• Make immediate decisions. When your children get home from school, go through and discard all insignificant papers, then decide which ones to display and which, if any, to keep.
The following questions may help in the decision-making process: Is this an inventive story or unique drawing? Will it inspire my child to continue in his creativity in the future? Is it reflective of a particular hobby or interest during this period of his life? (If so, keep only one sample.) Is this a special report with an exceptional grade or encouraging teacher comment?
Overtime, retain a few really impressive pieces, and put your child’s age, grade and date on the backside, so he’ll later have a sampling of what he did.
• Maintain for the marking period. Keep graded papers that may be in question through the end of each marking period in case there is a discrepancy on the report card and you need documentation to discuss it with the teacher. Likewise, maintain your child’s attendance record to be sure it accurately reflects the numbers listed on the report card. At the end of the marking period, discard all items that are no longer needed.
• Preserve for patterns. If your child is struggling and may need a tutor, consider keeping samples of his work to show troubling academic trends.
• Act on the unforeseen. Retain report cards, battery tests and immunization records for the duration of your child’s academic career in the event of a catastrophe. If he is in a special education program, maintain at least three years of individual education plans (IEPs), as well as any fact sheets that document medical evidence of his initial diagnosis. Upon graduation, make a copy of your student’s transcript and diploma and file it away.
• Decked out for display. There are a number of ways to display items: magnetic white boards, bulletin boards, picture frames and clothes lines strung across your child’s room. Let children decide which items to display. Include papers from different genres. Create a system whereby displayed pages are removed and new ones put up. As items are replaced, save only works you need or want to file away. Take photographs of treasured artwork and download them on your computer to use as a slideshow screensaver.
• Create a keepsake. Slip special papers into clear, three-hole punched sheet protectors and place them in a binder. Take photographs of artwork and either include it in the binder or make a separate photo album. Create a chronological binder to track your student through each grade. Have him fill out a page with characteristics about each year: who his teacher is, his favorite subject, accomplishments or awards, best friends and what he wants to be when he grows up. Include a pocket folder for each year where you can store report cards and other special mementos.
• Reflect on recycling. Use blank-sided papers for making lists or other sketches. Turn large artwork into wrapping paper for boxes or use as tissue paper in bags. Place colorful designs behind framed photographs to serve as matting. Colorful artwork can be turned into greeting cards and post cards. Create notepads from random drawings that have been cut and bound with ribbon.
• Discipline of downsizing. Teach your child how to continually downsize paper piles by helping him learn which items are of true lasting value and which ones can be quickly discarded. In doing so, he will begin a life-long habit of clutter-free living that will benefit him for years to come.
