Back to school *vent*

A huge part of this thread seems to be a bout of "attack the teacher". This bothers me because, as a teacher, I see the merit in EVERY item I request. You know how much money I get for start-up supplies? NONE
I suggest Papermate pencils and Fiskars scissors, but do I get bent out of shape if I get another type? No - I'm just glad that I have families making an effort.

Please don't bite my head off because I truly AM one of the parents who do thank my kids teachers frequently and think they are invaluable to our future.

But, can I ask how it's justified for teachers to specify specific brands of supplies (ex. scissors, pencils, dry erase markers)? I'm assuming it's because they are nicer, better quality etc. Agree? But then these same teachers don't allow the kids to have the nicer more expensive folders and notebooks? They have to be the plain, colored, paper style folders, no glossy, no pictures etc. I just don't follow this line of thinking. At my kids school they specify CRAYOLA brands of colors, markers, etc. and state ONLY BASIC COLORS in huge font as well. I guess it just frustrates me as to how they judge what "needs" to be the more expensive brands yet we can't have little Timmy see that his new neighbor in his class has a Hello Kitty folder.:headache:
 
I was one of those 'have not' kids. All my friends had the Trappers, the cool folders, the sparkly pencils, etc. I had plain number 2's, plain folders and paper. I got teased a lot, but it was what it was. My parents made very poor choices (that's a whole other story, let me tell you!) so I didn't get many things I needed for school (not wanted, but actually needed). I look at the lists they have in WalMart now for what kids need and shake my head. But I also see it from the teacher's view as many need those supplies to keep the classroom running and like quite a few folks their budgets are quite thin. While I agree some things aren't necessary (if you don't have a computer why a thumb drive?) I be more than willing to have a teacher let me know what they actually need (copy paper, folders, etc.) and chip in for those.
 
I totally disagree on the bandages, paper towels and soap. The school is a business and it paid by through OUR TAXES. This is the reason that they care about raising test scores, if they didn’t they would be out of business or have their funding cut even more. Every business has to supply (incidentals) I was upset due to principle.
I get the teachers points of view and that why I just bought the items requested. The question should be why are we over paying city employees when we could use that money towards supplying our schools with the basics.

I agree. I should not have to send in tissues and babywipes. The school should be providing soap, water, and papertowels etc.
 
I'm not just ranting at teachers. I'm ranting about lists and mostly the whole sharing everyone must be equal thing. I don't have a problem with teachers as a whole.

I do have a problem with the attitude that everyone must be equal. I also have a problem with school administration that makes these budgets.

Lets have an example from my high school:

My high school which was technically not public since it was a vocational regional school and you had to be accepted to attend (which means we kicked out all the kids that failed because they don't turn in work and don't try). The stupidest thing they ever did was to insist that the school must be a 100% participating school in an organization called VICA (vocational industrial clubs of america) now this was not a bad organization but at many other schools you joined and decided you cared to participate and paid your own dues. AT are school they not only paid our dues (I agree with this) but when the organization decided that to be 100% participating you had to buy all the professional development books they did this!! However teachers and students both hated these books they had some great lessons but some awful ones and we didn't want to waste time on teh awful ones in class. We just didn't have the time with our pressed schedules (even more pressed due to the extra shop classes). So the school just didn't amke us do them.

Yeah that is right they bought the books every year ($20,000) to be a 100% participating school but didn't use them since they were useless.

Now all you teachers how far with that much money go in a school of about 500 students?

What did we get for being 100% participation? The right to spend more money sending a few extra students to the competitions each year then we would qualify for anyway. Thats all.
 

Please don't bite my head off because I truly AM one of the parents who do thank my kids teachers frequently and think they are invaluable to our future.

