TK-8 District of Choice
Helping Your Child
Before School Starts
- Provide proof of Tdap Immunization. A school immunization law requires all students entering 7 grade in California to be immunized with a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine booster called Tdap. All students entering into 7th grade will need proof of a Tdap shot given on or after their 7th grade birthday before starting school. Parents need to present documentation of their child’s vaccination record to the front office at their elementary school.
- Attend the school’s orientation. Each middle school offers an orientation that gives you the opportunity to see the building, meet teachers, check out the lunchroom and ask questions. The more you and your child know about the workings of the school, the less anxious you both will be.
- Check out the school’s website. Read the previous year’s postings to get an idea of what happens during the year. Some websites have links and specific information just for parents.
- Time management: Give your child the chance to plan and execute their own time and responsibilities.
- Work on organization at home. Good habits at home will translate to good organization when school starts.
- Discuss and try out different organizational systems (calendar, white board, bulletin board, folders, sticky reminders, setting a schedule).
- Let your child choose a system they feel most comfortable with and practice using it with their summer activities.
- Put your child in charge of manageable tasks to help them develop organizational skills and a sense of responsibility.
During the School Year
- Be involved with and communicate with the school. Don’t assume middle schools don’t like or want parents involved. They want parents! Teachers’ emails are posted on the schools’ websites.
- Attend the school’s orientation with your child. Visit the school’s website regularly for updates about school events and activities.
- Check PowerSchool, our web-based student information system that lets parents and students see how your child is performing academically, follow their attendance, and communicate with teachers. You can see what scores they have earned on assignments/tests, if there are any missing assignments, and sometimes see upcoming assignments. A mobile phone app is also available to access the same information.
- Attend as many events at school as you can. This will allow you to meet and interact with staff and get a sense for the school’s activities and culture.
- Help your child arrive at school on time. Regular and consistent attendance in school is critical to a child’s learning and development and may ultimately determine that child’s overall success, both in school and in life. Student well-being depends upon students being able to show up when school is in session.
- Middle school teachers expect students to take on much more responsibility than parents, so the best thing you can do is let them do as much on their own as possible, even if that means they fail sometimes.