Back-to-School Supplies Lists Look More Like Laundry Lists

The Anchorage School District provides parents with a generic school supply list, but many parents find that the individual schools require much more.

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By Lauren Maxwell
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Story Created: Aug 9, 2011 at 5:33 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Aug 9, 2011 at 5:33 PM AKDT

The countdown is on for Anchorage school kids with classes starting one week from today and a big part of getting ready is buying school supplies.

Families are out in force at local stores clutching lists from the Anchorage School District.

“I have twins who are going into second grade and a kindergartener, plus I am shopping for a friend who is out of state so we have a lot of supplies to get,” says mom Monica Tovsen minutes into her shopping trip. She was well on her way to finding what she needed.

The Anchorage School District tries to take the guesswork out by providing generic supply lists for elementary and middle school students. But many parents find their individual schools require much more.

“When I went to go register him for school they gave me his actual list and it's like three times bigger than what it is,” says Gina Chavez, the mother of a new middleschooler. “He needs a notebook for every class and they can’t be spiral, they have to be bound. They are very, very specific.”

Retailers work hard to have those supplies on hand because for them the back-to-school shopping season is a moneymaker that is second only to the holidays. And just like the holidays, many people feel they need to budget for it.

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Samantha said on Saturday, Aug 13 at 2:29 AM

Great List! I always include something fun for my kids to bring to their classroom the first week of school-A TickleMe Plant Greenhouse Kit. TickleMe Plants are the only plant that the students can tickle and watch the plant close its leaves and lower its branches. A great way to excite kids about nature and gardening. Search TickleMe Plant for educational information, videosl, The TickleMe Plant Book and kits to grow your own. It's one hands on experience the class will be thankful for.

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M M said on Thursday, Aug 11 at 2:09 PM

Really? Where I went to school, families provided all books and supplies. There was a school store where we took our schedule and rented our books. We also could buy supplies there.

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bad4us said on Wednesday, Aug 10 at 12:02 PM

Try homeschooling. It's awesome.

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Remember When said on Wednesday, Aug 10 at 10:18 AM

I remember the days when all supplies were provided for every student K-12. Over the years both state and federal budget cuts on education made the parents pay for supplies. At first is was just a couple of items. Now, its just about everything. Yet every politician keeps promising more dollars for education and putting kids first. It has all turned out to be a really bad cliche and in too many cases a lie. If this budget cutting doesnt stop, one of these days the parents are going to have to rent lockers and possibly provide the desks.

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