This year will mark our first foray into the public school system. Already things are surprising me. Things that make me say, “Hey, back in my day we didn’t do that!” My day being obviously when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
The latest thing to surprise me, after the no backpack rule, is the supply list that each child has to fulfill. Wow, really? When did this all happen? And when did it become so extensive? Ziploc bags, kleenex, scissors… Do the scissors wear out from year to year? Also I found it odd that the stuff is communal
I picked up the lists today at the Office Supply store and truly was shocked at how much money this is all going to cost per child. I know I am not the only frugal person out here, so tell me where do you buy your children’s mandated back to school supplies? Is it less expensive to follow the sales around? Or does it end up costing more in gas and aggravation? Help a Mom out here, please.
No backpacks? How are the kids going to carry their 40 lbs. apiece of books for homework?
For back-to-school supply tips, I turn to Mir’s Wantnot.net posts of 8/4/08 and 7/25/07.
Comment by Brigitte — July 31, 2009 @ 6:28 am
I dont follow the sales around. $.05 savings on a notebook is not worth it to me. But I do wait till everything goes on clearance at Target.
But since it sounds like you will need to buy this stuff before school starts thats not a lot of help.
Good luck with so many kids in public school!
Comment by DW — July 31, 2009 @ 8:17 am
No backpacks? I’ve not heard of that one… The school supply list is long and SPECIFIC! My daughter even has a list this year for preschool where I’m already paying $90 per week. My son’s list is even longer than hers going into 1st grade. His school offers a pack with everything in it and that’s what I’m doing this year. I’m going for the convenience route with him since I don’t have that option with my daughter.
Comment by divrchk — July 31, 2009 @ 9:17 am
I did follow the sales around, but only to Target and WalMart. Best deals were at Wally World (ugh) and I was just told today that Meijer (double ugh) has 5 cent notebooks and 39 cent toolboxes. But I am DONE and do not care
I too stock up when Target stuff goes on clearance, but that is for stuff later in the year when they ask for extra supplies.
And yes, we are communal. I am confused by the no backpacks rule. We can’t have rolling backpacks, but how do they bring home all their books and folders and all the scholastic book order forms and the fundraiser stuff?
You have to tell us how that works when you find out.
Comment by Michele D — July 31, 2009 @ 10:02 am
I worry that the store will run out of supplies so I buy it by the middle of the summer. I’m afraid if I wait for the sales, the stuff will be gone. Probably silly. But I only have two children who need supplies so it’s not that bad. What I’ve found though, is that at the end of the year, my kids have been coming home with unused supplies. Especially notebooks. They definitely overestimate how many notebooks first grade kids are going to need.
Comment by Sharon — July 31, 2009 @ 10:53 am
Did you post an article about your decision to switch from homeschool to public school? If so I missed it.
I’d be really interested to hear more about it if you can point me to the archive post or are willing to write it up and post it for us.
Comment by Scott — July 31, 2009 @ 12:25 pm
As far as the list goes…I teach and having parents chip in on things like tissues, hand sanitizer, etc makes it to where I can use my very little budget to get other things that would benefit them educationally.
Comment by Stephani — July 31, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
I also have 3 boys of my own….
Comment by Stephani — July 31, 2009 @ 2:00 pm
I saw BTS stuff being put out at our Super-Target, just days before Independence Day! (no, I haven’t bought anything yet). But that’s not really here nor there, as far as relevency. I excel at procrastination, so I am not even thinking BTS yet.
However, a friend of mine just told me, today, that there is a specific website where you can order BTS supplies. It wasn’t at a store like Staples, or anything but sounded like an independent site. I’ve forgotten the name, already, but will try to remember. It was insanely obvious! lol
Comment by Anonymous — July 31, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
p.s. I have not heard of the “no backpacks” rule, but I really wouldn’t mind seeing it for my kids, right about now. They haven’t really needed one, yet, in the 3 years of schooling (but were required to have one)
Also, yes, budget cuts are INSANE. You wouldn’t believe some of the things schools can’t afford to pay for/buy.
Comment by Anonymous — July 31, 2009 @ 6:51 pm
I was pleased this year to only have to spend $24 on my first grader. Last year’s kindergarten list cost $80. Yes, eighty dollars. Traditional school supplies like crayons and notebooks and glue were less than $10 of the total. The rest was tissues, cleansers, paper towels, and the like. I wonder if soon the custodial staff will sponsor a fundraiser.
