It’s that time again when summer vacation draws close, and parents everywhere ask, “Didn’t I just buy these supplies last year?” Finding affordable school supplies shouldn’t break the bank, so we compiled our top 4 picks on where to get discount school supplies to start this school year off right.

Each top pick will include a list of the twelve most common school supplies and their prices to determine which store offers the most bang for your buck. 

Please note that prices are based on August 2024 available discounts and do not include shipping or state sales tax.

4. Amazon

Starting with number 4 on our list, Amazon is a one-stop shop for almost everything, including discount school supplies! From backpacks and electronics to lunch essentials, the online conglomerate pulls out all the stops when it comes to getting ready for back-to-school.  

The Back to School Shop makes finding school supplies a breeze, allowing customers to shop by grade level, category, or price range. Below is a list of the twelve most common school supplies that are typically required across various grade levels and can be found on most school supply lists.

3. Dollar Tree

Coming in at number 3, Dollar Tree, with its increased prices from $1 to $1.25 – $5 in 2021, has brought the back-to-school section full circle with a wide range of products. Like Walmart and Staples, the back-to-school supply section is at the front of the store, meaning you can’t miss out on the affordable prices.

2. Walmart

Our number two contender for the best discount school supplies is Walmart. As the world’s largest retailer by revenue, it’s no surprise that it’s on the list for supplying families with discount school supplies. The back-to-school display smack in the front of the store makes it hard to miss the prices.

1. Staples

Our winner is Staples! As the creator of the renowned “That was Easy” button, it makes sense that they offer amazing discounts on back-to-school items. Like Amazon, Staples organizes online and in-store shopping into easy-to-navigate categories and even has a backpack bundle station.

Who is Active Defender?

Active Defender’s School Safety Platform revolutionizes emergency alerting and communication and provides the most comprehensive situational awareness available during a crisis. With Active Defender, ALL staff can immediately know WHAT the threat is, WHERE it is, understand WHAT TO DO, and REPORT their STATUS on a custom, dynamic campus map on their mobile device.

To learn more, visit Active Defender or take the first step in enhancing your school’s safety today by booking an interactive demo!

As summer draws closer, teachers everywhere start gearing up for the new school year. The excitement of meeting new students and anticipating a fresh start comes with challenges. Adequate preparation is essential to ensure a smooth transition and a successful year. Here are some tips and strategies to fill out your teacher checklist to be back to school ready!

Reflect on the Previous Year

An excellent way to plan for the upcoming school year is to reflect on what worked well in previous years. You can look at last year’s lesson plans, classroom management strategies, and student feedback. This allows you to identify successful methods and flag the areas that need improvement.

Tip: Setting goals while reflecting on the previous year is an excellent motivator to start the new year. The goals can focus on professional development and classroom outcomes.

Organize Your Classroom

Now that the floors are finally waxed and you have the go-ahead to step into your classroom, it’s time to organize! Whether it’s the same room you taught in last year or entirely new, it’s a good rule of thumb to rearrange the classroom layout to promote an engaging and inclusive learning environment.

Tip: One way to promote a fun learning environment is to create dedicated areas for different activities, such as a reading corner or group work area.

Speaking of classroom organization, now is an excellent time to replenish any school supplies and set them up so that they are accessible for both you and your students.

Plan Your Curriculum

If you have yet to do so, outline the curriculum for the year, breaking it down into units and lessons. It is essential to align your curriculum with your state’s standards and school requirements.

Tip: To see a list of your state’s curriculum standards, visit EduationWorld and click on your state and subject.

Plan your curriculum around a flexible framework that allows for adjustments based on student needs and progress. You can incorporate various teaching methods to cater to different learning styles.

Develop Classroom Procedures

Communicating your classroom rules and procedures on the first day is critical to ensuring a safe and fun learning environment for you and your students.

Starting a new school year can be stressful for you and your students, so it’s important to develop daily and weekly routines to provide structure and stability.

Build a Positive Classroom Culture

You have a new classroom full of students to meet and get to know! Learning all the new names and personalities can be overwhelming, so planning ice-breaker activities for the first week can help you learn about your student’s interests, strengths, and needs.

