MANAGING BACK-TO-SCHOOL EXPENSES

 
Planning & Budgeting

How soon should budgeting begin?

q       For parents with children who will attend school for the first time as well as those who will start a new grade in the new school term, budgeting should begin at least two to three months prior to the new term or as soon as the last term ends.

q       The reason for this is, everything the child needs to start school will take money. Parents have to spend some time to analyze their financial situation, so as to determine where to source the funds to finance these needs or where to source the items themselves, so as to minimize expenses, and therefore save.

How will parents & caregivers know what to plan and budget for?

q       Normally, when a child registers for a new school, the parent is normally supplied with a booklist as well as a list of other needed supplies, including the style (fabric type and colour) and accessories needed for the school uniform, for example, ties, belts, badges, etc; gears for physical education. Also, parents are informed of the amount to be paid for school fees as well as the due date and where to pay it.

q       Notation is usually made on these lists of what is available at the school, on sale, on rental, or at no cost to the parent. Parents are encouraged to develop a close relationship with the school’s Guidance Counselor or Principal, and to ask a lot of questions, especially when things are not expressly stated or outlined in any document provided by the child’s school.

q       Usually, if the parent expresses any difficulty meeting any of the child’s school expenses, school officials will offer advice as to what avenues are available to them to ease their financial burdens, whether by the school itself or by the government.

q       The Bible says, “...many advisors make victory sure...” Parents are therefore further encouraged to seek advice from other parents they know, whose child attends/ed that same school or are in a similar grade at another school. This may result in a further benefit, as they may be able to access some second hand books and supplies from these individuals.

Important Back to School Expenses Parents Should Consider

Having conducted their research, parents must sit down and write a list of all known expenses. It is also important to set aside some funds for unforeseen needs, so as to offset any expense that may arise during the year, that were not considered in the original budget plan. Items must also be prioritized on a need and not want basis.

IMPORTANT Expenses to consider prior to September:

Ø      School Fees

Ø      School Supplies

·     Text Books

·     Pencils, pens, notebooks and papers, bags, folders

Ø      Uniforms and other apparel, including shoes, socks, clips, ribbons, belts, badges, sports gears, etc.

Ø      Medical Examinations.

Daily Back-to school expenses include:

Ø      Transportation

Ø      Meals – lunch and snacks

Ø      Incidentals:

·     Field Trips

·     Extra Lessons

·     Medical protection

·     School supplies (items not noted on the booklist, maybe overlooked by parents or teachers)

 
Tips on Minimizing Back-to School Expenses

School Fees

v     If you are faced with difficulties in paying fees, you can apply for financial assistance under the Government’s Cost Sharing program. Here is how it works:

q      Inform the school’s Principal or Guidance Counselor of your inability to pay.

q      You will be issued a form made available by The Ministry of Education. Fill out the form, stating your income and expenditure.

q      When completed, the form must be taken to a Justice of the Peace or Pastor to be signed.

q      Return the form to the school, and if you are employed, take a letter from your employer, stating how much you earn.

q      The school will then forward the application to the Ministry of Education on your behalf, and will update you on its progress and final outcome.

v     At the University level, students may qualify for scholarships or bursaries. Information on such opportunities can be accessed from the institution’s Administration Department or its Website.

School Textbooks and Other Supplies

v     Text Books

q      Utilize the school’s book rental scheme.

q      Source second books from family and friends, as well as from stores set up for this specific purpose.

q      Find out if there are any arranged book exchange programs or book drives in your community, church or child’s school. If there aren’t, arrange one!

q      Utilize the Consumer Affairs Commission’s annual School Textbook Survey results to assist you in ascertaining where the cheapest books are available in your parish or town. Be a wise and informed consumer and practice good Comparative Shopping..

q      When books are purchased, ensure that they are wrapped, kept in good condition and that no permanent marks are made in them. This way, you can sell or exchange them next term, thus reducing next year’s back to school expenses.

