Sending a child to school--what am I forgetting?

[maize]

I'm planning for the first time to have a child in public school this fall, in a Chinese immersion program. This is for my 6 year old.

 

What do I need to know as a school mom? I know there's stuff I'm not thinking of because I've never done it before. School lunch--he can pack his own or eat the schools; I'm planning to have him eat the school lunch unless he doesn't like it (easier for me, and sounds like it is the most common choice at this school so he won't feel left out). I got him a backpack, the school provides all necessary supplies but we're supposed to be getting a suggested list from the teacher. 

 

If you have/had a child in elementary school, what have you done that makes things go smoothly?

[HomeAgain]

If you don't have one already, make a spot next to the door with a hook and small stool to hang up coat, backpack, and take off shoes.  Add a cork board above it for school announcements/reminders.

 

Immediately after you get it, add the teachers' emails to your address book.  That way you don't have to look it up later in the school year.

[Arcadia]

When oldest went to public K, he needed

 

Lunch bag - for recess, juice box or spill proof water bottle

 

Windbreaker/sweater - for cold days

 

Backpack that is big enough to fit a binder and a bigger than letter size envelope

 

Running shoes - for PE days

[Lecka]

Water bottles are a big thing for some kids here. They are allowed to keep water bottles at their desks and some kids are really into it.

 

I would set aside a space for the backpack to go, and a space for your "papers from the teacher" to go. You may get things like a monthly lunch calendar you might keep if some days he does want to take his lunch. You may get a class calendar monthly.

 

We have days when certain shoes are needed for PE, I just send my kids in PE-friendly shoes every day.

 

I have a separate place for school library books and public library books, but it is not a big deal if they get mixed up.

 

We get a sheaf of papers at back-to-school night and some teacher recommend to 3-hole punch them and stick them in a binder for easy access.

 

I usually go through a little kid's backpack next to the trash can every day and throw stuff straight in the trash. If you rotate artwork on the fridge or anything like that, you might clear a space. Tons of stuff comes home and most is trash.

 

Oh, also, snack containers.... If you send a daily snack, you either want to buy something like granola bars (I don't bc my kids just eat them up!) or use plastic baggies or use a container.

 

I bought little containers and can send carrots and ranch or celery and peanut butter.

 

But often one kid or another leaves the container at school, so I have to have more than one per child, even though logically they wouldn't need more. I don't know why they stick them in their cubby or desk and not their backpack, but sometimes they do.

 

When it gets to be winter I do write their names in obvious places on their clothes. It is more likely to be returned easily without going to lost and found. I used to see advice not to do this bc a stranger could use their name, but I think my little kids are not out alone where it would come up, realistically for me.

 

Good luck, I hope it works out well.

 

Edit: if there are younger kids at home, you may need to talk about gift bags. Tons of things not appropriate to be loose in a home with babies/toddlers comes home in gift bags. For my sons I take it, my daughter is fine to keep things like that put away and can keep things in a little place in her room. If he is really into little party items you might get a box for him, or just say you will mostly not allow it, either way. I think it is just one of those things, some parents are not thinking about little kids, there are many large families here but also many with 2 kids 18 months apart who have never had two kids at a very different stage and just don't think of it.

 

I just don't like a lot of junk like this, and it is meaningless to my sons. My daughter actually wears the little rings and likes the little erasers.

 

Separately, periodically there are treats that kids are told to take home. My kids are old enough now it is not an issue, but when they were younger it could be awkward with one cookie brought out and 3 kids all wanting some cookie. So do I make the one kid share, or not? Now the maturity is there and they share or keep it hidden, but that is a lot of maturity for a 6-year-old just starting school. Honestly I mostly expect my kids to share or wait until we are home and then go in the backyard or something. I think it is rude to eat a treat in front of other kids. Other parents expect their other kids not to fuss when one kid only has a treat. I think it is a pain either way, and either policy is completely fine. That is something that took me by surprise, though, in general.

Edited July 30, 2016 by Lecka

[Guest]

If you are not a family of early-birds, pack the backpack the night before, and lay out the clothes for the morning. 

[SparklyUnicorn]

Only thing that comes to mind at the moment is schedule your physical appointment if you haven't (vaccines and all that).  They always call me every year screaming into the phone that I won't get that done in time.  Then I call back and ask for a Sept. appointment when they aren't busy!

