Cozi Blog

Back to Schoolology: The Science of a Simple Back to School

It's back to school time and we all have the same challenges: getting out of the house on time (and without a fight), keeping schedules straight, buying the right school supplies, making healthy lunches and snacks that the kids will eat, and deciding what to do with all that schoolwork and artwork (besides creating clutter.)

Back to Schoolology is the science of simple back to school - a quick list of ideas for managing the transition.

Get started on Back to Schoolology

Back to Schoolology: Routines 101

A little structure goes a long way. Take away the drama of chaotic mornings and homework struggles with routines. And remember - it's not a routine if you don't stick to it most days!

• Set up a ‘time to go’ area for backpacks, shoes, coats and lunch sacks and have the kids ALWAYS store those items there.
• Decide where the kids will do homework. When homework is done, it goes in the backpack.
• Create a daily school schedule with your kids. Include bedtime and wake up times, set a time to leave the house for school, and schedule blocks of time for homework, music practice and other daily commitments.
• To get back in the rhythm of homework, start reading each day at the designated homework hour.
• Do a dry run of a typical morning and instead of driving to school surprise the kids with a trip to the beach, water park or breakfast.

Next Lesson: Everyone on the Same Page

Previous Lesson: Back to Schoolology

Back to Schoolology: Course Complete!

Congratulations! You've completed Cozi's crash course on a simple back to school. Now that you are organized, the whole family can enjoy the structure the new school year brings.

Refresher course:

Routines 101
Everyone on the Same Page
Coach the Kids
Back to School Shopping Plan 
Avoid the Food Fight
How Cozi Can Help

Back to Schoolology: How Cozi Can Help

Cozi has free online family management tools to make the back to school season go so smoothly you'll have more time for family fun. The shared family calendar and lists will simplify back to school. But don't stop there! This list of cool ideas for how to use Cozi is just the beginning:

• Add your school's calendar and events to your family calendar in an instant. No more searching for a copy of the school calendar for teacher in-service days, school breaks and testing schedules. When all the school events are listed on your own calendar, planning becomes a breeze. Here's how–School Calendars Now.
• Use Cozi to display kids' artwork. It's hard to know which artwork to keep forever and which to let go. With the Cozi collage, displaying ALL the artwork is easy. Take a picture of each piece and your screensaver can become a showcase of the year's masterpieces.
• Use a separate Cozi account to organize your weekly carpool schedule. Just set up your carpool group as a "family." Each commuter gets a tab, and the "All" tab tells you who is doing the driving. (We'll let you figure out who gets to take control of the radio.)
• Add addresses for practices, games and lessons to a Cozi list. If you forget where you're going after you're in the car, simply call for your list or have it sent to your mobile phone.
• Ease last minute meal planning. Make a list of ingredients for each of your family's favorite quick meals–the list will always be as close as your mobile phone.

Next: Complete Back to Schoolology

Previous: Avoid the Food Fight

Back to Schoolology: Avoid the Food Fight

What's the best way to avoid struggles over food? Hand over food decisions to the kids.  

• Let your child make a list of favorite lunch foods and refer to it each week as you grocery shop. Refresh the list each month to avoid food fatigue.
• Agree on the next day’s breakfast and lunch the night before to help avoid stress in the morning.
• Make a "greatest hits" list of favorite family dinners and use it to create a dinner schedule for the busy weeks ahead.
• Your child can pack the lunch! Designate three areas in the fridge or cupboard that contain approved lunch foods. Have your child pick one item from each area to create each day’s lunch. For example, one area holds pre-made sandwiches, another holds fruit and veggies, and another holds snack bars, nuts and crackers.

Next Lesson: How Cozi Can Help with Back to School

Previous Lesson: Back to School Shopping Plan

Back to Schoolology: Back to School Shopping Plan

Chances are, your child will need a few new supplies before school starts. But don’t buy new supplies simply because it’s back to school time! Make a plan and stick to it.

• Organize and assess the school supplies you have. Find out if the classroom teacher will request specific supplies before you shop.
• Find out if your state has a sales tax holiday and do the bulk of your shopping then.
• One way to rejuvenate an old, but still working backpack or lunchbox is to add patches or buttons from summer trips and camps.
• Turn your kid's room into a fitting room for the morning. Find out what still fits and create a school wardrobe for late summer and early fall seasons. Recycle or donate the rest–immediately!
• Decide how much you have to spend on back to school clothes. Put the cash in an envelope and pay from it and when it’s gone, it’s gone!
• Purchase important pieces first like jeans and pants, shoes, and cool-weather jackets.

Next Lesson: Avoid the Food Fight

Previous Lesson: Coach the Kids

Back to Schoolology: Coach the Kids

Kids do best with a little help through transitions. Prepare your kids physically, cognitively and emotionally to make the change from the lazy days of summer to the new structure of school.

• Make sure vaccinations and physical exams are up to date
• If your child is attending a new school or class, visit the school and meet the teacher. Plan a play date or two at the park with classmates before school starts.
• Help your young child gain the confidence to meet new friends. Role-play as a classmate to help your child introduce him/herself.
• Get the brains working again by reading to your children daily or helping them complete their summer reading list.
• Finish summer assignments or reading lists at least one week before school starts.
• Have an End-of-Summer party to mark the change.

Next Lesson: Back to School Shopping Plan

Previous Lesson: Everyone on the Same Page

Back to Schoolology: Everyone on the Same Page

Use a family calendar that the whole family can access and update. Even elementary-aged children can be involved with reviewing the week’s schedule and adding events and activities.

• Meet with the whole family before school starts to add events and appointments in August and September calendar.
• Show the kids the rest of the summer schedule, including the first day of school.
• Now is the time to nail down bus times, carpool pick up times, childcare schedules, afterschool activities and practices.
• Don’t just schedule work, practice, lessons and appointments. Block out time for family fun and family outings.

Next Lesson: Coach the Kids

Previous Lesson: Routines 101