Four Weeks Before:
- Order School Uniforms. Depending on how busy they get, Donnelly's may have a back order for certain items. To insure your student(s) have their uniforms for the first day of school, order these sooner rather than later. You can call them directly at 1-800-498-0045 or order on their website. (With free shipping over $200)
- Check-up time: Call your child's pediatrician and make sure they are up-to-date on all of their vaccinations. Your school will need a copy of these records. Click here to find a list of state-required immunizations.
- After-School Fun: Extra-curricular activities like karate, dance and faith formation tend to fill up fast. Check with your local establishments to find out when the deadlines expire for new registrations.
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Create a family calendar which includes school orientation meetings and all events from the academic calendar (I love these image ideas for a "family command center")
- Go through clothing and donate items to goodwill
- Find out about back to school sales in your area (Free site for printable coupons)
- Get the school supplies list from the school or classroom teacher
- Create a family binder (Download a free printable template here) which includes an emergency plan and important contact numbers
- Dedicate a space for school papers and artwork (Great example here)
- Finish school shopping for supplies and clothes
- Make a plan for bed times and rising times (using a sticky note countdown helps students visualize the approaching first day)
- Confirm child care arrangements and develop your routines and rules for morning, after school, and evening
- Decide if a lunch-packing station in your kitchen will help last-minute morning scrambles (Examples here)
- Set up a homework area with proper lighting, flat surfaces and most importantly, it should be a quiet space that allows for concentration
- Talk to kids about school to alleviate any fears and concerns about the first day. For younger children, stories often help and a list can be found here
- Make a menu plan for the first few weeks (Real Simple has a wonderful Back-to-School Food Planner)
- Buy groceries and save money doing it! (Coupons, coupons, coupons)
- Start practicing routines and determine homework times and TV/Electronics rules for after school
- Pick up remaining supplies
- Adjust bedtimes and rising times
- Do a test drive to the new school and pad driving times for traffic or slow drivers
- Wash and iron all clothes & uniforms
- Practice bus stop safety
- Organize you student(s) according to the classroom teacher's instructions
- Buy more supplies as they come up and teachers happily welcome classroom donations of tissues, sanitizing wipes, stickers and new and gently used age-appropriate books
- Put all information on family calendar and in family binder
- Fill out forms and send in lunch money
- Make adjustments and HAVE FUN!!!
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