State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell offers parents his Top 10 backtoschool tips to help ease students back into the classroom after the not nearly long enough summer recess.

•Put children to bed a little earlier each night until they get used to the regular wake-up time to go to school. A well-rested and alert student learns better in school.

Doctors say elementary and middle school-aged students typically need 10 to 12 hours of sleep, while high school students need between eight and nine hours.

•Make sure children eat a hearty breakfast of whole-grain toast or cereal, fruit and low-fat milk, instead of a sugar-filled breakfast. Hungry children do not learn as well as wellnourished ones, and sugar may make them hyperactive and cause them to actually eat more food at lunchtime.

Schools usually serve wellbalanced meals to children if parents don’t have time to pack a nutritious lunch. Low-income families can also sign up their children for the free and reduced-price meal program.

•Throughout the school year keep doing all the fun physical activities, like biking and jogging, the family did during the summer. Studies show that students who are physically active have a better ability to learn and achieve and behave better in class.

•Teach children how to prevent the spread of swine flu and other influenza viruses. Keeping children healthy and ready to learn will prevent school dismissals due to a flu outbreak. Tell children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water when possible and always cover their noses and mouths with a tissue, shirt sleeve or elbow when coughing or sneezing.

•Pack a flu prevention kit. The kit should contain tissues for coughing and sneezing and individual packets of disposable wipes. For home, the kit should include a thermometer, decongestants, antibacterial soap and fever-reducing medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but not aspirin. Do not pack medications in a child’s flu prevention kit because they may be barred by the school’s drug prevention policies.

While packing a child’s flu prevention kits, throw in an extra package of tissues, pencils, pens and notebooks and donate them to teachers. Many teachers buy supplies with their own money for students in their classes.

•Create a comfortable, quiet, welllit place in the home specifically for children to concentrate on their homework or reading.

Plan a consistent time for homework every day. This will help children concentrate and absorb more of what they are trying to learn. Make note of any studying difficulties that may be caused by poor eyesight and solved with eyeglasses.

•Limit a child’s use of mobile devices, TV, radio and the computer. Turn them off while children are studying. When they do watch TV, choose programs that are interesting and educational.

•School budgets have been cut and some parents are out of work. To make the best of these difficult situations, volunteer at the school or start a booster club. People can gain valuable work experience from these activities that can be used to get a job. The school and students benefit from parents who are actively engaged in their child’s education.

•Have high expectations for children. Expect children to do their very best each day. Hold them accountable for doing homework and working hard to achieve in school.

When parents expect their children to achieve at high levels, they will rise to the challenge. If they believe they can achieve, they will achieve.

For more information on these tips, visit the website www. cde.ca.gov.