Save Tax-Free on School Supplies & More Starting July 31

We're helping Florida families cut costs while stocking up for school supplies. This year the Florida Legislature extended the tax holiday by 3 days for a 10-day tax holiday.

Beginning, July 31 and running through August 9, Florida families can save on eligible school supplies during Florida's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday.

Eligible items that consumers can purchase tax-free include:

• Clothing, footwear and backpacks costing $60 or less;
• School supplies costing $15 or less; and
• The first $1,000 of the sales tax price of personal computers or personal computer-related accessories.

You may learn more about the tax holiday at FloridaRevenue.com/BacktoSchool. Remember to shop local while preparing for the new school year and support your community businesses.

Stay Informed for the 2021-2022 School Year

For the latest information from your County School Board, visit their web page and stay up-to-date about the upcoming school year. 

• Collier County
• Lee County
• Hendry County

Southwest Florida Opportunities to Support Students This Fall

There are a variety of school-related events in the region to help students prepare for a successful year. Please see below for a list compiled by the Fort Myers New-Press for upcoming collections, drives and donations. 

• Edison Mall will collect school supply items at the town center office through Aug. 7 to benefit the underserved schools within the community.
• Edison Mall will host KidX Club Back to School Fest on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. with hands-on activities, including art, Too Tall Torie, a live DJ, fashion show and officials from the School District of Lee County on hand to answer any questions parents may have about the start of school.
• Edison Mall will also host Teacher Appreciation Day on Saturday, Sept. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. Educators can enjoy teacher-exclusive promotions and discounts at retail space. 
• The Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center and Museum is hosting a Back to School Backpack Event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 6 at the Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center and Museum, 4522 Del Prado Blvd. S..
• Lipman Family Farms Annual Back to School Event will distribute 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to elementary and middle school-age children of Immokalee, 9 a.m. to noon, Aug. 7 at Immokalee High School Football Field, 701 Immokalee Drive, Immokalee.
• Truth Baptist Church third annual "Back to School Bash" for Lehigh Acres families at the outdoor pavilion in Veterans Park in Lehigh Acres on Saturday. Registration for 120 backpacks with school supplies from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. and there will be a drawing for the grand prize, a Lenovo tablet and a Samsung Chromebook! Free for students in the Lehigh Acres community. Children need to be present to receive the backpack giveaways and prizes.
• Cypress Lake United Methodist Church Back-to-School Bash, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Aug. 8, Cypress Lake United Methodist Church, 8570 Cypress Lake Dr., Fort Myers. The first 250 students will receive a free bag of school supplies to help kick-off the school year!
• Running through August 2, the Cape Coral Police Department will have a donation bin in the lobby of the department headquarters, 1100 Cultural Park Boulevard, where people can drop off school supply donations for the local 3H Program Exchange in the Lee County School District. Donations sought include:  pencils, pens, crayons, markers, highlighters, folders, lined paper, notebooks, 3-ring binders, glue, pencil pouches, backpacks, etc.

Utilize the Florida Department of Education's Educational Resources for Teachers & Families

The Department of Education (DOE) offers a list of resources to help your students stay on top of their academic education. The department offers resources for literacy, English language, mathematics, science and STEM, and other resources for K-12 students to help families ace the school year. Visit the DOE's free resource page here.

Take Advantage of Future Ready Collier's Back-t0-School Toolkits

It is Future Ready Collier's goal is to ensure all children are ready for the next step in education, whether it's attending Kindergarten to heading off to college.

 The Future Ready Collier network partners compiled a resource kit to help families be prepared for those next steps.

Visit futurereadycollier.org/family-resources to download the kindergarten or college toolkits.