It’s “Back to School” time, and soon we will have to manage all the papers going back and forth for school, sports and extracurricular activities. Here are some tips to help you stay on top of the incoming and outgoing papers such as schedules, homework and permission slips:
For papers that go to and from school:
- Give each child a sturdy folder with pockets for papers that need to go from home to school or from school to home. Label one pocket “Take to School” and the other “Bring Home.”
- Practice with your children placing a few sample types of papers in the pockets and coach them on how to use the folder.
- Encourage them to give the paper to their teacher as soon as they arrive to the classroom.
- Teach them how to put papers from the teacher or coach directly in the “Bring Home” pocket.
- Set up a folder rack or an Inbox for each child in an accessible location for them to place the folder as soon as they come home from school each day.
- Check the Inboxes each evening before your child goes to bed and respond to all papers that need to go back to school the next day.
For homework:
- Check with your children’s teachers about how they communicate homework assignments.
- Help your children identify due dates on assignments.
- Set up a homework calendar to help your child track assignments. You can mark it in a weekly planner or on a desktop blotter calendar. Older children can use digital calendar tools.
- Create a file or pocket folder labeled for each day of the school week for children to keep papers.
School paper mementos and memorabilia:
We quickly accumulate numerous graded homework papers, projects and artwork masterpieces.
- Create a holding file for all graded work that you and your child check together each week or each month to select your favorites to keep. Recycle the rest right away.
- Keep just a few masterpieces in their original form in an archive-quality (acid fee) portfolio, available in art stores.
- Save the memories and not the stuff: take photos of favorite art or class projects and then let the stuff go. You can create lovely slide shows and digital memory books of your favorite pieces. It’s a great way to share with out of town relatives, too.
Rachel M. Gambone is the owner of ReOrganize with Rachel, LLC. In addition to general home organizing, she specializes in helping you organize your office, papers and digital information. Her signature approach is positive organizing where she builds on your strengths, helps you find your treasures, and teaches you life-long organizing skills. See more organizing tips and a link to her free podcast at reorganizewithrachel.com.
