Save Club

Brought to you from the SAVE Promise Club at Athenian Academy

The Real Back-to-School Essentials: A Parent and Caregiver Checklist. Help your student feel safe, connected, supported, and ready to thrive this school year. As you check off your school supply lists, remember the most important back-to-school “essentials” aren’t things you can buy in a store. Strong relationships and a sense of belonging help students overcome challenges and thrive. Here are a few simple ways to ensure your child has the real “essentials” they need this school year:

1. Name Their "Trusted Adult" Before the school year gets too busy, sit down with your child and help them identify at least one adult at school they feel safe turning to if they ever feel overwhelmed, lonely, or unsafe. Knowing exactly who to go to makes it easier to ask for help.

2. Create Daily Moments of Connection: Find opportunities to check in throughout the week – like during a drive home, at dinner, or before bedtime. Instead of asking the usual "How was your day?" go with open-ended questions like, "Who did you spend time with today?" or "What are you looking forward to tomorrow?" Consistent conversations help build trust and keep communication open.

3. Encourage Inclusion and Belonging. Small acts of kindness help create a more connected school community. Ask your child to look for opportunities to include others that may be feeling left out, like sitting with a new classmate at lunch or offering a simple "hello."

4. Know the Warning Signs -Common warning signs that a child might be struggling include sudden changes in behavior, withdrawing from friends or favorite activities, dramatic shifts in sleeping or eating habits, or expressions of hopelessness. It’s important to know these signs and also have a keen understanding of your child’s normal everyday behavior so you can spot shifts early. Trust your instincts and start a conversation if you feel your child may need extra support.

5. “Say Something” Together: Talk through what your child can do if they see or hear something concerning online, at school, or among their peers. Remind them that telling a Trusted Adult isn't about getting someone in trouble – it is helping someone get the support they need and keeping school safe. Make sure they know they can always come to you first.

6. Connect to Their Digital World: Take a few minutes to talk to your child about what they are seeing and sharing online. Discuss social media boundaries, and how online interactions can affect mental health and wellness. Encourage them to tell you if they see or experience cyberbullying or any threatening behaviors online.

7. Protect Their Time to Recharge Kids’ schedules can fill up quickly between school, extracurricular activities, and social commitments. Protect your child's mental well-being by ensuring they have unstructured time to relax, play, and just be a kid. Downtime is a critical part of building resilience, managing stress, and supporting mental health. Common warning signs that a child might be struggling include sudden changes in behavior, withdrawing from friends or favorite activities, dramatic shifts in sleeping or eating habits, or expressions of hopelessness. It’s important to know these signs and also have a keen understanding of your child’s normal everyday behavior so you can spot shifts early. Trust your instincts and start a conversation if you feel your child may need extra support.

8. Connect with the School Community: Introduce yourself to your child’s teachers, counselors, and administrators early in the year. Stay connected, not only about academics, but also your child’s friendships, behavior, and well-being. Teachers and school staff are key partners in supporting your child and can offer insight into what they see at school. Ask about safety plans and wellness resources for added peace of mind. sandyhookprom