 

 

[Ottakee]

If you are in a cold weather area, a GOOD pair of boots, snow pants, jacket, and a few pair of gloves. Kids in our area go out in all weather.

[Arcadia]

My kids former public school is nut free so we can't bring PBJ or granola bars that contains nuts. His classmate has nut allergy so we avoid nuts for class field trips too. Some schools has nut free areas instead.

 

I get nag by the school secretary for my kids' TB test. My kids vaccinations are current so no nagging in that area.

 

If your child need medication for allergies, then the doctor need to write in the medical form or write a note for the school nurse.

 

My kids had class parties every month for K and every few months for 1st grade. That was extra expenditure from parents to donate food.

[luuknam]

If your kid gets to celebrate his birthday at school, ask the teacher if any of the kids have allergies so you can provide either an allergy-free snack for all the kids, or  cupcakes for everyone and something else for the allergic kid. Though in the 5 years my oldest was in public school (4 different schools, basically about 100 different classmates), he's never had a classmate with any food allergies (which is statistically extremely odd, but w/e - the teachers all appreciated me asking). Also, in my experience all the schools required you either invite everyone to your birthday party or handed out invitations somewhere other than at school.

 

Some kids like to do homework right after they get home from school, but most need a snack and a little break first. Personally, I think homework for a 6yo is kind of ridiculous, and I've talked my son's first grade teacher into not giving him math homework because it was just too much and he was ahead already in math so it was just busywork.

 

My kid has never needed special clothes/shoes for gym, so I wouldn't buy any unless told to, though he was required to bring sneakers in winter because snow boots were not allowed in class.

[Luckymama]

What an awesome opportunity for your kiddo! I would have loved a language immersion school for my kids.

[TrulySusan]

If you don't already keep it on hand, an assortment of items to make random "projects" last minute. Nobody wants to go to WalMart at 7pm Thursday night.😜 I would at minimum have a posterboard, some glue, markers, and a shoebox. They always ask for a shoebox last minute. 👠That also happens with gallon milk jugs.ðŸ®

[Arcadia]

For Chinese, get some index cards just in case the teacher wants kids to make flashcards. I use unruled flashcards for my kids Chinese class. You might want to buy during back to school sales then return if not needed.

 

White board markers and Kleenex are valued classroom supply donations. You might want to stock up during back to school sale and just return the excess (if any).

 

Nobody wants to go to WalMart at 7pm Thursday night.😜 I would at minimum have a posterboard, some glue, markers, and a shoebox. They always ask for a shoebox last minute.

I just sent my hubby a shopping list by 5pm if I need anything. He will just make a pit stop at Wal-Mart or Target on his way home.

 

Dioramas - shoebox preferred but his teacher is okay with any Amazon or USPS box that is around shoebox size.

[vonfirmath]

When oldest went to public K, he needed

 

Lunch bag - for recess, juice box or spill proof water bottle

 

Windbreaker/sweater - for cold days

 

Backpack that is big enough to fit a binder and a bigger than letter size envelope

 

Running shoes - for PE days

I have two jackets for the early years. I am not always the one picking up and my son has left his jacket behind when it is cold in the morning and comfortable at pickup time -- in K he left his winter jacket behind over Christmas break! (Texas)

 

Our school has college shirt days so I try to make sure the kids have a college shirt of some kind to wear. And the k-2 school uses a white shirt for field day to create their class shirts at the end of the year.

 

Brown lunch bags for disposable lunches on field trip days.

 

Oh and tennis shoes/sneakers are the gym shoes here. It came into play because DS wanted to wear boots and other kids want to wear sandals, etc.

Edited July 31, 2016 by vonfirmath

[luuknam]

If you don't already keep it on hand, an assortment of items to make random "projects" last minute. Nobody wants to go to WalMart at 7pm Thursday night.😜 I would at minimum have a posterboard, some glue, markers, and a shoebox. They always ask for a shoebox last minute. 👠That also happens with gallon milk jugs.ðŸ®

 

I've been to Wal-Mart after 11pm for last minute school stuff for my oldest multiple times (in preK or K, when Wal-Mart was 15 miles away). Even after 1am. Grrr (to be clear, my son was not doing any projects that late, but for, say, a Halloween costume that apparently he was supposed to wear to class the next day when the next day wasn't the 31st yet). Luckily I've never had to do anything requiring posterboard, shoeboxes, or milk jugs in the 5 years from preK3-2nd grade. I would've simply refused to hand in something like that if it was not assigned with plenty of warning time (and seriously rolled my eyes if it was assigned with plenty of warning time). I wish all parents would simply draw a line in the sand and say "no" to that kind of nonsense. Let's unionize! :lol:

[Tanaqui]

Are you taking him to school, or is he taking the bus, or...? You want to go along your route and come up with a reasonable estimate for how long it's gonna take to get to school every day so you can plan accordingly. It never takes the same amount of time you think it ought to.

