For kids, going back to school is an important moment where they get to shine, experience the excitement of a fresh start and encounter many new things. As every parent with a school-aged child or seasoned student knows, and every parent-to-be will learn when the time comes, August is the prime month to tackle all of your ‘Back to School’ preparations. Whether that means shopping for the essentials, registering for extracurricular activities or after-school programs, or getting that last minute health check-up or haircut, we have some tips on how to get all these things accomplished like a pro.
Back to School Health Checklist
If you need to squeeze a last minute back to school or sports physical in, Urgent Care Clinic of Lincoln can accommodate your visit at just about any time that fits into your schedule. They offer convenient walk-in appointments, and for either physical they charge a flat rate of $90 so you can plan accordingly with no hidden costs. New and existing patients are welcome–the staff at Urgent Care just requests that you bring any necessary paperwork already completed as this greatly expedites the process. It is important to note that Urgent Care does not administer any immunizations, but other than that you can stop in anytime to make sure your child has been evaluated properly before returning to the classroom.
More than ever, our children’s health is at risk because of what they are eating–too much processed food, too much junk food, too much fast food. When Mom and Dad say “eat your fruits and vegetables,” it’s an unappetizing prospect to a generation fueled by sodas, fries, and candy bars. In order to bridge the gap between the ideal amount of essential vitamins and nutrients you should be consuming and what you actually take in daily, Juice Plus+ offers whole food nutrition for adults and children. When parents purchase Juice Plus+, they receive free product for their children for up to four years! This offer applies for any age, whether your child is 4 years old or in college. Juice Plus+ is the perfect option for parents who are concerned about the lack of adequate nutrition in school lunches or for those who are always on the go. Juice Plus+ products have also been proven to significantly boost the immune system. According to their recent Children’s Health Study that gathered more than 150,000 responses, results indicated that among those who have been taking Juice Plus+ as recommended for one year or longer, 56% of kids were taking fewer prescription drugs, 60% were missing less school, and 66% were visiting the doctor less. As a result, these children were not sick as often and therefore, missed less school. This is huge for parents as this means you are missing less work or saving money on subsequent childcare services. Juice Plus+ representative Lynn Bartak adds that Juice Plus+ is not a substitute for eating fruits and vegetables, nor is it a medicine, treatment or multivitamin. However, Juice Plus+ can help support a healthy diet by offering a much wider variety of naturally occurring vitamins—along with other antioxidants and phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables—than traditional vitamin supplements. Juice Plus+ is a convenient, inexpensive way to ensure you and your family receive the benefits from adding more nutrition from fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. It’s simply an easy way to feed a healthier lifestyle!
Balancing work, social, and home commitments is no easy task, which is why Lewis Family Dental offers comprehensive family dental services that can be tailored to fit your family’s busy schedule. Early childhood check-ups are essential in preventing tooth decay, which leads to pain, difficulty eating, and other medical issues. According to a study by the Center for Disease Control, the number of cavities found in children between the ages of two and five has increased 15 percent over the last five years. Sadly, more than 40 percent of kids today have tooth decay by the time they start kindergarten! Kids should eat a balanced diet that both naturally supplies all the nutrients they need to grow and allows for their teeth and gums to develop properly. For children returning to school, Dr. Rusty Lewis of Lewis Family Dental suggests waking them up 5-10 minutes earlier than normal to allow time for them to eat a healthy breakfast and brush their teeth afterwards. Dr. Lewis says, “Many times during the summer, kids get out of their normal routine and neglect good oral health. I recommend brushing in the morning and then flossing and brushing in the evening before bed. If you pack a lunch for your child, be sure to send healthy choices for meals and drinks and try to avoid soda or other high sugar drinks. I always stress routine, routine, routine. The earlier you establish good habits, the easier they are to maintain.”
Here are some tips to promote good oral hygiene for your child:
• Brush with fluoride toothpaste. If your child is under age 7, use only a pea-sized amount on their toothbrush. It may help prevent cavities.
