Recently in school Category

When you think back-to-school, don't you think school supplies, lunch boxes, and new clothes and shoes? For shoes, Piperlime has just the brands you want for your little darlings from Stride Rite, Converse, Kenneth Cole, Diesel, Keen, Primigi, Naturino, Geox and many more.

You'll be able to find the perfect pair of shoes for any outfit and child's personality or mood.

Have a sportster? Then you will find great choices of sneakers.

A prissy missy? Then the Mary-Janes will suit her fancy just fine.

A bit of a prep you say? Then check out the shoes that go perfectly with school uniforms.

Puddle jumpers and mud-hole splashers? These pull on boots will definitely brighten any rainy day.

Another great feature, you can shop Piperlime.com, Gap.com, OldNavy.com, BananaRepublic.com and Athleta.com in one easy shopping cart with one easy check-out, providing a convenient and stress free back to school shopping experience.

It's what you've been simultaneously dreading and looking forward to for years - the day your teenager leaves for college. At this point, your living room probably resembles a staging area filled with essentials, maybe must-haves and should-we-take-this or-not piles. Here are some hints on what to leave at home, what to hold off on buying, and even what you might be able to be return, if you still have the receipt.

Less is more, especially in dorm rooms that are stingy on space. They are smaller than you remember from the campus tour, so think about what's really necessary. And just because you might be able to clear something out of your house now doesn't mean it won't show back up later, where it will just collect dust in your basement or attic.

"First year college kid's parents tend to over indulge," cautions Tina Shoulders, founder of furnishings and lifestyle company, Laidback. Her recommendations on what to bring include:  "A good duvet set, a few sheet sets, table lamp, rug, a few towels, under the bed storage bins, desk accessories." She suggests coordinating with the roommate to check and see what he/she is planning on bringing along so there isn't duplication on appliances.
Keep the décor simple. Let your son or daughter make their own decisions, even if you don't agree. You won't have to see it every day, so don't worry about it. Try to hold off on buying too many accessories, which will only clutter up the room. Instead, try to focus on one or two main items. Shoulders says, "Design is a great conversation starter. Always come with one conversational item or design. Buy at least one new throw pillow, lamp, cool poster or knick-knack that sparks interest."

In terms of closet space, try and leave some of your kid's clothing at your house instead of piling the entire wardrobe in the car because not all of it is going to fit.  "First, try to picture the residence hall closet.  If you don't remember how miniscule it is - picture 1/4 of your current closet  (less if it happens to be a walk in.)  College closets are tiny," says Eileen Roth, speaker and author of "Organizing For Dummies(R)."

"Chances are they already own 4-5 pairs of jeans, and that will probably be what they will wear 90% of the time.  Pair those with seven tops, some exercise clothes, add a sweater or two, and wait until you get to campus," she suggests. If you do take more during this trip, be sure to take some plastic tubs for storage. "To save space, buy an under-the-bed plastic storage box and store some things there - great for the 'too many shoes' person," Roth advises.

So take a deep breath and enjoy the remaining time with your kids before they head off to school - and don't forget, you'll see them along with mountains of their laundry probably more often than you think.

Photo: Austin Anderson, Executive Director Chic Galleria Publications

Get your child ready for back-to-school and prevent those first day blues.

Regardless if your child attends public, private, charter, or is schooled at home, the first day back to school can be stressful. With planning on your part, you can head-off many of the back-to-school jitters your child may experience.

1. Head to bed. Start back with your child's in-school bed routine 14 days prior to the start of school. Not only will this allow your child to adjust back to the routine, your child will also have the opportunity to catch up on sleep that may have been missed over busy summer months. A well-rested child on the first day of school will definitely be more agreeable and adjusted.

2. Meet up with friends and meet new classmates. Get in touch with your child's friends from school and schedule a play date the week before school resumes. If your child is new to the school, ask the school administration for a listing of your child's classmates and try to connect with the parents of children in your child's class. Many schools schedule a "meet and greet" prior to the start of school. If so, this is a great time to meet new classmates.

