The 'Do's and Don'ts' of Getting Kids Ready for School

Published June 19, 2007
By Melanie Arvonio
61st Mission Support Squadron

LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE -- The pencils and paper have been put to rest, the beach days are here and the ice cream is tasty ... at least until school starts again.

This year, school starts Sept. 5. Are the kids ready for school this upcoming fall? The Airman & Family Readiness Center is here to help parents with the K-12 school enrollment needs.
Here are some things to do to get ready for the 2007-2008 school year.

DO's:

DO come by the A&FRC for school information flyers and packets for public, private and home school options.

DO visit your local school with your child.

DO enroll your child in school as soon as possible.

DO visit the clinic to ensure your child has all the current California immunizations.

DO schedule a physical exam if needed to participate in school activities.

DO pick up your inter-district transfer request from the A&FRC.

DO complete your interdistrict transfer form and turn it into the A&FRC with a copy of the child's most recent report card and standardized test scores (if applicable).

DO make sure your child does not miss the first days of school.

DO notify the principal's office, the school nurse and your child's teachers about any health problems or medications.

DO notify your child's teacher if you or your spouse are being deployed or goes TDY for more than 30 days.

DO check the school Web site or call for a list of required supplies and uniforms.

DO read the school handbook and make sure you and your child understand the rules.

DO plan to be involved at your child's school.

DO make after-school arrangements. Contact the Youth and Teen Centers for their programs at 310-653-8383.

DO attend the School Carpool Meeting Aug. 29 at the Fort MacArthur Community Center from 6-8 p.m. to get into a carpool group.

DO bring with you the following at the time of enrollment: immunization record; child's previous school's name and address so the new school can obtain the child's past school records; child's social security number; doctor's name, address and phone number; friend, family or coworker information for emergency contacts; Individual Education Plan (if applicable); and your checkbook to pay for enrollment costs, lab, art and other fees.

DO put local friends, family and coworkers on the school emergency data card.

And here are the DON'Ts.

DON'T wait any longer to enroll your student in school.

DON'T go to your local school for interdistrict transfers. A&FRC will handle the paperwork for you.

DON'T try to enroll your child at White Point if you live at Fort MacArthur, or try to enroll your child at Point Fermin if you live at the Crest or the Heights.

DON'T miss the School Carpool meeting Aug. 29 (see above for more information).

For any questions, contact the Airman & Family Readiness Center at 310-653-5428 or stop by Bldg. 272, 1st floor, room C1-209. The office is open between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30, Monday-Friday.