We've got you covered with the ultimate guide to kickstart the school year. We have it all, plus advice and tips for dealing with that first-day anxiety, printables to make those first-day pics special, and even ideas on what to pack for lunch! Check it all out below.
2024/2025 School Calendars
First day of school: |
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Back to School Events
Save the dates for these events put together by our amazing local organizations to help parents, students, and teachers reconnect and prepare for the upcoming academic year. If you know of an event that is not on this list, please send it my way to get it added! jessicasweeney@macaronikid.com.
- Athens-Clarke County PD Summer Jam
View Details | Thursday, July 11th from 5pm to 8pm - Back-to-School Family Fun Fest at J&J Flea Market
View Details | Saturday, July 13th from 10am to 2pm
($5 All-Day Wristbands for Rides Available for Purchase) - Back to School Bash at Nicholson City Hall/Benton Hall
View Details | Saturday, July 20th from 9am to 7pm - Back to School Book Bag Giveaway at Georgia Square Mall
View Details | Saturday, July 20th from 12pm to 2pm - Lexington Vintage Dorm and Apartment Furniture Tent Sale
View Details | Tuesday, July 23rd - Saturday, July 27th - Empower Pinewoods Family Expo at Pinewoods Library
View Details | Thursday, July 25th from 10am to 1pm - Back to School Bash at B&B Theatres Athens 12
View Details | Friday, July 26th at 12pm - Book Bag Drive for Whit Davis Elementary at Fire Station #5
1090 Whit Davis Road, Athens
View Details | Saturday, July 27th from 10am to 12pm - Clarke Co. Sheriff's Office Back to School Haircut Bash
View Details | Saturday, July 27th from 10am to 4pm - Back to School Bash at The Salvation Army of Athens
View Details | Saturday, August 3rd from 11am to 3pm - Back 2 School Bash at Twisted Moon Studios and Fox's Pizza Den of Oconee
View Details | Friday, August 9th from 5pm to 7pm - Lexington Vintage Dorm and Apartment Furniture Tent Sale
View Details | Tuesday, August 13th - Saturday, August 17th
After School Programming
Local after-school programs provide a safe and structured environment for children once the school day ends. These programs can also help support working parents by offering reliable care before their work day is over.
- Athens YMCA
Fall programming is available for children ages 5 to 12 and serves students in Clarke, Jackson, and Oconee Counties. Bus transportation is available for select school locations. Ask your child's school for details! - Heard Park, Lay Park, and Rocksprings Park
Registration will open soon and is designed for ages 6 to 12. Transportation by ACC is not available.
Recipes to Help Make the Year Easier
Easy recipes can make the back-to-school transition smoother for busy families. Simple, nutritious dishes can help to reduce stress during those hectic mornings and evenings!
Quick Breakfast Ideas
- Tips for Making Breakfast Easy on Busy School Mornings
- Easy Egg Muffins Are The Perfect Solution for Hectic Mornings
- 4 Delicious and Nutricious Breakfast Ideas On Those Busy Mornings
Snack Ideas
Lunch Box Ideas
Easy Dinner Ideas
- Easy Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Three Ways
- Nacho Night Done Right: Easy & Delicious Sheet Pan Nachos
- 5 Easy Dinners to Make With a Rotisserie Chicken
- Taco Night Twist! Easy Taco Lettuce Wraps
Kid-Friendly Salons
Looking for a great spot for a back-to-school haircut? Here are a few locations in the Athens and Oconee area who are known to be great with kids!
Do you know of a great kid-friendly salon? Share it with other parents! jessicasweeney@macaronikid.com
Local Consignment Shops & Sales
Support our locally-owned shops while saving a buck or two! Be sure to note their upcoming fall sales to help you with your back-to-school shopping:
- A Child's Closet
- Athens Consignment Sale - Sale August 8th - 10th
- Fairytale Finds - Fall/Winter Sale August 21st - 25th
- Jack and Dots - Fall Sale September 14th - 15th
- reBlossom
Teacher Resources
- Athens Area Reuse Store Open House (Free Supplies!)
View Details | Every 1st Wednesday of the Month from 12pm to 6pm
Special Needs, IEPs, and 504 Plans
Some kids need a little extra help when it's time to head back to school or even after they start. Kids with special needs, disabilities or learning challenges might need just a little extra. Here are a few helpful tips to make it just a little easier for you and your child to return to the classroom.
- Helping Your Child with Special Needs Get Ready For Back to School
- Special Kids... Special Needs for Back to School
- Back to School Tips for Students Who Need Extra Support
- The “Get To KNOW Me” Form for Back To School
Helpful Links for Parents
- 5 Teacher-Approved Tips to Make Back-to-School Time Great
- Conquer Test Taking Anxiety: 7 Books for Kids That Ease the Pressure
- Teach Kids to Tie Shoes in Less Than A Minute
- 3 Ways to Pack Your Kid's Lunch with Love
- 10 Books to Ease Back to School Fears
- 5 Ways Parents Can Support Their Neurodivergent Children in School
Printables
We've got first-day-of-school photo props you can print out and use for FREE! A fun way to create a memory for your new student!
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