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In the kindergarten cubbies on the last day of school
With three kids headed off to school this fall (two in preschool, one in first grade), I’ve given a lot of thought to back to school preparations! Six-year-old Emma’s school shopping is all set; I’m still waiting to hear what four-year-old Johnny and three-year-old Lily need to bring to school. They will be in adjoining classes at the same school Johnny has gone to for the past year and a half. School for us starts in September, but we’re already talking about how many days of summer are left (Emma has actually been counting down summer since school ended in June), and what to expect on the first day of school. Emma has several kindergarten friends in her first-grade class. I don’t know who will be in Johnny and Lily’s classes, but Johnny will likely have at least one classmate from last year, and both kids have an orientation day and a preschool play date that Anna and I will attend with them before the school year begins. All three kids will have new teachers this fall.
I’m most nervous about getting four kids up and ready in time for school drop-off in the morning! I plan to have bags and lunches packed the night before, so all we need to do is get the kids into the car…
One thing I am keenly aware of, is how fortunate my kids are to attend excellent schools, and to come from a home full of educational opportunities and resources. I already wrote about the Bloggers Filling Backpacks fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA), and I’m happy now to share two other ways you can benefit BGCA this fall – one of which doesn’t require any money!
Disney has partnered with BGCA to create a pop-quiz style game, where supplies are donated to BGCA for every correct answer you score! Simply click on the “Supply Drive Game” option on the rotating menu on this page to play! I love that this is an easy way kids can make a difference, too! And, in August, jcpenney is offering shoppers to join jcp cares, rounding up purchases at the register to benefit BGCA!
BGCA has some fun tip sheets to help parents get ready for back to school – I found the Time Management Tips particularly useful!
What are your best back-to-school tips? I would love to hear from homeschoolers as well as parents sending their kids to school outside the home!
I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Boys and Girls Club. I received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
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My best tip is to start running through the routine at least a week prior. Practice what it will be like to get out the door, fully ready (with backpacks) at that time, as well as the bedtime that will need to be in place. Except instead of going to school, go somewhere they would enjoy. That is the challenging part early in the morning, but I personally think it’s worth it to lessen anxiety (for them AND me).
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maryanne Reply:
August 17th, 2012 at 9:55 am
Brilliant tip, Heather! Thank you!!!
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The fun part about home schooling, is that school is always in…we just slow it down a bit for summer! :) I have found morning routines to free up my voice and my morning! The kids know what is required and they love to do it on their own..even the wee ones!
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maryanne Reply:
August 17th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
That is definitely a benefit of home schooling!
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Great suggestions for making a difference at the beginning of the school year! We homeschooled through high school, but we always had a special back-to-homeschool celebration, which made the start of a new school year exciting. I still have fond memories every time a new school year begins! I pinned your post to my Back to School Pinterest Board at http://pinterest.com/debchitwood/back-to-school/
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maryanne Reply:
August 17th, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Thank you for sharing my post, Deb!
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My kids won’t know who they have for teachers or who is in their classes until the week before school starts. They are anxious. I don’t put lunches together the night before, but everything else is done – backpacks packed, clothes laid out, etc.
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maryanne Reply:
August 17th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
And I was frustrated that Johnny and Lily only found out who their teachers were this week…
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I have no tips, but I think it’s great that the younger two will have adjoining classes.
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maryanne Reply:
August 17th, 2012 at 9:44 pm
I was really happy about that! The doors are usually open between the classes, as well, so they will see each other throughout the day :)
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The school your kids go to sounds wonderful. :) Our homeschool is on hiatus at the moment since Nikki is prepping for her violin exam and the kids are bicycling every spare moment. I’ll have to think about how to make a start…
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maryanne Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
I am so impressed with your kids’ cycling! That’s education, too! Violin as well!!!
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Elisa | blissfulE Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 6:56 am
You’re so encouraging, MaryAnne! Thank you, that’s just what I needed to hear. :)
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Best of luck to your kiddos (and to you for getting them out the door!). No tips here (my little guy isn’t in school yet) but already love some of the suggestions I read.
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You know you don’t have to worry about getting everyone up in time if you homeschool :)
I think everyone’s excited about school starting :)
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I’m nervous (and excited) about school starting. New Kid will be in full day Pre-K, and it will be a bit of a shock for him. But the teachers are going to come spend an hour with him at home as part of the phase-in process! And I’m thankful that the boys will be at the same school. I can’t believe Kiddo will be a 2nd grader!
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maryanne Reply:
August 20th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
That is very cool that the teachers come out to the house as part of the phase-in process!
How do our kids grow up so quickly???
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Thanks for the link to the great resources and info on helping!
My daughter is excited to start 1st grade! My son’s situation is still up in the air because his preschool is likely closing : ( I am waiting to hear about another spot, fingers crossed!
Love back to school but also sad. I have so enjoyed all the extra time with my kids!
Definitely all about pleasant, efficient mornings for us : )
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Back to School Time is such a fun time of year for me. I’m already seeing it in my 6 year old too, love it. I think showing a love for learning is the best gift to give your kids. I can’t wait to start our Afterschool Party again, even though they are at school during the day we still continue learning at home and one the weekends. I shared a few tips on our site that your readers might find useful too. http://theeducatorsspinonit.blogspot.com/2012/08/top-ten-back-to-school-tips-for-home.html
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I can’t believe it’s already time for a new school year. We’re starting homeschooling week after next. I sat down with the kids the other day and included them in the schedule. I couldn’t believe how excited it made them. Joshua asks almost every day if we can go ahead and start. I’m so glad he’s excited!
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We are excited about going back too. I am a little frustrated that we are going back on Monday and still didn’t get a mail about class assignments, but the chances are very high that Anna will get the same teacher. We are also yet to get stuff on supply list – we’ll be shopping this weekend :)
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PS – my best tip so far is to involve your kids who is old enough in decision making process. We already decided on the time to get up, go to bed and how to earn additional 10 minutes of reading in bed on school nights – being able to get up and get dressed on her own on that day :)
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maryanne Reply:
August 24th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
What a great tip – thank you!
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