Where is the Back to School Thread?

[Magical2017]

DD9 starts 4th grade August 9th. Have to wait till the 7th for teacher assignment and find out if the bus schedule will mean finding a sitter.
School supplies done except any teacher requests. We don't do clothes shopping cause she hasn't grown out of previous year, and we keep school separate from play. Family buys a size up for X-Mas and Birthday so she still has plenty of new clothes waiting for her. Come 6th grade she has to go school uniforms for 3 years, then she gets to go back to regular clothes.
She's already worrying about math again. Common core style teaching she doesn't grasp. Showing her the way I was taught she picks it up quick, but she's not allowed to do it that way in school. I've tried to get the school to help but they just push her through and it's frustrating. They still won't help with ADHD assessments that I have brought in for 2 years.
In all honesty I hate her going back to school knowing the previous years were HORRIBLE. 2 hours a night on homework, reading assignments, teacher notes about not focusing, talking in class, ect. and there are no alternatives where we live.

I am sorry the school has not addressed your needs. You should not have to have a 504 plan or outside assessments for the school to use interventions. We do have a 504 plan in place for our older son, and I agree that you should go to up the chain of command. CHADD is a great resource--there should be one for your state.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Mickeyplanner08 and xlsm - Thank you for the ideas of where to find jeans! DS17 tried on his jeans and he can still wear the 28x34 at least for now! DS15 found 2 pair that fit, and it looks like we need a 26x30 for him, which is available in Arizona and Hollister online.

 

[BLAZEY]

DD9 doesn't start back until the day after Labour Day. She was done June 28. I just got the list for he supplies. I usually order her supplies direct from the PAC as a percentage goes back to the school. But between this year and last most of her stuff has come back UNUSED. I just think its wasteful now to order all this stuff only to have about 1/2 of it come home unused. I'll take inventory of what I have and what she needs. Clothes wise she'll be fine, I will need to buy new indoor shoes. I may get her one new outfit to start. She went though a growth spurt in March when I need to buy lots of new stuff.

 

[Southernmiss]

Did BTS clothes shopping yesterday for d16 and sons 19 and 21. Our state has a sales tax holiday on clothing items and shoes under $100 this weekend. Stores are having black Friday like sales, too.

Dd needed several shirts a couple pair of shorts and 2 pair of shoes. S21 needed 2 pair of shoes and a business casual wardrobe. He must dress professionally the next 4 years for college.

S19 got several t shirts and a couple of stylish button down short sleeved shirts.

Need to inventory the school supplies cabinet and see what I need to replenishthis week.

D16 starts Aug 7. Boys will head back to their apartment at college then also for a start 2 weeks later.

 

[StephMK]

DD9 starts 4th grade August 9th. Have to wait till the 7th for teacher assignment and find out if the bus schedule will mean finding a sitter.
School supplies done except any teacher requests. We don't do clothes shopping cause she hasn't grown out of previous year, and we keep school separate from play. Family buys a size up for X-Mas and Birthday so she still has plenty of new clothes waiting for her. Come 6th grade she has to go school uniforms for 3 years, then she gets to go back to regular clothes.
She's already worrying about math again. Common core style teaching she doesn't grasp. Showing her the way I was taught she picks it up quick, but she's not allowed to do it that way in school. I've tried to get the school to help but they just push her through and it's frustrating. They still won't help with ADHD assessments that I have brought in for 2 years.
In all honesty I hate her going back to school knowing the previous years were HORRIBLE. 2 hours a night on homework, reading assignments, teacher notes about not focusing, talking in class, ect. and there are no alternatives where we live.

Are you in the states and if so, which one? I'm a sped teacher and hate hearing she's having such a rough time. I hope she gets a responsive teacher who is willing to work with you.

DD18 needs to order her college books and DS gets his HS schedule a week from Thursday. Neither need much other than some shoes. I'm not looking forward to all the August bills!

 

[MomToOne]

Has anyone else been disappointed in the Target back to school section this year? The one's I've checked out in our area are not as well stocked as usual. I purchases half of the Up & Up Reinforced College Rule notebook paper that one store had out yesterday - and I only bought 8 packs! The binder selection is particularly pitiful.

 

[Patches Lee]

Are you in the states and if so, which one? I'm a sped teacher and hate hearing she's having such a rough time. I hope she gets a responsive teacher who is willing to work with you.

DD18 needs to order her college books and DS gets his HS schedule a week from Thursday. Neither need much other than some shoes. I'm not looking forward to all the August bills!

