School rules.

Byline: Andrea Damewood The Register-Guard

By all means, Morgan Buschelman should be the one worried about her first day of sixth grade at Kelly Middle School in north Eugene.

Instead, it's her mom, Jill.

"We've kind of talked a little bit; I think she might be nervous about me going on to middle school," said 11-year-old Morgan, who can't wait to tackle higher level math and science. "I'm really excited to move onto a new school and go on to different classes and be advanced to another grade."

Her mother said she's not overly concerned about academics, as Morgan did well at River Road Elementary, but more about the influence - drugs and sex - older kids may bring.

"I've always worried about the sixth-graders being in middle school," said Buschelman, who plans to keep an eye on Morgan by attending all parent meetings and maintaining communication. "That really bothered me until I went to Kelly (last spring), and saw that they're all sequestered."

And though the first bell is yet to ring, school administrators say steps like the ones Morgan and her mom are taking earn high marks.

At every age, parental involvement is vital, they say.

"For parents, communication is very important," South Eugene High School Assistant Principal Eric Anderson said. "They should show for registration and parent information nights. Parents should go to the main office and ask for every piece of information they can get their hands on."

But each major transition - elementary, middle and high school - poses its own unique set of challenges.

Elementary School

From breakfast to bedtime, the key to helping your kids start Kindergarten is creating (and sticking with) a routine, said Pamela Irvine, principal of Adams/Hillside Elementary.

"Probably one of the most important things before school starts is to set the routines at home," Irvine said. "If they've been going to bed late, shift earlier. Think through routines: How are you going to do breakfast? Are you laying clothes out the night before?"

Though they may not have homework every day, parents need to create homework time every day - a habit educators say should continue through high school.

If a child has no work, they should spend the time reading or doing other learning activities, Irvine said.

Before the first day, Irvine recommended reading a book called "First Day Jitters," by Julie Danneberg, taking your child to the playground and even touring the school, if possible.

Above all, let them know how much fun they will have, Irvine said.

As the day arrives, stay upbeat.

"We have crying the first day, but it's almost always the parents," Irvine said. "It is a big milestone and it's hard to let them go. But try not to let your child know, because then they'll worry too."

And as tempted as a parent may be to give their little one a special car ride on the first day, she cautioned that they should start the year using the same transportation they will use daily.

For example, children who plan on riding the bus should hop on board from day one, and mom or dad can follow in the car to meet them at school for pictures and hugs, she said.

Finally, prepare for the unexpected.

Tell the teacher about any allergies, health or anxiety issues your child has, Irvine said.

And let kids know what may be different from home ... even the small stuff.

"Our toilets have auto flush, and it scares them to death," she said. "Talk to kids about how it works."

Middle School

Entering sixth grade gives students their first taste of freedom, but parents still have to keep tabs on their kids, Cal Young Principal Sara Cramer said.

Big changes, including lockers and attending several classes a day, can mean some kids may feel lost in the shuffle.

"I think what happens in middle school is we want kids to be independent, but this is a time to really ask more questions," Cramer said. "The thing that's hard for parents is that the child is telling them 'I want to do it myself.' '

Though they've been in school for the better part of a decade, schools still work with incoming sixth-graders to help them adjust, Cramer said.

Only sixth-graders attend the first day at Cal Young - seventh- and eighth-graders arrive the next day. Cal Young also has a program called "WEB: Where Everybody Belongs," a day before the start of the year where new students learn the ropes and meet the older kids.

"We don't see a ton of anxiety, in fact it's just the opposite, especially since we've started doing WEB," Cramer said. "By the first day of school they walk in like they own the place, which is what we want."

Cramer said parents should ask students daily if they have homework, "and if they say no, and they say that pretty regularly, you might want to check it out." The school will also call the homes of students who are still struggling after the first few weeks, she said.

Sixth grade is the ideal age to begin time management skills, and Cal Young hands out academic planners to help kids get into the habit. Planners aren't required, but Cramer said kids must develop a method of recording assignments and following up when they get home.

"Time management - it's easy to say, but it's a really hard thing to do" she said. "So it takes time to get to where it's something that works for kids."

