2023 Back to School

TAX-FREE WEEKEND STARTS FRIDAY

School supplies, clothing, shoes and more on ‘no sales tax list’ for 3 days

BY BRUCE MILLS bruce@theitem.com

It is early August, so that means tax-free weekend is right around the corner.

South Carolina’s annual three-day, tax-free holiday begins Friday morning, Aug. 4, and runs through Sunday night, Aug. 6.

State Department of Revenue spokesman Tim Smith and local retailers spoke recently about the tax-free weekend set aside for the purpose of helping families and teachers get ready for the new school year.

Each year at this time, South Carolina eliminates its 6% sales tax for the entire weekend on dozens of items.

The exemptions also include local sales taxes, including any penny taxes.

Back-to-school supplies are always popular sales items this weekend, but many other items also make the “no-salestax list,” including clothing, accessories, shoes/footwear, computers and printers. Cloth face masks and neck gaiter

face masks – considered clothing accessories – also are on the list if shoppers are looking to purchase additional ones to restock their supply.

There have been no changes this year to what is tax-free and what is not exempt this weekend, according to Smith, and that means the answer on smartphones is again “no.”

Cellphones and smartphones are not tax-free.

As is normally the case, laptop computers and tablets will offer some of the best savings overall of tax-exempt items for shoppers, given their general price ranges. Families who purchase lots of clothes can also rack up big savings.

The state agency also emphasized if an item is eligible, it is tax-free whether purchased in a physical store or online with the retailer during the weekend.

The online purchase, though, must be made and completed during the weekend to be tax-free, according to the Department of Revenue. That means an online shopper must check out of

READY TO SHOP?

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their online shopping cart by Sunday night. The item does not have to be delivered this weekend, but shoppers do actually need to make the purchase this weekend.

If a shopper waits until Monday to purchase and make their order complete, it is no longer tax-free, according to the agency.

With online purchases during the weekend, shipping/handling and delivery fees on qualifying items are also tax-free.

Local deals in addition to tax-free

sales

Like many stores, Simpson Hardware and Sporting Goods has some discounts during the tax-free weekend, according to Marketing Manager Grant Watson. The entire shoe department – men’s, women’s and kids – graphic T-shirts, bookbags and drinkware will be discounted.

Simpson also has additional markdowns on select clothing items, up to 40% off.

Watson added most advertised deals will also be avail-

able for purchase online at shopsimpsons.com. With online sales, Simpson offers curbside pickup service, “ship to home” and “pick up in store” options as well, he added.

And it would not be back-toschool season locally without mentioning Office Church School Supply Co. With so many school districts in the state now starting school before the tax-free weekend, including Sumter and Clarendon counties, owner Faith Goins already held her annual back-to-school bash recently.

Teachers and parents should not worry though. Goins said the store will offer the same discounts on Friday and Saturday as it did during the bash. With any purchase, teachers will receive a free desk calendar while supplies last, she added. Additional discounts will be available on all educational supplies this weekend, Goins said, and the 780 S. Pike West supply store will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. The local educational supply store is 10,000 square feet, has served teachers and school families for decades and is the only one in the surrounding area. Popular classroom themes this year for teachers include Busy Bees, Moving Mountains and Brights 4Ever, among others. A new version of bulletin board paper, called “Better than Paper,” is also available and popular. Office Church School Supply also offers laminating for posters and other items, Goins added.

WHAT COUNTS AS A SCHOOL SUPPLY?

Source: S.C. Department of Revenue Items

Mattresses and box springs

For a full listing of exempt and non-exempt items, go to dor.sc.gov/taxfreeweekend.

(STATEPOINT) Whether it’s shuttling the little ones to their after school activities, or helping older students cram for their exams, families get super busy, quickly when kids return to school in fall. But that doesn’t mean you can’t regularly sit down together for weeknight dinners. “Parent-chefs can effortlessly turn up the flavor by relying on single-use spice packets. They take the guesswork out of creating the perfect combination of seasonings and can make whipping up weeknight dinners during the

back-to-school season so much easier,” said Glen Schutzman, vice president of marketing, Convenient Meals, McCormick. To help make the transition a little bit easier and a little more delicious, McCormick, a global leader in flavor, is sharing its recipe for Taco Casserole,

kick to any dish, use this classic seasoning mix to spice up soups, chilis, casseroles, fajitas, dips, nachos and of course, tacos.

Ingredients: (makes 6 servings)

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef or ground turkey

• 1

School supplies are items used in the classroom or at home for school assignments. They include — but are not limited to — pens, pencils, paper, binders, notebooks, books, backpacks, musical instruments, lunchboxes and calculators and will have no sales tax during the holiday.

