Hi everyone, It's that time of year again. I'm super excited for this year, and am ready to work my butt off. Once the year settles in and things start getting hectic, and I have absolutely no free time--I'd like to be able to take comfort in the fact that I set up a survival kit for myself. What are items you keep in your classroom for those hectic days...here is what I have so far: 1. Chapstick 2. Ib profuen 3. Snacks 4. Lady necessities (just in case) 5. Floss 6. Nail file 7. Clippers 8. Mints 9. Cough drops 10. Tea bags and mug? 11. Extra water bottles
I could live in my classroom. People come to me whenever they need an obscure item. I probably have 10 kinds of medicine. There is always a jar of peanut butter in my desk. I also keep powder, lotion, and deodorant. Change of clothes, just in case. If you name it, chances are I have it.
The things I always keep in my desk are.... gum cough drops granola bars or crackers in case I forget my lunch change for the vending machine stash of chocolate shelf-stable condiments (ketchup packets, etc.) and pepper paper towels personal hygiene items lotion Tums and headache meds chapstick
phone charger lots of snacks and lunch items and drinks nail clippers for when I break a nail basic tools (screwdrivers, hammer, measuring tape, scraper) duct tape, crazy glue and other glues and fasteners glue gun notes and cards and maybe small gift cards extra bags for carrying stuff home extra comfortable shoes band-aids, moleskin hat and spare sunglasses for playground duty sweater to leave at school flashlight for if lights go out batteries music to listen to I like when kids aren't there blanket I have everything. And, yes, I could spend the night (and did once during a fire). Everyone comes to me.
Flip flops or a pair of those foldable flats for when your shoes are killing you Contact lens solution if you wear CL Ricola cough drops or other throat soothing drop airborne or vitamin C
These lists are invaluable...thanks, everybody! I'm curious...where do you store these? Do you just have a special box inside your desk, or a cabinet? I think for things like medicine (or personal items), I'd want some type of lock box.
safety pins clothe for cleaning my glasses peppermints hot chocolate & mug forks (I need to get some) Plus most of what everyone else has listed!
Great ideas, everyone. This helps me beef up my list. I had a fellow colleague who had to sleep in his classroom after locking his car keys inside his car once returning to the school after a band competition--he unfortunately was the only one on campus and it was quite late at night! A blanket and a set of flats is great--I always do the "I'm going to wear heels today" mistake at least once or twice each year and I totally regret my decision by the end of first period!
*an extra bottle of water *travel size toothbrush and toothpaste *those little packets you add to flavor your water- because sometimes you just need to change things up a little *Zantac *2-3 one dollars bills I have a small drawer in my desk just for these things.
I have most of the things mentioned in my desk drawer: *tooth brush *deodorant (There have been mornings where I have gotten to school and forgot to brush teeth or put on deodorant) *fingernail polish remover which can be used for so many different things *A cute pink girly tool kit. Everyone comes to me when they need tools and a custodian isn't around.
Great lists! Mine also includes a broom & dustpan and MASCARA- there've been a couple times I've come to school with all my makeup on but forgot the mascara
I have a big survival kit Toolbox is a must! medications, feminine products, touch up cosmetics, Chapstick, nail file, money, food, water, clothes, comfy shoes. Blanket in case of emergency. A few silly toys,books,etc for my own children when they come to classroom. Shout wipes, tide pen, lint roller, deodorant, dental floss and toothbrush/paste. Sewing kit and safety pins. Coffee mug and a few instant coffees (yes, coffee can be an emergency for me!) tea cup and bags. Hmmmm. There is probably more! I know it sounds like a lot, but many things are small, travel sized, and don't take up much room. I just replace as needed.
Oh my gosh! I would have never admitted to my chocolate stash; I can't believe it's not just me! Is this a teacher thing? What is it about children that make us need chocolate?! Haha
Once you have a secure location for the chocolate stash, everything else will find a place. I agree also with the other suggestions - as long as you have the chocolate.
Totally thought this said "extra wine bottles". :lol::haha: Besides the usual snacks/drinks/bandaids, an extra heavy coat and light jacket has been the best thing I've kept behind my desk. The weather is so unpredictable. I have a tiny sewing kit that I once used to sew a kid's beanie baby back together (he'd bought it in the class store that day and rough housed during recess with it. I kept it overnight and repaired it after school since those crocodile tears won me over! )
Just a few items: 1. Excedrin (an absolute MUST-HAVE for me) 2. Water bottles 3. Random snacks 4. Floss 5. Spare change (in case I feel the need to buy a soda).
I am also one of those teachers to whom everyone else comes for "stuff," lol, My sister's best friend is a district manager for Wendy's, and she actually donated a case each of forks, knives, and spoons! I have a hot pot, tea bags & cup, soups (I have a micro & fridge), extra shoes & socks, salt & pepper, pb, juice (diabetic), sugar free mints & cough drops, water bottles, safety pins, bandaids, nitrile gloves (I'm allergic to latex), a tube of carmex, hand lotion, sanitizer (my own + one for the kiddos), chocolate, umbrella, phone charger, deodorant, mouthwash, "feminine" products, granola bars & cheese crackers, a sweater, my hubby has supplied me with a complete tool kit, including the all-important Allen wrenches! I also have dish soap (I have a sink), command strips/hooks and duct tape!
Ponytail holders and a couple clips. I like to always have at least one ponytail holder within arm's reach wherever I am. And I do.
I do if they're stretched out a bit. Otherwise I panic if it's a just little snug...kind of like the fear you feel when you think for a split second you can't get a ring off. Which makes no sense because the ponytail holder is stretchy and cuttable. :haha:
Oh, something else I keep with me at all times is a flashlight. There is always one in my purse, one in my desk drawer, and one hanging in my classroom. I'm afraid of the dark.
An electric kettle--that's going on my list for next year! I have one somewhere at home, and I've been meaning to bring it to school, but I keep forgetting.
I had actually forgotten to mention this because it's just such a standard part of my life: I keep my CERT bag in my classroom. It's a bag full of emergency essentials that will be helpful in case there is any kind of emergency, accident, or disaster. It has basic first aid supplies, pouches of water, a hard hat, a couple of shemaghs, some emergency food bars (sort of like super high-calorie cookies), a flashlight, a reflective vest, and a few other things.
All of mine are listed above -- except for a dose of Immodium. You never know when you might *need* it.
I kept some of the items listed above in this thread. (make up, lady stuff, water, etc.) I live 7 minutes away, so if I leave something at home, I can always go back, as I go to school at least 30 minutes early. I just want to add: - clear rubber bands for my hair. Sometimes my hair takes a life of its own and must be tamed, these little hair ties come in handy. - plastic spoons and forks. I have forgotten to bring one from home many times for my lunch, so I finally just bought a bag and kept it just in case. Next year I will buy the individual small sized coffee creamers (like the ones they ave at 7 eleven). I drink my coffee with flavored creamer, and these things will last for a long time. We have coffee in the lounge.
Many of the items mentioned, but especially: snacks, antacid, bottled water, Advil, plastic silverware, a cell phone charger, chapstick. This year I need to add hand lotion.
