Operation: Organization–School Paperwork Organization by This is Happiness

Operation Organization Back to School Edition Series at 11 Magnolia Lane

Hi, everyone! Monday is here, whether we’re ready for it or not, and I know that quite a few of us have kids heading back to school TODAY. In fact, Becky from This is Happiness, today’s talented guest blogger, is sending her kids on the big yellow bus this very morning. You’re going to love her easy and beautiful system for managing the never-ending paperwork clutter that comes home from school every day. It would also be a great set up for bill paying and dealing with household paperwork. Enjoy!

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Hi there everyone! I’m Becky from This Is Happiness and I am excited to be part of this fun series hosted by these two sweet friends, Amy and Christy. Today I wanted to share with you all one of my most favorite organization systems for back to school! This basket system for organizing all the kids’ daily school papers that come home helps keep the counters clutter free and our kitchen space looking tidy!

In the back of our kitchen, we have a nice size desk space that I use daily. It’s just a nice central location in our home. My laptop sits there and I love being right in the kitchen which also opens up to our family room, so I still feel part of whatever is going on. The laundry room is through the door directly behind this desk, so I can keep on top of that when I work too. We have a home office, but most everything I do happens right in this space. It is definitely command central for our family.

You can see all three baskets that I use in the picture above. There are two wall baskets labeled with each of my kids’ names and then a larger basket on the counter that is part of this system as well. The wall baskets are from World Market and they are a nice size and I love that they are wide enough to hold a binder. Most wall organization systems I looked at, fit papers and notebooks, but not a binder. The counter top basket is from Target. You may notice that this space also leads into our dining room, so I like that these baskets look a bit nicer then other wall paper holders.

So here’s how it works for us…

During the school year when the kids come home with their 20 daily pages each, I quickly sort through them and toss what I don’t need and then place whatever I need to keep in the larger counter top basket. If I have time, I sort through and file the important papers to keep in the binders that are inside each child’s basket. But if we are running out the door for something or if I just don’t feel like sorting papers immediately, they stay in the basket on the counter and things still look neat until I can get to them.

Since school starts for us today, here’s a look at what has been inside these baskets for the summer. Below you can see that included along with the binders are their flashcards and whatever book they are currently reading. During the school year these also hold any weekly study items like sight words, as well as box tops or other items we need to save or collect.

In each binder, I have clear protector sheets to keep permanent papers intact such as the school year calendar, class schedule, etc. I also have dividers to file papers for their extracurricular activities, religion classes, and other miscellaneous items.

And here’s a close up look at the tabs for my daughter’s binder. I have them labeled right now with: School, Sports/Cheer, Piano, Religion, Miscellaneous.

This basket system has worked so well for us! It’s really simple, but so necessary and such a big help keeping up with all the kids’ important papers.You can see more of our home here and if you’re looking for a way to organize your kids’ art supplies, this organized kids’ arts and craft closet has been a really popular post for my readers in the past around this time of the year. It has made the kids’ school projects during the year so much easier with everything in order.

It’s been so fun hanging out with you all today! Thanks so much Amy and Christy for having me! Have a great day everyone!

XO,

Becky

We can also keep in touch here:

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See all of the previous posts in our Operation: Organization series {here} and follow the Pinterest board {here}.

Operation: Organization {Back to School Edition} 2015 Schedule:

8/17: 11 Magnolia Lane

8/18: Blesser House

8/19: Sunny Side Up

8/20: Monthly Pretty Preppy Party

8/21: The Heathered Nest

8/22: The Creativity Exchange

8/23: Just a Girl and Her Blog

8/24: This is Happiness

8/25: Dixie Delights

8/26: Organizing Made Fun

8/27: Pretty Preppy Party Features

8/28: Simply Organized

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While you’re here–be sure to check out our new line of organizational products HERE, perfect for back to school!

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Comments

cyndy says

August 24, 2015 at 11:18 am

What a gorgeous space Becky! I love the basket idea and I am so going to try and figure out a way to do that! Brilliant! Thank you so much for sharing with us! xo

Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

August 24, 2015 at 2:53 pm

Such a beautiful way to organize school and activities!

Becky says

August 24, 2015 at 6:43 pm

Loved being part of this fun series! Thanks for having me! And thanks Cyndy and Shirley for your sweet words 🙂

Pat says

August 26, 2015 at 2:40 pm

Great method and looks very nice! I keep trying to figure out an effective method for just daily paperwork ~ bills, insurance, bank, RX’s, etc.

xo
Pat

Diane says

October 4, 2015 at 6:53 pm

Which size baskets did you use? Looks Great!!!

- Christy says
  
  October 5, 2015 at 10:29 am
  
  I think she used the medium ones…if you click the World Market link in the post above, they give dimensions for each of the three sizes they have available so you can find the ones that work for you.

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