Back to School Preparations Should be Done Early
BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS
Going back to school starts before first period! After finding out exactly when your child’s first day of school is, here are some other things to think about before day one:
âÂ?¢ Immunization. Immunization is first on the list because it requires a little planning ahead. First, find out what immunizations are required for your child’s age, grade, and/or school. Generally, contacting the school office or board of education’s office is the simplest way to find this information. If your child is in need of a required immunization, make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician to get the shot and appropriate documentation for the school. Even if your child is off to college rather than kindergarten, make sure his or her school’s immunization requirements are taken care of. Immunization is not just for primary school!
� Registration. Make sure your child is registered for school! Procedures for registration vary, but the school office or BOE can provide you with this information.
� Transportation. Whether your child will be riding the big yellow bus, walking, or carpooling, it is important to work out all the details of transportation to and from school before the alarm clock goes off the first day. Make sure your child knows the arrangement and has all the necessary tools to make it to and from school safely. Does he or she need a key to home? Does your child know what to do if there is a glitch in the plan? Always prepare your child for unexpected circumstances.
âÂ?¢ After School. If you go home after work on your child’s first day of school to find him or her sitting on the steps and hungry, then you have waited too long to arrange for after school activities for your child. It’s a good idea to think about this beforehand. Being involved in after school activities such as sports or camps helps keep children safe and out of trouble, while they have fun and improve their social skills. Experts recommend that children not be left home alone after school until they are 11 or 12 years old. If your child is going to be home alone, make sure he or she knows what to do in case of an emergency, and who to call if they get scared or feel that something is not right. Also make sure they know how to contact you. Once the safety issues are covered try to work out a schedule for your child that will prevent TV-watching or video-game playing all afternoon.
âÂ?¢ School Supplies. More and more schools are providing a list of required school supplies and reading material that must be purchased before the first day of school. These lists can be obtained by calling your child’s school. Also, many local school supply stores will have each area school’s list of required item. Don’t let your child show up for school unprepared.
� Schedule Changes. Most kids stay up late and sleep even later during the summer, so start the back to school schedule a week or two before school actually starts. This will help you and your child be awake and refreshed when its time for class to start.
DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR
Once school has started and as the school year goes on, keep an eye on your child and make sure you discuss typical problems that arise during school years such as peer pressure and bullying.
âÂ?¢ Bullying. Just because your little one does not get off the bus with a black eye, it does not mean he or she is not being bullied at school. Many children do not announce to the world, or even their parents, that they are being bullied, so it is important to know and recognize the signs of a bullied child. Some signs that your child may have a bully are if he or she tries to get out of going to school, or if there is a change in your child’s personality. For more information on bullying check out this site: www.stopbullyingnow.com.
âÂ?¢ Peer Pressure. Talking to your children about drugs, alcohol, smoking, and other areas of peer pressure is the best way to prevent them from succumbing to the social pressures of being a kid. It is important to stress to your children that it is okay to say no to so-called friends who try to persuade them to make bad choices. Along the same lines, parents should keep tabs on their children after school and on the weekends. Like with bullying, parents need to educate themselves on the signs of drug abuse in their children. Some of these signs include a change in your child’s friends or slipping grades. For more information, see www.focusas.com/PeerInfluence.html.
âÂ?¢ Study Skills & Grades. Education is the main reason for school, right? So keep and eye on your child’s study skills and academic performance throughout the school year. Slipping grades often tip parents off to problems in other areas (such as peer pressure), but may also indicate poor study skills or perhaps a learning disability. Provide your student with a method for keeping track of all homework assignments and school projects, whether it is a paper notebook, a calendar, or even an electronic PDA, it is helpful for children to have a routine for writing down and completing all assignments. Have a strategy for completing homework once school is out for the day, whether it’s before dinner or after their favorite television show. This site, www.how-to-study.com, offers many tips on study skills.
� Communication. As the parent, it is of the utmost importance that you keep the lines of communication with your child open. Having a child that feels comfortable sharing concerns with you is the first step to recognizing and helping them deal with their problems. For tips on communicating with your child and other family issues, visit www.familyeducation.com.
Now that you and your child are prepared for the first day of school, you are ready to pack a lunch and send them off to the bus stop!
