Back-To-School Info For East Texas Public School

School is fast approaching for those of us in East Texas, and as the summer is swiftly, painfully drifting away, it is often hard to remember to check your child’s list for supplies and books needed for the new school year.

Here is a comprehensive list of where you can find info on your child’s school supplies, first days, orientations, and more information.

1. Angelina County: Check out this website for a list of all of the school district’s websites in Angelina County.
2. Houston County: Find your child’s public school’s website here.
   Elkhart’s Meet the Teacher night is Aug. 19 from 5 – 7 p.m. Various Meet the Teacher times for Latexo ISD will be Aug. 16. *Lovelady’s first day is Aug. 24, and the Meet the Teacher night will be Aug. 22.
3. Jasper County: There is not a comprehensive list of all the school district’s websites online, so here are the websites for each school district in Jasper County:
   Brookeland ISD, Buna ISD, Culmesneil ISD, Evadale ISD, Jasper ISD, Kirbyville CISD, Vidor ISD
   Buna ISD Orientation is Aug. 18 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Jasper’s Meet the Bulldogs is Aug. 11, and the Campus Open Houses are Aug. 16.
4. Nacogdoches County: Find your child’s school website in Nacogdoches County here.
   Centrall Heights’ and Chireno’s Meet the Teacher will be Aug. 18. Nacogdoches 3rd to 5th grade Meet the Teacher will be Aug. 16.
5. Newton County: Find your school’s website here.
   Classes in Newton County will begin Aug. 22. Burkewille ISD will conduct a Meet the Teacher Aug. 18.
6. Panola County: Check our your child’s school website here.
7. Polk County: Check out the website here. The video on the homepage encourages parents to use this website to find their child’s school based on zones. Then they should click on the school’s information page and website. The supply list and date and times for orientation will be listed on each website.
   Orientation is Thursday, Aug. 11.
8. Sabine County: Find your child’s school website here.
   Hemphill ISD’s Meet the Teacher will be Aug. 19, and West Sabine ISD’s Meet the Teacher will be Aug. 18.
9. San Augustine County: San Augustine ISD website can be found here.  Broaddus ISD’s website can be found here.
10. San Jacinto County: Check out this website for a list of school district’s websites in San Jacinto County.
    Coldspring ISD’s Meet the Teacher night is Aug. 19, and Shepherd ISD’s Meet the Teacher night is Aug. 18.
11. Shelby County: Look to this website to find your child’s school website.
    Center ISD’s Meet the Teacher night is Aug. 18.
12. Trinity County: There is not a comprehensive list of all the school district’s websites online, so here are the websites for each school district in Trinity County:
    Apple Springs ISD, Centerville ISD, Groveton ISD, Trinity ISD.
13. Tyler County: There is not a comprehensive list of all the school district’s websites online, so here are the websites for each school district in Tyler County:
    Chester ISD, Colmesneil ISD, Spurger ISD, Warren ISD, Woodville ISD.
    Spurger ISD Meet the Teacher is Aug. 18. Woodville ISD’s Meet the Teacher is Aug. 19.

Have several children going back to school this year? Is this your child’s first time to go to college? Check out these tips to save money and efficiently shop for school supplies.

1. Set Limits.
   Inevitably, when your children are surrounded by options at the store, they will want a lot more, and a lot more expensive, items than they really need. To make the shopping experience less miserable, give your children solid limits they cannot pass. For example, when they ask for that adorable spiral with a puppy on it, tell them they can only have one novelty item and the rest have to be cheap, normal supplies. It could be a better idea to get a hold of your child’s supplies list and go without them, especially if you have multiple children.
2. Find Deals.
   Periodically, stores will entice parents to their doors with sales. Tax free weekend has already passed in our neck of the woods, but that is a good example of a time to hit up the stores, even if it will be very busy! Another option is to shop after your child is at school. Supplies tends to go on bigger sales after the beginning of the year. For example, if your child will need Popsicle sticks for one project in October, wait until that month to buy them while buying your regular groceries. A third option is to shop at garage sales, thrift stores, and dollar stores.
3. (For college students) Don’t Fret At The Price Tags On Books.
   College is expensive. This is one fact that many people already know but may not have personal experience with. As you and your college student look at the prices on those books they may or may not use but are required to have, try not to have a heart attack. Often times, renting is a more price friendly option. Chegg is one website that rents. Amazon also has books for rent and a reduced subscription price for students. Try buying from students who just had the class last semester. Colleges often change books every two years, but some classes will still be using last semester’s books. Have your student look at the bulletin boards around campus and ask their older friends. Another option is asking the office of the building their classes are in if they offer renting. It is often free!

Sending a child to school is expensive.

For those of us who can pay for our children’s supplies relatively easily, we should remember that not all can. Think about contacting your school or church and asking them if they accept donations for children who do not have all of their supplies. For those of us who do not have all the resources to help our children back to school, we should consider looking up local drives and contacting the churches in our area for help.

We are all in this together, so let’s help each other have a less stressful, better back-to-school experience.