“How Expensive Is It to Raise Kids in This Day & Age” Part 2

As kids grow and are ready to take that big step on the yellow school bus, a new adventure is in store for parents. Not only are parents concerned about traching their children life-lessons and preparing them for what the world has to offer, but they are supporting their kids’ needs to further their kids’ education.

WHIZ’s Emily Baird explores these needs in the second part of her series, "How Expensive Is It to Raise Kids in This Day and Age."

"Well, not on top of how nervous parents are about sending their child off to school their first time in kindergarten or first grade. There’s always clothes you have to buy…school supplies, " says Zanesville City Schools’ Kevin Appleman.

And you can’t just send your kids to school with any old school supplies.

"We put out a school supply list, and those parents open that up and have to go through there. That’s what’s recommended for that, " says Appleman.

Then there’s packing or buying school lunches Monday through Friday and appropriate school dress codes that kids have to follow, including shorts or skirts that are longer than the end of your fingertips when your arms are extended, no gym clothes, and clothes that fit properly.

There’s clothes for different seasons and a coat, especially for cold mornings at the bus stop.

"Coats aren’t cheap anymore. They used to, oh my goodness, I remember five dollars would buy you a really nice, heavy coat. Now, about the least you can get away with…what, $23 i think at walmart i looked…$25…$30, " says Zanesville parent, Sherrie Gibson.

Sherrie says getting kids ready for the school year was a major ordeal in the Gibson household.

"You know, you think of Christmas as being a big expenditure month, but it seems our Augusts are almost as big, " says Sherrie.

But school districts do offer some help.

Zanesville City Schools has a No-Cost Breakfast Program, a Free-Reduced Lunch Program for parents who fill out an application, and a 21st Century After-School Program for families that meet certain qualifications.

"It’s nice to have those here for individuals that may need those things to just get started off right to school, " says Appleman.

Appleman says the community is great when it comes to conducting projects that benefit school kids, such as "Lace up for Kids" and "Tools for School," and Appleman says the help doesn’t just stay in the classroom. It reaches out for field trips and extra-curricular activities too.

"They do fundraisers in school. You’ll see the parents maybe doing bake sales or different things. That’s how they provide for those kids who aren’t able to, " says Appleman.

Appleman says parents aren’t alone in this. It’s a team effort.

"We all work together to make sure that we’re able to provide a great education for the students here at Zanesville, " says Appleman.

And that’s something that should make every parent smile.

I’m Emily Baird for WHIZ News.

Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at how parents help further their kids’ education, following high school.