Back-to-School Checklist for Parents

By the last week of August, most kids will have already experienced their first day back to school.  Hopefully, you managed to squeeze in appointments with the pediatrician for those necessary immunizations and school physicals; you successfully completed the scavenger hunt for school supplies; and you survived the annual back-to-school sales and found clothes and shoes that both fit and met with your child’s approval.  Congratulations.

With the big stuff out of the way, take a quick look at this back-to-school checklist that covers some of the finer details.  You just may pick up a tip to add to your annual back-to-school rituals.

Back-to-School Tips

• Make sure your child knows your work and cell phone numbers (as well as your spouse’s) so they can reach you if special circumstances arise (the bus drops them off early, the school must release kids early, etc.).

• Update the records at your child’s school to insure they have the most current contact information, emergency contacts and pertinent medical information.

• Set up a contingency plan in case of an emergency.  Go over the plan with your child so he or she knows what to do if things don’t go according to plan (say something prevents you from meeting them at the bus stop).

• Place an identification label on the inside of your child’s backpack with his or her name, address and telephone number.  Include an “in case of emergency” tag with contact information and any pertinent health information or allergies.  For safety reasons, never put your child’s name or a luggage tag on the outside of the backpack where a stranger could read it.

• Since many backpacks look alike, have your child add an embellishment or distinguishing mark to the front of the backpack that will help to easily identify it.  (How about a stencil or iron on patch?).

• Keep a large Ziploc baggie or a water-resistant envelope in your child’s backpack to slip over text books or library books on those rainy days.

• Purchase a plastic folder (so it holds up to the use) to keep in your child’s backpack. Ask your child to use it to transport homework and signed papers to school and graded papers or assignments back home.  For the organizationally-challenged child, it will help to eliminate lost and crumpled papers. 

• Label your child’s belongings, including clothing, lunchbox, notebooks and supplies.  Order clothing labels that can be ironed or sewn inside your child’s school clothes or uniforms, especially in raincoats or outerwear that may be removed during the school day.  There are many sites that sell clothing labels online.  For a U.S. supplier that sells basic labels at a great price, check out Barrett Labels.  You can purchase 50 labels that can be sewn or ironed on (whatever your preference), with two lines of copy (name & phone number) for as little as $8.00.  Shipping is free.  Or if you have several offspring coming up the ranks, look into the Label Maker by Brother® .  You can purchase tape by the roll, either fabric tape perfect for labeling uniforms, school clothes or camp bedding, or clear tape to label lunch boxes, pantry items, storage bins, books and other stuff.  And of course, you can’t beat the good ole Sharpie permanent marker; write you child’s name or initials on the tags in their clothing, and on notebooks and school supplies.

• Look up your child’s school schedule on the web site.  Transfer the important dates like early release days, holidays, vacations and special school events onto the family calendar and your personal calendar or Day-Timer so you can plan ahead for daycare or time off.

• While you’re on the school web site, look up the email address for your child’s teacher, save it in your address book and type up a short note to introduce yourself.  If your child’s teacher has your email address handy, it will be easy to keep you informed of your child’s progress or any issues that come up during the year.  And you’ll also be prepared should you need to reach the teacher for any reason.

• If you didn’t already take a photo of your child on the first day back-to-school, arrange with your child (when he or she is ready to wear their first day outfit again) to recreate the photo opportunity.  Or shoot a short video interview (or record their answers for their scrapbook) and ask your child a few questions like, “What grade are you in this year?  Who is your teacher? What is your favorite color? What is your favorite subject? What do you like to do when you’re not in school?  What do you want to be when you grow up?” Repeat this practice again next year and make it your annual back-to-school tradition.  It’ll be fun for you and your child to look back and observe the changes in their clothing, hairstyles and preferences as they grow from year-to-year.

Parents, do you have any great back-to-school tips to share?  Your tips and comments are welcomed!  Check back for more in my series on organizing your home for back-to-school: setting up a family communications center, organizing your entry or hall, and setting up a homework area for your child.

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