Back to school *vent*

[allison443]

Much of the stuff that doesn't get used never makes its way back home. Dh is a high school teacher. The amount of untouched supplies that the high school kids just trash at the end of the year drives him crazy. He always tells his students to take stuff home, but they don't. And no, he doesn't have time during exam week to be the trash can police.

A lot of these sale items don't do me any good because the lists we get are ridiculously specific. The stuff on them either doesn't exist or is not the same as what's on sale.

It definitely isn't his job to police the trash cans! I think the school should put empty boxes or something next to the trash bins so the kids could dump their unused supplies there...at least then they could be given to the teachers to use the following year rather than being wasted.

 

[daileyad]

I have no problem with buying the supplies my child needs. And I spend the money to get the better brands on stuff so I know they will have good supplies that will last. Then we show up at school with the supplies and the teachers say "just put it all over there, we share supplies." I spent the money so my kids would be ready to go, not so all the supplies could be thrown into a communal bin.

 

[SLP_PoohBear]

wow!
I don't think its unreasonable for 7th grade, and trust me in college I still used crayons (granted I was an education major but still )

Agreed! When I started nursing school one of the things on our required supply list was crayons and The Anatomy Coloring Book. I never thought at 24 I would be still be using coloring books but it was a God sent to help with learning!

 

[kamik86]

I have no problem with buying the supplies my child needs. And I spend the money to get the better brands on stuff so I know they will have good supplies that will last. Then we show up at school with the supplies and the teachers say "just put it all over there, we share supplies." I spent the money so my kids would be ready to go, not so all the supplies could be thrown into a communal bin.

This I would be all over. I would be at the school complaining until my child had their own supplies or I just got fed up and started homeschooling my kids. Every thread I read about schools on this and other websites makes me more and more likely to want to have my kids homeschooled and I don't even HAVE any yet.

I remember how awful and wasteful my high school was and they at least supplied many of these things.

Of course the communal bin will have kids taking things that don't use them properly and then all the kids will be expected to bring more. Oh and the kids that don't bring anything will have to be subsidized by the other parents... its ridiculous. I would be ok with most of these lists IF everything was used by my kids, I still wouldn't like it because as a student I wanted to use what I wanted to use, but I would do it. However if they HAD to share I would be upset. If their friends forget their pencil that is one thing I would have been the first in class to share my supplies with friends that I knew took care of stuff and would bring it back but even in second grade I had a few kids in my class that would NEVER be allowed to touch my supplies because they broke them or kept them.

 

[allison443]

This I would be all over. I would be at the school complaining until my child had their own supplies or I just got fed up and started homeschooling my kids. Every thread I read about schools on this and other websites makes me more and more likely to want to have my kids homeschooled and I don't even HAVE any yet.

I remember how awful and wasteful my high school was and they at least supplied many of these things.

Of course the communal bin will have kids taking things that don't use them properly and then all the kids will be expected to bring more. Oh and the kids that don't bring anything will have to be subsidized by the other parents... its ridiculous. I would be ok with most of these lists IF everything was used by my kids, I still wouldn't like it because as a student I wanted to use what I wanted to use, but I would do it. However if they HAD to share I would be upset. If their friends forget their pencil that is one thing I would have been the first in class to share my supplies with friends that I knew took care of stuff and would bring it back but even in second grade I had a few kids in my class that would NEVER be allowed to touch my supplies because they broke them or kept them.

My kids' schools never had them pool supplies for a communal bin. That is not the case everywhere. So don't rush into homeschooling just yet!

 

[thebeesknees]

That sounds like a good idea to me too, but you know some parents would complain that they were getting charged $20 when they could do their own shopping and buy the same things for less...it's hard to satisfy everyone.

Except that it's not $20. Here, it was $63 for my 4th grader and $56 for my 1st grader. And there are no electronics or computer items on their lists - that was just for the paper, folders, pencils, etc. No way!

 

[pandora174]

My DS 7 list is very similar & he's going to 2nd grade except for the calculator & 6 composition books vs 9 & art smock, $1 for an art box etc etc. It's a new school so those are "his" supplies. So I bought at least 3 of each. I didn't add it up but I probably spent $50 to $60 !! Not counting lunch box & backpack.

