By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — The school supplies have been secured, the uniforms purchased and now schools are back in session all over the River Region.

With the excitement that each school year offers, challenges can often be associated with the new academic tasks and schedules a fresh school year can present.

Two main issues parents may find themselves concerned with are their children’s transportation routines and homework time. 

The St. John the Baptist Parish Local Emergency Planning Committee recently released a Back to School Safety pamphlet for fall 2014 on the parish’s website, sjbparish.com.

Included in the pamphlet is transportation safety tips.

For children who walk to school, the pamphlet reminds children to walk on the sidewalk if one is available. When on a street with no sidewalk, the pamphlet states children should walk facing traffic.

For students taking the bus to school, the LEPC reminds parents to make sure their children stand 10 feet away from the curb. If needing to cross the street in front of the bus, parents and children should walk on the side of the road until they are at least 12 feet ahead of the bus. 

“You always should be able to see the bus driver, and the bus driver always should be able to see you,” the pamphlet states.

Sheriff Mike Tregre also released transportation safety tips on his department’s website, stjohnsheriff.org.

Citing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Tregre offered several safety tips for bus riders. 

Students should always arrive at the bus stop early, and prior to boarding, students should wait until the bus has come to a complete stop, the door opens and the bus driver says it is OK to board.

Students should also never walk behind the bus, and parents should help students take extra precautions to make sure clothing with drawstrings and books bags do not get caught in the bus door or on the hand rail.

Once everyone is to and from school safely, the main focus of many families each evening is homework and study time.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is important for parents to create an environment for students that is conducive to doing homework.

“Children need a consistent work space in their bedroom or another part of the home that is quiet, without distractions and promotes study,” the APP website states.

According to the APP, developing good homework and study habits involves several practical steps, including scheduling ample time for homework and establishing a household rule that TV and other electronics stay off during homework time.

“Take steps to help alleviate eye fatigue, neck fatigue and brain fatigue while studying,” the APP site states. 

“It may be helpful to close the books for a few minutes, stretch and take a break periodically when it will not be too disruptive.”

Because some children need help organizing their homework, the APP recommends parental supervision, checklists and timers can help children overcome homework problems.

Going over transportation safety tips, as well as creating a productive homework and study time, can help parents and students focus more on the fun and excitement of the new school year and less on the preventable stresses.