Countdown to a New School Year Tips for a successful launch

Before the magic of summer screeches to a halt and the new school year begins, tackle back-toschool errands and tasks gradually to reduce lastminute stress. Use this checklist to start kids out on the right foot and launch them into a great year.

Discuss the upcoming school year. Are the kids excited or nervous? Listen closely to shared feelings and help set goals for the coming year.

Purge last year’s items. Clean out backpacks (if you haven’t already) and toss or recycle worn out or outgrown items. Donate gently used items.

Schedule playdates. If your child is starting a new school or feels uncertain about school, try to connect with other kids in the neighborhood or school community. If your child has already been assigned to a class, seek out families whose children are also in the class.

Read daily. Keep minds sharp by joining a summer reading program—or just read on your own. Whether at bedtime or another time, establish a family routine.

Make health appointments. Schedule eye exams, teeth cleaning, immunizations and sports physicals.

Plan for the unexpected. Designate emergency contacts to add to your child’s school forms (ask permission before writing anyone’s name down). Decide how to manage sick days if your children can’t stay home alone.

Arrange a family command center. Make space for backpacks, lunch bags, athletic bags and shoes. Install organizers, hooks and a communication board so reminders and messages are in one place. Add a calendar or put a magnetic wipe off calendar on the fridge.

Create a homework station. Include a caddy or organizer with supplies kids might need for homework, such as pencils, erasers, markers, colored pencils, wipe-off board and markers, scissors, highlighters, notebook paper, graphing paper and calculator.

Establish school routines. Don’t wait until the first day of school to enforce a reasonable bedtime. Have kids start going to bed earlier and getting up earlier at least a week before school starts.

Go shopping. New clothes and supplies are motivating and fun. Compare pricing, shop during off hours when stores are less crowded and make it a special day by following with lunch out or a treat.

Practice. Have young children open and close lunch containers, zip sweatshirts and tie shoes so there is some level of independence. If your kids will take the bus, drive the route so they know what to expect.

Organize key areas. Designate a place for lunch and breakfast items in the refrigerator and pantry. Organize the laundry room with baskets for each child. Keep a container in your car with items for hectic days of driving between school, work and afterschool activities. Consider including snacks, bottled water, wipes, hand sanitizer, hair ties, etc.

The Night Before

• Prep before bedtime. Make lunches and organize backpacks and supplies. Have kids lay out their clothes.

• Discuss plans for the day. Talk about afterschool transportation and remind kids of any planned afterschool activities.

The Big First Day

• Take a photo. Consider including a sign with the year and date. Email it to editor@sandiegofamily.com by Monday, Aug. 11 for possible inclusion in the September issue of San Diego Family Magazine. Put “first day of school” in the subject line.

• Find out when Back-to-School Night is so you can meet teachers, check out your kids’ classrooms and hear about curriculum. Mark your calendar now.

• Celebrate! Grab an afterschool treat, have a playdate with friends or “go big” with a fun weekend getaway before homework and afterschool activities dominate the family schedule.

Going back to school is often fraught with mixed emotions, but it can be a blast! Model an upbeat, encouraging attitude and see how it impacts your kids.

Janeen Lewis is a writer, first-grade teacher and mom. A nationally published writer, she has been in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teacher Tales.