In Focus

All you need for the new term

Get organised for the school year with our handy list

  • By Archana King, Sub-editor
  • Published: 00:00 September 7, 2010
  • In Focus

From crayons to USB flash drives — these days the back to school checklist is longer than ever. Here are some suggestions to take a look at before hitting the shops for your child's new academic year.

The basics

  • Glue sticks
  • Scissors (plastic blunt-ended for younger children, pointed ones for older ones)
  • Ball point pens
  • No.2 pencils (stick to classic ones to avoid classroom competition)
  • Coloured pencils (1 pack)
  • Pencil sharpener (hand-held, easy-to-carry with a top that secures the shavings)
  • A large eraser
  • Water-based markers
  • Bottle of white glue
  • Highlighters
  • Spiral boards or composition notebooks
  • Printer paper and ink cartridges (for home computer)
  • Ruler with imperial and metric measurements
  • Scotch tape
  • A stapler with a packet of staple pins
  • A sturdy and supportive back pack/rolling back pack (check with school  before purchasing so you know what type is allowed)
  • School uniforms complete with belts, badges, ties, socks and shoes.
  • Lunch boxes and water bottles.

Before shopping for supplies don't forget to ensure holiday homework/assignment are complete. Holiday homework can add a few things to your shopping list.

Stretch your dirham

  • Check school supplies that can have a second life this term and do not need to be replaced, such as backpack, binders, folders and pens
  • Lightly used notebooks can be reused in the new term by tearing out used pages. Get the child involved in giving them a new look.
  • It is wiser to invest in a branded backpack. Many companies have free services to repair broken zippers and some also replace damaged backpacks.
  • Keep an eye out for back to school offers (see page 6)
  • Discount stores or two-to-five-dirham stores can get you many of the supplies for a bargain price. Items such as scissors, glue, erasers, rulers and crayons tend to be cheaper here than at a stationery chain shop or an office supply store.

Things to stock up on

  • Folders — often there is a last-minute scramble to file a project that is overdue and having spare folders can save time and trouble
  • Miscellaneous items — tissues, lip balm, sunscreen, inhalers (for those who need it), anti-bacterial hand sanitisers, band aides, USB-flash drives etc.

 

— Compiled by Archana R D King

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