When and how do you get your school supply list?

[oceanbaby]

We're entering the school system for the 1st time (4th and 1st grade), so this is all new to me!

We were told we won't find out our teacher assignments until a few days before school starts. So when do we find out what supplies we need? And how do we find it out? Do we get a letter? I see that stores are already stocking back to school supplies (which I find frightening), but I remember last year going to Staples at the end of August and the place was picked bare.

I assume schools vary on this, but I'm wondering what your experience has been.

[zoebugsmom]

No supply lists here. We just have to send the kids to school with a backpack, lunch/snack and wearing school appropriate clothes.

[Heavenly]

We got the supply list when we signed them up for their new school (they are starting a new school this year). I would just call the school and ask them. And yes, everything will be sold out by mid-August so better to shop early!

[Alyantavid]

At most of the stores that sell school supplies, they have lists for most of the schools in the area.

[jlasserton]

I go to Target or Walmart and get the school supply list for the school my children go to. The stores usually have the list right when you walk in. They are usually available a month in advance. After a while though you will figure out what they need and what they don't. The site below may be helpful depending on where you live.

School Supply List

[Peony]

Last year DD1's school send out the lists 1.5 weeks before school started, they were mailed to you. Annoyed the heck out of me because all the other schools had their lists out way before so everything was well picked over.

[daytripper75]

We got a list in the mail two weeks ago. It was pretty simple.

[Drummer's Wife]

We got lists the last week of school - so it's been on our fridge since then. My kids are in a Montessori school, though, so while there is a list of items needed, the teachers prefer $25 to buy what they need for th class.

[Irishmommy]

We never got one, we had to wing it. We're switching schools this year and the new school does lists.

[SubliminalDarkness]

Our son's schools have posted it on their website. Each grade has a general supply list, so you don't need to know the teacher.

[CarrieMF]

it came with their report cards, but as others say it is in all the stores that sell school supply lists. It is also on the school websites.

[whatsnextmom]

Our elementary schools don't send supply lists. Everything they need is supplied by the district. They do put out a "wish list" about a month in for classroom supplies to donate if you are willing or able.

The middle school had a short list that came out with the schedule about a week before school.

[Danielle283]

I found lists posted on the school website.

[LynnS6]

Does the school have a website? Ours is on the website. We got the school supply list on the last day of school (ds, since he goes there) and when we registered dd (she's starting 1st grade at the school next fall).

Call the school and ask if it's not on the website.

[meemee]

our school does not do lists. we just need backpack, water bottles and uniforms. if you do lunch then a lunch pail.

if your school is not on holiday can you call and ask?

or wing it. buy beforehand.

however we do do a list. its my dd's personal list. she gets all excited about new things. i remember myself getting all excited. so i buy her stuff anyways. stuff seh doesnt need, but it comes in useful when she has to entertain herself.

[34me]

We got ours with our last school newsletter. But he's in 6th in a combined 5/6th room so same as last year - pretty easy!

As a pp said, Just tonight I saw the school supply lists up at Wal-Mart/Target

[mama1803]

Originally Posted by SubliminalDarkness

Our son's schools have posted it on their website. Each grade has a general supply list, so you don't need to know the teacher.

This is how it is done in our county as well.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by Peony

Last year DD1's school send out the lists 1.5 weeks before school started, they were mailed to you. Annoyed the heck out of me because all the other schools had their lists out way before so everything was well picked over.

My son's new school is like this also. I went supply shopping with last year's list for his new grade and will return/exchange what ever is different when I get the new list.

[journeymom]

I didn't know anyone uses those school supply lists that the stores provide! They've always list way more than my kids ever need, more like stuff the stores would like you to spend money on.

My kids get supply lists when they get their teacher assignments or even after school starts. It's a little frustrating, because the teacher will ask for, like, three spiral bound notebooks and two composition books and by the end of the year my kid will have used one of each.

One year the teacher listed two boxes of crayons, one for the first half of the year and one for the second half. I knew this was totally unnecessary for my kid -maybe if he needed another box in December I'd get him one. But because it was on the list ds was insistent I get both boxes. And of course the 2nd box sat in the cupboard all year. And now he's outgrown crayons.

But all my kids' teachers have consistently asked for donations of disposable wipes and boxes of tissue. I'm happy to oblige.

[velochic]

Dd is in private school and it's on their website. The public schools around here have them in the stores. There is 3 weeks until the public schools start and they will have those lists out any day now.