We are in Indiana. I think it's more of an overall school district issue as I've heard of other parents struggling to get help. My friend didn't get official dyslexia diagnosis and help for her daughter until 8th grade when grades dropped to failing. Another his son failed the 3rd grade required reading test and they just keep pushing him through the grades.
It takes more work, studying, and time than other kids for DD but, I'm just glad she hasn't completely given up learning. I just remind her she is learning how to overcome things that are hard and it will help her later.

 

[LovesTimone]

While my kids are grown ups, I do have grand-kids starting into school. Pre-school to 2nd grade. What I do is buy their backpacks, and/or lunch bags, rain jackets, and shoes. I buy for them all year so really they don't need the traditional back to school shopping trip. Then later on I will pick up jackets and hoodies, more shoes and socks, sweats. Plus what they get for Christmas that normally takes care of it... As far as school supplies, I pick up basic's and store them for all year... for the just in cases, plus I stock my home office.

 

[mjantz]

We've been out since the week before Memorial Day, and we start back August 20.

My kids are entering 12th and 9th grades this year. DH picked up some notebook paper, the pens they like, pencils, and a few binders last week when he was shopping. He will continue to get a few things each week and by the time schools starts, they'll be set.

They aren't allowed to wear shorts to school, so we need to pull out all of the jeans and see what fits and what doesn't. My oldest is very picky about jeans and was wearing a 28x34 at the end of last year. He has gotten a little taller, and I really hope he can still wear that size. They aren't easy to find, but a 28x36 is probably impossible. DS15 has grown about 5 inches since May, and I'm sure none of his stuff fits either.

My son wears a 28x34 & we've had the best luck with Lucky Brand jeans. They're not cheap but I buy them Buy 1 Get 1 Half Off at the outlet, which eases the pain.

 

[kymom99]

I just bought my son 4 notebooks for $1 at meijer. I think he's set. Ha ha!

Actually yesterday I dragged him to kohls to get him a pair of shoes with my kohls cash. Got a pair of adidas for $41 after the kohls cash came off. I talked him into those shoes that he calls skater shoes. Kind of like keds. They are sort of dressy if you get what I'm saying.

For the poster who said meijer didn't have much, ours has a big section in the back where they have their seasonal stuff but they had their grills shoved in there too. They are blocking the displays. I'm assuming they moved them out of the aisles maybe to clean floors? IDK. Need to make that more accessible since schools here start back in about 2 weeks.

 

[StephMK]

That's terrible! You are doing an awesome job enforcing skills and habits development and that will help. If you haven't already, I'd let her teacher know how long homework takes. Maybe she can do a smaller amount. Around here we would not want kids working for 2 hrs on hw.

 

[MomToOne]

Old Navy has 50% off jeans today, plus another 30% off if you purchase online. Shipping is free at $50.

Got DD18 5 pairs of jeans for $56 shipped!

 

[AlohaNow]

My kids start back August 13. Pulled most supplies from stock we still have in the house but did a quick shopping trip to complete the list. I find I’m buying less and less each year! I assume we’ll receive 7th grader’s schedule via e-mail in the next few days as usual. It would be nice for him to know where to go on the first day of class! Middle schooler will wear shorts and t-shirts through October. When the weather turns we’ll make our annual pilgrimage to Old Navy for 4-5 pair of jeans! My 10th grader leaves for his exchange year in two weeks. This past weekend we went to the outlets to get a few pieces for his uniform. A uniform is new to him, but I’m happy cause I know he won’t feel the need to buy lots of clothes once he gets there to ‘fit in’ with his new friends. We got white dress shirts and gray pants, we are told the school will provide the sweater, tie, and track suit. He has giant feet but luckily he can take an older pair of DH’s black dress shoes, so there is a savings there! He is taking a one subject spiral and the Japanese mechanical pencils that he loves for his first day in Argentina on August 27. He will take the same when he attends his HS here for only the first week. He has to attend here so that we can officially withdraw him from the district. He wasn’t happy about that, but now realizes that he will actually have a fun week because nothing will count!

Both kids have LL Bean backpacks and lunch bags, and they never wear out!

 

[wenrob]

My kids start back August 13. Pulled most supplies from stock we still have in the house but did a quick shopping trip to complete the list. I find I’m buying less and less each year! I assume we’ll receive 7th grader’s schedule via e-mail in the next few days as usual. It would be nice for him to know where to go on the first day of class! Middle schooler will wear shorts and t-shirts through October. When the weather turns we’ll make our annual pilgrimage to Old Navy for 4-5 pair of jeans! My 10th grader leaves for his exchange year in two weeks. This past weekend we went to the outlets to get a few pieces for his uniform. A uniform is new to him, but I’m happy cause I know he won’t feel the need to buy lots of clothes once he gets there to ‘fit in’ with his new friends. We got white dress shirts and gray pants, we are told the school will provide the sweater, tie, and track suit. He has giant feet but luckily he can take an older pair of DH’s black dress shoes, so there is a savings there! He is taking a one subject spiral and the Japanese mechanical pencils that he loves for his first day in Argentina on August 27. He will take the same when he attends his HS here for only the first week. He has to attend here so that we can officially withdraw him from the district. He wasn’t happy about that, but now realizes that he will actually have a fun week because nothing will count!

