Anyone ever send a note...

[RUDisney]

to their child's teacher to request that a new textbook be provided for the child?

I did that this morning. When I went to put a book sock on my DD's algebra book, the back cover was almost off of it and the front cover looked like it would be soon following.

I'm not looking for brand new, but for something that my DD won't have to treat with kid gloves for the entire year.

According to the inside cover, the book is over 16 years old. I think it's served its purpose.

 

[shortbun]

I'd have done it. I also might take the book to a library and ask about repairing it. I remember working on a repair crew for textbooks years ago as a volunteer. There are specific tools/tapes and things that you use. Be prepared, the school system may not have the money to replace the book.

 

[lucyanna girl]

I did ask Sarah's teacher to note the condition one of her books was in once. There were no more books so hers couldn't be exchanged but I didn't want to end up paying for a damaged book at the end of the year.

Penny

 

[minniebeth]

I would absolutely bring the condition of the book to the teacher's attention.
If it can't be replaced for lack of additonal books, at least to note the condition as to not have to be responsible for it at the end of the year as pps have stated.

16 years, wow.

 

[LilyWDW]

If they are using a 16 year old book in that condition, I would not hold out hope that there would be a newer one available.

Though I do have to wonder... why would they still use a textbook from 16 years ago? Maybe algebra hasn't changed that much, but still.

 

[Rora]

I would absolutely bring the condition of the book to the teacher's attention.
If it can't be replaced for lack of additonal books, at least to note the condition as to not have to be responsible for it at the end of the year as pps have stated.

16 years, wow.

I agree with this. You don't want to have to pay for the damage at the end of the year.

 

[MM27]

I had a parent send in a note once, but it was for a damaged page or pages inside the book, not the cover. I do flip through them at the end of the year when I collect them, but I guess I missed that this one had some damage. We don't have replacements for most books in my school so I copied the couple of pages for her from another students book. I know, copyright laws and all, but the mother was happy.

 

[RUDisney]

My DD didn't have a chance to give my note to her teacher today. She said she will tomorrow. I told her that if there aren't any other books available to ask if the school's librarian has the appropriate things to fix it for her.

If all else fails, I will be seeing her teacher tomorrow night at the back to school night and I'll ask her myself.

My DD is in honors math. I can't believe that they've not received even hand-me-down books in 16 years from the HS. Could you imagine how inexpensive your college books would have been if professors used books that were that old?

 

[tvguy]

If they are using a 16 year old book in that condition, I would not hold out hope that there would be a newer one available.

Though I do have to wonder... why would they still use a textbook from 16 years ago? Maybe algebra hasn't changed that much, but still.

Well, after Googling "History of Algebra" I'd say not much has changed with Algebra since the 16th century. (And I'm not kidding).
I have an issue with a book being in poor condition, but not with it being old. Been a big controversy here in California, where schools are throwing away brand new, never used textbooks because a new edition has come out, often where only the artwork on the cover has changed. Such a waste of money.
My kids went to private school, so we always had to buy our books, always got the cheapest used one we could, and sold it back at the end of the school year.

 

[golfgal]

No, I wouldn't send a note but I would tell my child to ask for a new book or ask if she can have it taped-maybe take it to the school librarian and have him/her tape it? If she is old enough to be taking Algebra she is old enough to ask for this on her own.

 

[FINFAN]

not only would I send a note, but I would take a picture as well. If there are no others books available, at least you have reference and so does the teacher of the condition your DD received the book in. If there is that much damage just filling out the form is not enough to free you from having to cover possible costs at the end of the year. We have learned to *CYA* on just about anything that needs to be returned to the school.

 

[RUDisney]

Turns out that my DD never gave the teacher the note. Instead, she stepped up and told the teacher herself that the book was unusable and she asked for another one. There were others in the closet and the teacher told her to go in to pick one out.

Easy as pie!