• Pack healthy snacks such as carrots or celery rather than foods high in sugar content
• Buy flavored floss to make it more appealing to your child
• Teach your kids not to fear the dentist. Visit your family dentist at least twice a year for regular cleanings.
Remembering to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day is just as important for children as it is for adults. Good oral hygiene can help ward off bad bacteria that causes gum disease and cavities in children, and can positively impact your child’s overall health. It’s never too early to commit to keeping your teeth healthy and your smile bright and confident!
It is also critical that children get a yearly eye exam. According to Dr. Andrew Bateman, a local optometrist at Clear Vision Eye Care, 80% of what children learn in school is presented visually. Unfortunately, studies show that only 31% of children ages 6-16 have an annual eye examination, and 70% of children under 6 have never had one. A comprehensive eye exam is not simply getting your contact lens or glasses prescription. The optometrist also looks at the health of your eye and your optic nerve. Some eye diseases have little to no symptoms, which is why it is important to make your eye health a priority.
Preschool & Non-traditional Students
It is very likely that the first time your child will be in a school atmosphere is even before Kindergarten. Preschools are a great way to introduce little ones to a learning environment full of new experiences, lessons and peer interaction. Little Learners Preschool and Academy is an academic-based, Christian preschool with the added advantage of Extended Care before and after school. They are one of the few child care centers whose focus is academics, while also offering their preschool families the option to use Extended Care as needed. Their Academy class is especially tailored toward those students going into kindergarten the following school year. In either the 3-hour Academy Class or the 6-hour Advanced Academy class, the focus of the curriculum is to prepare students for kindergarten. Sending a child to preschool is a really important and very personal decision, and parents should not feel pressured as to when and where to send their child. At Little Learners, they want the decision to be based on the 
child’s best interest, but they also take into consideration that child’s family as well. Sanine Beck, Director of Little Learners Preschool and Academy, says, “We consider our preschool to be a family environment, not just a place for children only. We want the entire family to feel welcome and loved. Parents should take their time in making the decision of when and where to send their child to preschool. I recommend contacting as many preschools in the community that you’re interested in and collecting as much information as possible. Always ask yourself questions when evaluating each preschool. When calling the preschool, is your phone call welcomed or do you feel like it is an intrusion? Can you take a tour on a day and time that works best for you? Or are they limited as to when you can visit the preschool? Is the preschool licensed? Is the environment clean and child-friendly? Is there open space for the children to be able to have large motor activities, especially during the cold Nebraska winters? Playgrounds are awesome during the few months that the children can play outside–but what do they do during the long winter months? What is the curriculum like? These questions are a great start, but add to them by making a list of what you are really concerned with and cover those with each prospect.” Beck explains, “Here at Little Learners, we have developed a curriculum that focuses on the individual needs of each child, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. By doing three evaluations of each student during the school year, we determine what their individual needs are. We then prepare our lesson plans based on those needs, rather than a pre-programmed curriculum. We have eliminated the process of teaching a letter-a-week, and instead teach reading by centering on the entire word. Each letter makes a sound, and when those letters and sounds are put together, they make a word. Environmental words are used at Little Learners as often as possible, as well as word walls. All other concepts are taught with the same approach. If every student already knows what a circle is, then we don’t spend much time on that shape. We focus on the concepts that the students aren’t as familiar with, and try to enhance their learning of that concept with a hands-on approach, rather than one worksheet after another. We also developed our own Bible curriculum, which is character-trait based. Each month, the students learn a different character trait, and all the Bible stories and activities are centered around that trait. This allows the teachers to use that trait as teaching opportunities throughout the day, and it gives the students a more focused lesson from the Bible, rather than a different Bible story each day, which may not have a cohesive meaning.” She adds, “Having been a Preschool Director for 10 years now, and an elementary teacher for several years before that, I am very pleased with our program and curriculum we have developed here. Our goal is that our students leave Little Learners Preschool and Academy well-prepared for kindergarten and excited about their future educational experiences.”
