Mid-summer is the perfect time to kick off back-to-school preparations. Before we know it, students, families, educators, and caregivers will be checking off lists and gathering resources for the transition ahead. August is a great runway to get organized for a vibrant new year of learning, discovery, extracurriculars, and building meaningful, supportive connections both inside and outside the classroom. This article will help with a series of suggestions to ease the process and provide valuable information.
Back to School chalk drawn text with paper airplane and school bus on blackboard. Education design, web banner, cover. Vector illustration.
Body & Mind
Nutrition:
Food and Nutrition Administration’s Back to School supporting health choices and healthy outcomes for school-age children. https://www.fna.usda.gov/tn/back-school
Mental Health School Resources, Pennsylvania Department of Education:
A centralized hub for educators, school professionals, and parents seeking practical tools to address student mental health and behavioral well-being. The state of Pennsylvani provides vetted, evidence-based tools from leading national organizations to help schools build proactive support systems and navigate mental health crises. https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/schools/school-climate-wellbeing/mental-health/school-resources
Additional Mental Health America Resources from Mental Health America (MHA):
The nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting the mental health and well-being of all people living in the U.S. Three ways parents and educators can build connection at school (2024) and 10 tips for teachers to practice social emotional learning in the classroom (2022).
Sleep Tips:
Sleep Foundation offers suggestions to support the importance of setting a sleep schedule, getting back on a sleep schedule for school after summer break, suggested bedtime routine, sleep hygiene tips, and addresses concerns about technology and sleep. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/school-and-sleep/back-to-school-sleep-tips
Preparing for the Classroom
PBS Kids Back to School:
East the transition by proactively focusing on routines, emotional support, and fun activities for children and parents! https://www.pbs.org/parents/back-to-school
PBS Learning Media:
Their Back-to-School Collection is designed to help educators, students, and families transition smoothly into the new school year. It features a robust, curated selection of free, high-quality, and curriculum-aligned activities, videos, lesson plans, and interactive resources. It will help with establishing routines & transitions, social-emotional learning, and teacher support. https://thinktv.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/back-to-school-collection/
Anti-Bullying (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services):
This is a comprehensive resource hub for bullying prevention and intervention, providing evidence-based information designed to help parents, educators, community leaders, and children understand the dynamics of bullying—including cyberbullying—and the warning signs associated with it. Beyond education, it offers actionable strategies for creating safer environments, resources for reporting incidents, and specific guidance on legal protections and policies. By centralizing research, prevention tactics, and support networks, it provides information to empower communities to identify, respond to, and ultimately stop bullying behavior effectively. https://www.stopbullying.gov/
Classroom activities, resources, Facing History & Ourselves:
Using lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to racism, antisemitism, and other forms of bigotry and hate. https://www.facinghistory.org/ideas-week/nine-our-favorite-back-school-activities-resources
Local Resources
United Way of Mercer County:
Focused on establishing sustainable pathways to self-sufficiency, educational achievement, and community wellness for children, youth, and families across the region, the United Way of Mercer County champions quality programs and leverage community partnerships that empower individuals and families—focusing on early childhood literacy, educational achievement, workforce development, and long-term financial stability. https://www.uwmercercounty.org/ Community Resources https://www.uwmercercounty.org/communityresources