Starting Out The School Year In An Organized Way

It is important to start the school year off with all your child’s important documents organized and ready to go. It can be helpful to buy a large binder and three-hole puncher so that right away you can put any document into the appropriate section of your binder. Make sure every document has a date and contact information when applicable. Try to keep documents in chronological order.

Here are a list of sections to include:

• Child’s educational history: Report cards, standardized test scores, evaluations, IEP documents by school system and private evaluators; Documents relating to any behavioral concerns; End of year reports and Progress reports.
• Financial documents: SSI, Medicaid information (child’s benefits), insurance information (insurance name, group number, policy holder, employer name, plan number, phone numbers, addresses). Invoices or copies of check that you need to get reimbursed.
• Child’s health and medical history: Medications, vitamins, supplements (Name, date started/stopped, dosage, prescribed by, reasons for taking, side effects, notes). Doctors reports and test results.
• Journal/Notes: Section with blank paper just to write notes. New phone numbers, notes about your child’s behavior. Reminders. Information from different meetings.
• Correspondence: Letters or other documentation from teachers, programs, doctors etc. Formal notices of meetings scheduled about your child.

Make sure to include blank pages within each section so that you have a place to write questions, comments, questions or any notes.

Here is a list of information to include so that you can have it always readily accessible:

• Appointments/Therapies/Programs: Day of the week, program, time, provider, address, phone number, email address, fax number, and notes.
• Important contacts: Name, type of contact/specialty, phone number, address, email address, fax number, and notes.
• Log: Agency & contact name, phone number, date called, service/information requested, appointment date, documents needed, status, and follow-up.

 Good luck and wishing everyone a great school year ahead!

Frances Victory, Ph.D., C.P.C., is a Developmental Psychologist, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Speaker, and Certified Life Coach at Victory Coaching LLC. For more information about her services, please check out her website: www.drvictorycoaching.com. She can also be reached at victory.frances@gmail.com.