School Preparations

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By Sarah Gravlee

Story Published: Aug 25, 2009 at 6:11 AM MST

Story Updated: Aug 25, 2009 at 6:11 AM MST

BILLINGS - More than 15,000 students enrolled in Billings Public Schools are enjoying the last days of summer.

Six-year-old Karsen Patelis is getting her things ready for her very first day of school. She's got everything from glue sticks to hand sanitizer.

"Like if I have dirty stuff on my hands I use this," she said about the sanitizer. The Hello Kitty book bag she'll bring with her to kindergarten holds folders, binders, and all kinds of writing utensils.

"The school supply list has gotten larger than it was for my first two," Carin Patelis, Karsen's mother said.

All these supplies cost money. The Patelis' have already spent more than $100 dollars on just supplies, not to mention new electronics or clothes. "You have to budget for it," Carin said. "We didn't go to the fair this year."

The bill's about to add up even higher. Carin's son Jared Chansler is entering high school. He won't know what supplies to get until after the first day of class.

"It's going to be a whole new system," Chansler said. "I'm not the king anymore."

That's not the only struggle with a new school. "Just learning how he's going to get back and forth to the school is a struggle," Carin said. The district doesn't offer a bus since Jared lives less than 3 miles from the school, but Jared doesn't drive yet.

While Jared said he could use a little more summer this year, his little sister's ready for a new adventure. Classes start on Wednesday for School District 2 students in kindergarten through 9th grades. Upperclassmen return to classes on Thursday.

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