Back to School!

It's hard to think of fall and returning to school when it's been so hot. The calendar has turned another month, making parents check school supply lists and trying to squeeze in a few last-minute summer activities. Listed below are some resources available from government and private organizations to help orient your mind to school days.

Assistance in getting school supplies

Operation School Bell (Wichita area)- provides back-to-school clothes, uniforms and hygiene items to students in need
http://assistanceleaguewichita.org/programs/

Communities in Schools (statewide)- provides a variety of assistance to keep kids in school
http://ciskansas.org/about-us/services-programs/

Salvation Army- provides school supply, children’s programmng, tutoring, preschools
http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org/usc/www_usc_kan.nsf/vw-sublinks/796AE67B170E332D86257558007142FA?openDocument

For your back-to-school vaccination and health needs:

Laws that require vaccinations and the statutory exceptions:
http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/download/Kansas_Statutes_Related_to_School_Immunizations.pdf

Form to verify your child’s vaccinations:
http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/download/KCI_Form.pdf

Kansas physical forms for participating in high school sports:
http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/PDF/FORM-PPE.pdf

School Lunch

School nutrition programs as provided by the Kansas Department of Education:
http://www.kn-eat.org/SNP/SNP_Menus/SNP_Home.htm

National school lunch program:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/

Play Hard, Stay Healthy from the USDA
http://www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhardhealthylifestyle/

Childcare

How to pick the perfect before or after school childcare:
http://www.childcare.gov/

ERC Resource & Referral provides customized child care referrals, professional development and resources for early childhood professionals, and referrals to community resources:
www.ercrefer.org

United Way 2-1-1:
www.211kansas.org/

Parent Resources

PTA:
http://www.ptacentral.org/kansas.htm

Kansas Parent Information Resource Center:
http://www.kpirc.org/

Article contact: Kim Harp