School Supply Shopping?

[katied]

For the first time this fall, I will be school supply shopping for 2 kids - one entering 6th grade and the other entering 8th grade. My question is, does the school provide lists of what type of supplies are needed, and if so, when does that normally come out? If the school does not give lists, how do I know what to buy?

Any other good ideas/planning around school supply shopping I should know? (My DS is only 2, so I've never done this before.)

I'm thinking for clothes, I'll wait until they've been in school a week or two and then buy things. I'm hoping there will be some good sales then, and also we'll get things more like what the other kids are wearing. Does that make sense?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[princesslily]

The school usually supplies a list. You could always check the school's website, that's where I found mine.

 

[clanwilson]

Our local Walmart also has lists for the area schools.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

My kids' list was on their school website and a paper list was sent home with the registration letter (private school). Good idea holding off on clothes til the kids start school especially at that age when they HAVE TO be cool .

 

[picktails]

Yes, the school should issue a list. If they are not aware you are now the one buying the supplies, definitely contact them so you get all the necessary info!

 

[Aliceacc]

I disagree with the crowd; middle schools and high schools, at least around here, don't post lists.

What I've been doing for my going-into-middle-school son is stocking up on the stuff I KNOW he'll need: a bunch of 1' binders, dividers, folders, looseleaf, pens, pencils, a ruler-- that sort of stuff. Your 8th grader should be able to give you (and his brother/sister) guidance in that area. We did well at Walmart.

Check on the condition of their backpacks. Lands End has some on sale this weekend, and their quality is excellent!!!


As to the clothes shopping, my kids wear their summer clothes until about early October. My older daughter and I do a "girl's day out" clothes shopping (mostly Target and Sears) somewhere around Columbus Day.

Whatever the reason, congratulations on your change in status!

 

[taitai]

All of our schools already have their lists posted on their web sites. Additionally, Target has all the lists at their back to school section. Not hard to find.

Our schools offer an option where you give the PTO some money and they have all the school supplies available to you for the back to school ice cream event. Really easy and much less stressful than wandering through 6 Targets looking for Crayola Markers, Fine Tip, Bold colors or other such nonsense. I LOVE paying my money and getting my box at the first day with everything inside.

Good luck.

 

[jenlynn0808]

Two points to make here-

1. The district in Michigan that I taught at informed (and it was even in our contract) that we were not allowed to send supply lists home or ask for supplies at any time (even kleenex). If we did we were terminated immediately. The teachers were told all students were to be given "a free public education" and that included supplies. Then they cut each individual schools supply budget and none of that money was to be spent on kleenex. So if I wanted my kids to have crayons, paper, folders, glue, pencils (when the school ran out half way through the school year), or/and kleenex I, along with the rest of the teachers bought it ourselves.

*point being-your district may not allow supply list either, so buy the basics. Pencils, colored pencils, pens, notebooks/paper, folders

2. Now in WA my daughter is about to start middle school and the basic supply list was on the website, but we have also been told that depending on who their teachers are we could have additional items.

 

[Familycircus]

We have our lists on the school websites and also on racks at Target and Walmart. We've noticed that Target rotates sales on the supplies.
This week its glue, Post-its, glue sticks, pencil boxes. Packs of 4 spiral notebooks on price cut for .60
We started picking up stuff two weeks ago. Costs easier to digest stocking up for three kids when spreading it out.

 

[5 for WDW]

We have to buy school supplies for our kids right from Kindergarten and up. It is a public school. We actually went for two of our kids tonight. We are still waiting on our middle son's list.

Anyway, our son, going into 7th, came home with his list on his last day of school. Very specific brands, etc. What a pain!

My daughter's teacher (1st) emailed me her list yesterday.

We have spent over $100 so far and that is without backpacks or my son's supplies.

I am beyond jealous that you did not have to buy yours sooner!

 

[megsters]

Two points to make here-

1. The district in Michigan that I taught at informed (and it was even in our contract) that we were not allowed to send supply lists home or ask for supplies at any time (even kleenex). If we did we were terminated immediately. The teachers were told all students were to be given "a free public education" and that included supplies. Then they cut each individual schools supply budget and none of that money was to be spent on kleenex. So if I wanted my kids to have crayons, paper, folders, glue, pencils (when the school ran out half way through the school year), or/and kleenex I, along with the rest of the teachers bought it ourselves.

