SOUTH BEND — The school year is just one week away; are your children ready to hit the books?

Are you ready to deal with the back-to-school schedule of activities?

Some parents say they are wasting no time and now is a good time to get their kids ready for the back-to-school routine.

South Bend mother Jeneen Thomas is letting her children enjoy their last days of playing and hanging out. Soon they will be getting down to business.

"They will start going to bed earlier and sorting through their clothes," Thomas said. "Then I’m going to get them some workbooks to help them keep up with math skills and writing. I think they are ready to head back."

Sports practices have already started, but some kids are not quite ready to get their heads in the books.

Elijah Herford, 13, isn’t quite ready for summertime to be over. "I’ve had a lot of fun this summer so it’s going to be hard to change up my routine," Elijah said. "But I know that I will have to start getting up earlier and reading library books so I can refresh my mind," he said.

Getting kids back into the school routine can still be fun for them.

"My son has been riding his bike and jogging around our neighborhood getting ready for soccer," said Rod Goodchild. "He’s working on his lesson plans every day and reading so I know he’ll be ready when school starts."

Parents say everyday activities can afford learning opportunities, from playing board games like Monopoly, to kids’ counting their money when they buy their school supplies and clothes.

"I’ve been having my boys do math with football scores," says Christi Quigley. "We say something like if one team makes three touchdowns and the other team makes four, how many touchdowns were scored in the game? They love football and they are learning math, too."

Most kids are ready to go back to school and are planning to do well this year.

"I’m starting to read more now that school is starting," said Dominique Herron, 13. "I’ve been practicing for sports, too, because I want to play on the basketball team at school."

Ten-year-old Erik Goodchild agrees. "I have all my school supplies and I’m going to study hard but what I’m most excited about is meeting my teacher. I think it’s going to be a good year."

Staff writer May Lee Johnson:
mjohnson@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6326