Families are back from vacation. Summer camps are over. It’s time to make the most of a new school year. I’d like to offer some suggestions for parents and children about how to do just that.

Get excited about school. So it is still hot and feels like summer. It seems that school is starting earlier each year. The transition from summer is challenging, but once school starts it is important to switch gears and focus.

Make an effort to communicate with your child’s teachers. Try to establish weekly contact with teachers in person, by written note or by email. While some parents get to know their kids’ teachers, others don’t make the effort. Having good communication with them will allow you to monitor your child’s progress and allow her the best chance for success.

Prepare for an excellent academic year. Set high standards for school performance. Expect homework to be completed on time and in a high quality manner. Encourage your kids to set goals and then to work hard to reach them.

Keep track of homework assignments. Incomplete homework assignments are a major cause of school failure. Send an assignment book to school and review the day’s homework when your child comes home from school. It is never fun (at 9 p.m. or later!) to discover that there is a spelling test and a book report due the next morning.

Encourage your child to be well-rounded. There is more to the school year than sitting in class and doing homework. Help enrich your child’s life with extracurricular activities like arts and/or athletics. Encourage him to try out a new musical instrument or join a team.

Strive for a better year. Perhaps your 9th grader got a respectable 3.0 G.P.A. last year. Talk to her about what it would take to get a 3.5 this semester. Why settle for the status quo? Challenge your kids and you might just see them improve their performance and their self-esteem.

Get the whole family involved. Be a part of your child’s education. Volunteer in a class, participate in a PTA project or proofread (but don’t rewrite!) your daughter’s essay. Children with supportive parents are more likely to succeed in school than those without them.

Education is the great equalizer. The more education we have, the more doors there will be that open for us. Success starts at the elementary level.

Children’s interest in school is influenced by the attitudes of their parents. Making sure that your children complete homework thoroughly, neatly and on time will help promote a strong work ethic and a positive self-image. Parents who work to minimize their children’s absences and get involved with our schools will help build solid foundations and better schools for all of our kids.

Dr. Brennan is a general pediatrician, certified lactation counselor and Santa Barbara native. Contact him at 563-1995 or visit www.SBPediatrics.com.