Back to School Basics for Children in Foster Care

  • Foster Care , Latest News
  • August 22, 2022

This summer has been great and feels like pre-pandemic times with festivals, concerts, and family vacations returning in a booming way. But with the end of summer comes another season… Back to School season!

 

As someone whose parents were both teachers, the start of a new school year meant lots of preparation and careful planning. When I think about when I was a young person, I really enjoyed this time preparing for school. It was fun to get new clothes, shoes, and of course the new bookbag and school supplies. When I was a kid, the Trapper Keeper was the thing to have if you were going into a new school year, but I never got one..so sad, but I digress. Now kids need a tablet, laptop, or fancy calculator to start the school year and to keep up with the digital times we live in.

If you foster children, starting school may look a little different (but in some ways the same!), so consider some of these things to get ready:
  • Check the school supplies list from your school and check it twice; big box stores are having sales on school supplies; if you can pick up additional supplies to avoid running and reduce spending more throughout the school year
  • Chicago and surrounding suburbs are having school supplies and backpack giveaways. Check out this information on giveaways in Chicago.
  • Did your child transfer this year to a new school? If so, check to see if the school has different requirements than the previous school.
  • Check the school’s handbook to see if there is a dress code; Is there a specific uniform or clothes required for students?
  • Make sure you have a copy of your child’s IEP or 504 plan. If you need a copy, contact the teacher or school case manager. Was there anything that did not get addressed last year about your child’s special education needs? I encourage foster parents to start communicating with the school staff early on in the school year. This is a great time to connect with the school counselor or case manager to address it and get a meeting scheduled before their calendar gets full.
  • Schedule a physical exam or vaccination appointment
  • For the college students: prepare a list of items you need to take with you to school and check if you need help moving to your dorm or apartment. Items to consider are furniture, bedding, clothes, laptop, toiletries, and creature comforts (microwave, coffeemaker, tv, cozy blankets, and slippers)
One thing that happens every year is teachers spend their own money to buy school supplies to help other children who may not have it. Teachers should not have to supplement what is needed for their students or classroom. If you can help your child’s classroom with supplies, I’m sure their teachers would be very grateful for the support.

There are lots of things to do to prepare for the first day of school, but taking the extra steps to be ready will ensure a successful launch into the school year.

Enjoy these last days of summer and have an outstanding school year!

About Let It Be Us

Let It Be Us is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the landscape of foster care and adoption in Illinois. Our mission is to inspire foster care and adoption so more children in care grow up in stable, healthy homes. Funds raised will go to programs that build a strong and innovative bridge between our waiting children and foster and adoptive parents. Learn more at letitbeus.org

Working throughout the State of Illinois
847-764-5428

Let It Be Us is open and inclusive of all races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, gender expressions, and gender identities. We serve all children and believe all deserve a loving home.

Let It Be Us is proud to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) All Children All Families program as a Building Towards Inclusion child welfare agency. Let It Be Us believes LGBTQIA+ identifying foster parents and children in care deserve respect and love, and we do our best to show that in our work.

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