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And the Deluge of Paperwork Begins

I would know it’s time for school to resume from the proliferation of papers alone.  On Tuesday I got 4, yes that’s FOUR envelopes from the school district in my mailbox.  That’s in addition to the packet of papers I was handed the same day at the new student orientation.  Add that to the three envelopes we had waiting for us in the mail when we got home from vacation, and I could compile a book.

I am already on the edge of my seat in anticipation of the oodles of papers that will come home in my children’s backpacks during the first week of school.  It’s a full-time job just to organize and complete the myriad of forms and handbooks that come home during that first week.

Like any other government-run institution, the concept of efficiency seems to elude the school district.  They are hell-bent on sending everything to our home in duplicate because this year I have two children enrolled in the public school system.  I can’t wait till all three are attending.

Um.  EMAIL, ANYONE?

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14 Responses

  1. Email would awesome. I’m also thinking about contacting our school district to extol the virtues of interactive PDF forms. Oh, how wonderful it would be to simply type the emergency contact form one time and then do a “save as” version for each child. Simple! Easy to read! I’d even volunteer my services to create the forms! Sigh. I find myself opening their backpacks while standing next to the garbage can.

  2. I’m trying to figure out a way to organize the mountain of my stepdaughter’s school papers, too… and she only just enrolled yesterday! And it’s kindergarten, for cryin’ out loud! Sheesh, it’s like they think I’m able to organize things or something. Good luck!

  3. We are just finding all this out now that our oldest is starting school. We had the original packet for registration, when we handed that in when got another. Now we are waiting on yet another to be filled out before school starts and a letter from the teacher letting us know the schedule.

    I’m telling you, its crazy. On top of that, they want just about every identification my child has from birth cert, ss card, baptism cert, and notes from the doctor and dentist. It’s crazy!

  4. Our school was the same thing. Papers, papers, papers. How many trees do we have to kill? Finally, this year our new PTO president has gone GREEN. Everything is email and website only. Finally!!!

  5. Ah yes, the deluge of paperwork. It does get better with high school although then I found a few “surprise” moments when certain children forgot to tell me about things.

  6. Our girls are in two schools this year – middle & high school. Our district is really good about sending everything in one envelope if the kids all go to the same school. If they don’t, you are in for a huge amount of paperwork and duplicates! I agree, they should do online forms whenever possible!

    Hugs!

  7. Oh honey, you don’t know what paperwork isi unless you’ve adopted a child. Fill out the mini app. Fill out the long form. Write your life history. Write your family’s life history. Go get a physical. Prove you’re not a rapist. Prove you’re not an axe-murderer. And since the process often takes a year, make sure they don’t expire, or go back to START (do not pass GO, do not collect 200 dollars.)

    But really. I’m not about one-upping 😉 I’m sorry you have all those papers. Again, I extol the virtues of having one child 😉

  8. All four of mine are in school this year. Imagine the paperwork I had to plow through. And yes, they insist on sending home 4 of the exact same handbooks, notices, etc. I’m guessing thats why each kid’s supply list requested 2 reams of copy paper. That’s right, I had to send in 8 packs of copy paper…Oh, the joys…

  9. YES! As a teacher, I feel so guilty sending home all these papers! We started school on Monday and I’ve sent at least one form home a night. On Monday it was 3. I know the parents are starting to dread the homework folder!

    I had some smart parents who filled one form out, copied it, and just filled in the different name for siblings. And no one has done this, but use address labels and slap them on there for the name/address portion.

    Don’t worry, it will all be over soon! (For the most part!)

  10. This year the school gave us the option of getting bus assignments via e-mail. Sign me up! Yesterday I got the e-mail. Today…I got the postcard. What was the point of that? Don’t get it.

  11. Preschool had one packet and has emails and a blog. I am busier compiling binders for medical stuff and therapies, but preschool will deserve one too. I hear there is also a “grandparents” club for preschool whichI don’t know why on earth you would want to be a member and get all the mailings too.

  12. I hear ya sister! I have three now in school (my baby started kindergarten this year) and I had a mass of papers to fill out. I did something this year different……….I made a copy of each then did the white out on the name and ‘personal’ stuff like the birthday, etc. and made another ‘final copy’. Woo Hoo did it to all three! Save me bunches of time. I think I’ll do it again next year. LOL

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