Young children and teens aren’t the only ones going back to school in the fall—students of all ages are returning to the classroom in order to further their education and pursue career goals. Kaplan University, Lincoln campus, provides a state-of-the-art building in the heart of downtown Lincoln and offers a variety of associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees with the flexible choice of day, night and online classes. Sara Christensen, Director of Financial Aid at Kaplan University in Lincoln, suggests that non-traditional students should always speak to a representative in the Financial Aid department before paying for school out of pocket. This ensures you know all of the resources available, and that you actually qualify for, to help you finance your education. Christensen says, “For those who are eligible, we offer Title 4 grants, loans and Kaplan scholarships. We meet one-on-one with each student to help get their tuition covered to go to school. At Kaplan University, each student is considered unique to us and we pride ourselves on superb customer service. I definitely recommend taking the time to research any scholarships out there—it’s never too late to apply for future assistance!”
After-School Activities
One of the most exciting parts of back to school preparations is choosing which after-school and extra-curricular activities your child will participate in. These activities provide an opportunity for your child to pursue a creative endeavor and have a refreshing change of focus and pace during the week, while maintaining structure and peer interaction. Most times, these are also educational environments providing further challenges that will lead to accomplishments and successes. Nicki Baker of Nebraska Cheer Center advises, “As the new school year begins, keep in mind that the best way to keep your child on track and focused is to keep him or her active outside of the home. Children who exercise and are involved in activities are much more successful in life and in school. At an early age, children who are encouraged to take part in sports of any kind learn the value of commitment, teamwork, goal making, and so on. We highly recommend getting your child involved in an activity, and we would be thrilled to welcome them into the Nebraska Cheer Center Cheer & Tumbling Program family. At NCC, we strive to be a positive, fun, safe, and family oriented environment where children can play, learn, and grow up to become strong leaders in our community!” Nebraska Cheer Center offers several classes for children ranging in age from 3 to 18 years old. Classes include Tumbling, Flexibility, Strength and Conditioning, Stunting, and Recreational Cheerleading for the beginner athlete through advanced skill levels. Nebraska Cheer Center also hosts Tumbling, Stunting, and High School Cheer Prep clinics throughout the year! Recreational Cheerleading is perfect for athletes who are interested in learning cheer motions, jumps, dances, and stunts ‘just for fun’ in a safe, positive atmosphere under the instruction of fantastic friendly and loving coaches. NCC’s Tumbling Program consists of classes for those learning forward rolls through elite level tumbling passes with safe and proper technique and progression through each level and skill. Nebraska Cheer Center also offers Tiny Tumbling for our community’s littlest athletes, ages 2-5 years. Tiny Tumbling classes are 30 minutes of forward rolling, skipping, jumping, and cartwheeling fun as the athletes work on strength, flexibility, and coordination in an obstacle course of mats, trampoline, and tumbling structures. NCC’s coaching staff is safety certified, talented, and highly experienced. Their main goal is to make sure each athlete is excelling and enjoying the time they spend in our facility. Being a part of Nebraska Cheer Center will teach your child the importance of maintaining a healthy active lifestyle, will ensure they begin to develop a positive body image, and will give them confidence to create and reach personal and team goals. Baker adds, “We realize that there are several facilities you can choose from here in town, however, we encourage you to stop by Nebraska Cheer Center to see firsthand why we are different from the rest. Our coaches are a very special and intricate part of our program. They were each selected to be a part of our staff because of their caring nature and their interest in bettering the lives of children through the sports of cheer and tumbling. Your child will surely not be only a number filling our class rosters. We strive to know each child by their name, learn their hobbies, are interested in their personal wellbeing, and want them to enjoy every minute they spend in our facility! Additionally, for those who are interested in enrolling in two classes at Nebraska Cheer Center, your second class is 50% off the regular price!”
