The first day of classes is just around the corner! While that may receive an eye roll from your student — it’s an exciting time of learning, engaging, and making new friends. Families across Ann Arbor and the surrounding region are beginning to prepare their adolescents for the upcoming school year, which can sometimes feel like a stressful experience. Luckily, there are several resources, programs, and tips for meeting the 2024-2025 school year with confidence.

How to Go Back to School Shopping Like a Pro!

As you review your student’s back-to-school supply lists, the task of shopping may start to feel overwhelming! Luckily, as the first day of school approaches — many stores will feature back-to-school ads and promotions that help to alleviate the costs of pens, paper, notebooks, and all the necessities required for a successful school year.

Here are a few tips & tricks for managing the shopping spree this year!

Take Inventory of Pre Owned Supplies

More often than not, your child may have leftover pencils, pens, and a few blank spirals from prior years. Take inventory of what you already have, so you know what you still need. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with prioritizing needs over wants! Once you have an essentials list created, you can shop for deals in your local area.

Keep an Eye Out for Sales and Promotions

With the school year quickly approaching, many of the big box stores will begin offering an array of deals, sales, and back-to-school promotions. When you spot a buy-one-get-one-free binder, grab it! Peruse your local newspaper, online advertisements, and retailer apps to get the best deals on your student’s school supplies.

Use Timing to Your Advantage

In some instances, parents or guardians may find the best deals by shopping during off periods. Whenever possible, try to use this to your advantage! Shopping earlier in the summer or waiting until the school year has kicked off can give you steep discounts on the supplies the retailers are trying to clear out.

Use Shopping as a Lesson in Budgeting

Back-to-school shopping is a great opportunity to start teaching students about budgeting. Sit down and formulate a reasonable budget and then have them shop according to these parameters. This can help them understand how far their dollar goes while helping them make real-life decisions about purchasing necessities.

Shop Secondhand for Increased Savings 

Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas have an array of local thrift stores, which can be a great resource for finding gently used back-to-school clothing and backpacks. Swing by your nearest secondhand store and see what treasures are waiting to be found! Many thrift stores will have discounts or color tags that are half off on certain days — use this money-saving tactic to your advantage!

A few area thrift shops include:

• Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop (2280 South Industrial Highway, Ann Arbor)
• Kiwanis Thrift Sale (100 North Staebler Road Suite C, Ann Arbor)
• Value World (1410 East Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti)
• Nu2U Again Resale Shop (1311 East Michigan Avenue, Saline)
• Ann Arbor Thrift Shop (3500 Washtenaw Avenue K, Ann Arbor)

Invest in Quality Supplies

Cheap school supplies and “value” school supplies aren’t always one and the same. Sometimes, going for the cheapest option can cost you more in the end if you find yourself replacing backpacks and lunch boxes every year. Whenever possible, opt for high-quality, durable materials that can potentially be used for several years to come. This upfront increase in price can end up saving you cash at the end of the day.

11 Tips for Getting the Kids Prepped for the New School Year

The transition from the more relaxed summer routine to waking up early and catching the bus can be a rough one. Whether you have little ones entering into 1st grade or a high school senior, these tips for preparing for the new school year can help make it the best one yet!

As your district’s first day of classes quickly approaches, here are a few ideas to get your student in the mood for learning! Whether you have a young child or one that’s about to start college applications — a supportive environment and an organized schedule can be conducive to everyone.

Organize a Shopping List

As districts and teachers release their school supply lists, organize a master list with all your students’ essentials on it. This can help you determine which stores you need to swing by, such as the big box chains. Whenever possible, request your child’s input — such as what color they’d prefer their backpack be and which themed folder would be “cool” this year. This input can help to engage younger kids and get them excited to go back to school!

Set the Alarm Clock

Many students have grown accustomed to sleeping in over the summer break. Help transition your child to the school schedule by setting their alarm 30 minutes earlier each night until they’re back on schedule! This can help prevent the first day of school fatigue from setting in due to only getting a few hours of sleep the night before. For younger students, parents can help get their kiddo used to the typical morning routine of getting up, getting dressed, and enjoying a nutritious breakfast before they catch the bus.

Set Aside Time for Physical Activity

If your child has been used to running around the yard all day or enjoying frequent trips to the playground or basketball courts, transitioning to sitting still at a desk for the majority of the day can be a rough one. Help establish exercise as part of your child’s back-to-school routine, which can help them shake off the stress of the day and keep them regulated throughout the change.

