Things to help migrant kids sail through the beginning of a new school year
The end of the summer also marks the hullabaloo of activities that involve going back to school in the United States. If you have a kid who will be going to school for the first time in the United States or if you have just migrated to the US with a school-going kid here are some things that will help you sail through the beginning of a new school year.
Read: Why America remains the preferred destination for Indian immigrants? (August 3, 2022)
Health records and immunizations
No matter where in the United States you may be sending your kid to school, all 50 states according to law require age-related vaccines that must be administered to kids before they can enroll in school.
The requirement holds for both private as well as public schools. So, it is important to have an updated immunization record of your kid right from the time of birth.
In case you are visiting from another country then a immunization record duly signed by the doctor in your country would work just as fine.
It may be a good idea to schedule an appointment with a local doctor to see if your child meets all the vaccination requirements as mandated in the US.
Most schools also need a new vision and dental checkup prior to the school year so you will need to schedule an appointment with an optometrist as well as a dentist if you haven’t already in the recent past.
Read: US remains most favored destination for Indian students: survey (February 11, 2022)
School supplies
Every school district in the United States sends out a detailed list of stationery a student may require in a school year. From pencils to markers, crayons to glue sticks the list contains the suggestive number of the quantity required.
You can either order these supplies from the school and it arrives in a box by mail before school start date. Alternatively, you can print this list and grab these supplies from nearby Target, Walmart or any of the retailers who bring out huge sections for school supplies beginning summer itself.
Read: What I Wish I Knew Earlier About the American School System as an Immigrant Mother (September 8, 2021)
Back to school nights
Just ahead of the school session, your school would probably invite parents as well as kids for a back to school night.
Here you get the opportunity to meet the home room teachers for your school, the school staff as well as get a glimpse of the school curriculum and details of what a typical school day for your kid would look like. It’s a great way for kids too to feel a bit at ease about starting an important chapter in their lives