If you have school aged children, then chances are, about 3 days ago you started the countdown to the new school year! Summer has been fun and the heat has been a welcome break from all.that.snow. But the kids are starting to get restless and complain – “We’re going to the [insert fun thing you never got to do this much at that age] again?“ Well hang in there just a few more weeks, because Loudoun County Public Schools start on Monday, August 31st!
Here’s what you’ll need to get everyone ready for that 1st day back!
SUPPLIES
If you were lucky enough to have a school that lets you order pre-packaged supplies (like these), then you’re in the clear. The rest of us, however, need to go searching for 46 glue sticks and 92 pre-sharpened pencils. If you’re not sure what’s on the supply list this year, just visit your child’s school website. Each one has a downloadable copy of their supply needs, by grade.
Another great way to get the lists is to take a trip to your closest Target – most will have a document holder stuffed with copies of the supply lists from the schools nearest the store. And the lists are conveniently located right in front of the huge supply section!
Take advantage of the savings! This weekend (August 7-9) is Virginia’s “Sales Tax Holiday” – consumers can purchase qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, hurricane and emergency preparedness items, and Energy Star and WaterSense products without paying sales tax. This includes qualifying items purchased online, by mail or over the phone.
SLEEP SCHEDULE
The first day of school is no time for a drastic adjustment of household sleep schedules. It’s better to ease children back into a routine gradually. So, how, after months of sleeping late, do you get the kids used to earlier wake-up times without creating household chaos first thing in the morning? During the last two weeks of summer, re-introduce a school year bedtime. Begin waking late sleepers earlier and earlier, closer to the hour they’ll need to rise in order to catch the bus on time! While everyone is a little different, the National Sleep Foundation recommends that kids aged 6-13 need 9 to 11 hours of sleep each night. Children aged 14-18 need about 8-10 hours per night.
MEAL PLANNING
Younger children, in particular, need to adapt to new meal routines before the school day demands it of them. Especially those dealing with half-day Kindergarten! Regardless of whether your child will attend in the morning, afternoon, or all day, their tummies will be rumbling when they get home. Plan meals and snacks to accustom little ones to rituals of the school day before the year begins.
Don’t forget the lunch box! It’s easy to slap a sandwich together, toss in a juice box and an apple, and call it a day. But that gets boring, and what happens if you forgot to buy bread yesterday… or your kid refuses to eat a sandwich? We found a great article, “10 Easy Ideas for Better Lunch Bags” that will jazz things up a bit, but don’t include you standing in the kitchen for 3 hours carving animals out of carrots.
GET INVOLVED!
If you’re looking for a great way to give back to the community, there are several ways you can help.
The Salvation Army is accepting donations for “Tools for School” – a program that provides backpacks and supplies for kids in need.
Generosity Feeds is helping to fight hunger here in Loudoun County and regularly hosts events where you can help make and package thousands of meals for children.
Loudoun Education Foundation provides funding and resources to strengthen the quality of the Loudoun County Public School System.
Loudoun County Public Schools rank among some of the highest in the nation. If you’re in the market for a new house, contact us today. We would love to show you some amazing homes in this great school district!
The JS Realty Team – not only serving Brambleton, serving all of Northern Virginia.