But, can I ask how it's justified for teachers to specify specific brands of supplies (ex. scissors, pencils, dry erase markers)? I'm assuming it's because they are nicer, better quality etc. Agree? But then these same teachers don't allow the kids to have the nicer more expensive folders and notebooks? They have to be the plain, colored, paper style folders, no glossy, no pictures etc. I just don't follow this line of thinking. At my kids school they specify CRAYOLA brands of colors, markers, etc. and state ONLY BASIC COLORS in huge font as well. I guess it just frustrates me as to how they judge what "needs" to be the more expensive brands yet we can't have little Timmy see that his new neighbor in his class has a Hello Kitty folder.:headache:
Probably because it is harder to color with roseart crayons or learn to cut with dollar store scissors. It really does make a difference when they are learning.
 
Probably because it is harder to color with roseart crayons or learn to cut with dollar store scissors. It really does make a difference when they are learning.

Are you serious? I'm not trying to be a smarta** but I have yet to meet anyone in my life that can't cut with scissors because they were "one of the kids who didn't have the money for Fiskars".:confused3
 
Probably because it is harder to color with roseart crayons or learn to cut with dollar store scissors. It really does make a difference when they are learning.

Exactly. Some brands just flat out preform better than others. Generic glue sticks are gummy and hard to use and they end up gluing their own lids on. Rose art glue is so thin that it can't be used without making an enormous mess. And after about 15 uses, the top won't close properly and glued seeps out and gets allover everything else in the pencil box. Roseart crayons are not only inferior to crayola in color and smoothness, but they are much more brittle, so they won't make it more than a few weeks before the tips are all broken off.

It isn't about status symbols, it's about having supplies that will last through the entire school year.
 
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Are you serious? I'm not trying to be a smarta** but I have yet to meet anyone in my life that can't cut with scissors because they were "one of the kids who didn't have the money for Fiskars".:confused3

I am being completely serious. I too thought it wasn't a big deal until I bought the better scissors. I had cheapy ones at home until I got the fiskars. The kids did much better with them, were much less awkward, and were quicker to master cutting.
 
All I can say is OMG:scared1:

Here is a list of what my youngest DD 7th grade wants purchased for the school year.

9 Composition notebooks
Pen/Pencil Pouch
3 boxes of Tissues
Blue and black pens – for all classes
Pencils – for all classes
Loose Leaf paper – All Classes
Hand held pencil sharpener (no batteries)
3-3 ring binder 1 ½ inch
1 Three-subject notebook
Calculator (Texas Instruments TI-34II)
2 pads of yellow lined paper
1 box of colored markers
Post Its
1 roll of scotch tape
5 folders
and some smaller stuff

I do not mean to disrespect any teachers out there but, REALLY!?!?!

Spanish class even has crayons on the list.
Math class alone has listed 2 com books, 3 subject notebook and a binder. I am blown away.

Anyone else out there floored by this list?


:confused3

What do you think a 7th grader would need?

Visit your local Walmart for many of these items very cheap.
 
Exactly. Some brands just flat out preform better than others. Generic glue sticks are gummy and hard to use and they end up gluing their own lids on. Rose art glue is so thin that it can't be used without making an enormous mess. And after about 15 uses, the top won't close properly and glued seeps out and gets allover everything else in the pencil box. Roseart crayons are not only inferior to crayola in color and smoothness, but they are much more brittle, so they won't make it more than a few weeks before the tips are all broken off.

It isn't about status symbols, it's about having supplies that will last through the entire school year.

I understand this now, and also the post below mine stated the same thing...it's about lasting the entire school year. So then why would these teachers want the cheap, flimsy, paper type folders and notebooks that are guaranteed to unbind and rip within the first few days? Notebooks and folders are used multiple times daily. I guess I feel if the school is going to ask me to help pay for room supplies for the school and teachers the least they can do is let my daughter have her 1 pick of a favorite folder or notebook to enjoy. Just frustrating.:headache:
 
Are you serious? I'm not trying to be a smarta** but I have yet to meet anyone in my life that can't cut with scissors because they were "one of the kids who didn't have the money for Fiskars".:confused3

Fiskars scissors cost about $2 per pair. The blades stay sharp, the pivot screw stays tight, they are easy for kids to grip, and they will last for years. They are absolutely worth the extra 69 cents.
 
