End of School Year Checklist

 

If you’re anything like me, you’re happy to see the end of the school year. It means a few minutes more sleep, no homework to review, and a more leisurely schedule. But, there are still loose ends to tie and a new phase of the year to prepare for.

Image: flickr/atomicjeep

After completing the 3 Must Do’s at the End of the School Year, this checklist will help you stay on top of items you need to retrieve, return, and prepare for the summer.

End of School Year Checklist

{At school}

• Retrieve medications from school nurse.
• Check the lost and found.
• Gather coupons. Often local restaurants will donate coupons to students to reward them on the conclusion of the school year.
• Request a summer reading list.
• Review the report card, testing scores, and commentary from your child’s teacher about areas that may need improvement over the summer.
• Pay Fees – all unpaid fees including lunch charges, book rental, lost or damaged book fees, etc.
• Submit Box Tops for Education and Campbell’s Labels for Education.
• Return school library books, classroom textbooks, instruments, supplies, etc.
• Check the school calendar. When is the last day of school, graduation, or awards ceremony?
• Attend the end of the year program or graduation.
• Thank the teachers and staff (Teacher Appreciation day is not the only time to thank teachers.).
• Help your child maintain continuity by gathering contact information for your child’s school friends to use for play dates and activities during the summer.

{At home}

• Grocery shop. I have less food in my house during the summer than any other time of the year. The kids eat three meals plus numerous snacks.
• Research summer childcare options. (See Easy Ways to Save On Summer Childcare.)
• Corral extra supplies.
• Discuss summer rules for TV, video game, and extra curricular activities.
• Create and enjoy an end of school year tradition like having an ice cream social, sleepover, or movie festival.
• Research what your area’s Parks & Recreation department is offering.
• Determine what programs your library will be hosting.
• Make a summer bucket list (See: 100 Days of Summer and Have a staycation in your city).
• Organize school records and paperwork. (See 3 Easy Ways to Avoid the School Paper Pileup and How to NOT get drowned in school papers.)
• Sign up for summer activities.

What do I need to keep at the end of the school year?

You may be thinking, we started the school year with these items, but do I need to keep them at the end of the school year? Yes!

• bookbag
• pencils
• glue
• markers
• paper
• notebook
• 3 ring binder

You can use them for summer crafts or set them aside for going back to school in the fall.

Fun Things to Do in the Summer:

*Reading On the Cheap
*Movies on the Cheap
*State Fairs on the Cheap
*Make A Routine
*Top Five XBOX Accessories For Kids
*Rethinking Summer Vacation

The end of the school year is an exciting time for kids. It marks the beginning of summer – a time of care-free, uninterrupted fun. Parents enjoy it as well as there is less structure, no homework, and more family fun.

How do you tame the end of school year madness?