Back to school means back to early nights—positively.

After a long summer break, your child’s sleep schedule may be all over the place. Healthy sleep routines help support healthy development and doing well in school. A good night’s sleep helps kids and teens prepare for learning. Reasonable bedtimes and calm, organized morning routines help your kids start refreshed, less stressed and ready to learn. When kids don’t get enough sleep, it’s hard for them to pay attention and behave well in class. They might experience poorer physical health, too.

You can use positive methods to sort out and prevent bedtime battles. Set healthy bedtime and sleep patterns with your child. Solve problems without arguments, with specific and practical Triple P support. Help your child get the sleep they need—positively: English | Spanish

The 2020-2021 school year was tough. Students and staff shifted between distance learning and in-person instruction. They learned how to follow COVID-19 protocols. And they responded quickly to potential isolation and quarantine periods.

As we gear up to go back, you might wonder what it will look like this time around.

July 31, more than 300 people got school supplies and resources at Eastside Family Resource Center. Tacoma Public Schools provided school supplies, including art and science kits. Latinos United South Sound gave haircuts. Amerigroup distributed backpacks. Rainier Scholars sponsored ice cream cones. All while listening to the cool tunes of VT Universal Radio. One parent said staff connected her to health insurance and she made an immunization appointment for her children.  Another parent said, “This is a great event for the Eastside! It’s nice to have something in our community!”

Aug. 7, Key Peninsula held their 4th annual Back to School event. Countless partners helped more than 300 Peninsula School District students. The event—sponsored by Children’s Home Society of Washington—was the largest to date! Every child received a customized care package with:

• A new backpack
• School supplies
• Clothes
• Shoes
• Headphones
• Masks
• Hand sanitizer
• “Button Buddy” swag and activities.

Families also received information packets, diaper bank items, and activity kits.

This month, Sumner-Bonney Lake School District—in partnership with the Sumner-Bonney Lake Family Resource Center—held 4 back to school events. More than 600 families received food and information about:

• How to apply to be a bus driver.
• How to apply for free or reduced-price meals.
• Associated benefits.
• Kindergarten registration.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
• Local resources.

More than 1,300 students took home:

• Backpacks
• School supplies
• Water bottles
• Masks
• Goodies including fruit snacks and Rice Krispy treats.

Thank you to volunteer prep teams from Sumner United Methodist Church, Calvary Community Church and Trilogy SERVES, who helped set up each back-to-school event!

 Bonney Lake Food Bank is a vital partner of Sumner-Bonney Lake Family Resource Center (SFRC). SFRC hosts the Food Bank twice a month. It's a one-stop shop for nutritious food and connections to Basic Food and Apple Health.

The Food Bank refers to its pantry as "The Market" because it looks like a grocery store. They want to change the narrative for customers by providing a food choice model. They hope the experience is easy, dignified and welcoming. Customers choose from nutritional food including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy and nonperishable staples.

Aug. 24, Bonney Lake Food Bank provided families a bag of food during the back-to-school event. More than 600 families received fresh food and pantry staples. Thank you for your generosity, Bonney Lake Food Bank!

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