Going back to school is not cheap.
In a recent Cardrates.com nationwide survey of 1,000 parents with school-age children, 36% of parents say it will be difficult to afford back-to-school supplies for the upcoming school year. Eighty-three percent of the parents surveyed say that rising prices are one of their biggest concerns. On average parents plan on spending a little over $500 for their entire back-to-school budget, including supplies, clothing and shoes for their children. However, the actual cost will be closer to $900.
Executive Director of the Everett Public Schools Foundation Kay Fantin said that families are having to make tough decisions due to the challenges created by inflation and an increase in the cost of living.
In prior years, 27% said that they went into debt due to the increasing amount of money they have to spend on back-to-school items. This year nearly one in six predict that they will have debt after shopping for their children’s supplies.
Luckily, there are a few community programs throughout Snohomish County that can help ease the burden.
Where to get help
Everett:
The Everett Public Schools Foundation hosted their annual Stuff the Bus event Aug. 9-11. Operating for its 14th year, Stuff the Bus collected backpack and school supply donations for students in the Everett School District, then over 3,000 backpacks filled with supplies were distributed to the 27 schools in the area on Aug.19.
“Supplying students with brand new supplies and (a) backpack gives them the confidence to be prepared and ready to learn on the first day of school like everyone else. For some students, they don’t have the opportunity to receive new items, Stuff the Bus provides help to relieve the financial burden to families and teachers, who reach into their own pockets to help students,” Fantin said.
Backpacks for elementary schools will include: two wide-ruled spiral notebooks, two wide-ruled composition books, two packs of wide-ruled notebook paper, two packs of pencils, two erasers, a pair of blunt-edge scissors, a 24-pack of crayons, an eight-pack of markers,12-pack of colored pencils, four glue sticks, two pocket golfers and a pencil box.
Middle and high school backpacks include: two college-ruled spiral notebooks, two college-ruled composition books, two packs of college-ruled notebook paper, two erasers, pens (red, blue and black), a pack of highlighters, two packs of index cards, 12-pack of colored pencils and a pencil pouch.
To receive a backpack filled with supplies, speak to the office manager of the Everett area school your child will be attending for pick up times.
Monroe:
The Monroe Public Schools Foundation, partnered with the Big Heart Big Smile Foundation, will fill backpacks with essential supplies to ensure local students have the resources they need for the upcoming year. The backpacks will be distributed at the Monroe School District Resource Fair for Families in Need on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at Park Place Middle School (1408 W. Main St.) in Monroe from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“Programs like these are crucial because they help bridge the gap for families facing financial challenges, ensuring that every student starts the school year with the necessary tools for success,” Sue Skillen, Executive Director of the Monroe Public Schools Foundation, said.
Snohomish:
The Snohomish School District receives a limited amount of donations during the summer from local community groups. These supplies are then made available to principals and counselors from schools in the area and disbursed to students in need throughout the school year.
For clothes and shoes:
Another community program that serves Snohomish County is the Assistance League of Everett’s Operation School Bell. They provide preschool, elementary, and middle school students with an in-person shopping experience to pick out new clothes, a pair of shoes and a book.
Partnering with local Fred Meyer stores, vouchers are handed out to qualified high school students to shop for appropriate school attire. The vouchers will provide students up to $150 in total cost for new clothing and shoes.
For anyone interested in Operation School Bell and their resources, the offices of the Assistance League of Everett is located at 5107 Evergreen Way in Everett or visit their website: www.assistanceleague.org/everett/operation-school-bell/
Also: A local effort in Snohomish helps with clothes and shoes.
What’s on a list these days?
School supply lists vary from district, school and grade.
For example, Snohomish’s Cascade View Elementary fourth graders are expected to bring:
• 2 dozen sharpened #2 pencils (Ticonderoga brand preferred) and 1 personal pencil sharpener
• 2 2-pocket folders (plastic)
• 1 pk. 3x3 yellow Post-It notes
• 2 yellow highlighters
• 1 box of colored pencils
• 1 large pink eraser
• 1 fine point black sharpie
• 1 pencil box or pouch
• 4 composition books
• 5” pointed tip scissors
• 12” plastic ruler
• 1 set wired earbuds
• 1 box crayons (24 count)
• 1 box tissues
• 2 glue sticks
• Sharable bottle hand sanitizer
• 1 pkg baby wipes
To get an accurate list, visit your child’s school district website.
