The Route to Success: 5 Essential Tips for a Healthy School Year for Children

At National Trails, we believe that a successful school year starts with more than just academics and safe transportation—it starts with children’s health and well-being. 

As the proud pupil transportation provider for Detroit Public Schools Community District, as well as numerous smaller private and public schools across Detroit, River Rouge, and Lincoln Park, we see firsthand how important it is for students to feel their best before stepping onto a school bus each day.

To help parents, teachers, and school administrators support children’s growth and success, here are 5 essential tips for a healthy school year:

1. Sleep: Consistent Rest Builds Strong Minds

A good day at school begins with a good night’s sleep. Children thrive on a consistent sleep schedule that ensures they are well-rested for the challenges ahead. Most children do not receive sufficient sleep based on their age and needs. Sleep deprivation is an overlooked cause of many performance and behavioral issues our students face today. 

The outcome? Chronic absenteeism, decreased motivation & attention span, lack of impulse/emotional control or aggressive behavior, hyperactivity, decreased ability to learn & retain information, depression & anxiety, and more. All resulting in an overall decrease in quality of life that may lead to more serious health concerns into puberty, and ultimately adulthood.

Consistently going to bed and waking up at the same time every day is the starting point on the route to success. Establishing a calm bedtime routine helps prepare their minds and bodies for rest. TV, computers, cell phones, and other blue-light emitting devices should be shut off at least 1 hour before bed to reduce overstimulation to the brain – making it harder for children to fall asleep. Share this blog if you also need to adopt this rule for yourself.

Other tips include turning down the lights in the home to activate the brain’s natural melatonin production. According to a study published by the National Institute of Health, “Exposure to light at night perturbs the circadian system because light is the major entraining cue used by the body to discriminate day and night. When exposure to light is mistimed or nearly constant, biological and behavioral rhythms can become desynchronized, leading to negative consequences for health.”

Other calming activities such as taking a warm bath or reading before bed can increase the likelihood that children can fall asleep faster and get a more restful night’s sleep. In addition, avoiding caffeinated drinks.

When children are well-rested, they arrive at school alert, focused, and ready to learn.

2. Nutrition: Fuel for the School Day

If balanced nutrition is the foundation of children’s health, then starting each day with breakfast is the building blocks. 

Children who eat breakfast every morning are more likely to have healthier appetites and are less likely to be overweight. Breakfast kicks off the metabolism and provides fuel to the body and brain, allowing children to be more focused in the classroom, while also performing at a higher rate in other physical activities throughout their day. 

Increased physical activity through play burns essential calories - leading to healthier weights in children; while also boosting their confidence, increase in social skills, and better emotional regulation. Although any food for breakfast is better than going to school on an empty stomach, it’s important to note that not all kid’s breakfast foods are made equal.

Breakfast that provides fiber, protein, and vitamins improves cognitive function while supporting consistent energy levels and long-term health. While many cereals can be part of a healthy breakfast, most breakfast cereals targeted towards kids contain high levels of sugar and carbohydrates (which also converted into sugar in the bloodstream), leading to crashes and other negative health impacts. 

Starting the day with a nutritious breakfast and following up with balanced meals keeps energy levels stable throughout the day, among other health benefits. Parents can also prepare healthy snacks like fruit, yogurt, or whole-grain crackers to support better focus in the classroom. 

Just like a school bus runs best on quality fuel, kids need wholesome foods to power their day.

Let’s not forget about hydration! Are your kids team Stanley, or team Owala? Share this blog on Facebook and let us know (@NationalTrailsBus) which water bottle dominates the classroom!

3. Emotional Well-being: The Heart of Success

A healthy school year isn’t just physical—it’s emotional. Encouraging open communication allows children to share their thoughts and feelings about school, friendships, and more. Childhood, pubescence, and adolescence bring big changes, big feelings, and big challenges. Saving a space for children to express themselves can have positive life-long impacts. Examples include,

• Encouraging curiosity by answering all questions
  
• Introducing them to new ideas
  
• Assisting in the development of social skills
  
• Navigate emotions by modeling calmness and patience
  
• Encouraging decision-making through critical thinking
  
• Encouraging positive friendships and guide conflict resolution
  
• Setting clear boundaries while respecting their need for autonomy
  
• Supporting their interests and identity exploration
  
• Encourage healthy coping strategies for dealing with stress
  
• Supporting the complexities of life by acknowledging their feelings
  
  

Fostering open communication helps create a safe environment where children feel comfortable sharing their concerns and seeking support when needed. However, children are more likely to seek help or support if they recognize that their emotional well-being may be affected.

