And the school supply list is in--

[mamacatnv]

well, i went to my local wal-mart today, all i needed was a clear backpack (last year, they had DOZENS in stock, even after school started) and there wasn't a single clear backpack to be found! so i go to k-mart, and the only clear backpack they had was $18.99! DH said let's drive over to academy sports (just 2 blocks away) and see what they have-i was skeptical, b/c their prices are usually pretty high-but they had a clear, pink backpack for $9.99!

Clear??? is that a mandate of some sort or your DD just wanted clear? Just curious I do not think I have ever seen a clear backpack - it is plastic I assume, how do they hold up?

Personally I have learned to invest in the Jansports and DS had the same one for 4 yrs of high school (plus 2 WDW trips ) We got him a new one for college last year that had the laptop sleeve he needed.
I bought DD a Jansport in 2nd grade and now heading into 5th we just got her a new one. Not because her's was worn out but because she needed a larger one.

 

[CF'er]

With all the great 1 cent sales the last couple years I've done pretty well on school supplies..... then there was the 3 ring binders. I spent more on 1 binder than I did all the other supplies combined. This year it's going to be the same thing. And I need 5 or so of them 3 are the 3" ones. And you can't buy the cheap one or you'll be replacing that before the first month of school is over.

 

[aprilgail2]

Are these lists from private schools or public schools? Here in PA public school, you need a backpack and a lunchbox. I send my kid with pencils too, but they are not necessary.

Public school for us.

DD16 will be a junior in High School and this is how it goes for her too...EXCEPT...she gets the lists from the teachers the first day and is expected to have all the items the very next day! Usually the requests are very, very basic in high school though. Basically notebook/binder, dividers, paper, pencils, the occassional specialty item but really very simple. Usually no crayons/markers/glue/scissors.

!

I had that problem when I was in school- my mom didn't drive and my dad didn't get home until late so when we started school on Wed they would give you lists of things you needed by the next day and I could never have them until the following Monday because my dad would take me over the weekend to get the stuff. I had to endure 2 days of teachers nagging "where are your supplies" before I could get mine!!

 

[momof1princess]

Clear??? is that a mandate of some sort or your DD just wanted clear? Just curious I do not think I have ever seen a clear backpack - it is plastic I assume, how do they hold up?

Personally I have learned to invest in the Jansports and DS had the same one for 4 yrs of high school (plus 2 WDW trips ) We got him a new one for college last year that had the laptop sleeve he needed.
I bought DD a Jansport in 2nd grade and now heading into 5th we just got her a new one. Not because her's was worn out but because she needed a larger one.

unfortunately, clear backpacks are a requirement at DD's middle school. i'm hoping this is the last year she'll need one. it's probably not the cool thing to have one, but DD is hopelessly unorganized (although she improved some last year) and could never get everything home without losing something if it wasn't in a backpack. the one we bought her last year for 5th grade lasted the whole year, so if the one we bought today doesn't make it, we'll have a backup. ordinarily, they don't hold up for an entire school year (especially for the boys) but DD tries hard to take care of her things.

 

[KristineN]

I won't complain about my younger kids' school lists anymore....just got the high school kid's book fees sheet....$551.50! I wasn't expecting it to be that high!

 

[december]

Public school-just got dd9's 4th grade list, and it makes up for how short ds12's list was! So PA even provides pencils?

We don't have to pay for books, though. Those are provided. Also, I have a class set of graphing calcs (I teach math) that we use. A few of my kids have their own, but not many.

 

[spaceacewannabe]

I'm so sorry - I used to hate those dang lists! My BFF and I used to laugh every year about the massive amounts of Kleenex that go to classrooms, we think somewhere there is a secret garden filled with Kleenex

Ah, you'd hope, but by March, some classrooms will be out.

 

[Mom2Nick]

Clear??? is that a mandate of some sort or your DD just wanted clear? Just curious I do not think I have ever seen a clear backpack - it is plastic I assume, how do they hold up?

I see them all over. We have a set of clear ones that we use for the kids when we travel so I don't have to hear them crying that they cannot find this game or that game or their headphones are "missing". Got them from Wal Mart for under $10 each IMO they are good enough for traveling but not nearly good enough for the regular beating my kids give their backpacks. I invest some good $$ into LL Bean packs and they last for quite a long time. I even throw them in the washer

And and to the OP - move to my town. We are asked to provide a fed, washed and well rested child, lunch or lunch money and a backpack. That's it. The school and PTA provides the rest.

 

[aprilgail2]

.just got the high school kid's book fees sheet....$551.50! I wasn't expecting it to be that high!

you have to pay for books?? In the Jr. High they give the kids a second set to keep at home so they won't have to carry them all back and forth!

