Anyone else get annoyed.. (School Supplies)

[mom2my2gr8kids]

My kids school gives a list of required and then a list of optional additional things to share. Our school is EXTREMELY small, so usually everyone donates something. My dd is in 4th grade and there are 5 kids in her class! We have lots of extras to pay for as well, but I LOVE the education I am getting there, so no complaints from me!

 

[3"Mouse"keteers]

I wish that was all I had to spend. Read back a few pages and you are in for a real shocker. Our room fee for DD is $25 and for DS it will be $35. I bought everything on the list (at sale price and even had friends pick up at wall greens, staples and so on so forth) and her supplies were $86. This does not count the recomended things she should keep at home for homework or projects. I was a stay at home mom so I could have kept my kids for free. Not all districts are the same and some of us are really feeling the pinch here.

I teach in a very poor community and am not allowed to ask parents to spend that much on supplies. I have to end up spending my own money for things I need in the classroom.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I also get annoyed at the lists. I am especially annoyed that I had to send in expo markers last year, and they weren't sent home. I am sure they weren't dry. Here is this years 2nd grade list:

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]6 marble composition notebooks (black and white) ​

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 yellow plastic-coated folder (durable) with pockets on the bottom ​

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]4 folders with pockets on the bottom (1 red, 1 blue, 1 green,
1 purple- plastic preferred) ​

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 yellow highlighter ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 clipboard ​

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 pair of student scissors ​

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]12 large glue sticks ​

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]4 dozen pencils (sharpened if possible) ​

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 durable pencil case (please be sure your child’s supplies
will fit inside and it will also fit in a full desk) ​

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 set of headphones (for the computer) labeled with your
child’s name (they can be found in the dollar store) ​

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 box Ziploc bags (Last names A-L large gallon and M-Z small quart) ​

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 box of baby wipes (we get messy at times) ​

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]2 boxes of 24 crayons ​

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 pack of low-odor expo markers ​

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[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 Package of washable markers ​

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MATERIALS FOR THE SPANISH CLASS:​

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[/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 plastic pocket folder- orange
•1 marble composition notebook
•1 small box of sharpened pencils ​

•​

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Explain to me why they need 12 LARGE glue sticks?? 48 pencils (not counting what the Spanish teacher wants). I buy the little glue sticks that I get for .20 for 2, and I will send him in with 1 of them, and with 4 pencils, and 1 pack of crayons. When he needs more supplies, I will send them in. Now to the previous poster, who teaches in a poor area..I can understand you doing what you do. I do not live in a poor area, and if you live in my town and go to our schools, you can more than afford the school supplies. I also get annoyed since I pay 10 grand a year in property taxes.​

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[notsosnowwhite]

I sympathize with parents feeling the pain of back to school spending. I am a parent going through it as well. Try to empathize with your child's teacher / school system as well for what they do. When I taught first grade I was lucky if a child's small glue stick made it through a week with art projects, extra reading / station work and math workbook / manipulative work. Unfortunately when I sent home notes requesting additional supplies this would at times be met with hostility. I also kept track of how much I spent out of my pocket buying supplies for my class - well over $500 per year.

I know we worked hard to come up with a list that was reasonable for our students - 82% of which received free lunch / free textbooks. When we asked for specific supplies (ex - fiskar scissors, crayola crayons and markers, prang paints) it was because the quality it much better. I taught an inclusion class and ended up buying fiskar scissors for the whole class so that cutting paper would not be a task that ended in tears.

I know I always felt respect for parents that came to me with questions about procedures so perhaps you might want to question why 12 glue sticks are necessary. That does seem like a LOT of glue, but maybe the class has been selected to build a life size replica of Stonehenge out of popsicle sticks.

 

[JennCa]

A few parents complained to the district where I work and we are NOT allowed to ASK for school supplies/have a suggested list of supplies, etc. If someone asks my informally I can tell them what I would like, but I can't ask anyone directly in written form or otherwise. We were told that a few parents complained that their tax money should be used for school supplies and that they shouldn't be asked. We haven't asked for classroom money in ages for parties, etc.

What is funny is that I can have a wish list for non-school supply items like paper towels, tissues, glitter, stamps, stickers, etc.