v     Uniforms & other apparel

q      Some schools make ready-made uniforms available on sale to their students. This may prove less expensive than buying the fabric and accessories and having the garments made by a professional dressmaker. Compare the cost of both ventures and choose the most inexpensive option.

q      New uniforms are not required every new term or school year. Some uniforms can be dyed, lengthened or otherwise repaired, and restored to a good enough condition to be worn in the new term.

q      Take advantage of bargains. Buy multiple quantities of items that the child may need further down in the year. If you purchase two pairs of shoes, pants or shirts, buy the second pair a size or two larger, as the child may grow by the time he or she is ready to use these items.

q      Additionally, parents can take advantage of deals if they pool with friends who have children of similar age. If you purchase in bulk, especially on items such as exercise books, pens, pencils etc., you will be able to save some money

Medical Expenses

q      Local Clinics are usually less costly than private doctors. Parents are advised to utilize the services of the Clinics in their communities for the purpose of medical examinations, dental and optical check ups, as well as medical reports.

Transportation

Parents must consider a number of factors in order to determine how much to budget for this expense, including the following:

·        Location of the child’s school from home and work.

·        The age and intellect of your child

·        What modes of transportation are available and the cost for each.

·        Whether or not the school or any independent party offers a school bus program

·        Whether there are any teachers or parents, who live in your neighborhood and drive to or past your child’s school

·        Whether there is an existing car pool amongst the parents in your neighbourhood.

These factors and their related costs will determine whether you will allow your child to travel to school on his or her own, take your child to school yourself by your own motor vehicle or public transportation, pay someone you trust to drop off and pick them up or entrust them to a parent or teacher in your area who travels to his or her school daily.

Meals

q      Consider your child’s age, health and daily nutritional needs

q      Find out what are the lunch facilities offered at your child’s school and the daily cost

q      Work out how much it would cost you to provide the child’s lunch and snacks daily

q      Compare the cost of both options, balance it with your child’s age, health and nutrition needs, and choose the best option for your child’s well being.

q      In this instance, what’s cheapest is not always best. Do not compromise on your child’s health and nutrition. You can find a balance by ensuring that they have, for example, a cooked lunch from home or school, but snacks could be a light, low cost junk food, such as biscuits or chips.

Incidentals

q      No matter how much you plan, you will always overlook something. To ensure that you have funds to cover these unexpected expenses, parents are being advised to put aside some money in an account for this purpose. This may reduce the likelihood of you spending the money and you will be saving and earning money on your deposit. If nothing else, you will be practicing good money management.

 
SHOPPING AND CARING FOR SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES

FACTORS PARENTS NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN ACQUIRING SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS

q       Plan your shopping routes carefully to avoid spending an entire day or days trying to get school supplies

q       Parents should remember to take the child’s book list with them to the store. This will assist them in getting the correct book and will prevent many possible trips back to the store

q       Before writing the child’s name in the book, try and ensure that you have the correct copy of the book. Check the edition, author and the publisher’s name given on the book list

q       And when purchasing notebooks try to get those with hard covers, as these tend to last longer.

HOW PARENTS CAN ENSURE THAT THEIR CHILDREN TAKE CARE OF THEIR TEXT BOOKS

After you have made your purchase and you are satisfied that it is correct, consider doing the following towards preserving the condition of the books.

q       Wrap books to safeguard and preserve them

q       Encourage children to care their books, bags and uniforms

q       When it rains, place books in plastic bags before placing them in the school bag

q       Encourage children to place their bags in a safe place during play as this can prevent possible theft

q       Promote the use of book markers to discourage children from bending the leaves of books

q       And discourage children from making permanent marks in the texts as they can be resold or traded.