3. Get them involved. Ask your child to help you in preparing for heading back-to-school. Once you are prepared with your back-to-school budget and supplies list from your child's teacher, select a few options and allow your child to choose the final. For instance, need a new lunch box? Then, you choose a few options you approve of in your price range and present to your child for him to make the final selection. This keeps items within your budget while involving your child in selecting his own personal pieces.

4. Celebrate. Plan a family celebration for back-to-school night. This can either be the night before school starts or the actual night that school begins. Allow your child to plan the menu with you and be sure to play up the big day. Some ideas include: balloons (not for little ones), cupcakes for dessert, a sign to announce the big day, and a special gift of a neat notebook or pencil set that your child can use at school.

Your child will be ready to head back-to-school and excited about the upcoming year with this tips. Remember, the change is exciting and stressful for your child. Be conscious of this and take time to talk with your child about how he is feeling about the situation. Just listening to him may be the best tip of all.

What are your back-to-school blues prevention tips? Please share them with your Chic Galleria friends.

Photo credit © Kelpfish | Dreamstime.com

Years ago back to school shopping trips with Mom to update my wardrobe was a favorite rite of passage. Just because you're watching your wallet this year doesn't mean that you can't find great clothing for your kids  - and have fun in the process. Before hitting the stores or loading up on-line shopping carts, keep these five helpful tips in mind to help maximize the savings.

First, comb through your kid's closets and weed out any items that don't fit or they refuse to wear - like the bright green sweater with rabbits and matching green corduroy pants my grandparents had given to me. "Do as much mix and match as you can," suggests Eileen Roth, speaker and author of "Organizing For Dummies"(R).  "Are there items you can wear from last year?  Did a top get ruined but the pants or skirt are fine? Then take the good piece with you and buy a new matching top.  Remember, you can save money by buying two or three different tops to go with the same skirt or pants."

Second, brighten up clothes you already have at home. Nyssa Green suggests, "Head to the craft store to get crystals and monograms for sneakers, jeans and backpacks.  Even if they're left over from last year, this will give them new life." She adds, "If you splurge on one major thing [I'd suggest] a great pair of sneakers for boys, a great purse for girls."

Third, think before you buy. Clarky Davis, The Debt Diva, says, "students in most climates are still able to wear their summer wardrobe as they head back to school, so avoid purchasing the full-price, fall clothing items. You may want to invest in a sweater or light jacket that can be layered with summer capris and pants as the weather cools.  If you must purchase a few back to school clothing items, start your shopping trip at an off-price retailer like Steinmart or TJ Maxx, where you can find in style, on-trend clothing already discounted off retail price."

Fourth, think about changing where you buy. Be sure to check out local consignment stores and Goodwill for selections of reasonably priced clothing instead of going to the mall to pay full price. You might find your kids' favorite brands in those stores. Suzanne Kay-Pittman, public relations & communications manager, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc, comments, "I worked with two TV stations in Nashville in the last few days on back-to-school stories and searched our stores and found Polo, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Seven brand jeans, Old Navy, Gap, Abercrombie, American Eagle and numerous other brands that kids will want to wear."

Fifth, don't try to buy everything now. You can always add as more sales crop up later in the season. Hopefully when you reflect back on the experience years later, you'll think about how much fun you had getting ready for the new school year with your kids. 

Photo Credit © Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com

Remember the allure of back to school shopping as a kid? Think about the shiny new folders that you carefully selected, those Trapper Keepers, and lunchboxes from popular TV shows or movies. The accoutrements for the new school year were like treasures for the first day of class - crayons in brightly colored packs before the tips were worn down, freshly sharpened pencils and thick erasers.

These days, back to school shopping means finding the best deals without having to run all over town. So here are some tips for your kids that won't break the budget before the school year is in full swing. "Wait.  Don't buy school supplies until you know exactly what your child's school and teacher require.  It's not unusual for very nice loose leaf binders or a bunch of pencils to go unused because the teacher wants wire bound notebooks and ballpoint pens," advises Louise Reilly Sacco, co-producer/co-host, Frugal Yankee.

