Back to School is Looming
This coming weekend, our stores are having back-to-school specials where all school supplies don’t have to pay sales tax. It’s a nice perk, but I have a feeling the place will be PACKED. Think my five-year-old will care if I drag him off to Wal-Mart at 6:00 a.m.? 
I’m looking over the kindergarten school supply list, and while some of the items seem pretty basic, others made me think–Huh???
1 large backpack (NO WHEELS)–This one is true even for middle and high schools. The wheeled backpacks don’t fit in the lockers. Makes sense.
2 boxes of brads (#3 or ¾”)–Brads?? What are these? I’m thinking they’re the brass spinny things, but I’m not quite sure.
6 boxes Crayola crayons (16 count)–WHAAA?? SIX boxes of crayons??? Okay, I know that kindergarteners do a lot of coloring, but six?? I remember that we had to actually take care of our crayons, and if they broke, we’d just sharpen them or peel back the paper. Not a big deal.
1 box sandwich zip-loc bags
1 box snack zip-loc bags
1 box gallon zip-loc bags–I’m not sure I want to know what the bags are for. Because if you figure 50 bags per box, times 20 kids, that’s 1000 bags. Times 3. Any guesses as to why 3000 plastic bags would be needed in a kindergarten class?? 
12 glue sticks (white only)–again, TWELVE???? I remember the days when we had a container of paste. And there was always some boy who thought he’d impress the girls by eating it. 
2 bottles of Elmer’s 8 oz. glue with orange tip (white only / not washable)–Because if 12 sticks aren’t enough, we need 2 more bottles.
4 primary black & white marble composition books
2 plastic folders with pockets (no fasteners)
1 box of tissues
Did you notice the missing school supply on there? Take a second. What does every student need when they attend class? See if you can guess. I’ll put the answer in the comments at the end of the day.
By the way, I got a few nice surprises yesterday…one of which I’ll share later in the week. But I had to share this one. Romantic Times Magazine posted the review of The Warrior’s Touch, Connor’s book. They gave it 4 stars! 
Michelle posted in Writing @ 9:19 am | Viewed 2293 times
beth Says:
My guess is that the extra quantities are used for subsidizing other students. Either that or the teacher has a side business selling scrapbook supplies. :rofl:
As for what’s missing..um..don’t then need a pencil or pen or something? Cause…otherwise it looks like he’s only writing in crayon.
Brads: Either a really arrogant guy I dated in college
, or,the brass nubs with the two little flippy ends on the back that you poke through paper then spread apart to hold stuff together (like on the back of a manilla envelope, but with a nub holding the flippy things together.)
beth Says:
Oh, and WOOHOO! on the review.
(And also, no fair taunting us with surprises….just mean.)
Michelle Willingham Says:
Beth–with subsidizing, I suspect you’re probably right. And that doesn’t make much sense because that’s one of the reasons for the PTA. I’m thinking I may buy the six boxes but only send in 1 to start with…
With your guess, you’re on the right track!
Melissa Says:
Yeah, I’m thinking a pencil. Didn’t see that on the list.
Our school district supplies all of the basics for our kids - they only have to get a few things that the teacher wants. Often it’s a binder or a pencil box. But I still grab some of the back to school supplies just ‘cuz I love to have that stuff on hand. One subject notebooks for 10 cents? You bet!
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Congrats, Michelle!!!
MaryF Says:
I was thinking pencils and paper.
Remember, I’m a 4th grade teacher, and we had weird things on our list too. I have so many supplies left from years before that I beg my students NOT to bring glue, handsoap, index cards and baggies. You should see all the baggies I have!
I think sending one box at a time is a good plan. I cannot imagine needing 6 boxes of crayons and 12 sticks of glue!!! Our district would never allow us to ask for so much.
I would love if parents would send dry-erase markers and computer paper, though.
Tori Lennox Says:
I’m boggling over the umpteen jillion zip-loc bags, but only one box of tissues. Seems to me they’d need more tissues than anything else!
And, of course, pencils and paper.
Melissa Mc Says:
I’m happy our school supplies are included in our tuition. I remember trying to find the stuff on the K and 1st grade lists. Not fun.
Holly Says:
Well, I’m thinking of several items missing from this…a storage pouch or box for their supplies, scissors, pencils and erasers, maybe a sharpener, and the abc tablet, because generally they don’t start kindergarteners off on Composition notebooks, but the writing tablets with the bigger guide lines and dashes so they can learn to write their alphabet.
I bet the brads or for when they color and cut out and make funny animals or things with movable parts for art, but we never had to supply those, though my stepson brought home numerous little crafty things like that when he was in kindergarten.
