School Shopping Lists Bring Joy, Frustration

For some parents, the start of the school is the most wonderful time of the year. Weary from long hot summer weeks of entertaining their children, parents happily celebrate all that comes with the ringing of the school bell in the fall.

Retailers supplying back-to-school supplies may also look forward to the purchasing power of those parents. In fact, according to the National Retail Federation an average parent spends over $600 annually on supplies, electronics and clothing for school. 

Arion Robinson, a General Merchandise Clerk at Meijer, 5150 Coolidge, said the back-to-school deals are responsible for increased spending.

“We’re definitely selling more,” she said. “I think people are stocking up on the good sale prices and buying more.” 

The annual frenzy can be overwhelming to frugal-minded parents trying to steer a child through the tempting bins of items.

Making a list

Hamilton Elementary School parent KC Carpenter spoke about the cost of school supplies while filling a list at Target on Coolidge for her fourth grade son.

“I’m being asked to provide five jumbo glue sticks at two dollars apiece, and they are asking that they be community property," Carpenter said. "So I have to spend $10 for something we have to share.”

In some cases, Carpenter said, quantities being requested don’t match up to packaging, thus requiring a larger purchase.

“The list requests four erasable pens," she said. "They are sold in packs of three, so I have to buy two packs to meet the request.”

Carpenter also questioned if teachers consider actual usage of materials as well.

“I don’t mind buying what is necessary, like disinfecting wipes and sanitizer, because I know that’s important and they’ll get used up,” she said, questioning if the lists are reviewed from year to year so that her spending actually reflects her child’s classroom needs.

Realizing that families have been pinched by financial losses, some schools pare down the classroom supply lists or merely ask for donations.

Sharing in the cost

, kindergarten families are provided with a “wish list” with a clear note that no one should feel obligated to purchase everything on it. Schroeder Elementary School asks fifth grade girls to bring disinfecting wipes, while boys are asked to supply Ziploc baggies instead of asking for both items from each child.

The Parent-Teacher Organization purchases tissues, baggies and sanitizing wipes for all the classrooms, and the fifth grade list largely suggests items that can be found around the house. 

Many middle school and high school lists are teacher-specific and target specialized needs based on curriculum. These lists often require less investment than those of a younger child.

Mark Dziatczak, principal at , asks his staff to “be mindful of expenses. "We have ways of covering expenses for any student in need,” he said.

Principal Jo Kwasny, the staff at Boulan is sensitive to the economy and the families they serve. She added that teachers take matters into their own hands to help out. 

“In many cases the teachers purchase materials to have on hand in the classroom to alleviate the need for costly supplies from home,” she said.

The Michigan Education Association estimates an average teacher spends $500 or more on supplies for his/her classroom to make sure students have what they need for a well-rounded program.

The most wonderful time of the year

No matter the cost, one thing seems to remain constant: the appeal of new school supplies.

Though claims “your kids will never get this excited about school supplies,” Troy parent Jennifer Hilzinger disagrees.  She experienced an exuberant reaction from her daughter with a recent school purchase.

“I just invested in ANOTHER 3-hole punch – a heavy duty one," she said. " You would have thought I just bought the girl a car!”

Troy parent Randa Seifeldin shares the excitement of her children, she said while buying some supplies for herself.

“I'm still into school supplies," she said. "I couldn't help it, I bought three composition books -- I just like blank pages that can be filled.”