Kids hit the books with color, designs

Going back to school can be a stressful battle between students who want to be decked out in the latest fashions and their parents who want to surf for the best deals. Keeping these few tips in mind will ensure both sides are smiling on the first day of school.

According to Kristy Welker of Target Communications, some of Target's hot trends for this school year include: bright pops of color such as turquoise, lime green and hot pink; plaid, floral and camouflage patterns are most prevalent on notebooks, backpacks rulers and scissors; customizable notebooks and accessories encourage creativity and allow students to personalize their everyday back-to-school items.

The Waukesha Target store is located at 1250 W. Sunset Drive.

Frog and Truck Ice Packs and Greenroom Pencil boxes are two of the hot items for elementary school students, while Paul Frank for Target Customizable Notebooks and Trans by Jansport Backpacks are popular with middle school students. High school students are staying trendy with exclusive Target fashions including Converse One Star, Mossimo Supply and Xhiliration, and Magnetic Locker Curtains. Lunch totes in animal prints are also popular this year.

Welker suggests elementary school students use a rolling backpack so kids won't have to carry heavy loads on their back.

News flash

Companies like Office Depot offer mix and match designs on core supplies such as folders, rulers, pencils and more, ensuring all the student's supplies are matching and trendy.

Flash drives are becoming an ever-important item on a student's back-to-school list, and now come in a variety of shapes and sizes to cater to the student's individual personality. A media relations representative from Office Depot reports that flash drives now come in a variety of shapes, styles and designs including Hello Kitty and logos for many major sports teams.

The Waukesha area Office Deport is located at 1820 Meadow Lane.

Many stores begin holding back-to-school specials well before the bell rings on the first day of school. Office Depot holds weekly specials with different products on sale each week. Check websites and Sunday circulars for the best deals each week.

Back-to-school health check

Keeping kids safe while they're at school is a top priority for most parents but some might not know how to do so.

On Monday, Aug. 22, ProHealth Care Medical Associates pediatrician Dr. Heather Sielaff will discuss preparing children for a new school year from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Waukesha Memorial Hospital, 725 American Ave.

Sielaff will discuss: the importance of getting a physical before school starts and before participation in sports begins; making sure vaccines are up-to-date and kids are protected from diseases that can be easily spread from one child to another; addressing anxiety and helping kids who are nervous by visiting the school in advance and taking a tour; and other tips parents can follow to reduce anxiety in their student(s).

"Most kids are excited but may have some anxiety because they haven't done this for three months," explained Sielaff. "The best thing parents can do is be positive, and set an expectation that school will be good and things will go well. That lays the foundation for a good year."