The Foreign Service Journal, June 2022

80 JUNE 2022 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT supporting parents’ search for quality education for their children. • Once you’ve decided on a school, or narrowed it down to a few, find enrollment requirements on their web- sites. Admissions processes can vary by district, so start early and make sure you have everything you need. Make sure not to miss enrollment application dead- lines. If you run into enrollment issues in the DMV, please reach out to GCLO’s Education and Youth team at GCLOAsk- Education@state.gov for guidance. “It’s More Than Academics”: Other Considerations Although short- and long-term aca- demic planning is important, it is not the only factor parents need to consider when moving back to the U.S. public school system. Just like when moving overseas, parents and students must look at the school environment and how a child would fit there. Managing both your and your chil- dren’s expectations for their re-entry is a big part of the process and ultimate success. It may look very different from their adjustments to life at post over- seas. Communicating often and listen- ing are key to ensuring that you are truly hearing their concerns, desires, goals, fears and hopes for a new school. Remember that they are the ones who will be there every day, five days a week. Resources and Services Although the unknown can be daunting, the good news is that there is a lot of support in the FS community. Managing both your and your children’s expectations for their re-entry is a big part of the process and ultimate success.