While children funnel back into the classrooms, teachers across the district are looking at ways to keep them safe, healthy, literate and ready for the new school year.
Seb Amenta, principal of Valleycliffe Elementary said it's simple.
"Walk with a friend and remember road safety," he said. "To stay healthy during the school year eats lots of fruit and vegetables, drink lots of liquids and get lots of exercise."
Ian Kent, principal of Mamquam Elementary, believes getting to school safely is the responsibility of the parents and the students.
"Our goal is to make school a safe and exciting place to learn," he said. "Parents have an important role to play in emphasizing with their children the need to pay close attention when walking or riding to school and crossing crosswalks and railway tracks."
He also said the best health tip was making sure children get enough sleep. "Sleep is nature's restorer and is necessary for your child's physical and mental growth," he said. "Lack of sleep weakens the body's resistance to illness and can contribute to accident proneness."
The Coast Garibaldi Health Unit recommends 12 hours of sleep for five to eight year olds, 11 hours for nine to 11 year olds and 10 hours for 12 to 13 year olds.
For high school-aged students, Nancy Campbell, principal of Howe Sound Secondary, has several tips.
"Get up in time to eat breakfast. Make a healthy lunch, or buy healthy choices for lunch most of the time; eat at least four servings of fresh fruits and vegetables a day," she said. "Exercise every day. Even one half hour of walking per day improves your health greatly. Exercise reduces stress. If you get overwhelmed with school work, draw up a priority schedule to get it done. Start on the hardest work first. If you cannot complete your assignments on time, talk to your teacher about a possible extension."
Campbell advocates that students to try and find a healthy balance in their lives. "Make time for work and for play. Look for the positive in whatever you are doing," she said. "Be engaged."
For getting safety to school Campbell said students should sit down on the bus and avoiding pushing and shoving because someone could be pushed into traffic.
"If walking, walk where there is a shoulder or walk facing the traffic," she said. "Crosswalks are not just for elementary students!"
For literacy improvement all of the teachers advocate extra time spent reading.
"Get into routine of reading 15 to 45 minutes everyday," suggested Amenta.
Kent agreed. "Read to and with your child every day," he said. "Kids who practice their reading, like kids who practice their skate boarding, do better than those who don't."
For older student Campbell recommends reading something they can sink their teeth into and then discussing it with others."Try to read at least 20 minutes every day - whatever interests you," she said. Talk about what you read to family and friends. Try to make connections between what you have read and your personal experience or your prior knowledge."
Finally to start the school year off right those in charge of Squamish's schools say attitude, organization, and a little courage will help students as they enter new grades.
"Get organized right away; use your agenda to record homework; don't procrastinate," said Campbell about high school students. "Set aside a time and place each day to do your homework. Try to stick to the schedule. If you are employed, try to limit the number of hours you work after school during the school week."
She also said students should not be afraid to ask for help, be true to themselves, and should take advantage of what the school has to offer.
"Get involved - in a team, a club, in whatever is happening at school," she said. "Challenge yourself - don't let worrying about failure stop you from doing something."
