Unless there's a big adjustment like a drastically different dress code or a new schedule, a family's experience with school doesn't change much from year to year. So we've collected some of the best advice from some of our "Back to School" editions of yore, and stirred in a few more suggestions from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Here, with appreciation to the academy and a nod to our archives, we offer some timeless tips to help parents in the coming weeks: Reassure Remind your child that many students are uneasy about the first day of school, and point out the positive aspects of starting a new year, such as seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Bring up good memories of previous school years. This kind of reassurance can help students at any age, but it's particularly important for kids experiencing major transitions such as entering kindergarten, middle school and high school. Adjust The first day of school is no time for a drastic adjustment of household sleep schedules. Work gradually to ease children back into a school year routine. During these last weeks of summer, re-introduce a school year bedtime. Begin waking late sleepers earlier and earlier — about 15 minutes every other day — until you reach the wake-up time for school. Organize Set aside a time of day or a day of the week to check the school's website for announcements and grades. Start the year with your own binder for school papers, fliers, website passwords and carpool information. Assist Help your child create a list with names and contact information for classmates who can be homework buddies. They can be each other's backup when homework is forgotten or your child didn't get the assignment written down, or just wants to collaborate on a tough assignment. Talk Don't be afraid to communicate with your child's school. If he or she is struggling and you aren't able to help, it may be time to think about a tutor. Consult your child's teacher first. Some kids just need help with organization. Try making checklists or using a timer or casually supervising them while they work. Chill Studies show that students who eat a healthy, balanced breakfast and lunch do better than those who don't. But that doesn't mean you have to stress over what your child is — or is not — eating at school when you're not around. One strategy is to focus more on breakfast and dinner. If children start and end their days with nutritious food, a lapse at lunch doesn't take on disproportionate significance. A tip: Instead of packing chips with that sandwich, consider alternatives such as veggie sticks and hummus, snack mix, green or black olives, cherry tomatoes and ranch dressing, dried fruit or deviled eggs. Sit back Pledge to do less. Yes, you read that right. Teach the kids how to make their own lunches, sell things on their own for school fundraisers, check the computer portal themselves , or even iron that wrinkled outfit all by themselves.