Beyond the “traditional” season changes, there’s another season that many might forget to prepare for. Even if you don’t regularly decorate for the back-to-school season, it undeniably takes a substantial amount of planning for both your home and daily routine. If you’re not careful, it might come and pass in the blink of an eye.
The school year has begun, and whether your child is in a private school program, homeschooling, or public school, it is time to prepare your home for the new academic year. The back-to-school season is usually a busy season for parents.
If you are a parent who is also a homeowner, addressing certain considerations for both roles will help you get through the season. Here are six tips for parents to make as homeowners when preparing for kids to go back to school.
Look Into School Districts
Realistically, the type and quality level of education you receive is affected by where you live in the country. Where there is a sizable revenue base, educational options abound. When it is low, the available options are reduced. Disparities exist between districts and within schools in the same district.
The system’s reliance on local taxes rather than state and federal funds tilts the scales in favor of rich suburban areas. The revenue base required to afford comparable educational options is lacking in urban districts, which educate a disproportionate number of low-income and minority children.
The laws regulating open enrollment and the procedures that must be followed differ by state and, in certain situations, by the district. Policies are divided into two categories:
Intradistrict
This category allows students to transfer to another school within their home district.
Interdistrict
This category allows students to transfer to a school located outside of their home district.
Regulations governing open enrollment differ by state and may be mandatory, elective, or a combination of the two.
Policies That Must Be Followed
These policies demand that all schools or districts accept transfer students, with some exceptions.
Policies That Are Willingly Selected
These enable districts to opt out of open enrollment, allowing them to enter into transfer agreements with other districts. Some states impose forced open enrollment in low-performing districts, defined areas of the state, or under specific circumstances while allowing voluntary open enrollment in the remainder of the state.
A variety of factors may play a role in parents attempting to avoid open enrollment regulations. In certain cases, families relocate but want their children to continue attending the same school. In other cases, people wish to change schools without relocating. A variety of variables can drive parents.
A family’s decision is typically influenced by a combination of quality, convenience, and extra programming. You may, without a doubt, want to attend a more prestigious university. Perhaps you’d want to stop by the school on your way to work. Maybe you’re looking for extracurricular or academic programs that your child doesn’t have access to at his or her current school or district. Every household may have a different rationale for doing so.
Updating Insurance
While you’re out shopping for school supplies and visiting the pool, don’t forget to arrange any insurance evaluations to get the school year off to a good start. Here are some suggestions to keep you and your family safe.
Auto Insurance
Rushing to get the kids to school on time, driving them to after-school practices and meet-ups, and the increased volume of traffic on the roads once school resumes make now an excellent time to check your coverage limitations and policy conditions.
If your adolescent is turning 16 and getting his or her driver’s license, you’ll need to modify your auto insurance coverage to include an additional young driver.
Health Coverage
The beginning of the school year is frequently accompanied by a list of required vaccinations, vaccines, and annual physicals. While these routine appointments are typically covered, bear in mind that unexpected needs might come up, like catching a cold or suffering a playground bump. To reduce financial hardship from medical expenses, you should ensure that you have the necessary medical insurance in place.
Homeowners Insurance
Certain school-related items may be protected under certain homeowners’ insurance plans, whether you think it or not. With the rising use of pricey technology and gadgets these days, it’s vital to protect your investment, which could include expensive computer systems, laptops, and tablets.
If your college-bound student lives away from campus, you may be able to include coverage for their dorm room belongings. Additionally, this is the time to compare your home and auto insurance quotes to ensure you get the most out of them.
Take Care Driving
Unfortunately, far too many children are killed or injured while walking to and from school. An estimated 40 victims are struck by a vehicle while walking in the United States every day. This corresponds to about 15,000 children being injured each year.
As a parent and homeowner, you should expect greater traffic in your neighborhood as a result of children going to and from school. As a result, you should drive with extreme caution in order to avoid any tragic consequences.
Make Landscaping Repairs
Back-to-school routines, demanding schedules, and landscape changes surround us, and many families find it difficult to find time for lawn care. Maintaining a lawn and garden, on the other hand, is vital.
An unkempt landscape can attract and be home to rodents like squirrels and even dangerous reptiles like the grass snake. Kids walking past your house or across your lawn to get to school can encounter them and either be attacked or contract diseases from coming in contact with them.
There are several aspects to consider when it comes to maintaining a healthy lawn during back to school season.
Remove Any Fallen Leaves Right Away
When the leaves start to fall, it’s time to get the rake out. It is vital to keep track of the leaves. If they build up too much, the wetness and mildew they leave behind can be harmful to your lawn. Weekly raking and gathering will make it simple to keep the grass under control.
Continue Mowing
Lawns should be mowed as usual. You should be able to cut the grass using the lowest blade setting at the end of the season. This allows it to absorb the moisture and nutrients it needs to survive the winter.
Fill In the Blanks
Autumn is an ideal time to seed and fill in bare patches. Debris should be removed, the soil loosened, and seed and fertilizer applied. Make sure it gets plenty of water in the coming weeks. This will ensure that you have lovely grass in the spring.
Redesign Your Outside Area
Autumn is an excellent time to modify your landscape and get everything planted before the ground freezes. Plan how you will implement changes that you were unable to implement this year.
Plant Bulbs in Preparation for Spring
In the next months, bulb planting will be required. As a result, once winter is through, your landscape will burst with color and blossoms.
Create Autumnal Displays
There are a variety of methods for winterizing your landscaping. Mums, pansies, perennials, and ornamental grasses are popular choices. They offer a festive and stunning aspect for your landscape this season combined with vibrant Fall displays of pumpkins, gourds, hay, apple baskets, crates, and corn.
Building a Community
The back-to-school season is a great opportunity for a homeowner parent to build and socialize and get to know their community. Knowing and being a member of your community benefits you in the following ways.
Controls for the Building
The city must authorize all external home alterations. All submissions are reviewed by the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) for compliance with the original community design criteria.
Access to Amenities
Many neighborhoods have exclusive walking paths, recreational facilities, pools, grills, and parks for residents exclusively. Depending on the community, there may be one or two amenities that meet your family’s needs.
Well-kept Common Areas
HOAs frequently keep their common areas and amenities in good condition. This includes clean play areas and well-kept communal rooms, freshly painted walls, functional lighting, and well-kept play places. A nice neighborhood contributes to a nice community.
Regulators and Law Enforcers
Each homeowner in the area is held to the same set of standards for outside maintenance, noise laws, parking restrictions, short-term rental limits, and so on.
Additional Assistance
HOAs frequently collaborate with municipal code enforcement officials when dealing with local property issues.
Affordability
As a result, a well-managed HOA will have funds set aside for future common area repairs and capital improvements, avoiding the need for a special charge.
Property Value Preservation
Homes and common areas are consistently maintained because occupants are bound by deed restrictions. Many homebuyers prefer an HOA because they have a well-kept home in a well-kept neighborhood.
Make Energy Changes
The back-to-school season is a good period to reconsider making energy changes to your home. Now that the kids are off to school, there is no reason to keep your thermostat as high as it normally is when they are around. Turn it down to help save energy and costs.
This also includes installing energy-saving bulbs that are more friendly for the eye, especially since your children will be doing a lot of homework and studying when they are at home.
Bottom Line
Being both a parent and a homeowner during the back-to-school season can be hectic. However, if you follow the tips provided above, you may even benefit from the season. So make sure this back-to-school season proves beneficial for both you and your home!