His old school was the whole communal supply thing & I HATED it. DS would come home telling me I am borrowing this or that because they ran out His new school all supplies are to be labled & each child has his own supply box. I am very type A when it comes to school stuff & supplies.

Both schools are private & I've compared with some of my friends who have kids in public school & the lists are pretty much similar. What I did notice is his new school specifically asked for the brand ex. Crayola, all markers & crayons have to be washable, specific color of folders & they had to be plastic vs cardbaord. I'm ok with that, the supplies will last longer & I love his new school. I was able to find everything at Wal-Mart so I'm off next week to buy uniforms

 

[kamik86]

My kids' schools never had them pool supplies for a communal bin. That is not the case everywhere. So don't rush into homeschooling just yet!

Oh I will definitely evaluate the schools in my area. However I know the schools in the area I go to now... I went there... and honestly I think its a miracle that I can read.

Oh wait my parents taught me that before school started thats why! Some of the students graduating from my high school couldn't.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

My kids have always had community supplies though elementary. It isn't a big deal to me as long as she has what she needs, but sometimes that becomes a problem. We are told to buy (fill in the blanks) and label nothing as it all gets pooled. I do that for the first round but when my kid(s) come home saying they have no pencils (or anything else, but that is the big one) then I do send more with their names on them. Also, are supplies are brand specific, for example DD8 needs 4 boxes of Crayola crayons, 24 count. No problem, they were $.25 each. I am actually glad they say brand name, I hate cheap crayons.

 

[threecrazykids]

In some of my kids classrooms they did this whole communal share thing and it drove me insane. They also had the option of having the PTA buy everything for you and put it all together for a fee ($5) but I never opted for it.

And I know this sounds harsh but another thing that drives me MAD is when the teachers specify items on the list. For example: PLAIN folders in red, white, yellow, blue, and green all with matching notebooks. I know in some instances they are keeping the kids organized but I had a teacher last year tell me that it was less about organization and more about not "pointing out or identifying the children whose parents weren't able to afford the cool ones". That makes me SO angry! I don't know about any of you but I distinctly remember how much fun it was to pick out the cool folders with the puppies and kitties on them or whatever the newest fad was. That was what got me excited and fired up for a new year!

The teachers in our district had listed out multi colored printer paper that was some weird brand they wanted...it ended up being $28.00 per ream and they wanted 3! Well needless to say after some parents had already paid for it they sent a letter home apologizing saying they had no idea it cost that much for each ream. I only bought one and called it good. I told the principal I would bring in another one later in the year if they needed them. I think that is how it should go with all supplies...start with what you need and then let me know if my child needs more throughout the year and I will send it.

For my older kids they don't have a list other than saying they will need a jump drive and some sort of agenda if needed. The rest is on us to decide what all they need based on their classes.

 

[Colleen27]

The only complaint I have about the lists my kids get is that we get them too late. Kmart and CVS - the only two chain stores in my town - already have their back to school stuff in stock and sales starting, but the kids won't get their supply lists until the first day of school. Since we start after Labor Day, by the time we get our lists the school supplies have long since been replaced by Halloween candy and Thanksgiving decorations in the seasonal aisle. And while I can guess at some things and buy them now, there's always some oddly specific requirement - like last year's plain, solid color, two pocket, three prong folders in 5 specific colors - that I end up driving the 20 miles to Staples and paying retail for because it isn't something that the stores in town carry outside of the too-short, too-early back-to-school season.

I can't imagine any given teacher's list changes that much from one year to the next, or that one 4th grade supply list is significantly different from the other 4th grade supply list at the same school. Why not send it home at the end of the previous school year or with the teacher assignment letter we get over the summer?

 

[mum4jenn]

That sounds like a good idea to me too, but you know some parents would complain that they were getting charged $20 when they could do their own shopping and buy the same things for less...it's hard to satisfy everyone.

Our school tried that 2 years ago and the supply fee was $40. They ran out of supplies by late March and had to send out emails and letters to parents to see if anyone would help with donations. After that they went back to a list.

