A big part of summer vacation is the mindset of freedom and relaxation. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

But setting aside time now for a few worthwhile school-year preparations will pay dividends once the pace of life picks back up in the fall. There’s no need to end a great summer with a mad scramble of doctors appointments, supply and clothes shopping, and household projects that leave you feeling like you need another vacation.

Veteran parents, educators, counselors and professional organizers offer the following tips to make the transition from summer to school year a little smoother:

Winding down summer vacation
As a mother, first-grade teacher and professional organizer, Columbia resident Loretta Albert has a handle on what it takes to ease into a new school year.

It’s helpful to start with a family meeting, she says, where parents and children talk about expectations and divvy up responsibilities, especially when older siblings are playing a role. Up-to-date lists of emergency contacts should be distributed to all family members. It’s also useful to talk through several “what if” scenarios with the children (miss the bus, forget my lunch, feel ill, etc.)

“The family needs to be in agreement as to what is going to happen,” Albert says of the school year routine, including school drop-off and pick-up, chores, playtime versus homework time, and after-school activities.

• Mark the end of summer in a fun way, like a family cookout or s’mores-roasting where family members share their favorite summer memories. Giving summer an official send-off can help some families refocus on school. Avoid big and exhausting trips or events the weekend before school starts.

• Don’t neglect learning during the summer. Research shows children’s math, reading and writing skills can slide significantly over the summer. Incorporating educational activities into the summer months will not only boost your child’s performance in school, but will help retain a degree of structure.

• Shop early for savings. Beginning in July, many office supply stores have great school supply sales where you can find items for a fraction of their usual cost. (As an added tip, Albert recommends stocking up when the prices are hot, and keeping a school supply stash at home to be used for projects and homework, or to replenish supplies mid-year when many students run out.)

• Take care of doctors visits, physicals, immunizations and any other appointments over the summer.

• So that the first day of school isn’t literally a rude awakening, institute a school-year bedtime and wake-up schedule a week or even two before school starts. Albert recommends instituting a school-year bedtime two weeks before school starts, then easing into a school-year wake-up time during the week prior to the first day.

As a first grade teacher, Albert says she can easily discern which students are still operating on a summer schedule. “You can tell — they’re sleepy, they’re irritable.”

• Help your child pick a school outfit the night before. If it’s new, try it on. Also, break in new shoes before the first day. Although your child might be tempted to show off his or her new fall wardrobe during the first days of class, remember how hot it still is in late August and early September and that fall apparel will likely leave them sweltering, Albert says.

At home
Every household has its own personality and routine. So, find the techniques that work best for your family.

According to Nancy Fox, a Lutherville-based professional organizer and founder of Clarify the Clutter, mom and dad need not be the only ones responsible for time management and scheduling. It’s a valuable life lesson for children to play a role in tracking their activities and being prepared.

“I can honestly say that the best organization tool for students of all ages is a separate, personal calendar on their desk or in their work area,” says Fox. “Weekly ones are best for younger children, monthly ones for older. Granted you will have this same information on your main calendar, but I cannot tell you how helpful it was to my son and daughters to be able to refer to each day of the week and know where they needed to be and what activity they would be engaged in.”

• In Fox’s words, don’t become a “paper hoarder.” Keep a large, prominently displayed calendar to help family members keep track of activities. It can be worthwhile to use the calendar functions on your cell phone or computer to serve as reminders when you’re at the office or out and about.

“Eliminate what you don’t need after you have put information on the family calendar,” she says.

• Set up an area for children to unload their backpacks and other school items, so they won’t be scattered around the house. In Albert’s home, it was dubbed the “landing strip,” and can be as simple as a designated cubby, shelf or basket.

• Designate a special folder or basket for important papers like schools forms, permission slips and book orders. Make sure the kids know to put all important papers there for mom and dad to review.

“In the beginning of the school year, they’re going to come home with a lot of documents. That folder needs to go back in the same place every day,” Albert says.

• Set up a homework center, well away from distractions like the TV, where children can focus on assignments and keep a set of school supplies.

• Pack lunches the night before. Many juice boxes can be frozen, to help keep the meal chilled before lunchtime. Presentation goes a long way in food appeal. Sometimes it’s simple tricks that will increase the likelihood that a lunch lands in your child’s belly rather than the trash bin. Keep a small spray bottle of lemon-water handy in the fridge for apple slices, so they don’t turn brown in the lunch sack. Cookie-cutters can quickly transform cheese slices and sandwiches into stars, bears, trains and hearts.

• Designate a laundry basket for rush items, like school uniforms and sports uniforms, to avoid last-minute searches.

• Institute a family clean-up time after dinner, where everyone pitches in.

• Keep a few rolls of quarters at the ready in a handy place in the kitchen.

At school
The stress of a new school year can be a daunting thing for many children. A sense of excitement for the new school year, along with a familiarity with the school and staff, will go a long way to make the first day more comfortable.

Susan Castelbaum, guidance counselor at Hollifield Station Elementary School in Ellicott City, emphasizes the importance of parents’ attitude toward school and learning, and how that attitude can affect a child’s emotional well-being and outlook on school.

“Be positive. Say, ‘Let’s talk about what it will be like to meet your new teacher. Let’s talk about what you’re going to learn and all the friends you’re going to make.’ Instead of: ‘Oh, god, school’s about to start.’

“Parents need to be a positive role model. Make school seem exciting, like an adventure.”

Fox agrees. “Start talking about the new school year and how exciting the journey will be a couple of weeks before the actual start date,” she says. “Give your children an opportunity to express to you their excitement and fears of what’s to come.

Acknowledging their feelings, no matter how trivial the thought may be to you, is huge to them. It’s alright to tell them you don’t know all of the answers, but will be by their side to find out.”

• Take advantage of end-of-summer open houses and orientations. Students can meet their new teacher, navigate the way to their new classroom and test out their locker. Some schools allow students to drop off the bulk of their supplies ahead of time, helping pupils feel more settled in.

• Label the items your child will take to school, including gym uniforms, instruments, calculators, binders, backpacks and other personal items. “It’s inevitable that these supplies will be misplaced and a relief when they are found and returned,” Fox says.

• Communicate with the school, adds Castelbaum. It will help teachers and faculty to know — at the beginning of the school year and throughout the year — what’s happening in a child’s life, such as a death, divorce or separation, or an injury or trauma.