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Updated June 2021
Back to school activities will soon be front and center and it’s hard enough to convince your kids a new early bedtime, a more rigid routine and homework assignments are swiftly approaching without the stress of a recent PCS. Going back to school in a new town can add a layer of complexity and often cause some anxiety for your family. These military spouses offer their advice to help make back to school in a new place a seamless transition for you and your children.
Eve: We had to move in November during our son's first grade year. He wasn't too nervous but still a bit apprehensive about meeting new friends. His new teacher had all of the students write notes to our son, and had a huge poster signed by all of his new classmates outside the classroom door his first day of school. It was such a wonderful way to make him feel welcomed. Luckily his teacher is a fellow Navy wife, so she understood the difficulty of moving and making new friends.
Meg from Milkidsed.com: Share contact details with the teacher, use MIC3 {Military interstate Children’s Compact Commission} to help with transferring grades or education plans, support your child to sign up for sports/clubs/activities, and definitely get the teacher on your side.
Danielle: Get in touch with both location's school liaison officers through the bases~ they are a great resource! Also, FFSC (Fleet and Family Support Center) has a lot of paper materials to help the transition. Military OneSource has some links on their page for guidance as well! We just moved here in April and had 3 in school during that move (K, 3rd, and 5th grades) it can be a challenge, but the above helped me prepare myself and my kids.
Lizann from Seasoned Spouse: Be sure to hand-carry their prior report cards and class work samples, ask lots of questions, stay in communication with the teacher, talk to other parents in your child's class, and be prepared to get outside help if they need to catch up. Free tutoring is available from the ASYMCA and tutor.com I let my kids know that I am on their side and want to help them through this difficult time.
Pamela: I have 8 years of teaching experience. My biggest advice is get to know the teacher and keep them informed as much as you can. Let them know that it's a transition year for your child. If one parent often gets deployed, let them know. The more the teacher knows about a child, the more he or she can help during the transition as well.
My daughter is starting preschool in a few weeks and we have been talking about all the wonderful things to look forward to at school (you get your own CUBBY!).
How do you help your child adjust and get excited about attending school following a PCS?
Related Articles:
7 Ways to Share the Back to School Experience with Deployed Parents
About the Blogger: Briana Hartzell is a Navy spouse, mother to two beautiful girls (5 and 7), a former full time USAA employee and a graduate of Texas A&M University.
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