Engage with Parents and Guardians

Open communication with parents is crucial because it keeps them informed about how their child is performing at school and helps create opportunities for parents to support learning at home.

Tip: To achieve open communication, introduce yourself on back-to-school night or the first day of school, provide regular updates on student progress and classroom activities, etc.

Preparing for the new school year involves thoughtful planning and organization. By reflecting on past experiences, setting clear goals, and fostering a positive classroom environment, teachers can set the stage for a successful and rewarding year.

Remember, a well-prepared teacher is confident and ready to inspire and guide students through another year of learning and growth.

Who is Active Defender?

Active Defender’s School Safety Platform revolutionizes emergency alerting and communication and provides the most comprehensive situational awareness available during a crisis. With Active Defender, ALL staff can immediately know WHAT the threat is, WHERE it is, understand WHAT TO DO, and REPORT their STATUS on a custom, dynamic campus map on their mobile device.

To learn more, visit Active Defender or take the first step in enhancing your school’s safety today by booking an interactive demo!

In today’s educational environment, ensuring the safety and security of school campuses has never been more critical. School administrators and resource officers are pivotal in maintaining a secure learning environment. However, with the myriad of responsibilities they juggle daily, it’s easy to overlook common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs). Awareness of these vulnerabilities is crucial to preventing potential security breaches and ensuring a safe space for students and stakeholders.

Understanding Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures

Common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) are publicly disclosed security flaws that malicious entities can exploit. These vulnerabilities can be physical, such as unsecured entry points, or related to emergency preparedness, such as outdated response plans. Overlooking these vulnerabilities can lead to severe consequences, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and physical harm.

Impact of Overlooked CVEs

The impact of overlooking CVEs can be devastating. For instance, an unsecured entry point might allow an intruder to enter the campus undetected. Similarly, inadequate emergency preparedness can lead to chaos during critical situations. Real-world examples abound where overlooked CVEs have resulted in significant security incidents, highlighting the importance of addressing these vulnerabilities proactively.

The Importance of Awareness in Campus Safety

Awareness is the cornerstone of campus safety. School administrators and resource officers can mitigate risks by staying informed about potential vulnerabilities and exposures. This is where Active Defender steps in. Active Defender’s mission is to enhance campus safety by providing real-time situational awareness, ensuring everyone knows the nature and location of any alert and can respond appropriately.

Comprehensive Checklist for Assessing Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures

To help school administrators and school resource officers ensure no CVEs are overlooked, we’ve developed a comprehensive checklist covering physical security and emergency preparedness. This checklist is designed as a walk-through guide for assessing your campus and prioritizing actions to enhance awareness and reduce risk.

Implementing the Checklist

Implementing this checklist is straightforward but requires a systematic approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

• Initial Assessment:
  • Conduct an initial assessment using the checklist to identify current vulnerabilities and exposures.
  • Involve key stakeholders in the assessment process, including teachers, staff, and students.
• Action Plan:
  • Develop an action plan to address identified vulnerabilities.
  • Prioritize actions based on the severity and potential impact of each vulnerability.
  • Assign responsibilities and set deadlines for each action item.
• Implementation:
  • Execute the action plan systematically, ensuring all vulnerabilities are addressed.
  • Provide necessary training and resources to staff and students.
• Regular Reviews:
  • Schedule regular reviews and updates to the checklist.
  • Reassess vulnerabilities periodically to account for changes in the environment or new threats.
  • Ensure continuous improvement in campus security and emergency preparedness.

Ensuring that common vulnerabilities and exposures are not overlooked is a critical responsibility for school administrators and school resource officers. Following this comprehensive checklist can enhance your campus’s safety and security. Awareness is the key to preventing and mitigating security risks, and with tools like Active Defender, you can stay informed and prepared.

Who is Active Defender?

Active Defender’s School Safety Platform revolutionizes emergency alerting and communication and provides the most comprehensive situational awareness available during a crisis. With Active Defender, ALL staff can immediately know WHAT the threat is, WHERE it is, understand WHAT TO DO, and REPORT their STATUS on a custom, dynamic campus map on their mobile device.

