A Teacher's Back-to-School Planning Timeline (With Supply List Milestones)

The summer countdown

Back-to-school planning has a rhythm. The teachers who start early feel calm in August. The ones who wait until August scramble to catch up while parents ask why the list isn't out yet.

This timeline shows when to do what, with supply list milestones built in at the right points.

May–June: Reflect and draft

The best time to update your supply list is right after the school year ends, while you still remember exactly what ran out, what you never used, and what parents kept buying wrong.

Supply list milestone: Open last year's list (or start fresh in ClassGear) and do a first draft. Update product links for anything that changed. Add items that were missing. Remove items you never used.

You're not publishing yet — just getting the draft in good shape while the previous year is fresh.

Late June–July: Refine and coordinate

If you share a grade-level list with colleagues, this is when to sync. Co-teachers should review each other's sections. Department teams should agree on what goes on the shared list.

Supply list milestone: Finalise your list. Get co-editor sign-offs if relevant. Set a publish date in ClassGear for early August.

Early August: Publish and distribute

Most families start back-to-school shopping in August. Publishing your list in the first week of August captures parents at peak purchase intent — they're thinking about school, they have time, and stores are well-stocked.

Supply list milestone: Hit publish. Share the link in:

• Your welcome letter (paper and email)
• Your school or class portal page
• Your Remind or ClassDojo group
• Any teacher-parent Facebook group your school uses

Two weeks before school: One reminder

Send a single follow-up reminder with your list link. Don't over-communicate, but one reminder the week before school gives families who missed the first post time to act.

Supply list milestone: Check for out-of-stock items. Update any links that are no longer working. Re-share the link.

First week of school: The gap assessment

Note what students arrived without. This informs next year's list more than anything else.

Supply list milestone: If something critical is missing across multiple students, add it to your classroom wish list and share it with families.

Year-round: The living list

ClassGear lists don't expire. If you replenish classroom supplies mid-year, you can update your wish list at any time and share the link in a Remind message. Families who want to contribute can always find the latest version at the same URL.

The key takeaway

The earlier you publish, the better. Not just for parents, but for your own peace of mind. A supply list that's live in July means August is one less thing on your plate.