Back to School Essentials – Your Checklist

Going back to school is stressful and exciting. To make it easier for everyone, it’s good to have a back-to-school essentials checklist. The following is a complete checklist:

Clothing

Every child needs clothes to go back to school, and it’s the perfect time to go through your closet and get rid of anything that doesn’t fit, is worn or stained. Also, remember that being cool in school is often all about appearances, so make sure your child looks and feels their best. Also, make sure they have the clothing required by their school, this means a uniform, gym clothes, a jacket if it’s cold outside, etc.

Shoes

Many kids walk to school, or at least to the bus stop, so having the right shoes is an important part of your back-to-school checklist. They need to have shoes that fit the school requirements, some schools for example do not allow flip flops or backless shoes. Your child may also need a pair of shoes for gym class. A good pair of sturdy sneakers will help prevent accidents or injuries during physical education classes.

locks

While the school can provide locks for your student’s lockers, they may also need a lock for the bike or scooter they use to get to school. They may need a lock for their lunch box or backpack if there are problems with theft at their school. So, invest in a few different types of locks to make it easier for your child to get back to school.

school supplies

While you can try to anticipate what school supplies you’ll need for the year, a better option is to get the list provided by your school district. Each school district provides lists of supplies needed by different grade levels and will often provide these lists to local vendors, such as Wal-Mart. So if you can’t find it on your school’s website, or you didn’t get the list of registration materials, you can usually get one at the store.

backpack

A child’s backpack is a big part of who they are, especially when they are in elementary school. It is the one item they bring to school every day and always use. Therefore, it is an accessory that is worth spending a little more on. Also, you’ll want to make sure you find one that gives you support so their backs don’t hurt from the heavy load of books. Make sure you get one with chest straps, and that it’s the right size for your frame so it sits where it’s supposed to.

water bottle

Children need hydration. It will help them be more attentive in class, keep them healthy, and protect them from cravings for sweets and junk food.

vaccines

Every year your child must be up to date on their shots and the records must be provided to the school, so call your doctor, get the shots and get copies of the records.