Geneva resident Lindsey Bergemann was attacking her back-to-school shopping earlier this month in a very systematic way.
“I have a list here of what I need and with the yellow marker, I’ve crossed off the things I still have left over from last year,” Bergemann explained inside a Target store at 115 Randall Road in Batavia. “I have three children to shop for. This is an extra bill, but we’re pretty good about recycling supplies that came home last year unused. It happens every year. For me this is like shopping with a grocery list.”
With the new school year set to open, parents are again dipping into their wallets in order to purchase the necessary school supplies that will be needed for students to complete various tasks and projects in and out of the classroom.
A report published by the National Retailers Federation said that “families are expected to spend an average of $875 per household on back-to-school essentials in 2024.”
While the report says that amount is down from last year’s record high of $890, it’s unlikely to take the sting out of the expense for those already juggling mortgages, transportation costs and food bills.
Officials from West Aurora School District 129 say they are aware of the budget issues families are facing and have taken steps to address them again this year.
Anna Gonzales, director of community affairs for West Aurora School District, said with nearly 12,000 students in the unit district, “We really see the need and want to help our families out, but we know we can’t do it alone.”
“We actually partnered with about eight other community partners and put together a Back-to-the-Books event and through that, we distributed 2,300 backpacks filled with specific school supplies that catered to our school supply list for the coming year,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales added the district was happy to supply some relief “even if it isn’t everything families need” and said the district is very aware of the budget issues people are facing.
“We’re very deliberate as we look at our supply list each year to make sure there is nothing frivolous on there. We also make the school supply list very equitable between our buildings so the elementary list at one school is the same at another school,” she said. “We try to be good stewards with not only the resources we have, but also in what we’re asking our families to bring and provide for their children each year. We know costs are rising and we are taking steps to address that.”
Shelby Ottum of Batavia is starting her first year as a teacher at Howard B. Thomas Grade School in Burlington and said she “doesn’t doubt it at all” when it comes to the spending projections of the National Retailers Federation.
“When you look into a classroom there are all those extra things like crayons and markers and as teachers we try to get as much for those students who can’t come in with all these school supplies,” she said. “Parents are amazing in providing those things for kids but some are in a position where they can’t so I, as a first-year teacher, ask veteran teachers about using leftover school supplies and try to lower the burden.”
Amy Hoke of West Chicago, who teaches special education and life skills in West Chicago Community High School, was recently shopping for her own supplies at a Target store in St. Charles.
She said her kids “run through a lot of markers, tissues and a lot of basic things you use in a classroom” and that she, herself, spends about $500 a year for her own materials.
“With high school, it’s different. You don’t get a lot of classrooms expecting families to gift anything. I’m fortunate in my program – there are families that will donate things, but it’s never expected,” Hoke said. “I think the district does try to do things to help, especially since the pandemic. There is more of a push to give back to communities.”
Moms offered their own spin on things for the new school year and seemed prepared for what lies ahead.
Kellyn Anzalone was shopping at a Walmart in St. Charles and said her two daughters Audrey, 8, and Olivia, 5, “were getting about the same things as last year.”
“The prices for folders and glue and things are about the same,” she said.
Emily Richbell of St. Charles and her son William, 7, were also shopping at the same Walmart and said this was a first-time experience for them “as we’re new to district after having moved here from Hong Kong.”
“We didn’t buy things here last year but it doesn’t look like sticker shock so far,” she said while looking at the shelves. “For us I think the extra expense will be OK, but I could see for others how it might be a stress. It’s an unwelcome bill.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
