Now that you have a locker location all set up, it is time to make sure you also have a plan for all the paper! Usually the two main forms of paperwork coming through your door will be, communication and art/schoolwork. (Thankfully many schools are sending more information electronically, so be sure to opt for electronic options when you can.) We want to avoid the problem of missing papers, paper piles, lost papers, paper trails, well you get the idea…
Here are my ABC’s for how to make a Paper Plan!
{A}
Create a Mailbox.
The Mailbox will be for all incoming papers, in a location where both you and your kiddos are able to access it, and both of you are checking it daily. Ideally this will be somewhere near your locker location, keep it as simple as possible! The goal will be to teach your kiddos to put ALL of their papers in either the “In-Box,” or the “File-Box.” You will need to check both boxes daily.
*In-Box: kids put all communication/art/schoolwork papers in here for Mom/Dad to review, sign, read, fill out, or file.
*File-Box: a place for any paperwork that needs to be saved and / or filed.
*Out-Box: kids learn to check before they leave every day, and add to their backpacks as necessary.
{B}
Manage the Papers.
The IN-Box and FILE-Box will be areas that you manage. You will go through as needed daily or weekly and anything that isn’t going to the OUT-Box will be sorted into three piles.
1. “Display” – location where special art/school work may be displayed and rotated (this may be a bulletin board, the fridge, just create one location).
2. “Save” – holding area for completed art and schoolwork (things you may want to either file or recycle, but don’t want to do it too soon). I keep a large basket of their art/schoolwork. Then on about a monthly basis I go through the basket (on my own), this is key as you may want to pull out things to recycle and decide without their input. You are with me on this point, right? I know you know what I’m talking about… I sort it into three piles: recycle, memory box and return to the “Save Basket”. If there are some papers they may ask about later, I keep them in there longer. It never feels good to tell them you recycled their favorite picture they drew two weeks ago.
3. “File” – I have a file folders for each of my kids located in my desk. I place any papers in here that I need to hold on to, such as sports schedules, class party dates/info, and field trip info. Once I have signed, or added to the calendar, anything that I need to ‘hold on’ to goes in their file for safe keeping. Other papers such as awards or certificates go in their school books.
{C}
Train your kiddos to put their paper away!
I am a firm believer, that it is never too early to begin training your children on how to be organized. You are re-enforcing what they are learning at school by continuing to teach them at home on how to organize their papers. So review part A above and make sure your kiddos know their part in the plan.
Here are some photos of my Mailbox, it is ready for all of those pretty papers coming my way!
My younger two kids have their summer Reading Race papers all filled out, and they are just resting in the “Out-Box,” ready for their first day of school!
Bring.on.the.paper.
Linked with I Heart Organizing.
