It may be summertime, but parents and educators alike are beginning to look ahead towards the 2016-2017 school year. Here are three ways they are getting prepared.

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Check-Up

The school year brings with it a lot of contact with a lot of kids. An annual physical, scheduled before the school year begins is an excellent way to make sure children are up-to-date with vaccinations and in good general health. Parents of young athletes may want to speak to their pediatrician about injury prevention and other related concerns.

This is also an ideal time to schedule an appointment with an optometrist if kids are complaining of any near or farsightedness. Whether it’s the blackboard, a book or a projected image in the classroom, wearing needed glasses on day one will make the transition to a new school year much smoother.

New Tech Tools

New technology has the power to create strong engagement in learning this fall and beyond. Educators are busy securing tools that aid students in learning key skills needed for their futures, while benefitting the school. For example, Casio’s portfolio of LampFree classroom projectors combine a laser and LED light source to provide a unique, high-brightness, mercury-free tool that uses half the power per unit than its traditional lamp-based counterparts. A 20,000-hour lifespan, the equivalent of approximately 18 years of school use, means that schools can save nearly $2,500 when compared to traditional mercury lamp projectors.

Reading Season

Whether poolside or on a road trip, all those hours of free time make summer the ideal season to squeeze in recreational reading -- even in the late days leading up to the new school year. While summer reading should definitely be fun, ideally it will also supplement the curriculum ahead. Whether choosing books early or late in the summer, check out age-appropriate summer reading lists published by your school and library that can keep kids entertained, and help them get a leg up on classroom learning.

Parents, students and schools alike are using the summer wisely to get prepped for a productive school year ahead. (StatePoint)