To learn more, visit Active Defender or take the first step in enhancing your school’s safety today by booking an interactive demo!

Finding safe and healthy snacks for school can be challenging, especially with the increasing prevalence of food allergies and dietary restrictions. To help you navigate this, we’ve compiled a list of 12 delicious and school-safe snacks (plus 11 candies) that kids will love and parents will appreciate.

What is a Food Allergy?

A food allergy is an immune reaction to specific foods. It happens when the body mistakenly identifies food proteins, like those in strawberries or eggs, as harmful and launches an immune response against them. This reaction, known as an “allergic reaction,” can produce a wide range of symptoms, some of which can be life-threatening.

The Big Nine Allergens

The following 9 foods account for 90 percent of allergic reactions in the US. These ingredients are always listed by their common names in the ingredients or the “contains” statement on food packaging.

• Eggs
• Crustacean Shellfish
• Wheat
• Sesame

What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction?

Reactions to allergens can vary from mild, such as itchiness in the mouth or skin, hives, and nausea, to severe, including shortness of breath and throat or mouth swelling. While not all reactions are fatal, some can be, with anaphylaxis requiring immediate medical attention to prevent coma or death.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction typically appear within minutes to a couple of hours after consuming the allergen. These symptoms can include;

• coughing, 
• wheezing, 
• dizziness/lightheadedness, 
• swelling of the throat and vocal cords, 
• difficulty breathing, 
• and loss of consciousness.

Active Defender’s Crisis Clarity

Active Defender’s Crisis Clarity enables staff to send and receive critical alerts on any device, similar to Presidential or Amber Alerts. If a student suffers an allergic reaction, staff can immediately notify key personnel, such as school administrators, nurses, and EMS. The notified personnel can instantly view the emergency location on a live map and communicate directly with the reporting staff member through a single platform.

12 School Safe Snacks

Below are 12 school-safe snacks that exclude the big nine allergens and are easy to grab from a local supermarket!

• Raisins/Craisins
• Popcorn
• Rice Cakes
• Carrots
• Celery
• Homestyle Ranch Dairy-Free Dressing

11 School Safe Candies

Who doesn’t love a bit of sugar? While candy isn’t a healthy snack, it can be a sweet treat! Below is a list of 11 school-safe candies that exclude the big nine allergens.

• Life Saver Gummies
• Dots
• Swedish Fish
• Sour Patch Kids
• Gushers

PLEASE NOTE that variations of candy or seasonal candy sometimes have different ingredients than their classic counterparts, so always double-check your labels!

Who is Active Defender?

Active Defender’s School Safety Platform revolutionizes emergency alerting and communication and provides the most comprehensive situational awareness available during a crisis. With Active Defender, ALL staff can immediately know WHAT the threat is, WHERE it is, understand WHAT TO DO, and REPORT their STATUS on a custom, dynamic campus map on their mobile device.

To learn more, visit Active Defender or take the first step in enhancing your school’s safety today by booking an interactive demo!

Introduction

In the realm of school safety, innovative technology has the potential to make a life-saving difference. One such technology is Active Defender’s teacher status reporting, which enables every teacher, including substitute teachers, to report their status during emergencies. This powerful tool allows for more efficient and focused emergency response and communication efforts, ultimately saving lives. In this article, we will delve into the numerous benefits of this groundbreaking feature.

 Real-Time Status Reporting for All Teachers Can Save Lives

 Earlier this year, at a school shooting, first responders had no clear way to prioritize who needed the most help, and tragically, a child who was shot in the arm bled out and died while waiting for assistance. Active Defender’s teacher status reporting system addresses this issue by providing real-time updates on the safety of all teachers, including substitutes, enabling first responders to prioritize their response efforts more efficiently. Additionally, the system streamlines communication and coordination among relevant parties, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the response.

 Additional Benefits of Active Defender Teacher Status Reporting

 Enhanced Situational Awareness:
Active Defender’s teacher status reporting provides a comprehensive overview of the situation, giving first responders and school administrators valuable insight into the unfolding emergency. This increased situational awareness can inform decision-making and help to ensure a more effective response.

