Top of the Class

MISSION, KS--(Marketwired - Aug 20, 2014) - (Family Features) For many parents, the back to school season means running from store to store in search of everything the kids need for a successful academic year. Use this special guide, which includes everything from on-trend footwear to portable chargers that power devices, to outfit your star pupils in style.

Whether your child is in kindergarten or finishing up their high school career, these tech and fashion forward products will be a hit in the classroom and beyond.

Stylish finds for the school year

Fashionable feet
Get kids off on the right foot this school year with athletic footwear, apparel and accessories including backpacks from Kids Foot Locker, which carries the largest selection for children with brands like Nike, Jordan, Adidas, Converse, New Balance, New Era and more. Visit your area Kids Foot Locker store and www.kidsfootlocker.com to explore the hottest items for back-to-school, including the new Nike Lebron Zoom Soldier VIII, a versatile sneaker for any active child that is available in black and an array of colors.

A bag for school basics
Pencils, erasers, calculators and glue -- these are just a few of the things your little learner needs to carry with them while hopping from class to class. Help them keep everything in one place with a handy pencil bag. With a variety of size, color and material options available, your student can find the case that suits their academic needs. For a fun way to keep track of their items, look for canvas or heavy-duty fabric options that can be personalized with your child's name in their favorite font.

Organized and accessorized
Keep those notes, papers and study materials in order with a quality, multi-pocket binder. Now available with features -- such as plastic strips that quickly lock notebooks and folders into the binder, as well as vertical compartments so important papers won't slip out -- these binders are new and improved from your childhood days. They also come in a variety of colors and patterns, so your child can customize this handy tool to their liking.

Personalized and prepared
Fit those papers, tests and homework inside a special folder that reflects your child's unique style. In their choice of trendy colors and patterns, personalized folders allow kids to proudly showcase their name, stay organized and look chic all at the same time. Whether they like polka dots, stripes or chevron patterns, your child will have no problem locating their folder from all the others.

Smart technology for academic success

Power your studies
RadioShack's Slim Portable Power Bank is the lifesaver you didn't know you needed as you head back to class. These credit-card sized banks keep devices powered up when there's no outlet available. They provide 3 hours, 11 hours or 17 hours of talk time and charge quickly from any USB port. They're great to throw in a backpack, as they maintain 95 percent of their charge for a month with an auto-off feature. Find yours at RadioShack and RadioShack.com.

Learning gets an upgrade
Tablets aren't just for play anymore. From learning systems programmed with software created for young minds to educational apps that can be downloaded onto a standard device, tablets are bringing home classroom skills in an entertaining, engaging way. Let your kids learn their ABCs, brush up on writing skills, solve mathematical problems and create artwork all from these handheld devices. For the accessorizing youngster, many carrying cases and sleeve protectors serve up a splash of color for this powerful learning tool.

Listen up
Whether hearing their favorite music while walking to school or using their laptop for an online study tutorial, your scholar needs a set of quality earbuds to take it all in. Designed with lightweight and compact carrying in mind, earbuds have become an essential tool for most students. With styles that range from their favorite cartoon and video game characters to bright neon colors, your child can find the set that perfectly reflects their back-to-school style.

Start the day right
When it comes to getting everyone up and out the door in the morning, busy parents have enough on their minds. Give your child (and yourself) the gift of an alarm clock. For your young student, look for alarms that serve as a nightlight or those that play soothing sounds to lure them to sleep at night. Your middle school or teenage students will enjoy pastel or stainless steel clocks with a retro design and those that offer a smartphone dock to charge their important devices.

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