TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – With less than a month before school starts back, Leon County Schools officials are urging parents and families to start preparing students now to help them have a successful year.
“Even if you haven’t brushed up on those skills or you haven’t been reading every night, start now,” Desoto Trail Elementary Assistant Principal Megan Keen said. “It’s just super important that you’re reading at least 20 minutes a night.”
This is in an effort to avoid what’s referred to as the “summer slide,” a term used to describe children losing academic skills, particularly in reading and math, during the summer break.
According to Scholastic, younger children are at a higher risk for academic loss because they are learning more at an early age and they are still developing their skills.
“With exercising, you can’t just jump right in – or a marathon – you can’t just immediately, the day of, start running and make it all the way. You’ve got to practice and brush up and prepare,” Keen said. “So very similar for our students that they prepare and get brushed up, so that way, when they come into the school year, they’re ready to go.”
According to the LCS Director of Elementary Schools, Anicia Robinson, working with kids now can help get them more excited for school.
More Tallahassee News
“They’re confident in the skills that they have. They’re eager to show off to their classmates and their teachers all the things that they already know,” Robinson said. “So, we want to continue to encourage that in our community to make sure everyone’s ready.”
Robinson also pointed out that practicing reading and math doesn’t always have to be in a formal setting for kids.
“You’re reading billboards when you’re riding around town, license plates, allowing your students to order off the menu, especially our elementary kids, and order for themselves and be able to read those things,” she said.
She also mentioned that regaining a sense of structure for students now can help in transitioning back to school.
“Start setting the structure for bedtimes, those routines, following directions at home,” Robinson said. “With our high school kids, not sleeping all day. Get them up in the morning, get them back to that early wake-up time so they know what the expectations are.”
The first day of school for Leon County students is Aug. 12. LCS says parents can start registering and viewing bus routes on July 23.
To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and X (Twitter).
Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.
Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.
Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.