Find out how each teacher as links to all the websites ask about volunteer opportu-
prefers to communicate. featured in this guide, go to nities in the school community
parenting.com/success. and your children’s class-
2 Get in the groove
Establish healthy at-home
routines for school days, such
rooms. National PTA’s “Three
for Me” campaign encourages
parents to pledge to volunteer
as consistent waking times at least three hours during the
and getting-ready patterns. school year. Go to three4me​
Decide on a regular home- .com for more information.
work time, and create
a comfortable, quiet work
space. Set bedtimes that allow
elementary-age kids to get
10 to 12 hours of sleep; teens
should get 8½ to 9½ hours.
3
FROM LEFT: SHUTTERSTOCK, LAURA HINELY
Time things right
Stay on top of everyone’s
school, activity, and work
schedules with a free online
calendar or a smartphone app.
4 Pack smart Make sure
your child’s backpack
never weighs more than 10
to 20 percent of his body
weight; heavy packs can strain
Countdown to School Success 3

4. october/november 1 Fuel up Children who eat a
healthy breakfast each day
have more energy available for
in photos. Ask the teacher what
his or her specific needs will
likely be this year.
learning. Try simple, protein-
loaded options like homemade
scrambled-egg-and-cheese
3 Connect with your kids’
teachers Many schools
schedule parent-teacher confer-
breakfast burritos, waffles ences in October and November.
smeared with nut butter, or Attending this meeting should
yogurt-and-fruit smoothies. be a priority for all parents and
2 Become a class parent
You’ll develop a closer rela-
tionship with the teacher and
guardians. This is your chance
to see how things are going with
your children and to partner
will get an inside look into what with their teachers on improv-
goes on in the classroom, usually ing performance. Ask: “What
without having to commit a ton could we be doing at home to
of time. Class parents organize practice what they’re learning?”
other parent volunteers for National PTA has created grade- child falls too far behind. Ask
parties and events, may help the by-grade Parent Guides that can your child’s teacher how grades
teacher create a newsletter, or be a resource for what to discuss are determined and for sugges-
might document the school year at conferences. Find out more at tions on how your student can
pta.org/parentsguide. improve. Review grades and
4 Seek extra help Does it seem
your child is going to have
trouble keeping up? Ask the
the teacher’s comments with
your child—always starting
with something she’s doing well,
teacher about school-provided then pointing out areas that
tutoring programs and resources need attention, and ending with
to help reinforce his or her learn- something positive again.
ing outside of class. Many also
offer extra help during office
hours before or after school.
2 Encourage creativity
Urge your children to enter
the National PTA Reflections
arts contest. They can submit
NOVEMBER works of art in six categories:
visual arts (such as painting,
1 Review that report card Pay
careful attention to all prog-
ress reports, but particularly
drawing, or collage), literature,
musical composition, photogra-
phy, film production, and dance
SHUTTERSTOCK (2)
the first one—it will be coming choreography. This year’s theme
soon if your child hasn’t received is “Diversity Means...” Contact
it yet. You want to get help for your local PTA for additional
any problem areas before your details or go to pta.org.
4 Countdown to School Success

5. 3 Make over your meals
November is National PTA’s
other activities. Pay attention to
school websites and newsletters
january
Healthy Lifestyles Month, so
think carefully about what
your kids are eating at home
for alerts about flu or other
illness outbreaks. Check the
Centers for Disease Control and
1 Make a winter-weather
plan Have an advance plan
for snow days or sick days.
and in school. Ask your school Prevention website (cdc.gov) for Can another family member
lunch director for nutritional up-to-date information and the or neighbor care for your kids
information if it isn’t available. latest prevention advice. And be while you work? Make sure you
Work with your PTA and school sure your family gets flu shots. have a safety kit in case of power
district to improve the menu
2 Help end bullying Take the outages; have your children help
december/january
if necessary. For more healthy time to talk with your chil- assemble it so they get a lesson
eating and lunch-packing tips, dren about any bullying behav- in emergency preparation, too.
go to pta.org/goodchoices and ior they may have seen going Get more tips at ready.gov.
choosemyplate.gov/kids.
4 Be a good citizen Your
child will be learning about
on at school. Before you begin
the conversation, go to pta.org/
bullying and stopbullying.gov
2 Be a meteorologist Winter
months are a great time to
introduce budding minds to the
the importance of voting and to learn what you can do as a science behind weather pat-
how elections work, and she’ll be parent to instill an attitude of terns and how to predict them.
thrilled to go with you when you acceptance in your children and You’ll find plenty of weather
cast your ballot on November 8. get help with bullying behavior resources for kids in the “Earth
Go to free.ed.gov to learn more if your family needs it. Sciences” section of free.ed.gov.
about how government works.
5 Give thanks This month’s
Thanksgiving holiday is the
3 Remember the teacher
A simple holiday token is
nice if you can swing it. Teach-
3 Dream big Celebrate Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day on
January 16 by encouraging your
perfect time to talk with your ers particularly appreciate kids to complete the sentence “I
children about all the freedoms cards from their students, and have a dream that…,” and then
the United States has to offer gift cards for their favorite e-mail, tweet, or post on Facebook
its citizens. Help your children book, crafts, or office-supply their own hopes for the future.
explore what life was like here stores. Teachers often replen-
during the first Thanksgiving ish classroom supplies out of
at the Library of Congress their own pay, so gift cards
website: loc.gov/families. help cut the cost.
december 4 Practice cyber safety
If your children will be
spending more time online
1 Get ready for flu season
Amp up the reminders about
during the winter break, or
if they get a new laptop or
SHUTTERSTOCK
washing hands frequently— smartphone as a gift, be sure
particularly when kids get to review family rules and
home from school, sports, and online behavior.
Countdown to School Success 5

