Getting Ready for the New School Year in Pennsylvania
It seems almost like the summer was gone in an instance. And after the year that we had in 2020, it’s understandable that you’re worried about what will happen during the 2021 school year. As a parent, you might be trying to prepare for almost any situation when it comes to getting ready for the new school year in Pennsylvania. But try not to stress yourself out too much. We’re all in this together, trying to figure everything out.
How Should We be Getting Ready for the New School Year in Pennsylvania?
According to government officials, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Department of Health are encouraging children who are age 16 or older to get the vaccine. President Biden is asking for school districts to provide pop-up vaccination clinics. But what are children under the age of 16 supposed to do? Is it safe for younger children to return to school this year? It’s still recommended that children who are age two or older and aren’t vaccinated should wear masks when they are indoors. And on top of that, individual schools may instill their own rules involving masks and face coverings. Who knows what will happen after the school year has begun? But you can find resources for schools during COVID-19 here.
On top of the regular transition from the summer to the school year, we’re still dealing with uncertainty due to COVID. During all of this mayhem, how can we get children to focus on their schoolwork and what they need to do this year? We put together some tips for getting ready for the new school year in Pennsylvania.
- Talk to Your Child about What’s Happening
- Make Preparing for School a Positive Experience
- Touch Base with the School and Your Child’s New Teacher
- Get Yourself Organized
- Work Out a Schedule
Talk to Your Child about What’s Happening
Take some time to sit down with your child and talk to them about the upcoming year. You can discuss how the school year is going to be as well as what your son or daughter’s goals and expectations are. They may be excited about a certain class or teacher or a sports club or other after-school activity. Additionally, you can discuss things that your child is worried about. That may be COVID-related. It might just be entering a new grade or a new school. Or, maybe it’s dealing with bullies or even a teacher that’s strict. However the conversation goes, it may benefit your child just to start thinking about school and get some of their concerns out in the air. Use this as an opportunity to acknowledge that you and your child may both have some anxieties or concerns.
Make Preparing for School a Positive Experience
Going out and buying some school supplies and clothing doesn’t have to be a chore. You can make it into a fun, positive experience. Organizing your trip ahead of time and getting your child involved can make shopping for school supplies and clothes into a better experience. Maybe you get some ice cream or go see a movie after the trip. Or, maybe you plan a little back-to-school celebration. It doesn’t have to be something big. There are a lot of distractions in everyday life. Being there and prioritizing your child means a lot.
Touch Base with the School and Your Child’s New Teacher
If any of your contact information has been updated or changed over the summer, make sure you let your child’s school know about it. It’s important to be able to communicate with the school. Plus, they’ll have your information in case of any updates or changes. Connecting with your child’s new teacher can also be beneficial. Not only are you getting to know them a little bit. Additionally, they’re learning more about you and your family as well as your child’s specific needs.
Get Yourself Organized
If your child is getting ready for the new school year in Pennsylvania, you’ll have to make sure that you’re prepared too. There’s a lot that goes into sending a child to school. You have to make sure your child has their lunch, backpack, homework, and more. Are they taking the bus, or do they need a ride? Are there any after-school activities scheduled for today? Your child may feel less overwhelmed just because you’re organized and well prepared.
Work Out a Schedule
Diving right into a hectic school schedule after a relaxing summer can be tough. You can try easing your child back into school by getting back on their school sleep schedule, doing some summer reading, or playing some family board games, like Monopoly or Scrabble. Maybe you can put together a couple of fun homework assignments your child will enjoy.
And if homework completion is something that your child has some trouble with, planning out a homework schedule can be helpful. Some children do better with some downtime when they get home before they start on their homework. If you allow a bit of free time, it could be helpful. And talk to your child’s teacher about how much homework they’re assigning and how long it should take. You can help schedule out your child’s day. A calendar station in a certain area of your home can also be helpful. A designated study area can also be helpful, especially if you have more than one child.
The Department of Education put together a guide for getting back to in-person learning. But there are other school options out there if you don’t feel ready for that yet. There are different charter and private schools that are available. And there are online charter schools, like PA Virtual, Agora, PA Cyber, ASPIRA, Esperanza, Insight, and Commonwealth Charter. If you’re looking to compare and contrast the best cyber schools in Pennsylvania, we are here to help you with our PA cyber school list. We want to help parents and students who are getting ready for the new school year in Pennsylvania.
