By DaQuan Lawrence
AFRO International Writer
DLawrence@afro.com
Students and families in Baltimore County and Baltimore City returned to school for the official first day of school on Aug. 26. As the school year kicks off, the AFRO spoke with Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Sonja Santelises to get tips on how to properly return to classes.
At the top of the list? Sleep!
“Parents, grandparents and families– please make sure that young people are getting to bed at a decent time,” Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) CEO, Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises said, when asked to speak directly to returning families with back to school tips.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), students who are between six and 12 years of age need an average of nine to 12 hours of sleep every 24 hours. Scholars ages 13 to 18 are said to need between eight and 10 hours of sleep every night.
Though sleep is necessary for all students, Santelises gave tips for every grade band.
“If your student is in high school make sure you are checking their schedule. Students should be coming home with schedules, if not please call their school and tell them that CEO Santelises said, ‘Your student needs to have their schedule that first day- no later than by the end of the first week of school.’”
She also gave a bit of advice for families with middle school students.
“If your child is in middle or elementary school, make sure that they are in the classes that they need to be in. Make sure you understand from the teacher what the expectations are and attend Back to School Night events if you can,” Santelises said. “If you cannot attend back to school night, make sure you know where to get that information.”
City Schools has shared a checklist with families that helps prepare students for the new school year, including information on attendance policies, school bell times and school supplies lists.
The district suggests setting routines to make the process of returning back to school and getting into the flow of classes a smooth process.
“Set routines that your family sticks to every day and make sure the children in your family follow them. Have specific times for waking up, starting homework, and going to bed. Check in with your child in the evening to ask about her or his day at school,” suggest City Schools experts in their attendance guide. “Maintain contact with your child’s teachers to keep up with what’s being taught and to keep an eye on your child’s progress; you can also check your child’s attendance through Parent Portal. Be sure to let your child’s school know when he or she needs to miss school. And, don’t forget to update your contact information with your child’s school if your phone number or address changes.”
The number to the attendance hotline, open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is 410-396-8643.
Families and students can find more information about the upcoming school year at the City Schools website.
The district has information on how to access laptops and hotspots, where to find meals, and upcoming events available as well. Families or parents with questions, can call 410-545-1870.
“I think the biggest thing to remember is that the full year counts. School is a long-distance journey and I want our students to have a great 2024-2025 school year,” Santelises said. We want a great start, but we want to make sure we are checking in with young people along the way.”
While a few specific schools started classes in the past few weeks, most districts in Maryland welcomed all students back on Aug. 26.
Students in Anne Arundel; Dorchester; Kent; Montgomery; Wicomico and Queen Anne’s Counties all have staggered returns, taking place between Aug. 26 and Sept. 3.
Aside from the school districts in Baltimore, students in Allegany; Charles; Howard; Talbot and Washington Counties also returned in full on Aug. 26.
Calvert County students begin on Aug. 27. Caroline County schools will welcome all students on Aug. 28, and Carroll; Cecil; Garrett; Somerset and Worcester Counties are expecting all students to return on Sept. 3.
The post Back to school tips from Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Sonja Santelisis appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
