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LockedBack to school - what's most important?

posted on August 13, 2009 at 11:13AM Inappropriate?

What do you think is the most important thing to provide for your child as they head back to school?

My mom was always an advocate of the a) first day of school outfit (boost that confidence!) and b) breakfast. She always made sure we had all the school supplies, too, but those had to be used from the previous year.

replies: 18 latest post: October 10, 2009 at 11:29PM by AdamO
Displaying all 18 posts
posted on August 13, 2009 at 12:29PM
 

If you're asking for back to school purchases, I'd say the basic supplies (notebooks, pencils, pens, etc.). Also, graphing calculators are now required for most high school students, so a TI-84 is a must-have.

I think books (not schoolbooks, but recreational reading) are also a must-have. The more kids read, the more kids learn, and the faster they learn. Instilling a love of reading and learning is one of the best ways to make sure they succeed in school.

And, of course, be involved without helicoptering. :)

posted on August 13, 2009 at 02:17PM
 

A planner! good to get organized early on! One notebook, pencil at least for first day then the teachers will usually tell you what you need.

posted on August 13, 2009 at 03:53PM
 

Yep, I always had at least one new outfit for the first day and a few new clothing items to replace stuff I had grown out of or anything that was worn out. That was nice.  Buut from a kid's standpoint the one thing I never really had was a good bookbag, or better yet, a backpack.  It seemed like I was always dragging tons of books home and a backpack would have been nice.

posted on August 14, 2009 at 10:42AM
 

confidence. it's important not to let anyone think they can walk all over you.

posted on August 14, 2009 at 10:44AM
 

I have always thought, oh, I will buy my boys a new outfit for the first day of school.  So, I do, and then, they don't want wear it, because they want to wear their FAVORITE, raggedy baseball jersey from last year or something similar.  I have given up on the new outfit! 

But, I do love buying them new school supplies!  That is really a fun thing to do!

posted on August 14, 2009 at 01:40PM
 

Support and love....If Kids don't have a good homelife, they will most likely carry it to school with them and have a hard time.

And a good backpack!  I have had my Tragger backpack from my freshman year in highschool all the way since.  Never had to buy another one.  It's in my closet and 10 years since I graduated I still use it!

posted on August 14, 2009 at 05:34PM
 

Not so much important, but something enjoy I getting for myself before going back-New Clothes!

Not that I need anymore, but I still keep buying them!

Plus, it gets very cold in my school in the cooler months, so I try to pick out nice cute comfy warm sweaters, jackets and hoodies.

posted on August 14, 2009 at 09:58PM
 

I have to vote for eye glasses and contacts! Starting the school year off blind as a bat makes for a challenging beginning!  I don't see well and remember how difficult school was at times before I started wearing glasses.  Make sure you and/or your kids have an eye exam before school starts.  You'll be surprised how much more successful you can be when you see well!! :)

 

posted on August 14, 2009 at 11:34PM
 
In response to BlueCrewGuyInMA's post from August 13 2009 12:29PM

 The TI 84 is good. It has twice the memeory of the 83 as well it is twice as fast and comes with the USB cable to connect it to the PC if needed. From  a merchant point, one makes more money off of it than the 83.

posted on August 21, 2009 at 09:51AM
 

In the event of another Swine Flu outbreak, which educators here are being told to be very aware of, maybe good health insurance?

posted on August 21, 2009 at 10:11AM
 

Great point, IanRocketMan!  I would also add hand sanitizer, kleenex, and Emergen-C to the Back-to-School list. 

posted on August 21, 2009 at 10:14AM
 

Ooh, those are important things!  What do you teach, Ian?  I bet all the girl students pay really close attention in your class, you're so cute in your picture!  ^_^

posted on August 21, 2009 at 08:07PM
 
In response to MoonPiGirl's post from August 21 2009 10:14AM
MoonPiGirl said…

Ooh, those are important things!  What do you teach, Ian?  I bet all the girl students pay really close attention in your class, you're so cute in your picture!  ^_^

I appreciate the compliment :)  As for the students, I'd say about half pay attention.  The other half are texting or doing some other inane task and I have to get mean with them.

posted on August 21, 2009 at 08:08PM
 

Oh, and I teach grammar and literature, MoonPieGirl.

posted on August 24, 2009 at 05:04PM
 

i never had one of those expensive calculators you need. I had to use my cheapo one. It never worked for me in class. I ended up as the "world's worst mathmatician." so, maybe invest in an expensive calculator!

posted on August 24, 2009 at 05:16PM
 

My child had to have 4 bottles of GermX and four boxes of kleenex, 2 rolls of paper towels, a 50 ct paper plates, 100 brown paper bags!!! What  is all this for? When I was finished shopping for school supplies alone, it was almost $100.00. Then I had to buy her school uniforms!!! Double the cost of clothes!!

posted on September 11, 2009 at 02:38AM
 

Umm...

Bling-a-tude?

posted on October 10, 2009 at 11:29PM
 

The ULTIMATE backpack!

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