As the final days of summer fade, families across the community are preparing for the 2025-2026 school year. Whether you’re shopping for supplies, adjusting routines, or easing first-day nerves, now is the perfect time to get ahead of the curve and set your students up for success.
This school year brings new opportunities and updated expectations—from curriculum changes to tech requirements—making thoughtful preparation more important than ever.
Supply Lists by Grade Level: What Your Student Really Needs
The basics still matter, but each grade level now comes with more tailored needs:
Elementary School
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Crayons, markers, safety scissors
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Wide-ruled notebooks, folders
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Headphones for classroom devices
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Reusable water bottles and labeled lunch boxes
Tip: Practice opening lunch containers and zipping backpacks to help younger kids build independence.
Middle School
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Multi-subject notebooks & folders
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Durable binders or accordion files
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Academic planners or calendar apps
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Calculator (check school’s preferred model)
Tip: Choose a backpack with good support for heavier loads, and teach locker organization skills.
High School
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Laptop/tablet accessories compatible with school-issued tech
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High-capacity flash drives or a cloud storage setup
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Scientific or graphing calculators
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Sturdy, tech-safe backpacks
Tip: Confirm updated dress code policies, as many districts have revised guidelines for 2025.
Mental Prep = Academic Success
Back-to-school readiness isn’t just about supplies—it’s also about setting the tone emotionally and mentally.
Kindergarten & Elementary
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Practice independence skills like tying shoes, opening snack bags, and asking for help
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Begin gradual bedtime shifts two weeks out—15 minutes earlier every few days
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Use role-play to walk through the school day, including drop-off and pick-up
Middle & High School
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Reinforce healthy screen time boundaries
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Encourage daily reading and journaling to reestablish academic habits
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Participate in virtual orientation tours—these help students become familiar with classrooms, lockers, and schedules
Bonus Tip: Encourage open conversations about nerves, excitement, and expectations for the year ahead.
Combat the Summer Slide
Research shows students lose 2–3 months of academic skills over the summer. You can fight back with just one hour of intentional learning each day.
Ideas include:
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Educational apps like Khan Academy, Prodigy, or BrainPOP
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Summer workbooks aligned with your child’s grade level
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Journaling prompts to boost writing fluency
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Local library “bridge programs” offering free review and preview resources
Even 15 minutes of math and 15 minutes of reading daily makes a measurable difference.
Mastering the Clock: Routines and Time Management
Time management is the secret to avoiding the chaos of school mornings.
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Use a visual countdown calendar to mark school-related milestones: supply shopping, orientation, haircut, first day
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Create a morning routine chart for younger kids—include brushing teeth, getting dressed, and grabbing backpacks
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Adjust bedtime and wake-up times gradually over 10–14 days
Practice makes perfect: Run through a mock school morning the week before. Include dressing, breakfast, packing, and getting out the door!
Model Confidence, Not Stress
Kids take emotional cues from the adults around them. If you project calm confidence and excitement about the new school year, they’re more likely to mirror that attitude.
Try these:
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Share a memory from your own school days
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Talk about what you’re looking forward to this fall
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Avoid overloading the calendar the first week—leave room for adjustment
Final Back-to-School Prep Checklist
✔ Supply shopping completed by mid-August
✔ Bedtime and wake-up routine adjusted
✔ Backpack packed and lunchbox labeled
✔ Orientation tours attended or watched online
✔ Digital learning accounts (Google Classroom, LMS) tested
✔ Haircut scheduled
✔ First-day outfit chosen
✔ Positive conversations shared!
