Back to school organizing (featuring Peter Walsh and a giveaway!)

7 August 2009

I’m not a parent, so the phrase “back to school” hasn’t meant a lot to me since I was actually in school, a long time ago. But I realize for a lot of parents, the beginning of the school year brings along mixed emotions, including worries about getting/keeping kids organized with their school day and school work.

Yesterday I was one of 200 bloggers who watched a webcast on this very topic from super organizer Peter Walsh, accompanied by a couple of bloggers: middle-school teacher Heather Wolpert-Gawron and stay-at-home-mom of three Ana Picazo. There were also two school-age children, Keaton and Megan participating.

In the lively, 40-minute webcast (which you can watch yourself here) Walsh and his team discussed tips and strategies for helping kids be organized both at home and at school. The takeaway message was one that applies to adults as well. To help students be successful, establish limits and routines.

Examples of routines include emptying the backpack every day. Or setting out clothes the night before, to make mornings easier. Examples of limits include establishing a storage area for a category of belongings (like toys) and helping the child understand that if the storage area is full, nothing new can be added until something is taken away. Walsh encouraged parents to include kids in the donation process, so they can understand about giving to people in need.

Another nugget was the suggestion from teacher Wolpert-Gawron to give teachers supplies, not an apple or “#1 Teacher” mug when you feel like giving a gift. Teachers often have to purchase supplies for their classroom out of their own pocket (to the tune of an average $1200, according to Walsh), so a gift of supplies would be much appreciated.

The blogcast was sponsored by Office Max which carries Walsh’s IN PLACE SYSTEM of office products. They also carry a fun line of kid-centric school supplies, called Schoolio Von Hoolio. They’re available only in stores, but it’s worth it to venture because they’re offering great back to school savings in the OfficeMax stores right now.

Here’s the giveaway

Since I was an invited participant in the blogcast, OfficeMax sent me a box full of the Schoolio Von Hoolio products. And now I want to pass them on to you.

Here’s a photo of the actual goodies:

The box the giveaway winner will receive will contain the items pictured above:

  • 7-pocket expanding file
  • Owl and cupcake rigid binder
  • Purple heart flexible binder
  • Hot pink drawstring bag
  • Purple heart composition notebook
  • Owl and cupcake composition notebook
  • Owl and cupcake spiral notebook
  • Owl clipboard and mini notebook
  • Cupcake two-pocket folder
  • Pencil box and pencil set

To enter, just leave a comment below. For an extra entry, tweet about the giveaway on Twitter (in addition to your comment). Please be sure to put @janinea in the tweet so I’ll see it. The winner will be selected at random at noon CDT in the US on Tuesday, August 11.

ETA: We have a winner! Using the Random Integer Generator, Diane Wilkinson of Pacific City, Oregon, was selected. The box of goodies is on the way to you now, Diane. Thanks for all the entries and the tweets. I hope to be doing another giveaway soon.

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Comments

Ooo – I’m returning to school as an adult to FINALLY finish my degree… give me some sweet sweet office-supply love and I’ll get a great head start on my younger classmates!

Kate R. August 7, 2009 09:13 AM

Always looking for extra cute stuff- otherwise it’s primary colored folders & notebooks for my kids!

Diane August 7, 2009 10:12 AM

Great giveaway. I would love it.

Donna K August 7, 2009 11:01 AM

That stuff all looks so cute… And perfect for distracting me from studying :P

Finn August 7, 2009 11:05 AM

Office Max always has the best stuff and I love the Peter Walsh In Sytem stuff. I could use some help in organizing my desk and papers.

Carolyn G August 7, 2009 11:09 AM

Great site and giveaway . glad to have bumped into you

trin rimes August 7, 2009 11:09 AM

Oh, my little sister could definitely use these when school starts back up. Count me in!

Kyle J August 7, 2009 11:16 AM

I just organized our old supplies. I think I have room for the rest of the stuff my kids need. Thanks, Janine.

maribeth mc August 7, 2009 11:19 AM

Great stuff! I just love cute organizational tools.

Ginny August 7, 2009 06:30 PM

What a great giveaway…lots of great stuff!

Laura August 7, 2009 09:15 PM

I tweeted

http://twitter.com/lifestooshort7/status/3188850033

Laura August 7, 2009 09:17 PM

cute things! Great ideas and nice blog! THANKS!!!!

Ginny Crisp August 9, 2009 07:06 PM

Awesome contest—the prizes are so cute! Please enter me.

Barb Szyszkiewicz August 10, 2009 11:57 AM

As a mother to 4 I am always on the look out for oranizing ideas. My oldest starts school this year. Great give away.

Kate Suhoza August 11, 2009 09:04 AM

My children are just starting school and are always bugging me for more new stationery! Cutest stuff, great idea!!

Josephine June 4, 2010 12:04 AM

I wouldn’t mind having that in my room even though I am not going back to school I love School supplies. :)

Ashley July 7, 2010 06:13 AM

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About Janine

Hello! I’m Janine Adams — a certified professional organizer based in St. Louis, and the creator of Peace of Mind Organizing®.

I love order, harmony + beauty, but I believe that the way that you feel about yourself and your home is what truly matters.

If you’re ready to de­clutter with a purpose and add more ease to your life, you’ve found the right blog — and you’ve found the right company.

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