We do ours every other week during lunch. I have found that
Max Cowen
is probably the best deal for supplies such as pens, pencils, sharpeners, crayons. They carry Bic and Crayola as well as less expensive brands. They also have a clearence section, special deals, discounts on volume and free shipping. Also, I just sent in a huge order and payment is deferred until Sept.
As far as paper, binders and composition books, we hit Staples in August when looseleaf is 3/$1 and binders are $.68. I talked to the manager and he makes sure that he puts stuff aside for us. There is really not much that costs over $1 at our store.
This is the first year that we have turned the store sales over to our 5th & 6th grades with a parent advisor. Next year, they are going to do everything. Inventory, sales, management, cash reconciliation and audits. We have a wonderful 5th grade teacher who is coordinating the "corporation" and children must keep up their average to participate.
The best part that I saw this year was the way the older kids help the little ones with handfuls of change.
We also send around the catalog to every teacher and they mae=rk down specific things that they require for their classes and we try to have it in stock. The first 3 days of school, we open the store after school for parents and kids. (I got my 10th grader just about everything he needed for about $8 this past year.) Hope this helps!
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