1. Gathering student records from previous school years:
The important first step for parents is to ensure that their child's academic progress is accurately tracked and reported. Student records can include transcripts, discipline reports, attendance records, special education plans, standardized test scores and other relevant documentation. Parents should contact the district or prior school for copies of these documents, and make sure they are up to date.
2. Purchase clothing and supplies needed for the upcoming school year:
Parents should make sure their child has all the appropriate clothing, footwear, and supplies necessary for a successful school year. This can vary depending on grade level but typically includes items such as uniforms, backpacks, lunch boxes, calculators, and other items needed for individual classes.
3. Schedule doctor visits and immunizations:
Most schools require that certain vaccinations be up to date before attending class, so parents should check with their local school district to determine what is required. Additionally, it is important to schedule any necessary doctor visits or medical tests prior to the start of the new year.
4. Attend orientation sessions at your child's new school:
Many schools offer orientation sessions for parents and children prior to the start of the school year. This is an excellent opportunity for parents and children to become familiar with their new environment, as well as meet teachers, administrators, staff members and classmates. Orientation sessions typically cover topics such as academic expectations, rules & regulations, bus schedules and after-school activities.
5. Prepare for after-school care arrangements, if necessary:
Depending on the age of your child, you may need to make after-school care arrangements such as daycare or latchkey programs. This is especially important when both parents work full-time and need childcare services outside normal school hours. Parents should research all available options in their area and contact providers in advance to ensure availability.
6. Organize transportation arrangements to and from school, including carpools or bus passes/tickets as applicable:
Parents should also plan out how their child will travel to and from school each day. If carpooling is needed, it's important to coordinate with other families in the area to arrange pick up/drop-off times. If public transport is required, parents should make sure their child has a valid bus pass or ticket, as well as an understanding of the route and schedules for each trip.
7. Make sure your home is stocked with essential school supplies such as notebooks, paper, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, scissors, etc., which may vary depending on grade level and individual schools' requirements:
Parents should also assess any other materials or supplies their child may need throughout the school year. This can include items such as art supplies, calculators and textbooks (if not provided by the school). It's best to stock up on these items before classes start so that you are prepared when needed.
8. Gather information about practice/meeting schedules, extracurricular activities and after-school programs available to your child:
Prior to the start of school, parents should find out what types of activities are available to their child. This can include sports teams, clubs, theater productions and more. Knowing this information ahead of time will allow parents to help their children plan for any additional commitments or scheduling conflicts early on. Additionally, many schools also offer after-school homework help or tutoring sessions that may be beneficial for students who need extra assistance with certain subjects. Knowing when these programs are offered can help parents prepare accordingly.
9. Determine what extracurricular activities your child will be participating in this year and get information about practice/meeting schedules etc:
Many schools offer a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports, band, theater productions and more. Parents should determine which activities their child will be participating in before the start of the school year so they can find out practice/meeting schedules and other important details. Additionally, many schools require students to provide their own supplies for certain activities such as instruments or uniforms, so parents should also factor this into their budget when preparing for the new year.
10. Prepare for back-to-school events such as open houses or meet-the-teacher nights:
Most schools will host a variety of back-to-school events throughout the first few weeks of school. These typically include open houses where parents and students can tour the school and meet the teachers, or meet-the-teacher nights where students can get to know their teacher and ask questions. It is important for parents to attend these events if possible so that they have a better understanding of the school environment and expectations for their child. Additionally, this may also be a good opportunity to communicate any special concerns or needs with the teachers in advance before classes begin.
