Get Out Your Wallet For most families, going back to school means shopping for supplies. T he summer is nearly over as families prepare for the new school year. Parents make plans to go shopping for school supplies, much of which cannot be salvaged from last year's remains, and, of course, new clothes. Many schools have sent packets of summer assignments, such as math sheets and reading lists, to be completed before students return to school. By the time you read this column, it will be too late to encourage your child to complete the math prob- lems that could have been done before the Fourth of July. You can try to find at least some books from the reading list at the library, but you will be compet- ing with others who also have waited until now. These notices are not meant to chastise, but to give you fair warning to prepare for the start of the year. School supplies are another matter. In late summer, parents scour Sunday flyers for ways to save a few dollars. There may be a few sale items worth buying at a particular store, but to save time you may get everything else there as well. A few intrepid parents will go from store to store buying each item for its savings, but the time and gas expended make the efficiency of such an endeavor questionable. A few items on the list are inevi- tably a challenge to even the most experienced parent. For example, not being familiar with the latest calcula- tors, the ones with multi-functions and graphing capabilities, can try a parent's patience. Or look at the variety of backpacks available. Does it have enough areas for storing books or pockets for school supplies, lunch boxes or water bottles? A child may reject the most versatile backpack for the oddest of reasons. Function may yield to the aesthetics of an enticing pattern to color with markers or an image of Justin Bieber. Today, students often need packs that expand to accommodate extra books and folders. Many children have lockers far from a convenient location in the school if they have one at all, so they carry every- thing with them through- out the day, including coats and food. As a result, backpacks have become heavier each year leading to back problems incurred at early ages. Backpacks with wheels are useful, but are not acceptable to many. Clothing is another item on which parents spend a lot of money. Many children use clothing to gain status or to form connections with peers. If a parent takes a child to sales prior to the beginning of school, any presumed savings may disappear when the child gets to school and finds that what was purchased isn't what others deem as "cool:' While some schools do not require uniforms, the acceptability of stu- dents' clothing can be equally restric- tive. A good friend suggested that parents postpone clothes shopping until after school begins so that stu- dents will know what the current styles are. While savings may be lost by missing sales, buying clothes that actu- ally will be worn may be the most cost-effective option. Played right, shopping for school can build excitement for the coming year when children still have their hearts set on summer. They won't fully grasp that the years of dedication to learning will lead to a variety of work and professional choices. Students want to focus on what friends they will see and upcoming school activities, not future aspirations. Do what you can to encourage your children to be happy in all that awaits them. ❑ Achieve excellence Detroit Country Day School provides its students with a LOWER SCHOOL Pre-K3 - 2nd grade 3003 West Maple Rd 248.430.2740 well-rounded liberal arts education JUNIOR SCHOOL that is nationally recognized for a tradition of excellence in academics, athletics and the arts. 3rd - 5th grade 3600 Bradway Blvd 248.430.1074 MIDDLE SCHOOL 6th - 8th grade 22400 Hiliview Ln 248.430.1677 UPPER SCHOOL 9th 12th grade - 22305 West 13 Mile Rd 248.430.3587 DETROIT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL WWW. d cd s ed u moder n a salon nail 81 spa 27893 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills • 248.994.0431 NOW OPEN! LOCATED IN THE ORCHARD 12 PLAZA ON THE NW CORNER OF 12 MILE ROAD AND ORCHARD LAKE ROAD NEXTTO STARBUCKS, SCRAMBLER MARIE'S, AND EINSTEIN BAGELS. • Extremely clean, friendly and competitively priced $2 OFF • English speaking and odor free • Children/family friendly ANY SERVICE $20 + • Hygienic custom pedicure stations for the healthiest services possible • • Private parties available. WWW.MODERNANAILS.COM Mon-Fri: 9:30 am - 7:30 pm I Sat: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm EXPIRES 9/15 $5 OFF ANY SERVICE $40 + EXPIRES 9/15 Log on to JNonline.us giveaways • forums • calendars VISIT JNonline.us August 16 • 2012 29