Dealing With End of School Year Paperwork

Ninth Grade Locker Set Up

Well, this week is officially the last week of 10th grade for Caroline. There is a LOT less paperwork that comes through our door these days but even as a mom of one, it can get overwhelming and fast! Dealing with year-end paperwork can be daunting, to say the least. I used to get extremely sentimental, keeping the most mundane doodles but time has led me down a more stringent path. Here are a few tips for those of you with younger kids… set aside some time when you won’t be rushed, have a snack, and get to work!

Use the 4-Pile Method

Sort everything into four categories: Keep, Toss/Recycle, Display, and Digitize. Think about keeping a few special pieces and a sampling of work from a favorite class and let go of scribbles and busywork. Is there a place where you regularly display awards or artwork (fridge, bulletin board, etc)? Think about keeping these in a physical folder that you can rotate and then later keep or digitize.

Ideas for going digital: Take photos or scan artwork, writing, and awards. Apps like Artkive, Google Photos, or even a shared family album on your phone help preserve without the physical clutter.

Create a “School Year Binder”

Use a 1-inch binder or expanding file folder per child, per year. Include: Report cards, a few standout assignments, special awards, and a first-day and last-day photo. I’ll admit, I never caught onto the last-day photo (fail?). You know what is important for you and your family memories, right? Having said that…

Archive with Boundaries

Have a memory bin or file box (I really like Bigso Box of Sweden boxes) with clearly defined space. When it’s full, it’s full — use it as a limit to avoid saving everything. Store only the most meaningful and special items long-term.

Ask the Magic Question

When you're unsure whether to keep something, ask yourself: “Will I (or my child) still care about this in 5 years?” If the answer is no, it's okay to let it go. I’ll go a step further, if you’re on the fence about a drawing or report, give yourself time and go through the archived items in question (either before the start of the new school year or the end of it. More than likely, you’ll be ready to let a few more things go. With patience and a system in place, it will be a breeze and you'll be ready to enjoy the summer!