Last Minute Shopping Help for Back to School Supplies

It’s crunch time. In a week, the bus will be stopping to pick up kids with backpacks filled school supplies. No need to panic, though. According to the central office at East Haddam Elementary School, the schools “pretty much supplies everything children will need.”

The Board of Education told Patch “teachers send letters home to students, and will notify parents of supply needs, if there are any.”

Once students get to the classrooms and meet the teachers, additional items may be requested or required. If that happens, or you forget something, or can’t find it, you’ll still have Labor Day Weekend to shop.

Even though local public schools supply most of the needs, the reality is that most children want some of their own school supplies. It’s like a rite of passage. Character pencils, sparkling notebooks, cool locker gear, just to name a few. Private school students usually have to purchase all of their own supplies. For most parents, shopping for back to school supplies is as routine as the leaves turning color in New England.

If you’re limited on time and wondering who has the best deals and are ready to just run to the nearest store and grab whatever is in front of you, relax! Patch has the perfect back to school list and has already done the leg work to gather some of the local flyers:

• Kindergarten backpacks: A good kindergarten backpack might include: pencils, crayons, washable markers, pink erasers, spiral 1-subject notebooks, glue sticks and a pair of scissors. A pencil case will help keep items contained.
• Students in grades 1-3: Elementary school students could use blue and black pens, colored pencils, ruler, protractors, an inexpensive calculator, book covers, pocket folders and a 3-ring binder.
• Middle school students: In addition to many of the items above, middle school students might add a basic scientific calculator, highlighters and a pocket dictionary to their arsenal.
• High school supplies: Older students might include all of the above plus composition paper, a thesaurus, a quality scientific calculator and a student planner. High school students will also want items such items as 3-M hooks, organizers and mirrors for their lockers.

Some of this week’s local bargains are listed below. Keep in mind, most sales end this Saturday, Aug. 27.

• Staples: On sale this week, the supply store has 70 page one-subject spiral notebooks for a penny (limit 6 per customer) with a $5 purchase. They also have poly binders, pencil sharpeners, mini composition books, erasers and paperclips. There are dozens of other items on sale this week for $1 and $2. Student planners are reasonably priced. Backpacks are 25%-50% off. ‘Like’ them on facebook to access a $5 off coupon for all purchases over $25, which drops your total shopping cost even more.
• The Family Dollar: Computer desks are $20 this week. If anyone is searching for an inexpensive one, head to Family Dollar! Most back to school supplies are $1, competitive with most area stores. The Dollar Tree is another discount store that has the best deal I have found on pocket dictionaries and basic calculators. Job Lot in Old Saybrook is another inexpensive school supply option.

No time to leave the house and shop? Don’t want to fight the crowds in aisles or wait in lengthy check out lines? Online shopping is becoming an increasingly popular option for busy parents and teachers looking for supplies. Check out these online options:

• FAO Swartz: has crayons and markers at ‘buy one-get two free’ pricing. Free lunch kits come with any backpack purchase of over $12.99. Several items are free shipping, with a purchase of $99 or more. Why not invite neighborhood moms over for coffee and create a joint order, to save shipping costs?  
• Amazon.com: also has options for bulk shopping. Prime Shipping members can enjoy 2 day free shipping. Non members can choose a shipping method that will meet their budget.   

Click to begin shopping while dinner cooks. Hmmmm....now, what to make for all of those school lunches?