We buy backpacks when the one they have fall apart. DS will get a new one this year, dd's is still ok from last year. We're in a new school district now, but last year the school sold pencil boxes full of the supplies the teachers wanted them to have, so everyones were the same. It was like $18, a little pricey but I didnt' have to do shopping. Not sure what this school district will do. I agree that I like crayola crayons though, and usually buy name brand items, I like them better.

We re-use backpacks and lunch boxes. They usually last several years each (are my boys easier on stuff then most kids?) I will re use scissors, rulers and such. I also have a huge collection of pencils (it seems like my kids are given pencils for everything!). I am not sure, but I think that the school 2 of my boys is going to has you pay and they provide the supplies. I have to call and find out more details for sure. So I only have to buy for my 3rd grader and my 9th grader and high schoolers don't usually need much!

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~Happiness is a large family~

I'm reusing scissors, backpacks, lunch boxes, some markers and glue, and some pencils and erasers. I also am buying a bunch of new supplies since I will have 3 in different schools with different supply lists. I can't believe how much the supplies really add up.

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It is funny that you say that about labeling each crayon, marker, etc. My husband says I am silly to do so, but I tell him that the kids are more likely to get it back if it has a name on it. Also, if the kids lose their red marker, I can't go and get just a red marker, I have to buy the whole pack, so why not take the time to label each and hope it helps. It's my time anyway.

We reuse the scissors, ruler, plastic pencil box, bookbag (if it still looks good).

At the end of the year, we sort all of their supplies into "bins" as we call them.......crayons in one, markers in one, colored pencils in one.....these are used at home for projects that they want to make....we have a daycare too, so the kids can use these without us worrying if they break, or whatever. :happy dance:

The supplies that still look newer, we put up in a cubbard that we call the "school cubbard" and reuse them for the next year. ray:

We are required to label EACH AND EVERYTHING!!! I label each marker and each marker cap, each glue stick and glue stick cap, each crayon, each pencil., each pen, etc.........it takes time, but it is so worth it to have their supplies last (no get lost).........I have 5 children in school to label, so it takes days to label supplies.

Funny story about labeling crayons:

I used to label all of my students' crayons and pencils. Then I did the math on just the crayons alone: Each child had 24 (minimum) crayons. There were 25 students. Holy cow - that meant that I was labelling at least 600 crayons!!! It was at that point that I asked parents to label the crayons!

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If you need to get in touch with me, my email is teach1107910@yahoo.com.

For first & second grade at our school the kids share supplies.. so it is easier for everyone if we get the same brands.. I saved my list from last year, so that I can get started early... I figure if they change any of the required items when the lists are issued next month I can make a return then.

Of our list for this year I already have (recycled from last year):
*Backpack (my son's $3.88 walmart special is still going strong, although is just now starting to show some age. We bought it for Kindergarden & he is now going into 2nd grade!)
*Scissors

Extra supplies I got last year really cheap
*2 boxes of Crayola Crayons (24 ct)... I got these for 10 cents each at Walmart.. they were on sale one week.. I bought tons and gave most of them to a friend for her hubby to take to the kids in Iraq.
*Eraser 2 pack. purchased these, and then found 2 in perfect condition lying around the house..
* 3x5 index cards (1 pk of 100 left over from the 3pk I needed to buy last year)

Just picked up tonght at Target
* Glue sticks, generic 15 cents for 2. (Bought 8 sticks.. need to send 6 to school.)
* index cards 47cents (needed one more pack this year)
* 12 pk Crayola colored pencils 88 cents
* 8 color Crayola Watercolors $2.24

Still need to get:
24 Ticonderoga #2 Pencils, Yellow
2 thin black dry erase markers
2 box of Tissues (I actually have these, but am almost out. Might need to buy more b4 schools starts)
Another backpack while they are cheap.. I am just afraid that the walmart wonder might fail this year. LOL!

I will watch prices on the colored pencils & Watercolors.. Last year I think I remember getting the colored pencils on sale for 25cents somewhere.. If they are a good enough deal, I will actually return what I already bought.. LOL! I go to Target all the time anyway, so getting my pennies back would be great.

In other news.. I am so excited that I got a pair of jeans for ds at Target for $6.98.. They only had one pair in his size at this price.. So I will need to keep my eyes open for a couple more to show up.

My kiddos are not in elementary school yet. However, they do need certain things for preschool (lunch box and backpack). We re-ues whatever we can. My oldest's lunch box is trashed so we will need a new one.

I always check Staples circulars. Last week, they had a 1 cent sale with limitations so me and my 2 kiddos were 3 customers. We each got 3 pencil sharpeners, 3 Elmer's glues(9 cents each), 3 packs of pencils, 10 2 pocket folders for 48 cents. We didn't buy anything else in the store. I know we do not need all that but these items do not go bad so they all go in my "school" bin in the basement.

DH's work is doing a community outreach program for school age kids and school products so we will donate some of it to that.

Check out Staples this week they have filler paper, glue sticks really cheap.

I was just telling my mom yesterday, while I was reading the walmart ad in the paper, that I am a die-hard school supplies junky! I used to LOVE when school started (even college) so I could go out and buy new stuff! I miss that, and honestly am thinking about stocking up my office at work with some random things! Their spirals are $.10 a piece, and packs of paper are $.30! Man. Oh, and for those of you who were talking about Rose-art and Crayola Crayons, if you have the extra few cents to spend on Crayola, do it. There really is a difference, coming from an avid color-er still..,.(ridiculous, I know ) Rose-art leaves a little bit more wax shrapnel that you have to wipe off of the page, and that's irritating to me. But if your kids don't notice, don't worry about it. I am a huge crayola fan on just about anything they make. However, I did use to re-use what I had left, but usually would be too weak when shopping and would buy new things too..lol...sad. I just love back to school time. Still a child at heart, I guess...

I label each crayon as well but you know, I've found that it doesn't make a bit of difference. I'm sure it depends on the kids in the class, the teacher etc My younger son is VERY particular about his supplies, so if he's missing a crayon, he wants a new box. L.OL. I stock up when they're 20 cents each!