Checklists to Help Keep Your Back-to-school Prep on Track

     The back-to-school bell will soon be heard above the sounds of pool splashes.

     So that means it’s time to stock up and go shopping. But how to get it all done with minimal stress?

     Here’s a list of all the crucial items you will want to check off your list before the first day of school arrives — allowing you to squeeze some more fun out of summer because it has your back-to-school “to dos” covered! Chances are you already have some of these items on hand or can utilize hand-me-downs or find items second-hand or on clearance.

Everyday Supplies

• Backpack
• Lunchbox
• Thermos or water bottle
• Hot and cold lunch containers
• Replaceable silverware
• Disposable bags or foil
• Combination lock
• Locker décor
• A permanent market for labeling each item

Extracurriculars

• Gym bag
• Workout clothes or uniform
• Cleats, sneakers, or special shoes
• Mouth guards, pads, other specific gear
• Socks
• Portable haircare items
• Deodorant
• A water bottle

School Clothes

• Underpants
• Undershirts, tank tops, or bras
• Socks
• Pants and jeans
• Tops
• Belts
• Dresses and skirts
• Hair accessories
• Jackets, scarves, hats, and gloves

Scheduling Central

• A wall calendar
• A bulletin board for event fliers
• A white board for lists and reminders
• Fresh pens, markers, and dry-erase markers
• Cubbies or pockets to sort school papers
• A clothesline on which to display student work
• A central place to keep digital devices parked and charging

A Well-Stocked Pantry

• Breakfast foods
• Sandwich supplies
• Condiments
• Healthy chips
• Granola bars
• Low-sugar or no-sugar drinks
• Afterschool snacks
• Sweet treats

Homework Central

• Backpack
• Pencils and pens
• Pencil sharpener
• Calculators
• Staplers
• Scissors
• Tape dispenser
• Paper clips and alligator clips
• Plain white paper
• Lined paper pads

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Back-To-School Troubleshooting:

• Low on funds for school clothes? Shop thrift shops or online sales instead.
• Local stores running low on supplies? Hop online and score discounts.
• Haven’t sorted last year’s papers yet? Sort them into bins labeled with each child’s name and grade level.
• Overwhelmed by birthday party commitments during the school year? Note friends’ birthday months on your calendar and shop early and all at once for budget-friendly gifts.
• Don’t have your family calendar up-to-date yet? Call a quick family meeting to sort schedules out.
• Your child is new to the school? Send the teacher a quick e-mail and let her know a bit about what to expect from your child as a student.

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Communication Catch-up:

• Go to your school website and transfer calendar dates into family calendars.
• Post all schedules on the bulletin board.
• Set up carpooling schedules in advance.
• Input relevant principal, teacher, and coach e-mail addresses and phone numbers into devices.
• Input friend and nearby family email addresses and phone numbers for last-minute pickups and play-date scheduling.
• Put reminders in your calendar or phone to reflect your responsibilities.
• Coordinate drop-offs and pick-ups.