Lakota parents preparing for the 2026-2027 school year face one notable change in school supplies: seventh- and eighth-graders will no longer receive a pre-packaged supply kit from the district. The Lakota Board of Education approved the shift in June, citing family feedback.

"School fees should be about what a child uses, what they consume," Superintendent Ashley Whitely said.

Junior school students must now purchase their own supplies from lists posted on the district's website.

Here's how the system works at each level.

Grades K-6: Kit included, extras on you

The district still provides a supply kit for elementary students, covered by grade-level fees. Fee amounts differ by grade and are listed in each school's fee schedule, available through the Back-to-School Hub. Parents only need to buy personal items: a backpack, lunch box, and headphones. The district also purchases shared classroom supplies like tissues, paper towels, and disinfecting wipes through a small additional fee.

Grade-specific lists showing what's included and what's not are posted at lakotaonline.com/resources/references-information/school-supply-lists.

Grades 7-8: New this year — no kit

This is the big change. Families can find grade 7-8 supply lists on TeacherLists, a free platform that connects families to major retailers for one-click purchasing. Families who prefer in-store shopping can pull up the list on a phone or print it as a checklist.

Liberty Junior School is holding schedule pickup on Thursday, August 6. Students with last names A-L come from 8:30 to 11 a.m.; last names M-Z from noon to 2:30 p.m. Students can also pick up their Chromebook at that time.

High school: Wait for your teachers

Lakota East and Lakota West high school students won't receive supply lists until the school year starts. Teachers distribute them directly. High school fees are now course-specific, so families pay only for classes their student is enrolled in.

All students: $35 digital learning fee

Every K-12 student owes a $35 digital learning fee covering platforms like Canvas, software tools, and a Chromebook warranty. Families who qualify for the district's fee waiver can apply starting Saturday, August 1, through the Child Nutrition website. The waiver must be renewed each school year.

Need help? Reach Out Lakota deadline is Friday, July 24

Families who need assistance can enroll in Reach Out Lakota's Back to School Program, which distributes customized bags of supplies in mid-August. Enrollment requires an in-person visit to the Reach Out Lakota office at 6561 Station Road, West Chester, with a completed sign-up form and required documents. The deadline is Friday, July 24.

To donate supplies, text "backpack26" to 866-901-4644. Financial contributions can be made at reachoutlakota.networkforgood.com.

Coming up

Lakota is hosting its first Back-to-School Fair for new families on Friday, August 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at VanGorden Elementary School, 6475 LeSourdsville-West Chester Road. No registration required.

The district's full Back-to-School Hub is at lakotaonline.com/resources/references-information/back-to-school-hub.