Seven Ways to Prepare the Family for Back to School Time

ATLANTA, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Education affects the entire family -- therefore planning and preparation for a new school year should be a family affair.

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For children, a new school year is about reconnecting with friends and comparing and sharing the latest gadgets received during the summer. However, the start of a new school year can be a stressful time for parents. The concerns of readjusting schedules, planning childcare and keeping track of educational needs can be overwhelming. Some parents begin preparing for the new school year immediately once the summer vacation begins. But for most parents, the planning and preparation doesn't start until a couple of weeks or even days before the bell rings signaling the first day of school.

In order to prepare, families may ask:

-- What are important steps parents should take into consideration in preparing their family for back-to-school time?

-- What responsibilities does the child have in the back-to-school planning process?

-- What are some helpful tips to help families transition into the school year?

Kimberly-Clark Corporation sponsors Boys & Girls Clubs of America's (BGCA) Family PLUS (Parents Leading, Uniting, Serving) strategy. The strategy is designed to promote family strengthening in local Clubs and communities nationwide. For many years, Kimberly-Clark Corporation supported BGCA's mission to improve the lives of young people. Recognizing that children from stable home environments perform better, the two organizations are working together to offer resources to families to create more positive environments for youth.

As an organization seasoned in helping millions of families make the transition from the lazy days of summer to the hustle of back to school, BGCA, in partnership with Kimberly-Clark Corporation, offers parents helpful tips for a smooth transition into the school year.

Make Going Back to School a Fun Family Affair

Take advantage of the final days of summer to engage in more family activities. As summer vacation rounds its final curve, families can plan activities that involve preparing for back to school. For example, plan a family cookout to celebrate the start of the new school year.

Get Involved Early with Child's Education

Parents should make an appointment to meet with their child's teacher early in the year to learn what the lesson plans entail per grading period. This will help the parents assess what their child's educational demands will be, providing time to establish a work plan to help the child meet expectations. Upon request, teachers will provide parents with copies of their lesson plans. The lesson plans should be kept in a location where both the parents and child have access on a regular basis to review and assess the child's progress. Parents should also set early appointments to meet their child's teacher in order to establish a regular relationship with the teacher from the beginning.

Keep a Working Calendar

Upon the return to school, parents often find themselves crunched with time trying to accommodate their personal schedules and their child's school schedule. A great idea is to post a calendar at home that is accessible by the entire family (a large dry erase calendar is a good resource). Members of the family can color code recurring and permanent activities with one color and tentative scheduled events with another color. The family should set aside time during the week to go over and discuss the items listed on the calendar. Immediately following mealtime is a good time to do this because everyone will already be together.

Plan Early

During the closing of the previous school year, parents should have already started to think about the needs of their child for the approaching year. Review the school and educational needs of the child from the previous year. Use that assessment to begin planning for the next year by developing a list of needed school supplies. Planning early also involves researching potential after-school programs, and establishing relationships with other parents for potential carpooling. This is also a great time for parents to review their work schedules to determine if any conflicts exist with their child's schedule.

Emergency Contact

No child should leave home without the name and telephone number of at least one person to contact in case there is an emergency. The child should know all contact information of their parents, including work and cell phone numbers. Parents should be responsible for ensuring their child also knows at least one alternative person to contact whether it is another relative, a neighbor or a close family friend. Parents should also make sure the child's school is provided with an additional contact in case of an emergency.

Updated Medical Records

It is very important for parents to have copies of updated medical records on their child. At the end of the previous school year, parents should have already made an assessment of what shots and vaccinations their child would need going into the new school year. Back-to-school time is a great time to get those needed immunizations and vaccinations because some local heath clinics offer them at a discounted rate. When all the back to school medical physicals are completed, it is suggested to supply the school nurse with this information. Therefore, if the child has a medical emergency while at school, the nurse will have the child's medical history on file and can respond immediately to address the child's medical needs.

Build Relationships with Other Parents

Building relationships with other parents is a great way to stay abreast of information pertaining to the school. Developing a network of parents can be very beneficial. Having a network of parents is helpful when a parent misses the PTA meeting and wants to know what new school policies were implemented. Having a relationship with other parents can be beneficial for carpooling children to and from school or even just discussing similar concerns such as raising a teenager.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (http://www.bgca.org/) comprises a national network of some 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving more than 4.8 million young people, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

About Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Kimberly-Clark Corporation and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion people - nearly a quarter of the world's population - trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and learn more about the company's 135-year history of innovation, visit http://www.kimberly-clark.com/.