Hey everyone,
Here is a fun project that Nora and I worked on to prepare for the school year.
Here's a full checklist on how to prepare for the school year.
First Steps
- Call the school district with questions about your child's school
- Find out what day classes start and what time your child should arrive
- Enroll your child (if she is not already registered from the previous year)
- Fill out emergency contact sheets and any other required forms
Check Medical Requirements
- Make sure your child has all required immunizations
- Schedule a physical exam for your child if needed to participate in school activities
- Get your child's vision checked before school starts if he is due for an exam
- Notify the principal's office, the school nurse, and your child's teachers about any health problems or medications
Stock Up on School Supplies
- Check the school website or call for a list of required supplies
- Find out whether students will store supplies at school or bring them home each day
- Buy a backpack or bag to carry daily items
- Review the school dress code
- Buy school uniforms and gym clothes, if necessary
Learn About the School
- Find out whether the teacher prefers to communicate by phone, email, or written note
- Know what your child is expected to learn in her grade level
- Familiarize yourself with the information on the school website
- Note the phone numbers for checking school closures or reporting absences
- Find out the procedure for taking your child out of school early
- Read the school handbook and make sure your child understands the rules
- Review the school's federal "report card"
Plan To Be Involved
- Mark school events on the family calendar
- Attend the back-to-school program
- Schedule and attend parent-teacher conferences
- Meet leaders of the parent-teacher group
Make After-School Plans
- Arrange child care or after-school activities
- Choose extracurricular activities carefully to avoid overscheduling
- Make sure your child knows where to go after school each day
Help Your Child Prepare for School
- Arrange for your child to play with others in his age group before classes start
- Discuss your child's feelings about starting school and talk over any concerns
- Talk with your child about his daily school schedule
- Talk about peer pressure with your child
- Have your child memorize your home address and home and work phone numbers
- Tour the school with your child so she can find her classrooms, the restrooms, and the cafeteria
- Arrange a time for you and your child to meet his new teachers
Lay the Ground Rules
- Establish a firm bedtime before school starts
- Determine where and when your child will do homework
- Figure out a plan for balancing homework and play time
- Set rules for the time spent on TV, video games, and computer use for non-school projects
