Special Section // Everyday Living
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School days
Tips and checklists to equip your students when classes resume
by Michele Wojciechowski
Before you know it, you’ll be setting up that sign your kids have held since kindergarten to take those all-important first-day-of-school photos.
But first, make sure that they’re prepared with school supplies.
Costco member Caroline Farkas, a former classroom educator and the founder of the educational company Doodles and Digits, LLC, says shopping early is crucial. “My students usually had preferences about what types of items they liked—favorite colors or certain styles,” she says. “August usually also has the best back-to-school sales!”
Farkas recommends a general list of school supplies for students of all ages.
For specific age groups, Costco member Julie Cole, co-founder of Mabel’s Labels and an award-winning and bestselling parenting author, advises, “Having a list and starting early means you don’t have to rush around at the last minute.” You also avoid the risk of items being sold out before the first day of school.
The following lists, organized by level of education, can help you pick up everything you need (for a discussion of tech items for college students see Tech Connection).
General Supply List
- Backpack
- Pencils, No. 2, sharpened
- Supply or pencil pouch
- Eraser or eraser caps
- Package of loose-leaf paper
- Headphones
- Pocket folders
- Spiral notebook
- Disinfectant wipes (for classroom use)
- Tissues (for personal and classroom use)
- Healthy food for snacks, breakfast and lunch
Elementary School
- 1 pair of blunt 5-inch scissors
- 24-count crayons
- 1 pack of colored pencils
- 8-pack of washable markers
- 4 oz of school glue
- Glue sticks
- 2 1-inch hardback vinyl binders
- 1 4-pack of chisel-tip dry-erase markers
- 2 composition books
- 1 box of resealable sandwich bags
Middle School
- 1 pair of sharp 5-inch scissors
- 1 pack of black or blue pens
- 1 pack of colored pencils
- Pencil sharpener
- Plastic school box
- 1-pack of chisel-tip dry-erase markers
- 2 1-inch hardback vinyl binders
- 5 1-inch three-ring binders
- 5 packs of subject dividers
- 2 composition notebooks
- Index cards
- Ruler
- Protractor
- Agenda/day planner
- Calculator
- Loose-leaf and graph paper
- 1 ream of computer paper
High School
- Mechanical pencils
- No. 2 pencils
- Composition notebooks
- Loose-leaf and graph paper
- Three-ring binders
- Three-hole punch
- Binder dividers
- Binder reinforcements
- Pocket folders
- Pencil case
- Student planner
- Index cards
- Scientific calculator
- Sticky notes
- USB drive
College/University
- Disinfecting wipes/cleaning supplies (for move-in day)
- Shower caddy
- Flip-flops or shower shoes
- Bathrobe and slippers
- Bath towels
- Medications/first-aid kit/sanitary products
- Clothing hangers
- Alarm clock
- Extension cord and power strip
- Laundry basket or bag
- Laundry detergent
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Bedding—including a mattress cover (dorm beds can be nonstandard sizes)
- Fan
- Small fridge
- Printer
- Computer paper
- Thumbtacks for bulletin board
- Clothing for all seasons
- Desk lamp
- Pictures from home
- Decorations for bedroom—posters, throw pillows, etc.
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Back-to-school shopping tips
Label items. Former educator Caroline Farkas says it’s easy to misplace supplies in the classroom. Make sure everyone knows what belongs to your kids.
Pack easy-open items. Farkas also says that children often have trouble opening certain items at recess or lunchtime. “Packing items your student can open independently will guarantee that they don’t have to wait to eat,” she says.
Match the backpack to the child. Julie Cole, mother of six and co-founder of Mabel’s Labels, says to be sure your child’s backpack is large enough for what they’ll need to bring home, but not too big for them to carry.—MW
Michele Wojciechowski is a Baltimore, Maryland‑based freelancer.
Costco Connection: You'll find back-to-school supplies in Costco warehouses and at Costco.com.
