I just remembered that we don't give them to the kids until 3rd grade. I guess the teachers don't think it's necessary until then. It really is good to get them into the datebook habit. Once they start really getting homework it's easy to forget assignments.
We use Premier, too. I like the planner for my first grader as it has extra word games and problem solving activites along with a space for parent/teacher notes. My daughter's planner (Middle School) is a tad smaller and same easy to use features. Our school purchases the planners.
Our PTO bought planners for our upper elementary students. One note -- be sure to take into consideration the cost of shipping when you determine whether or not you can afford to purchase the planners for your school. We were charged $75 shipping for 300 planners. That seemed awfully high to me, but the company wouldn't budge (and believe me I pleaded!)
We use Schoolmate as well and teachers and parents love them. We also order matching folders which the PTO uses to hold the 'Welcome Packet' materials distributed at the beginning of the school year. Different formats are available based on grade level. We order for primary and elementary grades.
Dragonlady, you might check out schoolmate.com, too. Each day doesn't have a page of its own, but a week is across 2 full pages. The price can be quite a bit lower depending on how many you order. (You can also have schoolhandbooks inserted for an additional fee.)
We use the black and white notation books in my son's kindergarten. They are on the school suplies list and cost about $1. They don't have dates, the kids date each page themselves.