School supplies in high demand
By AUBRIE GEORGE
The Cherry Hill Sun
8/21/2009

Like it or not, homework time is right around the corner.

Pretty soon, life for the average Cherry Hill student will once again be about teachers, tests, textbooks, and school projects. But as painful as it might be for kids to think about leaving the sun and relaxation of summer behind, being prepared with the right school supplies for the first day of school may make things a little less painful all around.

Specific back to school supplies that are required for each student vary by grade levels and classes, so students should be on the lookout out for lists that have already been or soon will be issued by their individual schools and teachers.

Students will be informed about what exactly they’ll need to ace their classes this school year through lists distributed through the mail, e-mail or posted on their school or teacher’s Web sites.

Keeping in mind that this is the time of year when the aisles at your local office supply stores start to become rather bare, experts at Staples and Target offered their advice on a few items and gadgets that most kids might find useful this school year.

An item all kids in all grades at all schools are going to need this year and every year is a backpack, experts said.

Both Target and Staples carry a wide selection of backpacks that allow students to carry their books with some extra room for other essentials such as laptops.

Staples experts say to look for bags with multi-functional compartments in bold colors, designs and prints.

In addition, Staples experts said that totes in printed and quilted designs are a stylish way to bring your books to class.

In this day and age, technology is working its way more and more into education, so Staples experts suggest that laptops equipped with home office and student software are essential to get through the school year.

Flash drives, which are an easy and convenient way to transport and store files, are also important to have.

Colorful or printed laptop cases are a fun way to protect your technology from nicks and dents when transporting laptops to and from school and study groups, Staples experts said.

Book covers are typically required to cover textbooks to prevent pen marks and wear-and-tear damage.

In addition to being smart, book covers can also be stylish, Staples experts said several of this year’s book covers come in fashionable colors, wild designs, or allow students’ space to decorate with photos and stickers.

One more universal essential to stock up on this year is a good lunch bag for students who plan to bring their lunches to school. Staples experts suggest looking for insulated bags to keep lunches cold or stainless steel bottles to keep warm beverages or soups warm until lunchtime.

Before venturing out to buy supplies, Target experts suggest that parents use back to school shopping as the first math lesson of the year by creating a kid-friendly budget and teaching them lessons about smart spending.

Another suggestion Target experts have is to look for products that are eco-friendly, a major trend this year for both fashion and school supplies.

Look for things such as aluminum water bottles, organic cotton, backpacks and totes made from recycled or organic materials, eco- friendly notebooks, and solar-powered products, Target experts said.

If shoppers happen to buy too many of something or something their child doesn’t need, experts note that most back-to-school supplies don’t expire – so stow them away for next year, save them for a younger child, or pass them on to someone who does need them by donating to a local charity.

But of course, it’s always wise to hang on to your receipts.