kindergarten "stuff"

DS was in kindergarten last year, all they needed (1/2 day) was a large backpack, no wheels, a box of kleenex and a cheque for $100.00 to cover supplies and field trips. It really depends on the school. This year his supply list is very detailed with brand names, etc.
 
Don't stress La... kindergarten is one time when kids come in with such a huge range of abilities that no one ever knows what to expect. I'm a teacher and I still stressed (for no reason too!) :)

The before kindergarten "evaluation" is very basic (our district has "kindergarten round up"- a day when all the kids come up for it). They usually look to see if they know letters (which ones, how many, upper and lower, etc.), they'll talk to them and ask you some questions (strengths and weaknesses) and maybe have them draw a picture (a house, a person, etc. gives them idea of fine motor and shape awareness) and try to write their name. This gives them a better idea of what they already know going in. They REALLY do it to balance out the class loads between teachers.


Definitely get a good backpack (one with a good zipper- the cheapies always break and then you have to get a new one). And a soft-sided lunchbox is a good idea- we have full day kinder and so lunch is part of the program- plus if he doesn't need it you can always use it to picnic.

School supply lists are usually available way ahead of time (I know our office asks for out list in the spring so they have plenty of time for parents to order, etc.) Check your school's website for it.

Don't stress La- Ce will be just fine! :) ♥
 
Another thing to think about is that Target puts their school supplies on sale (huge discount) in September. I always go back after school has started and stock up on the basics for our house for homework. Garrett had homework 4 nights a week last year in K. It was easy peasy homework like writing his name or cutting pictures out of a magazine. But I am glad he has homework because now he will be use to it and they get a lot more in 1st grade.
 
As a former K teacher, I'd say please make sure it's not one of those mini backpacks...folders and artwork end up having to be folded up to get them to fit inside.

And what else...RoseArt supplies suck LOL...they're cheaper for a reason.

I'd think the school would have a suppy list out already...our local stores have the school supply lists in store tooo.
 
thanks girlies :]
the school website is crapp.. I've been checking it since I found out what school he's going to and nothing. The calendar isn't even updated. I have no faith in this school hahaha. I'll try to go to walmart (ergh) or something and see if they have any lists.
 
Bryan just finished kindergarten and is getting ready to go into 1st. We haven't gotten anything for him yet... except I picked up crayons and markers REALLY cheap at Walmart last week.

* Don't get the mini backpacks. Bryan had one of those big yellow envelopes that came home and went back to school every day.
* Make sure the backpacks don't have the wheels. Those weren't allowed for Kindergarten and I think 1st grade at our school.

Wait for the school list. Our had some pretty specific items on it.

you're going to have so much fun! Kindergarten was a great experience for us :)
 
lauren grier said:
he's already registered.. he'll be turning 6 a few months after school starts- he missed out last year cause of the age thing. They said he has to be evaluated before anything gets going.. I have no idea why tbh. It's all just feeling totally wacko and unorganized ^_^
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I haven't read any of the responses. But... Luke is being tested the week before school starts. And from the testing, they will put them in classes. We haven't gotten our supply lists either, but you should be able to go into the school's office and ask for one. I'm a teacher & we sent the lists home at the end of the year last year. and they wouldn't think twice about someone coming in and asking for one.
 
we had to register but they did evaluations on the spot during registration time. DS1 was in kindy last year & DS2 will be in it this year

We got no information about supplies or teacher or bus schedule until a week before school started. (and we weren't on the bus schedule & were told to just stand at the end of the driveway at 7am & at some point the bus would come by & stop for us & if no one was there by 7:30 to call...yeah...) Our school system is totally shut down in July. Everybody is off so you cannot get any information out of them. They are picky about folder colors & materials, so prebuying isn't possible. Fortunately I was able to preorder this year's supplies for both boys so I don't have to worry about that this time

I spent some money on backpacks. I got really nice adjustable ones from Lands End, that grow with the kids. They were on sale but still spendy. However, they have a lifetime guarantee and I've already had one replaced because DS1 drags it on the ground. It's a $40 backpack but I'll get years of use & replacement from it. :)
 
I'm a Reading Resource teacher and I work mainly in K-3 (I pull groups and work in the classrooms with the regular teacher). I spend a lot of my time in Kindergarten so let me know if you have any questions.

