Q: I just transferred my second-grade son Caeden to a new school. He's easily distracted; in first grade, he got labeled as a troublemaker at his old school. I refuse to have his first-grade problems define him. Should I meet his new teacher right away or wait until parent-teacher conferences?

A: Life doesn't offer many do-overs, but the beginning of each school year gives every child a chance for a fresh start. This is especially true when entering a new school.

If you don't want his previous record to define him, first make sure that he enters the new school with appropriate behaviors -- fix those that may have generated the labels (fair or not) in the first place.

"Second grade is not too young to have a good heart-to-heart talk about how to take advantage of a fresh start," says Allison Parker, a Texas educator with years of second-grade experience. "Sure, teachers look at a child's records to get a sense of how well that student has mastered content and behaviors that will make for a successful school year. But most teachers prefer to make up their own minds about a student: They observe carefully and get to know their new students during the first days of school.

"If his new teacher doesn't see the inappropriate demeanor displayed in first grade, the teacher assumes he's making progress with positive social interactions."

Be proactive about improvement; help Caeden master the comportment teachers expect in school. Can he listen intently, or does he talk or tune out while you're talking? Can he follow a sequence of directions? Does he have basic organizational skills, such as knowing how to gather, store and care for his school materials?

Give him opportunities to practice and be rewarded for behaviors that count in class, such as: respecting adults and other children by listening; raising a hand to ask a question or make a comment rather than blurting it out; focusing his eyes on the teacher when she is speaking; keeping his hands and feet still at his desk; following rules for walking in hallways.

And, yes, make an appointment to see his new teacher soon.

"Don't wait until the first conference," says Marissa Gehley, founder of the consulting group KNOW (Kids Need Our Wisdom). "Tell her you want to meet, so together you can get Caeden off to a great start -- that you want to make sure that you support the teacher's goals for student success."

Ask the teacher to suggest reinforcement strategies to try at home, and be sure to stay in touch with the teacher so that you both can monitor Caeden's progress and know of any problems right away, Gehley advises.

"Make sure you let Caeden know that you're talking to his new teacher and that the two of you will communicate regularly about his good work," she says. "Then ask him to make a list of three or four things that he will do (and that you'll review from time to time) to make sure second grade is the beginning of his best year ever!"

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: Our local service club is assembling backpacks with school supplies for students in our community's poorest schools. We've purchased generic supplies only to learn that many teachers compile specific lists with brand-name items. Isn't it better for a child to have a "no-name" notebook rather than no notebook at all? Why does a child need a certain brand of glue stick?

A: Kudos to your club for undertaking this wonderful effort. Every child deserves to start school with a backpack full of fresh supplies that support the work of the year ahead.

Is it important to follow teacher lists to the letter? It's not critical, but try if you can. If you're filling a pack for a specific student identified by the school counselor, you'll know the child's grade and teacher and can match the backpack to that child's needs. If not, look for general grade-level guidance from the schools you're serving. (For typical lists or to search for individual teachers' lists, go TeacherLists.com.)

Teacher-approved lists may seem picky, but they serve a purpose, says Tim Sullivan, the founder and president of PTOToday.com.

"By sticking to the list, you won't end up with things a child doesn't need," he explains. "When it comes to brands, teachers often have good reasons. For example, one type of notebook with sections and pockets might better suit the way a teacher organizes workflow. Or teachers might put supplies in a shared bucket for all the kids, so having one brand eliminates dustups between the kids over who gets what."

Forgo notebooks, pencils and backpacks with television, video game or movie characters. Many schools discourage them, plus kids outgrow themed supplies. That "Minions" backpack may not be so trendy come springtime.

Class supply lists, once limited to pencils, erasers and the like, now include hygiene items such as disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer.

"Tissues and paper towels are among the top five most requested back-to-school items," says Sullivan.

Activity fees are another school expense that has increased over the years. Since the Great Recession, many schools have asked parents to pony up for sports, field trips, after-school clubs -- even science lab courses and Advanced Placement tests. Approximately two-thirds of middle and high school students pay a fee to participate in school sports, according to a University of Michigan study.

The National Retail Federation projects that the average family with kids in grades K-12 will spend roughly $220 on new clothes, more than $100 on new shoes and just under $100 on school supplies during the back-to-school shopping season. If electronic devices are required, parents will shell out another $200.

For poor families, back-to-school shopping can present a real hardship, says Sullivan, which is why your club's project is so laudable.

"Not only will parents and kids appreciate your donations, teachers will too," he says. "Each year, teachers spend an average of $500 of their own money on their class. The less they spend buying notebooks, the more they can devote to children's books, games and art supplies that increase engagement and motivation."

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: Our oldest child starts third grade soon. The school sent information on the Common Core learning standards and says parents should provide kids with keyboarding opportunities. We don't allow our children to use computers or digital devices. Why would third-graders need this?

A: There are good reasons. One, keyboarding is in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Here is a grade three standard for students: With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.

Keyboarding is an essential word-processing skill and the sooner students master it, the more effective they'll be at using technology. Research shows that learning to use a keyboard and execute basic word processing commands in the primary grades prevent poor habits from forming. Studies also indicate that students who use word processing become more motivated and better writers because they can revise, edit and review their work more efficiently.

Two, when it comes time for testing, students in most states with CCSS will take online assessments. Bill Laraway teaches at Silver Oak Elementary in San Jose, California. He helped his district transition from paper and pencil to online testing.

"By third grade, students are expected to feel comfortable with technology, especially the keyboard," says Laraway. "New online Common Core and midyear benchmark performance testing requires students to input answers in a variety of modes: trackpad/input device, keyboard and the manipulation of online tools (especially in math). There are not only multiple-choice responses, but questions that require short-answer responses and essays typed directly into text boxes. Students with keyboarding skills can focus their time and energy during the assessment crafting their written responses."

Starting keyboarding at an early age makes sense, says Laraway.

"I know parents who have an extreme 'no computers/technology' position, but it puts their students at a serious disadvantage," he explains. "I've seen parents of fourth- and fifth-graders type their children's reports because they see their kids struggling with the keys. Unfortunately, those children miss keyboarding practice that's vital for success during the school day.

"Kids need these skills, not just to be better test takers, but to become wise digital citizens. As with everything else in life, taking a moderate approach to technology is sensible."

Laraway suggests that third-graders should learn the keyboard layout and understand the function of the space bar, delete and arrow keys; know how to click and tap; grasp how to cut, paste and highlight; understand how to scroll; know how to select and unselect an object, text or area; and be able to drag, slide and drop selected material and use drop-down menus.

There are many online games that teach keyboarding, says Laraway.

"What motivates one child may bore another," he says. "Let trial-and-error lead you to games that are fun and effective practice. Go beyond the drill and practice apps. Give the child a purpose for using those skills, like writing an email to Grandma."

Most states teaching CCSS use tests from either the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (smarterbalanced.org) or Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC, parcconline.org). You can find online practice tests at both websites.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)