School supply shopping time

[Anonymous]

and I followed all the threads last time so I'm ready, as a first timer going to K.

The list isn't too bad. And no indication to label anything and there's no pencil box so I assume it is all going to a central place to be distributed, right?

There is a request for headphones or earbuds. Do I label those? I really don't want those shared......

[Anonymous]

I'd call or e-mail the school about the headphones. I've never heard of that one, but they likely don't share it.

Almost everything was shared in our kindergarten. Art smocks were labeled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:and I followed all the threads last time so I'm ready, as a first timer going to K.

The list isn't too bad. And no indication to label anything and there's no pencil box so I assume it is all going to a central place to be distributed, right?

There is a request for headphones or earbuds. Do I label those? I really don't want those shared......

Our list says that the headphones won't be shared - it says to put it in a ziploc bag with DC's name on it. Though I don't understand why it says "earbuds only - no headphones" for 3rd grade. Just wanted to use the same headphones DC used the last three years without buying a new one. Oh well.

[Anonymous]

Ack- where do you get the list??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:and I followed all the threads last time so I'm ready, as a first timer going to K.

The list isn't too bad. And no indication to label anything and there's no pencil box so I assume it is all going to a central place to be distributed, right?

There is a request for headphones or earbuds. Do I label those? I really don't want those shared......

I need advice/tips on buying school supplies - which threads did you follow? My search with "school supplies" didn't give much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ack- where do you get the list??

Our school gave it our at the end of school year. It's also on their website but not sure if it gets updated - I've noticed it's sometimes different from the handout. Best to call the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and I followed all the threads last time so I'm ready, as a first timer going to K.

The list isn't too bad. And no indication to label anything and there's no pencil box so I assume it is all going to a central place to be distributed, right?

There is a request for headphones or earbuds. Do I label those? I really don't want those shared......

I need advice/tips on buying school supplies - which threads did you follow? My search with "school supplies" didn't give much.

Don't wait til last minute on weird items! Our school list requires white erasers. ?? I've seen pink ones everywhere, but not white.

Keep an eye out all summer for different sales.

I buy unusual (to me) stuff first, when there are tons of stuff out there.

Maryland's Tax Free week is August 9-15 if you want to wait for that.

Most teachers prefer name brand items for certain things like crayons and glue sticks. The off-brands seem to be very poor quality when manhandled by a bunch of elementary school kids.

Buy stuff like index cards and printer paper in bulk. They will be needed year after year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and I followed all the threads last time so I'm ready, as a first timer going to K.

The list isn't too bad. And no indication to label anything and there's no pencil box so I assume it is all going to a central place to be distributed, right?

There is a request for headphones or earbuds. Do I label those? I really don't want those shared......

I need advice/tips on buying school supplies - which threads did you follow? My search with "school supplies" didn't give much.

It isn't a big deal. You don't need much advise or a thread to follow. Take the list and go to Target or Walmart and buy the stuff. Don't overthink it. Unless money is really tight, don't get too concerned about saving pennies.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you for so much good advice already. My weird item is a clipboard. I will try to find that first.

To the PP asking about earlier threads, I think they were circulating last fall, but were a lot of vents about how everything gets redistributed, so don't let your kid pick out pretty pony folders and think she'll get to keep them!

Also, lots of good advice about not getting the cheap supplies, but your kids might end up with cheap supplies someone else bought :-/ Also, expect to be hit up again.

Finally, a good question about what these schools do with all these scissors! I will be asking that at the end of the year (unless it is my kid that keeps losing them--possible.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you for so much good advice already. My weird item is a clipboard. I will try to find that first.

To the PP asking about earlier threads, I think they were circulating last fall, but were a lot of vents about how everything gets redistributed, so don't let your kid pick out pretty pony folders and think she'll get to keep them!

Also, lots of good advice about not getting the cheap supplies, but your kids might end up with cheap supplies someone else bought :-/ Also, expect to be hit up again.

