Our elementary is Pre-K through 5. All the schools in our area publish school supply lists (various districts, not just ours). It varies a bit for each grade, but includes:

Pocket folders, binder, notebook paper, pencils, black pens, red pens, highlighters, eraser, scissor, crayon, markers, map color, glue sticks, pencil bag/box, ruler, water colors, tissue (1-3 boxes), Sandwich/Storage bags (size varies by grade or boy/girl), paper plates or lunch sacks, ream of copy paper (actually that starts in 6th grade), Spiral notebooks.

I didn't keep track this year, but I think it adds up to about $30 per child. Once the school starts, the teacher usually adds a few things. If they use a (nice) planner, we usually send $5 for that - but some years the school furnishes it.

Additionally, the teachers all have wish lists for their classes.

[ 09-10-2004, 10:40 PM: Message edited by: JHB ]

We are fortunate to live in an affluent district, but our elementary kids are still asked to bring in about $10-15 in supplies: notebooks, spirals, pens, pencils, tissues, ruler, protractor, colored pencils, markers, crayons, folders, glue sticks. Two years ago I had to spend $89 on a calculator for my 7th grader. That hurt!

This year, for the first time, our art teacher sent out a supply list that asked for crayons, colored pencils, and two sets of markers. Surprisingly, there hasn't been a bit backlash - we're in a state that is having well-publicized school-funding problems so I suppose most parents don't mind helping this way.

Our school is K-5. They are asked to bring in pencils, notebooks, 2- 2 pocket folders, pencil holder, small scissors.

PTA provides homework planners for grades 1-5 as well as tissues for all classes! A local carpet store provides the mats free of charge for our kindergarteners.

Ohh- I forgot all grades have a planner and a Thursday Folder for communication - $3.75 for both

We are in NM. We get very little funding, we're like #49 or 50 in states ranking for funding.

So that said we are required to purchase several of extras: tissues, paper towels, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, disposable cameras. Then the basics: pencils, folders (special colors), pencils, pens, crayons, markers, colored pencils, erasers, notebooks, loose leaf, compass, protractor, high lighters, red pens, 3 - ring notebooks, paints, paint shirts

Donations: Teachers ask for paper all kinds and colors

I have a 5th & 1st grader - the basics are a combo of both. I know K asks for mats and blankets or towels.

add: disposable cameras, band-aids, baby wipes, paper towels and in some classes, $4 for a planner (4th & 5th)

Side note: there are many church and civic groups that do backpack/supply donations to needy schools. We found, however, that there were many needy families within our own "middle class" school so our PTC now pulls together donations (I sent out an email in early August -- "Buy an extra set or a few extras now while they are cheap and donate them...") and then I assemble backpacks designated by the school secretary ("we need two third grades, three fourth grades, etc.)

This little project has grown since I started it last year...our goal is to have them in the class the first morning of school so those kids are not embarassed by not having supplies. We now have done about 12 backpacks (donated brand new by local company) filled with grade specific supplies. The extra supplies are saved for mid-year replenishment and also given to some families for homework projects.