Back to school in your IDEAL community

The 2023 Hallmark Christmas ornaments are on the shelves, so you know back-to-school supplies are over on the next aisle! School starts in less than 30 days and schools are busy preparing to welcome your students, drivers are learning new bus routes, and practices for fall sports are in full swing.

Here’s a list of Ideal Homes & Neighborhoods school districts' starting dates and websites so you can get the latest scoop on what’s happening at your child’s school. If you’re new to the neighborhood, you can enroll online in most districts. You can check school calendars for special dates for enrollment, schedule pickup, picture days, supplies, and more.

Bixby Public Schools • Start date: August 17

Blanchard Public Schools • Start date: August 17

Choctaw-Nicoma Park Public Schools • Start date: August 15

Deer Creek Public Schools • Start date: August 10

Edmond Public Schools • Start date: August 17

Guthrie Public Schools • Start date: August16

Harrah Public Schools • Start date: August 10

Moore Public Schools • Start date: August 10

Mustang Public Schools • Start date: August 11

Norman Public Schools • Start date: August 17

Piedmont Public Schools • Start date: August 10

Stillwater Public Schools • Start date: August 10

Washington Public Schools • Start date: August 15

Yukon Public Schools • Start date: August 17

Enrollment

Both new and returning students may enroll online at most school websites.

Supplies

Supply lists for most schools are listed on the district website; you may also find current lists at retailers where school supplies are sold, like Walmart and Target.

The younger the student, the more supplies it seems they need. Elementary students have a few staples you can always count on backpack, pencils, tissues, paper, erasers, pencil box, Crayola crayons, markers, dry erase markers, glue sticks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes, composition notebook, and spiral notebook. These are just the basics; your student’s list may be different, depending on each class and grade.

Weekly retailer ads have started featuring school supplies. Crayola crayons 24-packs are just 50 cents at Target this week; that’s a huge savings! Crayola colored pencils 12-packs are marked down to 99 cents. Also saving big bucks. You’ll find similar bargains on composition books, pencils, etc.; and Walmart usually matches any advertised price from another retailer.

If you’re financially able, please consider purchasing some extras to help out your child’s classroom. Most times, the supplies parents send in the fall don’t last until Christmas, and your child’s teacher makes up the difference from their own pocket. That gets expensive. So be generous if you can. Send an extra couple of boxes of tissues, extra Crayola crayons, or some pencils (Ticonderogas are the best!). Your child’s teacher will be so appreciative.

Even though it seems like summer just started, cooler weather sounds better and better. Hope your student has an absolutely ideal school year!