1. Visit the school and meet the teachers

Most schools offer orientation or other parent visit opportunities before the school year starts. This is the perfect opportunity to some questions -- like what to do about a school planner/binder, rules on bullies, how many sick days are allowed, how absences should be excused (phone, email, note), clothing/uniform requirements, school lunch options and whether or not you can pre-pay for meals, online or off. This is also a great time to pick up all the paperwork so you can get a head start and avoid major writers' cramp that first week.

2. Grab an extra school supply list

If you didn't get a list in the mail from the school, often the local supply lists can be found in a binder at at various school supply stores. Typically (and depending on your child's age), you can't go wrong with pencils, crayons or markers, glue, scissors and the oft-requested box of tissues for the class to use over the course of the year. You might want to hold off on buying anything else until after you meet the teacher, in case she has any changes.

Some schools offer their own custom school planners and make it mandatory for students to use it. But since every company in the world seems to be making highly appealing, dazzlingly decorated planners for kids, find out if store-bought will suffice or the school version is required. This help you avoid lengthy discussions and tempers flaring as soon as your child tries to convince you that her favorite character planner is a "must-have-or-I-will-die" one that all her friends are getting.

3. Get the teacher's email address

Email is how most of the schools communicate in today's society. In addition, ask for a contact phone number. These come in handy in case you have a question about anything and need an answer right away.

4. Take a trial run on getting up early at least 5 days before school starts

Getting up early (compared to vacation hours) helps with solidifying the new schedule and is proven to help prevent cranky kids. For more specifics, see our article, "Help reset your child's internal clock before school starts."

5. Practice getting to the bus stop and revisit bus stop etiquette

If your child is riding the bus, don't forget to walk with your child to the bus stop and make sure the route is safe and that he or she knows where and how to cross any streets. Get the school bus timetable, and figure out how long it will take to walk to the bus stop. Now would also be a good time to discuss thet type of behavior the school expects of your child at the stop and on the bus.

Up until about the fourth grade, you may want to stay there each day at the bus stop, if possible, until the bus comes. After the age of 10 or so, he is not going to want you there, so train well up to that age.

Never leave your child at the bus stop all alone. If there is a known bully, stick around -- but not right by your child's side, or he will get teased and picked on.

6. Arrange any zero-hour or other before-school care needed

If you take your child to school for an early arrival program for working parents, make sure you get to meet the director of this program and ask for typed rules. Go over them with a fine-toothed comb so you will know exactly what to expect: arrival time, meals served, activities, and exception to rules (must go five days a week or lose spot in the program?).

7. Prepare your changes

If you are planning changing anything at all this year compared to last, have a family meeting at least one week before school. This is the perfect time to implement a new school plan for the new year. For example, new homework rules, activities (not too many, I hope), as well as when and what to eat before school and afterwards. This is especially true if your child goes to an after school program. Although many of the schools are cutting back on the handy chip, soda and candy machines, others have new ones.

8. Make sure you get a student handbook before school begins

Each year, millions of schools hand out a student handbook and ask for students and parents to read it. Many have to sign a slip of paper indicating that they have done so. Make sure you actually have read it over and understand the rules. Then, of something bad happens -- like it did with one of my kids last year -- you can go to bat for your child because you read it... or sink because you did not. (It is not a pretty sight when you have to take on the school board!) Nevertheless, if you are in the right and can make a case, you might be guided by what is actually in print as opposed to what an individual teacher or principal thought it said.

If your school does not offer this until after school starts, call and at least ask about the dress codes and if there are any other major rules -- especially regarding cell phones and other electronic equipment on campus.

9. Make plans for a tutor right away

If you are pretty your child will need a tutor this school year, ask your child's teacher if he or she is available for after-hours tutoring. If she does not offer tutoring, ask for recommendations. Don't wait until your child is failing and everyone is taken!

Private tutors are still the best in my book. They are not at all as expensive as most of the learning centers -- especially if it is a retired teacher.

10. Get your carpool team together now!

Most schools will help with this. They actually have a list of parents who want to carpool listed by zip code and a phone number. This is especially important for working parents or for any parent who wants to drive their children to school as opposed to riding the bus. In fact, some areas do not have school bus service.

11. Buy a family planner

Purchase a family planner to get the whole gang organized. This will save your sanity -- I promise! There are lots on the market. One that passed my severe "busy-life scrutiny" with flying colors is the ThinkBin Family Calendar, created by two moms. Made with busy families in mind, it actually has plenty of space to keep notes. There's also the helpful and adorable Mom's Family Calendar from artist Sandra Boynton.

12. Get caught up on any immunizations

Each year kids are stopped at the door or pulled out of class by the school nurse for not having immunizations up to date. In fact, did you know that the school could legally keep your child's report cared until his shots are up to date? Call the school and get a copy of the current list of required vaccinations if your school did not mail you one. If you don't vaccinate, you will want to begin your quest for an exclusion -- and understanding -- as soon as possible.

Related back-to-school articles

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Ready, set... Go back to school!
Getting over back-to-school fears