The majority of the families are well off, and many I'm sure will be confused that we haven't ASKED for anything. I know most of them are expecting to buy something. In past when we had a recommended list 19 out of 20 kids would bring it in and I personally never had a complaint about it.

I have a $140 classroom budget for my construction paper, coloring paper, handwriting paper, glue, glue sticks, scissors, stapler, snacks for the kids, water color paint, tape, staples, tempura paint, all party supplies for the whole year, all craft projects like Christmas type presents, pay for children who can't afford field trip donations (we still ask for that but the school doesn't pay, the teacher does, although it is rare) It also includes my overhead transparancies, colored xerox paper, index cards, wet wipes, sticky notes and anything else you can think of.

Just to buy 45 glues, 45 glue sticks, 40 folders for the homework, teacher scissors, teacher stapler, tape, post it notes, pencils, markers, dry erase markers, construction paper for the 1st trimester, envelopes, nametags, a welcome poster I've already spent the majority of the money and school hasn't started!

I can tell you the quality of what I can do is seriously impacted if I were on a serious budget. I always expect to kick in a few hundred bucks extra a year, but this year looks like more. I have decided to cut back in a few ways though. For one thing I've decided coloring pencils are too much so I'm only buying crayons and markers this year. I have bought double sets of glue, glue sticks and crayons. Normally I buy each child a book for Christmas and instead this year I will give them their second set of supplies. Luckily I am happy to chip in some extra to buy the supplies needed for our art program, but if you were on a budget that would get scrapped as the paper, paint, stamps, etc can add up. As for parties, we aren't allowed homemade items so I will ask people to donate store bought items and we will keep it simple.

My daughter is starting Kinder this year in the same district and I plan on donating quite a bit to her class as well. I consider donating to my own classroom and my child's my charity.

If someone asked for their supplies back, I would tell them I'd personally buy their supplies for their child so no complaints, but imagine how generous I would feel sending home my personal books for reading, my personal games for remediation, etc. Obviously if money is an issue I would bend over backwards, I've bought kids alarm clocks, jackets, lunch boxes, books, lunches( these are not low income so no free lunches, mom just forgets and they've maxed out borrowing with the lunch lady!), etc.

Only my 2 cents.

Jenn

 

[saratogadreamin09]

Think about how selfish that sounds......Do you have any idea how much money your child's teacher spends out of her own pocket on your child? As a teacher myself, I'm sure it's quite a bit. That would be like sending snacks for a party and asking that any leftovers be returned to you. I take up all supplies at the beginning of the year and then distribute them for community use like in baskets on their tables. I ask that parents only buy plain supplies like plain folders, crayola crayons, fiskar scissors, so that all of the children have the same supplies to use. If they want to bring in other supplies like special folders they can keep those in their desks as long as they bring in the basic supplies that I ask for. I feel that a couple boxes of crayons, packs of pencils, and glue sticks is not very much at all to ask for considering how much I spend out of my own pocket on each student.

my sixth grade teacher spent so much out of her own pocket for us and all I remember is most of the kids in my calss disrespecting her things




I agree,

 

[saratogadreamin09]

as for money wise, my parents had to spend about $10,000 to send me through hish school so i wouldn't complain over spending $35 in supplies!!!!!

I believe that public schools should make parents buy the supplies for their own kids because the parents on't pay for anything else!!!!!!!!!

 

[noodleknitter]

as for money wise, my parents had to spend about $10,000 to send me through hish school so i wouldn't complain over spending $35 in supplies!!!!!

I believe that public schools should make parents buy the supplies for their own kids because the parents on't pay for anything else!!!!!!!!!

Do you ever plan on owning property?

