For most kids, its the first week back at school after a somewhat restful break eating, sleeping and hanging out with friends. For some students it is the start of the new semester – a great time for a fresh slate and clean start. This week actually sets the tone for the rest of the semester – here’s how to do it right…
Schedule a time to recycle, re-assess, and replenish.
Just like basketball practice or flute lessons, schedule the time where you and your children go through your old papers, recycle what is not needed, and create folders for papers that should be saved but don’t necessarily need to be in the backpack anymore (last semester’s finals for example).
Recycle – all old papers that are no longer useful, triplicate copies of assignments, hall passes from last semester etc.
Re-assess – Look at all the binders, planners and backpacks – are they still usable and useful. Perhaps your child has new classes this semester and needs new binders for them – also, despite your child’s claims, Chorus and Religion class most certainly need binders.
Replenish – Its the night before a big project and you child need’s scissors and a glue stick, both of which are missing. That is generally not the time that you want to be going to the supply store. The beginning of the New Year is a great time to stock up on index cards (to make flashcards), reinforced binder paper (that doesn’t rip easily), a new three-hole punch if your old one is missing or is dog-eared, and printer paper.
May this semester be your child’s most successful one yet!