Well, the fourth of July has come and gone and stores have already ripped out the huge displays of “summer items” on the seasonal aisles and have stocked in its place multitudes of school supplies. The tell tale sign that summer is indeed over. :) We could either mourn its loss or focus on getting the best deals on that supply list!

We just got Haylee’s supply list in the mail and so begins the search for all the said items. There’s going to be one or two things every year, I think, that are the hard to find, ever elusive items. This year’s -I fear- is a 13×9 plastic folder. We’ll probably be able to find it at Office Max or something, but it doesn’t seem to be something I remember seeing on all the cheapo supply aisles! The other somewhat mysterious item is labeled “primary journal.” I’m not really sure what that means since a “spiral bound notebook” is elsewhere on the list. Maybe it is more of a composition book NOT spiral bound?

I’ve scoured the Sunday ads and come up with a few “must haves” for getting the best School Supply deals this year…

from Target…

• Bookbags (both messenger and backpack styles) for $9. We were thinking (ie… me thinking and trying to persuade Chris!) that we should go for an LL bean backpack for Haylee this year b/c of the superior quality. Not to mention the fact that I could get it monogrammed with her name! How cute would that be?! Their small pack is $22.95 plus $6 for monogramming. But… when I think logically (I know, shock, right?) I know that Haylee would rather have a new $10 bag every year than a $22 bag that lasts her till 3rd grade! :)
• 2 sided individual dry erase marker boards for $2! What a deal this is! I love the fact that these are lined on one side and blank on the other. Especially great for primary grades. I also like that these are not framed in plastic or stainless steel. My students are always breaking their frames mid way through the year (creating dangerous weapons) and then the dry erase film starts peeling off. :(
• Spiral notebooks for 50¢. This will not be the lowest price for a spiral notebook you’ll see this summer… however, these notebooks actually have somewhat cutesy prints unlike most other cheap-o notebooks that are the plain jane solid primary colors. Maybe your kiddo doesn’t mind the plain jane, but sometimes it’s nice to get the cutesy! :)

from Walgreens…

• 4 pack dry erase markers (regular and smaller size) for $1.99 (with coupon in ad)! This is a fabulous price for dry erase markers which you’ll probably want to get a few packs of for the year. My students were always running short on decent markers as the year went on. Nothing worse than trying to read Johnny’s board at the back of room with his pitiful, faintly showing, make me go blind and crazy marker! :)
• Extra tip…. take the eraser and peel off just the top layer to use so Johnny/Susie won’t have the whole bulky eraser to keep up with and find room for in his/her desk. He/she can just erase happily with the thin top layer. (…got this tip from my students too!)

from CVS…

• Glue, rulers, composition books, 8 ct pens, and scissors ALL free after ECB’s!
• 2 pocket folders for 5¢. This deal will be beat too, I’m sure. Usually Staples and Office Max run sales for 1¢ folders!