10 More Homework Strategies that Make the Grade

Going back to school can be anxiety-provoking enough for some students and parents, but how do you handle the transition in the wake of a major community tragedy? That is exactly the question educators in Aurora, Colorado, have been forced to ask, as students in this community prepare for a new school year just two weeks after a deadly shooting in a local movie theatre left 12 people dead and 58 more injured. Some of the victims were students themselves, bringing this event too close to home for many students in the area. Administrators, teachers, and support personnel are preparing for a back-to-school event in Aurora this year that is sure to be bittersweet and even scary for some of the students they serve.

This video reports on the aftermath of the Aurora mass shooting.

The Impact of the Tragedy

According to a report at Ed News Colorado, the Aurora Public School District estimates that approximately 150 students, parents, and staff from Aurora schools were in one of the theatres during the shooting. Gateway High School, the High School closest to the theatre, had 50 current or former students in the theatre alone. One of the victims that were killed, AJ Boik, graduated from Gateway in May.

The suspected shooter, James Holmes, lived in an apartment building not far from the theatre and within close proximity to Paris Elementary School.

The upcoming school year brings a mix of emotions for kids and parents alike – from excitement over the promise of new beginnings to anxiety over the fear of the unknown. No matter how you child faces the new year, you can help him or her to make the most of the experience. These tips help you to help your child start the new school year on the right foot.

Ease into a Schedule

Most children spend their summers staying up late and sleeping in, which can make the adjustment to an earlier school schedule a bit of a shock to the system. Plan for a softer transition by easing children into the school schedule gradually during the last week or two of summer break. By pushing bedtimes up by one-half or one hour each week, your child will be better prepared to meet that first early bell with a smile.

Plan to Eat Right

PBS Parents recommends re-focusing summer eating habits that might have consisted of junk food on the run to healthy sit-down meals as a family whenever possible. When children spend many hours each day in a classroom, they need all the nutrition they can get to keep their brains in top performing condition. Begin with healthy breakfast selections, and try to have family dinner nights as often as possible throughout the week.

Set Up a Homework Station

Homework time will go that much more smoothly if all the necessary supplies

Ongoing debates over equity at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) in Fairfax County, Virginia, continue to shape national conversations about fairness in selective public school admissions as of 2026. Thomas Jefferson High School, consistently ranked among the top public high schools in the country, has faced sustained scrutiny from civil rights groups, policymakers, and courts over its admissions policies and demographic changes. Advocacy organizations have raised concerns about representation, though admissions policy changes since 2020 have significantly increased enrollment of Black, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged students. The issue now centers more broadly on whether Fairfax County’s academic pipeline provides equitable preparation and access to advanced coursework for all student groups.

This TED Talk discusses racial discrimination in public schools.

Federal Civil Rights Complaint Filed

Legal challenges to TJHSST’s admissions policies have progressed through federal courts, including a closely watched 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed the revised, race-neutral admissions process to remain in place. The complaint alleges that Fairfax County “…essentially operates a network of separate and unequal schools,” which leaves out Latinos, blacks, and disabled students. The complaint further alleges that “for decades, these students have been grossly and disproportionately underrepresented in admission to the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.”

The civil rights complaint was filed by the Coalition of Silence, an advocacy group formed by a former school board member of Fairfax County Public

In the back-to-school bustle of filling backpacks and shopping for new school clothes, parents often forget about one of the most important components of back-to-school preparations – updating children’s vaccine records. However, rising cases of pertussis in some areas of the U.S. is a painful reminder of why vaccinations are so important in preventing potentially deadly outbreaks among school-age children. Learn about the latest on vaccine protocol for students and why those shots are so essential for the health of the child and the entire student population.

Why Kids aren’t Vaccinated

Despite rules by school districts to bring immunizations up to date before students can be registered for the fall semester, some students enter school without ever getting a shot. Parents can opt-out of immunizations for their children for religious or medical reasons. According to a report at San Francisco Gate, the number of parents making that choice could be on the rise – at least in some areas of the country.

For example, the number of students entering school without proper vaccinations has increased slightly in North Dakota, although the total number is still quite small. During the 2008-2009 school year, the number of students without vaccinations was just 1.2 percent in public schools and 3.1 percent in private schools. By the 2011-2012 school year, that number had risen to 1.6 percent in public schools and 4.5 percent in private schools.

The Berkeley Patch explains that a higher rate of unvaccinated children