6. portraits with their names or sics—counts! And if you haven’t
1. doing word searches about taken the pledge to have your
them. Older students will kids read at least 20 minutes a
enjoy learning about the four day, go to parenting.com/pledge
presidents carved into Mount and make the promise now!
Rushmore at nps.gov/moru.
4 Schedule a midyear check-
in with the teacher Discuss
3 Get art smart Exposure
to art and music can help
your children excel in math,
your children’s progress and problem solving, and reading,
how homework is going. And and help them develop team-
always reach out to teachers work skills and self-esteem.
when important changes are Check out the resources on free
happening in your family’s life, .ed.gov, and then do your part at
such as the death of a rela- home. Replenish your arts-and-
tive, a move to a new home, or crafts supplies. Let your kids
anything that might affect your experiment with inexpensive
1 Connect with other
families National PTA’s
Take Your Family to School
children’s behavior or perfor-
mance at school—so the school
staff can offer support as well.
music-makers like a harmonica,
a recorder, or an old guitar.
Check out child-friendly music
Week is February 12 to 18. Help CDs and art books from your
february/march
out at events such as family march library. Urge older siblings to
reading night, parenting work- join their school’s choir, band, or
shops, or educational family
activities. National PTA offers
grants to help fund especially
1 Get ready for test day Many
schools will begin standard-
ized testing this month or next.
drama program.
4 Plant a school garden
Kids learn firsthand
deserving school programs. Make a note of the schedule on about weather, plant life
Help your school apply for next your family calendar so you cycles, and nutrition
year at pta.org/familytoschool. can be sure your children get when they help grow
2 Celebrate African
American History Month
a good night’s sleep and eat a
healthy breakfast on test days.
their own garden.
Get started at
Your school, local museums,
and libraries will have special 2 Read some more National
Read Across America Day is
schoolgarden
wizard.org.
FROM LEFT: CHRISTOPHER FUTCHER/
events. You and your children March 2. Take time at home to
GETTY IMAGES, SHUTTERSTOCK
can also go to africanamerican read aloud on this day with your
historymonth.gov for online kids, and have them take turns
exhibits and activities. reading to you. Encourage older
3 Honor Presidents’ Day
Search online for activi-
ties you can do with your kids,
children to read on their own
and to their younger siblings.
Anything that interests them—
such as matching presidential from comic books to the clas-
6 Countdown to School Success

7. 1
april/may/june
Get schooled in math April
is Math Awareness Month.
maY this school year was….” Work
with your PTA to bring in cof-
Ask your children’s teachers
for suggestions on math games
and online activities. Another
1 Get a move on It’s National
Physical Fitness & Sports
Month, and your child may
fee, baked goods, or lunch items
during Teacher Appreciation
Week, May 7 to 11.
resource: Check out the website soon be taking the annual
of the National Council of President’s Challenge physi- JUNE
Teachers of Mathematics: nctm cal fitness test as part of gym
.org/resources/families.aspx.
2 Go a little greener
Commemorate Earth Day
class. Prep your child for it—as
well as your school’s field day,
a favorite spring event with
1 Challenge your children
to a readathon See who can
read the most books this sum-
on April 22 by planning an kids everywhere—with some mer, with each one slightly more
activity for your entire family, family recreation activities. challenging than the last. Make
such as joining a local park’s Take walks after dinner, go on it happen by setting a designat-
litter-cleanup team or planting a weekend bike ride, or have ed family reading time, when
a tree on your block. Check out chin-up contests on the monkey the whole gang curls up with a
your school-district website to bars at a nearby playground. good book, parents included.
see what they have on tap for
students and their families.
For more fitness ideas, check
out letsmove.gov, fitness.gov, 2 Minimize summer brain
drain Look for fun ways to
3 Share your career Lots of
parents and kids will par-
ticipate in Take Your Child to
and presidentschallenge.org.
2 Keep kids safe The weather
has warmed up and school’s
keep your children’s academic
skills sharp during the warm
weather ahead. Consider sign-
Work Day on April 26, but why almost out for the summer, ing them up for camps, and visit
not teach your child’s entire which means kids will be spend- nature centers, museums, and
SHUTTERSTOCK BACK COVER: JADE ALBERT STUDIO, INC./GETTY IMAGES
class about your job? Offer to ing more time outdoors on their libraries as a family.
visit and talk about your career, own. Give them a refresher
and encourage other parents in course in safety whether they’re
the class to do the same. bike riding, swimming, or play-
4 Thank your school staff
These overlooked helpers
are often the ones who keep
ing indoors on game systems.
For more tips, go to pta.org and
click on “Topics: Child Safety.”
things working smoothly for
your children, so take time to
recognize school office staff
3 Give props to your
children’s teachers As the
school year winds down, en-
during the week of April 22 to courage your children to write
28, which is Administrative thank-you notes to their current
Professionals Week. Join with teachers. Prompt younger kids
other parents to give a gift with suggestions like “Some-
card or flowers, or have your thing new I learned this year
kids make a card of their own. was…” or “My favorite part of
Countdown to School Success 7

8. Join Mom
Congress!
at facebook.com/
momcongress
to stand up
for great schools.