[gardenmom5]

be sure and put his name on everything. other kids will have backpacks and jackets that look just like his.

 

water bottle.

 

make sure he has a good breakfast.  some schools allow snacks, others make them wait for lunch.

athletic shoes on PE day.  clothes you don't care as  much about on art day (especially if they're painting.)

[scoutingmom]

Be prepared for wierd lunch and snack rules because of allergies (although I di read you will likely do the school food...) My grandson got in trouble last year because his sandwhich was made from real turkey (leftovers) instead of processed stuff..... I havn't got a clue why. Also the fake peanut butters aren't allowed around here because they look the same.

 

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk

[OneStepAtATime]

1. Lay clothes out the night before, including shoes and socks.

2. Have backpack sorted and repacked the night before and have a specific spot it goes every day.

3. As soon as he comes home, go through that backpack and make sure there are no forms to fill out or papers to sign or homework that needs special whatever to complete.

4. If your other kids have a lot of late afternoon or early evening activities see if you can carve out time as soon as he gets home to get through homework, before everyone heads out the door or while others are doing their activities. He may be exhausted but he will probably get more so as the day wears on.

5. Plan on him needing to go to bed very early. He may end up really worn out for the first month or so (or much longer) as he adjusts to the new environment.

6. Stay on top of communication with the teacher.

[Starr]

The best thing we ever did was stay on the school playground so the kids could play for an hour before we went home. Fresh air and exercise and no stresses of play dates made for a better evening. Then home for homework, play, dinner, bath and bed. Not really time for much more than that. We started homeschooling in second grade. :D

[Pippen]

When my kids were younger I kept a three ring binder in my kitchen for paperwork relating to school and activities. In the front I had the school calendar, the monthly lunch menu, and any schoolwide paperwork. Behind was a folder for each child and there I kept copies of physical forms, communications from teachers, band practice schedule, etc. 

 

Do scan or make copies of any paperwork that's not easily replaced before sending it in--like school physical forms. 

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

I second the water bottle to carry. I send my kid to school with this water sling for him to use and carry with him. We used already bottled water. I instruct him not to use water fountains unless absolutely necessary since he always has water on him and extra water in back pack and lunch bag and to avoid stomach viruses hopefully. Then this past year, it turns out many water fountains around here have lead so I was glad when I started asking him not to use water fountain.

 

https://www.amazon.com/NEOSLING-Adjustable-Neoprene-Bottle-Holder/dp/B004VA9510/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1469968554&sr=8-8&keywords=water+sling

 

How is his pencil grip? Any issues? If so you may want to get pencil grips or extra thick pencils.

 

Also, put extra clothes in his back pack in case of any disasters. Could also put individual packs of handi-wipes or germ x wipes and tissues in back pack. I also put these in his water sling.

Edited July 31, 2016 by NoPlaceLikeHome

[OneStepAtATime]

Oh, and expect a bit of chaos at the beginning.  The first days of school are usually a bit confusing as kids get settled and teachers get settled and everyone gets into their routine.  Some kids handle that well.  Others don't.  My son had no issues.  My daughter needed a lot of hugs and reassurance.

[Guest]

Teach him to wash his hands before snack and before lunch and upon arrival at home. That will cut down the pinkeye etc.

 

Always have a book in the backpack that can be read during down time.

 

Teach how to play kickball if he doesnt already know.

[Ottakee]

I would also discuss with them bathroom procedures as sometimes the young ones don't know they can ask to go or are nervous about going alone, etc and accidents can happen. Make sure they can handle all clothing and wiping alone .