Youth sports are a main point of focus for many parents and children. These opportunities prepare children to compete in high school and college athletics, while teaching vital lessons in teamwork, commitment, concentration, and good work ethic. It is also a great chance for kids to try a variety of sports before choosing one they really like—or the one they will be participating in for a huge chunk of their teenage and adult lives. Play it Again Sports plays a big part in the “going back to school” process, offering a wide variety of sporting equipment in excellent condition at reasonable prices. This is great for younger athletes who are testing the waters in several sports, or for seasoned athletes who need excellent equipment or are replenishing their worn gear. Diane Hesson of Play it Again Sports says, “Not only do we carry the sporting equipment for those fall sports that are just around the corner – football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, etc. – we’re here to help ‘balance the budget’. As parents are spending money on new clothes, backpacks and other school supplies, we are here to offer price conscious solutions for their fitness and sporting goods needs. We do our best to outfit our store for the upcoming seasonal sports with new and used options offering VALUE when you need it most.” She adds, “August is a great month to get a jump start on purchasing items you know you’ll need for your kids’ fall sports. Place those items on a checklist, just like you do their pencils, notebooks and school clothes. By including those items, you will have one less thing to do once school begins. That first week of school can be liberating and stressful at the same time. The more prepared you are, the easier it will be for everyone!”
Aside from athletic activities, fine arts also comprise a large segment of extra-curricular activities. As students and their families are getting ready to go back to school, naturally they begin thinking about getting re-enrolled in music lessons, or potentially enrolling for the first time. Harris Academy of the Arts offers a variety of lessons and activities for all ages. Currently, they provide private instruction (for varied levels) and some group classes for the following areas: Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass, Piccolo, Flute, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium, Percussion, Guitar (Acoustic, Electric, Bass, Ukulele), Theatre, DJ, Music Theory, Composition, Jazz Improvisation, Talent Coaching, Show Choir Coaching, Kindermusik and Children’s Music Academy. The benefits of lessons are wide-ranging and include wonderful musical opportunities, along with scientifically proven enhancements in learning abilities and overall emotional well-being. Learning an instrument aids in muscle memory, one of the keys students subconsciously use in studying — whether it’s tapping a pencil, shuffling feet, or any other sort of quiet movement, a student is able to focus better and remember studying materials, including subjects such as math and science. Not only do music lessons help in school and studying, but music also aids emotional well-being and overall happiness. Vicki Harris of Harris Academy of the Arts says, “Learning how to play an instrument is hard work, but it becomes great fun when you learn the instrument correctly, allowing you to expand and play more variety and more exciting pieces. Sometimes green, leafy veggies and exercise are not the most desired, but the outcome can be awesome. The same rule applies to learning music! Our goal is to ensure that the student is taking care of one’s self physically with the proper technique and posture, as well as emotionally in that the student acquires a routine and healthy mindset. And of course, plenty of fun is thrown in with the proper learning techniques! We feel that it is crucial to provide fun along with proper instruction. On occasion, the public will see advertisements of music instructors saying ‘Don’t want that formal, stuffy training? Come have FUN with us!’ But in the process of having ALL fun, are you really getting the proper training? Yes, we agree it is very important to have fun when you are learning anything — especially a musical instrument, something that will remain with you for life. But it should also be accompanied with some effort and proper instruction as well. Scales, etudes, proper technique, incorporated theory – if you are not getting these concepts, you’re missing out!” When scheduling classes, or any activities for that matter, ‘the sooner the better’ advice definitely applies. Harris explains, “The teaching schedules of our tenured, popular instructors are typically full by mid-July. We inevitably see a surge of inquiries around the end of July through mid-August to set up music lessons. To schedule your ideal day, time and teacher, it is important to consider your options early, before your preferred times are taken.” From her years of experience, she has also seen what works best and what doesn’t work at all when it comes to lessons. “We are often asked how long of a lesson one should sign up for. Though each student should take into consideration individualized needs, skill level, maturity, goals, etc., we have found that typically, the ideal lesson duration is: 30 minutes (up to 14 years), 45 minutes (10 and older), and 60 minutes (14 and older). We have also observed the first