 

[mjkacmom]

I also get annoyed at the lists. I am especially annoyed that I had to send in expo markers last year, and they weren't sent home. I am sure they weren't dry. Here is this years 2nd grade list:

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]6 marble composition notebooks (black and white) ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 yellow plastic-coated folder (durable) with pockets on the bottom ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]4 folders with pockets on the bottom (1 red, 1 blue, 1 green,
1 purple- plastic preferred) ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 yellow highlighter ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 clipboard ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 pair of student scissors ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]12 large glue sticks ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]4 dozen pencils (sharpened if possible) ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 durable pencil case (please be sure your child’s supplies
will fit inside and it will also fit in a full desk) ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 set of headphones (for the computer) labeled with your
child’s name (they can be found in the dollar store) ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 box Ziploc bags (Last names A-L large gallon and M-Z small quart) ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 box of baby wipes (we get messy at times) ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]2 boxes of 24 crayons ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 pack of low-odor expo markers ​

[/FONT][/FONT]

□​

[FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 Package of washable markers ​

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]

MATERIALS FOR THE SPANISH CLASS:​

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]

•​

[/FONT]​

[/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]1 plastic pocket folder- orange
•1 marble composition notebook
•1 small box of sharpened pencils ​

•​

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]

​

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS][FONT=Comic Sans MS,Comic Sans MS]

Explain to me why they need 12 LARGE glue sticks?? 48 pencils (not counting what the Spanish teacher wants). I buy the little glue sticks that I get for .20 for 2, and I will send him in with 1 of them, and with 4 pencils, and 1 pack of crayons. When he needs more supplies, I will send them in. Now to the previous poster, who teaches in a poor area..I can understand you doing what you do. I do not live in a poor area, and if you live in my town and go to our schools, you can more than afford the school supplies. I also get annoyed since I pay 10 grand a year in property taxes.​

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From what I gather from that list, the teacher has a community supply. That means, when your kid's glue stick is gone, another parent will have provided the replacement. When your kid's blue crayon is gone, another parent will provide the replacement. I don't want my childrens' teachers to have to send a note home to each individual parent when their child's supplies are dwindling - just have everyone contribute the same amount.

BTW, my taxes are over $10,000 - and I will be happy to contribute what the teachers ask, because no matter how much it will cost me (and with 5, it will cost me), it will still be less than what they personally contribute.

Edited to add that the reason she is asking for so many crayons and glue sticks is to cover for those who only send in one glue stick and 8 crayons.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

cheer up. at least your children will actually be using those supplies you bought. Think of all your friends/neighbors who are spending thousands of tax dollars to support your children's education, when they may not even have children. It doesn't seem unreasonable to expect non-impoverished parents of enrolled public school students to spend a little extra when the benefit accrues directly to their child.

Someone had to pay for their education when they were kids. That is one of the most selfish statements so far...

I homeschool my kids. I have no problem paying taxes that will education others' children. Why? Because in the future we will need more doctors, lawyers, teachers, ect. They don't just grow on trees. And, although I hope my children grow up to be scientists or doctors, we need more than two.

My last 2 years of teaching in PS we weren't allowed to ask for donations. My room parent would call me up and ask if I needed anything. Usually it was just tissues and hand sanitizer. When I first started teaching I probably spent over $600 at the beginning of each year getting the classroom ready, but by the 6th year I spent maybe $50. And we got reimbursed from PTO up to $100 on classroom needs. I understand the community think for the younger grades, I don't understand the brand thing. The only thing I buy brand specific is crayons. Everything else is bought on sale!

 

[3"Mouse"keteers]

Do you ever plan on owning property?

Not trying to start the flames here, but I am so sick and tired of people playing the "property tax" card! You act like every penny of that property tax goes to the schools........well, it doesn't. It pays for other things too like the roads you drive on. Where I live the people want us to give their kids everything and build nice new schools, yet they won't even approve a quarter percent sales tax hike in order to pay for it! And yes, those who do pay property tax, do in part, pay for their child's education, but from my experience, the ones who complain the most about buying school supplies or don't even send them, live in government housing or apartments and don't pay property tax anyway!!!

 

[3"Mouse"keteers]

Someone had to pay for their education when they were kids. That is one of the most selfish statements so far...

I homeschool my kids. I have no problem paying taxes that will education others' children. Why? Because in the future we will need more doctors, lawyers, teachers, ect. They don't just grow on trees. And, although I hope my children grow up to be scientists or doctors, we need more than two.

My last 2 years of teaching in PS we weren't allowed to ask for donations. My room parent would call me up and ask if I needed anything. Usually it was just tissues and hand sanitizer. When I first started teaching I probably spent over $600 at the beginning of each year getting the classroom ready, but by the 6th year I spent maybe $50. And we got reimbursed from PTO up to $100 on classroom needs. I understand the community think for the younger grades, I don't understand the brand thing. The only thing I buy brand specific is crayons. Everything else is bought on sale!

