All it takes is a simple system for organizing school papers and memorabilia. Follow this step-by-step tutorial fir creating yours!
If you’re a parent, you know how easy it is to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of keepsake papers, awards, drawings, and progress reports that enter our homes each week via our kiddos’ school backpacks.
In fact, kids’ school papers and school art were one of THE most common clutter culprits I encountered in my clients’ homes during my days as a professional organizer.
As the new school year begins, I highly recommend setting up a system for organizing those school papers NOW before the deluge of papers reaches full force! I’m excited to show you the system I use.
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Organizing School Papers: Setting Up Your School Memory Box
First, purchase a portable file box for each child (this Flip Top File Box is a perfect size), a box of hanging files/tabs, and some shipping labels (I recommend Avery 3.33 x 4″ labels).
You’ll need 14 folders/tabs/labels per child.
Create a file folder for each school year (including preschool and kindergarten) using the clear file folder tabs to label each folder (this is where a label maker comes in handy!). In addition, attach a label to the front of each folder that provides a bit more detail regarding each school year.
For example, I chose to include the year(s), school, and teacher(s) for that particular grade. I also like to attach a school picture to the front of each folder.
Don’t know about you, but I always have a ton of extra school pictures every year. This is the perfect use for them!
PRO TIP: If you use Avery shipping labels, there’s a handy online tool for creating custom labels (OR you can snag the set of the labels that I use for my organizing system at the end of this post.
I recommend creating and printing all labels at one time, even if your little cutie is only a preschooler this year. That way, you’ll have consistent labels across the folders and won’t have to worry about trying to recreate the labels if your digital file somehow gets misplaced in future years.
As you can see below, my label sheets for future grades are all ready to go for my 3rd grader.
How to Decide What School Papers to Keep:
Below, I’ve shared some examples of the types of things that can live in the memorabilia folders.
For example, my daughter’s 4th-grade folder contains:
- Key projects for that grade
- papers that represent proud accomplishments (e.g., finally passing the timed test for division!)
- programs for school-related events
- assignments that reflect her current thinking and interests.
You can choose to include other non-school papers and memorabilia items accumulated during the year as well, which is what I’ve chosen to do. For example, my daughter’s swim team ribbons and Girl Scout memorabilia are contained in these folders as well.
Depending on how selective you are when it comes to keeping your child’s artwork, you can choose to include a few key pieces of art in the folders as well. I generally recommend a separate method for organizing and storing art.
The beauty of this system is that it puts a limit on what you can keep.
Memorabilia Storage: The Self-Limiting Container Trick
This process serves as a great example of using what we call in the organizing biz a “self-limiting container“. By choosing this container, I’ve set a limit on what is an acceptable amount of “real estate” for school memorabilia to occupy in my home.
This volume is what feels comfortable for me. You may be willing to accept a much larger real estate footprint in your home if you have a hard time parting with sentimental items OR you have a really large home.
If you’re a person who saves the equivalent of one of these boxes for each of your child’s school years, keep in mind it’s pretty unlikely that your adult children are going to be interested in hauling off a massive collection of childhood school papers when they reach young adulthood.
I’ve witnessed this situation firsthand with several of my clients.
Make it simple for you and your kids to enjoy their school papers and memorabilia by whittling these items down to a manageable collection that represents the most treasured memories and proudest accomplishments of each school year.
Do you have a system for organizing school papers and memorabilia that works really well for you? Or are you planning to set up your own school memory box?
Let me know in the comments below!
THANKS I WISH THIS HELPS
Hi! I have created this system for my 4 kiddos! I love it! However, I misplaced the printable label for each year. Would you be able to send me the link? Thanks!
I sure can! Coming to your email…
Hi! Can I also have a link for the printable label for each year??
Hi Erin – here’s the link to sign up get the labels: https://refined-rooms.kit.com/school-labels
I’m planning on making one of these for my child who is now an adult. I’m going to include pictures of field trips taken in the corresponding year. I’m so excited to get everything organized and in one location!
That makes my heart happy! I’m excited FOR you!
I have been working on these boxes since I read your blog over a year ago! Amazing the difference it has made! I used word to make labels that were similar to yours but I could just print off and stick them. Worked like a charm! Thank you for the advice!
Yey! So happy that you love this system as much as I do!
I love your system but since I won’t be diligent about doing it, I’ll stick with what’s working for my disorganized self. My granddaughter will be in the same special needs classroom with same wonderful teacher for 4 years. I’ve just collected ALL paperwork as it came in then at the end of the first 9 weeks session, I put almost all paperwork—progress reports, emails from teacher, art work, etc.— in clear jumbo ziplock storage bags and wrote “1st 9 weeks—2nd grade—2018-19” with permanent marker and so on. I have four of those plus another for her school special needs reports, meeting notes, etc. I should also put a thumb drive in there of all correspondence and pictures!
hi Im am getting ready to do the kids origination BOX.
Fantastic Emily!
I am beginning the process of putting boxes together for my 2 daughters. May I ask where you got your name stickers?
Awesome Kelly! Those were custom-made with scrapbooking materials from Joanne’s or Michaels. Probably not helpful to you. Sorry!
Can’t wait to see what else you have available. Thanks
Welcome to the site Janet! 🙂