The supply list can make you crazy

Times reporter (and first-time kindergarten mom) Dong-Phuong Nguyen headed to Target with her list of school supplies and found it's not so easy to get exactly what the schools say they want.

For example:

ITEM: 1 pair of Fiskars scissors, 5" blunt.

PROBLEM: I don't see Fiskars scissors. I see Target scissors. There are scissors in every color. I spy a pair of blunt cut, and the box says No. 5. Does No. 5 mean 5 inches? Or is it a fancy name, like Chanel No. 5, but for scissors?

SOLUTION: Target brand scissors. If I'm right about that whole Chanel thing, then these are just the equivalent of a knockoff. And who doesn't love a cheap knockoff? (Note to self: remove label.)

GRADE: F. It took 10 minutes to come to my solution. This could be a long day.

ITEM: one package of cap erasers, FOOHY brand

PROBLEM 1: For the love of God, there IS NO Foohy brand. I am one-third of the way down my list and I haven't gotten a single thing right!

SOLUTION: Grab plain old box of cap erasers, darn it all.

GRADE: Fooey!

To see Nguyen's full report on supply troubles, click here. And if you've shared her pain, tell your stories in our comments below. For our part, we've completely failed to find Elmer's white glue sticks at Target, Wal-Mart, Staples, Office Depot, Dollar Store and more. Any hints, anyone?

(Times photo of Nguyen's cute kindgerartener by Edmund D. Fountain)

Comments

[Tracey]

The entire article was a hoot (especially loved the curiosity over brads!). I have re-read this article several times and have shown it to several family members. Because it rings so true and we can all share in Nguyen's frustration, it is a winner! You have got to read the article in its entirety. It is one of the most creative accounts of "back to school shopping" I have seen in a long time!

[CN]

I understand what you mean about avoiding Walmart, but in this case it is the best place to get those folders at a really cheap price. Let's put it this way...they're so cheap, Walmart won't make much of a profit, so feel good about it.
I'm a teacher and furnished my whole class with extra folders, notebooks, paper, pencils, crayons, etc. last year for a very reasonable Walmart price.

[PascoMOM]

I had no problem finding Fiskars and they were the exact same amount as Target brand. I got everything on my list except plastic colored folders with pockets...speaking of colored folders. Anybody out there have any suggestions? I try NOT to shop Walmart, but if I must I will.

I don't know about the Foohey erasers, but the Fiskars are worth the hunt - they cut well so they do not frustrate the little ones who are still working on dexterity. As for the glue - I have bought lots - the Elmer's glue sticks have an orange and black label. I have picked them up both at Walmart and Target. I get frustrated with some items too, but as a teacher I understand the specific color folders - when students can't find things and we have to dig through to help it speeds up the process. I try to buy them myself because I know the agony of looking - my son once had a teacher request LIGHT blue folders --- the only place I have found them was by ordering through an office supply store by the case and the only reason I complied was because I knew I would have use for the rest. PRIMARY COLORS PLEASE!