Another clueless mom question regarding school supplies

I've been buying supplies for Josh. Some of the things on the list mention brand names; some do not. I kinda figured since they bothered to mention the brand names, that that is what they wanted. But a few of the products are hard to find. Should I substitute or keep looking?

I've run into the same problem on a few things. If I can't find the specific brand after two stores, I buy a substitute.

I am not really a fan of how it works now. But From my understanding (I don't have a kid in school yet) they put everything in a pile and the teacher than passes out as needed. So they put brand name down because that's what the teacher wants for her supplies. But IMO I am buying them and I will buy what I can get easily and afford.

I hate that they have gone to this instead of letting the kids have their special things.

I have always avoided this hassle by purchasing my kids supplies from the PTA. Does your school offer a supply pack thru your PTA?

the brand name keeps everything uniform.
so that when there are 12 pair of scissors in a jar and each student takes a pair, and one of them happens to be a different brand and they look slighter cooler, they don't have everyone lunging for that one.

this is what was explained to me by our K teacher last year, and also by my Grandmother in law, who was an elementary teacher for about 40 years before retiring last year.

i searched hard last year and it was a HASSLE finding the exact things. so i went with the PTA packet supplies this year.

I have always avoided this hassle by purchasing my kids supplies from the PTA. Does your school offer a supply pack thru your PTA?

On the reminder card for his Meet The Teacher night, it mentioned they will have a *limited* amount of prepackaged school supplies available. I figured I'd go ahead & buy it since I have no idea how limited they'd be.

Ok, so here's what I'm having a hard time with. Anyone know where you can buy Coloration products? I've checked Target & Michael's. I meant to check Mardel's today but I forgot. Also, Ticonderoga pencils.

I wish our school offered pre packed supplies. I would buy it for sure. They do give away supplies if you want to wait in line at some area stores and fire stations but I would rather buy then wait for 2 hours in line. I hate that there are specific expensive things like 3 packages of Clorox brand wipes. Those suckers are expensive. Do they really need name brand on that? They sure are not passing those out so why does it matter? I use the off brand at my house :lol

Looks like Office Depot will have your pencils:

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/811158/Pencils-Medium-Soft-Lead-Box-Of/

What thing is the coloration brand for?

That's perfect about the pencils, Susannah, and Office Depot is not too far. For some dumb reason I didn't even think of an office supply store! :duh :lol

The Coloration things are a pair of 5 inch blunt tip scissors, and broad tip markers.

It seems to be Colorations with an s at the end, but I'm only finding anything at school supply stores. Like this:

http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=16916&es=4501500000W

http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?category=0&keyword=colorations%20markers

My guess = whatever the PTA could order cheapest in bulk, and they don't even check to see if it's available anywhere locally! Maybe a teacher supply store would have it locally?

That's perfect about the pencils, Susannah, and Office Depot is not too far. For some dumb reason I didn't even think of an office supply store! :duh :lol

The Coloration things are a pair of 5 inch blunt tip scissors, and broad tip markers.

I think Lakeshore Learning has the scissors. I know they had several different kind when I was there last weekend. They also had board tip markers but I am not sure what brand. They have a location right across from the galleria by the old mikaska

Ticonderoga pencils are the big kindergarten pencils, they come in a two pack and walmart sells them in the regular pen/pencil section, different from the school supply section

Ticonderoga pencils are the big kindergarten pencils, they come in a two pack and walmart sells them in the regular pen/pencil section, different from the school supply section

Hmmn...I dunno. The list doesn't specify that they want the big pencils, and they want twelve, which is the amount in the link Susannah mentioned. I'll check the list again, but if it doesn't say "jumbo" or something, they're going to get the 12 pack.

My guess = whatever the PTA could order cheapest in bulk, and they don't even check to see if it's available anywhere locally! Maybe a teacher supply store would have it locally?

I'm guessing you're right, Susannah. I wonder if Constructive Playthings in Plano has some of this? But I'll try calling Lakeshore first.

Good grief!!! I just noticed something about the scissors when I was looking at the description. They say they are for ages 8 & up! Hello, school system? There's probably no kid 8 or over in kindergarten! :duh (Although, I'm looking at the description for the blunt tips, but maybe they're using a general description for all the Colorations scissors.)

No go at Lakeshore, btw.

Just called US Toys/Constructive Playthings; she said they carry Colorations, and I specifically asked about the scissors & she said yes. So, I'm off to find them; wish me luck! :)

AAAARRRGGGHHH! I went over there, AFTER CALLING, and was told they don't have any Colorations products. :hopmad

I've ordered online, but it won't get here in time for tomorrow. It should be here by Friday, though. (sigh) I managed to find the manila paper I needed at Mardel's, and the pencils were at Office Depot.

Oh my gosh, how frustrating!!! I bought my son's supplies this weekend. The only brand names they asked for were common ones like Crayola, Fiskars and Elmer's. What a pain! At least you found them online.

https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?CATEGORY=A211B000271
the 12 pack of pencils, i have seen these in walmart, again in the regular pen/pencil section, not the school supplly section, of course they may have them there also.