John,

My son is starting first grade too! He EDCs your list, plus a mini flashlight, suncreen, lip balm, sunglasses, change of clothes, snacks and a bottle of water. The water takes the weight to his limit. In the winter there's also an extra hat, scarf, mitts and, if he's not wearing them, snowpants.

We use the little white plastic bandaid box that Izzy recommended. I took out the drugs, added a couple superhero bandaids and a couple of gauze pads. There's also some polysporin and wipes in there.

There are 2 nuclear reactors in our area, and the school disaster plan sees them bussed to a university campus that has an underground shelter. We live around the block from the school and I'm at home all day, so picking him up from school is ideal, but in this scenario he'd potentially be away at least overnight.

It's also important, in my opinion to talk to our kids. Let them know what's there, why and how to use it. The goal is not to scare them - prepare them!