What type of evaluation does he need? Also sometimes the schools will post the supply lists on the school website - otherwise just call the school and ask if there is anywhere the supply list is posted. Some schools do wait until open house.
 
Our school sends out a list at the end of the year for what they'll need the next year. For those in kindy, they send them out via mail. They do have them at Wal-Mart too!

Rae will go half days, so she doesn't need a lunch bag. I like the soft ones though.

I second whoever said to get CRAYOLA. I get Crayola everything!
 
this is always the most confusing of times... the wait! My kids are long past K but they are switching schools because their last one closed and happily I don't have to reegister them or anyhting, it will be an automatic transfer but I'm still wondering WHEN we'll hear anyhting about class schedules, shopping lists, transportation... I have 2 kids going to 2 schools now. :huh:
 
aww this makes me sad. My oldest still has another year, but it's going to be VERY hard for me to let her go... and they are switching everyone to full day, and i really wish it was half day to "ease" her in. blah. why did i open this? good luck!
 
No real help here - Aus schools may be different! I'm excited for both of you and just wanted to wish you the best!

From someone who just isnt anal about these things:
A paper bag will suffice for a lunch box until you are sure what size or type is best.
You could just pack a survival pack of pencils and rubbers and glue from what he's been using at home - bare essential stuff - he is not going to be creating an artist portfolio or be writing a novel during his 1st week of school. Our kiddos here dont have anything of their own until upper primary. School supplies stationery etc. Wait for the list and you know you'll shop right.

Kids are pretty resilliant as Im sure are most Kindy teachers! You'll not have to send him for psych treatment or put him on anti depressants f he doesnt have the latest and greatest from day 1. Im pretty sure it wont have any impact on his career potential either!

I know I have a warped sense of things but its all just commercial stuff and you'll find the profit margins shrink after the 1st week or 2 of school.

Enjoy the emotional ride - its the really fun bit!!
 
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Breathe! Kindergarten is so freakin' fun - I hope your son gets an awesome and fun teacher. As for getting ready - why not focus on having some good supplies at home and then buy for school when you get the list. We keep a three drawer plastic rolly cart just for school supplies. That way we always have what we need.

Must have for any Kindergartener (at least by my standards as a mom of 2):

Crayons - buy like 10 boxes when they are $.25 each. Keep them at home, you can use them as gifts (great favors for birthday parties), give a few to the teacher through out the year.

Pencils - my daughters' teachers wanted them to use special pencils in the classroom. I had to make sure they had pencils for homework at home -but didn't use nearly as many as I thought we would (or did in 1st and 4th grade)

Washable Markers - Fine line and Broad Tip a few boxes of each for at home projects.

Construction Paper - 1 pack (unless you are willing to share any paper scrapbooking stash you have)

Kids Scissors - a few pair, because you're going to need to replace them at least 1 time - trust me! :blink:

Chenile Stems in all different colors - these are awesome for 3-D projects (that our school seems to love for grade K). They are very easy to bend and to use for little hands to add color to any project.

Hot Glue Gun - this one is for you. It will make any crazy family projects much easier.

Wiggly Eyes - Dollar Store - we seem to use a package each year for projects, especially in kindergarten.

Magazines - start saving them now because I bet you'll need some for homework.

Glue sticks - you can never have enough! My daughter went through 30 in the classroom plus probably another 10-15 at home in grade K. Her teacher was very into cutting and pasting. :)

Now, if you are looking for things to pick up for the classroom I don't know a teacher that would love some extra tissues, soap, hand santizer, wipes, plates, spoons, forks, sandwich bags, gallon bags, etc.

