Rockin' and Enrollin'

It’s almost time for Drexel kids to return to classes. On Monday, Drexel R-IV started a three-day enrollment schedule that included the mandatory enrollment of all students this year. Pictured above, Kristie Musick, elementary principal’s secretary, aids Tanya Gammon and daughter, Sara with enrollment papers. And, Kelly Lacy, JH/HS principal’s secretary, explains the process of enrollment to a family.
After the hectic summer round of holidays, sports, playing in the sun, splashing in the area pool, or just plain “hanging out,” young people should take advantage of this week and next to get back into a routine. Here are tips to help with transition:
• Diet is important. Junk food, especially anything that’s really greasy or overly sweet - French fries, ice cream, doughnuts - should be curtailed. These foods frequently cause indigestion and nightmares. Anything containing caffeine including soft drinks and chocolate bars, should be avoided, especially towards evening. Caffeine can cause insomnia and disrupted sleep.
• Set a definite “Lights Out” time. Remember children need at least 8 hours sleep and 9 or 10 hours is even better. Decide on the bedtime hour using the amount of sleep needed and the time the children have to get up as guidelines.
• At least an hour before the above time, stimulating TV shows and video games should be turned off. It’s time to wind down and relax. If they’re outdoors involved in sports or strenuous play, this is the time they should come indoors.
• A snack of milk and a cookie, or crackers and cheese or honey will help promote sleep.
• Shortly before bedtime, a warm bath is helpful. A bath is preferable to a shower. The stinging needles of water from the shower can be stimulating.
• After the snack and bath, children can settle down with a book, or, in the case of younger children, perhaps parents can read to them.
• Then, at the appointed time, lights out. No argument.
Start now and get your children into a set routine. Then, when August 21st arrives, they’ll be rested and ready to tackle the return to classes far more easily than if no routine had been established. Photos by Stacy Rice