5 Things to Do Before the School Year Starts

As we prepare for the new school year, there is so much to do -

for health, for fun, for growth and development.

There’s a whole lot you can’t control right now. But here are five things you can control. You can start doing them today to prepare yourself and your family for a great fall.

1. Communicate: Start practicing at home. This is a great opportunity to refine your communication skills. For more about the importance of communication, see my blog on how it’s the foundation for the rest of education.
   

2. Assess: Evaluate your students’ readiness for success in education and in life. This research-based free assessment will get you started. And you’ll receive a report of their current readiness and some very tangible next steps to consider.
   

3. Coach: Plan to coach vital skills for success in your students throughout the rest of this year. Your students could emerge from this season more ready for success. Here’s a discounted book that gives you easy-to-use activities to coach the vital skills at home.
   

4. Consider: Take a real look at what’s going to be offered this autumn, and start conversations about how to handle what’s not. Music lessons might be offered via Zoom or with masks, but some sports might be cancelled. Either way, the year will look different than your student expected. Start conversations now to mentally prepare them and brainstorm alternative options. If you’re looking for opportunities for development, ICC offers an array of online courses in our Online Academy.
   

5. Invest: You are the most important factor in your student’s success this school year. Parents and teachers who model continued growth and learning inspire students toward a lifetime of learning. Take a step toward becoming the best version of yourself. Our online course, 3 Ways to More Time and Energy, led by our Chief Influence Officer Mary Gunther, has helped dozens of parents find time, increase energy, and accomplish what really matters.

The ICC team is here for you as you prepare to start a school year like no other. Take some time to plan for these five things now before the school year starts.

Teresa Moon

President and CEO

Institute for Cultural Communicators (ICC)

teresa.moon@iccinc.org

www.iccinc.org