Items such as refrigerators and toiletries purchased by college students are not used for school assignments and are not exempt. Similarly, these items purchased for office, business or non-school use are not exempt.

Instructions:

Sprinkle with cheese and tortilla chips.

3. Bake 5 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with assorted toppings, such as sour cream, cilantro and avocado, if desired. To shop spices and seasoning mixes, and for additional recipes and weeknight inspiration, visit mccormick.com/ recipes. Don’t let the hectic back-toschool season overwhelm you. With simple ingredients, you can put together tasty dinners that will win over family members of all ages.

Photos by Bruce Mills / The Sumter Item

Simpson Hardware and Sporting Goods offers a wide range of clothing and school related items for sale.

Office Church Supply Co. has fun school supplies for teachers and students.

How parents and educators can work together

Parents and educators alike aspire to help students perform their best in the classroom. An effective parent-teacher partnership can go a long way toward helping children reach their academic potential. With that goal in mind, parents and educators can employ the following strategies as they seek to develop a strong working relationship.

• Keep lines of communication open. Communication between families and educators is of paramount importance. The Early Learning Network,

an organization devoted to improving the academic success of children that is funded by the Institute for Education Services, emphasizes the importance of routine communication between parents and educators throughout the school year. The ELN notes that open, clear, constructive, and timely communication can help parents know what’s going on at school and ensures teachers know important things about their students.

• Make use of par- ent-teacher conference sessions. Both parents and teachers can utilize

parent-teacher conferences to communicate directly with one another. Parents can prepare a list of questions regarding their child’s academics, while teachers can provide a clear assessment of each student with feedback that celebrates the positive developments a student is making and offers constructive advice on areas where students can improve. Ample pre-conference preparation on the part of both parents and educators can help ensure sessions are productive and beneficial to students’ development.

(STATEPOINT )

Setting your high schooler up for a successful school year all starts with having the right educational tools and personal supplies. Here are the musthave items to add to your cart this back-to-school shopping season:

A tablet or eReader

If you remember your own high school years as being defined by lugging heavy textbooks around campus all day and then home with you each night, consider sending your teen back to school with an e-reader or tablet. This slim, back-saving technology makes it possible for students to access the educational content of all their many courses in one place. What’s more, some studies suggest electronic devices facilitate learning better than physical textbooks. Look for options that offer annotation and note-taking capabilities, as well as a full-color display, so that textbook diagrams and images can be fully understood.

• Develop a plan to- gether. Western Governors University recommends parents and educators develop a plan to collaborate together. Establish routine intervals to communicate to discuss a student’s progress. Discuss what seems to be working and any areas where the approach by both parties may need to be tweaked. For example, parents should be open to suggestions regarding homework if the work students are submitting is not reflective of their abilities. Similarly, if students indicate to their parents that a certain in-

A graphing calculator

In high school STEM classes such as trigonometry, calculus and physics, students need to go beyond simply arriving at the correct answer. They must also understand the theory and foundation behind the mathematical principles they are studying. That’s where a highly-functional graphing calculator can come into play. Designed for high school students and beyond, Casio’s affordable fx-9750GIII graphing calculator builds on the cutting-edge capabilities of its predecessors, offering a more seamless learning experience, an enhanced natural display and an improved keypad for fractions, standard-to-decimal conversion and scientific notation. Expanded menu options include Exam Mode, to comply with major standardized test-taking rules, as well as a Python Add-In, giving students the ability to create, save, edit and run Python files, as well as import and export these files with streamlined computer connectivity.

class approach is not resonating, educators can remain open to suggestion or offer extra assistance if possible. Working on a plan together decreases the risk that any issues a student experiences will fall through the cracks.

A collective effort on the part of parents and educators can increase the likelihood that each student fulfills their academic potential. Parents and educators can work together to keep lines of communication open and make the most of opportunities to speak directly with one another.

Personal items

Send your teenager to school with some basic personal supplies that they can leave in their locker. Having access to these items between classes will help them feel their best throughout the day and eliminate distractions, so they can better concentrate on learning. A stick of deodorant is especially useful for students enrolled in physical education or who are involved in sports. Also include a bottle of hand sanitizer to help fight infections, particularly as cold and flu season draws near, feminine hygiene products, dental floss and tissues. An extra layer is also always helpful in both cooler weather and during the warmer months when the air conditioning may be running at full force.

In high school, the coursework becomes much more challenging and the social terrain much more complex. However, with the latest tech tools and a stash of personal supplies, your teenager can navigate both arenas with less stress.

