A Guide to Going Back to School After a Year at Home
Nearly every aspect of our everyday lives has been impacted throughout the past 18 months. As Texans adjust to the “new normal,” even the much-anticipated first day of school may look different this year.
That’s why we’ve compiled some tips for going back to school for parents and students as we get ready for the 2021-2022 school year.
1. Decide Your Format
Some Texas schools are giving students and parents options for virtual learning for the upcoming school year. Check with your child’s school, evaluate the available options, and choose what’s best for your student’s — and family’s — needs.
2. Establish a Routine
Last school year, many students learned remotely or through a hybrid in-class/at-home model. Setting a schedule for your young scholar can be beneficial for their long-term success and health — especially if they’re reentering a physical classroom this year. In fact, keeping a routine can help elevate your child’s social-emotional health, according to a long-term study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Routine helps kids gain confidence and independence while reducing parental exhaustion.
3. Schedule a Back-to-School Health Checkup
An overall physical and dental exam can help you get ahead of any potential health issues and prepare your child for any extracurricular activities. If your child is attending in-person school for the first time or transferring from another school, make sure they have the necessary immunizations for enrollment. People ages 12 and older are now eligible for the coronavirus vaccine, per the Centers for Disease Control. Depending on when your teen receives the vaccine, this could potentially allow them the opportunity to reach full vaccination status prior to their first day of school.
4. Know What to Expect
Students, faculty, and staff no longer have to wear masks in Texas public schools, according to state guidelines. However, rules and preferences may differ for students enrolled in other forms of school, such as homeschool co-ops. Check with your child’s school so you can properly prepare. Also, if your family feels safer continuing to wear masks and practicing social distancing, talk to your child about what to expect upon returning to school and their options.
5. Have Fun!
Last year, so many outings and events were modified, postponed, or outright canceled. Older students, especially, missed out on some milestone moments, from football games and homecoming dances to senior trips and traditional graduation ceremonies. So, as we slip back into some collective form of normalcy, enjoy these moments as much as possible. Having a game plan in place and knowing what to expect can help you navigate this new normal as a family.
Get ahead of the back-to-school chaos by brushing up on these Texas Farm Bureau member benefits savings. We also have ideas on how you can save on other back-to-school shopping needs. Have a big kid going off to college this fall? Send them a creative care package.
© 2021 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
