Back to School 2022: What school supplies do my children need? Where can I find their lists?
Editor's note: School opens Aug. 10 for Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin county students. TCPalm is providing a series of back-to-school articles to help both parents and students get ready for the 2022-23 school year.
Parents are perusing checklists of what their student needs to learn when Treasure Coast schools begin the new year.
School-supply lists for today's students go beyond pencils and notebook paper. Teachers may ask parents to bring in classroom supplies such as dry-erase markers and colored pencils. Schools also have implemented dress codes and uniform policies.
Here's a Treasure Coast primer on school supplies your students may need.
Where to find school supply lists
The best place to find school supply lists is on each individual school's website. In Martin County, a list of schools can be found on the Martin County School District's back- to-school page (www.martinschools.org/page/reopening). The Indian River County School District posts school supply lists online at www.indianriverschools.org. St. Lucie County School District posts a list of all schools on its website, www.stlucie.k12.fl.us, where parents can find links to each school's supply list.
What supplies do kids need?
Most elementary schools require students to have a backpack without wheels and headphones. Some elementary schools allow earbuds instead of over-the-ear headphones, while others prohibit them. No. 2 pencils, notebooks, pocket folders and erasers are among the most common supplies for elementary students. Lists may include glue sticks, tissue boxes, crayons and plastic sandwich bags, but parents should remember that many of these items are placed in classroom closets and shared by all students.
Middle and high school students may get school supply lists from their teachers during orientation or on the first day of school. School lists posted on district websites may be generic, so students may find they need more than they expect.
Most elementary schools require uniforms, which usually consists of a collared shirt and solid-color shorts or pants. All districts post a code of conduct that lists prohibited items, such as flipflops and slippers. Jeans may be a clothing item that can only be worn on Fridays at some schools.
Students may use their own device, such as a cell phone or iPad, at certain times during the school day. Students who are quarantining from school because of COVID-19 also may obtain a computer device if they are unable to access one personally.
Shop tax-free
Certain school supplies are tax-free through Aug. 7, as part of the Florida Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday. Eligible supplies include clothing, shoes and accessories costing less than $100; schools supplies less than $50; and computers priced less than $1,500. A full list of eligible supplies is available online.
More: School grades: They're in and they show students improved learning once they returned to school
More: Treasure Coast reading, math scores improve in areas, but educators say more work is needed
Who to call
Indian River County School District: 772-564-3000
Martin County School District: 772-219 -1200
St. Lucie County School District: 772-429-3600
Colleen Wixon is TCPalm's education reporter. Contact her at Colleen.Wixon@TCPalm.com or 772-978-2235.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Back to School: School supplies information for Treasure Coast parents