(STATEPOINT)

The time for prepping kids to head back to the classroom is in full swing. In addition to checking off back-to-school supply lists, parents can expect to begin refreshing kids’ wardrobes, including new footwear. Searching for reliable and stylish pairs of shoes is essential for students to start the school year off right. However, the process of shoe shopping and accommodating growing feet can be overwhelming for parents.

signs have made them both footwear staples.

3. Heritage runners are back: The iconic retro style of the 70s continues to make waves as the heritage runner design makes its return. The combination of vintage aesthetics and modern comfort technology make them a perfect option for both children’s everyday wear and special occasions

Shoes to Try: Known best for this style, New Balance offers options for men, women and children in two distinct versions: New Balance 237 and New Balance 997.

To get a head start on this year’s latest shoes, here are four back-to-school trends to try that cater to all budgets and are sure to help kids show off their confidence:

(STATEPOINT)

In today’s competitive youth sports landscape, injuries are common, and when they do occur, young athletes are often pressured to play through the pain.

“The back-to-school season is prime time for foot and ankle injuries from fall sports like soccer, football and cross country,” said Richard Baker, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon and Fellow Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). “Fortunately, there are many steps parents, coaches and young athletes can take to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place and to discourage kids from playing through pain.”

Here are eight play-it-safe tips from the foot and ankle surgeon members of ACFAS to help prevent injuries and to treat them properly when they do occur.

1. Get a pre-season checkup. A pre-season medical evaluation can help identify whether your child could possibly benefit from using an orthotic or wearing a supportive ankle brace while playing. This is especially important for those with previous sprains and injuries.

2. Start the season with new shoes. Old shoes can wear down and become uneven, causing the ankle to tilt. And, as your child’s feet may have grown between seasons, their old shoes may not fit. The smart move is to replace athletic shoes at the start of each season. While children under 10 should wear all-purpose sports shoes, older youth athletes should wear sport-specific footwear.

3. Train for the season. It’s important that your child’s feet and ankles are accustomed to the level of activity required for the sport. Adequate conditioning in the off-season can help maintain a player’s ability to meet these demands, reducing their risk of injury and improving their performance during the season.

4. Encourage warmup exercises. Calf

stretches and light jogging before competition help warm up ligaments and blood vessels, reducing injury risk.

5. Check fields for dips, divots and holes. Ninety percent of ankle sprains are due to poor playing conditions. That’s why some surgeons recommend walking the field, especially in non-professional settings like public parks, looking for spots that could catch a player’s foot. Alert coaching officials to any irregularities.

6. Watch their technique. A difference in the way your child is moving is often a tell-tale sign that something is wrong. Playing with pain is never a winning strategy so encourage kids to be honest about pain or discomfort.

7. Be mindful of other physical activities. Your child doesn’t need to be involved in a formalized athletic program to be vulnerable to sports-related injuries. Foot and ankle surgeons warn of common injuries like plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, fractures and Achilles tendonitis due to repetitive, forceful motions, which can occur in activities such as skateboarding. When skateboarding or engaged in other non-formal activities, always wear protective gear, including supportive shoes, and seek treatment when there is pain or injury.

8. Remember RICE. Often, an injured foot or ankle can be treated with rest, ice, compression and elevation. Those with foot or ankle pain should take a break from playing and allow time for recovery. If pain persists, something more serious may be happening, such as cartilage injuries or broken bones in the foot. Consult a foot and ankle surgeon for a complete evaluation, proper diagnosis and treatment plan. The sooner rehabilitation starts, the sooner your child can safely get back into the game. For more information on pediatric foot care or to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

1. Best in court: Court sneakers are a great choice due to their versatile and classic design that effortlessly blends with both casual outfits and uniforms, offering a stylish and timeless appeal. Their comfortable design also makes these sneakers a must-have for recess and P.E.

Shoes to Try: Brands such as Nike, Converse, Puma and Adidas offer court style sneakers with various colorways that kids will love.

4. Classic clean styles: If you’re searching for a versatile shoe that complements school uniforms or other outfits, classic white and neutral are a go-to. Their neutral color palette and understated appearance create a timeless, put-together look.

Shoes to Try: Vans retro styles come in materials such as leather and canvas, with sizes for school-aged girls and boys, and parents, too.

For one-stop-shopping during any season, visit Rack Room Shoes in stores or online at rackroomshoes.com.

This back-to-school season, embracing this year’s shoe trends can be simple, easy and fun for the entire family.

2. Pop of color: Vibrant and eye-catching colors remain a staple for children as they bring an element of fun and excitement to their outfits, allowing them to showcase their personalities.

Shoes to Try: Crocs and HeyDude come in a variety of bold and playful shades and prints for the entire family to try. Their lightweight slip-on de-

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