The Jam Ultimate Back To School To Do List
Whether Back-to-School makes you excited to get out the label maker or nostalgic for the last few lazy days of summer, it’s coming up soon and it requires a ton of prep!
Usually, the job of “back-to-school” falls on one person’s shoulders and often many of the tasks are invisible to the rest of the family. Even if some of those tasks are satisfying (we admit to loving a label maker), the entirety of what needs to get done can feel flat-out overwhelming, especially if it’s up to just one person to tackle it all from start to finish.
Well, here at Jam we are committed to making modern family life easier on parents! So, we’ve compiled our Ultimate Back To School To Do List to help families get ready for the upcoming school year together. Share it with your family, print it out or put it in a Jam List and start crossing things off together!
Health
Get doctors forms signed
Book + handle any doctor appointments needed prior to school year
Get epi-pens or prescriptions needed for school nurse
Fill out/Turn In all Mandatory Forms to school
School Programs
Sign up for Bus Route/Transportation
Sign up for Early AM, After-Care or Enrichment if needed
Sign up for Sports Teams, Orchestra and/or School Clubs
Clothes/Apparel:
Purchase stick-on labels
Go through closet to clean out all the too-small, too-ripped items
Purchase any back to school wardrobe items needed
Get feet measured and buy new shoes if needed
Purchase and/or procure any dress code items (i.e. Polos or khaki bottoms)
Purchase and/or procure any P.E./team Uniforms needed
Label all clothes!
Book haircuts or any other grooming appointments
Food:
Purchase lunch box if needed
Purchase lunch box containers if needed
Purchase water bottle if needed
Label lunchbox + water bottles
Stock up on breakfast and lunch favorites
Sign up for Hot Lunch if applicable
Supplies + Homework
Purchase backpack
Find list of school supplies and purchase/procure all school supplies for school
Organize/label all school supplies
Procure any needed reading or textbooks
Make sure all Summer Assignments have been completed!
Purchase and/or Organize Supplies for Home (pencils, paper, glue, scissors, tape, etc.)
Scheduling:
Get important orientation events into the calendar
Get the school schedule into the family calendar
Start coordinating driving/carpools for school
Start coordinating after-school scheduling, carpools and sign ups
Look into and/or book any tutoring, enrichment, testing or early-intervention appointments needed for the school year
Download Jam + forward your school schedule straight to your calendar!
First Day Needs:
Lay out First Day of School Outfit
Communicate AM schedule: wake up time + out the door time!
Have backpacks packed with labeled supplies by the door
Order and/or Find and/or Make First Day of School Sign (if that floats your boat!)
Read below for more details on each of these items:
Health
As the back-to-school season approaches, it's the perfect time to knock out those important health check-ups! Don't overlook this important step.
Start by getting those doctor forms signed and booking any necessary appointments. It's also wise to double-check that your kids have everything they need – think epi-pens, prescriptions, or any other health essentials for the school year.
A little preparation now can save you from unexpected hiccups later on. Nobody wants to deal with surprise doctor visits in the middle of a busy school week.
Get doctors forms signed
Book + handle any doctor appointments needed prior to school year
Get epi-pens or prescriptions needed for school nurse
Fill out/Turn In all Mandatory Forms to school
School Programs
It's time to get familiar with your school programs! Signing up for essential services, like the bus route and early morning care, is a great first step in organizing your school year. Trust me, having that peace of mind will make your life a lot easier.
Don't forget about after-school activities! Joining sports teams can be a fantastic way to stay active and make new friends. Plus, if you have a musical flair, getting involved with the orchestra or other clubs can add a fun twist to your routine.
These opportunities aren't just about building your résumé; they're about exploring interests that can enhance your school experience.
Sign up for Bus Route/Transportation
Sign up for Early AM, After-Care or Enrichment if needed
Sign up for Sports Teams, Orchestra and/or School Clubs
Clothes and Apparel
As the new school year approaches, it's important that your little one isn't starting off in a shirt that's two sizes too small or shoes that are practically falling apart. So, it's time to go through that closet and make sure you're set up with all the essentials.Firstly, check for any dress code requirements. Don’t forget the stick-on labels to keep track of everything. Finally, let's not forget about footwear. New shoes are a must, and make sure they're not only stylish but also comfortable. After all, those school hallways can be long and tiring.