Promoting mental health awareness helps identify when a child may need additional support. Promoting mental health awareness is a shared responsibility of both parents and schools, and can be supported through a variety of methods;

Actions for Schools

• Integrating lessons on social-emotional learning and stress management
  
• Provide resources such as school counselors or social workers
  
• Fostering an environment that promotes belonging and strong peer relationships
  
• Equipping teachers & staff with the skills to recognize mental health issues, initiate supportive conversations, and respond appropriately
  
• Partner with parents by offering resources to materials that will support their mental health at home

Actions for Parents

• Foster a non-judgmental and supporting home environment with open communication
  
• Support healthy habits (such as sleep, balanced nutrition, and sufficient sleep)
  
• Monitor signs of distress such as changes in behavior, mood, or academic performance
  
• Teach emotional skills and model positive behavior in your own self care
  
• Limit academic pressure by balancing expectations and prioritizing overall development as opposed to only grades

Together, both parents and schools can help reduce stigma surrounding childhood mental health issues by sharing stories, correcting stigmatizing remarks, and communicating effectively.

At National Trails, we understand that emotional safety matters, too—that’s why our drivers are trained to create a welcoming, respectful environment on every ride.

4. Physical Activity: Energy in Motion

Children need movement to grow strong and stay healthy. Exercise is crucial for children's development as it builds strong bones and muscles, promotes a healthy weight, and improves cardiovascular fitness. It also enhances cognitive functions like concentration and memory, boosts mood by releasing endorphins, and reduces the risk of chronic conditions. 

Physical activity helps children develop essential motor skills, fosters social skills through group play, and establishes healthy habits for a lifetime of well-being. Encourage at least 60 minutes of daily exercise, whether through sports, playground time, or neighborhood bike rides. 

Families can also enjoy active time together, like hiking at local Detroit parks or visiting the Detroit Riverwalk.

Much like our school buses keep moving to get students where they need to go, kids need movement to keep their bodies and minds strong.

5. Hygiene: Simple Habits, Big Impact

Regular handwashing helps prevent the spread of germs in the classroom and on the bus. Children’s weaker immune systems are more susceptible to illnesses such as the common cold, flu, and stomach viruses. Although hand sanitizer became a commodity during the COVID-19 pandemic, washing one’s hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the best way to remove germs, prevent illness, protect the community, and reduce absenteeism.

Good hygiene is essential to keeping students healthy all year long.

Routine health check-ups ensure that children are growing, thriving, and ready to meet their milestones. Routine doctor's visits are vital for children's health because they facilitate preventive care, including vaccinations and developmental screenings, and provide an opportunity to monitor growth and development. 

These regular checkups allow for the early detection and intervention of potential physical, developmental, or emotional health issues, strengthen the child-doctor relationship, and provide a trusted source of guidance on nutrition and lifestyle for both the child and the family.

At National Trails, we prioritize clean, safe, and well-maintained buses so every student can travel with confidence.

Why Choose National Trails for School Bus Transportation?

As a trusted Detroit school bus company, National Trails is committed not only to safe, reliable school bus transportation, but also to the health and well-being of every child we serve. From field trip school bus rentals to daily routes, our mission is to provide a safe, supportive environment where students can travel comfortably.

By partnering with schools and families, National Trails goes beyond just transportation—we help create the conditions for a healthier, happier, and more successful school year.

Book Your Next field trip or athletics transportation with national trails!

✅ Looking for safe and reliable school bus rental in Detroit for your next field trip or student event? Trust National Trails to get your group there safely, on time, and stress-free.

Request your Free Quote today and a member of our team will provide you with availability and quoting information for your upcoming trip by next business day! Or call our Main Office in Livonia during regular business hours (M-F, 9-5) at (248) 353-9510 and ask to speak to one of our Sales Representatives!

We can't wait to have you ride with us!