Anyone else get annoyed.. (School Supplies)

[Fabinva]

It is a little annoying.
I do not mind sharing or buying extra for the class but would like to know that what I buy specifically for my kids (certain brands, washable, colors, shape, etc) does stay with them but that is not the case in our school so I buy the lower priced brands for their supply lists and buy the better quality extras for them to use at home, not big deal for us. I was a little shocked to see in son's 3rd grade list for this year a 20 (twenty!) count of glue sticks...seems a little much to me but guess teacher knows best.

 

[noodleknitter]

I was a little shocked to see in son's 3rd grade list for this year a 20 (twenty!) count of glue sticks...seems a little much to me but guess teacher knows best.

Perhaps she is serving them for snack..

 

[wdwmaw]

LOL, it is tough being a Republican and a Socialist at the same time!

Now that is funny.

I have allways bought for my children, sent extra in for other and sent monthly supplies in without being asked. I have written a book here and people are going to see this the way they want.

Its not about ME !! I will say this again School districts need to have fiscical responsibility. That is hard to do, but it can be done. Until then, the spill over is going to be placed on the backs of parents in the form of supplies, fees and whatever is deemed wish list for staff (ex. school wide matching t shirts). That annoys me !!

Those of you that don't mind sending in, your children have and even though you feel for those without, I don't think you have held the child in you arms that is going on a fiedtrip that does not have there class t shirt on that his parents can not afford. I allways buy 5 extra out of my money for my class, just had so many this past year. They sent in what they could and one parent cried during parent /teacher meeting over her money issues. I had sent tooth fairy money home and she was so thankfull. My money is best spent on real things children need. My son is in highschool but his elementary supply list ran me $20 max and that was double everything. Now, the same school supply list is $86 and that is with exactly whats on the list. Yes, I am annoyed

 

[caroline1851]

I just buy what's on the list and buy things each month that the classroom needs and I don't think beyond that. It's a contribution to the classroom and they can do whatever they'd like with that. I don't worry that i bought 5 boxes of tissues and other families didn' tbuy any, i just don't care. I have much bigger things to worry about in life....

 

[mrstbalt]

Our school district has the highest registration rate in the county at $150 per child, then after a certain date it goes up to $200! There are current residents that did not register by the deadline and refuse to pay the higher fee. You missed it, pay up and get over it! Thankfully our referendum passed but the dist. still has to watch their spending.
As for the supplies, there are a few things I would like my girls to get back. Crayons (Crayola) only because the other brands just plain crap, their lefty scissors that is the only ones they can use, their folders (they picked what they liked) and dry erase markers if they still work, they are just plain expensive.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Just had to comment on the fundraiser issue. My DD goes to Catholic school. All the schools are closing and merging into one school this year. We received a note home from the principal re: aftercare, before care, transportation, etc. On the note it happened to mention that the PTA/Home School Association will need to raise $150,000 this year for expenses! This is beyond the uniforms, school supplies, lunch, etc. It begins already and school's not back in session until September 6.

 

[Asellus]

I can't believe that your school system actually has the gall to charge to register the student for school??!! Alot of parents probably couldnt afford to pay $150-200 plus buy school supplies. (I know I couldnt....and I am not poor...) I really hope they dont try to pull that bull when I go to register my 4 yr old for school next year. (my next door neighbor's 5 yr old is starting school this year so I'll have to ask for details)

At least I have heard that the school I live near is as good as a private school....my kids will probably not go to private school until high school. (my schooling was so bad that I cant bear to see my kids in public high school....and I've heard the one I went to has gotten worse!)

I don't agree with parents subsidizing other parent's children. If they cant afford basic crayons and pencils then they obviously need to learn to shop. I've lived in government housing in the past...and some of my neighbors smoked....if they could afford cigarettes, then they can afford a small amount of school supplies.
(One of my stratagies this year will be to buy over the course of the year....that way I have it all ready....if there is a list from my elementary school, I can get it from my neighbors.) Buying over time makes stuff hurt much much worse.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I teach in a public school and I resent the implication that this is what teachers are like. Mabye, you got as bad teacher or two, but we are not all like this. I rewquire my high school students to have pencil, pen, paper, a notebook and a book it order to enter my classroom. If I did not do this do you have any idea how much I would be spending out of my own pocket to supply these things??? I have 120 students at a time. I CANNOT supply them with all they need. I do not get paid enough. It is a common misconception that schools have budgets for these things. Most do not! I have zero money at my disposal untill at least Nov 15th to spend in my classroom. Even after that point I am very limited. There are things like paper to run off worksheets, toner for the copier that i hve to buy to keep the class going. I would like to spend the rest on things to enhance the classroom experience like dissections for biology, chemicals for lab ect. I cannot do this if I have to provide pencils and paper to the whole class. Is it really that much of an inconvinence to buy and extra pack of paper, or a few pencils so that I am able to provide the kids with these kinds of experiences without stretching my personal finances? I have bought things my students need withy my own money many times b/c parents have this attitude!!!!

