Let's Chat About...Back to School

This year back to school looks a little different for us! It's the first time in nearly 30 years, 28 to be exact, that I haven't sent a child to school! Although we enjoy the empty nest, I am compelled to reflect on the excitement of getting ready for that first day of school.

School Supplies
Oh, the much-anticipated school supplies list! I remember vividly the difference between the grade school list and the high school list. The year I didn't have to purchase color crayons, markers and glue sticks was a much-anticipated milestone!
Our kids all went to school and graduated from a small town (less that 50 students per grade), so there was no middle school. Kindergarten through 6th grade was considered Elementary, and 7th though 12th was High School. Technically, 7th and 8th were Junior High, but they attended in the same building.
In Minnesota, the 1st day of school isn't until after Labor Day, but in North Dakota it starts the week before. Being close to the North Dakota border, along with being a procrastinator, the department stores in Grand Forks were always picked over by the time I got there. In any case, we always made it work and the kids had what they needed by the time school started.
I have to give a shout out to our WAO Education Foundation which has helped tremendously over the years with student and classroom expenses in our community! Below is what this year's school supplies list like, thank you Ed Foundation!!

School Shopping
When my kids were in school, shopping was a big deal! They each got new shoes, clothes and a backpack along with their supplies. A couple of times we went to the Mall of America, but we usually did our shopping in Thief River Falls, MN or Grand Forks, ND.
It was a really big deal, and the kids couldn't wear their new stuff until that 1st day! They would get so excited picking out their outfit the night before and of course, there was always that 1st day of school photo!
Back to school shopping is very expensive and we always budgeted for it. But as the years go by and with inflation, it costs more than ever. There are many ways to help those in need to prepare their students. I encourage to look into your community opportunities.
"According to a new NerdWallet survey, those who are parents of K-12 or college students and who plan to do back-to-school shopping this year will spend $541.00, on average, on school supplies and clothing for their kids’ upcoming school year."

Physicals and Immunizations
Along with everything else for getting ready for the new school year, is health physicals and vaccinations.
Physical requirements for returning to school can vary by location and grade level, but let’s dive into some general information:
Routine Physical Exams:
Most providers recommend physical exams for healthy children every two years. These check-ups help ensure your kiddos are in tip-top shape for the academic journey ahead.
However, there are specific milestones when physicals become mandatory. For instance:
Kindergarten Entry: A thorough physical is needed before a child enters Kindergarten. This visit also includes important vaccines like MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), IPV (polio), and varicella (chickenpox).
Seventh Grade: Another physical is required upon entering 7th grade. This time, it’s accompanied by vaccines like HPV (human papillomavirus), meningococcal conjugate, and a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) booster.
Sports Physicals:
Sports physicals are generally required every 3 years, so it's usually 7th and 10th grades.
Some of the things they check for in a sports physical include: Family Health History, Heart Condition, Joint & Bone Condition and Anxiety & Depression.

School Days
Every state sets rules for the minimum amount of time of school must be in session. The minimum is usually some combination of days and hours per year and hours per day; state policies also establish how much, if any, non-instructional time – such as lunch, recess and class changes – can count toward those minimums.
"Minnesota Statutes 2017, section 120A.41, requires the school board’s annual calendar to include at least 165 days of instruction for a student in grades 1 through 11 unless a four-day week schedule has been approved by the commissioner under Minnesota Statutes 2015, sections 124D.12 through 124D.127."
"North Dakota requirement is 962.5 hours per Century Code 15.1-06-04:
At least five and one-half hours for kindergarten and elementary students, during which time the students are required to be in attendance for the purpose of receiving curricular instruction; and
At least six hours for high school students, during which time the students are required to be in attendance for the purpose of receiving curricular instruction."

So, to those of you getting ready for the upcoming school year, I wish you the best!! Going to school offers a wealth of benefits, both personally and for society as a whole. Some of these benefits include:
Healthier Lifestyle
Experimentation and Diversity
Socializing and Networking
Pursuing Your Passion
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Career Opportunities
Self-Discovery & Confidence
Better Communication Skills
Reduce Inequality
Healthier Communities
Here are a couple fun throwback memories of our 1st Day of School photos!


If you have anything to add to this topic, or memories to share, please comment below!
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