2024 - 2025 Back To School Guide | Macaroni KID Fort Myers

Hard to believe, but the first day of school for kids in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach is coming up FAST! Looking for school calendars in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach? Fun back to school events in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach? Where to get your kid's back to school haircut or go back-to-school shopping in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach? We have it all, plus advice and tips for dealing with that first day anxiety, FREE printables to make school feel a little more fun, and even ideas on what to pack for lunch! Check it all out here!

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Tips & Tricks
School Calendars
Events
Haircuts
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After School Programs & Activities
Restaurants
Important Links

Back To School Tips & Tricks

Keeping Germs at Bay:

Send your kids to school with mini hand sanitizers attached to (or in) their backpacks.
Ensure your kids know the importance of washing hands after using the restroom, before eating, sanitizing after touching certain high-touch areas, etc.
Ensure your kids know to cover their mouths with their elbows when coughing or sneezing, so as not to spread germs.
Wash hands immediately after they get home, so you don't share germs with the household!

School Sleep Schedule:

Start your sleep training regimens well in advance of the first week of school, 10-14 days, ideally ... if you don't, you'll have added stress to the already stressful time!
Try to start getting the house ready for bed earlier than usual. Start by having dinner 15 minutes earlier each night. Following dinner, allow them to help clean up the table and wind down for a bit (i.e. quiet time in their rooms). Take baths/showers as needed and brush their teeth after. Finally, read a book or two before bed and leave them to it! Push this routine earlier by 15 minutes each night until you get to the desired bed time. This will make it a lot easier for the transition to sleep at night and wake up early for school!
If your child has been falling asleep to movies or their devices, try to start weening them off. The blue light makes it harder for their brains to fall asleep. Swap out movie time with reading a book, or listening to calming music/podcast in the dark.

Morning Routine Tips:

Set their clothes and backpacks out the night prior, so that no one is rushing to gather items in the morning.
Wake the kids up earlier than you think you should until you develop a good routine - this will give them time to fully wake up, eat a balanced breakfast, brush teeth, get their clothes and backpacks on, and get out the door.
Add a "fun" element to the mornings. Once they've completed getting ready for school, give them some "free time" to play with their toys, read a book, or watch tv before it's time to go. Just ensure that you verbalize how much time they have left. It's even nice to set a timer and give them a 5 minute and 2 minute warning.

Breakfast & Lunch Tips:

Lee County schools have free breakfast and lunch for all students!
If your child is taking their lunchbox to school, prepare it the night prior. If your child has trouble opening Tupperware, try getting them a Bento Box!
If you're packing a meal for your child, ensure that it has fruits and veggies as well as a protein source. Try not to give them too much sugar, as it may cause a sugar crash and disturb their ability to focus and learn.
Give meal prep a try! This would make for quick and easy breakfasts, or to-go lunches as needed.
Quick and easy snack ideas: granola bars, NutriGrain bars, fruit and yogurt, veggies and dip, apples and nut butter, trail mix, banana and nutella ... you get the idea.

Bonus Tips:

As school starts, you'll start to see those supply prices drop! Stock up when you see clearances and sales on school supplies and clothes. You can donate them to those in need, or save them for next school year!
Back to school tips for students who need extra support may be helpful to you!
As your kids outgrow their uniforms, send them to your school's nurse! You'd be surprised at how much clothes are needed in the nurses office. Life happens!
Stay in communication with your child's teacher, via email/Google Classroom/whatever their preferred method is. It's always good to check in on how your child is doing socially, emotionally, and physically in class.
Middle school is a weird age, right? Here are tips to prepare your child for middle school!
Whether your child will be attending a new school, or the same school, a good way to lessen anxiety is to become familiar with their surroundings. If your school has an open house, do your best to attend! We like to take pictures throughout the school. For example, we'll start by taking a picture of the school entrance, then another picture once inside the lobby. Next picture would be of the hallway, pointing to the right, then another pointed at their classroom door. Lastly, get a few pics inside the classroom, and maybe even one with the teacher! Once you get home, you can make a short little video, and your kid can watch and re-watch as much as they like. This way, on the first day of school, they won't feel lost or confused!
Here are tips for Helping Your Child with Special Needs Get Ready For Back to School.
No More Lost & Found: Kiddo Tags Make For A Hassle-Free School Year
Senior Year Sticker Shock: Buckle Up for These 6 Expenses
Quick & Easy School Lunch Ideas
5 Teacher-Approved Tips to Make Back-to-School Time Great
Back to School Tips for Students Who Need Extra Support
Coping with Back to School Anxiety
7 Tips to Prepare Your Child for Middle School

School Calendars for Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach

Bishop Verot Catholic High School | First day: August 12th, 2024

Canterbury School | First day: August 15th, 2024

Evangelical Christian School | First day: August 14th, 2024

Gateway Charter School | First day: August 12th, 2024

Saint Francis Xavier Catholic School | First day: August 12th, 2024

Saint Michael School | First day: August 14th, 2024

The School District of Lee County | First day: August 12th, 2024

Six Mile Charter Academy | First day: August 12th, 2024

Southwest Florida Christian Academy | First day: August 7th, 2024

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Back to School Events in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach

Summer Luau Back to School Bash:

Gulf Coast Town Center's free back to school bash in the courtyard. Various engaging vendors and exciting games and prizes! August 3rd 11am-1pm.

