School Orientation in the USA
General Information
School Day:
Elementary school, middle school, and high school have different start and end times. Each school has their own schedule.
If there is not bus, Parents of Elementary school students are responsible for taking kids to school and picking students up from school.
If your take a bus for school, you must be at the pick up spot 10 minutes before because if you miss the bus there will not be another bus.
Girls and boys are in the same classroom
Some elementary and middle schools require students to wear a uniform and they will communicate that during registration.
Students might have different teachers for different subjects (science, math, etc) and students may have to change classrooms during the day for different subjects.
All English language learners will be placed in an English language class to improve reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. All classes will be in English.
Breakfast and Lunch are served in school, there are always non-pork options and vegetarian meal options available. You can report any other dietary restrictions to the school. Students can also bring their own snack and meal to school.
There is no physical punishment at school, there are discipline policies and procedures that the school provides. Bullying and discrimination between students is not allowed and must be reported, procedures outlined in discipline policies.
Students must complete their homework, this will be part of their grade. Schools teach by standard curriculum levels, moral and most social emotional lessons are up to parents lessons.
Students that received student ID cards must have that on them every day
School Staff:
Students will have female and male teachers. Call your teachers by their last name (Mr. or Mrs.___) Teachers want to help their students succeed. They want students to ask questions when they need help with education. Teachers can also help point students and families to other school resources – nurse, mental health, food or clubs.
Parents and Guardians Responsibilities:
Parents are encouraged to visit schools and to stay involved in child education. Parents are also welcome to volunteer time for school events.
Parents are responsible for calling the school if their child is going to be absent for appointments or for sickness.
Parents are held responsible and accountable for student attendances.
Schools expect parent’s to be involved in child’s education and are required to attend Parent Teacher meetings – once or twice or more every year.
Schools are required to provide interpretation for all meetings and communications with parents.
School Year Important Need to Knows:
USA holidays are often celebrated in schools, some of these holidays have days off from school and some classes maintain as usual. In the fall there is Halloween (the main holiday people dress up for), Indigenous Peoples day, and Thanksgiving. In the winter, Christmas, Martin Luther King Junior Day, Valentines Day. In the spring Easter. There are many other celebrations the schools might celebrate and it is a time for your children to learn about USA holidays while also sharing about your families holidays. If you family fasts for Eid in the spring, the students stil have to attend school and the school staff are understanding and adaptable to students who fast.
Standardized testing in schools: starting in 3rd grade - highschool all students will go through testing to evaluate their education in: math, literacy, and some levels social studies and science.
Communication:
Anytime you change address or phone number, that must be updated with school records.
Schools will communicate regularly with families through email and phone calls or messages, it is important to check communications regularly.
Attendance:
According to law, all kids from 5-18 years have to attend school, regardless of English Level. You can attend school up until they are 21 years old. You do not have to pay for public education. Under 5 years can attend preschool or daycare it is optional and it is not guaranteed to be free.
Students need to attend all classes every day by law, if students miss certain number of days it could have consequences on education and moving to next grade level. Too many absences could be considered truancy, which is illegal, and could ultimately affect your immigration status.
Parents are responsible for calling the school if child is absent. If student is sick or has an appointment that will be excused, and they might require doctors note. The school will have a call line or email.
School start time is when the student needs to be in the classroom ready.
The school calendar has the days when there will be no classes for students
If school is canceled due to snow or weather the family will be contacted by phone call, TV, and email. Most times if there is snow students will still have to attend school unless noted otherwise.
Health:
Every time your student has an immunization from the doctor those records need to be sent to the school.
Nurse staff at school if student gets sick during school.
Child Supervision laws:
Anyone under 18 is considered a child
Guidelines for leaving children home alone without an adult
Very young children will always need to be supervised by an adult or older teenage youth. Most elementary schools will require a parent or adult to pick up and drop off the child.
Leave a phone with the child, teach them how to call you or 911, teach them where to the leasing office is, or show them a neighbors home
Helpful Videos:
Preparing your child for school in the USA: This live video is about the US school education system, English as a second language, the conditions for education for children with disabilities, how to enroll your child in school, and how to participate in your child's education. They are available in Ukrainian, Russian, English , Dari , Pashto