Families of children entering kindergarten through third grade in South Kitsap can check one item off their back-to-school list: The annual scavenger hunt for school supplies.
No scouting out the best deals on Number 2 pencils, crayons, notebook paper, glue sticks and other classroom staples. No debates over whether to buy the Frozen spiral notebook or the Hello Kitty spiral notebook. No need to purchase boxes of Kleenex for classroom sharing.
Done, done and done.
South Kitsap School District this year is covering the cost of basic supplies for its youngest students. In a separate but related move, the district is also skipping its annual back-to-school celebration, at which free supplies were distributed.
The move toward issuing a uniform set of supplies for all K-3 students came after parent surveys showed confusion about lists and, for some, concerns about cost.
Some grades, even in the same school, would have different supplies, said Superintendent Karst Brandsma. And some families have struggled to pay for basic supplies.
"We're trying to find ways to eliminate barriers that prevent kids from engaging," Brandsma said. "One of the hardships that can sometimes get in the way is the cost of attending school."
The district received some donated supplies from local businesses, including Walmart and Staples. The rest were bought at a discount through purchasing cooperatives. The total cost to the district will be around $30,000, covered by local levy money.
District staff and volunteers have spent the past month assembling and filling 3,500 supply boxes. The boxes can be repurposed to hold school year keepsakes. Supplies will be distributed at back-to-school events at each elementary school before the first day of classes.
The district hopes to expand the "free supply" program to higher grades in coming years, as the budget allows, Brandsma said. Students in grades 4 and above can still get free supplies from the district thanks to community donations and monetary support from local service clubs, churches, businesses and the South Kitsap Public Education Foundation.
The Kurt Wagner Foundation also provides support for students.
"Our community has just stepped up big time," Brandsma said.
He sees the move toward uniform school supplies as a matter of equity.
"We've had kids come to school where everybody has bright pink and mine isn't bright pink," Brandsma said. "It just felt like the right thing to do."
Bellingham Public Schools, where Brandsma formerly worked as an administrator, in 2011 launched Project Free Education, whereby families are not asked to pay toward school supplies and some activities. The program continues today.
South Kitsap School District last year reduced its activity fees to encourage student participation. At the high school, students pay the full $75 fee for the first sport or activity but a reduced fee of $40 for the second and there is no charge for additional activities. In middle schools, the first two activities are $35 each, but there is no additional fee after the second activity.
“We see that students perform better in the classroom when they participate in clubs, sports and activities and we want to take away any barrier that might hinder their participation,” Brandsma said. “We are committed to providing equity and access to all students.”
At the high school, the district covers the cost of PSAT testing for all students.
Brandsma said the district decided to forego the back-to-school celebration this year in part after learning that some of the supplies were going to families from outside the district. The event, held for the past 13 years, was well-attended, with services like free haircuts, games, bus rides and information booths.
“We still need the support of community partners and service organizations. We hope that those who typically attended or supported the back-to-school celebration will contribute to the expansion of the school supply program,” Brandsma said. “This shift will put the focus back on the students in our schools which was the original intent of the celebration event.”
Monetary and supply donations are encouraged and more information is available through the Office of School & Family Support at 360-874-7054.
Bremerton School District Back-to-School Fair
What: Bremerton School District, Abundant Life Foursquare Church and the Bremerton Schools & Alumni Foundation will host the district's third annual back-to-school fair, offering free school supplies, access to community resources, games and activities, a book giveaway and school bus tours. The fair is for Bremerton School District families only.
When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Mountain View Middle School
