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Post by Maria and John on Jun 25, 2012 11:10:05 GMT
Dear KSA Families, We are getting close to our move date and hoping there is someone there to answer a few questions. I have read a lot about what type of household ideas to bring, but I am hoping to find out what families of four little children under the age of 8 truly need to survive the first few weeks. 1. We are coming in August to Dhahran. We just went through a heat wave of 98 degrees and my children (ages 7months, 4, 6 and 8 yrs) pointed out that it is much hotter in KSA. What do you do with your kids on those hot summer days? Will we be stuck inside? 2. Is there a way to contact teachers before the school year begins? 3. If we stayed in the U. S., my son was assigned books to read for 3rd grade. Are there any required books that I should have my son read? 4. School supplies will soon hit the stores and are cheap here. Does anyone have a list of required supplies for pre-schoolers, first and third graders? 5. What do the children typically wear to school? T-shirts/shorts or khaki pants/polo shirts? 6. When we arrive my 7 month old will need her vaccinations. Is there a local pediatricians or do I need to take her to the hospital? 7. My children have never flown before. When we arrive in KSA, will they be able to keep their lovies (stuffed animals)? We heard that we can’t bring stuffed animals. 8. I have a son who cannot drink cow milk. Do the stores carry soy milk? 9. What type of baby formula is available in the local store? Thank you in advance for your advice,
Maria
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Post by vpainter on Jun 27, 2012 5:25:22 GMT
Welcome to Aramco! There will be many people on the forum able to answer your questions.
I will yield to those with kids in school to answer your questions regarding school.
You will choose a pediatrician for your children after arrival. You will go to the specialties clinic to see your pediatrician inside DHA. You will take the kids to the vaccine clinic to receive their vaccination. It will all be convenient for you inside camp.
Yes, your kids can have their stuffed animals. We used UHaul dish barrel boxes for luggage. When you first come, bring excess baggage and get reimbursed for the fees after you arrive. Pack a box for each child with all their favorite toys. We brought all 3 of our children's stuffed animals with us, plus all their clothes. 5 of us came with 7 boxes and 5 suitcases. Some just use the boxes, no suitcases. Check the airline website, some allow your second checked luggage be 70lbs instead of 50. Also, flying business class you can have two and bring a 3rd as excess. Aramco will take care of getting everything you bring to your new home, so don't worry about having too much luggage.
Yes, soy milk is available in the commissary.
If you arrive prior to school starting you can go to the school, the teachers will be there each day.
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Post by Hadia on Jun 27, 2012 7:07:17 GMT
Maria, congratulations on your big life adventure. We arrived last summer with three children, just prior to the start of the school year. VPainter has given you some good advice. I will PM you specific additional info about your questions, as my kids are all school age. In fact, we may likely run into each other at school next year. I have kids who will be in 1st and 3rd grades, too. Welcome! 8)
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Post by nhpav on Jun 27, 2012 14:56:05 GMT
o vpainter/others
We (family of 4) are on the same boat of moving to Dhahran possiblly (wating for visa) in August. regarding excess luggage, I need some information.. our relocation guide says you have to pay for extra luggage, So does Aramco reimburse you for extra 1/2 check in luggage?. If yes, That will be a great.
Thanks..this forum rocks..gives me most of the information I need.
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Post by Maria and John on Jun 28, 2012 2:27:24 GMT
Thank you Hadia You are a life saver. I am so overwhelemed with packing up the house and saying good bye to all of our friends.
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Post by vpainter on Jun 30, 2012 5:52:15 GMT
Nhpav,
Unless you are taking cash-in-lieu of shipping, Aramco will reimburse your excess baggage fees. You will have to pay them first. Then submit the receipts for reimbursement after you arrive. Do clarify this with your relocation agent, in case it has changed since we arrived.
Hopefully, new arrivals will chime in here with their experience.
welcome to Aramco!
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Post by swarovskigem on Jul 3, 2012 0:31:47 GMT
o Everyone, We will be arriving at the Dhahran compound in less than two weeks. We are hoping that we'll find a good nursery/daycare for our 2.5 yr old daughter (she loves to socialize). Can anyone tell me if there is a store close by where we can find household stuff like appliances and linen?? Also, I am a tad apprehensive as to when we'll get our iqamas and multiple entry/exit visa since we're arriving just a few days before Ramadan. Do you know if there is a way to expedite the process??
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Post by gareth0127 on Jul 14, 2012 14:50:41 GMT
FYI it is rumoured that all nurseries, pre-schools and day cares will be closed down this summer!
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Post by Maria and John on Jul 15, 2012 20:17:53 GMT
Hi again...thank you all for the help.
As I begin to pack I have 2 battery operated jeeps that my 4 and 6 year old drive around. They don't go very fast. Do the children in the camp have these kinds of toys?
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Post by vpainter on Jul 18, 2012 15:00:11 GMT
I have seen a couple. The kids are not allowed to ride them on the streets, but I have seen them in yards and on the sidewalks and driveways.
