With school almost back in session, it’s time to go back-to-school shopping. A parent’s list for their child can differ depending on the school and grade. However, the most common items, by grade level, are as follows:
Kindergarten
For Kindergartners, a full change of clothes, labeled in a gallon-size zip bag or a shoebox (depending on your school), is typically at the top of the list. Crayola Washable Markers will also be on the list. However, the number of boxes will differ depending on the school.
All schools will list a pair of age-appropriate scissors on their supply lists, as well as tissue boxes and a few plastic folders with pockets. Also, be on the lookout for glue (either sticks or liquid), colored pencils, Crayola crayons and No. 2 pencils.
For the classroom, parents can also be expected to be asked to bring cleaning wipes, Lysol spray or Clorox wipes.
Parents may also be asked to buy their kindergartners a journal specifically for primary school, like the Mead Primary Journal K-2 Grade.
Grades 1-5
There are items students will keep in their labeled pencil pouch throughout the next five years: 24 sharpened No. 2 pencils, glue sticks, age-appropriate scissors, highlighters, thick- and thin-tip washable markers, Post-it notes, pink erasers, colored pencils and Crayola crayons. For fourth and fifth grade students, parents will be asked to bring blue and black pens as well.
Additionally, labeled notebooks are a must every year.
For all grade levels, parents will also be asked to bring tissues and certain cleaning supplies, like Clorox wipes, for the classroom.
Every school will have its own preference on whether it wants students to bring folders or binders, and it may be specific about colors as well.
Ohr Chadash Academy asks parents to bring a container of Play-Doh for their first graders.
For Judaic studies, students will want to bring their siddurs from the previous year. Note that some schools provide siddurs for their new students.
Ohr Chadash also asks third, fourth and fifth-grade students to bring their Chumash Bereishit from the previous year. New students will be given a Chumash Bereishit at the beginning of the school year.
Torah Institute of Baltimore asks parents to label all of their children’s belongings. The school also specifies that students bring their Siddur Tefillah Berura and, for first and second graders, Chumash Sefer Bereishis.
For fourth grade, Torah Institute of Baltimore specifies bringing their Chumash Sefer Shemos and, for fifth grade, their Chumash Sefer Vayikra and their Chamisha Chumshei Torah.
Middle School
Entering middle school, students are going to have body odor, especially after physical education, so parents need to make sure their students are putting on deodorant in the morning and bringing some to school.
Speaking of physical education, most schools will have their students change into gym clothes, typically after the first day.
What math class students are attending will determine which type of calculator they will need.
Students may be asked to bring a scientific calculator, such as a TI-30X, but depending on the math class, students may be required to have a graphing calculator, like a TI-84.
Sixth grade is the year when students get their own lockers. To keep them organized, schools recommend bringing a locker shelf, although it’s not required.
For students to keep track of their assignments, they should check to see if their school provides a planner. Otherwise, it is recommended to buy one.
Do not forget to replenish the supplies in students’ pencil pouches, which will include many of the same items from previous grades, such as pencils, pens, highlighters and Post-it notes.
High School
This will depend on the grade level and class. Teachers will communicate what students specifically need, but it’s important for them to still have the basics: pencils, pens, their calculator from middle school, highlighters and notebooks.