I most certainly do NOT expect the teachers to provide supplies. By the same token, teachers/schools/districts should not expect the parents to provide supplies for children other than their own.
My main complaint about the "disappearing bag" was that the teacher sent a list, I bought everything on the list, then DS had NONE of those items for his own use. If I would have kept the items at home and given them to DS as he needed them I wouldn't have had to continually buy duplicate supplies throughout the year. The teacher required a 5 subject notebook. I put it in the bag, we never saw it again. DS never used a 5 subject notebook at all, so whatever happened to it, it wasn't required for that class!

Yes, I thought asking for a ream of paper from every student was excessive. (This was a different teacher.) Especially since DS was only in the class a few more days, then they moved him to a new class with a whole new supply list. It was a math class, and I can honestly say that during his ENTIRE 6th grade year there were fewer than 10 times that he received anything that was pre-printed in math. So where does all of that paper go? The students worked from the overhead and from the book - there weren't any worksheets!

I am going to be far more cautious this year. I am sure I could send a bag of supplies to school with DS every day and somehow the school could make it all disappear. Since I know that's how it works I am not sending bags full of anything. I will send paper towels and Kleenex and so forth as requested, but that's as far as it goes.

 

[noodleknitter]

I don't agree with parents subsidizing other parent's children. If they cant afford basic crayons and pencils then they obviously need to learn to shop. I've lived in government housing in the past...and some of my neighbors smoked....if they could afford cigarettes, then they can afford a small amount of school supplies.

So, you've lived in govt. housing, and have a problem with children receiving "subsidies?" Are you KIDDING me?

 

[Frankiesmom]

This thread has turned beyond foungotsa- and should be closed. I agree with the PP who stated that whomever is b***ching about the school supply list and their kids -God forbid-SHARING with other CHILDREN-and who by the Grace of God have been privledged enough to have visited WDW many times-should just accept it for what it is! I was @ Toys R Us yesterday and the Crayola products were buy 1 get 2 free- so I bought way extra for my DS's class and plan to send in extra for his sweet friends whom I'm sure there are 2 less fortunate- but are the sweetest boys in the world! My DS is going into 2nd grade- is Autistic and heas been with these same other 7 boys now going on 3 years- anywho- I do NOT MIND sharing with these beautiful kids or any other in the school! So, Ah Salute!

 

[Asellus]

So, you've lived in govt. housing, and have a problem with children receiving "subsidies?" Are you KIDDING me?

I lived in government housing because I couldnt afford otherwise...do you think I liked it? I hated every second of it. I also paid $600 a month for that government housing and moved out the second I could afford it. Finding affordable housing in this state when its not partially government funded is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Not to mention those are completely different issues. Not being able to afford to live in a better house is a whole different issues from making sure your child has pencils and crayons for the year.

 

[noodleknitter]

I lived in government housing because I couldnt afford otherwise...do you think I liked it? I hated every second of it. I also paid $600 a month for that government housing and moved out the second I could afford it. Finding affordable housing in this state when its not partially government funded is like finding a needle in a haystack.

But you begrudge young kids school supplies? If help was there when you needed it, how on earth can you witch about crayons and scissors for kids?

Tax payers subsidized you, and you used them, even if you DID hate it.

 

[Frankiesmom]

These are kids we are arguing about people! Somehow- somewhere- some few forgot that Jesus loved little kids! Always ask yourself how would Jesus feel? The way some of you are reacting-is really reprehensible! Yet,I'm quite sure that you are all the people who give extra to support animals- but forget about people- another subject entirely! like I previously stated- this thread needs to be closed!

 

[Asellus]

But you begrudge young kids school supplies? If help was there when you needed it, how on earth can you witch about crayons and scissors for kids?

Tax payers subsidized you, and you used them, even if you DID hate it.

I'm not so much begrudging the kids...my point is that the parents can probably afford it. The problem is unfortunately that the parents just dont care about their child's education.

It looks like from my research that I will not have to send anything...according to the kindergarten registration for Westerly Public Schools....everything is already provided for all the children without outside donations. (they specifically said not to send anything)

 

[perkinsrose]

I bought 50 boxes.
DD will be bring crayons in for Valentines!

