D11 and D49 Are Back Today — Five Ways to Reset Your Family's Routine

Monday, October 26 is back-to-school day for D11 and D49 families in Colorado Springs. D11 was out for fall break since October 19; D49 has been out since October 13 — nearly two weeks for some households. D20 has already been back for a week, which means D20 families can confirm what D11 and D49 families are about to discover: the first day back is the hardest, and it gets easier fast. Here are five practical ways to make the reset go smoothly.

1. Reset the Sleep Schedule Starting Tonight

Two weeks of later bedtimes and slower mornings mean most kids didn't wake up at 6 AM this morning feeling refreshed. That's normal. The adjustment isn't instant, but it doesn't have to take long either. Tonight, move bedtime back to where it needs to be — even 30 minutes earlier helps. Don't wait until Tuesday to start, because Tuesday morning will be easier if tonight's sleep was longer.

2. Pack Bags and Lunches the Night Before

Morning chaos multiplies when nothing is ready. After dinner tonight, pack backpacks, locate permission slips, find the water bottle, and assemble tomorrow's lunch. It takes 10 to 15 minutes and removes the single biggest source of morning friction. For families who got out of the habit over break, this one habit does more work than almost anything else.

3. Talk Through Homework Expectations Again

Kids who've been doing their own thing for two weeks may need a reminder that homework routines are back. A brief conversation — not a lecture — about when homework gets done, where, and for how long is often enough to reset expectations without a power struggle. If your family uses a homework chart or scheduled study time, get it back on the wall or back in the routine tonight.

4. Check Your School's Website for Any Changes

D11 and D49 both occasionally have schedule adjustments, events, or early-release days in the weeks around major breaks. It takes about two minutes to check your school's calendar on the D11 or D49 website. Knowing about a Friday early release now is a lot more useful than finding out Thursday night.

5. Go Easy on Yourself and Your Kids

The first day back after a long break is almost always rough for at least one person in the household. That's expected and doesn't mean the routine is broken. The groove comes back faster than it feels like it will on a Monday morning. By Wednesday, most families are back in stride. By next Monday, the break will feel like a distant memory.

A Quick Reference

District	Fall Break	Return Date
D11	October 19–23	Monday, October 26
D49	October 13–23	Monday, October 26
D20	Different calendar	Already back

What's Next

With fall break behind D11 and D49 families, the next significant dates on the school calendar are the D11 bond election on November 3 and the Thanksgiving break in late November. Halloween is this Saturday, October 31 — COS Parenting has a full guide to last-chance Halloween events and trick-or-treat night logistics if you're still planning the week. And if the first morning back went better than expected, take the win.