FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT’S SEAT
Avoid the Back-to-School Crunch
By Dr. Carole G. Hankin
I hope you have all been enjoying a wonderful and relaxing summer. As August signals the coming of Labor Day, we all seem to find ourselves trying to strike that delicate balance between savoring the last morsels of summertime fun and scrambling to prepare for the inevitable back-to-school blitz. For busy parents and guardians of school-aged children, these last few weeks of summer can be hectic. The calendars provided by your school district can be a valuable resource to help you stay on top of what’s happening in your children’s schools and avoid any unnecessary headaches come September.
Here are a few helpful tips to get the school year started right:
Check with your school district for immunization requirements, and make appointments with your children’s pediatrician well in advance of the first day of school. State law requires that any student whose vaccinations and boosters are not up to date be prohibited from attending school until these immunizations are properly administered and documented. An early visit to the doctor will ensure that your kids can get back to school on time, and that you can avoid a crowded waiting room. If your children have received all necessary immunizations, now is as good a time as any for a regular check-up, too.
Note any half days and upcoming holidays. The beginning of the school year is packed with conferences, drills and holidays that may require a sitter or alternate arrangements for getting your children home safely. Scan through your district calendar and be aware of any days that might call for a bit of extra planning.
Be aware of changes to your bus schedules. It is not uncommon for bus stops and schedules to be adjusted or even changed completely during the summer. Check your calendar or contact your district to ensure that you have the most current information for your children’s pick-up and drop-off times and locations for both the morning and afternoon.
Be ready for game time. The new school year means after-school sports will soon be in full swing. Many school districts publish their interscholastic athletic schedules in their calendars, and you can always get the most accurate game times and locations for every sport from your district’s athletics department. Staying on top of your child’s game schedules will allow you to plan ahead if a ride to or from the game will be necessary. Most importantly, it will enable you to remain an active and enthusiastic participant in your district’s sports program and your children’s activities.
Best wishes for a successful and exciting 2008-09 school year!#
