It is not yet clear what the next school year will look like, but the bags, pencil cases and writing tools are currently irreplaceable. • How social networks have influenced trends this year, how to choose a school bag and what creative solutions were born following the corona • This is how you will return to the school year in style 

• Returning to school

  Photo: 

  Gideon Markovich

The summer vacation is in full swing and it is not yet clear how the next school year will open. Who will march to the kindergarten or school gate on September 1 and who will be forced to study online from home? These days the chains and stores are already being set up with a variety of equipment and stationery to provide students with everything they need. Just before you go out to the various chains and the variety of colorful bags, we checked what the trends are and what innovations have been added this year, and also - how to choose the right bag for elementary school children. 

As every year when preparing to go back to school and buy school supplies, the children come with their parents, accompanied by quite a bit of excitement, to look for their favorite characters, gadgets and a variety of new items that add interest to the school year. This year you will find a wide selection of bags that are influenced by fashion trends and less selection of branded bags. You will also find pencil cases with various gimmicks and sophisticated products that serve not only as school stationery, but as a play item. 

It turns out that the lack of vacations abroad and the recent closure of the sky may benefit Israeli companies this year, since the purchase of the basket of products for returning to Israeli studies will be done in Israel. 

Moshe Gantz, CEO of Kal Gev, notes that this year we are seeing an increase in orders from Israelis who choose to buy equipment from local sites and less order equipment from online sites abroad. "The reason is the fear that items will be delayed from abroad and will not arrive on time, and there is also a public thinking these days to support blue-and-white products and support for local businesses. In addition, all Israeli companies have launched a discounted product basket, which makes us happy to see an increase in demand. "

This year, due to the desire to prevent gatherings, according to Amit Shabtai, trade and import director of the Kravitz chain, there is a trend among many parents to give up visiting shopping centers and malls, and buy the products through websites. "This year our site has been updated to allow easier service for those who want to order without going to the branch, including a delivery service with the option to create a list, which we collect, pack and deliver to the parking lot for those who do not want to walk around the mall. We created a unique phone line for grandparents. The bag and we send the grandson directly to the house and a variety of solutions that make it easier for the consumer. "

The innovations and gadgets

Among the many interesting innovations, we found, for example, in the Kravitz network a unique gripper that allows the correct grip of the pencil for kindergarten children and first graders. A variety of bags with a built-in charger or a unique opening for headphones, and due to the corona plague various solutions ranging from unique boxes with wipes for disinfecting surfaces, and the highlight - a pen with a container for filling disinfectant, so just before removing the notebook and placing on the table, the disinfectant can be sprayed with a spout Special on the table. 

In the YOLO chain, the chain for gifts and school supplies, this year you will find a large collection of pencil cases with a variety of game elements that will suit breaks or those who stay for lunch - the back of the pencil case becomes a play surface. For example, there is a pencil case with a backgammon board and chess with the accessories. Football pencil case, pencil case with back of erasable board, or chalk board and more.

"Children really like that there is another useful element in school equipment, so the pencil cases with the option that becomes a play surface have been in great demand for several years and every year we add more to this line," says Yael Yaglom, the brand's entrepreneur. "There is also an alarm clock that records a wake-up call in the child's voice. A variety of fragrant erasers rolled in the shape of candy, erasers in the shape of a macaroon cookie, a retro pencil case that opens by pressing with bouncy drawers, a money box that counts the time on the wall and a wide variety of other items. That make the child return to school with interesting and original gadgets. "

Change preferences 

This year, there is a strong influence from the world of style and fashion trends that are permeating the field of bags. Zebra patterns, pastel shades, tai-dai rinses and elements of graffiti are also reflected in back-to-school equipment and especially in school bags. "This year we have created a unique collection consisting of 4 different design prints that came from fashionable trends such as marble backgrounds, the cosmic world, camouflage and zebra. Each trendy collection has a variety of products from school bags, pencil cases, water bottles, to complementary products for the home table. For example, those who like a zebra motif will find a variety of items in this pattern, "says Yaglom.

The Kravitz chain has 2 interesting collections from the world of cinema: Harry Potter and the Joker from Batman's film. Also, a variety of bags inspired by street fashion with colorful graffiti designs that in some models have a portable charger, connection to headphones and more. "In recent years, there has also been an awareness of recycling and sustainability that has led to a growing demand for products made from recycled materials. This year we also brought a line of bags made from recycled plastic bottles," says Saturn. 

