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Back-to-School Organizing Tips

Back-to-School Supplies Checklist

Elmer's Washable School Glue Stick

Backpack? Check. Lunch box? Check. Safety scissors? Er… The basics to buy your young scholar, from preschool to high school.

Preschool

  • 1 art smock
  • Change of clothes for spills or accidents
  • 2 freezer packs for lunch boxes
  • 1 lunch bag or lunch box
  • Packaged hand wipes (slip them into lunch boxes for wiping dirty hands before snack time)
  • Packaged snacks (healthy choices include pretzels, nuts—if allowed—and dried fruit)
  • Plastic crayon keeper or box to store craft projects
  • Plastic drink container with flip top to stop spills before they happen
  • Pocket tissue packs
  • Resealable gallon-sized plastic bags for taking home craft projects
  • Shoes with slip-proof soles to prevent hallway spills
  • Small umbrella

Elementary School

  • 1 art smock
  • 1 backpack large enough to fit a lunch box, folders, and supplies
  • 1 box of crayons (16-count)
  • 1 pack of washable markers (8-count)
  • 1 bottle of glue (8 ounces)
  • 4 glue sticks
  • 2 freezer packs for lunch boxes
  • Packaged hand wipes (slip them into lunch boxes for wiping dirty hands before snack time)
  • Hooded waterproof jacket for drizzly days on the playground
  • 1 large pink eraser
  • 1 lunch bag or lunch box
  • 4 No. 2 pencils
  • Packaged snacks (healthy choices include pretzels, nuts—if allowed—and dried fruit)
  • Plastic crayon keeper or box to store craft projects
  • Plastic drink container with flip top to stop spills before they happen
  • Plastic toolbox to store scissors, glue, and other supplies
  • 4 folders with pockets
  • Pocket tissue packs
  • 1 pair of safety scissors
  • Shoes with slip-proof soles to prevent playground accidents
  • 1 small pencil sharpener
  • Small umbrella
  • Resealable gallon-sized plastic bags for taking home craft projects

Middle School

  • Agenda or planner to keep track of homework assignments
  • Backpack
  • Binder dividers
  • 1 binder per subject
  • Compass (one without a sharp metal point will be the safest)
  • 1 folder per subject for handouts
  • 2 highlighters in different colors
  • 1 pack of No. 2 pencils (12-count)
  • Loose-leaf paper (wide-ruled)
  • Pens
  • Protractor
  • Ruler
  • Mini stapler
  • 1 three-subject spiral notebook
  • Zip drive or USB drive to save work done on home and school computers

High School

  • Agenda or planner to keep track of homework assignments
  • Backpack
  • Binder dividers
  • 1 binder per subject
  • 1 folder per subject for handouts
  • Calculator, if allowed
  • 2 highlighters in different colors
  • 1 pack of No. 2 pencils (12-count)
  • Loose-leaf paper (college-ruled or wide- ruled)
  • 2 packages of 1/4-inch graph paper
  • Pens
  • Ruler
  • Mini stapler
  • 1 three- or five-subject spiral notebook
  • Zip drive or USB drive to save work done on home and school computers

Did we forget anything on this checklist? What would you add?

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