The storage and organization experts at Hollywood Storage Center of Thousand Oaks know that going back to school means more than just new backpacks and early mornings; it’s also a time when families juggle new routines, school schedules, sports practices, permission slips, and more.

But where do you keep everything organized, whether it’s a printed flyer from school, a digital calendar invitation, or a note from the teacher that just showed up in your inbox?

Here’s a tip we love! Establish a Family Command Center a go-to hub for everything happening right now. It’s not meant for long-term storage, but rather a smart space to track upcoming events, action items, and daily reminders before they slip through the cracks.

Easy Ways to Keep Your Family Organized This School Year

• Stay on Track with a Shared Digital Calendar: Sync a free tool like Google Calendar or Apple Calendar across your family’s phones or tablets to manage school events, practices, and appointments. Tip: If you have a tablet or smart display (like an iPad or Google Nest Hub), set it up in a common area to show your calendar for quick updates the whole family can see. Bonus Tip: Color-code by family member to keep things easy to scan.

• Use Built-In Apps for Lists and Reminders: Apple Reminders or Google Keep are perfect for sharing grocery lists, quick notes, or school to-dos. Everyone can access and update them from their own devices.

• Create a Drop Zone for Paper Items: Set up a small tray, pinboard, or magnetic strip in a central spot for items like permission slips, receipts, or party invites so they’re easy to find when you need them.

Here’s a nice Command Center the whole family can use.

Once you’ve established a working Command Center, the day-to-day feels more manageable and maybe even enjoyable. Staying organized makes a difference!

Do you have a Back-to-School organizational tip to share? We’d love to hear from you on Facebook!