School Supply Lists Reflect Student Development

A look at the area schools’ lists of school supplies brings back some old memories for parents, while reflecting advances in technology and learning.

At Pond Elementary School, for example, half-day kindergarten students are asked to bring crayons – and a pair of headphones.

In addition to No. 2 pencils and notebooks, new learning tools also are showing up on lists. Many schools ask sixth graders to bring calculators and flash drives. Some, like Wildwood Middle School, call for the more advanced scientific calculators for sixth graders, while others, including LaSalle Springs Middle School, start with more basic models and move to the scientific models later.

Backpacks are another must-have on most schools’ lists. Some, however, specifically request that younger students not use rolling backpacks. Parents should check their children’s school websites for specific grade-level lists.

Be prepared for some odd items. At St. Alban Roe School in Wildwood, eighth grade students will be learning about rocketry. Students are asked to bring an empty two-liter soda bottle and, the universal symbol of experiments, duct tape.

Missouri’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday will be August 3-5. Eureka and Wildwood will also waive their city sales tax that weekend.

Parents, what’s the strangest thing you’ve ever been asked to send to school with your child? Tell us in the comments.