Crayons, markers, pencils and notebooks were in high demand Monday as parents scrambled to do last-minute shopping before Tuesday’s first day of school.
Supply lists in hand, families made the annual pilgrimage to Walmart, City Market and other stores across Durango on a scavenger hunt for random office and craft supplies, some oddly specific in nature.
“Zip Lock Sandwich Bags (1 box),” “No. 2 Wood Pencils (sharpened) (24),” “Plastic 2 Pocket Folder,” “4 glue sticks,” “2 bottles of glue (no glue sticks),” “2 – handheld pencil sharpeners (no batteries).”
At Walmart, families hunted for glue, calculators and cleaning supplies.
Autumn Maycock, whose children attend Park Elementary School and Escalante Middle School, said it was new this year to see so many cleaning supplies on back-to-school supply lists.
She reasoned that buying Clorox wipes makes sense with how often kids become sick during the first couple of months of school. In addition to cleaning supplies, some families were asked to buy a ream of copy paper (500 sheets) depending on the school.
“We’re more than happy to help out (the) schools however we can,” said Maycock, as her two children waited to pick out more supplies at Walmart.
Back-to-school shopping can serve as a reality check for students who may still be in summer mode.
Jeremiah Puls was a little nervous to be starting a home school co-op in Ignacio, but his mother, Stacey Puls, said preparations have been “good.”
“It’s actually been fun,” Stacey said, while standing in the school supplies aisle at south City Market.
Maycock blamed her late start for back-to-school shopping on busy schedules and straight-up procrastination.
Maycock said there is “a lot” on the list, but she appeared confident the task could be accomplished.
“So far, they look like they’ve got everything we need, especially waiting (until) the last minute,” Maycock said.
For her children, the best part of back-to-school shopping was picking out new supplies; they were less amped about having to return to school.
bmandile@durangoherald.com
