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After-School Bins
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"Mom, I have to turn in my permission slip today or I won't be able to go on the field trip," my daughter whined one morning last June, as I searched in vain through the pile of paperwork stacked on the dining room table. I remembered seeing the slip, but couldn't find it in my unorganized mess.
What a great way to end the school year, I thought in frustration, as Ally's agitation grew. While I wasted time looking, we missed the school bus -- again.
Every day after school last year, it was like a paper tornado hit my kitchen. With three children emptying their backpacks at the same time, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of homework sheets, spelling lists, study guides, lunch order forms, permission slips, and more. I was overwhelmed by the paperwork involved in school these days, and each morning wasted precious minutes trying to find the correct copy to complete their needs.
Vowing to be better organized this year, I geared up for the start of school by buying three 16-gallon storage tubs with different colored lids, marking each with one of my children's names. I added two color-coordinating folders labeled "Assignments" and "Forms to be Returned." I also used the tubs to store extra grade-appropriate school supplies, like pencils, crayons, glue, erasable pens, and a calculator to complete homework projects.
Beginning with the first day of school, I have each child sort their school paperwork in the appropriate folders and toss their backpacks inside for storage. The tubs create a central location for everything school-related, and help to keep us all organized. My children no longer need to fear missing a long-anticipated field trip and I don't waste time searching for a ruler to finish a science project. Plus, we're getting to know the bus driver again.
Member Comments On…
After-School Bins
We have 3 in 3rd grade & one in 4th, so papers were a problem for us, too! MY SOLUTION: I bought 4 different colored binders (with pockets in front & back) and inserted dividers that also have the pockets. Each pocket is labled to suit us. The 1st one is labeled HOMEWORK & the 2nd PAPERS THAT NEED SIGNED (these 2 are the most important "for us"). We also have TO STUDY (just grab for upcoming tests!), GRADES and TESTS (returned work), NOTICES (just newsletters, upcoming events, etc.), PERSONAL (party invitations & things NOT to do with school) & MISCELLANEOUS. As soon as the kids get off the bus, THEY have to put their papers in their binder! This helps to teach them organization, saves me some time, and keeps them occupied for a little bit. Then each one finishes at a different time allowing me to talk to each child as they finish. (NOTE: To be safe, I glance through the other dividers to be sure something didn't accidentally get put into the wrong slot.)
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This is a great idea and have been using something similar to it for years. Very helpful.
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I use a three ring binder with page protectors for all of the schedules, lunch menus and other info. I separate the binder into sections for each child. Need to see the lunch menu just flip open the binder. Its easy to change, I just pull the old menu out and slip in the new menu when it comes home from school. The best part, it leaves the fridge clear of all the papers!
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I love this idea but I have to see it to try to create one for my family. Is there anyway that we could get a photo of it???
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I have an accordian type file that I have labeled with each of my children's activities and classes. Every time they bring something home with something from school or their sport/activity schedule, I put it in the appropriate place in the file. No more tearing up stacks of papers to see when the next football game is!!
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The tubs sound like a great idea. I do that for the artwork, projects and other papers I want to save(forever!).
I use those plastic file bins that mount to walls (instead of a desk), I attached stips of magnets to them and put them on the side of my frig. There's one for each child, to hold lunch menu's, permission slips, weekly homework packs, party invites, sport schedules, and any FYI papers sent from school. I go thru them 2-3x's a week. It's worked out GREAT!
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