The start of this school year will be unlike any other due to the coronavirus pandemic. Adults in charge of kids will weigh whether state and counties can safely reintroduce children into classrooms for in-person instructions or continue to have them homeschooled with online distance learning or a mix of options.
Classes for Portland Public Schools start Sept. 2 and the first quarter will be entirely virtual. Still, learning remotely requires materials, from pencils and papers, to iPads and laptops.
Here’s a look at sales on back-to-school supplies:
Walmart is campaigning to be your “school prep headquarters.” You can download free activity sheets based on PBS Kids and ABCMouse educational games, from math problems to instructions to build a paper polyhedron.
Featured brands on Walmart’s learning at home page include Crayola (Silly Scents Twistables Crayons to drawing tablets) and Chromebook.
The Acer Chromebook 715 with 15.6″ full-HD Touchscreen and 4GB DDR4 is compatible with Google Classroom (was $549.99, on sale for $389 with free delivery).
Also on sale: Apple 13-Inch MacBook Pro is priced at $1,279, instead of $1,535.
Shortcuts: Shop by your child’s grade to find essential school supplies. Teachers can search for classroom essentials by categories such as workbooks and awards. Everyone can check out deals and clearance items, from calculators to binders.
While preparing for a child to hit the books, parents can get their office organized for working from home or homeschooling. New to Walmart is the WorkEZ BEST lightweight aluminum laptop stand with an adjustable height ($39.99).
The retail giant is also having a “School Savings” sale on electronics, apartment items and kitchen appliances.
Here are more sales on school-related supplies:
Disney
Character-themed backpacks, from Toy Story to princesses, are on sale, while various notebooks and other stationary supplies can also be found starting at $8.
If your child is attending in-person classes, a four-pack of face masks with Disney’s iconic characters are also available.
eBay
eBay has back-to-school backpacks, supplies, uniforms and more.
IKEA
The discount retailer has tons of items for college students, including workspaces, desks, bedding and more. Shop the entire section here.
Note that IKEA only offers shipping to select locations.
JanSport
The traditional backpack might not be needed this year to accompany your child to school, but JanSport’s top-selling packs still can keep supplies in one place to move from the kitchen table to a desk in the bedroom.
The Superbreak laptop backpack has an internal laptop sleeve and side water bottle pocket. It comes in 20 colors ($40.)
The environmentally friendly Superbreak backpack is made of 100% recycled polyester, nylon webbing and cording -- the equivalent of 20 plastic bottles ($50).
And the JanSport Agave daypack has a padded sleeve to hold a 3-liter bottle (”hydration system”) or a 15-inch laptop ($70).
Kohl’s
An at-home workspace for kids has been a tough find in the online shopping world these days, but Kohl’s has some options on sale.
College students who need to load up on coffee can find coffee makers starting at $13.
Macy’s
You can find backpacks for 20% off, along with school uniform basics for 50% off.
Macy’s also has storage and organizers listed at 20% off.
Staples
For those engaging in at-home or hybrid classes, a great workspace is important.
Staples’ Mesh Fabric Desk Chair is now $130, compared to $200. If you want to ditch the chair, browse these standing desks starting at $43.
Staples also sells kids’ chairs
For in-person classes, keep protected with hand sanitizer and face masks.
Wayfair
There is a ton of school furniture and supplies on sale, including desks and workspaces.
You can browse Wayfair’s entire back-to-school section here.
B&H
Shop the full Apple Back to School sale at B&H Photo and read about student discounts.
Work and learn from home equipment for sale includes computers and printers.
Amazon
The online retail giant has a complete school supplies guide along with a college shopping guide full of deals.
Students can rent and buy used versions of textbooks with a Prime Student membership. Other perks include free delivery and unlimited access to Prime movies and TV shows. First-time users can get a six-month free trial. Amazon’s Prime Student Picks section lists top items purchased by members.
Office and school supplies deals include copy paper and ink.
Under Armour
Under Armour is having a backpack event through Labor Day. Sign up for emails and get free shipping on your next order. Check out sales on shoes and accessories at the UnderArmour.com outlet.
— Janet Eastman with Nicolette Accardi of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman
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