Getting Ready for School: What You Can do as a Parent

Here are some things that you as a parent can do for your child so they are successful in school.

Encourage Reading:

• read to your child every day
• have your child draw a picture of his favorite part of the story
• ask your child to retell the story
• ask questions about a favorite character, favorite part, or what will happen next
• play rhyming games with the words in a story

Math -  make it a part of everyday:

• use objects to count, sort and estimate
• have your child help when you cook
• practice finding things shaped like circles, triangles, squares, etc. 
• estimate and then count things, how many steps to the car, to the bus stop, or how long it will take to drive somewhere. 
• have your child to pay for things at the store

Language Development: 

• talk to your child about the tasks that you do everyday
• use descriptive words - more, less, hot, cold, wet, dry and so on
• use words like behind, in front of, next to, above, below, etc. 
• talk about how things feel, taste, smell, look
• categorize things - pastas, cereal, toy cars, trains, blocks, etc. 
• use accurate words, not baby talk or made up words. 

Health and Development: 

• make sure your child gets enough sleep
• make sure your child eats nutritious snacks
• provide opportunities for physical activity everyday

Preparing for Preschool & Kindergarten

For Preschool, Kindergarten  ~~

*Label everything - jackets, coats, sweaters, sweatshirt, lunchbox, sippy cup/water bottle, etc…

* remember to put your child in an outfit that is easy to get in and out of/pull up and down – both for the teacher (if your child is not potty trained) and for your child. (so your child doesn’t have any accidents at school because they couldn’t get their clothes off fast enough)

So, no belts, snaps, buttons on pants – just elastic waists on pants.

For girls leggings are great. 

* No backpacks or bags unless the teacher requires it. The only thing your child will usually need is a lunchbox/snack bag. 

*Use lunch boxes that are like bags and have a Velcro top or are easy to zip open and closed. Remember your child will be opening it themselves!

     You can always tuck a note or picture into your child’s lunchbox 

*Don’t send items in their lunchbox that your child can’t open themselves i.e. juice boxes, yogurt etc.. 

*Nutritious snacks/lunches please! And pay attention to your schools policy for snacks and lunches – i.e. NO peanut products

*Dress your child appropriately for school – keep in mind they’ll go outside everyday and they’ll do messy art projects. Don’t dress them in an outfit that if it gets dirty or messy, will upset them or you. 

Children go outside everyday unless it is below freezing, snowing, raining or has rained/snowed significantly over night and there is just too much water and mud on the playground, so dress them appropriately for the weather every day – hats, coats, jackets, etc.. And in clothes that you won’t mind getting paint on etc..

*No sandals or open toed shoes without socks – the mulch and pebbles from playgrounds get in and bothers the little toesies.

*When you drop your child off in the morning, the best things is STOP, DROP and ROLL. Quickly drop them off and scoot out of sight. Do not go into the classroom/playground to get them settled or engaged in something, and then try to sneak out. That usually makes it worse, once they look up and can’t find mommy or daddy. 

The teacher will get your child engaged and involved, that is her job! 

The teacher or another staff member will let you know if there is a problem and your child is not settling in. 

Remember it will take some time, for everyone.

*Do not pick your child before the designated class/school ending time. When one child sees a parent, they all start wanting their parents. And make sure you are there promptly at the closing time – don’t be late! Again, when one parent shows up it sets them all off and if you’re the last one to pick up, your child will most likely be very unhappy. 

*If you need to pick up your child early, please let the staff/teacher know in the morning. That way they will make sure that he/she is ready and that there is minimal disruption to the class.

*If someone else is picking up your child, let the teacher know in the morning. Children do get upset if their routine is changed. 

*If there are any changes in your home life (new caregiver, move, new pet, parent traveling, visiting relatives, etc), please let the teacher know. It does effect your child’s day. 

*Make sure to check your child’s lunchbox (or backpack) every day for any notes about your child’s day, school announcements, upcoming events, newsletters, and any other school related information. 

Some Books to read with your child:

The Kissing Hand

Ms. Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten

Froggy Goes to School

Miss Malarkey Doesn’t Live in Room 10

The Night Before Kindergarten

When I was Five

When I was Little

Leo the Late Bloomer

Getting Ready for School

These are just some tips to help get you and your child ready for school, whether it’s preschool, elementary or middle school.

Going to school is a big step and a change for everyone, even mom and dad. 

One of the best ways to prepare your child for school is to be prepared yourself. Your child will look to you, if you are confident, they will be too. 

Know—

- the school calendar – holidays, special events, etc..

-the school/class hours

-your child’s class schedule – post it on the refrigerator for everyone to see

-the drop off and pick up process, bus schedule, and/or car pool schedule

-the schools playground, before school and after school rules

-how to reach the school by phone and e mail

-the schools lunch room rules and policies – no peanut products?

-the schools electronics policy – ipods, cell phones, gameboys

-how the school communicates emergency announcements

-how the school communicates other information – newsletters, e mails,

flyers in backpacks, etc..

-how best to communicate with your child’s teacher – e mail or phone

-what the school dress code is

Make sure you have all the school supplies, Kleenex, etc. before school starts! And don’t send all your child’s school supplies in with him/her on the first day. Try to drop them off at school before school starts. This way your child isn’t trying to carry everything and do everything on their first trip to school. 

If possible, make a visit to the school and the classroom.  You can drop off the supplies and familiarize your child with where the bathroom is located, where the lunch room is, how to get to the library etc.. 

Get involved – volunteer as a room parent, join the PTA/Parent Association, just get involved! It really does make a difference. Your child will see you at school and see you enjoying being a part of their world. The teachers will appreciate you and your time. And believe it or not, it does have an impact on how and how often the teacher interacts with your child.