 

[powellrj]

you have to pay for books?? In the Jr. High they give the kids a second set to keep at home so they won't have to carry them all back and forth!

Yep, not only do we pay for books, its book RENTAL, you don't get to keep them! The worst is many time you pay, but you only get to use the book during class time because they don't have enough books for everyone to have their own.

I got our letter last week and DDs for 8th grade were only $100, subject to change.... Last year when DS was a senior, his were over $300. Thats not much more than I am paying for his college books and he gets to keep those!

 

[AustinTink]

Our school is making us buy the prepackaged school supplies. I don't even know what he will be getting. I just know I shelled out $56 for it yesterday.

 

[Buckalew11]

Clear??? is that a mandate of some sort or your DD just wanted clear? Just curious I do not think I have ever seen a clear backpack - it is plastic I assume, how do they hold up?

Personally I have learned to invest in the Jansports and DS had the same one for 4 yrs of high school (plus 2 WDW trips ) We got him a new one for college last year that had the laptop sleeve he needed.
I bought DD a Jansport in 2nd grade and now heading into 5th we just got her a new one. Not because her's was worn out but because she needed a larger one.

Clear is what a lot of the public schools HAVE to carry around here. No concealed weapons maybe?

Those Jansports are always pretty. We always did LLBean and Land's End backpacks and had them for years. I agree in investing a little more and you get a good quality backpack.

However, if the rule is plastic, no choices there. How unexciting though. Clear. Plastic. ick.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

well, i went to my local wal-mart today, all i needed was a clear backpack (last year, they had DOZENS in stock, even after school started) and there wasn't a single clear backpack to be found! so i go to k-mart, and the only clear backpack they had was $18.99! DH said let's drive over to academy sports (just 2 blocks away) and see what they have-i was skeptical, b/c their prices are usually pretty high-but they had a clear, pink backpack for $9.99!

We go through this search every year. Our public schools will only allow clear or mesh back packs. Walmart carries really crappy ones that don't even last one year. Target and KMart that sit right in the middle of the county don't carry any clear or mesh bags, so I guess they are only interested in private school money. I ended up going on line and buying a good brand so it may last more than one year.

BTW everyone, Staples is having a full rebate on any backpack starting this Sunday. I'm sure they won't have one that my kids can use, but I might go get one for myself for an upcoming trip.


I always buy extras of things on the lists to give to the teacher at the beginning of the year. I hate to think about how much they spend OOP for school supplies.

 

[aprilgail2]

Yep, not only do we pay for books, its book RENTAL, you don't get to keep them! The worst is many time you pay, but you only get to use the book during class time because they don't have enough books for everyone to have their own.

I got our letter last week and DDs for 8th grade were only $100, subject to change.... Last year when DS was a senior, his were over $300. Thats not much more than I am paying for his college books and he gets to keep those!

And what exactly happens when someone doesn't pay? They are not allowed to use a textbook LOL?? That would never fly here, you would have about half of the parents paying for books, the rest just wouldn't.

 

[momof1princess]

We go through this search every year. Our public schools will only allow clear or mesh back packs. Walmart carries really crappy ones that don't even last one year. Target and KMart that sit right in the middle of the county don't carry any clear or mesh bags, so I guess they are only interested in private school money. I ended up going on line and buying a good brand so it may last more than one year.

BTW everyone, Staples is having a full rebate on any backpack starting this Sunday. I'm sure they won't have one that my kids can use, but I might go get one for myself for an upcoming trip.


I always buy extras of things on the lists to give to the teacher at the beginning of the year. I hate to think about how much they spend OOP for school supplies.

well, the mom of one of DD's classmates just told me she bought the exact same backpack last year that i bought today, and it broke FOUR times before she finally gave up returning it! i think i made a boo-boo...should've sprung for the $18.00.

 

[TinkInPink]

Sorry about the theft, my DD's school had some issues with stuff beig stolen out of backpacks while kids were in the hallways between classes! (ONe of the reasons DD carries a bookbag).

We bought DD's TI84 Silver graphing calculator at Costco. It was cheaper than anywhere else plus I love that Costco rebate. Even though we could have gotten her the less-powerful version at the time(We got it for her in 8th Grade), we opted for the one that had more bells & whistles. She still has it and used it all this past year in 10th Grade. She'll be taking Physics & Pre-Calc as a junior in the fall, I'm hopeful she can still use her old calculator but we haven't heard yet.

Unless the school has an issue with it, a TI84 will be fine for precalc and calc. (it's what i used this year and some kids even had 83's)

 

[TinkInPink]

I will say that having an actual supply list is something I sorta miss. (but not these insane lists! woah!)
Being in HS we get a packet with supplies for each class, and that's it. they're usually at least a few years old, and many times it isn't what the teacher wants nor does it actually give you any idea what to buy. and it always works out that the list you figure is a few years old and you don't have to buy is the one teacher that wants you to have everything on their list..grrrr!