The brand thing is about quality. I ask for crayola crayons because they work better. I also ask for fiskars scissors because they cut my much easily and smoother. Those are the only two things I ask for brands on. And as far as brand names, those are usually the ones you find on sale the cheapest!

 

[livndisney]

If you shop the sales, school supplies shouldn't cost you an arm and leg. Here's my list:

2 Boxes of Crayons (22 cents each @Walmart)
2 Boxes plain yellow pencils (1 cent each @ Staples penny sale)
5 plain two pocket folders (1 cent each @ Staples penny sale)
1 pair of fiskars scissors ($1)
1 snap closure school box ($1)

$5 supply fee to cover the cost of paper, glue, and incentives

Total: Less than $10

Not too bad for free child care!

Wow, public school is now equated to "free child care"?

If this was the list I had to shop for, then no, I would not complain. The list I had to shop for contained 23 REQUIRED items. And very few of those items went on sale. I feel that $100 in supplies for a 1st grader is too much.

As far as brand specific items, what works for one may not work for another.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Not trying to start the flames here, but I am so sick and tired of people playing the "property tax" card! You act like every penny of that property tax goes to the schools........well, it doesn't. It pays for other things too like the roads you drive on. Where I live the people want us to give their kids everything and build nice new schools, yet they won't even approve a quarter percent sales tax hike in order to pay for it! And yes, those who do pay property tax, do in part, pay for their child's education, but from my experience, the ones who complain the most about buying school supplies or don't even send them, live in government housing or apartments and don't pay property tax anyway!!!

I'm not "playing this card", but our tax bill every shows exactly how much of our property taxes goes to support our public schools. It's about 1/3 of the amount we pay each year to send our DS to private school.

 

[3"Mouse"keteers]

Wow, public school is now equated to "free child care"?

If this was the list I had to shop for, then no, I would not complain. The list I had to shop for contained 23 REQUIRED items. And very few of those items went on sale. I feel that $100 in supplies for a 1st grader is too much.

As far as brand specific items, what works for one may not work for another.

I said that about free child care jokingly. As a teacher, I feel like a lot of parents think I am a free babysitter, so I was saying that wasn't very much to pay for a babysitter. Right now, I pay $320 a month to bring my son to the daycare at my school, so when he goes to kindergarten, I would be thrilled to only have to pay $100 for the entire year!

I honestly don't see any supply list costing $100 if you shop around, but if you don't provide those supplies for your child, then the teacher will have to spend out of her own pocket. Not all children will buy the supplies, but please don't cost the poor teacher even more money because you don't want to contribute. What upsets me is when my students can't pay their measly $5 supply fee, but then they have ice cream money every single day! I even allow them to bring in extra supplies in leui of the money in case they caught a good deal on supplies.

 

[livndisney]

I said that about free child care jokingly. As a teacher, I feel like a lot of parents think I am a free babysitter, so I was saying that wasn't very much to pay for a babysitter. Right now, I pay $320 a month to bring my son to the daycare at my school, so when he goes to kindergarten, I would be thrilled to only have to pay $100 for the entire year!

I honestly don't see any supply list costing $100 if you shop around, but if you don't provide those supplies for your child, then the teacher will have to spend out of her own pocket. Not all children will buy the supplies, but please don't cost the poor teacher even more money because you don't want to contribute. What upsets me is when my students can't pay their measly $5 supply fee, but then they have ice cream money every single day! I even allow them to bring in extra supplies in leui of the money in case they caught a good deal on supplies.

I can tell you, my child is not the one with ice cream money. She can't have ice cream. And it wasn't just $100 for the year. The school was ALWAYS asking for something else. Had those supplies actually been used by my child, perhaps I would feel differently. But I still had to provide more pencils, crayons, glue etc. (And this is after I sent in all the supplies).
I was told by the teacher later that the Principal (not the Teachers) made the supply list-she was stocking her storeroom.

It would seem I was not the only one who complained about the supply list as I looked it up for this year and it has been completely revised. Guess too many parents felt like I did.

