The 2020-21 school year will be much different from what kids, parents, and teachers are used to because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Blended learning is taking place at some schools, while others are having in-person classes five days per week with strict social distancing and hygiene guidelines. 

As you make your school supplies list for your child, you'll need to think beyond the usual #2 pencils and a box of crayons. Read on to learn about five things your child needs for returning to school this autumn.

1. Set of Reusable Face Masks

In some school districts, masks are recommended. In others, children are required to wear face coverings or masks unless they have a specific medical condition or disability that renders them physically or cognitively unable to wear the mask. All other children will need to have a supply of reusable face masks. 

Most school districts won't be passing out masks to kids on a daily basis. According to CNN, it's a good idea to have kids practice wearing a mask a few weeks before school begins. Start with wearing the mask for 30 minutes, then one hour. Gradually increase this to the length of a school day. If your kids will be riding a bus to and from school, keep in mind that they'll need to have the face-covering on while riding the bus.

2. Sturdy Lunch Bag

In schools that reopen, children may not congregate en masse in the cafeteria to eat their lunches. Instead, they'll likely be staying in their own classrooms. Rather than preparing and serving hot food for lunch, some school districts may turn to pre-packaged cold foods that are easier to transport directly to the child's classroom. These foods may not be as healthy or nutritious as lunches prepared at home. 

A sturdy lunch bag will be important for your child's return to school. Make sure the bag will be easy to wipe clean every day. The bag should have plenty of room for an ice pack to keep perishables cold. Consider a lunch bag that is big enough for separate containers of food or that has separate areas for keeping fragile food from getting squished.

3. Strong Backpack

Kids who are doing a blended model of learning may go to school two days per week and learn from home the other three days per week. This means they'll be transporting a lot of materials, such as a Chromebook, textbooks, packets of worksheets, art supplies, and other items. Even if your child has school in person each day of the week, they will likely be assigned their own books and printed materials instead of using shared books and supplies. 

Invest in a sturdy backpack with padded and reinforced adjustable straps. Make sure that your child isn't carrying more than 10% of their body weight in the backpack. Carrying more could cause muscle strain and poor posture.

4. Labels for Supplies

In past school years, teachers usually pooled the supplies kids brought at the beginning of the school year. A child would grab a pair of scissors or bottle of glue from a bin. Now, kids will need to have their own supplies that only they use. You won't want your child to lose their personal supplies, so it's a good idea to have every item labeled. 

School name labels make this fast and easy. The clear printing on name labels also reduces the risk that another child will use your child's supplies. Labels also cut down on lost, stolen, and missing items. Some items that you should label include your child's lunch box, backpack, coat, binder, notebooks, glue, crayons, pencil box, and color pencils.

5. Personal Hand Sanitizer

Previous years, schools often prohibited hand sanitizer because it contains alcohol. Now, schools are encouraging kids to bring in their own supply of hand sanitizer. Even if the school has some available, kids may need to use it on the bus. Sending a personal size bottle that your child can keep in their backpack is a smart decision.

School supply needs for the upcoming school year are a little different. By preparing now with cool reusable face masks, customized name labels, and personal supplies, your kid can get excited about school. Be sure to scout sales to save money on supplies.