The last week of July is upon us. Back-to-school season can be stressful for some families. Budgets are tight, prices are rising, and the school supply list feels longer than ever. Below are five tips to consider or complete as the new school year approaches.  

Tip 1 – Shop after you speak to the teachers 

The school district’s list is general and may not reflect what each teacher uses in the classroom. Consider waiting to buy school supplies until you speak with the teacher(s). Once you know what the student will need at the school, it may reduce your list.  

For example, as a previous teacher, I would ask students to have one spiral notebook, dry/erase markers, coloring items of their choice, and pencils. Students in my class would not use the other items. The teacher next to me simply wanted students to have pencils. You may also find that the school or organization may have student supplies.  

Tip 2- Shop in August when items are tax-free 

School supplies are tax-free for the entire month of August. It is no longer just a weekend-long event. The extension allows parents to stretch purchases across the whole month to take advantage of being tax-free and shop within their budget. A full month of tax-free shopping allows parents to meet with teachers and determine exactly what their children need.  

Tip 3 – Attend a Back-to-School event 

Many areas in St. Lucie County are hosting back-to-school events. Some events have requirements or limits, so check the details before attending. However, this can be an excellent resource for supplies and learning about other organizations’ events, or activities that students can participate in after school. Students may even run into their friends or teachers at these events! 

Tip 4 – School Meal Application & Bus Application

Families in St. Lucie County must complete a school meal application if their children need free or reduced lunch. The application opened on July 1st. If you qualify, do not forget to apply. For more information, please visit or 2025 St. Lucie School Meal Application Flyer https://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-FOOD-School-Meal-Application-Flyer.pdf. The application link shared on the flyer is Online Meal Application or https://foodservice.stlucie.k12.fl.us/.

St. Lucie County Schools released an update to their bus applications. “Register to Ride” information can be found here: https://lucielink.stlucie.k12.fl.us/new-process-register-to-ride-2-2/. Once you complete your student’s meal application, take a moment to complete the form for your children to ride the bus.

Tip 5 – Review the dress code policy 

Take time to review the dress code before buying clothes. This way, you know what clothing items are acceptable and purchase what is needed. Going over the dress code can also be a great financial lesson. It helps students understand the difference between wants and needs. While we may want a particular clothing item, if it is not acceptable for the dress code, we may not need to purchase it. Discussing clothing items is a great opportunity to teach your child about financial responsibility.  

If located at a school with a uniform, go through your student’s closet to purge uniforms that do not fit. Your school might host a uniform swap, where families can exchange gently used items. If your school doesn’t have one, maybe you could start one! Creating a clothing swap could be a great way to involve other parents and save money on school clothes.  

 Featured Image: UF/IFAS Photo by Cat Wofford

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