HOW PARENTS CAN ACCESS AND USE THE RESULTS OF THE CAC’s SCHOOL TEXTBOOK SURVEY TO INFORM THEIR DECISIONS IN PURCHASING BOOKS

q       In addition to information on price, the results of the School Text Book Prices 2004 survey seeks to provide information as to the availability of books, island wide.

q       This survey can assist parents in planning their shopping route so that they’ll know which books can be purchased at which store at the lowest prices, within a particular region.

HOW DO PARENTS GO ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF ACQUIRING UNIFORMS FOR THEIR CHILDREN FOR THE NEW SCHOOL TERM?

q       Firstly, what parents need to realize before purchasing new uniforms, is that this may not always be necessary. Do not put unwarranted pressure on yourself to make unnecessary purchases. It would be good to examine the condition of the ones the child has now to see if they fit and are in a condition where they can still be worn. Based on this, parents could then decide on the quantity that will be needed.

q       Some schools may have an arrangement in place to supply uniforms

q       However if it is not compulsory to purchase from these sources, it is important to compare prices i.e. whether it would be cheaper to have it made by a dressmaker or tailor. Purchasing ready-made may be more convenient but not always economical

q       Identify a dressmaker or tailor who can make the uniforms to the school’s specifications and delivers on time. In which case, it would be necessary to get a pattern from the school and provide them with it as a guide.

q       It would be good to also consult a dressmaker or tailor to find out about measurements as to how much material you may need. Find out the necessary width of the material in relation to the measurements given

q       Take this information with you and upon identifying suitable material ask about its width, for example whether it is 60 or 45 inches wide. The width will determine how much length you will need to purchase.

q       When purchasing the material make sure that it is not damaged and make sure that you retain the receipt for any purchases made.

q       If you have to return to the store for additional quantities, it would be good to take a sample to ensure that you purchase the same texture and shade of the material.

q       Whether you make ready-made purchases or you take your material to the dressmaker, ensure that:

(1)   Buttons are sewn on strongly

(2)   Zips work easily

(3)   There is a seam allowance and

(4)   That there are no loose threads to make the clothes appear untidy

FOR THOSE PARENTS WHO CAN’T AFFORD TO BUY, THEY CAN CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING TO ENSURE THAT THIS DOES NOT PREVENT THEM FROM SENDING THEIR CHILDREN OUT TO SCHOOL IN A CLEAN SUIT OF UNIFORM EVERYDAY:

q       Depending on the child’s age and the state of the uniform when the child gets home, the uniform could be examined to determine whether or not it could be worn for another day. It is advisable that tops and light coloured uniforms are not worn more than once.

q       If the child has two or three uniforms, they could be rotated by washing the set worn on Monday on Tuesday and so on, so as to avoid having to wash and iron the day before they are needed.

q       For parents who can only afford one uniform initially, it would be good to make an effort to remedy this as soon as possible as apart from posing difficulties in terms of preparing for each wear, frequent washing will lead to it quickly becoming worn out.

FACTORS PARENTS SHOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN PURCHASING SHOES & BAGS

q       It is highly important to avoid impulse shopping and ensure that shoes are of the highest quality workmanship. Look to see whether bottoms are lifting and whether sections are properly attached.

q       Parents, try not to be fooled into believing that “name brand” shoes are always of better quality than certain brands, which may not be as popular. Caregivers should insist on comfort and durability rather than style.

q       Additionally, you should make sure that shoes are in compliance with the school’s guidelines before purchasing them, by checking what colours and styles are allowed.

q       Purchase shoes in which the child can grow. As such, ensure that they do not fit too closely. If two pairs are purchased to take advantage of a bargain or sale, ensure that the second pair is one or two sizes larger.

q       The same consideration should be given when buying bags because you may be tempted to go with how fancy the bag looks rather than how practical and durable it is.

q       One thing parents could do is to re-enforce the bags before the child begins using it by taking it to a shoemaker, dressmaker or tailor for extra stitches to be added at those areas which are normally the first to start pulling apart.