Changes to SOL & VGLA for 2014-2015 School Year

FROM PEATC: 

Status of the Virginia Grade Level Alternative Assessments for Students with Disabilities in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2014/202-14.shtml The purpose of this memorandum is to inform school division staff of changes to the Virginia Grade Level Alternative (VGLA) Assessments in 2014-2015 and in 2015-2016.  The 2014 Virginia General Assembly eliminated the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests in Grade 3 Science, Grade 3 History & Social Science, Grade 5 Writing, United States History to 1865 and United States History: 1865 to Present beginning in the 2014-2015 school year.  Based on the elimination of these SOL tests, the corresponding VGLA Assessments in these content areas also will no longer be available to students with disabilities beginning in 2014-2015.  For the 2014-2015 school year, only the following VGLA Assessments for eligible students with disabilities will be available: Grade 5 Science Grade 8 Science Grade 8 Writing Virginia Studies Civics & Economics. Due to the number of VGLA Assessments and the significant decrease in the statewide participation in the VGLA, beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, the VGLA Assessments will be eliminated as an assessment option for students with disabilities in all content areas.  Please note, however, that while VGLA Assessments are being eliminated for students with disabilities beginning in 2015-2016; at this time, the VGLA reading tests will continue to be available for eligible students with limited English proficiency. If you have questions, please contact the assessment staff at student_assessment@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 225-2102

Getting Packed for College

FROM THE ARCHIVES: 

Here are some of the suggestions/ideas for college packing

- big zip lock bags for packing. Use for clothes, bedding, towels, etc. (so much better than a trunk and when you are at school they can get folded up and put in the bottom of a drawer)

-duffle bag instead of suite case for the trips to/fr school.

- bed risers - put under the legs of the bed to raise it up for more storage underneath

- mattress bag - put around the mattress for bed bugs, etc..  

- small fan. Helps even if you have ac but also good for white noise to block out dorm noise

- small lamp or desk lamp - the dorm light is usually pretty bad.

- power strip and extension cords - lots of them!

- tacky stuff to hang pictures/posters etc.

- bulletin board – only if there is enough wall room

- hangers - bring lots!  (don't transport clothes on hangers).

- flip flops for the shower/bathroom

- shower caddy/bucket. The smaller the better but hard to find.     (Try the container store)

- laundry bag (not a basket - unless lots of room in the dorm room- it takes up a lot of room).

Label everything!  Get fabric markers and label every towel, pillowcase,article of clothing.

Use colored duct tape to mark power cords, electronics, other items.

Bedding -

2 sets of sheets

2 pillows

Throw pillow

1 Comforter

1 Blanket

Towels - 2-3 big ones

Small hand towels 2

Wash clothes - only if you use them

Beach towel

Toiletries - take 2 of everything just in case something gets lost or you run out.

(2 deodorants, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc..) can keep this stuff in a Rubbermaid container under the bed.

Also, write name on all this stuff with a sharpie. Amazing what you leave in the bathroom or that someone just helps themselves too.

Take varying sizes of rubbermaid containers to keep food/snacks in. (keep bugs/mice away), store stuff, etc..

Plastic cups - so you can always have something to drink, put stuff in etc..

You don't have to take all the clothes now. Take only what you will need at first. Then stuff can be shipped or swapped out over breaks.

Make sure you have pictures of the family and friends.  Print out some picsand put in frames. Create small photo albums to keep around. (everyonekeeps pics in their phones but it's nice to actually have pics in frames around the room)

Care packages -----

-Make sure one will arrive right after school starts,  Day 2 or 3.

- send snacks etc..  Don't send stuff

-if you send laundry detergent, etc. put fun stuff in too - nail polish, food, magazine, etc..

Send packages of stuff that are needed fr amazon

Always send enough to share.

Get an Amazon Prime Account – so worth the free shipping!

Find out about laundry - does it use a prepaid card? If so, great to get a few cards already full of $.

Take detergent that is pre measured - tide pods, purex sheets, etc..  

Bank account - figure out what/how it works at School.

Does she need a checking acct. debit card etc

Computer/cell phone etc..

Most schools have help in setting this stuff up once you get there.

Just make sure the wifi stuff is set up and not running off data plan all the time.

Make sure laptop has name on it. Keep track of serial #.

Make sure cords, chargers, etc have identifying stuff. (see duct tape above).

Packing List ---

Advil

air freshener - any type of freshener - probably not plug in since

     outlets are scarce

backpack

bed risers

binders

blanket

book light

boots - hiking and/or rain

calculator

calendar/planner

cell phone and charger

clock/clock radio/home for the cell phone (docking station)

Clorox wipes

coat - sport coat

comforter

computer

computer case

crates - storage

cups - plastic

deodorant

desk lamp

detergent

dryer sheets

duct tape

extension cords/surge protectors - at least 2-3

fan - even if there is ac, good for white noise

flash light

flip flops (shower shoes!)

hangers/slacks hangers

headphones

highlighters

hooks - over the door bathroom, room, etc..

kleneex

laundry bag

markers

mattress pad

mattress bag - allergy/bed bug

notebooks/folders

pencils/pens

photos

pillows

posters

poster mounting/sticky stuff

post its

razor(s)

rubbermaid storage containers - under bed, food, etc.

rug

shampoo

sheets

shower caddy

sponges

soap

sweatshirts

toothbrush/toothpaste

towels - hand and bath

trash can

umbrella

for suite living ---

cleaning supplies:

 sponges

toilet paper 

 toilet brush

 cleanser

 lysol wipes  

 trash can(s)

trash bags 

 broom and/or dustpan w/ brush

bathroom stuff:

 plastic drawers for keeping stuff in the bathroom

 over the shower head shower caddy

 bath mat

 over the door hangers

 toothbrush holder

 hand soap