NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Your back-to-school shopping list may be different this year, but you can still save on some supplies this weekend.
The Virginia Sales Tax Holiday runs from Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9.
You can buy qualifying school supplies, clothes, shoes, and hurricane and emergency preparedness items, without paying sales tax.
There is a $20 max price for school supplies to qualify, so this probably won't help if you need a tablet or computer for remote learning. Qualifying items can be found on this list:
The sales tax holiday comes just days after Tropical Storm Isaias.
Assistant Fire Chief of Professional Development for the Newport News Fire Department Wesley Rogers said now is the time to take advantage of the tax holiday, especially those hurricane preparedness products, with the new heightened forecast from National Weather Service.
He said shoppers could see those supplies run low because of the pandemic.
"What's different from previous storms is COVID-19, so part of your preparedness is also COVID-19 preparedness," Rogers said. "With the tropical storm we just had, it's a valuable thing for people to be prepared."
Rogers said you should have three days worth of your resources like water, food, and medications (per person) in your household in case the power goes out. He adds you should make arraignments for your pets and those who are elderly.
Rogers said what's also important is having a "to-go kit" (personal care items, medications, important documents, contacts listed).
He wants people to know their zone in the case of an emergency, and familiarize themselves with hurricane evacuation routes.
You can call 311 for information in regards to storms and storm preparedness in Newport News.
Newport News Public Schools posted its supply list Thursday which gives families recommendations on what to buy their child as they begin the school year virtually.
To support virtual and blended learning this year, all students (kindergarten through 12th grade) will receive Chromebooks.
Chromebook distribution: High School students (August 10-13); Middle School students (August 17-20); Elementary School student loaner devices will be available for check out August 24-27. Because of an increase in demand, the elementary school Chromebooks may not be delivered until December. In the interim, NNPS will make loaner devices available to families who don't already have a device at home for students to use for virtual learning
NNPS is also in the process of launching our Connected@Home program, which will allow families to request assistance in getting connected to the Internet. Eligible families will receive a mobile WiFi hotspot with stringent filtering or access to low-cost Internet service.