C. Forrest Smith

Submitted photo

While a rough day here and there is inevitable, practicing positivity can support academic performance, build resilience, and boost mental and emotional well-being.”

Back-to-school season often brings a mix of emotions: excitement for a fresh start, relief at the return of routine and sometimes, the overwhelming feeling of all that needs to be done to prepare.

Many parents approach the year with optimistic plans and structure, only to watch these good intentions fade as the school year goes on, leaving them feeling defeated and frustrated.  

But 2025 can be the year to break the cycle and build lasting, healthy habits. The key is to be deliberate with time and planning. Even small actions can make a big difference. Whether attending a traditional public school or learning from home through an online program, a few simple, effective steps can set every family up for success this school year:  

Set up and use school phone apps

Most schools and teachers rely on apps like Parent Square or Canvas to communicate with families. These tools help students stay on top of everything from half-days and spirit weeks to book fairs and grade updates.

Set up student accounts early and look for further details on a back-to-school events or in a welcome email. 

Once set up, get into the habit of checking the app daily. This will ensure important updates aren’t missed, especially as the school year begins. 

Set alarms to stay on track

Calendar reminders are effective, but they can be easily missed or dismissed, especially on busy days.

Try setting alarms for key times throughout the day to carve out a few moments to read school communications, respond to a teacher’s email or review homework. This intentional practice can help students stay on track. Repetition will help these actions become part of the daily routine. 

Practice healthy lifestyle habits

Healthy habits play a big role in a child’s school performance and their overall well-being. Making sure children get enough sleep, eat balanced meals and stay active are critical to their health and development.

In Arizona, more than 300 days of sun and extreme summer heat can easily lead to dehydration. Proper hydration helps students concentrate, stay alert and maintain a positive mood. Parents should encourage water consumption throughout the day by providing fun water bottles, colorful straws or flavored, electrolyte-infused water.   

Practicing these healthy habits will set students up for a strong start to the school year and encourage them to embrace a healthy lifestyle.  

Establish a support system

We’ve all heard the phrase, “It takes a village,” and the school year is no exception. Having a reliable support system can make a big difference in a child’s education. 

For example, if your child is enrolled in a K12-powered online school, parents and guardians can join the school’s virtual community to  connect, share tips, plan pay dates or even local field trips. For families with children in traditional schools the child’s teacher can often share contact information among parents to help build that community. Parents can connect to set up study groups, play dates, carpools and more.  

This support system also extends to academics. If a child is struggling with certain subjects or wants to get ahead, working with a tutor can ease pressure on both parent and student, and help the student achieve their goals.

Whether working with a local tutoring center or a private or virtual tutor, there are options available for each family’s unique needs. 

Encourage positive thinking

While a rough day here and there is inevitable, practicing positivity can support academic performance, build resilience, and boost mental and emotional well-being. A Stanford University study found that having a positive attitude toward math improves the function of the brain’s memory center and can impact a child’s performance in the subject.  

Simple habits like listing good things that happened throughout the day or reciting positive affirmations can feel small but are meaningful over time. Plus, maintaining a positive outlook can benefit parents, too, giving them the mental boost to power through their busiest days.   

These small practices can make a big difference in helping families ease into the school year with more confidence and less stress. When parents stay organized, prioritize healthy choices and maintain a positive attitude, you not only keep yourselves on track, you’re also modeling life skills for your child.

Editor’s note: C. Forrest Smith is executive director of Arizona Virtual Academy. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.