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Post by turnervs on Jul 18, 2012 21:53:37 GMT
Dhahran Hills School 2012-2013 School Supply List K4 1 box Wet Wipes 1 box Ziploc bags (1 gallon size) 1 box Ziploc bags (1 quart size) 1 box Mr. Sketch WASHABLE markers, 12 count Hand Sanitizer (girls) 1 package small paper plates (boys) 1 roll Bounty paper towels KINDERGARTEN 2 boxes Faber-Castell brand colored pencils (12 count) 5 large UHU glue sticks – 40 g 1 box Fiddle Stick or Bipunta brand thin markers 1 box gallon size Ziploc brand bags 1 box quart size Ziploc brand bags 1 box Mr. Sketch washable markers (12 count) 1 box Prang brand Watercolors (8 colors) 1 Crayola School Glue 4 oz. (no clog tip) 1 pkg. Boardmark #J04 dry erase markers (4 count) Expo brand only 1 Fiskar brand children’s scissors-round tips I 4 oz. bottle Elmer’s Glue 1 Clorox Wipes (35 ct. or more) GRADE 1 2 boxes Crayola or Prang skinny crayons (24 count) 1 box Mr. Sketch watercolor markers (12 count) 1 box Fiddle Stick or Bipunta brand thin markers 2 boxes Faber-Castell colored pencils (24 count) flat tin 1 (3-4 pack) 3”X3” post it notes 2 fine point Sharpie pens (not ultra fine) 6 large UHU glue sticks 3 Faber-Castell brand erasers 1- 12” clear ruler (cm/in) 2 pkg. Boardmark #J04 dry erase markers (4 count) Expo Brand only 1 Fiskar brand children’s scissors- round tips 3 boxes or 24 each Berol or Faber-Castell No. 2 pencils (24 count) GRADE 2 3 dozen No. 2 pencils 3 erasers (Pink Pearl, Eberhard or Faber-Castell brand) 1 box Faber-Castell colored pencils (24 count) 1-12” clear ruler (cm/in) 1 box Crayola crayons (24 count) 1 box Mr. Sketch watercolor markers (12 count) 3 large UHU glue sticks – 40 g 2 Black Sharpies 1 pr. 6” Fiskar brand pointed scissors 1 pkg. Boardmark #J04 dry erase markers-chisel tip (Expo brand only) 1 enclosed pencil sharpener 1 4 oz. bottle Elmer’s Glue Post Its (12 ct) 3x3 inch Post Its (12 ct) 1 3/8 inch x 1 7/8 inch GRADE 3 4 dozen No. 2 pencils 4 Faber-Castell erasers 1 spiral notebook (8 X 10½) wide ruled, single subject-US style 1 box Mr. Sketch watercolor markers (12 count) 1-12” ruler (cm/in) 2 pocket folders 1 box colored pencils (12 count) Dry erase board markers (set of 4 thin) 1 pr 6” scissors 3 large UHU glue sticks 1 highlighter (any color) GRADE 4 3 dozen No.2 pencils 1 vinyl Faber-Castell eraser 1 pkg. of 4 gel pens (standard colors) 3 pkg. paper (3 hole punched, U.S. style, wide-ruled, 100 sheets/pkg) 2 large UHU glue sticks -21 g 2 pkg. of 4 dry erase markers 1 box Crayola or Faber-Castell colored pencils (24 count) 2 highlighters (any color) 1- 12” ruler (cm/in) 1 pair 6” pointed scissors 1- 3 ring binder with inside pockets (1½ ” wide) 1 pack binder dividers w/tabs (8 pack) 3 Post It Notes (3 x 3) 6 Post It Notes ( 1 ½ x 2) 1 pkg. felt fine tip markers (4 colors) Crayola quality 1- 4 GB Flash Drive Memory Stick with necklace ** (Sandisk, Kingston etc – no generics please) GRADE 5 5 dozen No. 2 pencils 2 highlighters 2 red or green medium point pens 2 blue or black medium point pens 4 vinyl erasers 4 pkgs. paper (3 hole-punched, U.S.-style, wide- ruled, 100-sheets/pkg.) 2 medium glue sticks 1 pr scissors 1 geometry set 1 box colored pencils (24 count) 1 pencil pouch 1-12” ruler (cm/in) 1 -3 ring binder( good quality such as Trapper Keeper) 5 -3 prong pocket folders (5 DIFFERENT colors) 1 pkg. 3 ring plastic binder dividers with pockets (minimum 5/pk) 2 spiral notebooks (single subject) 6 Post It Notes 2 pkg. lined index cards (3”x5”) total of 200 1- 4 GB Flash Drive Memory Stick with necklace ** (Sandisk, Kingston etc – no generics please)
PLEASE NOTE: Students in Grades 3 & 4 are also required to purchase a recorder. These are available at the Hills student store for SR 36. ** Memory Sticks will be purchased or provided separately by parents. These items will not be included in the commissary supply bags as many families already have them.
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Post by Maria and John on Jul 20, 2012 1:52:54 GMT
Thanks for the supply list. Just in time!
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Post by KSE on Aug 9, 2012 2:35:20 GMT
Hi Hadia, my family of five is also scheduled to arrive at the end of August, and I would love the same information either sent to me by PM or posted - I saw the questions here and was so anxious to see the full reply to answer many of my inquiries about school. (my boys will be in Grades one, Six and Seven and are eager to know more about dress code and other details). Thanks so much in advance.
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