*point being-your district may not allow supply list either, so buy the basics. Pencils, colored pencils, pens, notebooks/paper, folders

2. Now in WA my daughter is about to start middle school and the basic supply list was on the website, but we have also been told that depending on who their teachers are we could have additional items.

there was a huge lawsuit in our school district. i think there was an 8 dollar fee that needed to be paid by each student every year, and a parent sued the school district, claming this was not a free education, and won. so around here, they cannot supply a list of necessary supples.

my mom is a sped teacher, so she was always a little miffed that she couldn't request anything, but the classroom teachers could. now, nobody can. for those parents that always feel like they want to buy something anyway...they suggest kleenex or the bottles of hand sanitizers.

i vote stick with the basics: crayons, markers, maybe some notebooks/paper. if nothing else, they become useful on a rainy day at home! who doesnt love opening a fresh box of crayons?!?

 

[powellrj]

We live in Indiana so we have school registration every year. We get our lists when we register. This year its 2 weeks before school starts so we won't know until then what we need.

Thats a good idea for middle school clothes. Each school has their own in items so if you wait you can find out what they are.

 

[LuvMy3Monkeys]

Two points to make here-

1. The district in Michigan that I taught at informed (and it was even in our contract) that we were not allowed to send supply lists home or ask for supplies at any time (even kleenex). If we did we were terminated immediately. The teachers were told all students were to be given "a free public education" and that included supplies. Then they cut each individual schools supply budget and none of that money was to be spent on kleenex. So if I wanted my kids to have crayons, paper, folders, glue, pencils (when the school ran out half way through the school year), or/and kleenex I, along with the rest of the teachers bought it ourselves.

*point being-your district may not allow supply list either, so buy the basics. Pencils, colored pencils, pens, notebooks/paper, folders

2. Now in WA my daughter is about to start middle school and the basic supply list was on the website, but we have also been told that depending on who their teachers are we could have additional items.

I really think that's sad. If anything, you should be able to post a "wish list" for the classroom so families who could afford it could chip in some extra items to lesson your out of pocket cost. Our teachers don't get paid anywhere near what they should, and anything you have to cough up money for doesn't seem fair to me.

Luckily my kids go to Montessori, and their supply list is very minimal: pencil box, pink eraser, folder, box of tissues, change of clothes, and sturdy backpack. However, we always buy a boatload of glue, pencils crayons, paper, notebooks, colored pencils and extra pencil boxes and tissues and drop them off with our kids teacher. I can't imagine asking her to refill the dwindling stock with her own money. It's not her kid who needs to the stuff.

The more I think about it, the more ridiculous it seems that you have to pay for this stuff. There's a rule about kids coming to school naked, so why not just have to buy them clothes, too? I think a small supply list to help your child in class is very reasonable.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My ds8 brought home a school supply list for this year on the last day of school last year. I started picking up items as I saw them on sale. Then two weeks ago, they posted the list on the school website - it was slightly different (added a ruler and scotch tape and took off paper towels and colored pencils and only need 1 gluestick instead of 2). My dd is entering Kindergarten and they don't have to provide school supplies. In addition to the school supplies, though, they have a very large school fee.

As for clothes, they will wear their summer clothes that they already have until it starts to cold because their school does not have A/C and it's still quite warm here. I will get each a new pair of shoes.

 

[Hannathy]

If you have looked on line or at the stores for the 6th grader and can't find it call the school. For the 8th gr. once mine got to that age it was just assumed they would have the basics, notebooks, markers, paper, pencils, index cards,etc. Some teachers would have a specific request once class started like a certain type folder or binder but it was much more looser like any color notebook, unlike elem. where they actually specify red or yellow only.

One thing they will probably need is a calculator and what kind will depend on their Math. If you buy one without finding out from the school I wouldn't open it until they get to school and make sure it is the right kind.

They both will probably need jump drives so watch for sales.

They will both need gym shoes so that something to look for on sale now.
Very smart to wait for the clothes!