High School

Freshman year is make-or-break for high-schoolers, so South Eugene puts a special emphasis on ninth-graders, Assistant Principal Anderson said.

"When students don't make it their freshman year, that's when they have the greatest possibility of dropping out," he said. "They're being thrown into a whole new environment where there's no longer social promotion - you have to pass your classes."

And a big part of passing is simply showing up, so South administration has tightened its attendance policy. A truant freshman can expect a personal call home, Saturday school and detention. Parents should also call the registrar and confirm their child's attendance for the first month, Anderson said.

"We have an open campus, so they get a taste of leaving," he said. "Then they're afraid to go to their next class because they didn't get the material, and then it becomes that snowball effect."

Attendance also helps with adjusting to becoming one in a sea of 1,700 students - the more often they're in class, the better bonds they'll make with classmates and teachers, he said.

Parents should also try and get to know teachers, by learning their contact information and staying in touch, and keeping up with your kids remains critical, he said.

"Ask them: 'What did you do in school today?' " Anderson said. "If a parent can ask their student every day what they did in school, it develops a routine. It gets a dialogue going."

Kevin Alltucker said he's spoken with his oldest son, Isaac, about starting Marist High School.

Alltucker, a professor at the University of Oregon in family and human services, said he's actually hoping his 14-year-old son doesn't take school too seriously.

"What we're concerned about mostly is that all the pressure and expectations that are placed on high school students in general, not just at Marist," he said.

"We hope we can help Isaac realize that, yes, it's a lot of work, but you need to have fun and balance your life - its not about perfect grades."

Isaac, who earned good grades at St. Paul Catholic School, said eighth-graders at St. Paul attend retreats and tour days at Marist, so he's got a good picture of what life in the classrooms is like.

"I'm mostly excited, but sort of nervous, because it is a big change," he said. "I've been at St. Paul for the last nine years, so going into a new school with new people is kind of a big change."

MAKING THE CHANGE

Whether starting Kindergarten, sixth or ninth grade, good communication, routine and homework are a constant, educators say. Here's what they recommend for each age group:

KINDERGARTEN

Here's what Adams-Hillside Principal Pamela Irvine says may help kids make the leap:

Prepare: Begin a sleep routine in advance. Tour the school and playground. Talk about morning routines, including when you'll plan outfits and if TV's OK in the morning.

Talk: Read books about the first day of school. Ask your child if they have any worries. Tell the teacher if your child has any health or anxiety issues.

Stay upbeat: Most times it's the parent who cries. If you or your little one cries, it's important to remind them about how much fun they'll have. Then leave.

Stick with it: From the very first day, use the mode of transportation your child will use everyday, be it bus, walking or carpool. Set up a daily reading/homework time.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Cal Young Middle School Principal Sara Cramer has these tips for those entering her halls:

Organize: Make sure your student uses their planner to map out homework assignments and due dates. Check their homework and then ask them if they remembered to turn it in.

Question: The emotional change to middle school is sometimes the most difficult. Talk with your child about changing schools and share your own experiences. Let them know it's not as frightening as it may seem.

Learn: Middle school brings changing periods and different teachers. Make sure your child learns what is expected from each teacher.

HIGH SCHOOL

South Eugene High Assistant Principal Erik Anderson says these steps will have students on track by the time the first bell rings:

Get connected: Come to the school and get every teacher's contact information and keep in touch about your child's learning. Volunteer in the school. Go to every parent information night, go to student registration.

Check in: Attendance is key, and freshman year is when most kids develop the habit of skipping class. Call the school's registrar and confirm your child's attendance.

Support: The first year of high school is critical, so support your student by offering structure, organization help and encouragement. Even as they age, creating a set time homework time is important.

BRAIN FOOD

From ages 6 to 16, kids snack after school. But don't crack a bag of Fritos, said Eugene pediatrician Dr. Jimmy Unger, chair of the Lane Coalition for Healthy Active Youth. Instead, let them load up on fruits, vegetables and low fat proteins. Below are some suggested power foods:

Low fat granola, fruit or fig bars

100 percent juice popcicles

Slices of whole wheat bagel with low fat cheese or peanut butter

Fruit wedges

Carrot and celery sticks with a low fat dressing

Dried fruits, raisins or banana chips