Back to School Checklists for New Mexico Parents

The first day of school is right around the corner, so we’ve prepared some back to school checklists to help you get ready. There’s a lot to do, from shopping for clothes and supplies to making sure that your kids have their immunizations and having important conversations that will prepare them for the year ahead. Use these back to school checklists to get your New Mexico students started on the right foot!

Back to School Supplies Checklist

Most schools will have a back to school shopping list with the materials that your student will need, depending on their grade. If you don’t have one, then you can call the school to ask or simply stock up on the basic supplies that they are likely to need. This list will get them started, and you will quickly find out if there is anything else that they need. It doesn’t hurt to send extra if you can afford it to help the teachers and other students.

• Backpack & Lunchbox
• 2 or 3 Notebooks
• 2 or 3 Folders
• A pack of number 2 pencils
• Erasers
• Markers
• Crayons
• Scissors
• Glue
• Dry Erase Markers
• Hand Sanitizer
• Tissues
• Ruler
• Calculator

Back to School Tasks Checklist

Whether this is your child’s first year in school or whether they’ve been going for years, it will help to complete the following back to school tasks before they start.

• Call the school to make sure your child is enrolled and find out what class they’re in.
• Fill out any forms that are needed, update contact information, and designate those who are allowed to pick up and drop off your child. Make the school aware of any medical needs.
• Make a doctor’s appointment for a checkup and any vaccines.
• Get haircuts and shop for school clothes.
• If you’re going to carpool, start contacting the other parents and introduce them to your kids.
• For children who ride the bus, call the bus garage (or school) to get busing information.
• If your children require after school care, get that set up before they start.
• Go to any open houses or events before school, or try to go in some time before the first day to show your child where their class is, where their locker is, and anything else they may need.
• Find out if you need to send lunch money with your student or if you can put money on their account online or with a check to the school. If there is ever a mishap with lunch money, though, don’t worry; New Mexico has laws that prohibit lunch money shaming in schools. You’ll probably get a phone call, and you can correct the issue without your child facing any humiliation.

Back to School Conversations Checklist

No matter how many times your child has started a new school year or how many times you’ve had these conversations, it’s always important to have them again and ensure safety and readiness.

• Where they go after school and what they need to do to get there
• Safety concerning strangers and leaving school property
• School bus behavior and safety
• Pedestrian behavior and safety
• Classroom behavior and listening skills
• Hallway behavior
• Responsibility and goals
• Bullying, kindness, and making friends
• What to do in emergencies
• Feelings and concerns

Back to School Routines Checklist

Going back to school comes with a set of routines that you might want to get in place a week or so before school starts, to prepare your child for the habits that will keep them ready to learn.

• Set a bedtime that will allow your child to get enough sleep. Consider changing up the bedtime routine to include a final show, movie, or book to ease into it.
• Prepare the night before the first day with a routine of getting everything ready for the next day, including the next day’s outfit, packing lunch, and/or getting the backpack ready.
• Plan ahead for shower/bath time, breakfast, and getting ready for the day ahead.
• Set up a space for backpacks, lunch boxes, etc.
• Designate a space for completing homework.
• Practice waking up early in the days before school starts. If your child has their own alarm clock, make sure they know how to use it and get themselves out of bed on time.
• If your child rides the bus, walk them to and from their bus stop before school starts

Of course, summer isn’t quite over yet, and there’s still time to have fun, make memories, and talk to your kids about the year ahead. But, while you’re camping, hiking, and taking those last road trips, don’t forget to prepare for going back to school. Once school starts, keep having conversations about learning, making friends, listening, and being safe. Talk your children about their day and help them to achieve academic and social success!