Way back when, school supplies shopping was one of our favorite things. There was nothing quite like a brand-new box of crayons, fresh folders, and notebooks to start the year. But now that we are the parents and not the students, it's kind of a drag. We don't know about you, but we feel pretty overwhelmed by school supply lists and the constant begging from our kids about buying the ridiculous stuff filling the aisles.
First-grade teacher Katie Alburger went to TikTok to give parents the down-and-dirty on the school supplies that teachers really want — and what they don't want — in their classrooms this back-to-school season. It's time to say goodbye to smelly markers and glue sticks and hello to the plain old boring stuff. We are happy to hear it as moms, but our kids might be a little bummed.
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There are so many choices today that school supplies shopping can be overwhelming.
Every store and website is competing for our business this time of year. School supplies are a big deal, and many places offer good deals. But just because it's on sale doesn't mean teachers want it in their classrooms. Alburger posted the TikTok in early July and broke down some basics. First, she talks about weapons, something we might call rulers.
Alburger says no to pretty plastic and yes to boring old wooden ones. "If your child's school supplies list has a ruler, this is what they're talking about," she explained. "Not a snap bracelet ruler that is going to end up hurting someone."
Yep, we get it.
No one needs to smell their school supplies, either.
Classrooms can already get some funky odors from a bunch of kids. Alburger doesn't see the need for a bunch of smelly markers or glue sticks. She said we need to stick to the basics that are less distracting and much more cost-effective.
She added that lots of teachers use community supplies, and it works out better when they are all the same. That makes sense too.
Oh, and she wants us to steer clear of toys disguised as school supplies.
She pulls out a fidget pencil box with lots of popping circles. That is a big fat no for Alburger.
"A fidget pencil box is going to become a toy and your teacher's worst enemy. So please don't do that to them," she says.
We have already seen how fidgets have caused a war between our kids. Thinking about 25 kids in a classroom wanting to give it a pop gives us shivers.
On the other hand, kids should be kids, and Alburger gets it.
She is not trying to make school boring and gets that kids want to make their personality shine. Alburger encourages kids to do that with backpacks and lunch boxes, not school supplies that are toys. She ends her video by telling us that back-to-school shopping as a kid was her favorite. Us too.
"I am in teacher heaven right now. So hopefully, ya'll take some of my advice from a teacher to parents," she says of her shopping trip.
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There were mixed opinions on Alburger's tips.
Some parents thought it was great.
"I always do the basics but in the brand name. Crayola, Ticonderoga, Elmer's, etc. gotta get supplies that will last!" a mom wrote.
"personalize your backpack, water bottle, lunchbox, clothes, hair, and shoes. you don't need a personalized glue stick/ruler," a TikToker agreed.
"I appreciate you for letting us parents know I wouldn't want to send my child to school with distractions and take way from her learning time," one person wrote, thanking Alburger.
But others said nope to community supplies.
"I buy things for my own kids and don't allow their things to be apart of the "community supplies". I do donate the teachers multiple times a year," one mom explained.
"Agree with others. We don't do community supplies. I spend upwards of 400 on school stuff for 7 kids a year. I am not buying for a whole class," another mom shared.
We think teachers are incredible and want to do what we can to make their lives easier. They are educating our kids and helping to mold them into successful human beings. We promise to keep it simple this year.