[wapiti]

Beginning chaos:  if you are driving, drop off and pick up can be bedlam, sometimes for the first two weeks, and then again after winter breaks, when apparently some parents forget how to follow whatever the procedures are.  My advice is to go early in the morning and pick up on the late side in the afternoon - I do carlines at two schools and for the most part, that is the most efficient way.  If the school specifies a carline procedure, IME it's best to follow it to a T even when others are not doing it correctly.

[maize]

Thank you everyone, these are great tips and definitely some stuff I hadn't thought of.

 

Any ideas for supporting him through the transition/making school appealing? I'm thinking I could plan a special after-school snack for everyone when he gets home. He's reluctant to go, especially with all the others kids still at home. I just feel like this is an opportunity I can't provide at home and I want him to at least give it a try.

 

The language immersion aspect is likely to make the transition even more stressful.

[Starr]

You also will have to adjust your scheduling. School does put a family on a schedule but not your own. I had to have a neighbor run over or wake ds from napping to pick up dd. There is the push for play dates and after school programs, fund raising, evening programs and the list goes on. 

 

Are all your other children staying home?

[maize]

You also will have to adjust your scheduling. School does put a family on a schedule but not your own. I had to have a neighbor run over or wake ds from napping to pick up dd. There is the push for play dates and after school programs, fund raising, evening programs and the list goes on. 

 

Are all your other children staying home?

 

Yes, the other children will still be home. This should at least help with baby napping sorts of issues as I will have a 13 year old who can stay home when I drop off and pick up.

 

We're doing kindergarten this year, which is a 3/4 day for the immersion program. I opted for the late start option, so no early mornings. After this year I'm hoping to do just the Chinese part of the program and homeschool the rest--that is theoretically an option as our state allows partial school enrollment at any level, though it is discouraged in the immersion programs. I do know one family who pulled it off.

 

Of course, if he loves school and wants to keep doing full day that is fine too!

[Zinnia]

I sort of knew that school would be exhausting, but I underestimated just how much.  

 

My oldest son went to kindergarten adn first grade, my second son to kindy.  The first one is going back to 4th grade this year.

 

By Thursday afternoon, the school kids are just done, done, done.  Absolutely nothing gets done those evenings, and I have to sort of arrange their lives to have very little expectations on Thurs and Fri nights, with early/on time bedtimes, no special events, and if there is weekly homework, I try to have them do it on Monday or Tuesday when they are much fresher.  

[Guest]

To support him, a snack on arrival is good, but bring something protein based in case he gets in the car famished. If he is introverted in the sense that he finds people draining arrange for down time on arrival so he can recharge.

 

He may need more physical activity. My boys liked to get out and run, bike or use the playground the hour before school. Needed outdoor time after school too..we would often stay at the school playground after, or go directly to swim or skate.

[OneStepAtATime]

Thank you everyone, these are great tips and definitely some stuff I hadn't thought of.

 

Any ideas for supporting him through the transition/making school appealing? I'm thinking I could plan a special after-school snack for everyone when he gets home. He's reluctant to go, especially with all the others kids still at home. I just feel like this is an opportunity I can't provide at home and I want him to at least give it a try.

 

The language immersion aspect is likely to make the transition even more stressful.

Could he be your "ambassador" to school and share his Chinese acquisition with the other kids when he gets home each day, maybe for 5 or 10 minutes a day?  He could "represent" your family at school and share his experiences at home?  Would he like that?  DS would have.  DD would have hated it.

 

I think the special snack everyone gets to eat when he arrives sounds good.

[Storygirl]

Will he wear a uniform? I had a separate little laundry basket for the uniform clothes, so that I wouldn't have to dig them out of the regular laundry.

 

We needed more socks and gloves than I expected.

 

Think about a raincoat for rainy days. It's too hard to handle an umbrella and backpack and get in and out of the car. At our school, parents walk in at the end of the day to pick up kids from the gym, and I bought an extra large golf umbrella, so that I could keep multiple people dry.

 

I kept clipboards in the car for homework, so that we could get some of it done on our twenty-minute drive. The clipboards are the kind that have a storage case attached, and I filled it with pencils, lined paper, a ruler, and scissors at the beginning of the year. 

 

We had to work hard to stay organized so that we wouldn't lose clothing, shoes, schoolwork, etc. I tried to have a place for everything but had to keep on top of my kids to put their things in the proper place (executive function is not great at our house).

 

Don't forget to take a picture on the first day of school! It might make him feel special if you make it your lock screen on your phone.