Review School Policies and Calendars

Sit down with your student and get a big picture of the school year. Circle major holidays, long weekends, and other school-related events on the calendar so they’re aware of deadlines, breaks and important dates. If your child is attending a new school, review the policies to ensure that everybody is on the same page. If your child is transitioning to middle school and changing classrooms for the first time, help them get their schedule memorized so they know where to go.

Set Goals for the Upcoming School Year

While the initial transition from summer break to school may be difficult, help your student set goals for the upcoming year. This can give them specific things to work towards, such as practicing to make the baseball team in the fall or pulling off a B in their least favorite class. Goals can be broken down into smaller, more achievable steps that can be motivating to students.

Establish a Consistent Routine

For younger students who may not be used to managing their own routines, parents should help them determine the best tools, strategies, and organizational practices for keeping up with homework and studying. Whether that’s getting everything done before dinner or staying accountable for sticking to good habits — consistency is key. Starting slow and starting early is the best way to ensure a successful transitional period. Making changes to the routine all at once can throw off even the most easy going child.

Participate in Back to School Events

If your school is hosting events leading up to the school year — make sure to attend! This is a great way for students to meet each other and for parents to get acquainted with teachers and staff members. This can help ease some of the first-day-of-school jitters and allow your student to walk into class feeling confident and capable.

Discuss Emotional and Mental Regulation

Entering into a classroom full of unfamiliar faces can make even the most self-assured child feel anxious and stressed. Before school begins, discuss any fears your child may have and the steps that can be taken to alleviate or manage them. If possible, visit the school before the first day. This can help create a more familiar environment and ease some of the student’s natural stressors.

Create a Quiet Study Area

Many households are busy and filled with an assortment of distractions, which can make it difficult when a student is trying to study for an upcoming test. If possible, provide your student with a quiet area designated for their school work. This can help set them up to achieve their highest potential throughout the year by giving them the space to focus on their homework.

Don’t Forget to Celebrate

Going back to school is a big deal! Whether your student is starting their first year of middle school or their final year of high school — mark the milestone and celebrate the achievements that have brought them this far. Many parents enjoy getting back into the school year routine but remember, it all goes by so quickly. Make sure to stop and appreciate the little things.

Reach Out for Help

If you find yourself overwhelmed by back-to-school preparations or find yourself unable to purchase everything your student will need for the upcoming year, don’t be afraid to ask for help! There is an array of community resources that are available for these situations and that can provide assistance with school supplies and other necessities for families in need,

Resources, Programs & Services in the Ann Arbor Area

Before the first day of class, swing by your local library and familiarize yourself with the wide variety of resources offered — such as private study rooms, book databases, and even tutoring opportunities! For instance, the Ann Arbor District Library offers homework help, shelf services, and of course, books galore! Whether you’re a student in need of essay help or you’re stuck on a math assignment, there are resources at the library available to help.

Ann Arbor Public Schools also offers the Rec & Ed’s Before & After School Program which is designed to promote children’s well-being via enrichment activities, positive peer and staff relationships, and a safe learning environment. The 2024-2025 school year has options for lower fees and part-time schedules, which allows a greater number of families to participate in the program.

Additional community resources can be located here, with options such as mental health and crisis services, ESL resources, academic support, disability resources, transportation assistance and so much more! The district has an array of staff available to help with situations that may arise, including social workers, counselors, and intervention specialists.

Another helpful resource within the Ann Arbor region is the Ann Arbor Community Center, which provides community services for children and families, senior citizens, and those suffering from economic insecurity. Support can help fill immediate needs, as well as work to build strong, healthy families that in turn create stronger communities.

Ypsilanti Community Schools also offers community resources to families and hosts events like the Meet Up and Eat Up meal program. Depending on which district your child attends, reach out to their school and inquire about resources, programs, and additional services that can be used to ensure your student has the tools needed to live up to their fullest potential. 

If you have the ability to host a supply drive, make a monetary donation, or donate books, Ann Arbor Public Schools strives to help students and families in need using these generous gifts.

Let’s Make This Year the Best One Yet! 

With the start of a new academic year, there are endless possibilities to achieve. Help set your child up for success this school year and support them through the transition from summertime to crunch time. While students work to achieve goals throughout the year, don’t forget to recognize the milestones along the way!