(By Allison Perkins) Moving is daunting. For a kid, transferring schools can be downright traumatic, even for those who have PCS’d multiple times. In our house, with two children enrolled in special education programs for medical reasons, a PCS can mean extra challenges. Will they have the classes necessary to meet our daughter’s needs? Will they have staff members that understand her medical condition? Will they care?
As you pack for your upcoming PCS, don’t forget to set aside the documents necessary for a smooth school transition.
The Military Child Education Coalition’s website has a great checklist of items that parents should not only make sure the school they just left sends, but that the school they are entering receives. Check out their list below or visit their website at www.militarychild.org.
Sending School Checklist
- Course Description Book
- School Profile
- Attendance and Tardy Records
- Report Card
- Current Schedule
- Withdrawal Grades
- Transcript/Course History (with grading system)
- Class Rank
- Cumulative Folder
- Testing Information – Standardized Test Scores, End of Course Test Scores, Competency Test Scores
- Health Records (including Shot Records)
- Birth Certificate
- Social Security Number
- Activities Record (such as co/extracurricular)
- IEP/504/Gifted Records
- JROTC Records
- Guardianship/Custody Papers
- Fees Owed
- Alternative Schools Records
- Letters of Recommendations (especially for senior students)
- Writing Samples (if available)
- At-Risk or Action Plans for classroom modifications (if available)
- Portfolios (if available)
- Accelerated Reader Points (if available)
- Service Learning Hours (if available)
Receiving School Checklist
- Course Description Book
- School Profile
- Attendance and Tardy Records
- Report Card Current Schedule
- Withdrawal Grades
- Transcript/Course History (with grading system, and Class Rank)
- Cumulative Folder
- Testing Information – Standardized Test Scores, End of Course Test Scores, Competency Test Scores
- Health Records (including Shot Records and Birth Certificate)
- Social Security Number
- Activities Record (such as co/extracurricular)
- IEP/504/Gifted Records
- JROTC Records
- Guardianship/Custody Papers
- Fees Owed
- Alternative Schools Records
- Letters of Recommendations (especially for senior students)
- Writing Samples (if available)
- At-Risk or Action Plans for classroom modifications (if available)
- Portfolios (if available)
- Accelerated Reader Points (if available)
- Service Learning Hours (if available)
- Proof of Residency/Military Orders
Cathy, a previous sub wife and one of our amazing social media team, related a story about what she referred to as “The Binder.” When PCSing from Washington, she made multiple copies of important documents and organized them in color-coded sections of the binder. “Even the moving crew and extended family came to joke about The Binder,” said Cathy. “It was our first major move with a school-aged child, and I felt clueless. It brought order to a chaotic time. I didn’t have to wonder where I stuck something or worry that papers would be damaged or lost in the move.” She said registering for school at their new duty station was a snap. “They would say ‘You wouldn’t happen to have a copy of …’ and I would flip through my binder and whip it out. I would bet I am still referred to as “The Binder Lady.”
Have you had some challenges registering your child after a PCS or been surprised by a request for a document? Share your experiences with us and help other military families have a smoother time.
Also, as you are preparing for that ever important first day of school, qualifying families can sign up to receive free school supplies from Operation Homefront as part of the annual Back-to-School Brigade. Find your local chapter at www.operationhomefront.net and watch for more information in July!