Back to School We Go.

As summer draws to a close, those back-to-school feelings are here once again!

It's a time of excitement, anticipation, and perhaps a touch of nervousness as we head back into the classroom or go to school for the very first time! But one thing is true – back to school is a significant milestone in our lives, filled with opportunities for learning, growth, and ✨bright✨ new beginnings.

Is your child anxious about going back to school or worried about their first day in the classroom? Encourage them to talk openly about their fears, so they can work through how to tackle these challenges and build resilience. Using books can help open up the conversation and help children to process their feelings.

Here are some books we recommend if your child is nervous about their first day.

Lena's Shoes are Nervous: A First-Day-of School Dilemma

by Keith Calabrese

A sweet story about Lena, a girl whose shoes are nervous about their first day of kindergarten. How will Lena help her shoes feel better?

Click to watch this story read aloud.

Llama Llama Misses Mama

by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama is anxious for his first day of preschool. He learns from his classmates that school can, actually, be fun. Of course, all of this happens just in time, as Mama returns to pick him up.

Click to watch this story read aloud.

Giant-Sized Butterflies on My First Day of School

by Annie Silvestro

Rosie has a nervous tummy the night before kindergarten begins. Will the butterflies in her belly be with her all day, or will she watch them fly away?

Click to watch this story read aloud.

Parent Support Department Events

Look for the Bright Beginnings and Parent Support Department table at:

The Preschool Palooza

Join PRE4CLE for Preschool Palooza, a special event for Cleveland's 3- and 4-year-olds and their families!

The event includes FREE Children's Museum admission, the opportunity to visit with high-quality preschools in the city of Cleveland to find the preschool that's right for your child, food, activities and entertainment, prizes and giveaways, and family resources.

Friday, August 4 from 4 - 7 pm

The Children's Museum of Cleveland 3813 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115

The Employment & Resource Success Fair

Are you a job seeker, veteran, returning citizen, college senior, recent graduate, or simply looking for area opportunities and resources? Come to this exciting event to connect with over 200 employers and resources, all under one roof!

Friday, August 4th from

11 am - 4 pm

Cleveland Huntington Convention Center, 300 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113

Triple P July Events

Triple P is an international, evidence-based parenting program offering practical strategies and support for everyday parenting challenges. These events are free in Cuyahoga County. The following groups will focus on parent education in a relaxing and welcoming environment at local Cuyahoga County Public Library Branches:

Thursday, August 3, 1:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Warrensville Heights Branch

Saturday, August 5, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Fairview Park Branch

Monday, August 7, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Maple Heights Branch

Saturday, August 12, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Garfield Heights Branch

Saturday, August 19, 10:00 am - 12:15 pm

Beachwood Branch

Sunday, August 20, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Warrensville Heights Branch

Monday, August 21, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Strongsville Branch

Meet our Parent Support Manager, Tom Wetzel

Tom Wetzel serves as the Parent Support Manager for Bright Beginnings where he oversees various programs designed to provide caregivers with the necessary knowledge and tools to support the healthy development of children and their future success in school. Mr. Wetzel has spent his career focusing on the improvement of urban communities and addressing the issues related to urban poverty. Prior to his work with Bright Beginnings in Cleveland, Mr. Wetzel had worked in Chicago community organizations, managing programs in areas such as housing for homeless women & children, employment for ex-offenders and retention initiatives for manufacturing companies. He holds a Masters Degree in Urban Planning & Policy specializing in Economic Development and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Sociology, both from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

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