Back to School Means Back to Routine, Organization

Special Section: Back to School 2009

Getting ready to go back to school is something in which the entire family should participate, requiring everyone to get into the school routine and be organized. Here are some tips to help everyone avoid leaving important tasks until the last minute.

Get organized
• Fill out school information forms when they are sent out and be prepared to turn them in before they are due.
• Keep immunization records where they can be easily found.
• As school emergency contact and health information is updated, check with emergency contacts to make sure they are still available. Keep a copy of these forms to make the update process easier for next year.
• Mark important dates on the calendar. These include Back-to-School Night, parent-teacher conference week and school holidays.
• Keep school newsletters and important papers in a folder and keep it where it can be easily found. An electronic folder will be useful for school-related emails and computer files.
• Talk about the fun things children will be learning and doing and spending time with old and new friends to put a positive spin on going back to school. Try to arrange play-dates with friends from school to re-establish connections or to create new ones.
• Reassure children who are anxious about starting the next grade that other children have these feelings also.
• Do not take big trips right before school starts.

After-School Care
• Confirm after-school care arrangements and make sure each child knows where they are going after school.
• If children will be home alone after school, establish safety rules for locking doors and windows and for answering the door or telephone. Make sure they know who to check in with when they arrive home.

Start the Routine
• After deciding schedules for homework, television, baths, bedtimes and after-school activities, discuss these with each child so they can anticipate the upcoming changes.
• A few weeks before school starts, move bedtimes and wake times back by about 15 minutes per day until the school schedule is established.
• Align meal times with the school year schedule.
• Since many children are allowed to spend more time watching television, surfing the internet and playing video games, put limits on these activities before school starts to align them with the upcoming schedule.
• Institute a “Get Ready the Night Before” policy. Select clothes for the next day and pack the backpack every evening before bedtime. Place backpacks and other items by the front door or in an established place so they will not be forgotten in the morning.
• Be realistic about scheduling so there is enough time to do homework and family activities.

Prioritize activities
• Children: Discuss which extracurricular activities each child will participate in. Children who need encouragement to audition for a play or take ballet class may need to hear the benefits to help them overcome their fears. Since some classes fill up quickly, sign up early to avoid disappointment. Some children need limits, so have them decide their favorites and focus on those to avoid taking on too much.
• Parents: Decide how much time is available to give to the school each month as a volunteer or parent in the classroom, including fundraising events, field trips and school committees.
• The Family: Place a family calendar where each family member can see it and write down their activities.

Prepare for Homework Ahead
• A well-lit, quiet place with a good work surface is important for homework completion and organization. Keep this place dedicated to homework and free from other clutter.
• Establish a regular homework routine. Distractions such as television, radio, phone conversations or the Internet should be limited during homework time. •