| School is out, and your children couldn't be happier! But | | | | complimentary notes from the teacher written in the |
| if you are like most parents, you are currently drowning | | | | margins |
| in a mound of educational clutter that signifies the end | | | | 4) Keep the best and recycle the rest - Choose the |
| of another school year. It's hard enough to motivate | | | | top memories and place them in a clear poly envelope, |
| your children to get ready for school in the fall, much | | | | acid-free files or folders (to preserve the papers |
| less encourage them to weed through those paper | | | | properly). Make sure to remove tape, paperclips, and |
| piles! Here's how to do it: | | | | rubber bands before storing materials away in a dark |
| 1) Schedule a time with your child - Pick a day that is | | | | area for protection. Avoid placing paper memorabilia in |
| close to the end of the school year, before your | | | | an area with wide fluctuations in temperature and |
| student disappears into the hazy days of summer. The | | | | humidity - attics, basements, and garages are no-nos! |
| key is that you work together with your child (instead | | | | 5) A picture captures the memory and saves space - |
| of doing it for him or her!) so that organizational skills | | | | For large school items (artwork, dioramas, science fair |
| are learned. Offer a reward for completing the project, | | | | projects, etc), take a photograph of the project while it |
| such as a special lunch or movie outing. | | | | is still in pristine condition, and store the photos with the |
| 2) Sort papers into piles by subject - Have your child | | | | other school treasures from the year. |
| gather up all paperwork from his or her binders, folders, | | | | 6) Create a memory box - Beginning in kindergarten, |
| bedroom, backpack, etc. and designate a spot for | | | | give each child one banker's box for all school |
| each subject. Work at a table, or on the floor, | | | | memories. At the end of each school year, your child |
| whatever is more conducive. Designate a "recycling" | | | | places favorite schoolwork and other memorabilia into |
| pile for papers that are no longer needed. | | | | the box. The box has to last through senior year, so if |
| 3) Look for the diamonds in the rough - Most | | | | it fills too quickly, review the contents and do a bit |
| homework assignments and notes are disposable | | | | more weeding. |
| after the school year is over. Your child should look for | | | | 7) Review and renew supplies - Put away school |
| the treasured moments from the school year, such as: | | | | supplies, such as scissors, pencils, and markers. Start a |
| * A good grade on a test that the subject matter was | | | | school supply shopping list for the fall by recording any |
| particularly challenging to master | | | | items that have been depleted or destroyed. Post the |
| * Program from the school play that your child starred | | | | list on the refrigerator and add to it as needed |
| in | | | | throughout the summer. |
| * A favorite essay from English class, with | | | | |