Einat Baruch, VP of Marketing at Pelpot, a company that manufactures equipment and stationery for chains and stationery stores, explains: "We live in a different era, if in the past we would determine what the trends are, today the younger generation determines them. We hold annual conversations with students to understand what they are looking for and what they would like them to have in school supplies. For example, we have seen that they are looking for miniature writing tools that do not take up much space. So this year we launched 'Microfax' which is a tiny bag that contains 6 miniature surprises from the world of back to school, with each bag containing different surprises. Markers, notepad, cellophane tape, eraser, chalks, glue, stickers, etc. The miniature bag comes with a shackle Designed that allows you to hang it on the school bag or the bag you go to class with, etc.

Baruch adds that "the influence of social networks has increased greatly. If in the past singers and actors starred on diaries and covers like Noa Kirl and others, today these are YouTubers and network stars, so this year we launched 'Tic Tac' where the content is interesting. ". 

One of the highlights of the Pelpot company this year is a special appeal for adult teens with a collection called 'Stylosh' that includes a collection of bags and items for the locker with shimmering and shiny finishes, for girls who are interested in fashion. "In recent years, the use of lockers has increased, especially in middle and high schools," says Baruch. "This year we launched a mirror that clings to the wall of the locker, an erasable board, an organizer to the locker. Today, children want to return to the school bench with personalization and style."

Preschool fashion 

The fashionable style turns out to permeate even the lower grades and even the kindergartens. According to Nir Neon, sales manager at Kal Gev, if in the past Disney characters starred in front of orthopedic bags and in kindergartens, this year they will be replaced by unbranded bags. "Today the children in kindergarten want bags with fashionable elements. For example, there are bags with a three-dimensional front - a panda bear with embossed furry pompom ears, a shark that pulls a zipper reveals a colorful tongue, the character of Mickey Mouse with three-dimensional ears," says Neon.

According to him, the alternating sequins that make it possible to change the exterior of the bag, the extensive use of shimmering, shiny and metallic fabrics, bags in pastel shades, star prints, hearts and butterflies continue to star. Among the boys this year the Marvel comic book characters will also appear against a metallic background and in the football bags the ball is gilded and embossed. The starring teams besides Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid, and Juventus this year also figures of the Liverpool team are expressed on the front of the files. " 

In addition, Neon says that there is a trend and demand for bags that allow the option of attaching strollers to upper grades as well. "If until today trolley bags were especially popular for children in grades 1-2, in recent years there has been a demand from parents and children for strollers in higher grades. "In our backpacks, there is an option to attach a customized stroller to them. Also in the fashionable outdoor bags for teenagers, using a hidden connector at the bottom of the bag, so if you do not want to carry the stroller by pressing the connector, the bag detaches from the stroller and can be carried on the back." According to him, in orthopedic bags, the emphasis now is not only on the issue of weight reduction, but also various improvements and upgrades to the bag. Like a back mesh that allows for quick ventilation and evaporation of sweat inspired by the world of camping. Another innovation is the addition of an additional outer compartment that opens lengthwise, designed for quick retrieval of pages or storage of personal items and more. 

How to choose?

Just before running for the shopping trip, the Israeli Standards Institute asks parents to note that a satchel will be attached to a Hebrew label with the manufacturer's details and an information leaflet and a guide on how to properly adjust the straps. It is advisable that the satchel straps, which come in contact with the shoulders, be wide and padded. Make sure that the hem of the suspenders is not sharp and the back of the schoolbag is hard and padded. 

It is recommended to check that the zipper of the satchel opens and closes properly, the presence of reflective films on the front, on the sides of the satchel and on the back of the suspenders and that the satchel is watertight or equipped with a removable rain cover. 

It should be noted that the weight of the backpack, which is carried on the back, including its contents, should not exceed 15% of the child's weight to prevent problems and back pain. 

As for popular trolley bags in recent years, the physiotherapy service at Schneider Medical Center for Children recommends using a school bag with wheels according to the road conditions from home to school and back, especially if it is a straight sidewalk without bumps. It 

is advisable not to purchase a trolley bag for a child in class Climb stairs or ride a shuttle, as it requires a lot of effort in lifting. 

Keep in mind that such bags when dragged encourage asymmetrical movement in the back and hands and create a twist of the body, so the recommendation is for those who use a trolley bag to pull the bag once with the right hand and once with the left hand.