Another year of opportunities
Summer break is coming to an end for most students around Indiana. I can hear the kids around our community grumbling about the return of early morning wake ups and having to study again. I have also seen it firsthand as my sons are now running around the yard. All good things must come to an end as they will be running from my wife as she attempts to get them in the car to head to school. Kids do not usually think about all of the parents rushing to get them ready for their first day. Thankfully, there are countless excellent parents in our community working behind the scenes to make sure their child starts the school year on the best foot possible. As I was putting my son's backpack together, I started thinking about everything that has to happen to ensure Hoosier students have a good school year. So, I thought I would share a couple of things that the state and community are doing to make this year a success. Every parent's top priority is the safety of their child, and we always want to make sure they are safe when they get on the school bus. The Indiana State Police is committed to keeping children safe in schools and on the road. All school buses are inspected annually, in accordance with Indiana State law, and buses more than 12 model years old are inspected twice a year. A new feature is available online for Hoosiers to view school bus inspection records at www.secure.in.gov/ISP/BusInspections/Public/Index. To view the records, click on the county where your child attends school, then pick the school and your child's bus number. The beginning of every school year brings with it a chance for greater opportunities. If you are a parent who has always hesitated about jumping in to school functions, give it a try this year. It can be nerve racking at first, but being a chaperone or volunteering at a school fair can be very rewarding and create great experiences with your kids. The teachers in our community are some of the best in the state, and I am sure they have an excellent education plan for the students this year. Try to make some time to connect with your child’s teacher towards the beginning of the school year to make sure you are both on the same page. As parents, the impact we have in the home resonates in the school room, so if we work hand in hand with the teacher we can best help our children learn and grow. Check out some great at-home educational activities you can do with your student by visiting www.scholastic.com/parents/activities-and-printables. I hope everyone learns a lot and has a great school year filled with new adventures! -30-
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