Back to School Organisation Checklist

For most parents, school resumes for Term 4 this week. Having had two weeks off, routines have gone and children have been enjoying lots of fun and relaxation, sleeping in, no homework and no pressure. Making the transition back to school, as well as daylight savings in the southern states, can be a better experience for everyone by addressing the most common ‘back to school’ organisation tasks to get you effortlessly back into your morning routine and back on a schedule. My top tips are:

1. Establish Routine - we love the holidays because there’s no rush to be anywhere and no routine. It’s great to have that break, but once school starts back for the term, it’s important to quickly re-establish our routines and adjust our bedtimes so that children don’t get tired and are prepared for the busy week ahead. Reorganise children’s bedrooms and/or study areas to make them conducive to doing homework, reading and being productive.

2. School & Sports Bags - go through your school bag (if you haven't already) and check for any notes/paperwork, old clothing, containers etc. Ensure diary and other essential school items are in the school bag. Check sports bag for old clothing, re-stock sports gear/equipment, deodorant etc.

3. School Supplies - some schools have pre-paid stationery boxes which therefore mean you don’t need to worry about replenishing supplies. If you don’t have stationery boxes, then it’s time to purchase new supplies such as pencils, pens, textas, glue etc. No need to overdo it, you only need enough to get you through Term 4.

4. School Paperwork / Invoices - Complete any paperwork required for the term (school camp, fundraisers, activities) and pay any bills (music & sports lessons). Allow yourself a good hour to sort out all this admin so you can return the paperwork to the school office asap. Make sure you diarise all your activities and term events.

5. Registration for Sports/Activities - if you haven’t already registered for your summer sports and activities, now is the time to enrol your child into them and complete the relevant paperwork.

6. School Uniforms - term 4 is a Sunsmart term, so children must take a hat to school to be able to play outside. Check that your summer uniforms and school/sports shoes still fit or whether they can make do til the end of the year. Anything that doesn't fit (along with any outgrown winter uniforms), take it to the op-shop or school shop. Polish your school shoes and wash your runners (better still, get your children to do this).

7. Timetable - remind your children what their timetable is for the week and walk through their different activities for the term, both during and after school. If your child catches a bus, remind them what time the bus leaves, where from etc. Perhaps even create a checklist or timetable (if you haven’t already) and stick it on the fridge or your child’s bedroom door so they can familiarise themselves with the routine again. Re-establish homework time, music practice, reading and any other essential activities that need to be completed each week.

8. Schedule Haircuts - book in for a haircut either the week before school or within two weeks of the term commencing (then you hopefully won’t have to get another one until the end of term). Also, stock up on your child’s favourite hair products including gel, hairspray and tea tree oil spray (to keep the nits at bay).

9. Lunch Box / Containers - check your child’s name is still clearly labelled on his/her lunchbox, drink bottle and all containers. Check that you have enough ice packs for the warmer weather this term, as well as zip lock bags, serviettes, hand wipes and any other lunchbox essentials.

10. Cooking - have a couple of cooking/baking days to get your lunch boxes prepared for the term. Cook things that can be frozen and easily popped into the lunch box. Great items to bake are savoury or sweet muffins, mini quiches, cakes, pin wheels, mini pizzas and cookie dough.

11. Family Command Centre - if you have a centralised place for your children to drop their bags, school notes, reading boxes, lunch boxes etc. it will help establish good routines and assist in overall organisation and efficiency. Create it to suit your needs and ensure it’s in an area that is helpful (not creating more work for you!).

12. Calendar - add all upcoming school events and activities to your’s and your child’s diary/calendar.

13. Medications - check that all of your child’s medications are up to date, not expired and still require the same dosage. If required, send new medication (clearly labelled) to the school and ensure you contact your school of any changes that are to be made to previous medication dosages to last term.

14. Before/After School Care - if your child attends before or after school care, contact the carer to confirm your days of care and any other details (eg special needs, medications, pick up times).

15. Encouragement & Positivity - encourage your child to have a great last term at school, to be positive, happy and confident in themselves. Assure them that you (or your child’s teacher) are always there if they need help with something (or someone), and that school is a fun place to be.