Every afternoon, my children rush in from school, hastily drop their backpacks, and immediately hand over their classroom folders to me. It’s a critical moment; the contents of these folders can set the tone for my entire day. There’s a clear link between what spills out of those folders and the level of stress I will face.
Now that my oldest is in fifth grade, I’ve developed an efficient system for managing this sorting task that has proven invaluable. Trust me, the last thing you want to do is sift through the contents aimlessly. That’s what inexperienced parents do!
Instead, follow these twelve straightforward steps to stay organized and stress-free while sorting through your child’s school folder. You’ll thank yourself later!
STEP 1:
Open the folder(s).
STEP 2:
Count the total number of folders you need to go through.
Tip: This number should match the number of elementary-aged kids you have.
Bonus Tip 1: If you find fewer folders than kids, reprimand your child for forgetting their folder (again!).
Bonus Tip 2: If there are more folders than children, ask why they brought home their friend’s folder yet again!
STEP 3:
Determine your “Friendly Folder Fraction” by using the number of folders from Step 2 as your denominator and placing a 1 above it as the numerator. Don’t let the math intimidate you—it’s a breeze!
Example: If Laura has 3 folders, her Friendly Folder Fraction is 1/3.
STEP 4:
Toss out random pages. This is how you level the playing field—why should parents with multiple kids do all the work?
Example: Laura discards every other page from each folder. Remember, she’s recycling!
Bonus Tip 1: Involve your kids to make it a fun family event!
STEP 5:
Review what’s left. If you have more than one child, recycle any PTA or school club information. Let’s be real—there’s never enough time for that.
Note: If you have only one child, the PTA is counting on you. They might be searching for a new President!
STEP 6:
Set aside corrected homework and art projects. When the coast is clear, toss them into the recycling bin. That’s all in the past now.
STEP 7:
Sign the reading log generously.
Bonus Tip 1: Sign for the entire week at once. Sure, your child might not have read yet, but who has time for details? If you can’t trust your child, who can you trust?
STEP 8:
Collect any new assignments and hand them over to your child. Their problem now!
STEP 9:
Give a quick glance to the remaining documents for anything needing a signature. Don’t read it—just sign. It’s called a Permission Slip for a reason!
STEP 10:
Look for any health announcements, particularly for the word E-B-O-L-A. If it’s absent, discard the form. If it’s present, well, I can’t help you. The CDC can, though—make sure to contact them!
STEP 11:
Almost done! The last item in the folder should be the Picture Day Order Form. This is sent twice a year: once for actual Picture Day and once for what I like to call “My Kid Looks Like a Constipated Goldfish Day” (aka Retake Day). Don’t stress over which package to buy—just remember that C is always the right choice. Write your check, seal the envelope, and ignore the taste of adhesive on your tongue.
STEP 12:
Pour yourself a glass of wine and celebrate your brilliance! Congratulations, you’ve just mastered a major life hack.
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In summary, organizing your child’s school folder can be a manageable task with the right approach. By following these simple steps, you can alleviate stress and create a more efficient system for handling school paperwork.