Who is buying supplies in your school building this week? If you stop and think about it, the answer is probably longer than you expect. A classroom teacher restocking notebooks. A librarian getting ready for a student celebration. An after school coordinator stocking up before a busy week. A principal placing one big order for every classroom in the building.
Ordering school supplies is a year-round task, and it rarely belongs to one person in a school or district. That is why I am excited to share a bit about Walmart Business on the blog today. As someone who loves shopping online, I like having one place for all of it. And the more I have explored Walmart Business, the more I have thought about the different educators in a school who could use one cart for everything their learning spaces need.
Today on the blog, I’m sharing examples of how educators in different roles can use Walmart Business to save time and money when ordering school supplies!
Why Ordering School Supplies Looks Different for Every Role
When I first started teaching, I remember how many small supply runs added up over the course of a school year. A few packs of index cards here, a box of pens there, and a last-minute trip to the discount store the night before a big project. It was never one big shopping trip. It was dozens of little ones.
The same is true across a school building. A classroom teacher, a librarian, an after school lead, and a principal all buy supplies. But of course, they buy at very different scales. One person needs a few packs of composition notebooks. Another needs enough writing supplies for every student in the school.
Walmart Business is built for that range. You can order a single item or buy in bulk from an ever-growing assortment. You can shop online, in store, or on the go with the app. They have flexible delivery, and the goal is simple: spend less time sourcing supplies and more time on what matters most to you and your students.
Learn more about Walmart Business for schools >>
Ordering School Supplies Across Your School Building
As I explored the Walmart Business site for the first time, it was wild to see the variety of items. My wheels were spinning right away with all of the people in a school (or district) who would find this site useful.
The Classroom Teacher: Restocking for the Next Unit
I’m sure you can imagine a middle school ELA teacher getting ready to launch a new writing unit. There are probably a few new things that would come in handy. Composition notebooks are on the list, along with sticky notes for annotating texts and a fresh set of pens (or pencils) for the supply caddy.
With Walmart Business, a teacher can search for composition notebooks, add a single pack or a larger quantity to the cart, and shipping is super quick. I taught in the middle of New York City, but I’ve worked with schools all across the country who usually wait a lot longer for deliveries than in an urban setting. The fast shipping might be at the top of the list of reasons that you want to check out Walmart Business.
The Librarian: Getting Ready for a Student Celebration
Libraries are special spaces in schools and often there are celebrations that take place there, too. From reading challenges to author visits to end-of-semester gatherings, there are oodles of things a librarian might need. For example, on Walmart Business’ website you can order award certificates for students. It’s perfect for a celebration for students who finished a reading challenge.
Ordering school supplies for a one-time event does not have to mean a special trip to the store. A librarian can add award certificates to the cart alongside everyday items like tape, labels, and markers. Then they can choose the option that works best for shipping. This includes delivery in as fast as one hour (subject to availability, fees & restrictions apply) when something is needed right away.
The After School Lead: Stocking Up in Bulk
After school programs often serve lots of students and need a larger volume of supplies than a classroom teacher might order. Snacks, water bottles, art supplies, and sports equipment all disappear quickly when you are serving a large group of students every afternoon.
This is where bulk ordering really shines. I’ve personally never ordered a palette of anything (unless I was on a purchasing committee in student government when I was in high school I’m forgetting about). An after school coordinator can order a whole pallet of water bottles in one step instead of grabbing a few cases at a time. Buying larger quantities through Walmart Business means fewer reorders, fewer interruptions, and more time spent with students instead of tracking down supplies.
The Principal: One Order for the Whole School
School leaders think about supplies at a building-wide scale, too. A principal might want every classroom to start the semester with the same core writing materials. Or purchase items for a full department at their school.
Walmart Business offers bundles for exactly this kind of need. For example, a principal could stock up on a High School Writing Bundle that includes composition books, loose leaf paper, index cards, pens, and more, and order enough for the entire school. One cart, one order, and every classroom is ready to go.
Explore the assortment on Walmart Business >>
Order Your Way: Tips for Ordering School Supplies Through Walmart Business
If you are new to Walmart Business, here are a few tips for exploring the site.
Start with a search. Type in what you need, like composition notebooks or index cards, and browse the results. You will see options for single items as well as larger quantities, so you can match your order to the size of your group.
Mix single items and bulk items in the same cart. You do not have to choose between a few packs of something and a pallet of something else. Both can go in the same order, which is helpful when you are shopping for a classroom and an event at the same time.
Choose how you want to get your order. Shop online, in store, or on the go, and pick the delivery or pickup option that fits your week. When you are running low on something the day before a big activity, there are super fast delivery options for certain locations.
Keep a running list. One habit I recommend to educators is keeping a simple running list of supplies as you notice you are running low. You can add it to your cart without checking out right away. When it is time to order, everything is in one place, and you can add any last minute items to your cart and check out in a few minutes.
Getting Started with Ordering School Supplies for Your Whole School
Whether you run a classroom, a library, an after school program, or a whole building, you are buying supplies all year long. Having one place to shop for everything, including bulk ordering options, and flexible delivery, can take one more task off your plate.
Ready to get started? Pick one upcoming event or gathering. This could include a new unit, a student celebration, or a restock for your after school program, and build your first cart. Then share your order list with a colleague in a different role who might benefit from the same approach.
You can visit business.walmart.com to explore an assortment of items. Start saving time and money on everything your classroom, library, or school depends on!
