guides

Back to School Guide 2024

Kids are heading back to school soon! Here's your Handbook to All Things for Back to School

By Barbara Evangelista, Publisher August 20, 2024

Back to School is exciting and overwhelming all at once!  We've gathered all of the best helpful hints, school info, snack suggestions, picture tips and much more to help make Back to School season easier and more fun for all!

BACK TO SCHOOL PREP

8 Tips for School Year Success from an Experienced Mom

10 Things to Do with Kids Before Summer Comes to an End
It's not too late to finish off that summer bucket list

7 Practical Ways to Prepare Your Child for Pre-K and Kindergarten
How to tie their shoes, zip their jacket, and know your phone number ... just to start!

7 Tips to Prepare Your Child for Middle School
You'll feel better too being prepared for that big first day

Back to School Tips for Students Who Need Extra Support
7 things you can do in advance to help get your child back in the school routine and prepared for the structure and expectations of the classroom

10 Books to Ease Back to School Fears
A book about the first day of school can help ease your child's fears, and open the door to a conversation with you about what is worrying them

Back to School Pressures: Four Ways We’re Stressing Out Our Kids
Plus four ways to help kids manage stress as they return to school

Why You Should Go to Open House
And what to do if you can't make it

7 Things You Can Do at Home to Make the First Day of School Easier

Tips for Making Breakfast Easy on Busy School Mornings

Back to Learning with Fun Lunch Ideas


FALL CLASSES & AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS


 Check out our Kids Classes & After-School Programs Guide for local programs, including dance, languages, gymnastics, STEM, coding, robotics, martial arts, swimming, art, music, sports and much more.  

FIRST DAY PHOTOS


No matter if they're starting kindergarten or 12th grade, that first day of a brand-new school year is always so special ... and one you always want to remember. Our free back-to-school printable is meant to be a keepsake that you and your child can look back on in years to come to remember this special moment in time.

This free first-day-of-school keepsake has a spot for your child to draw a self-portrait and answer fun questions about their favorite subject, book, movie, and even what they want to be when they grow up!  Access the free printable here.

BACK TO SCHOOL CRAFT

Rainbow craft

Brighten Your Student's Backpack with a Rope Rainbow Keychain
Brighten up your child's backpack with a rope rainbow keychain as a reminder to persevere this school year!


HOMESCHOOLING


Has your family decided to opt out of public school altogether this year and begin homeschooling?  Our writer Emily Classon, an experienced homeschooler and librarian, has provided a wide variety of information to get your family started with homeschooling in Massachusetts. Our Experts Guide to Homeschooling is a 5-part series covering everything you need to know to get started.


LOCAL SCHOOL WEBSITES

Billerica Public Schools

Chelmsford Public Schools

Dracut Public Schools

Groton-Dunstable Public Schools

Littleton Public Schools

Lowell Public Schools

Tewksbury Public Schools

Tyngsboro Public Schools

Westford Public Schools



Lowell Macaroni Kid is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in the greater Lowell area.
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