Better Together:

Back to School 3rd annual event! Free haircuts. First 150 kids receive back to school bags & supplies. August 4th 3-6pm.

Back to School Bash at Just Lovelee Boutique:

Haute Hatter (make your own trucker hat), Charm Bar, Fairy Hair, & Debbie with Image Matters will be here talking about color schemes that compliment you. Mark your calendars and bring some friends! We will also have some goodies and giveaways from John Michael’s Jewelry! August 9th 4-7pm.

FREE Back to School Bash:

Participate in some speed and agility drills, weightlifting fundamentals, games and competitions to see what Redline Ft. Myers offers to Youth Athletes of SWFL! August 10th 10am-1pm.

First Day Back to School for Lee County School District Students!!!! | August 12

Back to School Bash!:

Free admission for all students and their families. Pizza for sale and lots of fun vendors! August 23rd 5:30-7:30pm

Back to School Party!:

Let's celebrate the start of a new school year at the library! All school-aged patrons are invited to spend their early dismissal time at the library with crafts, games, music, and friends. August 26th 12-4pm

Know of a community back to school event in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach we're missing?
Add it to our Macaroni Kid Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach calendar now!

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Back to School Haircuts in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach

Looking for a great spot for a back to school haircut? Here are a few stylists in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach that offer children's haircuts!

Master Men's Grooming Service | 239-672-0577
11601 S Cleveland Ave, Ste 7, Fort Myers, FL 33907

Bananas Salon For Kids | 239-936-3800
5240 Bank Street Suite 9, Fort Myers, FL, 33907

Epic Cuts Barber Shop | 239-887-4597
5240 Bank Street Suite 11, Fort Myers, FL 33907

Fantastic Sams | *Several Locations - this is not all-inclusive*
7950 Dani Drive, Ste 305
7101 Cypress Lake Dr, Suite 58 & 59
19100 S Tamiami Trail, Ste 109
2311 Santa Barbara Blvd, Ste 105

Great Clips | *Several Locations - this is not all-inclusive*
Shoppes at Plantation (Daniels & Plantation)
In Publix Plaza, South Pointe & College Blvd
Winn Dixie Plaza at Gladiolus Crossing
Next to Winn-Dixie on Cape Coral Pkwy

Zion Salon | 239-443-6869
1119 Del Prado Blvd S Suite 5, Cape Coral, FL 33990

FREE/Discounted Haircuts!

Florida Academy: Free Haircuts for Back to School! Hot dogs, drinks, chips, and live music while you wait. August 8th. Hours are between 9:30am - 3pm and 5pm-9pm. 4387 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33966
Trendsetters Barbershop: 3rd annual “Back To School” FREE haircuts at both locations. August 11th 11am-3pm.

Know of a back-to-school haircut event or stylist special in Fort Myers or Fort Myers Beach? Email lexis@macaronikid.com with the details and we'll get it added!

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Back to School Shopping in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach

There's the big box stores, of course, but you can also support locally-owned businesses when doing your back to school shopping!
Here are some of our favorite places for shopping for school supplies and clothes in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach that are locally owned:

All Uniform Wear | 239-274-7472
12001 S Cleveland Ave, Ft Myers, FL 33907

Edison Mall | Participating in the Back to School Tax Free Week with deals!
4125 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Goodwill SWFL | Various Locations
Various Locations will be hosting back to school deals on July 23rd.

Kid to Kid | 239-920-4443
3242 Forum Blvd, Ste 407, Fort Myers, FL 33905

Puddle Jumpers Children's Resale | 239-313-5810
12840 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33907

Back to School Sales Tax Holiday!

Consumers can purchase qualifying back-to-school supplies exempt from tax during the 2024 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the sales tax holiday begins Monday, July 29 and extends through Sunday, August 11. The Department of Revenue created this webpage to provide information and promotional materials for consumers, businesses, and other interested parties. Qualifying items include:

Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles selling for $30 or less
Most school supplies selling for $50 or less
Clothing, footwear and accessoriesselling for $100 or less
Computers and related accessoriesselling for $1,500 or less (when purchased for non-commercial and personal use)

^{Full STEAM Ahead}

After School Programs & Activities in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach

Extracurriculars are a very important part of growing up -- they help to mold students and keep them well-rounded!

Here are some of our after school programs and activities in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach that are locally owned:

Curtain Call Studios

Full STEAM Ahead

KidStrong Fort Myers

The Lee County School District also provides before and after care. See the full list with times, here.

Have a favorite after school program or activity that you don't see listed here?
Email lexis@macaronikid.com and we'll get it added!

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Favorite Kid-Friendly Restaurants, Eats & Drinks in Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach

Buffet City, 5020 S Cleveland Ave #100, Fort Myers, FL 33907

Downtown House of Pizza (DHOP), 1520 Hendry St, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Farmer's Market Restaurant, 2736 Edison Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33916

Ford's Garage, 2207 First St, Fort Myers, FL 33901

GinZa Japanese Restaurant, 4429 Cleveland Ave #170, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Jason's Deli, various locations

McGregor's Public House, 13499 S Cleveland Ave Suite 111, Fort Myers, FL 33907

The Lodge, 2278 First St, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, 2500 Main St, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

2024 - 2025 Back To School Guide

Back To School Tips & Tricks

School Calendars for Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach

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