Back to School

GEARING UP
- What should I do before my child starts school?
- Choosing a School for Your Child
- Tips for Back to School Reading and Beyond
- Starting School: How To Help Your Child
- Helping Middle School Students Make the Transition to High School
- Transition Points: Helping Students Start, Change, and Move Through the Grades
- Back to School Safety Tips For Families and Children
- Healthy, Thrifty Meals
CHECKLIST FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Is your child registered? When is the first day of school? What time does school start?
- What time is lunch? Can your child buy it at school, and how much will it cost? Will she need a snack?
- Have you filled out all the health forms or emergency contact forms that have been sent home?
- Have any new health problems developed in your child over the summer that will affect her school day? Does the school nurse know about this condition, or is an appointment set up to discuss it?
- If your child will need to take medication at school on the first day, have arrangements been made for this?
- Does your youngster know where she is going after school (e.g., home, babysitter)? Does she know how he will get there? If you will not be there when she arrives, does she know who will be responsible for her, what the rules are, and how to get help in an emergency?
RESOURCES
- Back to School for Kids With Special Needs
- Back to School for Kids With ADHD
- Learning Disorders: Back to School Behavior
- Effective Practices for Preparing Young Children with Disabilities for School
- Tips for Starting the School Year
- Back to School Tips for Special Education Students
- Parent's Back-to-School List
- Helping Middle School Students Make the Transition to High School
- Working with the Mainstream Teacher
- Ways to Have a Good Relationship with Your Child's Teacher
MAKING THE FIRST DAY EASIER (American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Remind your child that she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
- Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. She'll see old friends and meet new friends. Refresh his memory about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time.
- Give your child some strategies for coping with bullies. She should not give in to a bully's demands, but should simply walk away or tell the bully to stop.
- Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride with on the bus.
- If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with her) to school and pick her up on the first day.
RESOURCES
- 5 Timesaving Tips
The beginning of school is a great time to introduce new rituals that will help your family start each day smoothly and make your school-day routine a snap. - Classroom Accommodations & Tips
- Helping Your Child with Organization and Study Skills
- So, Your Child Doesn't Want To Go To School…: Anxiety Disorders and School
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
- A Dozen Activities to Promote Parent Involvement
- What do Parents Need to do to Support your Child's IEP at His/Her New School
- A Guide to the IEP
The beginning of each school year is a great time to review your child's IEP. Here is a guide of questions to ask from the Department of Education. - Homework Tips & Study Skills for Parents
IF YOUR FAMILY IS PLANNING TO MOVE/STARTING A NEW SCHOOL (American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- If possible, give your child three months' notice before an upcoming move, so that he has time to absorb the news and get used to the idea.
- Explain the reason for relocating.
- Familiarize your child with her new neighborhood or home town ahead of time. If it's within driving distance, give him several grand tours.
- Emphasize the positive aspects of the move.
- Contact the school your child will be attending. If you live nearby, arrange a day and time to visit. Some schools have established a "buddy system" to help newly transferred students adjust socially.
RESOURCES
- Effective Teacher-Parent Communication
- Guide to the Requirements of the California School Immunization Law for Grades K-12
