SCHOOL NOTES
End in Sight
Tips for Fighting the Fourth-Quarter Blues
BY MICHELLE BLANCHARD ARDILLO
A pril 1 may be April Fools’ Day, but there’s
no time for fooling around, as the long-
awaited fourth quarter of the school year
is finally here. Summer is right around the corner.

But before you can head to the beach or plan all
those backyard barbecues, pay attention to these
five tips to end the school year with success.

the more challenging subjects. For students with
learning differences, schedule a meeting with the
school resource teacher or guidance counselor;
these educational professionals can help get your
student back on track. Don’t wait until the last
few weeks of the quarter to seek help if you need
it. Sleep on it
Prepare for a shock: The Mayo Clinic’s recom-
mended amount of sleep by age group is posted
on its website and included here. It’s safe to say
that most school-age children (and adults) are
not getting the recommended amount of sleep.

Researchers know that people who don’t get
quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to
get sick after being exposed to a virus. And if
they do get sick, a lack of sleep can also affect
how fast they recover. Make sure your children
are sticking to a school-year bedtime and not a
summer-break schedule.

Recommended Hours of Sleep for
School Children
• Preschool and
kindergartners: 10-13 hours
• Elementary and
middle schoolers:
9-11 hours
• High schoolers:
8-10 hours
And how
about parents?
• 7-9 hours
Source: Mayo Clinic
ISTOCK /GETTY IMAGES PLUS
TOP: DMEPHOTOGRAPHY;
RIGHT: STEVE DEBENPORT
Keep your eye on the ball
Create a special, end-of-the-school-year cal-
endar. Get out colored markers and a piece of
poster board. Mark any important school dates,
upcoming field trips, class parties, final exams
and graduation ceremonies. Use colorful stick-
ers to count down the days until the last day of
school. It’s easier to work toward a goal when
you have a clear picture in mind, especially with
younger children who haven’t yet developed a
keen sense of time.

The fourth quarter and its mad dash to the
end of the school year don’t have to be stressful.

Using these five tips will help the fourth quarter
Take it outside
fly by with good results and a successful end of
With springtime temperatures and longer hours the school year. ■
of daylight, children should spend some time
after school getting exercise and fresh air. Not Michelle Blanchard Ardillo is a freelance writer
only will it help them sleep better (and longer) and middle school language arts teacher.

at night, it will improve their concentration for
completing homework and studying for tests and
If your child is struggling
quizzes. You also can set up a work station for
your child on the back deck or patio for them to
do homework while enjoying the outdoors during with staying focused, you
this time of year.

Organization is key
It’s only natural to feel weighed down if every
piece of paper from the whole school year is
still in your child’s backpack or binder. Start
by taking out anything from the first semes-
ter. Most middle schools that give final exams
only assess students on the second semester,
the third and fourth quarter. If in doubt, send
a quick email to your child’s teacher to verify
what materials are still needed, then sort your
child’s graded work and notebooks accordingly.

don’t have to tackle that
alone. Email your child’s
teacher and request
a short meeting.

Call for help
If your child is struggling with staying focused,
you don’t have to tackle that alone. Email your
child’s teacher and request a short meeting. If
grades are falling, ask for extra-credit assign-
ments or inquire about after-school assistance in
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