7 questions about transferring to primary school
1. what initial equipment does my child need?
A school bag with school bag, finches and a gym bag. Trainers are not compulsory. A colouring apron is also recommended. Make sure that the school bag does not exceed ten per cent of the child's body weight. A good backpack should fit snugly on the back and have wide padded straps.
2. can parents have a say in which class a child is placed in?
No. Almost all municipalities have their own allocation formula (gender, age, place of residence or route to school, nationality). Attempts by parents to intervene do not go down well with school headmasters. But nobody can object to a polite question. However, you should think carefully about the justification. «If our child is with her best friend, it will be easier for her to settle in» will hardly be enough.
3 When and how will I receive information about transferring to primary school?
The allocation letters are sent by post, usually at the end of May or beginning of June before the start of the new school year. This letter also contains information about the official day of attendance and other events.
4 How much bureaucracy will we face?
Not a little. The first few weeks until the autumn holidays are packed with various events, invitations to parents' evenings and information events. Your child will also receive invitations to school events and sporting events and numerous other information sheets that need to be completed and signed. There are also parent booklets in which teachers enter important dates - and also check whether the child has handed in the post. All tests must also be signed. Therefore, the motto is: always have a biro to hand!
5 My child is starting first grade in the summer and has a new after-school care place. How can I prepare him/her for this?
The transition to primary school is a big change for parents and children. In order not to overwhelm the little ones, parents are advised to carefully increase the amount of time their child spends at the after-school centre in the afternoon. In the first few weeks, educationalists recommend that children should be picked up in the early afternoon if possible. Working parents should plan ahead: perhaps a grandma, friend or godmother can take over the drop-off and/or pick-up? Plus: Parents whose children have morning or afternoon care should enquire whether the programme really does start on the first day of school.
6. can parents complain about poor grades?
Your child receives their first report card in first grade. However, traditional grades are only awarded in second grade. However, grades are no longer calculated using a calculator, but are instead a holistic expert judgement. Despite this, report card grades continue to antagonise parents and some even call in a lawyer. Although a report can be appealed, it is very rare for appeals to be upheld.
7 What if I don't like the new teacher at all?
For parents, the transition to primary school means one thing above all: having less influence in some things. This may concern the clothes the child wants to wear, the choice of playmates or even the teacher. She may seem like an overly strict governess, but it's best to keep that to yourself. As a rule, children starting school love their teacher. What she says is done, exactly as she says it. But you can still have your say. Interest, sympathy and support from parents are necessary and desirable at school. It is important that parents and teachers work well together. So show an interest in what your child has just experienced and learnt and what they are dealing with. And remember: parents know their child better than teachers, but teachers know more about learning than parents.
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This article is from our special issue «Schöne Schulzeit», which is aimed specifically at parents whose children are about to start primary school. You can order the magazine here , or take a look at the table of contents first.