Dear Parents,

Ready or not, it’s upon us…

Retailers got started way back on July 4 with early back-to-school sales, and many took full advantage, while others are still getting the job done, shopping, filling bookbags, and readying everything for day one of the 2024-25 school year.

You’re not done, though.

Don’t expect notifications alerting you to important upcoming events, such as parent-teacher conference and picture days. Instead, log on to your school’s website now, click on the “Calendar” button to get the big picture, and note key items in your paper or online datebook, including:

• Holidays
• Inservice and early dismissal days
• Marking period/report card schedule
• School picture day
• Special assemblies, such as those for Veterans’ Day and concerts
• Mandatory state testing days (PSSA)

And, of course, the last school day…

Then take it one step further, acquainting yourself with the school’s:

1. Principal, assistant principal(s), secretaries, and guidance counselor services.
2. Attendance office number, tardiness and absence policies, too.
3. Nurse’s office phone number.
4. Home & School/Parent Teacher Association meeting dates.
5. In-school and bus-related expectations and discipline policies.
6. Availability of math & reading specialists, special education personnel, and librarian, too.
7. Lunch schedule and lunch loan policy.
8. Grading system.
9. Homework and test-taking policies.
10. Honor Roll and gifted program qualifications.
11. Student Council/Congress grade requirements, elections, etc.
12. Backpack policy.
13. Dress and hair codes.
14. Physical ed regulations and required attire.
15. Availability of athletic & other extracurricular activities.

And then, if/when feasible, make it personal:

• Join & attend parent-teacher association meetings
• Support fundraising efforts by donating bake sale goodies, buying magazines, wrapping paper—whatever they’re selling.
• Help a teacher with photocopying & bulletin board decorating.
• Create a classroom newsletter.
• Do classroom read-alouds.
• Help man morning attendance calls.
• Assist with the school newspaper or literary magazine.
• Chaperone a field trip, dance, and/or field day.
• Contribute your computer know-how, and or
• Consider math, reading, and/or writing after-school tutoring.
• Email your child’s teacher(s) with concerns, setting up a meeting if necessary.

As Vania Hasegawa puts it: “… In short, parents who are involved in their child’s school life can make a significant difference in their academic and personal growth.”

And that’s called a win-win.

~ Carol A. Josel
carol@schoolwisebooks.com