RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEARNING Organizational Tips for School Each new school year is filled with opportunity—the opportunity to build something new. A new school year provides each student and staff member with a brand new start! Hopefully, ever student takes advantage of the clean slate that is in front of them by bringing some simple organizing strategies into your home, making the transition back-to-school even more energizing. 1. Establish New Routines: Take some time to decide what’s working well in your daily routine and what could use some improvement. For example, if mornings are chaotic or just not your favorite part of the day consider taking care of as many daytime arrangements as possible the night before.
Parents should attempt to make these new arrangements as kid-friendly as possible so children can assist with getting things checked off the “to-do list”. The more help you have, the more time everyone will have for fun. For example, find a spot on a low shelf in the pantry to store lunch boxes and lunch making supplies. Then, have your children become responsible for putting away their empty lunch boxes at the end of the day or even packing lunch. Mount low coat hooks so children can hang up their own coats and backpacks at the end of each school day. 3. Create a System for School Papers: There are many types of papers that go to and from school each day and week. For example parents routinely find papers that they need to take action on and those that parents will need to keep for future reference. A good strategy to deal with this challenge is to designate a convenient spot, like a binder, folder, bin or bulletin board for items like classroom rules, schedules, class lists, and teacher contact information. It is unreasonable to expect anyone to remember all of the details, expectations, schedule of events, etc. that are generated from within the school, but with this strategy in place, you’ll know right where these important papers are when you need them. For your child’s schoolwork and artwork that you want to keep, I suggest the following strategy. First, flush out unwanted items as soon as they come in the door. Assemble the possible “keepers” into a small storage bin. Go through your bin on a regular time interval that works for you, like once a week, once a month or once a quarter. Keep in mind, the more you accumulate, the easier it will be to keep fewer items—the best pieces will stand out from the rest. On the other hand, if dealing with a big pile of papers is overwhelming to you it may be easier to go through your bin more frequently. For school papers and artwork that you’re keeping indefinitely, a three-ring binder or portfolio to keep a year’s worth work, drawings, teacher reports and projects should work well. 4. Do “Your” Homework Everyday: That’s right Mom & Dad, you have homework, too. You know what I am referring to, all those papers that come home in the backpack each and every night! Once you have your paperwork system set up, create a homework routine to help you and your kids stay on top of everything. Consistency and routine is everything! Your children need to know what is expected of them. Make every attempt to try to set-up a time that works well for both you and your children. Remember that you energy level eventually diminishes as well. If your family is anything like my family then you too most likely have many after school obligations. Dig into those backpacks and make sure that you take the time to carefully look at everything and then get going. Take action on any paperwork that requires your attention. Sign and return permission slips, tests, agendas, etc. Add important dates to your family calendar. Throw out or store the school work that you no longer need. The positive impact of parents and teachers working together is priceless and the eventual dividends will lead your child to academic success and happiness along with a reduction of any unnecessary and unwanted stress and anxiety. 5. Create a Communication Center: Your communication center could include a family calendar, dry-erase board, colored markers, pens and pencils, and a notepad for taking down phone messages, etc. Consider color coding your family calendar by assigning each family member a different color. If you’re a visual person who needs to see things to remember them, consider using a bulletin board for posting messages and invites to events or take advantage of your family’s built-in magnetic board otherwise known as the refrigerator door. 6. Remember Not to Forget: Create a simple system by your door that your family exits each day in order to help you remember your new routine or special items that you’ll need to take with you each day, such as:
Think about these simple strategies in order to help your entire family stay organized this school year and achieve as much success and development as possible. We all have the same goals which are to help all of our children to become independent, considerate, responsible, successful and happy individuals!
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