Finally, a good question about what these schools do with all these scissors! I will be asking that at the end of the year (unless it is my kid that keeps losing them--possible.)

I wonder about that too! This is the fourth year I've been asked for scissors. Do they lose that many every year?

[Anonymous]

I have 4 kids in elementary/middle school. Here are a few thoughts off the top of my head:

Buy extra of some items as well, you will need them for homework. Each of my kids have a homework box that has all of the supplies they need:pencils, erasers, scissors, crayons, glue stick, etc. This has helped keep homework time a bit more sane. If you pick up the extras now when everything is on sale it isn't bad.

If you have kids in 4th grade or below by a bunch of extra glue sticks!! We go through a lot of those at home for homework and projects and always get asked to send more in during the year. They are cheap now but bloody expensive the rest of the year.

At back to school night ask the teacher if they plan to do multiple projects using poster board. If so buy some at the begining of the year and tuck it away. Trust me your child will remember they need a poaster for school tomorrow 5min after the store closes. (Also, it is worth checking with the parents that had this teacher last year to see what was needed during the year)

Also, get yourself a roll of clear contact paper. If your child has a "homework" folder that goes back and forth every night you will want to cover that with contact paper. The folder might make it through the year that way. I also always cover any workbooks that kids bring home for homework.

Ask your school about the scissors. I did a few years ago and the principal had no idea that the kids didn't get them back at the end of the year. Since then all of the kids has gotten them back. Every other year the kids get to pick out a new pair and we keep the old ones for home.

Your child will need a ruler for homework. Just for one week. You will not get warning about when that is. Spend the $1.00 now and buy one if you don't already have one at your house.

[Anonymous]

^^funny post from a true school supplies vet! Thanks. (looking for a ruler now)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you for so much good advice already. My weird item is a clipboard. I will try to find that first.

To the PP asking about earlier threads, I think they were circulating last fall, but were a lot of vents about how everything gets redistributed, so don't let your kid pick out pretty pony folders and think she'll get to keep them!

Also, lots of good advice about not getting the cheap supplies, but your kids might end up with cheap supplies someone else bought :-/ Also, expect to be hit up again.

Finally, a good question about what these schools do with all these scissors! I will be asking that at the end of the year (unless it is my kid that keeps losing them--possible.)

i found a clipboard at the dollar tree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 4 kids in elementary/middle school. Here are a few thoughts off the top of my head:

Buy extra of some items as well, you will need them for homework. Each of my kids have a homework box that has all of the supplies they need:pencils, erasers, scissors, crayons, glue stick, etc. This has helped keep homework time a bit more sane. If you pick up the extras now when everything is on sale it isn't bad.

If you have kids in 4th grade or below by a bunch of extra glue sticks!! We go through a lot of those at home for homework and projects and always get asked to send more in during the year. They are cheap now but bloody expensive the rest of the year.

At back to school night ask the teacher if they plan to do multiple projects using poster board. If so buy some at the begining of the year and tuck it away. Trust me your child will remember they need a poaster for school tomorrow 5min after the store closes. (Also, it is worth checking with the parents that had this teacher last year to see what was needed during the year)

Also, get yourself a roll of clear contact paper. If your child has a "homework" folder that goes back and forth every night you will want to cover that with contact paper. The folder might make it through the year that way. I also always cover any workbooks that kids bring home for homework.

Ask your school about the scissors. I did a few years ago and the principal had no idea that the kids didn't get them back at the end of the year. Since then all of the kids has gotten them back. Every other year the kids get to pick out a new pair and we keep the old ones for home.

Your child will need a ruler for homework. Just for one week. You will not get warning about when that is. Spend the $1.00 now and buy one if you don't already have one at your house.

Great tip on the contact paper. We had a yellow homework folder and after the 2nd one was unusable by mid-year I couldn't find another one being sold anywhere. DS told me it was okay... most kids had to get new folders and they all had different colors.

[Anonymous]

Does the tax-free week apply to school supplies? I thought it was just clothes and shoes.