couple of months of lessons, in combination with the onset of a new school year can be tough for some. Students are getting back into a routine, accompanied with longer days of structure and adjustment to social changes such as new teachers, fellow students and physical environments, and so on. As a result, we tend to see more stress, tears and frustration at the onset of a new school year. Additionally, the holidays and the end of school year can be stressful and exhausting with increased activities. Words of wisdom: be patient and do not quit – it gets better! Wonderful learning opportunities naturally present themselves to help young people acquire skills such as prioritizing, organization, creativity, quality vs. quantity, acceptance of self even if things are not prepared perfectly. Many professional musicians and music instructors must creatively combine unusual scheduling tactics that can easily find them teaching in public schools beginning early in the morning, snagging moments of practice here and there, through playing the final note at a concert that ends late in the evening, all to start the next day all over once again. The same concept applies for any business professional or occupation–properly scheduling your day as well as being able to adjust to unplanned changes that arise and balancing work and play are all valuable lessons can be introduced early in life.” Harris adds, “We strongly encourage parents to ‘be the parent’. Many times my observations find the student dictating the lesson process rather than the parent teaching to inevitable challenges and helping the child learn from experiences. If a child had a tough lesson or two, and all students do (e.g., didn’t have time to practice, complain the instrument is too hard, the child doesn’t like the instrument anymore, etc.), it is much easier for all involved to find excuses, place blame, and/or quit. Reaching a goal for most anything can have its ups and downs, and learning an instrument is no exception. We’d be surprised if there are many professional musicians and music teachers out there who have never experienced one or more of the following: wanting to quit, not wanting to practice, shedding a tear or two, having a disagreement, forgot their piece at a recital, was nervous, didn’t agree/care to hear what their instructor was telling them, and many other problems. Truly, every moment is a teaching moment! Music lessons can provide so much more than just music, including social skills, discipline, motivation, expressing emotions, handling pressure, and professionalism. Sometimes the more challenging, stressful moments can provide the greatest learning experiences. But I can say this: I have never had an adult come to me and say, ‘I’m so glad that I quit music lessons when I was a kid!”
Back to School Shopping
Shopping for new gear is a huge part of going back to school each year. While this is an incredibly exciting time for kids, it is often an expensive, time-consuming source of anxiety for parents. However, if you know the right places to look for certain items, back to school shopping can easily transform into a cost effective and hassle-free way to spend time together while accomplishing the task at hand. For clothing, shoes and other various accessories, it is a good idea to consider purchasing these items from resale stores such as Plato’s Closet and omt!.
Plato’s Closet offers teenagers all their favorite brands for back to school at the best prices around! They are also always looking to buy the clothes they no longer use, so they can have a little extra spending money to enjoy. Sharolyn Sellon of Plato’s Closet says that this is the perfect solution for families who are budget conscious and still want their kids wearing the latest fashions and looking sharp. Sellon welcomes teens and their parents, or kids entering or returning to college, to stop in and check out the newly remodeled store at 2525 Pine Lake Road. You never know what you will find, but you can be sure there are plenty of name brand, gently used apparel, shoes and accessories to choose from!
omt!, or One More Time Divine Women’s Resale, is located at 1725 Van Dorn and is Lincoln’s longest-running consignment shop, bringing personal service to fashion resale since Jan Gauger first opened the doors in 1978. Today, daughters Sarah and Kate share her passion and are always excited and inspired by the new clothes and other fashion goodies they receive on a daily basis. omt! will save you time and money on great-looking designer clothes and accessories. They do the hard part for you by filling their racks with the latest labels and your favorite designers all under one roof! Sarah Gauger of omt! adds that shopping resale is a great way to teach your kids about recycling—reduce, reuse and resale. Gauger says, “Moms and teenagers are SO busy! Our customers at omt! often tell us they appreciate easily parking at the door and shopping for all their favorite labels under one roof. They can come in and shop for 30 minutes instead of spending all afternoon at the mall, with the same fantastic results for way less money. We have also just finished remodeling our fitting rooms to make each shopping experience more enjoyable, and are now accepting fall consignments and selling great fall fashions.” For an idea of what they have to offer, or to learn more about omt!, visit their website at www.omtdivineresale.com.