Thanks for the idea! I just bought a crateful for 22cents and my DD will do the same thing!

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm not so much begrudging the kids...my point is that the parents can probably afford it. The problem is unfortunately that the parents just dont care about their child's education.

It is not a good idea to leap to this conclusion. You never know the financial circumstances of your neighbors, just what they let you see. Implying that parents who have not been able to send supplies into school do not care about education is the same as folks implying that anyone on public assistance is somehow taking advantage of the safety net in place for them.

We always send in extra supplies for my DGD's class as do many other parents. My DD is shopping Walgreen's sale as we speak because she knows that these items are going to be on the list and that the teacher will appreciate extra. My DD does not mind sharing with others and if your DD loses her Dry Erase marker she can use one DD sent in.

 

[perkinsrose]

That the schools TELL you that you can not label school supplies that YOU buy so they can pass them out to other kids.. I will be the first to donate to others but do not tell me what to do with the things that I pay for.

I know what you mean. We donate to homeless shelters, food banks and non-profit groups. If school asks for specific item donations, i'll send in extras in case someone else couldn't. When it comes to the school supply list, if my child picks out a specific pair of scissors or a specific color notebook--I want my child to be able to have it. I also think it's important to teach children to be responsible for their belongings --last school year my DS had a desk pencil box where he kept his own crayons, etc. Though at the end of the year, he came home with 2 flimsy pair of scissors--neither of which were the Fiskars i bought him. I sent them both back to school. I will gladly spend a few extra dollars sending in duplicates for those that can't/don't send items for their child but i want my child to have the ones i bought for him.

One year, a child kept taking DS's pencil when he got up/went to the bathroom, etc. Not sure if he was taking it to use it or just hiding it to tease him. I finally wrote his name small with a Sharpie on a few yellow pencils and it was never a problem again.

When i was student teaching, my lead teacher had me write kids' names on a pencil and it really did help alot. Kids were not constantly saying--i lost my pencil, she took my pencil, etc. If one was on the floor, you knew whose it was. Simple thing that helped some.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Why can't the schools just give each parent a list of what their child will need, and then mention that they would be grateful for any extras the parent might like to purchase for others who are less fortunate? Doesn't the saying: You catch more bees with honey than vinegar, apply here? I have in the past, and would be happy in the future, to send in extras. However, telling me that I HAVE to is what bugs me. I mentioned on another post that there were plenty of instances (in my own case) where parents refused to send in a snack or money for a party and specifically said "why should I, someone else will feel bad and do it" or "they'll be extra, why should I pay?" I've also been partnered with other parent's children who come on class trips with no money and TELL ME -- my mom/dad said you have to pay since you're the chaperone (souvenirs, snacks, etc.).! WTH? Again, I will do it because I want to, not because you're telling me it's my obligation to provide for your child.

 

[ptcbass]

Anyone else have the problem of getting the list, buying the stuff and then showing up for school and the teacher says you don't need the stuff on the list for her classroom? Or there is a completely different list? I always end up buying binders and such that they won't even use! UUGHHH!

I haven't been able to read all of this thread but I do want to say first off that I don't mind giving extra for kids in need. BUT I am also not spending money on high end pencils (the ones that don't break so easily and that sharpen good) for my child to not be the one using them. Also they ask for all pencils to be turned into a classroom bin and then they all get sharpened and then kids can use them again. Problem with this is that my son complained about getting ones other people have chewed up. YUCK! For sanitary reasons I will not let my child use the community class room pencils. They also ask for 60 pencils to be sent in. My child would never use that many so I don't sent them. If they want to come out and ask for donations that is one thing but the way they are doing it is just wrong.

 

[Asellus]

Why can't the schools just give each parent a list of what their child will need, and then mention that they would be grateful for any extras the parent might like to purchase for others who are less fortunate? Doesn't the saying: You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, apply here? I have in the past, and would be happy in the future, to send in extras. However, telling me that I HAVE to is what bugs me. I mentioned on another post that there were plenty of instances (in my own case) where parents refused to send in a snack or money for a party and specifically said "why should I, someone else will feel bad and do it" or "they'll be extra, why should I pay?" I've also been partnered with other parent's children who come on class trips with no money and TELL ME -- my mom/dad said you have to pay since you're the chaperone (souvenirs, snacks, etc.).! WTH? Again, I will do it because I want to, not because you're telling me it's my obligation to provide for your child.

If they asked nicely....I would probably be willing to help out....I just can't take the demands. I just am not going to be happy to acquiesce to their demands that I supply the classroom.

Thats an interesting point PTCbass....my younger daughter will probably be one of those chewers....probably best she has her own pencils and doesnt share.