I remember being a second grade teacher, and although I loved it, it had some aggravating moments.  This week as I spoke with a friend that teaches kindergarten, it was no shock when she expressed some frustration with her student’s parents.
Common sense recommendations:
1.    Have your child eat breakfast.  Children need to eat breakfast before school in order to perform adequately.  Many children rush off to school without breakfast.  Children have a hard enough paying attention, never mind when they are hungry.
2.    Remind your children to dress appropriately for the weather.  Although it’s important for children to learn how to dress, it’s important to remind your children how to make appropriate decisions.  There is no reason for your child to be wearing a t-shirt and shorts in the middle of October.  Teach your child to dress in layers during the fall.  This way they will be prepared for both the warmer and cooler temperatures.
3.    Don’t send your child to school when they are sick.  School is not a convenient day care.  A child needs rest when they are sick and their bodies are not always up for the activities that are required for the whole class.  Also, spreading sickness throughout the entire class isn’t necessary.
4.    Think about lunch.  Children do not need to be drinking soda and eating junk food during lunch.  This will give them a short high, followed by a low.  Not only is junk food not healthy for your child, the sugar low makes it difficult for teachers to keep their attention.