Every August brings the return of the “back to school” frenzy. Your schedule goes crazy, kids need to be dropped at various locations, sports teams are in full action and maybe you’re preparing your child to go off to college. Imagine how challenging this could be if your vehicle decides it has had enough. This unfortunate breakdown can leave you with many questions and concerns. What options do you have? Do you repair it? Do you trade it? Or perhaps you have a new driver in the house and need additional car, or are sending your child off to college and want them to travel and commute in a safer vehicle. Regardless of your answer, Honda of Lincoln provides great options for each scenario. Ron Mclain, Business Development Manager at Honda of Lincoln, notes that summer is a great time to purchase a new car. Every July marks the start of Honda’s Summer Clearance Event. Increased factory incentives mean great buys on current year models. If you have a student who is about to or already has graduated, Honda’s Graduate program is a great way to start off with a new car with a $500 down payment incentive and low lease and finance rates.
Mclain says, “A new driver in your family may mean that you need an additional vehicle. Once you have determined your budget a great place to start is online at our website, hondaoflincoln.com. Our inventory is updated daily with pricing and access to a free Carfax report on each pre-owned vehicle. If you want to check availability or have a question, you can simply Live Chat with one of our in-store representatives.”
Additionally, a well maintained car is the best route to help eliminate surprise repairs. He adds, “We provide a variety of services and free inspections to help you maintain your car. If you use our service department for your oil and filter changes we include a multipoint inspection. This inspection will check for wear and tear on items that may cause you problems down the road. These can be items as small as your windshield wipers and air filters to larger ticket items like tires, exhaust and suspension pieces. If it is discovered that your car has an item that may cause you a problem in the future, we will advise you on when it should be addressed. It is always better to find a problem and fix it rather than letting it get worse or having mechanical issues that leave you stranded. Whatever your automotive need may be this time of year, the team at Honda of Lincoln is prepared to help and more than happy to offer advice.”
Tim Richter of Miracle Mile agrees that a well maintained vehicle is incredibly important, not only for safety purposes but for monetary reasons as well. For kids (and their parents), costly car repairs can be a huge budget buster. Costly breakdowns can also their affect their ability to be present for classes, activities, or their job. He recommends when shopping for a new vehicle for a first time driver, teenager or college student, to keep your options open and be flexible. While you may know what you want, make sure it is also what you need. Richter notes that many times he sees parents buy brand new shiny cars for their 16-year-old, and advises to look for a decent first car that is mechanically sound and can withstand the new driver “learning curve.” While driving a flashy, cool vehicle is an attractive proposition to just about anyone, it is also important that your child is comfortable in the vehicle, such as having appropriate visibility and easy access/knowledge of the important features such as hazard lights and windshield wipers. Richter also emphasizes the importance of having any vehicle checked out by a mechanic before purchase, even if you are buying from the most reputable of dealers. This gives you a complete assessment of the vehicle including adequate, functional safety features and can also be the mitigating factor in negotiating a fair deal between the buyer and seller. Finally, he stresses the importance of Drivers Education classes and urges parents to sign their children up for this course if it is not already an option through their school.
Another practical upgrade to consider is hands-free Bluetooth capabilities or a remote car starter, and Autosounds of Lincoln offers great options for both. Bluetooth technology allows for a much easier driving experience while simultaneously reducing the risk of many car accidents. Additionally, with state laws cracking down on texting and talking while driving it’s a smart investment. Any good automobile security system will include remote vehicle operation, which includes a siren mode that can be triggered when the car alarm is set off and may also have the capability to restrict vehicle use or disable the vehicle completely if it is known to be stolen. Keyless entry is another vital security measure as it allows you to quickly access your vehicle and be safely inside in seconds, and a thief cannot bypass the keyhole to enter your vehicle which serves as a deterrent in many cases. This is particularly useful for teens or college students who are regularly on campus or participating in extra-curricular activities during early morning or late evening hours.
There are a lot of different aspects involved in the transition from August to September, and making the necessary adjustments to greater levels of activity, structure, and pressures associated with school can be difficult for both children and parents. Getting a new school year off to a good start can influence your child’s attitude, confidence, and performance both socially and academically. Managing the increased pace of life by planning ahead, being realistic, maintaining a positive attitude, and utilizing local professionals will ensure you are on the right track from the start. Once you have prepared your kids for success, you can enjoy watching them flourish!