Where to find supply lists for the 2017-18 school year?
We have recently moved to Albany from Germany and have two elementary school-age children (grades 3 and 5). They have been assigned to Marin Elementary School, and we have received a lot of information from the district. However, we are at a loss regarding supply lists. We have been poking around and come across some for Ocean View Elementary for last year, but haven't been able to find any for Marin.
Is there a standard of school equipment that is understood, or can we expect to receive some information closer to the school year's begin (seems a little late)? Judging from the proliferation of back to school ads in the mail and of supply list services online, we are under the impression that we have missed something.
Aug 20, 2017
Parent Replies
Looks like your school has a decent website:
http://marin.ausdk12.org/apps/events/2017/8/25/3902803/?REC_ID=3902803&…
You should go to that back-to-school party and see if you can learn from the other parents. At our school, the teachers sent out letters that were posted on the school website and Facebook page with back-to-school needs. Really, for the first day, you just need a backpack and lunchbox and the teachers will tell you what their specific requirements are. Don't be sucked in by the back-to-school marketing bullhockey!!
Welcome to Albany! Marin Elementary is a great school (I'm a former Marin parent whose kids are now in middle and high school). Don't worry, you haven't missed anything. Under California law, you are NOT required to buy any school supplies at all, and the Albany teachers are not in the habit of promulgating the sort of ridiculously specific supply lists that some of my friends in other states have to cope with (none of this 50 pre-sharpened Ticonderoga pencils individually labeled with the student's name, pocket folders in lime green and light purple, etc.) Your kids will each need a backpack and a lunch bag, comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for PE, and that's all you need to worry about before school actually starts. Your children's teachers may have recommended items for each student to bring to class for personal use, such as a pencil box or 3 ring binder, and may have a "wish list" for classroom supplies, such as kleenex or markers, but these are optional and you should wait until after the first few days of class to see what is requested. Some teachers will ask for a cash donation, having already purchased identical classroom supply kits for each of their students. (Again, this is completely optional, though most Albany parents are able to be generous. This and any other requested donations for field trip costs or other purposes, and needs for parent volunteers, will usually be explained at Back to School Night.) Any other suggested supplies, at the elementary level, will be basic items that may be needed for homework, such as binder paper and pencils. If you'd like to take advantage of the back-to-school sales to stock up on that sort of thing now, go ahead, but there is no need to rush. You can pick up whatever your kids' teachers recommend during the first week or so of school.
The back-to-school ads and supply lists are just marketing to make you *think* you need to buy things! The teacher will let you know what, if anything, is needed when school starts.