Organizing Tips for the New School Year

Reading, Writing and Re-Organizing

Running a household is like running a small business. To keep things moving smoothly and the family on track, you need to develop & implement simple & efficient systems. Sharpen your #2 pencil and take note of some solutions for making the upcoming school year more organized.

  1. Choose the right calendar for "Mom Central".
    • Schedule "To Do's" just like you would a Doctor's appointment or ballgame.
    • Have only one calendar, mom is only one person.
  2. Re-evaluate what didn't work last year AND set up a solid plan to solve the problem.
  3. Take inventory of study and school supplies you have and get what you need and then store them in one area together (see #4).
  4. Assign specific homes for homework, lunch packing and after school activity bags.
    • Keep homework supplies in the Homework Central location. It should be an area with good lighting, preferably overhead, like that found in the classroom. The kitchen table seems to be the perfect spot for most students K-5.
    • The Lunch Packing Center is an area in the kitchen, typically near the refrigerator and where the bread is kept. Set up a drawer, cupboard or both, in this area, for zip lock bags, lunch boxes/bags, napkins, snacks, etc. that will be packed the next day. The organizing principle of keeping like things together and close to their use definitely applies here.
    • After school activity bags should be re-assembled after the activity with the needed equipment, some after washing, and ready to go the night before in the launching pad area (see #5).
  5. Create a "Launching Pad" for take off each morning and safe secure return.
    • This area should be near the door you go in and out of regularly.
    • Each person should be given a hook for their coat and an accessible, specific spot, that is theirs alone, where everything going out the door for the next day can be put.
    • Set a limit as to how many shoes, coats, etc. are allowed per person, plus a spot for keys and phone. Every Friday have everyone pair their items down to the limit (see #6)
  6. Follow a routine.
    • Night-time routines are essential to successfully getting out the door on time. Before going to bed check that homework, permission slips and needed supplies are in their backpack.
    • Routines have also proven to be successful in accomplishing homework. After school routines should start with some type of exercise after sitting all day in school, then a good snack to give energy to the brain and hold hunger pangs until dinner time. Both of these are essential steps to have completed before actual homework is begun if at all possible. Starting with the most difficult assignment first gives room to tweak it or ask for help after dinner or to have time to run to the library or back to school if needed.
    • Have a fidgety studier? Set a timer for a realistic amount of time for them to stay put. Then give them a 5-minute break before returning to their work, again with the timer on.
    • Multi-tasking is a myth. Work before play is a solid routine to stand by. Flexibility needs to be taken into account when students are involved in many activities.
    • Try to leave earlier, just in case something is forgotten or an extra stop needs to be made. Earlier has many more advantages and is a positive habit to instill in your children.
  7. Have only one (1) in-box for all school paperwork and mail.
    • Set a shoebox size limit, with the paperwork standing up and facing out so you can read each piece. File, don't pile your papers, so that you can easily flip through your container and find what you need. Permission slips can easily be located since papers are only in one area instead of all over the house.
    • Break it down further to make it even more workable. Set up approximately 4-8 file folder for the active, broad, but specific categories you seem to have an accumulation of paperwork for; bills to pay, after school activities, one for each group you are actively doing work in, such as room parent, bible study, book club. If you stick to the shoe box limit, it will make the task to weed, purge or file much easier. Overwhelmed by something? Put it in the back of the box for next time.
  8. Use rewards to help to reinforce the positive effort your children are making to stick to the systems and routines that work for your family.
  9. Have emergency plans in place.
    • update your medical paperwork at your local hospital each year at this time for each student
    • make sure to setup an emergency meeting area in case of disaster or have a central person to call, typically someone out of state, so everyone can check in and give their where about and well being till things clear over
  10. Set goals for each individual and the family shows how everyone is making progress.
    • Setting goals also helps build healthy lifestyle choices for everyone. Make sure your goals are realistic. Goals also reinforce accountability and deadlines, as well as learning that larger projects are easier to handle when broken into smaller increments at any age.

With these organizing ideas in place, I wish each of your students a successful school year ahead and less stress for you as parents. Professional Organizers are available to help if the thought of implementing these steps is daunting.