Back to School for the 2012-2013 School Year

The official start of school countdown has begun! In just a few weeks, parents will be sending their children off to begin yet another school year. Try as we might, we can’t ignore the ticking of the clock that signifies the end of the carefree days of summer. Did you know school this year begins on August 29th? No, I am not kidding.

It's go time, parents! Here’s some tips to help you enjoy the remaining weeks of summer, while not feeling rushed in getting all that back to school stuff done:

• Annual Physical: Call now to schedule your child’s annual physical with their doctor. Don’t forget to download the public school Health Assessment form for the school system and request a copy of the most recent immunization record from your child's doctor to be delivered to the school.
• School Clothes: Now is the perfect time to take stock of what’s in your child’s closet. Donate or that no longer fit; throw away clothes that are beyond repair. Check your school’s website for any dress codes so you know what your child can and cannot wear to school. Make a list of items that you need to purchase.
• School Supplies: Start checking the flyers and scour the Internet for sales on back to school items. Create a list of supplies needed and the best stores to buy them at while you’re out and about the next few weeks. Getting a little bit done at a time will help the start of school not seem so overwhelming.
• Routine: If you’ve let your kids stay up and get up late this summer, you might want to start getting into a routine again of the times you will need to be ready in the morning come the school year! Start transitioning now to avoid the sudden change come the first day of school.
• Calendar: Start getting your school year calendar ready. Check out the East Haddam school calendar and the RSD17 school calendar to help you prepare your personal family calendar.

Check out these online resources for back to school help:

• Real Simple’s August Back to School Organizing Tips Calendar
• 5 Back to School Shopping Tips from Reuters
• Back to School Tips by the US Government
• East Haddam School Information
• RSD17 School Information

What are your tips for easing into back to school?