Purchase stick-on labels
Go through closet to clean out all the too-small, too-ripped items
Purchase any back to school wardrobe items needed
Get feet measured and buy new shoes if needed
Purchase and/or procure any dress code items (i.e. Polos or khaki bottoms)
Purchase and/or procure any P.E./team Uniforms needed
Label all clothes!
Book haircuts or any other grooming appointments
Food
Before those hectic school mornings roll around, it's important to have a lunch box and a water bottle prepped and ready. By stocking up on breakfast and lunch staples, you not only ensure your kids stay energized but also save yourself from the inevitable panic of “What's for lunch?”
Plus, a well-balanced meal helps them concentrate better in school. So, let's be proactive about those meals, because nobody wants to hear “I'm hungry!” when the clock strikes noon.
Purchase lunch box if needed
Purchase lunch box containers if needed
Purchase water bottle if needed
Label lunchbox + water bottles
Stock up on breakfast and lunch favorites
Sign up for Hot Lunch if applicable
Supplies and Homework
It's that time again—back-to-school supply shopping!
Let's start with the essentials. A sturdy backpack is key; it's your trusty sidekick for the year ahead. Next, check your school supplies list carefully. Believe me when I say, showing up without a highlighter on the first day can lead to some awkward moments.
And don't forget to check in on those summer assignments. I know, they might seem like a distant memory right now, but trust me—procrastination feels easy until the deadline sneaks up on you.
Purchase backpack
Find list of school supplies and purchase/procure all school supplies for school
Organize/label all school supplies
Procure any needed reading or textbooks
Make sure all Summer Assignments have been completed!
Purchase and/or Organize Supplies for Home (pencils, paper, glue, scissors, tape, etc.)
Scheduling
It's crucial to get your scheduling sorted out! Start by noting down those key orientation events and important school dates on your family calendar. This will help ensure everyone is on the same page and knows what's coming up.
Then start layering in the logistics of carpooling and after-school activities (because managing all these commitments can sometimes feel like preparing for an Olympic event!)
Keeping everything organized can save you time and stress, allowing you to focus on what really matters—supporting your family and enjoying the school year ahead.
Get important orientation events into the calendar
Get the school schedule into the family calendar
Start coordinating driving/carpools for school
Start coordinating after-school scheduling, carpools and sign ups
Look into and/or book any tutoring, enrichment, testing or early-intervention appointments needed for the school year
Download Jam + forward your school schedule straight to your calendar!
Downloading Jam lets you seamlessly integrate your school schedule into your calendar, ensuring you never miss an essential date or event.
With Jam, you can have all your classes, assignments, and school events organized in one spot—talk about a digital organization dream come true! With Jam, you can easily forward your school schedule straight to your calendar, making scheduling a piece of cake. Plus, if there are any changes to your school calendar, Jam automatically updates everything for you—no more frantic last-minute checks!
But wait, it gets better! You can set up event reminders for those vital deadlines and upcoming tests, helping you stay on top of your game.
Great time management starts with knowing what's ahead, and Jam's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to customize your views. Whether you prefer a daily or weekly overview, you've got options!
Make your life easier with the Jam App!
Sync your family calendar with everyone’s devices in real time and take control of your schedule.
First Day Needs
Getting ready for the first day of school can be exciting, and a little nerve-wracking too! First, help your kid choose an outfit that your child feels comfortable and confident in. Next, think about the morning schedule. If you can, write down what time you need to wake up, eat breakfast, and leave the house. This helps to avoid any last-minute chaos.
Now, let's talk about getting out the door! It's important to have the backpacks packed the night before so everything is ready to go in the morning. Make sure to include school supplies, any important papers, and maybe even a little note.
Lastly, if you're up for it, consider making a fun first-day sign. It doesn’t have to be Etsy (though those are great too!) and it’s a nice way to capture the moment and celebrate a fresh start.
Lay out First Day of School Outfit
Communicate AM schedule: wake up time + out the door time!
Have backpacks packed with labeled supplies by the door
Order and/or Find and/or Make First Day of School Sign
Back School To Do List
As you gear up for the upcoming school year, follow this ultimate back-to-school to-do list with your family. Even though there’s a lot to get done, it helps to savor the pieces of the hustle-bustle that you personally enjoy and embrace the fresh start that a new school year brings!!