Comment by ellen — July 31, 2009 @ 7:45 pm
We have a no rolling backpack rule at our schools, which makes it hard on my high schooler whose pack weighed in at 37 lbs last year (about 16 kilos). The lists vary from year to year, but some things like erasers, folders, cow (composition) notebooks, and pencils never change. I stock up when they go on clearance for next year, and store them in a box in the back of my closet. Over time, when pencils and crayons run out and they need more glue sticks, they do save money. I keep scissors, old folders, and unused notebooks in the box as well, so they can be reused next year.
Good luck, and i hope it helps.
Comment by Claire — August 2, 2009 @ 7:39 pm
Hi Chris,
My suggestion is to wait till Sunday’s paper come out and check out Walgreens, Walmart, Kmart and Office Max and Office Depot. Check and see which paper have all the supplies you need and compare the prices with the other papers and usually you can decided on one store. Sometimes it not much of a difference in the prices.
It will definitely save on gas.
Good Luck.
Comment by Tracey — August 2, 2009 @ 10:39 pm
Staples aslo has great sales on back to school at this time of year. Some things for a penny! Many for only a dollar or two.
Comment by Mary Beth — August 3, 2009 @ 12:25 pm
I am waiting for our tax free weekend. You should look into it. I know TX has one around BTS time. I don’t have the energy to run all over town trying to find the best deal. Most of the stores, in my area, have the same prices, anyway. Besides, we have some unused supplies from last year that will help with cutting the cost of this year.
My biggest problem is when I can’t find something that is on the list. For kindergarten it was a special notebook, which was only half used, then last year was the colored computer paper. That is when the steam starts to come out of my ears, because I have to run all over hell’s half acre.
Good Luck. You are in for a ton of surprises.
Comment by SoMo — August 3, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
I don’t believe Florida will be participating in the tax break this year due to the economy. I have researched the tax dates only to find that Florida was exempt this year. I have been trying to find coupons to help with the cost.
Comment by Deanna — August 4, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
OK!?!?! Everyone the no backpack rule means that the children can not carry it. For middle school and high school you have to leave it in a locker.
Comment by Mildred — August 5, 2009 @ 2:57 pm
Next year, check with the school, some do BTS supply packages. Perhaps not as cheap as DIY, but infinitely easier on the schedule.
Meanwhile, I swallow my usual reticence and go to WalMart, b/c at $0.20/box of crayons, etc., I can quickly and cheaply scoop up the essentials. With those taken care of, I let my sons pick out a “cool” binder or cool folders (ie–whatever movie has been released recently)
Word of caution, some teachers will require MORE stuff that you will not discover until school starts, and some are very picky about their brands (must be Crayola, and Clorox wipes, and Fiskars scissors, etc). Or, my personal favorite…folders had to be bottom pockets, not sides. (?!?!?!)
Best of luck on your new public school adventure…will they all be attending or just your eldest?
Comment by Ani — August 6, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
I suggest two things: one: buy in bulk if you can and send it to school as needed or requested by the teacher. Two: buy what is needed keep it home and label everything, that way it won’t get mixed up or become “community property.” As for the no backpack rule go to the school or school board and ask for suggestions, kids can’t go to school carrying all that stuff in thier hands.
Comment by kimmie — August 7, 2009 @ 9:25 am
HIT THE DOLLAR TREE!!!!YOU CAN GET PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING THE KIDS NEED THERE AND EVERYTHING IS A DOLLAR!!!
Comment by Jeniffer — August 7, 2009 @ 10:43 am
This may not help this year but for next year it’s a great plan. After school starts and things start going on clearance I start buying for the next year. Example if your child is in 1st grade look at what is on the list for second grade and buy those things which will be the most expensive and hardest to find. I keep a shelf just for those items. Stock up on crayons, marker, pencils and glue/glue stick and loose leaf paper those items are always a must have year round. Good Luck and keep your head up. The first time around is always hard. Learn from this experience and come up with a game plan for next time. Have a wonderful school year.
Comment by Me and the KIds — August 8, 2009 @ 3:47 pm
I agree with some of the other Moms – I buy on sale and save for next year. This year I allowed my daughter to pick out one ‘fancy – perfect – just what she wanted’ folder and the rest we bought fairly cheap and plain (Target/Walmart). Now we are decorating the plain notebook, pencil holder, art t-shirt, lunch box… She is going into second grade and loves the time spent on personalizing her items.
Comment by Teresa — August 10, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
My third grader is starting intermediate school in Arazona and she needs two three inch binders. Staples had them for $15. My first grader’s list has a page and a half of school supplies even my four and two year old preschool made me spend over $30 each on things.
Comment by Beth Kaghman — August 11, 2009 @ 10:08 am