 

[Colleen27]

And I know this sounds harsh but another thing that drives me MAD is when the teachers specify items on the list. For example: PLAIN folders in red, white, yellow, blue, and green all with matching notebooks. I know in some instances they are keeping the kids organized but I had a teacher last year tell me that it was less about organization and more about not "pointing out or identifying the children whose parents weren't able to afford the cool ones". That makes me SO angry! I don't know about any of you but I distinctly remember how much fun it was to pick out the cool folders with the puppies and kitties on them or whatever the newest fad was. That was what got me excited and fired up for a new year!

I know! They've taken a lot of the fun out of back to school with that stuff. I used to love going to pick out my folders and pencils, but now it is plain specific colored folders (for organization purposes) and plain pencils (so there are no arguments over mislaid/swapped/stolen pencils ).

 

[kamik86]

and more about not "pointing out or identifying the children whose parents weren't able to afford the cool ones"

I hate this too. I don't care what you do, kids will know.

Even if you make everyone where the EXACT same clothes from the same store and have the same supplies there will still be the kids with the better hair cuts. The kids with the game boys and other cooler toys. The kids that talk about going horseback riding or summer camp or whatever other activities they do after school and the kids that can't afford it will still know and the kids with more money will realize the other kids don't do any of these things.

Sometimes I want to shout at schools "you know what all the kids AREN'T equal they just aren't, some are better at some subjects then others, some will never get some of the subjects, some will have more/better experiences and stuff. Some will be better at sports, some will make friends easily and some won't. This is the way the world is and until we have no unique personality between people (which seems to be what they want) it always will be. That is why kids need to learn tolerance, to be proud of what they have, and to take pride in what your good at. To learn what works for them and how they learn, and many other lessons that schools not only aren't teaching (which is ok its parents job) but are actively trying to keep them from learning by trying to tell them everyone is the same. Life isn't fair and they need to slowly learn this in little ways because sometimes life is tough and they need to ready for it."

Honestly a part of me wonders if this is why college suicides are on the rise so much is it because this is the first time where kids learn that life isn't fair and no one really cares about their self-esteem anymore? Kids need to learn this slowly in elementary school its that some kids have cooler folders. In high school its that some kids make the sports teams. In college its that some kids get in and get the scholoarships and can handle the material.

I understand protecting kids from really awful things. From having to quit school at 15 and work because mom is sick (this happened to my mother). But to just make them learn to deal with the fact that some people have more then you?

 

[kamik86]

I really think teachers and parents and adults in general don't give kids enough credit. By 7th grade I bet most of them can be organized all by themself. Espeically if you just give them alittle advice but let them work it out.

I had a system that worked for me. Other kids wouldn't have been able to do it my way. Why do we coddle them so much to the point that they really start meeting our (lack of) expectations because they aren't used to doing anything?

 

[stm61]

Check the Walgreen's & CVS flyers (and office supply stores too) in conjunction with some of the coupon blogging sites and you can get many of the school supply items for pennies and free.

We bought so much last year when we started couponing, that we only have to buy a few things this year for our kids. And we paid next to nothing for a large portion of what we bought last year.

The only part of the lists that really bother me is the really specific stuff - like "Ticonderoga" pencils on that one list - really? It almost makes you think someone in the school has a connection with the company. A pencil is a pencil.

I used to think a pencil was a pencil. Until I went back to teaching and discovered that all the decorated ones that I bought in the dollar store's and at Target don't sharpen! I have a box full in my classroom that I bought and now can't use because the sharpener just eats them. I don't think Ticonderoga is the only decent brand out there, but maybe the teacher had a similar problem?

 

[stm61]

I hate this too. I don't care what you do, kids will know.

Even if you make everyone where the EXACT same clothes from the same store and have the same supplies there will still be the kids with the better hair cuts. The kids with the game boys and other cooler toys. The kids that talk about going horseback riding or summer camp or whatever other activities they do after school and the kids that can't afford it will still know and the kids with more money will realize the other kids don't do any of these things.

