My Back-to-school Checklist
Even though the first day of school is still 4 weeks away, I have started to make my checklist of things we need to do to get ready for back-to-school. With three kids going to two different schools, it does take some planning and organization or else I will be a nut that last week of summer.
- Check ups and doctor’s notes. My son has his annual physical tomorrow and he will get all of his required shots for entrance into middle school. While I am there I need to get a copy of both of the girls’ shot records, too. I also need to get a doctor’s not for the cafeteria that says my daughter is lactose intolerant and can not be served milk at lunch.
- Backpacks and lunch boxes. For the past two years my kids have been impatient and wanted to buy the first backpack and lunch box we have seen. Needless to say one changed her mind before the backpack was a month old and the other one was so hard on the backpack that it disintegrated by Christmas. As much as I had to admit this, I think I have to splurge on the quality this year.
- School supplies. I have printed out each child’s back to school supplies list and keep it in my purse. I have been picking up a few items at a time and will get anything remaining on the list this coming weekend when our state has its tax free shopping weekend.
- Shoes. Each child will need a new pair of tennis shoes for PE class this fall. I will most likely wait until the last week of summer to pick these up – just to account for the August growth spurts.
- Clothes. School starts in late August and it will still be hot here. The kids can wear their favorite summer outfits for the first month of school and once they have checked out all the fall fashion trends and temperatures start to go down a bit, we will go through the closets and determine what we need.
- Essential Binder. Each year I have a three ring binder that is split into 3 sections. In the front pocket I keep the master school year calendar from the school district. Then each child has a section. I keep important handouts, reminders, and info for each child in there so there is no scrambling to find important papers as the year goes on. I need to get the new one ready.
Do you have a master list or another strategy for staying organized at this time of the year? Share it with us!
Try getting a Jansport backpack. Not only is the quality really great, but they also have a lifetime warranty, so if they tear or the zipper breaks, you can just send it in to be repaired or replaced. I’ve had my Jansport for 3 years and it has survived highschool plus numerous camping and hiking trips.
LL Bean has excellent backpacks and coordinating lunch bags as well. They can be embroidered with designs, animals, initials – whatever. They are virtually indestructable. My 12-year old still has the one she got 5 years ago and uses it for summer rec. They are grouped according to age so the fit is always appropriate. They are 100% guaranteed and you can even create your own online – http://www.llbean.com
I can’t wait until I can start school shopping. All those little clothes and backpacks and paper and such. Good luck with your school shopping. I’m sure it’ll be fun.
Devotionables! Talk about the best weary parent item! I got this box of little helpful notes I can send with my kids all year about being nice to their teacher, doing their best, all that.
My son is in 4th grade, and he’s the only one old enough to read them. I sent them last year with him and he didn’t always say something, but there were a few times we had a quiet moment and he brought it up. One I found in the back pocket of his favorite jeans folded and re-folded. Devotionables gets kids’ attention, and it says everything I want to say and long to tell him when I wake at three in the morning, but don’t have time to write out.
Where do you get them? My daughter says her friend always has them, and she said they were called Devotionables. I googled the name and theres a website, but I don’t know if you can buy them locally and save the shipping.