And just like that, it’s back-to-school time again. Many students will be starting classes this week, including those from Beijing City International School, Beijing BISS International School, 3e International School, and the Western Academy of Beijing. It’s a hectic time, fraught with anxiety, excitement, introductions, activities, and school assemblies; many parents will feel like they’re losing their minds. After the jump, find an adapted BTS (yes, “back-to-school” has an acronym) checklist from School Family, a US-based website that focuses on helping families make the most of the school year.
Check Medical Requirements
- Make sure your child has all required immunizations
- Schedule a physical exam for your child if needed to participate in school activities
- Get your child’s vision checked before school starts if they’re due for an exam
- Notify the principal’s office, the school nurse, and your child’s teachers about any health problems or medications
Stock Up on School Supplies
- Check the school website or call for a list of required supplies (Ed’s note: In Beijing, most international schools provide the students with everything they’ll need.)
- Find out whether students will store supplies at school or bring them home each day
- Buy a backpack or bag to carry daily items
- Review the school dress code
- Buy school uniforms and gym clothes, if necessary
Learn About the School
- Find out whether the teacher prefers to communicate by phone, e-mail, or written note
- Know what your child is expected to learn in their grade level
- Familiarize yourself with the information on the school website
- Note the phone numbers for checking school closures or reporting absencesFind out the procedure for taking your child out of school early
- Read the school handbook and make sure your child understands the rules
Plan to Be Involved
- Mark school events on the family calendar
- Attend the back-to-school program
- Schedule and attend parent-teacher conferences
- Meet leaders of the parent-teacher group
Plan Healthy Meals
- Have nutritious food on hand for breakfast andafter-school snacks
- Find out whether snacks and drinks are available at school or can be brought from home (Ed’s note: Some schools in Beijing don’t allow their students to bring in sweets like chocolate and cake.)
- Ask where to obtain weekly school lunch menus
- Alert school staff if your child has a severe food allergy
Arrange Transportation
- Practice getting to school with your child. If they’re taking the school bus, make sure they know where and when to be picked up before and after school. If they’re biking, review road safety and make sure they have a helmet. If they’re walking, walk the route together and review pedestrian safety guidelines
- Arrange a carpool if necessary and introduce your child to the other adults and children
- Compile contact information of parents who can pick up your child in an emergency
Make After-School Plans
- Arrange childcare or after-school activities
- Choose extracurricular activities carefully to avoid overscheduling
- Make sure your child knows where to go after school each day
Help Your Child Prepare for School
- Arrange for your child to play with others in their age group before classes start
- Discuss your child’s feelings about starting school and talk over any concerns
- Talk with your child about their daily school schedule
- Talk about peer pressure with your child
- Have your child memorize your home address and home and work phone numbers
Lay the Ground Rules
- Establish a firm bedtime before school starts
- Determine where and when your child will do homework
- Figure out a plan for balancing homework and playtime
- Set rules for the time spent on TV, video games, and computer use for non-school projects (Ed’s note: Click here for Kathryn Tonges’ excellent blog post on the topic)
School Family also has a downloadable, print-friendly version of their complete BTS checklist available here.
Photo by jaxhouse (Flickr)