As for the backpack - your child will maybe be bringing home some books to read and a folder and papers each day. Make it so he can wear it comfortably and expect it to get destroyed.

Note++ I buy extras of everything on the school list because it never fails that the kids need to be re-stocked after Christmas break and again right before the end of the year.

I found Kindergarten to be very hands on for me and that the kids seem to need a lot more stuff because they do fun projects every day. Enjoy it because when they get older they don't get to do so much that's fun. I tried to poke my head in the class often to say "hey, what do you need?".

Relax and get ready to enjoy an awesome school year. You'll have tons to scrap! First grade and on - not so much :thumbdown:
 
Ditto the Land's End backpack with the Lifetime Warranty. I've heard of people getting free replacements (and I will tell you that many backpacks don't last the school year as they get older).

Also, getting the notebooks in specific colors. Some moms here resort to covering them with card stock/construction paper because sometimes it is just too difficult to find the right color. If you ever have to go this route I would also give the hint of covering it then with clear contact paper (cheap lamination) otherwise the construction paper is going to rip. I understand the concept of "Take out your yellow notebook we are going to be working on Science now" but do these teachers actually try to shop for these items during crazy Back To School shopping -- and some chains don't carry purple notebooks this year. They only have yellow, blue, red and green. Which means you are running all over town. (Ok, my vent is over).

Target already has some of the class lists on display in the Back to School section here. Buy the cheap things when they are on sale if you want but definitely know that some teachers have quirks and there might be specific items on the list that you will need to get also.

Kindergarten is fun and you will have so much to scrapbook!!!
 
I just wanted to mention that you may really need to get the note to know what is needed. Our school has specific colors of folders they need you to buy, for example.
 
mnm_y2 said:
* Don't get the mini backpacks. Bryan had one of those big yellow envelopes that came home and went back to school every day.
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As a pre-K teacher currently (and former K teacher) Thank you!! You can't believe how much I hate those mini-backpacks. Not only envelopes, but also library books will come home and they don't fit in those little things. Some of my students have just turned 3 and I understand that the regular backpacks are bigger than the kid sometimes, but really, they are only wearing it for a few minutes. I'd rather have the notes/books protected than worry about size.

How said is it that I just thought, "Oh, Lauren's little guy will be in K... more time for her to design!" :p
 
My daughter starts in the fall too! I know a mom who's FIVE kids all went through this school, and her daughter will be in Senior Kindergarten when my daughter is in Junior Kindergarten (maybe we only have those in Canada?) so I got all the details from her. Do you know other moms who's kids have been to your school?
we went to a 12 week 'get ready for school' program in the spring, a meet the teachers open house, and we have another 'intro to kindergarten' morning in September before school starts. We got our supply list there. But in Canada, the list is very small.
My daughter has to bring a pair of shoes to keep at school, a change of clothes must always be in her backpack, and she has to bring a kleenex box for class supply. Oh, and her backpack must be big enough to fit a small binder in, for her reading homework and sheets of paper etc. (binder is supplied).
So I'm going with a Lands End Backpack which will be a little big but will last. I'm trying to think of ways to embellish it to make it really 'her'.
My advice would be to ask friends of friends and anyone you can find to find some other mom who has had kids at the school to tell you... :)
 
You can also try stopping by his school. I was there today to drop off a form, and they had all the grades' supply lists out for parents in the office. Jason is starting K this year, and the list is pretty basic and reasonable. Things like a backpack, a box of #2 pencils, a box of washable markers, crayons, ziplock bags, and tissues.
 
my dd's school sends home a list with their report cards at the end of the year the kinder list for my dd's school is pretty simple:
box kleenex
glue sticks
markers
baby wipes and
snacks (one per a month LOL)

that's all!


now the 5th grade list.. sheesh LOL
 
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