Last year, after being totally frustrated over numerous fundraisers, I wrote a little rant with 10 reasons why I can’t stand school fundraisers.  I understand though that schools need to raise money for things that our kids can enjoy such as playgrounds, picnic tables, and media items.  After speaking with some parents and personally critiquing some fundraisers, I’ve come up with a list of parent-approved fundraisers.  I know that you won’t agree with every suggestion on the list, but hopefully you’ll find an idea that you like.

1)  Grocery store customer cards – Some stores, such as Food Lion have a program for …read more

If you have school aged children, then papers are probably a major issue in your home.  Here’s a video from Real Simple with some simple tips to help get those papers organized.

School has only been in session for a few weeks and my little kindergartener has already come home with TWO fundraisers!!! 
I’ll admit, one of the fundraisers was decent.  There were some things that I would not mind buying.   The other fundraiser was asking us to put the names and addresses of family and friends onto postcards so that they could ask for money for computers or something like that.  My little girl came home telling me that I needed to fill out her paperwork and send it back the next day so that she could get a t-shirt.  I thought it was a form to …read more

I may be alone here, but I am not one of those moms that let’s their kids pick out their own lunchbox.  The lunchbox that I buy needs to suit our needs.  It needs to hold the items that we use most in the right way.  It’s almost like finding the perfect purse.
Yesterday I went to Target and after looking at about 40 or so lunchboxes I finally decided on the Artic Zone lunchbox.  It has a bottom chamber with container, which is perfect for keeping sandwiches safe.  The top part is tall enough that it will hold a sports …read more

As I was sorting through things in my basement, I came across a school supply list from the year I taught full day preschool.  On the list I asked the parents not to purchase Dollar Tree or Rose Art brand school supplies.
Some of the parents probably thought I was a snot, but honestly there really is a difference in the name brands.  Trust me, after teaching for several years I had seen student after student become totally frustrated and upset because their school supplies didn’t work well.  I’ve seen glue sticks come out of the tube in a clumpy mess, crayons …read more

I know it’s hard to believe, but school is just around the corner.  Stores are already starting their back to school sales.  Here are the specials that Wal-Mart is offering:

Bic 10-pack mechanical pencils 1.82
twin-pocket portfolio with prongs  .15
Elmer’s 4-ounce glue or 2-pack glue sticks .22
Bic Cristal 10-pack blue pens .88
70-sheet spiral notebook  .05
Crayola 24-pack crayons  .22
Georgia-Pacific copy & print paper  3.00
Pilot 4-pack G2 pens 3.50

Stock up now so that you don’t have to pay regular price later.  I’m sure you all have seen some great sales on school supplies.  Please share them.