 Reduced Panic and Anxiety:
Knowing that their status is being actively monitored and communicated can provide teachers with a sense of reassurance during emergencies, helping to alleviate panic and anxiety. This, in turn, can help teachers remain calm and better able to manage their students’ safety and well-being.

Substitute Teacher Inclusion:
Active Defender’s system ensures that even substitute teachers, who may not be as familiar with the school’s safety procedures, can effectively report their status during an emergency. This inclusivity helps to ensure that all staff members are accounted for and that no one is overlooked during a crisis.

 Efficient Resource Allocation:
With a clear understanding of each teacher’s status, first responders can allocate resources more efficiently, focusing their efforts on those most in need of assistance. This can help to save both time and resources, ultimately leading to a more effective emergency response.

 Conclusion

 Active Defender’s teacher status reporting system is a game-changing technology for school safety, offering a range of benefits that can dramatically improve emergency response efforts. By enabling real-time status reporting, focused communication, and efficient resource allocation, this powerful tool can save lives and provide invaluable peace of mind for teachers, students, and administrators alike. As schools continue to prioritize safety and security, the adoption of innovative solutions like Active Defender’s teacher status reporting system will be critical in ensuring the well-being of all members of the school community.

Substitute teachers play a crucial role in the continuity of the learning process when a regular teacher is unable to be present in the classroom. They ensure that students continue to receive an education and maintain a sense of normalcy, even during unplanned events or emergencies. Despite their importance, substitute teachers often receive less training and support than their full-time counterparts. In this article, we will discuss the significance of training substitute teachers and how Active Defender’s innovative Substitute Teacher Mode can equip them with vital information in case of a threat. 

The Importance of Training Substitute Teachers

Quality Education: To ensure that students receive the same level of education as they would from their regular teacher, substitute teachers must be well-trained and knowledgeable about the subject matter. This guarantees that learning continues seamlessly, without any disruption to students’ progress.

Classroom Management: Effective classroom management is crucial for maintaining a productive learning environment. Training substitute teachers in proper classroom management techniques will help them maintain discipline and ensure that students remain engaged in the learning process.

Special Needs: Some students may require additional support or accommodations, and it is essential for substitute teachers to be aware of these needs. Training can help them identify and address these requirements, ensuring that all students have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Emergency Preparedness: Substitute teachers must be prepared to handle emergencies that may arise during the school day. Proper training can equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond effectively to various situations, including medical emergencies, severe weather events, and security threats.

Active Defender’s Substitute Teacher Mode:
A Game-Changer in School Security

Active Defender is an innovative security system designed to enhance safety in schools. One of its groundbreaking features is the Substitute Teacher Mode, which provides substitute teachers with crucial information in case of a threat. This feature ensures that substitute teachers are just as prepared as their full-time counterparts during emergency situations.

Real-Time Information: Active Defender’s Substitute Teacher Mode delivers real-time information about potential threats and their locations, enabling substitute teachers to make informed decisions about how to respond. This knowledge is essential for ensuring the safety of both students and staff.

Clear Communication: During an emergency, it’s critical for all staff members to be on the same page. Active Defender’s Substitute Teacher Mode enables clear communication between substitute teachers, school administrators, and emergency responders, ensuring a coordinated response to any threat.

Customizable Alerts: Active Defender allows schools to customize alerts based on their unique needs and protocols. This feature ensures that substitute teachers receive the information they need to take appropriate action during an emergency.

Ongoing Training Support: Active Defender offers ongoing training support for substitute teachers, helping them stay up-to-date on best practices for handling emergencies and maintaining school safety.

Conclusion

The importance of training substitute teachers cannot be overstated. By equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to provide quality education, manage classrooms effectively, address special needs, and respond to emergencies, we can ensure that our schools remain safe and nurturing environments for all students. Active Defender’s Substitute Teacher Mode is a revolutionary tool that provides substitute teachers with the information they need to keep our schools secure and maintain the safety of students and staff. Investing in the training and support of substitute teachers is an investment in the future of education.