Back to School

The telltale signs are all around us. School buildings are once again alive with activity. Special displays are up at local stores offering supplies and clothing. High school bands are outside mornings and early evenings working on marching and playing music at the same time. Children, school personnel, parents and other involved people are gearing up for another school year.

Below are links to information that might be of help to you in preparing your scholar for the year ahead.

Welcome back!
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2601
(Message from Kansas Commissioner of Education, Alexa Posny)

Kansas 2008/2009 School Directory
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3140
(Most recent available online)

Search for Public Schools
http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/
(Locating local public schools across the nation)

Questions and Tips for Parents, Schools and the Community http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/involve/nclbchecklist.html
(Questions to consider about your child's school)

Kansas K-12 School Reports
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=223
(The Kansas Department of Education assists you in finding out more about your local schools)

Kansas Education Resource Center
http://www.kerc-ks.org/
(Standards and tools for Kansas teachers... of interest to parents too!)

Charter Schools in Kansas
http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=449
(What are charter schools? How do they work? Would they benefit my child?)

21st Century Community Learning Centers
http://www.ed.gov/programs/21stcclc/index.html
(From the US Dept of Education: "This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children")

Help My Child to Read
http://www.ed.gov/parents/read/resources/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln
(Resources from the US Dept of Education for parents)

Helping Your Preschool Child http://www.ed.gov/parents/earlychild/ready/preschool/index.html
(Starting early to prepare your child for his/her future)

Kansas Reads to Preschoolers 2009
http://www.kcfb.info/wiggle/
(Coming to a library near you this fall! Sponsored by the Kansas Center for the Book)

My Child's Special Needs:
Information from the US Dept of Education on:
--Disabilities
http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln
--Gifted
http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/gifted/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln
--Learning English as a second language
http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/english/edpicks.jhtml?src=ln
--Civil Rights of Students
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html

Kansas School and Child Care:
Immunization Requirements
http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/schoolInfo.htm
(The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reminds us of what vaccines our children need)

Stop School Violence Hotline
http://www.ksde.org/KS_SAFE_SCHOOLS_RESOURCE_CENTER/Family%20Matters-KHP%20final%20pdf%20%20(2).pdf
("If you think someone at school may hurt themselves or someone else you can’t stay silent...")

Child Nutrition and Wellness
http://www.kn-eat.org/CNW/CNW_Menus/Index.htm
(A healthy body contributes to a healthy mind)

Back-to-School Safety
http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2001/08282001.htm
(Though somewhat dated this information still rings true)

Childhood Injury Fact Sheets
http://www.safekidskansas.org/materials.html
(SafeKids Kansas gives basic information on injury prevention and treatment)

Article contact: Bill Sowers
(Check out recent additions to our collection here)