It’s that time of the year again. Children trade in family vacations and summer freedom to return to school with a new backpack stuffed with pens, pencils, notebooks and the like. Before the new year begins, peruse our guide to ensure your kids are all set with those supplies—whether it’s their first day of kindergarten or their first year of college. And school doesn’t stop when the bell rings. Pick up family games and create study spaces that will continue learning at home. And if your child will soon transition to a new school, take a look at our comprehensive ranking of Northern Virginia’s public schools from day care to high school.