State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell offers parents his Top 10 back-to-school tips to help ease students back into the love of learning following the long summer recess.

•Put children to bed a little earlier each night until they get used to the regular wake-up time to go to school. A well-rested student learns better in school.

Doctors say elementary and middle school aged students typically need 10 to 12 hours of sleep, while high school students need between eight and nine hours.

•Make sure children eat a hearty breakfast of whole grain toast or cereal, fruit and low-fat milk, instead of a sugar-filled breakfast. Hungry children do not learn as well as well-nourished ones, and sugar may make them hyperactive and cause them to eat more food at lunchtime.

Schools usually serve wellbalanced meals to children if parents don’t have time to pack a lunch. Low-income families can also sign up their children for free and reduced-price meals.

•Keep up throughout the school year the fun physical activities, like biking and jogging, the family did during the summer. Studies show that students who are physically active have a better ability to learn and have better classroom behavior.

•Teach children how to prevent the spread of H1N1 and other influenza viruses. Keeping children healthy will prevent school dismissals due to a flu outbreak. Tell

children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water when possible, and always cover their noses and mouths with a tissue, shirt sleeve or

elbow when coughing or sneezing.

•Pack a flu prevention kit. The kit should contain tissues for coughing and sneezing and individual packets of disposable wipes. For home, the kit should include a thermometer, decongestants, antibacterial soap and fever reducing medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but not aspirin. Don’t pack medications in a child’s flu prevention kit because they may be barred by the school’s drug policies.

•Create a comfortable, quiet, welllit place in the home for children to do homework or read. Plan a consistent time for homework every day. Make note of any studying difficulties that may be caused by poor eyesight and may be solved with glasses.

•Limit a children’s use of mobile devices, TV, radio and computer. Turn them off while children are studying. When they do watch TV, choose programs that are interesting and educational.

•Volunteer at the school or start a booster club. The school and students benefit from parents who are actively engaged in their children’s education.

•Have high expectations for children. Expect children to do their very best each day. Hold them accountable for doing homework.

When parents expect their children to achieve at high levels, they will rise to the challenge.

For more information on these tips, go to www.cde.ca.gov.