Summer is over and school is beginning again. It’s time to put away the video games and iPods and bring out the books and pencils.

Preparing for another school year requires the cooperation of both the students and parents. Today, there is more then just buying new school supplies that goes into getting students ready for learning. 

The Michigan Department of Education with the think.respect. grant has released a guide to help make the beginning of the new school year a good one. 

Kim Kovalchick, coordinated school health and safety programs unit supervisor at MDE said in a press release, “There are some easy tips you can follow as a parent to help ease the back-to-school transition and to ensure that your student’s school year is off to a healthy start.”

The MDE has given parents five important tips to make the process of going from summer to school a smooth one. 

First, they suggest to take your child to the doctor for a yearly check-up. Have the doctor run a physical, makes sure shots are up to date and test for hearing and vision problems. 

Checking for any health issues, such as diabetes or asthma is also important.

Second, make sure students are getting a good nights sleep so they have enough energy for the entire school day. Getting children back on a normal sleeping schedule is essential for learning. 

“Elementary students need 10 to 11 hours of sleep a night, while teens require between eight and nine hours of sleep,” according to the MDE. 

The third and fourth tips both focus on the importance of nutrition for students. A healthy meal is important and so is getting your children to help pack their lunches. This allows them to understand what they are eating and why the food is good for them. 

A well-balanced meal leads to more focused students throughout the day. Foods with high-nutrients are the best for breakfast and lunch, such as yogurt, nuts and fruits.

Last, but not least, is one of the most important issues that many kids face, exercise. Students spend around seven hours in school, which is mostly spent sitting down.

When children come home, they need to be encouraged to play outside, after they do their homework, of course, instead of watching television.  The exercise students get in gym class isn’t enough; they need the minimum of 30 minutes of activity daily outside of school to stay healthy. 

These tips from the MDE help parents but a new school year still means new challenges for students. 

Amal Berri’s son will be making the transition from elementary to middle school this year.

“I am worried because it is going to be a big change for my son,” she said. “New school, classes and teachers are a lot for him to take on. “He will have some of his friends from elementary school with him, which will help. I just hope he can adjust to a new schedule and the workload his teachers give him.”