Parents' Corner

De-Stress Back-to-School Planning

Quick Tips

• Start early. Plan ahead to avoid the September rush. If your state has tax exempt days, put them on the calendar.
• Learn from last year. What items didn't get used last year? What items ran out quickly?
• Buy in bulk. Talk to other parents about pooling needs and buying common items such as paper, pencils, and glue sticks together.
• At-home reserves. Designate a closet or drawer in your home to fill with extra supplies. This prevents last-minute shopping all year long.
• Give your kids the lead. Go over the school's list of supplies with your children. Give them responsibility for looking out for these items on shopping trips.

Super Supplies

• Stick with the classics. Simple #2 writing pencils, pink erasers, wooden colored pencils, and a basic sharpener are sure to work.
• Make sure your markers are water-based so they will wash off of clothes and fingers. Buy inexpensive pens in bulk to save money if they get lost.
• Schools will be specific about the kinds of lined paper for each class and grade level. Wait for teacher instructions before buying these.
• Note cards or index cards come in handy for making flash cards or preparing class presentations.
• Most teachers recommend having craft supplies such as construction paper, tape, blunt scissors, glue sticks, and watercolor paints and brushes. However, check your school's list before buying large numbers of these items and sending them to school.
• Sneeze shield your children's classrooms. Only Kleenex® Brand has Sneeze Shield in all of their tissues to help keep stuff off kids' hands so they can pass on the fun of learning. Learn more at Kleenex.com.