new school year, newly organized: parent school binder

Last year was our first with two children in school. Our oldest son went off to Kindergarten, while our middle child started his first preschool year. Thankfully, their school calendars matched up as far as holidays and no school days. Still, there was a lot to manage with different teachers, lunches, school programs, homework, incoming papers and well, you get the idea!

I knew I needed some sort of system for important papers. I added a handful of page protectors to a letter size binder, slipped in the district calendar and pertinent papers and called it done. Did it work? Not really.  It just wasn't organized in a way that made sense but, I didn't put much thought into it beyond that.


Last month, I came across this video by AtHomeWithNikki where she shared a complete binder system, sectioned off for each child. It all made so much sense! I hit my own stash for some of the supplies and Staples for the rest. The genius in this system is that it is a one shot project. All that needs to be changed out yearly is the school and monthly calendar section. Everything else is reused year after year. I love that!

While I have yet to assemble my own (we still have three weeks of summer break to go), I thought I would share the video here along with a photo/written supply list to help other families who are searching for a better system. I spent far too long in the office supply store pulling together bits and pieces as, the only thing missing from the video was a comprehensive list. This should eliminate that hiccup for you!

Parent School Binder Supply List:

8.5x11" binder (video uses a Martha Stewart for Staples, aqua striped design)
Clear binder pockets (Staples): 4 per child + 2 extra
Tabbed dividers
Zip-It binder pockets (Studio C at Staples): 1 per child + 1 extra
Snap tab 2 pocket folder (Studio C at Staples): 1 per child
Monthly Calendar (I printed my freebies HERE)

Optional:
3 hole punched sprial notebook (my addition for note taking)
Label maker

I have enough supplies on hand to create sections for all three of our children, even though our youngest will not start preschool until 2017. During the coming year, I'll use her portion for the Mommy & Me schedule and any activities, such as swim classes.

I'm looking forward to using this system and will share photos (or, maybe a video?) once the project is complete. I hope that this has been helpful!

Cheers to a new school year!
Jen

project life: week 37...

Today, I am sharing a layout from September of this year. Week 37 started out with incredibly proud moments and milestones and ended incredibly difficult, uncertain and frightening. Project Life is just that, about life and all of it's highs and lows. There is no better example of that than our family's experience this week.

(Left) Our oldest, George, started preschool this week! He was so incredibly excited and we were equally proud. Mr. Boom and I attended orientation with him on Tuesday morning and then dropped him off on his first solo day Wednesday where (proving he is like me in some ways) he said as we left the car, "Mommy, you can stay here. I can do it all by myself." At home, Jack spent a lot of time playing at our front windows watching contractors remake our building entries and then pave the driveway. Lots of trucks and noise = a toddler dream!

(Right) More school photos, a bit of routine and my klutzy misstep resulting in a badly sprained foot. Then, the devastation. The photo of George and his Pappou is so special and heart wrenching. After having a very successful surgery on Friday afternoon, my father in law suffered a massive stroke in the middle of the night. We are blessed to still have him with us but, he is enduring a long, arduous rehabilitation now.

project life: preschool edition...

Happy Tuesday! I am linking up with The Mom Creative today and sharing my recently started School version of Project Life.

When we registered George for preschool in January (yes, it needs to be done that far in advance here!) I knew I wanted to start a school album for him right away. My approach? KEEP IT SIMPLE. I waited and waited for the Project Life School Theme pack to make it's appearance and pounced as soon as I saw it hit my favorite online shop, Paper Issues. The supplies I am using for this album are minimal:

• Project Life School Theme pack
• In a Creative Bubble School Days journaling cards and circle accents
• Project Life grid cards
• Assorted alphabet stickers
• Photos
• Sharpie pen
• Corner rounder, date stamp, adhesive, paper trimmer

Just before school started, George and I were at a craft store and he chose his own album - the yellow and white striped Project Life binder. Perfect. As soon as I printed the photos from his orientation day and first day of school I was ready to go. At the end of this post, I'll write a  bit more about my approach to this project. Here is his album so far - up to date:

Orientation day, an interview about his first day, the school "rules" (the pencil card was a freebie I found on the internet awhile back and just added text in Picasa), describing his first art project...

Letter size page protector insert including first artwork and the welcome letter from his teacher...

An autumn song he learned and has been singing at home and a visit from the local fire department. I made the fire engine card using a piece of clip art and a poem I found online...

 First field trip to a local nature center for an apple cidering lesson and nature walk...

Here is my process and some thoughts on this project:

• Print the photos as soon as they are  taken, slip them in the pages. You'll notice that I haven't even rounded the 4x6 photos. Easy. I'm rounding the 3x4's becasue the PL cards are already done and I like that middle line to be uniform. 
• Write out his memories or an account of an event simply and quickly. 
• This album will span many years, separated using dividers. Since there will only be photos of big events, they won't take up so much space. 
• Artwork: I plan to keep a few key pieces, such as his first and there are  two apple related pieces that go along with the field trip. Otherwise, they will be displayed at home then photographed and added in as a 3x4' photo.