September means that fall is finally here. While we’re all celebrating the start of football and sweater weather, we also have the opportunity to celebrate National Good Neighbor Day on September 28th.

Jimmy Carter’s National Good Neighbor Day address:

“As our Nation struggles to build friendship among the peoples of this world, we are mindful that the noblest human concern is concern for others. Understanding, love, and respect build cohesive families and communities. The same bonds cement our Nation and the nations of the world. For most of us, this sense of community is nurtured and expressed in our neighborhoods where we give each other an opportunity to share and feel part of a larger family…I call upon the people of the United States and interested groups and organizations to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

This sentiment is not lost on Aprilaire, where being a Good Neighbor is a core value.  On a business-wide basis, Aprilaire continually supports our community in as many ways as we can, whenever we can.

Aprilaire has given special attention to the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, whose mission statement reads:

“A membership organization, the Society began working in Madison in 1925 with two parish-based groups of members serving their neighbors in need. Today, programs the Society operates in Dane County include a large customer-choice food pantry, a charitable pharmacy, storage for the goods of persons who are homeless, seven thrift stores offering direct charity, housing at Port St. Vincent de Paul and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton House, and several other forms of assistance for people struggling with poverty.”

Aprilaire’s Good Neighbor initiatives at St. Vincent De Paul

• Encourage employees to lend a hand with reception duties, hosting, and stocking the pantry, at the food pantry.
• Raised $1000 with our annual Summer Brat Fest
• Raised $4000 for Blessings in a Backpack, a program that provides school supplies to underprivileged kids

Aprilaire’s other Good Neighbor initiatives

• Needle-free participation opportunities at our blood drives. They donate their time checking people in, running raffles, or handing out those coveted post-donation refreshments and cookies.
• Each year we fundraise to provide pack-n-plays to underprivileged mothers in the community.
• Meet needs in the community through various donation drives throughout the year.

Sources:
https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-good-neighbor-day-september-28/
https://svdpmadison.org/who-we-are/

Now that summer is coming to an end, it’s time to tighten up your routines for the start of the school year.

Tips for parents for kids heading back to school from summer break

Move up Bedtime for kids heading back to school

Staying up late is one of the best things about summer, but getting kids on a healthy sleep routine in time for school is crucial to their success. Start moving your child’s bedtime up by fifteen minutes at a time until they are going to bed at an appropriate time for at least two full weeks prior to the first day of school. Blackout shades are a great tool for those first several weeks when the sun might still be up when it’s bedtime.

Less Screen Time for kids heading back to school

Mr. Kadow, who has been teaching third grade in Southeast Wisconsin for the past six years, recommends that parents, “Start to limit screen time now.” Getting kids undigitized will help them concentrate at school, and help them make better use of their free time. Set up restrictions and expectations as a family using a No Screen Time Until Checklist.

Get Organized for kids heading back to school

Parents and kids, alike, will benefit from a little organization. After seven years as a high school English teacher, Miss Sheppard from Midwest Wisconsin suggests, “Start and stay organized. It’s much easier to get yourself organized at the beginning of the year than part way through. ”

Try some of these ideas for scheduling and homework organization:

• Hold a weekly family meeting to share activities for the week
• Hang a calendar schedule to manage all the activities
• Have kids choose a personal scheduling tool that excites them
• Establish a designated homework station so kids have a place to work on assignments when they get home. Aim to provide all the supplies they’ll need and a calming environment

Improving Brain Power for kids heading back to school

Summer diets tend to include an increase in “junk food” that can leave them feeling sluggish or wired, neither of which are ideal for a classroom environment. A balanced diet is crucial for a child’s ability to concentrate and learn.

• Breakfast
  • Aim for a healthy breakfast made up of complex carbohydrates and protein to fuel your child for their day ahead. Fruit can add some additional vitamins and minerals.
• Lunch
  • It’s a great system to let kids help pack their balanced lunch the night before. Not only does that help with staying organized, but it ensures your child will have a healthy meal that they will actually eat.
• Snack
  • A nutritious snack after school is the perfect fuel kids need to focus on their homework or after-school activities.

Sources:
https://www.care.com/c/stories/3192/101-back-to-school-tips-for-kids-and-parents/

https://therahealth.com.au/tips-for-heading-back-to-school/