Lake Country This Month

By Chris Bennett Special to The Freeman NORTH LAKE — You will do your children a wealth of good if you read this article together during a healthy dinner and ask them to write a synopsis of the expe- rience before putting them to bed early. This is not meant to be a public service announce- ment brought to you by Lake Country This Month. It is instead the practical appli- cation of advice from two longtime educators regard- ing what you should do to ensure the youngsters in your family are ready for school. Resuming the school year sleep schedule, spending less time on digital devices and more on reading and writing will help your chil- dren transition from catch- ing fireflies and gorging on watermelon to being back in an academic setting. Liesl R. Ackley, superin- tendent and principal of the North Lake School District, pointed out that adjusting your child's sleep schedule costs nothing at a time of year when money is seem- ingly vacuumed from one's wallet. North Lake is a one-school district that feeds into Arrowhead High School. The school serves children in 4-year-old kindergarten through eighth grade. Earlier to bed, and don't skip breakfast "You go through all of these back-to-school rituals, but they all involve a bud- get," Ackley said. "Here's something you can do to get your child ready without spending any money — help them get to bed earlier." It is natural for kids to stay up later in summer. Days are longer and activi- ties numerous. Adjusting their sleeping schedule is not done by flipping a switch the night before school starts. Start now by rolling bedtime back a few minutes each evening. Another habit to re-estab- lish is breakfast. Mark Bahr is head of schools for the Lutheran High School Asso- ciation of Greater Milwau- kee, which includes Lake Country Lutheran High School. LCL is located in Hartland, and Bahr is the school's founding principal. "Research says kids func- tion better and use their brain capacity better when they're well-hydrated and getting the right nutrition from fruits and vegetables," Bahr said. "I know it's old school, but they function better." Drop the devices to read and write It's also old school to insist on putting down the iPad, smartphone, PlayStation or other electronic device and either getting your children to read or reading with them, if necessary. "I do think kids need to be well-read," Bahr said. "Right now, they have so much media coming at them, so many different sources of information." Bahr said reading helps children use reasoning and analytical skills, and allows them to better understand the context of the informa- tion they are digesting. Bahr also stressed the importance of reading a physical book — one with pages and type — because the brain engages different- ly with that medium than it does with a touch screen. In tandem with reading is writing. Ackley said she is a proponent of journaling, but also admitted it is not for all children. Parents might want to relent on the use of electronics if it gets their children writing. Ackley said her daughter started a blog that chronicles happen- ings in their family. "It doesn't have to be a lot, but a little can get them back into the groove," Ackley said. "I'm pretty traditional. I believe in the foundation skills. Certainly, I gravitate to the literacy piece." For those dealing with young children who are going to school for the first time, or those with children entering a new school, Ack- ley advised trying to set up time for play with current or future classmates. "It's a nice way for kids to get to know each other before they're in the school setting, and for parents to network," Ackley said, adding it will help the chil- dren be more familiar with each other at the start of the school year. Setting goals Bahr encouraged an infor- mal conversation with chil- dren about what they hope to accomplish in the upcom- ing school year. Bahr said he reminds children they must think, speak and act like the person they want to be before they can ever be that person, and said the strate- gy encourages proactive and positive thoughts. "I'm a big believer in hav- ing goals and a vision," Bahr said. "I think it's important to teach kids how to visual- ize success, so they see themselves performing at a high level in their mind's eye." Sept. 10 & 11 The Final Maxwell Street Days of the Summer! Mukwonago American Legion Post 375 Celebrate our 60 th Annual Maxwell street days flea market FIELD PARK, MUKWONAGO - Hwys 83 & NN OVER 600 SELLERS Offering a Variety of Goods (Buyers allowed on grounds after 7 am) Reasonable Off-site Parking Available (Pets, Bicycles & Skateboards Prohibited) For information and 2016 schedule: www.maxwellstreetdays.net www.mukwonagochamber.org Always FREE ADMISSION FOOD & REFRESHMENTS Available on Grounds 249973004 Page 2B • FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE LAKE COUNTRY August 2016 OPEN M–TH 9–5:30 FRI 9–8:00 SAT 9–3:00 Little Swiss Clock Shop 270 W. Main Street • Downtown Waukesha 262-547-2111 • www.LittleSwissClockShop.com 250939019 Watches of Distinction Citizen Eco-Drive Satellite Wave Breaking boundaries in satellite technology with GPS timekeeping with worldwide reception and 100M water resistant. 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FREE Internet Gateway with order 262.337.9578 Ridgepoint Centre W307 N1497 Golf Road #104 Delafield www.lakecountryacu.com Bring in this ad for a FREE consultation and TWO FREE treatments! • Help us celebrate our first year of helping people in the Lake Country live healthier, happier lives! • Food, fun, giveaways, raffle prizes, information talks, demos and more! • Meet our friendly staff and experienced practitioners. • Discover how acupuncture can relieve pain, elevate mood, reduce stress and promote wellness. • Acupuncture is safe, effective and painless. • ACUPUNCTURE WORKS! David Fife Diplomate in Acupuncture 251537001 ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE Saturday, Sept. 10 10:00am - 4:00pm The FREEMAN Waukesha County's Daily Newspaper To subscribe, call 262-542-2500 or go online at: gmtoday.com/subscribe Have a news tip? Let Lauren know. Lauren Anderson Phone: 262-513-2681 Email: landerson@conleynet.com Twitter: twitter.com/Freeman__Lauren Education Reporter Education Reporter Lauren Anderson Back to school from summer Tips for preparing kids to leave vacation behind, re-enter the classroom Submitted photo There are many things parents and kids can do to get ready to go back to school.

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