East Sacramento Connect

Back-to-school time in East Sacramento isn’t just the end of sleeping in and the beginning of packed lunches again. It’s an opportunity. The new school year brings fresh notebooks, spicy new pencils (that will one day live under car seats) and lofty goals about keeping things organized for more than 48 hours. Whether your kids are starting kindergarten with nap mats or heading to high school with calculators in hand, let’s make back-to-school prep a breeze—with a little fun along the way.

The Sacred Supply List (But Make It Easy)

Every year, the supply list rolls out, and every year, we all forget something until the second week of school. Here’s a handy rundown of the basics you won’t want to miss:

• Notebooks and folders for the avalanche of handouts

• Pens, pencils, and highlighters (black ink, blue ink, neon pink for flair—cover all bases)

• Erasers, because mistakes are inevitable

• Rulers, calculators, and geometry sets (high schoolers, we’re looking at you)

• Backpacks tough enough to survive a year’s worth of homework

• Lunchboxes and water bottles (bonus points for ones that don’t leak)

• Art supplies like crayons, colored pencils, glue sticks, and scissors for the Picasso in your house

Pro tip: Label everything. Seriously. If there’s a chance it could get lost (read: everything), slap a name on it.

Where to Shop: Supply Stops in East Sacramento

You don’t have to trek far for school supplies. Here are several stores in and around East Sacramento ready to fill your backpack, trunk—and maybe your cart with a few things for yourself:

Missed your favorite? Some local bookstores, grocery stores, and even big box retailers in the area stock school supplies too—but these destinations come highly recommended for variety and friendly service.

Routine: The Secret Ingredient

School starts bright and early. To avoid hunting for shoes at the last minute, start morning routines a week before the first bell:

Set early bedtimes (this is where negotiation skills get a workout).
Have kids pick out clothes the night before (bonus points for weather-appropriate fashion choices).
Pack backpacks and lunches before bedtime, not as the bus rumbles down the street.

Morning routines aren’t punishment. They’re the difference between peaceful exits and Olympic-level sprints to the car.

Make Goals (And Stick ‘Em to the Fridge)

The start of the year is the perfect time to chat about goals—nothing complicated, just stuff like “Get reading homework done before watching TV” or “Master the mysterious science of neat handwriting.” Let your kids help set their own objectives so they feel more in control.

Keep goals simple and visible: post them on the fridge, bathroom mirror, or pet’s forehead (kidding, but the fridge is pretty effective).

Food for Thought—and Lunchboxes

If your young learners tend to come home ready to raid every snack cupboard, try prepping after-school snack bins. Stock healthy, ready-to-grab options that are filling enough to tide everyone over before dinner. Evenings are busy, so take time on Sundays to plan weekday dinners. This minimizes the last-minute “What’s for dinner?” scramble and might win you a few “Parent of the Year” points.

Snacks for brain fuel:

• Cheese sticks

• Apple slices

• Granola bars

• Sliced veggies and hummus

Just don’t forget to toss in a fun note or silly joke—nothing makes an afternoon like a surprise laugh with your sandwich.

Study Spaces: More Than Just a Table

When homework kicks in, your kids need a place to focus. It doesn’t have to be a Pinterest-worthy workstation, but a distraction-free zone works wonders. Stock up on containers to corral supplies and chargers so nobody’s hunting for a half-used eraser just as the Zoom meeting starts. Bonus: Let kids help decorate their corner for a sense of ownership.

Transportation Jitters? Sorted!

If your kids walk, cycle, or catch the bus, plan your route a few days early. Walk the sidewalks to check crossings, practice bus stops, or drive the commute a couple of times. This nips first-day jitters in the bud—and makes you look like a logistics superhero.

Remind your students:

• Cross streets at intersections and use crosswalks

• Wait safely away from curbs for buses

• Always buckle that seatbelt if driving or riding

Extracurricular Excitement

Once the routine settles, ask your kids what activities they want to try. East Sacramento is bustling with sports leagues, art classes, music lessons, language clubs—even gardening groups that make mud fun again.

Participation isn’t just about keeping busy. Kids who join activities tend to do better in school and make more friends.

Health Check: Don’t Skip It

Check up on vaccinations, update health records, and alert the school to any allergies or medications. Get routine physicals done before practice starts, and toss a spare mask and sanitizer in the backpack to cover all bases.

Celebrate the Little Wins

Last but not least, celebrate the end of week one—even if the only victory is that everyone made it out the door with matching shoes. Back-to-school season is a whirlwind, but a little preparation and a lot of laughter help make it a blast for the whole family.

Welcome to another school year in East Sacramento! The supplies are ready, the routines are set, and the adventure is about to begin.