As the strange 2019-2020 school year came to a close, many parents were left wondering what next year will look like.
Will classes be modified with less students or alternate schedules? Will a portion of learning be online? Will schools open at all? As school policies adapt to the ever-changing situation, so too should your planning and preparation. There might be some new expenses on your back-to-school list besides clothes, backpacks and Kleenex.
Less time in the classroom
Trends and forecasting show that students will likely be spending less time in the classroom this fall. Whether that means a combination of in-home and remote learning remains to be seen and will likely be based on public health guidelines and the health of individual communities and districts. Regardless, families with young children will be facing new hurdles and might need to be more flexible and better prepared for childcare options. For many working parents, the end of year school closures meant months of juggling working from home and teaching their kids. Should schools remain closed throughout the fall, these parents will continue to have to adjust their work schedules or find more suitable childcare in the interim. If a large daycare center makes you nervous in the face of pandemic living, consider a smaller in-home provider or even a nanny.
Technology at home
With more learning shifting from a classroom to your kitchen table, it might be time to consider a technology upgrade for your home. In the spring, many schools moved homework to an online portal with a mix of Zoom sessions for face-to-face learning. Educational sites like ABCmouse, Hooked on Phonics and Scholastic have also been heavily advertised in recent months to supplement learning, particularly for the early learning crowd. With the extra video streaming that could be in your student’s future, you might need to budget more for your internet data usage. Additionally, if your school doesn’t offer a device for at-home-learning, it could be time to look into your options for a new family computer that doesn’t break the bank, like the HP Chromebook 11 for under $300.
Extracurriculars
Activities outside the classroom have always involved additional expenses for equipment, clothing, etc., but may also bring a new set of challenges this fall. If social distancing guidelines remain in place for extracurricular activities, this could create new hardships for families. Kids may have to supply their own equipment; helmets, bats, etc. And extra practice time may be done in the safety of your own backyard. There are also used sporting goods stores, like Play It Again Sports, where you can pick up those needed items for a lot less money.
No matter what school looks like this fall, students will continue to learn — even if it looks a little unconventional. Be sure to stay in touch with your student’s school for the most up-to-date information on back-to-school procedures.