Making the transition from the long, relaxed days of summer back to the classroom can be tough when you are also pursuing a career for your child.   And with schools across the country starting earlier than in past years (some are starting next week!), we may be caught off guard with how much there is to do - both within our child's entertainment career and his/her school career.

Industry professionals across the board agree that education is paramount, and therefore should remain your top priority on and off set. Here are some tips for making the back-to-school transition for your showbiz kid a little less stressful for all involved:

Step One: Communicate with your child's school.  Meet with your teacher and let him/her know that your child is a working actor. Find out what the school's policy is for absence due to employment.  In California, for example, pupil attendance laws allow children holding permits only five absences of up to five days each (25 days max) for entertainment industry employment.  If you miss more than that, you may be asked to dis-enroll from the school.

Step Two: Make a "to-go" box full of supplemental educational materials so you are prepared for last-minute calls when school has already closed for the day.  In addition to basic items like extra paper and pencils, you will also need age-appropriate workbooks and flashcards.  It is important for you to know where your child stands academically so that the three hours spent with the studio teacher on set is time well spent.  Remember, the studio teacher does not provide curriculum and school supplies for your child.  Read more about Studio Teacher requirements. 

Step Three:  Know the laws in your state. For example, many states, including California, have laws that require you to get permission (work permits) from school authorities prior to starting work on set.  Be sure your child is maintaining a "satisfactory" or better average as permission to work is not normally granted to children with below satisfactory grades. Read more about the laws in your state. 

In addition to the above, our KidStart Program has lots of tips for being prepared on the job. 

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