Need-to-Know Back-to-School Stuff for Parents of HSD Students

With less than a month before of the ’s new school year, it’s time to start thinking about getting school supplies, attending back-to-school events and gearing up for the next step along  your students’ educational journeys.

School Supply Lists

The official 2012-2013 school supply lists are out, and you can find them on the district’s website.

From One Parent to Another: Many teachers in the district will have additional or different items on their classroom lists. I’m going on my tenth year as a district parent, and this has been the case every year, with every teacher. If you stock up early, be prepared to pick up a few extra items when you get the class-specific lists.

New Student Enrollment

If you student hasn’t attended school in the district before, you’ll need to enroll him or her before the start of the new school year, which you can do Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the HSD Learning Center. You don’t need to make an appointment, but you do need to bring a few things along with you.

• Student’s original state-issued birth certificate
• Student’s current immunization records
• Transcripts (for high school students)
• Most recent report card (for students in grades K through 8)
• Discipline record from previous school (for students in grades 6 through 12)
• Current drivers’ license or state ID for parent/guardian
• Proof of residency

From One Parent to Another: Save yourself a little time and bring all of the items listed above. Without it, it’s a wasted trip—the district will not allow you to register your child. If certain immunizations are required, the district will refuse to allow your child to attend school without them, even if you’ve already otherwise enrolled. Proof of residency includes items such as utility bills, occupancy permit, mortgage statements and rental contracts and leases. Learn more about enrollment and residency requirements at HSD’s website.

Back-to-School Events in August

The district has several back-to-school events scheduled for the month of August geared at helping students get ready to start the new year. Students and their families are invited to attend. Check the dates and times for your school at the district’s website.  

From One Parent to Another: These events can be really helpful for all students as well as for parents and teachers, so make every effort you can to attend the back-to-school events. Not only do you show your kids’ teachers that you care about their education, but you also get to meet and speak to the people with whom they’ll spend many hours. Plus, if kids are shy or nervous about starting the new school year, visiting with a parent can help ease their tensions. And, if there are any concerns you need to share with their teachers, you can do so during a back-to-school event.

Meet the New Principals

The district has new principals in several schools this year, and students and families are invited to meet them at special events. The schools include the following.

• GALACTIC
• Hazelwood Central ECE
• Hazelwood East ECE
• Hazelwood Southeast Middle

If your child attends one of these schools or programs, visit the district’s website to learn when and where you can meet your child’s new principal.  

From One Parent to Another: These events don’t often have especially high attendance rates, so it’s a good time to get some face time with your school’s new principal and find what he or she is planning for the year.

Ninth Grade Orientations

Ninth-graders can take advantage of the district’s high school orientation programs to help them get ready for the year, but they must be registered before they can attend. Oritentation is just $5 per student and includes lunch and a Class of 2016 t-shirt.

• Hazelwood West: Aug. 10, 7:25 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.
• Hazelwood Central and Hazelwood East: Aug. 10, 7:25 a.m. to 11:25 a.m.

Students must register for orientation by August 3. If you have questions, you can contact your school’s office.

• : 314-953-5800
• : 314-953-5400
• Hazelwood East: 314-953-5600

From One Parent to Another: If at all possible, incoming freshmen should try to make it to the ninth grade orientation. The high schools can seem overwhelming to freshmen, and attending orientation gives them an opportunity to take a dry-run through their schedules to find all of their classes—plus they can meet their teachers and find out which of their friends are in their classes. This kind of preparation can make all the difference on that scary first day.

Hey Moms and Dads! What are your best back-to-school tips “from one parent to another?” What do you wish someone would have told you about getting your kids ready for school? Help out your fellow parents and share them in the comments section, below.