As a parent, you constantly have to come up with helpful ways to get your children through the school year. At Academy at the Lakes, whether it is your first year at the school or your child is moving to a new division, there is always plenty to learn. And who better to learn it from than your fellow parents?
We asked the Academy at the Lakes community to share their tips to create the “Unofficial Parents Association Guide to Academy at the Lakes.”
Schedule and Getting Connected
“I print the school schedule and put all the important dates in my phone.” – Christanne Coulter P ‘28
“Use the TeamUp app….. it’s a lifesaver! And don’t forget sneakers/socks with PE uniform on dress uniform days.” -Diane Levin P ‘24 ‘23
“I save the school calendar as a favorite on my phone & update my calendar on special events. I always make sure I exchange phone numbers with a few other parents, so we keep each other in the loop!” Najwa Abou-Jaoude P ‘30
“Print school schedule for you and your kiddo with locker combo on it. They always forget their locker combos. I like to use the colored schedule and write in the class for each period that way you have block days with it.” -Chris Senior P ’24 ‘21
“Get to know your teachers!!! Especially your Lower Division teachers. They are the first ones to see changes in your child. Good and bad. By keeping in contact, it really helps communication both you and your child.” -Eve Braga-Citrano P ‘28
“Make friends with the other parents. They will be your life blood for the 13 years of school. Side benefit? Making lifelong friends that will long outlast the days your kids are in school!” -Jeanine McLeod P ‘25
“Download the RenWeb app on your phone. There are plenty of valuable resources available (announcements, schedule, directory, grades etc.), and being able to follow along with your child’s homework schedule will help you both.” -Ashley Jennings P ’27 ’25 ‘19
“Read the weekly calendar every week! If you aren’t getting it (every Friday), send an email to Cheyenne at chart@academyatthelakes.org” – Bri Dold P ’33 ‘30
“Check Renweb and your email daily for reminders.” -Susan Brink P ’23 ‘16
“Group texts with parents in your grade. They become you family!!! I love my parents! I have a chalk board on my garage door where I put their weekly sched. Like specials music lessons etc. helps keep me organized. And know what he needs for the day!” -Eve Braga-Citrano P ‘28
Getting Involved
“Become a volunteer while they are young – in big or small ways – it doesn’t matter how. Your kids will develop a generous spirit, they will see that you are invested in their experience and they may learn to do the same. Also, if you start when they are young it will be routine in their preteen/teen years, and you will gain so much insight into their world by being a familiar face to their friends and teachers. Not to mention … you meet wonderful people that will become your dearest friends for life!” -Tiffany Whitehead P ’19 ’17 ’14
“If you start Academy on McCormick Campus try and come to a PA meeting or sign up to volunteer when you can so you can meet some of the parents. I know for some it has been a difficult transition not being able to meet other Academy families as the older kids don’t have many classroom events and/or parties. We know it can be very difficult but there are a lot of opportunities to help with events throughout the year.”-Sue Maxwell P ‘24
“Volunteer as much and as often as you can. Encourage your child to get involved and participate!” – Susan Brink P ’23 ‘16
Uniforms
“When your son or daughter starts changing out for PE, keep a clean backup PE uniform – along with a stick of deodorant – in a zip lock bag in their locker.” -Jennie Faith P ’22 ’16 ‘13
“Check your kiddos dress uniform and shoes mid-year (they’re always growing!!) so you’re not scrambling the night before dress uniform day!” -Heather Baricak
“I always make sure to keep an extra Dress Uniform in my trunk in case I miss a Dress Uniform Day. Inevitably there is one a year that sneaks past me!” -Cascade DuSel
Events
“Go to parent conferences and attend Parent Night. Great way to meet fellow parents and know what is going on.” -Susan Brink
“Put House Day on your calendar and take the day off work. It’s worth it to attend this event and enjoy watching the kids!!!” -Jeanine McLeod
“Put Feb 8th, 2020 on your calendar and save the date for this year’s Auction Gala – it’s a wonderful event and really supports academy’s efforts for the upcoming year. AskJennie Faithhow to get involved!” -Cascade DuSel
“Attend Homecoming game and Blue and White Night for basketball! It’s a school wide event.
Encourage your Lower Division child to be in the all school musical! It’s a great show!!! If they aren’t in it, go anyway.” -Lisa Cisler
Misc.
“I love these monogrammed snack bags for my two LD kiddos. They are insulated, so I can put cold snacks (like yogurt) with a small ice pack inside.” – Bri Dold
“I keep a file folder with my kid’s name on it in a kitchen cabinet where it’s easily accessible. I throw all school related stuff in there – back to school night handouts, her schedule, report cards, honors certificates, etc. I generally go through the file at the end of the year, keep the special stuff and toss the rest.” -Jennie Faith
“During school concerts, ask which side of the stage your child is performing so you can get a good view of your child. Label backpack, computer and PE bag with child’s name. Have everything ready in the car so your student can just grab it and exit swiftly without holding up car line. Order winter clothes in October or even November to ensure proper fitting.” -Susan Brink
“Have snacks in the car when you pick them up!” -Jennifer Merchant
If you have any tips that you would like to share with the Academy at the Lakes community, please send them Cheyenne Abbott at chart@academyatthelakes.org.