Sometimes I want to shout at schools "you know what all the kids AREN'T equal they just aren't, some are better at some subjects then others, some will never get some of the subjects, some will have more/better experiences and stuff. Some will be better at sports, some will make friends easily and some won't. This is the way the world is and until we have no unique personality between people (which seems to be what they want) it always will be. That is why kids need to learn tolerance, to be proud of what they have, and to take pride in what your good at. To learn what works for them and how they learn, and many other lessons that schools not only aren't teaching (which is ok its parents job) but are actively trying to keep them from learning by trying to tell them everyone is the same. Life isn't fair and they need to slowly learn this in little ways because sometimes life is tough and they need to ready for it."

Honestly a part of me wonders if this is why college suicides are on the rise so much is it because this is the first time where kids learn that life isn't fair and no one really cares about their self-esteem anymore? Kids need to learn this slowly in elementary school its that some kids have cooler folders. In high school its that some kids make the sports teams. In college its that some kids get in and get the scholoarships and can handle the material.

I understand protecting kids from really awful things. From having to quit school at 15 and work because mom is sick (this happened to my mother). But to just make them learn to deal with the fact that some people have more then you?

Believe me, the kids all know who can afford better things or nicer things and who can't. I work in a very low income school and they are constantly comparing who has what brand, and this starts in 1st grade. On the other hand, I've had kids in tears because the "richer" kids have tormented them, "look at my xxx, your's is cheap and ugly", "your Mama shops at Walmart", "look what I got and you don't". Some kids are just rotten when it comes to stuff like that. Asking for plain folders or notebooks eliminates some of the teasing, makes the day go a little easier, and avoids the issue of who stole who's xxxx because it had the cool picture on it.

 

[jsinsel]

I am both a science teacher AND a parent, so I can come at this from both perspectives. As a science teacher, I was given a budget of $250 last year. From this, I was expected to purchase all lab supplies, resources, and copy paper. Yes, COPY PAPER is not supplied by the school. Since I'd prefer to spend my meager budget on science supplies, I add 2 reams of copy paper to each student's supply list. Do parents get annoyed by this? Probably. But after spending $750 of my own money on my classroom last year, I don't really have a choice.

Previously, I taught in a Title I middle school with 94% free and reduced lunch and a majority non-English speaking population. We didn't even bother with a school supply list, as most of the kids wouldn't show up with anything - much less a graphing calculator and a jump drive! Instead, we had a room on the first floor dedicated to school supplies purchased by the district for the kids. When those ran out, I had to buy pencils/paper for my own classroom out of my pocket. We tried putting responsibility on the kids to bring their own things when supplies ran low, but few of them cared. If we didn't supply the pencils, etc., the kids would just sit in class and do nothing or cause trouble - far worse than buying $50 worth of pencils for the year. It's a no-win situation for the teacher.

As a parent, I recently spent $60 on supplies for my 1st grader. I'm okay with it, because I know the teachers have little money to work with - and lots of kids probably won't come to school with anything. This gets me upset with other PARENTS, but not the teachers. Educators are forced to deal with small classroom budgets, kids who come to school having not eaten dinner the previous night (but sporting the latest in Nike fashion and carrying a cell phone), apathetic parents, intense pressure to get students with IQs below the 10th percentile to pass proficiency exams, kids who are socially promoted to high school despite not being able to read above a 3rd grade level, gang violence in the hallways, drug use on the playgrounds, and on and on. If your schools are asking you to purchase items like calculators and jump drives, be happy you live in a district where most people can and will actually buy this stuff. It means your kids are probably going to school in a pretty decent place.

IMHO, a school supply list should really be the least of our concerns in this country.

 

[Glendamax]

LOVE THIS THREAD! I need to call this up when ever someone asks me if I'm gonna try to have a child even though I'm SINGLE, since I'm getting older. I can NOT see buying all this stuff on top of school clothes, as a single parent!

I wish you all the best....hang in there!

 

[Pigeon]

It definitely isn't his job to police the trash cans! I think the school should put empty boxes or something next to the trash bins so the kids could dump their unused supplies there...at least then they could be given to the teachers to use the following year rather than being wasted.

They already have the boxes. The kids can't be bothered to separate out the unused stuff and just dump it all.