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Back to School Tips

Simple things to do now to avoid a last minute rush

By Sara-Lynne Levine, Publisher of Macaroni Kid Ottawa Capital Region, ON August 14, 2024

We’ve reluctantly switched to back-to-school mode in our house. While we are enjoying the last few weeks of summer, doing these simple tasks now, will help ease back-to-school stress in a few weeks.

School supplies

When the school year ended, we sorted through all the “stuff” brought home to salvage what we could for next year. Pencil boxes, binders, scissors, and staplers, last from year to year, so instead of replacing these items each year, put them aside right away so there is less to buy later.

Cross the items you already have off of the supply list and hit the stores in the early morning or end of the day to avoid the crowds.

TIP – If your child typically has to do presentation projects, purchase one or two tri-fold boards or another type of board now to have on hand to avoid a last-minute trip to the store.

Clothes

Take advantage of all the back-to-school sales and pick up key pieces for fall. Take a few minutes with your kids to see what still fits and what is too small so you won’t have any “it doesn’t fit” drama when school starts. Stores that carry uniform pieces will also have sales.

Shoes

Yup, the kids have grown over the summer and you need to add new school shoes to your list. Check the supply list to see if they need special gym shoes.

Backpacks

Avoid the cheap character of the week backpack in favor of a sturdy and durable backpack that you can accessorize with iron-ons or keychains. This will save you money and help you avoid having to purchase a new backpack mid-year

Lunchboxes

Pick up a cool lunch box and reusable bags and containers so your child can enjoy a litter-less lunch. We love lunch boxes that have pockets for separate nutrition breaks.

For more great tips on Back to School Preparedness, check out:
Great Back-to-School Advice for All for a smooth transition
Coping with Back-to-School Anxiety
8 Tips for School Year Success from an Experienced Mom
5 Teacher-Approved Tips for a Great New School Year
Back-to-School Tips for Kids Who Need a Little Extra Support
Preparing for Preschool and Kindergarten
Preparing for Middle School
Back to School on a Budget


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