 

[mommytobug]

in my experiences private school lists are longer


from my experiences


public school: 4 notebooks, 1 binder, pens, pencils, highlighters, book covers


private school:3 notebooks, 4 binders, graphing calculator, scientific calculator,pens, pencils, highlighters, markers, book covers, daily planner, ruler, protractor, goggles, pencil case

Just the opposite here except the public school list is LONG, it looks as though the list is combining items for 3 kids. I always look in Wal Mart when I am there. Same grade, public school, HUGE list.

 

[tspann]

Take a different view of the community supplies idea. Think about the child who's parents just don't have the money to buy the supplies their child or children need for school. Think about that child sitting there without the crayons or pencils needed to participate in the class for the day. Imagine how they feel.

I was one of those kids. My grandmother took custody of myself and my two younger brothers the summer before I started kindergarten and we lived with her until my youngest brother graduated high school. We just didn't have any money period. My grandmother was disabled and since my parents only intended this to be a "temporary" she couldn't get any type of financial assistance for us. Heck, half the time we didn't even have indoor plumbing or electricity in our houses (this was the late '70's/early 80's).

You have to remember that is not the child's fault in any way if they don't have the supplies they need. They (the child) have no control over whether or not their parents could and didn't buy the supplies or couldn't afford it and that is why they don't have what they need. The point is they are made the outsider and often teased by the other children when they don't have what they need.

While there are several organizations and individuals that could help those that can't afford the needed supplies, most of the time you have to be referred to them and a lot of times parents are too proud to admit they need help or just fall under the radar. I think you would all be surprised by how many families are living in "hidden" poverty these days. Everything looks great on the outside (nice house, nice clothes, ect) but are just plain broke. And, once again it's the children that are the ones who suffer from the embarrassment of not having the supplies they need when they need them.

Ok, I’ll stop preaching now

 

[mommytobug]

Take a different view of the community supplies idea. Think about the child who's parents just don't have the money to buy the supplies their child or children need for school. Think about that child sitting there without the crayons or pencils needed to participate in the class for the day. Imagine how they feel.

I was one of those kids. My grandmother took custody of myself and my two younger brothers the summer before I started kindergarten and we lived with her until my youngest brother graduated high school. We just didn't have any money period. My grandmother was disabled and since my parents only intended this to be a "temporary" she couldn't get any type of financial assistance for us. Heck, half the time we didn't even have indoor plumbing or electricity in our houses (this was the late '70's/early 80's).

You have to remember that is not the child's fault in any way if they don't have the supplies they need. They (the child) have no control over whether or not their parents could and didn't buy the supplies or couldn't afford it and that is why they don't have what they need. The point is they are made the outsider and often teased by the other children when they don't have what they need.

While there are several organizations and individuals that could help those that can't afford the needed supplies, most of the time you have to be referred to them and a lot of times parents are too proud to admit they need help or just fall under the radar. I think you would all be surprised by how many families are living in "hidden" poverty these days. Everything looks great on the outside (nice house, nice clothes, ect) but are just plain broke. And, once again it's the children that are the ones who suffer from the embarrassment of not having the supplies they need when they need them.

Ok, I’ll stop preaching now

What a powerful, wonderful statement. We should all think this way. I dont mind at all helping out, but as you mentioned, a lot of times I dont know who needs the help.

 

[melancholywings]

There's a disconnect between the schools and the families. I can understand about the schools asking for more money later. We don't mind paying for the supplies, or the field trip fees. I don't mind giving extra supplies, and would love to have a teacher who sent home notes asking for extra items for a class room activity. I craft and sew so I often have extra stuff lying around unusued that I'd love to donate to the classroom. I wouldn't mind donating food for a classroom party even though everything now has to be store bought. But so far I've never had a teacher that's attempted to be more proactive with parent involvement. (I can't volunteer time because DH and I both work full time - like many families.) And when I've offered the teacher various supplies (like a bucket full of geodes for the class to crack open), I got a luke warm response.

But through out the year we get flooded with so many requests for money from the PTA, the weekly take home folder is stuffed full with sales fliers for local activities, we even get pizza advertisments in it. That it makes me feel like all the school wants is my wallet.