The other thing you can't loose doing is laying in a supply of poster board! Middle school is famous for having to do everything on poster board. I always kidded (halfway) that the teachers must be getting a kick back on poster board because EVERYTHING had to be on poster board!

 

[Tammysue5]

I agree some things are better to wait on. IF the school doesn't have a list...I would jsut send w/pencil, pen, paper the first day...the teachers here will tell the kids that first day what they want them to buy. Some teachers want a special color notebook/folder. Our schools recently started providing most of the supplies. (Paper, notebooks, crayons) We really only needed 1, 1inch binder, pencils, box, markers, kleenex, (Of course gym shoes) DD10 needed a one-piece swimsuit/towel for swimming. Backpacks.

Wait until you need to buy the calulator....not just any calulator,.... I agree w/the poster that said IF you buy it ahead of time... make sure you do not open it in case it is the wrong one. They are very expensive...DS18 (just graduated) and when he went into 8th grade he needed to get this....they cost around $100-189$. Have a way to permenantly mark name on it..or it WILL get taken. The type depends of the class of math taken.

As for clothes... our DDs wear their summer clothes for the first month or so...so you can wait on that it you need. I haven't gargaed saled in a couple of years...we went yesterday and today...got some AMAZING deals. DD10 got an Abercrombie winter coat (tags on) for $15..... (DS18 works at A&F and was incredulous that someone would buy it and not wear it.) We got DD10 and DD7 some really great deals.... I got outfits from A&F, limited, Childrens Place, Justice ...many with tags still on....and we got them for a steal. (Right place at right time)
There are sales ALL OVER THE PLACE... We told the girls they could spend $40 on shoes.... DD7 ended up w/1 pr tennis shoes, and 3 other really cute pairs at Shopko/Penneys.

 

[coolbeans]

I have a school supply closet (it's actually a small cabinet under a bookshelf that's attached to the fireplace.. but I digress).. I stock up on paper, notebooks, composition notebooks, lead pencils and refills, tissue, germx and crayons!!! (among lots of other supplies).. I always tell the teacher to let me know if they need extra, my dad always told me to do this. Teachers put up with enough, spend enough of their very hard earned money on our kids as it is.. parents should help out when we can!
I stock up this time of year, odd how now I can buy a notebook for 25 cents and in two months they are over a buck.. odd!!

 

[NotUrsula]

I stock up this time of year, odd how now I can buy a notebook for 25 cents and in two months they are over a buck.. odd!!

Yeah, well -- loss leaders are like that. I find that for the most part, those particular items are NOT on my school's list.

We are going on vacation so I bought DS12's supplies this weekend. Three stores and $102 later, I'm only missing one item, an art pad. DH actually stopped into WalMart with me last night when I needed to pick up 9mm pencil leads and a 2" ring binder -- he has NEVER done the school supply shopping and was amazed that they sold spiral notebooks for $.15 as a loss leader. He bought 5 for himself! (I didn't buy any of them for DS -- he needs notebooks with vinyl covers. While those WERE on sale, they were not the rock-bottom loss-leader items. They cost me $1.50 and $3.00, depending on size.)

I did not buy a backpack for him this year; his High Sierra backpack from last year is in perfect shape, even after daily use. On backpacks, it pays to buy a good brand.

Our middle school asks for a scientific calculator, but NOT a graphing model. The usual scientific calculator will run between $10-25, while a graphing calculator will normally be over $100. (FYI: I did see a great sale on graphing calculators at Office Depot this week; the TI's are $30 off. That's still pricier that buying them online, though.) I'm good with waiting on that graphing calculator until 9th grade; he's still very careless with things, and he would lose it for sure.

 

[katied]

Thanks everyone! The supply lists were on-line (I guess I never thought to look) even for 8th grade. It provides the exact model of calculator for 8th grade, and says a "basic model" for 6th grade. So I think I'll be ok. We'll look at lands end for backpacks, since they don't have one's from before.

I think we'll look at Penny's for gym shoes.

Thanks again. The kids are very excited about the school supply shopping since it will be their first time actually buying school supplys insead of just being given other's extras or whatever it is the schools do with kids who come without anything.