Back to School Readiness Starts at Home - Tips for K-12 from Stacks and Stacks Homewares

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA, August 09, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- According to many parents, this, not Christmas, is the most wonderful time of the year. With summer more than two-thirds over now, families are gearing up for the new school year. While acquiring the right school-gear is vital, just as important (but often overlooked) is getting the home ready for the impending chaos. Stacks and Stacks Homewares brings its organizing expertise into both of these crucial areas of back to school prep with tips and advice for a smooth transition into the next grade (and beyond).

School Readiness Starts at Home:
- Entryways are an inevitable dumping ground for backpacks, sports gear and outerwear. Utilize the hot month of August to install rows of double coat hooks (one for a coat, one for a backpack) with bins underneath to catch in-season sports gear. Keep cleats, balls, hats and even clean uniforms in these bins (not in the closet) for a more streamlined routine. To keep the look of clutter to a minimum, set a small bench can be set over the bins and doubles as a place to sit while tying laces.

- Prepare for Paper: Whether your child is a "K", a "12", or somewhere in between, get ready for the barrage of paperwork that will come home by installing a wall mounted file or magazine rack right where the homework action happens. Ideally, each student should have two compartments: one for classroom news and parent information, and the other for all incoming and outgoing homework assignments.

- Family Calendar: A centrally placed family calendar keeps everyone on the same page. Note that if choosing a dry-erase calendar, you will want at least two months worth to accommodate scheduling demands down the road.
Bonus Tip: Make a chart for each child with the days of the week for recurring activities and responsibilities. This helps children to develop good organization skills that lead to success in school. A white board (or laminated paper list) will allow for assignment add-ons on a weekly basis with the help of a dry-erase marker.

Example:
Monday - Library Day, Soccer Practice
Tuesday - Sharing, Early Release

School Gear by Age:
- Grade School Gear: Invest in a quality backpack to get years of use out of it. At this age, students toss and drag their bags across all types of terrain, so good stitching is a must, and a large main compartment to hold their lunch bag a bonus.

- Middle School Gear: While function may rank high on your list, style is key when shopping for tough-to-please middle-schoolers. The importance of developing their own personal style means that their input is crucial (although probably unwanted by you). Many students switch over to messenger style book bags at this time, and lockers are usually first introduced at this age. Locker Organizers (http://www.stacksandstacks.com/landing-pages/p-98/) are the key to keeping students on task during this transition. Start with a locker shelf which divides the vertical space in two. Then add magnetic bins and accessories to hold pencils, supplies and personal items.

- High School Gear: By now, your student likely has his or her school routine (and style) down pat. What may be new to them in high school is the need for a laptop computer. This is a great time to invest in a laptop bag that they can take with them off to college - look for quality leather or heavy duty canvas, depending on their desired style, and always measure the laptop size carefully before purchasing.

Bonus Tip (for the K-2 Crowd): Lunchtime is a big deal for the youngest of students. To ensure that your child actually eats during this time, set him up for success with containers that he can open without help, and that are reusable.

For more free expert organizing tips, Ask Our Organizer (http://www.stacksandstacks.com/ask-our-organizer/index.html), Harriet Schechter, author of Let Go of Clutter (McGraw-Hill), and you'll receive her response within 24 hours.

Stacks and Stacks has been a leader and pioneer in offering products to organize and furnish homes, offices, and gardens since 1984. For over 28 years we have searched for, and then tested products to find the best quality at the best prices.

Stacks and Stacks is an e-commerce company selling thousands of products for the home, garden and office please contact us at 510-214-4011.

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