Do your homework on upcoming sales while keeping in mind they might not be available right now. "If you can hold your child's backpack over from last year, the time to buy backpacks is actually in October.  Last year, I bought 12 backpacks for $36 from Target on clearance," notes Julie Parrish, CEO - CG Media.

Don't be shy to ask about sales when you're in a store. "Always ask the salesclerk when you can expect the next sale or when you can get coupons. Find nice sales people and befriend them--they will keep you in the loop and save you money," advises Ginger Puglia, Trend Consultant & Strategic Planner and CEO of GINGER finds. 
  
To remain true to your budget, don't try to buy a completely new wardrobe that your kids will quickly outgrow. "Buy basics, mix and match so that outfits can be interchanged and the child gets the maximum number of alternatives from mixing and matching," Puglia says. Another idea is to accessorize. "Refresh outfits with novelty accessories that are inexpensive:  colored shoelaces, caps, hats, scarves," she continues.

And don't be in a rush to purchase new clothes. "If your kids are going to a new school, hold off on clothes shopping.  What was practically required in the old school may be unacceptable to the fashion norms in the new school. Buy one or two outfits, then wait and see," Reilly Sacco adds.

Another option is to try making clothes. "With the craft revival going on in the U.S., many people are picking up knitting needles or dusting off the sewing machine to make clothes instead of purchasing. This is definitely an option for children as back to school clothes are needed," says Caley Walsh, editor, Fave Crafts. "Homemade clothes are very fashionable right now and very thrifty."

So before carting your kids around for a day of shopping, think about what is right for your family's budget. Check for on-line deals at your favorite discount stores. Knowing when you can buy the most for your money will help stretch your dollars and give you peace of mind - just in time for checking homework assignments. 

Photo Credit © Jarenwicklund | Dreamstime.com

Although this is the fourth entry in my series, Preparing Your Child For School, this article is not being written from a teacher's point of view.  I am writing this as a parent preparing to take my son to college tomorrow.

For months we have been preparing for this day.  In June, we began shopping for bedding, dorm accessories and towels.  He enrolled in this classes and got his student ID.  In July, we started thinking about little details such as prescriptions, medical cards and football tickets. Now it's August and the serious last minute shopping has started  We hit Walmart with two shopping carts and bought things such as band-aids, Tide, 3-prong plug adapters and a refrigerator. 

The cars are packed and I have to admit that emotions are high.  Seems like just yesterday my Mom and Dad were helping me move into my dorm.  I can tell how excited my son is and realize that he is nervous too.  So many responsibilities are ahead for him, but I will leave him knowing that I did my very best to prepare him for this day.  I, however, will finish this article to go have another of many cries. Boomer Sooner!

Now is the time of year when parents are starting to think about those dreaded trips down the school supply aisles at Walmart.  Folders with or without brads, notebooks with or without spirals and shopping with or without children.

As a teacher, I am a frequent visitor of The Crayola Store.  Not only does it offer teachers ideas for art in the classroom, but it also has a section especially for school supplies!  Imagine surfing through this website, clicking on the crayons, water colors, markers and colored pencils without pushing a cart.  Granted you will still going to have to buy the tissue boxes and a few other things at Walmart, but picking up several things this way is so much easier.

The third post in my series, Preparing Your Child For School, deals with children I am very familiar with. Kids going to 2nd grade. I'm sure you experienced quite a year as you watched your child tackle reading, writing and arithmetic! Now they are going to take those skills and really put them to work.

Language Arts/Reading
Reads regularly is independent level text effortlessly and with expression.
Demonstrates appropriate use of capitalization, punctuation and sentence structure.
Students will recognize high frequency words and be able to spell them. Dolce list

Math
Names ordinal position first through tenth.
Exhibits fluency with basic addition and subtraction facts to 15.
Tell time to the hour and half hour.
Identify the value of coins.
Reads and writes numbers 1-100.
Counts objects by ones, twos, fives and tens.

I tell my parent's in the letter I send out every May, not only do you need to have your child read to you often....ask them about what they read! Comprehension is a key element in your child's reading success!



This is a series of posts.
Preparing Your Child For School-Kindergarten
Preparing Your Child for School-First Grade