Spring Lake Principal Featured in Essence With Important Back to School Tips
With school starting back up in just a few days, there are so many important things to keep in mind, and for one Spring Lake principal, sharing advice for parenting…

Dr. Shanessa Fenner, the Principal at W.T. Brown Elementary in Spring Lake, was recently featured in Essence, with some important back-to-school tips.
Image Courtesy of Dr Shnessa Fenner | Background / Getty ImagesWith school starting back up in just a few days, there are so many important things to keep in mind, and for one Spring Lake principal, sharing advice for parenting became a mission that got her featured in Essence.
W.T. Brown Elementary School's principal, Dr. Shanessa Fenner, wrote a recent article for the online Essence Magazine about the relationship between parental involvement and success for children in schools.
"When a parent is more hands-on in their approach to their child’s learning, including communicating with teachers, volunteering when opportunities arise at school, and prioritizing learning at home, kids have better educational outcomes," Fenner said in the Essence piece.
Dr. Fenner has the experience to know what she's talking about. She's been in the educational system for 27 years. That's plenty of time to learn the ins and outs of finding success for students.
Some of the tips are obvious ones, like getting school routines in place, and getting shots updated, etc. But some, seemingly and unfortunately, aren't as obvious, like talking with your children about the importance of education, and designating quiet areas and times at home for schoolwork.
One of our favorite tips in the piece is making sure not to assume your kids will have the same bad school experiences you had.
" I have had many parents share grievances from their own time in school. It’s important to think positive and know that the school is an ally who wants positive experiences and success for your child. Give it a chance and build meaningful relationships with the staff."
Preparing yourself and your children for school this year doesn't stop with just getting school supplies. Do yourself a favor and give Dr. Penner's piece a read here at Essence. This Spring Lake principal knows what she's talking about, and her Essence piece will help to get your kids ready for a productive school year in 2023.
Back to School Safety Checklist: Your Fayetteville Guide
School is almost back in session around the region, and thanks to our friends at Speaks Law Firm, we want to help keep you safe in and around Fayetteville.
There are so many things to think about when it comes to school safety. From health concerns related to COVID-19, to traditional safety measures like busses and walking to school, there's a lot to think about.
This checklist from the National Safety Council is an amazing resource, and we're happy to share some of those tips with you here.
Thanks again to our partners at North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for making this possible.

NCDHHS Tips
School Safety
Transportation Safety
Walkers
Review your family's walking safety rules and practice walking to school with your child.
Bike Riders
Teach your child the rules of the road and practice riding the bike route to school with your child.
Bus Riders
As summer draws to a close and children start heading back to school, family life can get pretty hectic. It's important to remember – and share with your children – some key tips that will help keep them safe and healthy throughout the school year.
Transportation Safety
Whether children walk, ride their bicycle or take the bus to school, it is extremely important that they take proper safety precautions. Here are some tips to make sure your child safely travels to school:
Walkers »
Review your family's walking safety rules and practice walking to school with your child.
- Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic
- Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections
- Stay alert and avoid distracted walking
Bike Riders »
Teach your child the rules of the road and practice riding the bike route to school with your child.
- Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and in a single file
- Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street
- Stay alert and avoid distracted riding
- Make sure your child always wears a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing
Bus Riders »
Teach your children school bus safety rules and practice with them.
- Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus
- Teach your children to stand 6 feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb
- If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach him or her to walk on the side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus; your child and the bus driver should always be able to see each other
- Get the facts on bus safety from Injury Facts
Driving to School
Stay alert and avoid distracted driving.
Teen Drivers
Car crashes are the No. 1 cause of death for teens. Fortunately, there is something we can do.
School Safety
Backpacks
Choose a backpack for your child carefully; it should have ergonomically designed features to enhance safety and comfort.