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Tips for a Healthy and Successful School Year (posted August 27, 2025).png)
By Adam Behnke, Communications Specialist for Brown County Public Health
The weather in Brown County has made a switch as if it’s following the calendar as closely as most families do. A drop in humidity and lower high temperatures has given the air a ‘crispness’ that usually precedes the arrival of autumn. And, as we know, Labor Day is right around the corner, and with it comes a new school year.
It's an exciting time! Kids get new backpacks, reconnect with friends, and look forward to new experiences. Parents are juggling supply lists, bus schedules, and after-school activities. In all the hustle and bustle of back-to-school, it’s easy to overlook safety, but having a safe school year is a vital part of having a successful school year. This edition of the Healthy Herald will touch on traveling to and from school, staying healthy in the classroom, navigating online spaces, and how to maintain a healthy body and mind.
Getting to School Safely
Traveling to and from school becomes the bookends of a child’s daily routine. It’s important kids know how to stay safe, no matter how they travel to class.
Walking and Biking: If your child walks or bikes to school, remind them to always use the crosswalk and obey traffic signals. Stick to a sidewalk whenever possible and avoid distractions (like looking at a phone, if they’re older) while crossing the street. If on a bike, wearing a helmet is non-negotiable. The National Safety Council (NSC) stresses that properly fitted helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85%. Bright clothing or reflective gear can also make children more visible to drivers, especially in the morning when visibility may be lower or at times of year when the sun is low in the sky and causing glare.
School Buses: For kids who ride the bus, safety begins while waiting at the bus stop. Stand at least six feet from the curb and wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before approaching. Once aboard, they should stay seated and follow the instructions of the driver. When getting off the bus, children should always cross in front of the bus (never behind it!) so the driver and people in other vehicles can see them.
Car Rides: For children who get a car ride to school, they should always make sure to buckle up properly. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), If your child is under 4’9” tall, they may still need a booster seat for the belt to fit right. It’s also a good idea to remind kids to get in and out of the vehicle on the side facing away from traffic.
In the Classroom and On the Playground
Once safely arrived at school, there’s still plenty of things your child should keep in mind while navigating their day-to-day activities.
Handwashing: Good hand hygiene is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and after recess. Singing a short song, like ‘Happy Birthday’ twice, can help them keep scrubbing their hands for an adequate amount of time.
Playground Safety: Recess can be the highlight of the day for most kids, but it’s also a common source of bumps and bruises. Encourage your child to use playground equipment properly, liking sliding feet first, one person at a time, and no climbing on the outside of playground structures. Good shoes, like sneakers, can also help stop slipping and falling. Remind kids to take turns and be mindful of others when it’s their turn. By sharing the space and being kind to others, children can reduce the chance of an accident.
Backpacks: If too heavy or worn incorrectly, backpacks can strain a child’s back and shoulders. The AAP suggests backpacks weigh no more than 10–15% of a child’s body weight. Kids should wear both shoulder straps, not just one, to distribute the weight evenly across their body. Consider a backpack with padded straps and multiple compartments that make it easier to balance the load.
Preparing for the Unexpected
Schools have plans and run drills for emergencies, but children should also know the basics of what to do when the unexpected happens.
Know the Plan: Ask your school about its emergency procedures for events like fire drills, lockdowns, or severe weather. Talking through these plans at home can help your kids feel more prepared and less anxious about the ‘what-ifs’.
Contact Information: Every year, confirm with school that they have up-to-date contact numbers for parents and guardians. Teach your child their home address and phone number and talk with them about who is allowed to pick them up in case of an emergency. This is a great time to reinforce that it’s never okay to go with a stranger, even during a scary time, unless they are a known authority figure like a schoolteacher, law enforcement officer, or municipal official.
Medical Needs: If your child has allergies, asthma, or some other health condition, make sure the school has an updated care plan. Provide the necessary medications, like inhalers or EpiPens, and check that know how to administer the medication if needed.
Online and Social Safety
Technology has become an integral part of education, but it comes with its own risks.
Screen Time Balance: Spending long hours on screens leads to eye strain, headaches, and slouching (poor posture that is sometimes referred to as ‘tech neck’). Encourage kids to follow the 20-20-20 rule, which means every 20 minutes they should look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Breaks like that help protect their eyes and keeps them refreshed.
Digital Responsibility: Talk to your kids about safe online behavior, such as not sharing personal information or passwords. They should always feel that it’s safe to come to you or another trusted adult if they encounter something in cyberspace that makes them uncomfortable.
Social Media Awareness: For older students who use social media, discuss how important it is to think through a post before hitting send. Explain that once something is online, it can be difficult (or impossible) to fully remove. A person’s their digital footprint can have an effect on their future.
Health for the Brain and Body
Someone’s health should be thought of in terms of their physical and mental well-being.
Easing First-Day Nerves: It’s perfectly normal for kids to feel nervous at the start of a new school year. Moving up to a new grade (or starting school for the first time) brings a lot of change and has them facing the unknown. Be open with them about what you think the experience will be like and reassure them that teachers are there to help. Remind them they can always talk to you about what’s going on at school.
Sleep and Routines: Sleep is crucial for good health at any age. According to the AAP, children between 6- and 12-years old need 9–12 hours of sleep every night, while teens need 8–10 hours. Keeping a consistent time for bed and a consistent time for waking up makes mornings easier and will improve focus in class.
Daily Check-Ins: Ask your child about their day, both in what they learned and how things went with their peers. Try asking them about the best part of their day or if anything happened that is causing them to worry or feel sad. Prompting these open conversations can give you insight into their emotional well-being and reveal small problems before they become major issues.
Have a Safe and Healthy School Year!
Back-to-school season has the inherent feel of opportunity. New beginnings for developing minds to soak up information and grow more confident. With a little preparation from parents, and some buy-in from children, this season can be successful and safe. So, as you’re checking off the back-to-school supply list, make sure you also keep safety in mind. Because a safe child is happy and ready to learn!
Stay Healthy, Brown County!
Resources
https://www.safekids.org/blog/back-school-blog
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/school/Pages/back-to-school-tips.aspx
https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/22871-a-safe-and-healthy-school-year?page=1
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/parents/index.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/communication-resources/back-to-school.html