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.
2025/2026 School Calendars
First day of school: |
First day of school: |
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. Events are added as they are announced, so check back soon for updates!
- Back to School Deals at Oconee Footwear Company
View Details | Saturday, July 19th from 10am to 6pm
Kona Ice Truck on site from 11am to 1pm - Back to School Jam at Georgia Square Mall
View Details | Saturday, July 19th from 11am to 2pm - Family Fun Fest at J&J Flea Market
View Details | Saturday, July 19th from 12pm to 3pm - Empower Pinewoods Family Expo 2025
View Details | Thursday, July 24th from 10am to 12pm - 5th Annual Back to School Giveaway Hosted by GTI Athens
View Details | Saturday, July 26th from 11am to 2pm - New Grove Baptist Church School Supplies Giveaway
View Details | Sunday, July 27th at 10am - Nicholson Baptist Church Backpack Giveaway 2025
View Details | Sunday, July 27th from 5pm to 8pm - Colbert, GA MedLink Back to School Carnival
View Details | Saturday, August 16th from 11am to 2pm
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 7th - 9th
- Fairytale Finds - Fall/Winter Sale September 17th - 21st
- Jack and Dots - Fall Sale September 12th - 14th
- reBlossom
Teacher Resources
- Athens Area Reuse Store (Free Supplies!)
View Details | Open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 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!
 |  |
📧
Looking for more fun in Athens? Subscribe to our FREE weekly e-newsletter to have local family-fun events sent to your inbox every Friday!
Sign-Up HERE
