Houston, we have a prob… challenge.  It’s time to buy school supplies.  The boys dad is buying their new shoes, which is good, because I have had a difficult time finding used ones for them.  I suppose it would be helpful if I knew what size they wore!  I realized I did not have that info when asked what size bowling shoes they needed last week.

Here’s the school supply list for Frisco ISD, 4th grade:

• 1 Crayola Crayons, 24 count
• 1 Crayola Washable Markers, Classic Thick
• 1 Crayola Map Colors (colored pencils)
• 12 #2 Pencils
• 1 Pink Pearl Eraser
• 2 Ballpoint Pen, red
• 1 Highlighter, yellow
• 1 Wooden Ruler, 12 inch with 1/8, 1⁄4, and 1⁄2 inch markings
• 1 Fiskars for Kids Scissors, sharp tip, 5‐to‐8 inches
• 2 Large Elmer’s Glue Sticks
• 1 Spacemaker 8 X 5 School Box
• 1 Assorted Construction Paper, 12 X 18
• 2 Wide Ruled Spiral Notebooks, 70 Notebooks
• 4 Composition Notebooks
• 2 Packages of Wide Ruled Notebook Paper, 200 Sheets
• 6 Folders with brads/pockets‐blue, purple, yellow, green, orange, and red
• 1 Large Box of Kleenex Tissues

Notes Specific for Fourth Grade: Student planners will be provided by the school. Students will be using dictionaries and thesauruses in their work; if you do not have these items at home, you may consider purchasing them.

Issues

1. Since this is a standard list, sometimes the teachers don’t need or want this stuff.  Some of it is used, some of the stuff came back home at the end of the school year.
2. Name brands.  Really?  Is the school getting a kick-back from Crayola, Fiskars or Elmer’s?  I agree that sometimes these companies do make better products, but most times you pay a premium.
3. My kids are going to be embarrassed by me bringing in a bunch of used or incorrect supplies.  Maybe I SHOULD join the PTA.  Can you imagine???  LOL

Challenges

1. Finding some of these supplies used, such as colored paper and spiral notebooks, is going to be difficult.
2. Finding all this stuff for free or in thrift stores is going to be difficult, and most likely, very time consuming.
3. Brainstorming a way to change the system for the better, getting the needed supplies to the school, but also having a system for the extras.  (teachers, help me out here)

Solutions

I don’t have many answers yet, as I haven’t really started the search.  I am starting today and will keep you posted.  Here’s a few things I do have:

1. We are reusing lunch boxes and backpacks.  If they want new (used) ones, they’ll have to go shop for them in thrift stores.
2. We are using a lot of supplies leftover from last year, such as scissors, paper, rulers, etc…
3. Share multi packs of supplies with neighbors.  If you buy in bulk, you can save money.  This is a greener way to shop too, as the bulk stuff usually has less packaging.
4. If possible, talk to the teachers to see what they need.  This usually is not an option before school starts, but once school is in progress, you might have some supplies laying around the house that they could use for projects.
5. Old folders can get a facelift with a little artwork and duct tape.

Off to thrift for school supplies.  :)