Organizing For Next School Year: Your Calendar

Disclaimer: I received items to include in this post. All opinions are my own.

In my planning process, getting my calendar in order is something that must happen first. I have to know days we need to take off, holidays, and even events I want to include as field trips. I go ahead and choose a start date and potential end date. These dates are marked in my main calendar first.

Stickers and color-coding are a must for me. I can easily spot important dates, to-dos, and things I have to remember. Color coding also helps me spot those super important days. Dates that paperwork is due for school are in orange. Community dates (possible attendance) are in red, and appointments that I have to be at (mine or the kids) are in pink. I can easily look at my calendar and see what is going on. In addition to this, my MIL's appointments are always in yellow so I can be sure I am available.

These stickers help to bring special attention to specific dates, as well as mark school milestones. I use these awesome Aim High Planner Accent Stickers from Carson-Dellosa Publishing specifically for school purposes. This way, I can be sure to set those things apart, plus they are just beautiful. I can use these in my plan book as well, which makes them even more perfect.

While you are getting your calendar all set up, I suggest you go ahead and more tentative breaks and any vacation days you want to take. I try to make these with the holidays in mind because my husband usually takes some time off work, so we can have family time and do some fun stuff.

Another thing I like to go ahead and do now is schedule appointments. I like to get my appointments for at least the rest of the year set instead of waiting until a month before. For instance, the kids' dentist appointments and eye doctor appointments are already set for August and December. Before school starts back, I'll also have a developmental pediatrician, specialists, and probably an allergist scheduled for Snapper. This helps me plan ahead and we do not have to struggle that week.

I hope the way I set up my calendar helps you out a little. I'd love to hear your tips for managing your calendar and schedule during the homeschool year.