Both kids have LL Bean backpacks and lunch bags, and they never wear out!

We start back on the 13th as well. My 7th graders go to pick up their schedules on the 10th. I’ve noticed middle school is not as near informative as grade school. I wouldn’t have known about picking them up if I hadn’t gone to the school website because I hadn’t heard anything.

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

Youngest DS started 2nd grade yesterday morning. He wears a uniform so no back to school clothes shopping except for shoes - his dressy shoes were trashed and needed to be replaced for chapel days. He needed a ton of supplies but they only came to about $60 total at Wal-mart.

The best thing was the lack of specific colored plastic folders with pockets AND prongs on the list. They have been on every school supply list since my oldest started kindergarten 11 years ago. Nothing like having to run all over town looking for an orange folder that meets the requirements. I'm not sure why the stores here even order paper folders or non-pocket and prong folders and you would think they could get together with the school district to find out what colors to order. But, every year the store shelves are full of paper folders and plastic folders with pockets OR prongs but not both. And, every year there is one color on the list that no one has. Sorry, rant over.

Oldest starts 10th tomorrow, no supply list yet other than the generic paper/pens/binders list. I am preparing for a fight with the school office, though. He took PE last year as a 9th grader. They are only required to take 1 year but somehow he was put in it again this year. Then we get an email saying there will be a $25 fee to change schedules. I'm not paying to fix something they messed up.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

The best thing was the lack of specific colored plastic folders with pockets AND prongs on the list. They have been on every school supply list since my oldest started kindergarten 11 years ago. Nothing like having to run all over town looking for an orange folder that meets the requirements.

I hear you on the "rare supply". Every year there's been one... orange notebook, white folder, multi-cultural crayons, to name a few. I researched the year we had white folder on the list and Mead 5 Star didn't even make white that year, so how was I supposed to find one to put in the binder! Oh, or the year the list had a very specific size of baby wipe container, but it was a wipe count that no one actually made. Of course they just got whatever I could find in a standard size because really...

I am so happy that this year all the supplies were very standard! And most of them were already in my stash -- double win! (Although that goofy orange notebook is on the younger kid's list this year. Fortunately the one I hunted all over town for several years ago was still in the house with only a few pages used.)

 

[kymom99]

A couple years they wanted specific type of notebooks. I can't remember if it was perforated or not perforated. And with a certain number of pages, not the standard 70 pages. It was like a wild goose chase looking for those.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

My kids last day was June 21 and DD goes back on September 6. My son is off to community college.

In my district you get the back to school shopping list on the last day of school so we bought everything. I do agree with a PP that Target's supplies have been slacking. We went mid July and they had nothing. Went back at the end of July and they had more but I'm still searching for orange book covers. I've never had that problem before. Walmart is even worse. I think a big reason supplies may be going faster are that teachers are buying up a lot of the stuff. Both times I was at Target and Walmart there was at least one person (I'm assuming a teacher) buying up a HUGE portion of the supplies. 100 note books, 100 folders, 100 packs of pencils, etc. It's a shame that they have to buy so many supplies for use in the classrooms.

DD's going to middle school so each class has a color. Blue for English, Green for Math, etc. You have to get a notebook or binder plus folder and book cover in that color. That's always been easy to find at Target. Then the usual pencils, highlighters, pens. And the ever so pricey graphing calculator. I spent about $40 without the calculator.

I will take DD clothes and shoe shopping at the end of this month. I always get them new sneakers for school and a few outfits. Already have my Hollister coupons ready. Somehow DD ruined her LL Bean bookbag that's only 3 years old. She wants a Jansport this year so we will pick that up too.

We go next week to buy my son's books for college plus any supplies he will need. He has a job so any clothes and shoes he wants are on him.

 

[AlohaNow]

I take the annual school supply list merely as a suggestion. I use up what I have on hand and learned years ago that whatever I send with them will be just fine.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I take the annual school supply list merely as a suggestion. I use up what I have on hand and learned years ago that whatever I send with them will be just fine.

Very true. I don't get hung up on colors. DD does though. She's a perfectionist. With my son if we couldn't find the exact match we got a different color and no one ever said a word.