Ok, I’m going to say it for all of us… This sucks. No matter what your child’s age, sending them to school in person or online is going to be hard. This year is my son’s senior year at TC Williams. He doesn’t participate in school-sponsored events like your average teenager, so he’s better off than most. And, I know how fortunate I am that my kids are pretty self-sustaining. Though I have to remind them to do the work far more often than I care to. It’s going to be a tough year, but I have faith in our teachers and our school system. We will make it through this in one piece and so will you. A few more gray hairs and maybe higher therapy bills, but we can do this.To help kick off school for your youngsters, we have pulled together a few of our favorite supplies for learning and schooling. Why should school supply shopping be ruined just because there is no school? It’s always my favorite time of year and I don’t want to miss it. At Penny Post, you’ll find supplies for the higher grades and for Mom and Dad to keep things organized and kids on task. (More planners keep rolling in!). And at Red Barn, we have great ways for your little people to learn through play and to have fun while learning.A few of my favorite things are washi tape (now at both stores!), Blackwing colored pencils, Mr. Boddington’s composition books, and the screen time tokens parents can use for managing homework and screen time. Everything below can be found online and in the store, so enjoy school supply shopping and good luck this year. Mom and Dad, you’ve got this!! 

Penny Post:  Pocket Folder, $6; Star Stickers, $8; Set of 12 Rifle Paper Co. Pencils, $15; Set of 12 Blackwing Colored Pencils, $25; Task Pad, $22.50; Washi Tape, $4.50 to $9.50; Pencil Case, $9; Editing pencil, $2.85; Rifle Paper Co. Clipfolio, $32; Appointed Notebook, $25 each; Ruler, $6.50

Red Barn Mercantile:  Time Telling Game, $25; Zingo Sight Words Game, $22; Mr. Boddington’s Composition Notebook, $12.50; Set of 12 Screen Time Tokens, $10; Beeswax Crayons, $8.50; “I Look Up to Ruth Bader Ginsberg,” $7.99; “Rosa Parks,” $14.99; 100 Great Words Flashcards, $10; Edible Chemistry Set, $21; Mini Highlighters, $10; Washi Tape, $5; Making Change Game, $24; Girl Power Erasers, $4