Mother of three shares her experience preparing for the new school year

In early August, I received a letter from our school with information about which classes my children would attend, along with a list of required school supplies.

Reading the letter reminded me of the first time I sent my children to school in the United States, of our first school year in a new country, among unfamiliar people, without knowing English. It wasn’t easy, but that's probably why I want to share my experience with readers.

Right after moving to Sunset Park, I enrolled the kids in school, the oldest into middle school, the middle one into first grade, and the youngest into kindergarten. We had arrived at the end of October, with no idea what was needed for school, what children wore, or where to buy everything. A friend recommended Target, where we bought backpacks and other supplies, checking off the lists given to me by the schools, the cost rising with each mark.

At least I didn't have to buy uniforms. In Russia they're required and they aren't cheap. I had thought it would be the same in America and was surprised to learn that in public schools regular sweaters, t-shirts, and jeans are enough. We picked up some inexpensive shoes on the way to the checkout line.

“Mom, all the kids have food containers, but I don’t,” my youngest daughter said, when I asked her how her first day went. Schools provide breakfast and lunch, but it turned out almost every other child brought extra food in containers. That same day we went back to Atlantic Terminal to buy containers, lunch bags, and water bottles. Everything seemed so expensive.

That first year was hard, especially for the children. They didn’t understand their teachers or classmates, and there were no other Russian-speaking kids in their classes. Every evening we spent hours doing homework with the help of a translator. First with the oldest, then with the younger ones. Before bed, I read them simple English books. Their cheap shoes quickly deteriorated, and I learned the hard way: In New York, there's a lot of walking and you can't skimp on shoes.

Gradually, they began to understand more, homework went faster, and my oldest eventually managed on his own. I began learning English along with them, and I also learned to choose sneakers based on quality and to buy them in advance during sales.

This year, preparing for school feels much calmer. We already know what expenses to expect and what’s necessary. Still, prices continue to rise, so when I discovered online that in Sunset Park there are back-to-school events organized by community centers, libraries, and churches, where they give away free backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and folders, I decided to attend a few.

The first one took place at Sunset Park, organized by Apex for Youth, which supports children and teens primarily from Asian immigrant families. That day was extremely hot, and the line was long. Before receiving a backpack and supplies, the children had to complete a stamp card, collecting the stamps at different tables hosted by local community organizations including Genspace, The Fresh Air Fund, Mixteca, and Voces Ciudadanas.

Each table had games and activities for kids, and it would have been a wonderful day if not for the blazing sun and the large crowds. After only half an hour, my middle child began to feel sick. We were only able to visit three of the tables before we had to leave, but the Apex organizers ended up giving us the school supplies anyway.

We live near the park, so I brought my daughter home and she soon felt better. Later, the doctor said she had heatstroke.

That was our first experience at such an event. Despite the difficulties, my two youngest were happy to receive their new backpacks.

Still needing supplies for my older son, I saw another announcement: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield was organizing a giveaway on Fifth Avenue, between 53rd and 54th Streets, handing out school kits, sharing information about available medical services, and doing basic health checks.

This time the weather was cooler, with a light breeze, so we went as a family. Again, the line was long, stretching far down the block, and moving slowly. I saw parents waiting patiently with babies and multiple children, as well as other smiling families leaving with new backpacks. It was touching, but after 30 minutes, my kids got tired, and we finally decided to go.

We’ll be able to afford whatever additional supplies we need, but for many families, these events provide much-needed support and I’m grateful they exist. I only wish the organizers were better prepared for the crowds. Too many Sunset Park families truly need help and it made me sad to see so many parents and children waiting for hours in the sun for basic school items.

Each new school year has been like a new chapter for our family. As we prepare for this next chapter to begin, we’ll face each new challenge together. Shiny new backpacks aren’t really what matters. The most valuable part of all this preparation is ensuring our children feel loved and important.