By Gene Kosowan
The moment the leaves start fading is a sure sign that those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer will be soon be another memory. Though it may be an unwelcome sight for your youngster, it does mean it's time to get prepared for back-to-school – here's your guide to the school season in Edmonton. [Photo credit: iStock]
Prepping for the classroom doesn’t just mean going on a shopping safari – you'll also need to prepare your child for new teachers, new policies and maybe even a new curriculum. A meet-and-greet is highly recommended at the start of the school year.
Get into the habit of encouraging the kids to wake up earlier by adjusting their routines at least a week before school starts. You should show them how to lay out their clothes the night before, wake up at early school hours and have all of their school supplies prepped. Chances are your child will need certain items to kick off the school year – and that's where we come in, especially for families who prefer to buy local. Let’s see how we can break it down to make shopping for those items a bit easier.
Naturally, more peer-conscious kids will want to ensure what they’re wearing will be hip enough for the in-crowd. Your bigger concern is sticking to a clothing budget.
For teens, the coolest threads can be found at Foosh, which has been lauded for quality clothes since 1999. More practical selections, especially for younger kids, can be found at such shops as Kids R Special in Mill Woods and Old Strathcona.
Find a classy selection of school apparel at Riverbend’s The Munchkin Patch, where you’ll find top lines for kids up to 16 years old. Gym clothes should also be considered, and you’ll find highly durable threads at Gymboree in West Edmonton Mall. Obviously the most expensive clothing items are shoes, and it pays to go where you’ll find something that’ll fit (even during those growth spurts) which is why you can’t go wrong with Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.
The little red schoolhouse ain’t what it used to be, especially during the digital age. These days, kids are more likely to complete their assignments on a keyboard or an iPad rather than pick up a pen. But, for those pop quizzes (and in case your teacher still believes in pencil-to-paper) local stationery shops are at your beck and call. You can get the basics at places like Papyrus and Deserres, while Stylus even dips into the past with an inventory of fountain pens (which is recommended ONLY if your child isn’t messy or accident-prone).
But for art supplies, by far the most popular independent venue is The Paint Spot in Old Strathcona, where they have everything needed by patrons ranging from the serious artist to the impressionable up-and-comer.
_________________________________________________________________
More things going on in Edmonton this September:
_________________________________________________________________
The tech-savvy members of your family will probably know what gadgets are of highest demand this school season, and most indie stores have the inside track to your best tech option. Memory Express is a western Canada franchise without the big box mentality armed with an arsenal of computers, laptops, tablets and anything else for the classroom.
If your budget has already taken a beating, drop in to PCwhoop, which has an affordable line of repaired and rebuilt computers. And if those digital beasts break down, bring them back to life by taking them to Edmonton PC Doctor or Ranchlands.
Though a safari to the big box stores is a one-stop solution, local merchants provide that personal touch so appreciated during what is often a stressful period for families. Make sure you visit the right shops to ensure all that stuff will last until summer – when we go right back into this routine again.
