Back-to-School Checklist

Kitchen Check

• Breakfast Ready?
  • Sit down with your kids and make a pact that everyone will have breakfast to start their day off right. Take requests and find out what they're interested in eating. Lowfat milk and cereal are an easy and nutrient-rich option to have on hand for rushed mornings!
    • Kids are increasingly skipping their morning meal - missing out on important nutrients they're not likely to make up for throughout their day. And, studies show skipping breakfast can put kids at a disadvantage at school, and that breakfast skippers have a harder time concentrating in the classroom, which could interfere with learning and school performance.
  • Prepare a nutritious breakfast complete with naturally nutrient-rich milk to help unlock your kids' potential. Lowfat milk and cereal is a convenient and nutritious breakfast solution for moms and kids. A nutritious breakfast can help kids do their best!
• Snack Ready?
  • Get prepared with healthy snacks for your famished munchkins during after-school play groups. Lowfat chocolate milk makes a great snack and has the same nine essential nutrients as regular milk, PLUS that great taste kids love.

Health Check

• Check-ups and shots
  • Start the year on a healthy note. Check eyesight. Make allergies known to the school. Find out if any physical examinations or immunizations are required at the school.
• Establish a sleeping schedule
  • Your kids have had a summer full of sleepovers and sleeping in, now's the time to get them back on a schedule. Start at least two weeks out so waking up on that first day of school isn't such a struggle and there's plenty of time to grab a healthy breakfast before heading off for the bus.

Backpack Check

• Review the lineup
  • Get your child's schedule and names of teachers. This will help you and your kids get acquainted with the new schedule and who they will be attending school with in the new year.
  • If you are not driving your kids to school, make sure they have the information they need (maps, directions, bus schedules, etc.) to make their way safely to the classroom.
• Supply Check
  • Grab that school supply list the school sent out and do some research. By checking the local newspaper and different websites, you may find some surprisingly good deals on folders, pencils and paper.
• Have "the talk"
  • Before you zip up that backpack on day one, make sure that you've had a heart-to-heart about the upcoming year. Discuss any anxieties, upcoming exciting events and set some goals for the year.

Closet Check

• Clear out the clutter!
  • Only after you go through closets, look under the beds and clean out last year's backpacks should you go shopping for the upcoming school year's clothes. This will help you stay focused on what the kids need and help to avoid unnecessary purchases.
• Help other moms get their kids ready for a new year
  • After getting organized, be sure to donate anything you don't need to a local charity. In addition to feeling rejuvenated for the new year, you'll have helped another family prepare for theirs!