Moms Talk Q&A: Are You Ready for Back-to-School?

The (BUSD) school year starts Wednesday August 17.  This is probably more exciting for parents than it is for kids. The complete school district 2011/2012 school calendar can be found on the district's website.

There are five major steps for getting ready for school:

1. Break the news. Let your kids know that school begins in just over two weeks. Be prepared for emotions ranging from shock to elation. If bed times have been extended over the summer, now is a good time to start gradually making them earlier.

2. Immunizations. Make sure your child's immunizations are up to date. This is the first year that 7th through 12th grade students are required to have the . 

3. New enrollment. New students can be enrolled at each school site by appointment only starting this week. Visit the BUSD website for more information.

4. Registration (which is different than enrollment). Continuing students and newly enrolled students can be registered on the BUSD website and the following walk-in registrations times are available:

Elementary Students – All grades:

• August 9 from 2pm-6pm

• Call your school or visit the your school's website for more information.

Middle School Students - by Grade:

• sixth grade, August 12 from 10am-1pm

• seventh and eighth grades, August 12 from 4pm-7pm

• All grades on August 15 from 5pm-7pm

Benicia High School Students - by Last Name:

• A to L, August 11 from 9am-12pm and 3pm-6pm

• M to Z, August 12 from 9am-12pm and 3pm-6pm

Liberty High School Students- by Grade:

• 10th-11th grades, August 9 from 2pm-4pm

• 12th grade, August 9 from 4pm-6pm

5A. Shop for school supplies. Wait until you have the list provided by your school so you don't have to make a second trip. Supply lists can be found on your schools website. In Benicia, supplies can be purchased at Rite Aid, CVS, Raley's and Safeway.

5B. Donate. While buying supplies, consider picking up some extras to donate to the Foster Kids School Supply Drive. Donations of school supplies can be dropped off at Travis Federal Credit Union in Southampton Center and at the .

Good luck and welcome back to school.