We do have the request for the 3 sizes of ziploc baggies, but for throughout the year, as well as the tissue and wipes, but not right from the start.
As for all the crayons and glue sticks…I’m baffled unless it’s just so they have supplies on hand at all times if one of the students runs out, regardless of which parents bought them.
Back a few years ago when my stepson started kindergarten we didn’t have to go buy anything. They have a “store” at school and the orientation day, my husband just had to pay about $10 and Chris got all the starter supplies for class and then if he ran out of something, they would send a note home for us to send the amount for him to go to the “store” and purchase whatever he was needing.
Last year (2nd grade) and this year (3rd) we’ve actually had to go buy his supplies for school, but the list is outrageous for 3rd grade- Here’s what they wanted us to get for him-
crayons (no larger than a 64 ct box)
scissors
2 large glue sticks
Pencils(no mechanical)
1 lg 5 subject spiral notebook (wide rule)
1 small 1 subject spiral notebook(wide rule)
1 package of wide ruled paper(loose)
1 supply pouch to hold pencils, glue, etc(no pencil boxes)
1 composition notebook
2 yellow highlighters
1 non-rolling bookbag(Rolling bookbags have been banned due to safety concerns)
That doesn’t include the homework folder and student planner that has be be purchased at school and the random extra supplies for throughout the year(the tissue, wipes and baggies oh and small prizes for the classroom store-erasers, grippers, pencils, small toys such as those from kiddie meals)
Our school here doesn’t allow the liquid Elmer’s glue in the bottle anymore. They claim it’s too messy, that’s why the restrict to the sticks.
Congrats on the review!!
That’s awesome…as for the other good news…is it baby-related?
Michelle Willingham Says:
For me, the biggest missing supply was PENCILS! How can you go to school without pencils?
But paper is a good one, too. I guess the composition books and workbooks will take care of that, but I was very surprised about the lack of pencils.
Michelle Willingham Says:
Holly–nope, it’s not baby related. Our munchkin is still due in November and is doing fine. It’s book related.
As for your list, I can’t believe they’d ask you to send in prizes for the classroom. That’s crazy!
Whenever I do treats for my classroom kids, I provide them.
Jill Myles Says:
Maybe they’re going to write with the crayons?
Who knows!
(Oh, and I just finished reading HER IRISH WARRIOR and thought it was excellent. By the time I got to the end of the book I couldn’t put it down. I’ll be scanning my local Kroger to see when they get your next one in…and this time I *PROMISE* to buy it!
Jessica/Jill
April Says:
Good luck braving the stores, Michelle! We have that special incentive here… I will be FAR FAR away from the stores!
Melissa Whittle Says:
My guess is the 12 glues sticks and 2 bottles of Elmer’s glue is to keep the kids in their seats when they get rowdy.
The one thing I’m surprised isn’t on the list is a change of clothes in case of accidents. Some kids that age still have trouble making it to the bathroom.
Oh, what’s not on the list is the plan for world dominiation with all those crayons. 6 boxes?!!
Anyway, congrats on the the review and you should now by now you’re a great writer.
Rene Says:
Holy cow! I can’t believe they need a list like that for kindergarten. My school doesn’t have a supply list. We’re one of the fortunate districts that still has all those supplies. During the school year I pick up glues sticks and such for the class.
Good news on the review. How wonderful for you.
LeAnne Says:
I can see the the use for the bags, and zip lock baggies, but brads, what the heck are brads anyway? And why would the kindergarden class need them? Anyway Michelle I am new to your site and just recently finished her Irish Warrior which I loved, and when I found there is a sequel comming out with Conner’s story and then a third with Patrick’s needless to say I was thrilled. I am on Suzanne McMinn’s site all the time and I wanted to say congratulations to the upcoming baby. I also want to know if there is a way to register on your site with wordpress to write on the blogs like you can on Suzanne’s site? I tried to use my info from hers but it won’t let me in and I can’t find a place to register if you are new, just to login. Help please,
LeAnne
Michelle Says:
Hi LeAnne! I’m so happy you enjoyed Her Irish Warrior.
And I do hope you like the sequels as well. 
You should be all set now with Wordpress. Usually the comments are moderated the first time someone comments, but after that, you’re good to go. I had some problems with spam a while ago, and that’s why I moderated comments. Welcome, and it’s nice to meet you!
MaryF Says:
Holly, that list isn’t too bad. I think our list for 4th grade is longer. 1 pack of looseleaf paper isn’t enough!! But like Michelle, I get the incentives myself.
When the ds was young, his school had a school store too - was wonderful!
Melissa, LOL on using the glue to keep the kids in their seats!