I also HATE the teachers who give you the list the first day and then start taking points off because you couldn't find the correct color binder etc, by the next day. and while it may not seem like much, in HS missing the first 5 or so points in a class in the first week is never good..

 

[xanphylus]

My DD8 goes to a public school that is in a pretty much low income area. Luckily we are not really in that boat, but most of the kids are at her school. Her teacher last year said about half of the requested school supplies came in for her class. They have a list about half a mile long, but it is the same for the whole grade level at her school, no specific requests from each teacher usually. You can buy the supplies at her school for a discounted price, but we still buy them cheaper on our own and buy extras to send in. We also send in little activities just about every holiday for the kids- her teachers love that!

 

[C.Ann]

As a teacher, I'm always amazed by these threads. People complain and complain, but what can be done? When we were kids, it wasn't this way, that's true. But when we were kids, there weren't computers in the schools (I went to school in the 70s), and technology is very expensive. Another thing that sucks the budget dry is the administrative salaries. My district has a declining enrollment -- far fewer students than we did 15 years ago. HOWEVER......we have ADDED administrators! HS and MS used to share a VP, now there's one in each building. There's also an assistant superintendent, where there never was one before! Those positions are costing $140K each, at least (I'm in a rural district....I know that these salaries are much higher in cities).

Don't blame the teachers. They can't control this. If you take a stand and don't send in the supplies your child's teacher is asking for, she'll just add them to the other things she spends her own money on for the classroom. I kept my receipts a few years back, and was SHOCKED to discover that I'd spent $2000 out of my own pocket on classroom supplies. And that's not unusual.

I'm so sorry that you had to spend so much money out of your own poocket, but you should be very proud of yourself for doing so.. It shows what a dedicated teacher you are and that no matter what, education comes first!

I serve on the local school board, so I am very familiar with the school budget. Maybe that's why the supply lists don't bother me, since I am one of the people who made the decision to cut the supply lines in the budget. Given the choice between laying off teachers and asking people to send in tissues and glue sticks, I'd rather ask for tissues and glue sticks. l.

Kudos to you as well! The supllies would not be of much use if you didn't have the teachers, right?

I just wanted to give you a great big THANK YOU! I teach 2nd grade. It's absolutely heartbreaking to watch a child come in on the first day of school and have no school supplies. They don't understand why mom or dad can't afford school supplies or simply choose not to buy them.

You can imagine what it's like to see their face when someone brings down a bag of school supplies from the office. (Thank goodness, we also have kind souls who donate school supplies! ) It's just like Christmas morning! So, thanks again for making a difference in a child's life!

I think sometimes people forget that it's the children who suffer when they don't have the necessary supplies.. Not only do they suffer from an educational stand point - but they have to suffer humiliation as well..

The small town that my summer place is located in has a yr.round population that consists of approximately 90% of the residents living at or below poverty level.. These are not people sitting back and collecting welfare - or getting food stamps - but rather families who drive many, many miles per day to get to jobs that pay little more than minimum wage.. They hunt in the fall and winter and fish in the spring and summer - for food - not "fun".. While the seasonal residents are still here, word goes out that the school is collecting used backpacks to be handed out to the children the first day of school.. Those with broken zippers are gladly accepted as well - because the school nurse devotes her summer months to repairing or replacing the broken zippers so that no child will go without a backpack in September.. There is a drop-off point where people can donate school supplies and the gratitude of having even one person drop off a few boxes of crayons or a few packs of lined paper is enough to make you want to cry - literally.. It's like you handed them a blank check..

It always saddens me when people complain about "shared" supplies.. During the summer months 500 sheets of paper can be purchased for 10 cents; boxes of crayons for 10 cents; anything from single to 5 subject notebooks 10 for a dollar; packs of 10 pencils 25 for a dollar.. Glue sticks can be as little as 5 cents a pack; rulers for 5 cents; and on and on.. A person could spend $25 and have enough school supplies for at least 10 children - 10 children who would otherwise be sitting there with nothing..

So many people have fallen on hard times recently - some worse than others - but if people were to make a combined effort, I don't see why any child should have to stand out in a classroom as the "one who didn't bring anything"..

I know I'll be making my donations up here this year - limited income or not.. I have numerous backpacks to be donated that I either picked up in garage sales or ended up with free when purchasing items on various web sites.. These kids are the future of where I live 7 months out of the year and if I can do anything at all to insure that they have what they need to succeed in school, you can be darn sure that I'm going to do it.. They deserve it..