Editor’s Note Aug. 13, 2025: This story was originally published last year, but we’re resurfacing it as families get ready for the new school year. While some details may be dated, the advice from Eastside educators is still helpful for anyone heading back to class.
As thousands of students across Los Angeles schools return to the classroom, families are gearing up for the new school year ahead.
Whether you’re a teen on their “last first day” of high school, or a parent whose little one is starting kindergarten, adjusting to a school routine after the summer break can be stressful.
From orientation, buying fresh uniforms, or picking up Chromebooks in the school gym or library, the checklist of things to do seems endless.
We asked Eastside educators to share tips for how students and parents can best prepare to go back to school.
Tips for students:
Organize yourself with a planner
“Get a planner or agenda to calendar any important dates for the school year – including ones your teacher puts on the syllabus and try to establish a good morning and nighttime routine.”
– Danielle Torrez, World History teacher at Math, Science, and Technology Magnet Academy at Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School
Create positive habits
“Start adding positive habits. In the work that I do with students, we’re always talking about ‘What do you do to de-stress?’ ‘What do you do to unwind from school?’ I think that goes at all age levels, but especially for teenagers. It’s very important that they have things that they do to unwind from school.
–Jesus Perez, Psychiatric social worker, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez Senior High School
Prepare mentally and physically
“I always advise to be mentally prepared and physically prepared for back to school. That means that physically, your body does need about two weeks in advance of adjusting your sleep schedule so that you can get back into your your morning routines and waking up early and going to bed at a reasonable time. Mentally, the things that you can do is start to organize yourself. ‘What is going to be your structure?’ ‘Where are you going to lay out your clothes?’ ‘What uniforms will you be wearing?’ ‘How early do you need to wake up to do the planning part, how early do you have to wake up to get to school on time?”
–Marissa Martinez, Principal, Brooklyn Avenue School
Use your resources, ask for help
“Stay on top of your work from the beginning so you don’t fall behind. When you feel like you need help, just talk to your teachers, it’ll make things so much easier. Use your resources; use your friends; build communities – I think that’s a big thing for me.”
–Lizette Toribio, English teacher, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez Senior High School
Get involved and participate
“A new school year means new opportunities for you. You should take this chance to become involved in class and in school. With a smile, participate in class and say hello to both old friends and to new ones. Everyone wants the new year to start well.”
–Jeffrey Matsumura, English language arts teacher, Law and Public Service Magnet Center at Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School
Set goals
“As a former teacher and now school counselor for the last 17 years, I always encourage students to set one goal (more than one is great) whether it be an academic or social goal they want to achieve. Maybe this is the year to take that AP class they have been wanting to take but are scared of not doing good in. Maybe joining a sport or club that interests them but just having made the time to actually check it out. Whatever the goals may be, having a positive attitude and setting positive intentions is key.
–Monica Salinas, Counselor, James A. Garfield High School
Tips for parents:
Be patient
“Check in with your child at the end of the day. Be patient with them – and yourself – because everyone is adjusting to a new schedule and routine.”
–Danielle Torrez, World History teacher at Math, Science, and Technology Magnet Academy at Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School
Consistently check in with your kids
“A lot of teenagers go through a lot of things in high school…academic challenges and personal challenges because that’s a time that a lot of growth happens. It’s crucial for parents to not lose that communication with them. Check in with them, whether it’s just, ‘what classes do you have this year?’ ‘How’s your day?’ ‘What classes do you like, or what didn’t you like?’ Start that communication since day one. It’s really important for kids to be able to share with parents both positive things that happen at school, but also some of the not-so-positive, because they really need that support to get through those last four years of school.
-Jesus Perez, Psychiatric social worker, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez Senior High School
Set routines and structures
“Think about the structures and routines that you’re going to put in place in your home so that the whole family is ready for back to school. For example: we are all collectively going to bed at a certain time, the TVs are going to be off at a certain time. The brain doesn’t work if it doesn’t get a good night’s rest… Have a common understanding for the family on how to take care of the day-to-day in preparation for school: ‘Where are they going to do homework?’ ‘Is it going to be the dining room table?’ ‘Is it going to be in the kitchen, in the bedroom?’”
–Marissa Martinez, Principal, Brooklyn Avenue School
Open lines of communication with teachers
“If they have the time to get to back-to-school night, to try to get in there. Otherwise try to communicate with teachers– either through the parent portal or whichever way they can facilitate communication– even if it means calling the office trying to leave a message for teachers. Also, sometimes just checking in with their kids, seeing how their day has been going. I say that because I know that we live in a community where kids come from working-class backgrounds and their parents are busy so they can’t always make the meetings or be on schedule so I think that teachers are always more than willing to make time for parents when they ask.”
–Lizette Toribio, English teacher, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez Senior High School
Keep track of parent messaging portals and apps
“Sign up in the parent portal so you will have access to important information about your child’s education. Also, message your child’s teachers as soon as possible to introduce yourself. We are overjoyed to hear from you.”
–Jeffrey Matsumura, English language arts Teacher, Law and Public Service Magnet Center at Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School
Teach kids the value of being on time
“A tip I would give parents is to teach their children the importance of being on time. There are so many students that arrive late to school every day. Sometimes students think that because it’s only a few minutes late it’s not a big deal, but it really is. Showing up everyday and on time is a big deal. It’s not only a skill you will use in school, but a skill that is carried on throughout life. I always think of school as preparing you for the job you have always wanted. You can’t be late to your dream job!”
–Monica Salinas, Counselor, James A. Garfield High School