Make Back to School a Fun Time for Youths

Oh how quickly the new school year approaches! Heading back to the classroom can be a stressful time for many reasons, from first time separation issues to college prep classes and SAT tests.

Kids are being re-programed for early school nights instead of late summer evenings; spending the twilight hours finishing homework instead of playing in the yard or down the street with friends. New subjects and new schedules can create worry too, not to mention the peer pressure children experience on a daily basis.

Parents, make this an exciting time for your students! An easy way to do so is to stock up your child with the required tools appropriate for each grade level and if possible, some “cool school stuff” to make time in the classroom worthwhile and rewarding. Whether it’s an official Back-to-School kit, including a new backpack and gear or just a few new pens and carefully selected binders for returning scholars, here are some suggestions for every school age:   

 1.  Pre-K & Kindergarten: Your little student is going to want to have some sort of bag or backpack to carry all the wonderful new projects and papers they’ll be bringing home from school. Other supplies suggested include hand sanitizer, washable crayons, water bottles and lunch boxes, glue and tape.

2.  1st - 3rd Grade: These are the formative years for reading and writing. Encourage and nourish these flourishing skills by adding favorite pens or pencils, new erasers, composition books and index cards for on-the-fly flash cards.

3.  4th & 5th Grade: Your student will be introduced to measurements and geometry this year, and may be introduced to computer projects, requiring supplies like rulers, a compass and a USB flash drive. A weekly planner may also be handy, as these are the years when practices and or music/dance lessons become a regular after school activities.

4.  6th - 8th Grade: Adolescents are struggling with becoming young adults and dealing with peers; parents should strive to make focusing on lessons easy and fun. A graphing calculator purchased now can be of use through high school.  Help those first-time locker users keep new binders and organizational tools safe with a combination lock. Fun tween project alert! Preparing a locker “kit,” to brighten up their new school space may help kids find their own breathing room in a new environment.

5.  9th-12th Grade: These are the years for nurturing and strengthening research and test taking skills.  Some important tools include a 8 piece geometry drafting set, a Thesaurus and Dictionary, report covers, alarm clock, highlighters and label makers.

Want to know the best spots to gather all this gear? Support local businesses and check out , located in the One Northgate Plaza. Other San Rafael businesses offering back to school deals include and