 
GENERAL HEALTH & SAFETY TIPS

Physical & Mental Health

Ensure that the Child is Mentally and Psychologically Prepared / Cultivate Positive Attitudes

q       Be sensitive to the anxieties (if any) of the child who is going to school for the first time. Going to school for the first time is a milestone. It is a time of great change in many ways and a time of separation. Prepare the child (and yourself) for these changes.

q       Encourage positive thoughts and attitudes to school and the school environment.

q       Have reasonable expectations of your children, bearing in mind their ability.

q       Help the child to get into a routine in preparation for school sufficiently before the school year starts - getting to bed on time, familiarizing self with supplies, textbooks, etc.

q        The child needs to know his home address and telephone number; write these details in clothes, shoes, lunch pans, etc.

Pack lunch for your child

q       Get into the habit of packing lunch for your child. In this way, a balanced and healthier meal may be provided. Encourage the child to assist you in preparing lunch.

Arrange for medical examinations

q       Medical examinations prior to the new academic year will provide a healthy start for your child.

q       Parents should ensure that vaccinations are up-to-date.

q       An eye examination may also prove most beneficial to a child who may be having undetected vision problems.      

 
IMMUNISATION……HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT?

In the upcoming school year, parents need to recognize the importance of Immunisation and how it can protect children against the following diseases:

q       Tetanus, also called lockjaw is a painful disease that can cause death, especially in newborn babies.

q       Tuberculosis or TB commonly affects the lungs. It is very contagious but can be prevented.

q       Diphtheria is a dangerous and contagious disease that kills many young children who have not been immunized against it. It starts in the throat and can prevent the child from breathing.

q       Whooping Cough, which is called Pertussis, affects babies under three months old. The cough causes the baby to make a “whooping” sound as he/she struggles to breath.

q       Measles is often thought to be a harmless childhood disease, but it can cause serious problems for a child. The illness is very contagious and is especially dangerous for children under five years old.

q       Poliomyelitis, commonly called polio, attacks the nervous system. Anyone who catches polio can be crippled for life, or can die from the disease.

q       Rubella also called “German Measles”, may cause death in an unborn child, mental retardation, loss of hearing or eyesight as well as other birth defects.

q       Mumps is caused by a virus that affects the gland in the neck and painful swelling of the scrotum in boys.

The CAC urges parents to inform themselves about immunisation, by asking questions, such as what will the vaccine do, what are the side effects if any, how might your child be affected. Parents need to know that while the benefits of vaccine out weigh the risks, for some children, there is still some level of risks that you still need to discuss with your child’s doctor. Find out how vaccines work, what are the risks and what are your choices.

RISKS:

q       One risk is that the body may have minor allergic reactions to the vaccines or its components. These include local swelling at the point of injection, a slight rash and fever, although these are rear.

q       Another concern is that some people may not develop immunities even after the vaccine is given. For these and other concerns parents should make a priority to consult their child’s physician.

Safety Issues

q       Parents must teach children their full names, i.e., the parents’ names and the child’s own name. Make a special effort not to use pet names, as this may confuse your child.

q       Also, teach children the name of their street and full address.

q       Teach them the route to and from school.

q       Have a specific person or persons who pick up your child. Someone you both know and trust. Introduce these persons to your child’s teacher. If someone else other than these persons is to pick your child, inform the child and his or her teacher.

q       Write emergency information in the child’s bag and in certain books, including your contact numbers, address and any other important details, for example, the child’s allergies or special illness.

q       Develop a good relationship with the child’s teacher, and discuss these details with him or her, so that they will know exactly what you want them to do in case of an emergency.

q       Teach your child safety tips such safe routes, the road code, i.e., how to cross the street using the pedestrian crossing, not running across the road, walking and facing oncoming traffic, not playing in the road, etc.

q       Teach your child whom they can trust to ask for assistance. Help them to develop a healthy perspective of and a good relationship with the Police.

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