Special Edition

This newsletter is brought to you in partnership with Prisma Health.

5 tips for a successful school year

5 tips to prepare for a successful school year

Presented by a GVLtoday Partner

child smiling and playing on playground equipment

Back-to-school season is officially here. | Photo via Pexels

Early alarms. Carpool traffic. Shopping lists. You know what time it is — back-to-school season.

The transition back to school can be equally exciting and nerve-racking for children and parents alike. Here are a few tips to help your child ace the start of a new school year.

Pro tip: Teens, college students, and parents — and, heck, just about anyone in a busy season of life — can benefit from following these tips, too.

1. Establish a routine

The struggle of early mornings after the flexibility of a summertime schedule is real. The best way to adjust is by establishing a routine (read: make your mornings + evenings easier). Pro tip: Write down your family’s routine, after-school activities, and important reminders on a weekly calendar to get back into the swing of a schedule.

2. Get some zzz’s

Encourage healthy sleeping habits, like going to bed and waking up 15-30 minutes earlier leading up to the big day to help ease into those early school mornings. (This goes for the big kids, too.)

3. Prioritize mental health

From K-12 to college, kids of any age can have big feelings when it comes to going back to school. Help manage your child’s back-to-school stress by openly communicating with them, and learn the signs of when first-day jitters turn into more serious school-related anxiety.

4. Visit the doc

Sick days are sure to happen during the school year, but you can protect your kids from serious diseases or infections by scheduling a routine check-up and keeping them up to date on vaccinations.

5. Plan nutrition-packed lunches

A nutritionally-balanced and healthy lunch that hits a few different food groups — like carbs, fats, protein, and vegetables — will give your child the fuel they need to conquer the school day. For after-school, avoid grab-and-go items that are less nutritionally dense (looking at you, Twinkies), and try making your own ready-made snack bags with healthier items.

More tips for a successful school year

Asked

Are you ready to start a new school year?

A. Yes, I’m ready to get back into the routine.
B. No, I’m not quite prepared.
C. I’m feeling both excited and nervous.
D. I’m not a parent.

Let us know

Events

Active

Trailside Blazers Skate Club | Monday, August 21 | 6-9 p.m. | The Commons, 147 Welborn St. | Free | Lace up your skates and join The Community Tap Trailside Blazers for a fun group roll — all levels welcome.
Prisma Health Life Center Open House | Tuesday, September 19 | 3-7 p.m. | Free | Check out the Prisma Health Life Center health + conditioning club at a free open house with demos of various classes and services (from massages and personal training to swimming and group fitness). Pro tip: Discounted memberships are available.
Veteran and First Responder Crossfit Class | Tuesday, September 12 | 12-1 p.m. | Rupert Huse Veteran Center, 770 Pelham Rd. | Free | Veterans, active duty military, and first responders are invited to a free crossfit class at the Rupert Huse Veteran Center Crossfit B2L Gym.

Wellness

Empower Hour Weekly Support Group | Every Tuesday and Thursday | 1-2 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Hosted by Able South Carolina, this weekly peer-led support group is a chance for individuals with disabilities to connect with others, share resources, discuss independence, and support one another.
Breastfeeding Class | Wednesday, August 23 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Prisma Health Upstate Lactation Consultants will lead this one-hour class to teach breastfeeding basics, share resources, and answer questions.
Growing Health | Wednesday, August 30 | 12-1 p.m. | Clemson Extension, 352 Halton Rd. Ste. 302 | Free | Join Clemson Extension Greenville County’s Horticulture and Health Agents to learn the basics of at-home vegetable gardening — lus, take home materials and supplies to start your garden.

Sports

Greenville Drive Baseball vs. Brooklyn | Tuesday, August 29 | 7:05 p.m. | Fluor Field at the West End, 945 S. Main St. | $9-$14+ | Bring out the whole family for a late summer night at the ballpark and cheer on the Drive.

Outdoors

Kayak Tour | Sunday, August 20 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Devils Fork State Park, 161 Holcombe Circle | $125-$250 | Join Jocassee Lake Tours naturalist guides for a tour of remote places around the lake to explore waterfalls, swimming spots, and more, and learn about the history and folklore of the region.

Family

YMCA of Greenville’s Strong Kids Triathlon | Monday, September 4 | 8-10:30 a.m. | Prisma Health Family YMCA, 550 Brookwood Point Place, Simpsonville | $25-$35 | Young athletes ages 4-15 are invited to register for the inaugural Strong Kids Triathlon this Labor Day, featuring activities + entertainment for the whole family.

Eat

Easy go-to tips for eating food on-the-go

cola-gvl.prisma health wellness to-go tip-8.16.23.jpg

Whether rushing out the door or planning ahead, it all starts with stocking your shelves with the right foods. | Photo via Pexels

Is there ever a season that isn’t busy for us all? Whether a parent, student, or working adult, the juggle is real. To make eating on-the-go a healthier endeavor, here are some easy tips to follow:

Be food-group friendly: Buy easy-to-grab items that fit in the food groups. Think: Apples, low-sugar yogurt + nuts.
Choose snack bars wisely: Select bars with less than 200 calories to keep them snack-worthy.
Veggie-up creatively: Load your sandwich with veggies or replace chips with sliced vegetables + hummus.

See 2 more tips

News Notes

Development

In case you missed it, the Nicholtown Community Center received $2.5 million to help modernize and revitalize the center. The funding will support renovations to help expand the community center and its programming by creating flexible spaces that can accommodate various activities.

Health

Many of us have been there — “just 5 minutes” scrolling on your phone turning into an hour or more. For teens, this kind of social media overuse can lead to mental health issues and poor social skills. See how you can help your teen use social media more responsibly.

Sports

ESPN recently announced they are opening their 37th season of College GameDay on Saturday, Sept. 2 in Charlotte, NC with the “Battle of the Carolinas,” featuring the USC Gamecocks and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Learn more + see where to tune in.

Active

Calling all yogis. Free Monday Night Yoga continues every Monday evening through October at Camperdown Plaza. Grab your mat, a friend, and join local instructor Abbey Garcia for this weekly practice in the heart of downtown GVL.

Listen

The Southern Fork — a podcast hosted by Charleston-based writer and editor Stephanie Burt — recently stopped in Greenville to talk to local movers + shakers. Her episode with Dan Weidenbenner of Mill Village Farms dives into urban farming, programs that help community members get access to healthy food, and more.

Highlighted

† Disclaimers and Legal | * Advertising Policy

The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

You received this email because you are signed up for newsletters from 6AM City.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.