The school supply lists popping up in grocery stores and parents’ inboxes can only mean one thing: It’s back-to-school season.
Classroom supplies are always in high demand this time of year, said Tiffany Parker, a family and community engagement manager for IPS.
However, there are some lesser known ways you can help kids start their school year strong.
Mirror Indy asked resource directors what teachers and their students need most. Here’s what they said.
Supply requests from teachers
School supplies are at the top of everyone’s list right now, Parker said. Things like notebooks, dry erase markers and disinfecting wipes are universally requested by schools.
But Parker, who serves in a role connecting schools and families to community support, said she’s heard a need for some items not often seen on back-to-school lists.
Clothing, for example, is a popular request. Some township government offices, such as those in Center, Lawrence and Wayne townships, offer direct clothing assistance to families.
Parker said teachers have also asked for help with eyeglasses, belts, and wash cloths — especially among elementary school teachers.
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Hygiene kits — packages of travel-sized deodorant, soaps and toothpaste, for example, that kids can take home with them — are another item teachers like to stock up on this time of year.
However, Parker said she’s noticed that hygiene product donations tend to prioritize items for girls — things like tampons, sanitary pads and scented lotions.
“We never get the underwear for the boys or the men’s deodorant,” Parker said. “If they could give them that brush or that little smell good, I think the boys would really like that, to feel supported.”
Some eastside teachers have shared their Amazon Wishlists on the Warren Arts & Education Foundation’s Facebook page. Common requests include scissors and glue sticks, classroom snacks and sensory toys — think squish balls and fidget spinners.
Monetary donations
Monetary donations can give schools flexibility, especially over the course of the year when needs may change.
Trusted groups like your school’s parent-teacher organization or district foundation may have care funds that set aside donations for family needs that arise throughout the year.
The IPS Foundation, for example, keeps an Educational Equity Fund that supports the purchase of essential items, such as clothes and classroom supplies, year round.
You can visit the IPS Foundation website to donate.
Volunteer your time
Once the school year picks up, volunteer programs across the city will be on the hunt for mentors to work with students. Reading to kids at lunchtime or tutoring students during small groups can go a long way.
Programs such as Wayne Township’s HOSTS and United Way’s ReadUP will be recruiting soon. Both groups ask volunteers to commit to just one hour a week of reading to elementary school students.
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The district is looking for more volunteers to read one-on-one with students each week.
In Warren Township, family program coordinator Rijenna Murray said she likes to ask prospective volunteers about their skillsets before putting them to use at Moorhead Community Resource Center.
If someone is a frequent IndyGo rider, for example, Murray may recruit them to help families plan their city bus routes.
The center is run by Warren Township and offers a wide range of wraparound services for students and their families.
Some services include mental health counseling, art therapy services, tutoring and support for unhoused students. It also houses a parent-run food and clothing pantry, which regularly recruits volunteers.
“We’re trying different, new things,” Murray said. “Thinking outside the box to engage our families.”
Keep the help coming
While school supply drives and backpack giveaways are much appreciated, educators say some donated supplies only make it so far into the school year.
They say donations are needed beyond the back-to-school rush and the winter holidays — another popular time for giving.
The Moorhead Community Resource Center, for example, plans to post needs throughout the year on social media. One such post last year, Murray said, helped secure prom dresses and shoes for students in the spring.
Moorhead staff encourage community partners to look at the center’s Facebook and Instagram pages throughout the year to learn more about how to help Warren Township schools.
You can also contact your local school directly.
Where to find resources
If you’re a family in search of resources, there are many places to turn.
Schools often have a community liaison or social worker you can meet with to discuss your needs. Some requests, such as help buying clothes or washing laundry, can be resolved within the school.
Some districts keep clothing closets and food pantries in their buildings. Others have laundry machines onsite and can help kids wash and dry clothes discretely.
If your family has a need that extends beyond your school’s existing resources, many districts partner with community organizations to connect families with experts in needs such as housing support and rental assistance.
You can call your child’s school and request to speak with a social worker or community liaison to get started. Some resource centers, such as Moorhead in Warren Township, allow for drop-in assistance.
If you’re looking for resources specific to the start of the school year, visit Mirror Indy’s Back-to-School page for more information.
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Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
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