Heading back to school doesn’t mean it’s necessary spend a lot of money on new supplies. In fact, sticking to the basics is probably the best approach. Fancy electronic gadgets such as iPods and music players generally aren’t necessary, and cell phones and other messaging devices aren’t allowed at school during school hours. A few tips:

Before buying a new backpack or bag, check with the school to see if one will be needed. Secondary school students generally keep the bulk of their books and supplies in their lockers. Also, the more durable backpacks can often be reused from year to year.

Basic supplies, including folders, binders, notebooks, paper, pens and pencils, can generally be bought cheaply at local stores during back-to-school sales. Before buying, check the informational handouts provided by the schools and teachers to see what supplies are actually needed.

New clothing can be a major expense, but it’s often a good idea to check with friends or neighbors for used clothes that older children have grown out of. Local second-hand stores and yard sales are also great places to find serviceable and fashionable clothes for school. To avoid problems, make sure all clothing meets the requirements of the school’s dress code.

At the middle school and high school, many needed school supplies can be purchased for a relatively low cost at school.

Clothing policy

Grand County School District’s dress code includes the following items:

• Clothing must be neat, clean, in good repair, and include shoes.

• Clothing and personal appearance must not be provocative nor a distraction.

• Clothing may not display anything illegal for student use, including drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. Messages and images on clothing may not be sexually oriented, vulgar, or degrading.

• Any student wearing gang attire or paraphernalia will be subject to referral for disciplinary action.

• Undergarments may not be exposed, and midriffs must be covered. Shorts must reach to the length of the wearer’s fingertips when arms are extended at their sides.

• Shirts and dresses with deep-scooped front, straps less than one inch wide, or deep-cut backs or arm holes, are also inappropriate.

• Hats may not be worn, except at the high school.

Immunization requirements

A student born before July 1, 1986 must have: 4 DTP/DT; 3 polio; 2 measles; 1 mumps; 1 rubella.

A student born after July 1, 1986 must have: 5 DTP/DTaP/DT - 4 doses if fourth dose was given on or after the 4th birthday; 3 OPV (oral polio) or 4 IPV (inactivated polio) - 3 doses if third dose was given on or after the 4th birthday; 2 measles; 1 mumps; 1 rubella.

A student born after July 1, 1993 must have: 5 DTP/DTaP/DT - 4 doses if fourth dose was given on or after the 4th birthday; 4 polio - 3 doses if third dose was given on or after the 4th birthday; 2 measles; 1 mumps; 1 rubella; 3 hepatitis B.

A student born after July 1, 1996 must have: five DTP/DTaP/DT - 4 doses if fourth dose was given on or after the 4th birthday; 4 Polio - 3 doses if third dose was given on/after the 4th birthday; 2 measles; 1 mumps; 1 rubella; 3 hepatitis B; 1 varicella (chickenpox) - history of disease is acceptable, parent must sign verification statement; 2 hepatitis A.

Effective May 8, 2007, a student born after July 1, 1993 and entering the seventh grade must have: 1 Tdap booster - Td may be given for the Tdap booster to satisfy the seventh-grade requirement; 1 varicella (chickenpox) - history of disease is acceptable, parent must sign verification statement; 3 hepatitis B.

Immunization requirements for children in early childhood programs (includes children in a licensed day care center, nursery or preschool, child care facility, family home care, or Head Start Program):

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, Haemophilus, influenza type b, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, pneumococcal varicella (chickenpox).

Rotavirus and Influenza vaccines are recommended, but are not required for students in early childhood programs.

Children attending early childhood programs are required to be immunized appropriately for age. This means a child has received all of the doses of each vaccine appropriate for his or her age, but is not considered “adequate for school entry.” Children are to be immunized according to current immunization schedules.

Cell phone prohibition to remain in place

Grand County School District’s district-wide policy prohibiting cell phone use by students during school hours will remain in effect this year.

Any student who violates the policy will have their cell phone confiscated, and will have to pay a $25 fee to get the device back. Subsequent violations will result in $50 fee for each confiscation, the policy states.

In case of an emergency, students may still make calls in the office in the presence of office personnel, and they will still be able to receive calls or messages made through the school’s regular phone number.

Teachers and staff members are also expected to have their cell phones turned off and out of sight during instructional time.