Most schools have some sort of orientation for new students - it's not always formal, sometimes just an "open door" day in late August. You really don't need to buy a ton of stuff now unless you can get a list. They won't expect a child to be prepared on day one, and all the prep can make a child a little nervous. It can also be a bit wasteful if you wind up buying too much of the wrong things. I would let him pick out his own backpack and lunch box - and do it in August as it helps him begin to make the transition toward school. If you buy everything now, it can get him all fired up for something that is months away, and then the start of school is anticlimactic! A small backpack is probably fine - it doesn't have to hold a lot in terms of books, but you'll find that he needs a place to stash gloves and hat in the winter. For safety reasons, it is not a good idea to have the child's first name imprinted on the backpack. Initials are okay, but he might like something with a theme like a cartoon character or some sort of pattern. I would get an insulated lunch box that he can easily open and some inexpensive plastic containers to hold various items - kids tend to swing their backpacks around or trip over them, so things definitely get squashed! As you can see from the variety of responses you have received, every school system is different. He won't need all that much so the "crowds" shouldn't be a problem, really!
Good luck, enjoy the summer, and here's to a great first grade experience!
I would contact the school & ask for a list as to what they would need. Each teacher might recommend different things. All the things mentioned sound good, but probably not pens. Crayons are probably good too. Some other things my son needed were a few folders for school papers & glue sticks. Don't forget a pencil sharpener for at home use! Insulated lunch bags w/ charactesr on them work fine. I'm sure your son would love to pick out a favorite! If you do wait closer till schooltime, the stores usually have good sales on school supplies. Good luck & try not to stress. You'll be fine!
Don't stress too much about it, the school should send you a welcome letter with supplies list over the summer. Did they have a first grade orientation? We had one in our district in May (we are derry nh and just got kindergarten last year).
I would get a backpack, they always come home wiht things and this is a good way to keep it all together but until you get the supplies list I wouldn't buy too much. If you don't get one, call the school or check out their website.
Good Luck!
Andrea Younie
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My son just finished first grade.
He has a backpack (had him help me pick it out at Marshalls), a pencil/crayon box, and pencils (no pens because then if they make a mistake they get very upset that they can't erase and begin again). They give them pencils at school, but I bought extra for at home. I also bought erasers, a pencil sharpener, ruler, kids' scissors and Elmer's glue to keep at home for homework assignments. (We used all of these throughout the year)
The best kind of lunch box in my experience is an insulated one (again, got ours at Marshalls or CVS). I also bought one of those ice packs you can put in a lunchbox to keep things cold. And a thermos, in case you want to send a hot lunch.
I wouldn't buy art supplies yet because the teacher will generally send home a notice asking for a specific type/brand so that all the kids have the same thing.
Congrats! It's so exciting when they begin school with "the big kids"!
Cheryl
A backpack is a must and a lunch box if he will be bringing his lunch to school. Shop together for these things. It is a fun and exciting time for your child, maybe even a bit stressful, and getting him involved is great. LL Bean or Columbia backpacks last forever. However, tastes can change as they get older, so you might want to spend less on his first backpack. I would recommend not getting too much until you know what really is needed. Some schools will supply students with a pack of crayons, etc. Others may even give you a list of what might be needed. Each school year I was always conservative about what we got ahead of time. Especially as they got older, sometimes you would find out that first day what teachers really wanted, especially in high school, such as a specific type of notebook, and then you had to go out and get something else and maybe not even use what you had gotten.