Organizing School Papers and Information
Get a Handle On Forms, Parent Information, Projects, and Homework
Sep 23, 2009
Within a few weeks of school starting many parents feel overwhelmed by all the paperwork and information. Getting organized will help children do better and get good grades.
This stress is multiplied in large families with children at multiple schools. If more than one child attends school, assign each child a color for folders and marking dates on a calendar.
School Folder System for Parent Papers
Papers come in with children, backpacks, and cries of hunger as well as the daily mail. Keep the important papers from getting lost with the shuffle by setting up a folder station. Have one folder for each child (in child’s assigned color) and start getting children to place the papers to be signed or read into his or her colored folder. Set aside a few moments each day to open, read, and process the papers. Keep sticky notes on hand to place on papers that need more information or need to be kept for later. Make a note about why the paper has been saved and stick it on the paper. That eliminates reading the complete paper again.
Add other information in the folders as needed:
- Notes from teachers
- Keep a list of items and questions to discuss at upcoming conferences
- Class list (especially good to have for making Valentine cards)
- Phone numbers of classmates to get homework if child is absent
Wall Calendar for School Dates and Deadlines
Hang up a wall calendar and keep a container of colored markers nearby. Mark each child’s deadlines (in child’s assigned color) and schedule of rehearsals, club activities, school photos, and test dates.
Assign a color for parents and mark parent meetings, conferences, and other obligations in that color. Include dates of field trips, especially if a parent is going.
Check the calendar daily with each child for upcoming deadlines and special activities. This builds a good habit of accountability. Add sticky notes to the calendar of any shopping needed for the special events or projects.
Organizing for Projects
Science fair, book reports, and other projects often need extra time and supplies. Help children set up a bulletin board for keeping projects organized. Tack up a pocket on the board to hold index cards.
Be sure each project deadline is marked on the wall calendar. On the bulletin board, for each project, post a list of steps to do and a list of supplies needed. Teach children to collect the supplies and check them off the list as gathered. Use an index card to list supplies that must be purchased with child’s name and date on the card. This can then be paper clipped to Mom’s shopping list. Have a container or place to keep the supplies.Child should also mark off each step as completed, such as chose book, read half of book, finished reading book, wrote report, and made report cover.
Organizing school papers and projects helps children take responsibility while letting parents stay connected with the progress.
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