One (Former) Teacher's Advice and the (Possibly) Brutal Truth about the Dreaded Supply List

Ah, back-to-school shopping – that magical time of year when parents everywhere discover that their children have apparently been using their backpacks as biological warfare experiments all summer. It's time to gear up for another year of educational excellence, which seems to require more supplies than a NASA mission.

I get it. Items on the required list may seem overly specific, and you may get annoyed while shopping for some of the items on your list. I can tell you with 1,000% certainty that there isn't a single item on that list that isn't COMPLETELY necessary. At the same time, I understand that as a parent, especially of multiple children, things add up fast. Take notes, as I drop some knowledge on ya:

The Non-Negotiables

First things first: forget everything you think you know about "generic is fine." Your child's teacher didn't spend four years in college and countless hours of professional development to watch their classroom supplies fall apart faster than your hopes of staying under budget. Kleenex or Puffs only, people. Teachers have suffered through enough scratchy, paper-thin imposters to last several lifetimes. Show some mercy-- they're already combating more germs than a CDC lab.

And while we're talking non-negotiables, let's address the art supply situation. Crayola is king. Those RoseArt crayons might look identical and cost half as much, but they're basically wax-flavored disappointment sticks. They break, they don't color smoothly, and they'll leave your child's masterpiece looking like it was created during an earthquake. Crayola has been perfecting the art of childhood creativity for over a century – trust the process.

The same goes for pencils. Yes, Ticonderoga pencils are the holy grail, and for good reason. These aren't just pencils – they're precision instruments of learning. They sharpen cleanly, erase properly, and don't snap in half when your child breathes on them too hard.

TLDR: If you invest in quality, you won't have to rush back to the store later, likely at an inconvenient time when Murphy's Law rears its ugly head again.

The Reality Check

Here's a fun fact that might shock you: teachers spend hundreds – sometimes thousands – of their own dollars on classroom supplies each year. I easily spent a grand getting my very first classroom ready for those freshmen back in 2011– buying rugs for a reading corner, books at the Green Valley Book Fair, tubs and dividers for organization, and then extras of EVERYTHING that was on my supply list. That's right, the same teachers who already work evenings, weekends, and summers are funding your child's education out of their own pockets. So when that supply list asks for specific brands, it's not teacher snobbery – it's teacher sanity.

Your child's educator isn't getting kickbacks from Big Kleenex or Big Crayon. They're simply tired of supplies that fall apart mid-use and wiping tears when crayons break from too tight a grip.

Ballin’ on a Budget

If money's tight, please don't let pride keep your child from having what they need. I get it, I'm coming out of the “Mom, I’m hungry!”, asking for a snack 78 times a day, too (and that food budget definitely doubles over the summer months). Reach out to local organizations, such as churches, community centers, and food banks, which often host back-to-school programs and supply drives. Don't hesitate to speak with your school counselor or your child's teacher. Teachers have a sixth sense for kids who need extra support, and they've got networks that would make the FBI envious.

Nobody – and I mean nobody – will let students go without supplies. Teachers will raid their own stash, tap into classroom funds, or quietly slip extra supplies into backpacks. It's just what they do.

And hey, if you're doing well financially, consider this your gentle nudge to grab a few extra boxes of those quality supplies– or even take it a step further and toss in a tub of Clorox wipes. Drop them off at the school office with a note saying "for students who need them." You'll be someone's hero, and trust me, teachers will remember your kindness when your kid inevitably forgets their lunch money for the fifteenth time.

The Bottom Line

Back-to-school shopping might feel like highway robbery, but remember: you're not just buying supplies; you're investing in your child's education and supporting the teacher who will spend more waking hours with your kid than you will for the next nine months. And it still won't come close to the average childcare bill.

So yes, buy the good stuff if you can. Your child's nose—and their teacher's sanity—will thank you. 

Remember, we’re all in this together and everyone has one goal: to see your child succeed. Make it a great year, and best of luck to all students, teachers, staff, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, parents, and administrators embarking on another school year!