The rientro means a return to normal life after the (hopefully) blissful holidays. Once the sand has been shaken out, the swim costumes aired and suitcases stowed away, it’s time to gear up for the academic year to come.
With the summer homework completed (yes, there’s work to do during the holidays, a shock for those of us who come from more lenient climes), the purchase lists begin to arrive and the reminder pings to pick up the school books you ordered way back in early July. Now comes the time to queue for those stacks of ever-heavier books, with anxious parents elbowing for their place in line—no time for standing when there are seemingly endless pens and pencils to label and every stitch of their clothing to name. “Do you want the books covered or will you do it yourself?” Our ambitious early years as parents saw us set up a home book-covering station with plastic wrap as far as the eye could see, only to realize our amateur efforts resulted in cover-free books by Christmas. So yes, dear experienced bookshop owner, we will be availing of your services.
The Firenze Moms4Moms Facebook group and school WhatsApp groups become peppered with questions about where to find (and indeed, what colour) grembiule is required and the frenzy around extra-curricular activities reaches fever pitch. The first assignment home is inevitably “What did you do this summer” and you cross your fingers that every excursion and summer camp has made the mention.
Elementary kids have been off since early June with a re-entry date for mid-September, while nido-attending little ones have had the option until late July, with an early September start, in most cases, meaning they haven’t had the time to completely forget the rules painstakingly imposed. Each region establishes its own start and end dates, so your Calabrese cousin might be packing his backpack while you’re still lounging on the seaside, but whether it’s early in the month or later, either way the school desks are occupied until the next long break at Christmas.
Where to stock up on school supplies in Florence
The first port of call will ideally be your local cartoleria or equivalent for the endless packets of pencils and notebooks required, but it’s worth checking out the below for further backpack and grembiule inspiration.
Lìlà Toys, at via Maggio 78R and via delle Belle Donne 41R, offers a series of truly special personalized backpacks with custom embroidery and home delivery giving a boost as kids face the academic year ahead. Equally, their Ang Studio aprons are a blast of colour and quality that will make a difference on a daily basis.
Family Nation (via Anton Francesco Doni 7A) has every kind of sack and snack pot imaginable, with customizable water bottles and lightweight daycare bags that little ones won’t struggle to carry. Crucially, they also stock very cute stamps to label your kids’ items, a time-consuming necessity made easier to the relief of parents everywhere.
Mani Tese, located at via della Pieve 43B, Scandicci, is a charity that promotes sustainability-centred initiatives. Their secondhand market has a school supply section that offers an array of backpacks, pencil cases, rain boots and every other item needed to get your kids kitted out, with the bonus of knowing that your money goes towards a good cause while also providing a more pocket-friendly option.
Click here for information on public funding for school supplies and public transport.
