ORLANDO, Fla. — The first day of school is just days away, which means thousands of local parents are preparing for the monumental milestone of sending their children off to kindergarten for the first time.
Here are nine tips provided by The Florida Center for Parent Involvement for helping prepare your kindergartener for their first day of school.
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Read More 1. Get the supplies requested by your school. That can include everything from a backpack to crayons, glue, and paper.
2. Label all personal items with your child’s name with permanent ink. That includes clothing, lunch boxes and book bags.
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3. Take prescription medication that needs to be administered during the school day to the school nurse.
4. Discuss plans for pick up and drop off with your child in detail. Make sure they know how they’re getting to school and coming home. If possible, do a trial run before the first day.
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5. Plan a separation routine. Select a series of steps you will take every day. That may include the child packing up their bag, getting to school, saying goodbye to their parents, walking into their classroom, greeting their teacher, etc.
6. Discuss any last-minute fears or questions. These can include anything from when and where to use the bathroom or where and when they need to be to get picked up.
7. Review the school day routine the night before. That may look something like bath time, bedtime, wake up time, school time, homework time, etc.
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8. Put money for meals inside an envelope with your child’s name on the outside. Put the envelope in a safe place, maybe a secure pocket of your child’s backpack.
9. Put clothes out the night before. Make sure you take into account the weather and dress code.
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures While Chief Meteorologist Tom Terry did not play football, he enjoyed keeping the stats for the team. That love of math later helped him study the science of weather after he graduated as Valedictorian of his high school class. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Reporter Lauren Seabrook enjoyed being on her high school's cheerleading squad. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures In addition to cheerleading and basketball, reporter Cierra Putman also played the flute in her high school's band. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures This picture of Christopher Heath holding was printed in the local newspaper. He says he's pretty sure it should have been a 10-yard penalty. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures 9 Investigates anchor and reporter Karla Ray was a member of her high school cheerleading squad. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Reporer Megan Cruz showed her school spirit by joining the dance team in high school. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Meteorologist George Waldenberger was in his high school marching band. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Reporter Cierra Putman was a cheerleader at her St.Louis-area high school. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Sport reporter and anchor Christian Bruey loved to play on his school's soccer team. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Reporter Angela Jacobs played field hockey in high school. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Reporter Alexa Lorenzo was on her high school's dance team. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Reporter Deanna Allbrittin was on the swim team, but was also in her high school's band. (Brian Hughes/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Cierra Putman was very active in extra-curricular activies in high school before attending the University of Missouri. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Lauren Seabrook's high school mascot was the husky. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Seminole County reporter Jeff Levkulich spent high school as a self-described 'band nerd.' (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Band, cheerleading, basketball AND track and field! Reporter Cierra Putman was busy in high school! (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Check out that trophy! Reporter Alexa Lorenzo's dancing earned her a top spot on her high school's dance team. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures WFTV political reporter Christopher Heath played football while growing up in Texas. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures Reporter Cierra Putman enjoyed a lot of activities in high school, including playing volleyball. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)
Photos: WFTV Staff Shares High School pictures In addition to being a cheerleader, reporter Cierra Putman was also on her high school's basketball team. (Johnny Santos/WFTV)