AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the school year draws near, teachers are scrambling to fill their classrooms with appropriate materials and supplies conducive to learning amid a pandemic.

It’s well-known that teachers often go out-of-pocket to complete their classrooms with toys, books and learning materials. But the pandemic may force them to rethink their purchases, focusing on handy cleaning supplies or reusable items that can be repeatedly washed.

Katie Thompson, a preschool teacher at the Rise School of Austin, said many of her teaching tools from years past won’t work for the coming semester. She says many items, like soft puppets, plush pillows, blankets and stuffed animals can’t be easily disinfected.

“We, as teachers, are hoping to have more supplies to be able to spread kids apart in the classroom and avoid cross contamination of toys,” Thompson said.

The Rise School of Austin provides each teacher a budget of $4.16 per student per month. However, that money must also be used for therapeutic toys, curriculum supplies, and sensory table items which are thrown away after use.

“Teachers spend loads of their own personal money to make sure their classroom is outfitted with what they would like their students to have and have accessible,” said the Head of School Anne Warren.

The changes in the classroom go beyond the budget. It’s also about rethinking organization. Even some of the most experienced educators are having to adapt.

Thompson’s colleague, Melissa Gardner, who has been teaching for 12 years, is strategizing how to arrange her classroom safely. She plans to stow several sets of toys behind closed doors so they remain clean and can be easily switched into rotation should other items become contaminated.

“When my students enter this room, I can feel confident that the materials out are safe for them,” Gardner said. “That’s been the story of 2020. We are stepping out of the norm in many ways.”

“Clear the Lists,” an online fundraiser for teachers nationwide, allows community members to help. Money goes to not only new learning materials, but also disinfectants and cleaning supplies.

To help The Rise School of Austin clear their lists, click here.

The State of Texas is also providing school districts masks, gloves, face shields and hand sanitizer. But local schools will inevitably need more.

Teachers and parents alike can find savings by taking advantage of tax-free weekend beginning on Friday and continuing through Sunday. It allows Texans to purchase large quantities of items without the added tax burden.

Qualifying items include school supplies, clothing and footwear, masks and backpacks. The Texas Comptroller is encouraging all taxpayers to practice social distancing while shopping.

Qualifying items can also be purchased online, through telephone, mail or custom order during tax free weekend if:

• the item is both delivered, and paid for, by the customer during the exemption; or
• the customer orders and pays for the item, and the seller accepts the order during the exemption period for immediate shipment, even if delivery is made after the exemption period ends.

The sales tax holiday goes from Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 9.

Reach KXAN’s Education Reporter Alex Caprariello by email at alexc@kxan.com or by phone at 512-703-5365, or find him on Twitter and Facebook.