I understand what you're saying and I was one of the not well-off kids also. You are never going to end all the teasing and tormenting, it's just not possible. But you can make life easier in the classroom by asking for the plain folders. You don't have to dictate brands, just ask for certain colors or things that don't have pictures or designs. The less time the teacher has to spend breaking up fights, comforting the ones in tears, and answering parents who want to know why you allow this to happen in your classroom, the more time they can spend actually teaching.

There's an easy way to end it... You just have to live far enough from any real retail development that EVERYONE shops at Kmart or the consignment shop because they're the only clothing stores within 20 miles. :rotfl:

I never really understood the focus on folders as an outlet for the classism/teasing. Is the difference between a 20 cent plain folder and a 50 cent folder with a picture really that upsetting to kids?
 
Are you serious? I'm not trying to be a smarta** but I have yet to meet anyone in my life that can't cut with scissors because they were "one of the kids who didn't have the money for Fiskars".:confused3

whether or not a child brings in fiskars, they will use that brand at school. Other parents just end up providing them. And yes it makes HUGE difference in learning to cut. And yes the brand matters. And FWIW, crayola crayons are less expensive than other brands, same thing with Fiskar scissors. I find it hard to believe you haven't seen the sale prices for this stuff. It's .25 for a box of crayola crayons pretty much everywhere and about $1 for the Fiskar scissors. That's if you haven't managed to get them for free through some promotion or another.

And does your child really care about the folders they use? I'd think they would want to be like the rest of class and pull out their 'red' folder for math instead of trying to remember whether math is in their horse folder or their puppy folder(which is probably the real reason they are no longer allowed). Makes it easier on everyone to have consistency. And those folders can be had for as little as a penny so again not hard on the wallet. They've never been allowed as long as my older DD has been in school (going into 7th grade) and it's never been an issue. If they want the folders we get them for home use. Problem solved.
 
I take it from the religious class that your child is going to a non-public school. From my experience, you pay a supply fee at the beginning of every year. Why in the world would a whole class need to by a three hole punch? And memory sticks?

Not sure how a "memory stick" is outrageous for a middle school student. Kids that age are probably doing a fair amount of computer work(some of which may start at school and come home as homework). Jump drives are the equivalent of yesterday's floppy discs. And compared to the notebooks, post-its, and pencils which get chewed up... a decent size USB jump drive can probably last a student for MS & HS. Wipe em at the end of the school year and you're good to go for the next.

I will admit... the three hole punch seems more of a classroom item that could be shared.
 
Trapper Keepers are strictly forbidden in our district. I'm not even sure what they are. But every single school supply list always has "NO TRAPPER KEEPERS" written in 30 pt font. I thought they were the crack cocaine of office supplies.
LOL, I didn't even know they still made Trapper Keepers. These were all the rage when I was in elementary school (1980s). IIRC, they're binders with cool designs that have a flap that velcros shut. They might also come with a matching pencil case, I can't remember for sure. I had one in 3rd or 4th grade, then I think they got banned. No idea why.
 
I understand this now, and also the post below mine stated the same thing...it's about lasting the entire school year. So then why would these teachers want the cheap, flimsy, paper type folders and notebooks that are guaranteed to unbind and rip within the first few days? Notebooks and folders are used multiple times daily. I guess I feel if the school is going to ask me to help pay for room supplies for the school and teachers the least they can do is let my daughter have her 1 pick of a favorite folder or notebook to enjoy. Just frustrating.:headache:

Because it's a distraction in the classroom. Teachers are under an enormous amount of pressure to get test scores up. I really don't think most people understand exactly how much. If kids aren't preforming the way the state thinks they should be, their (already meager) funding gets cut. That means that teachers have to do everything they can to minimize distractions in the classroom, particularly for those children who are struggling.
 
Probably because it is harder to color with roseart crayons or learn to cut with dollar store scissors. It really does make a difference when they are learning.

OMG, I can only wonder what my two straight A average kids might have otherwise achieved if they hadn't been burdened with non-name brand school supplies. Cure for cancer at the age of 12? Paintings at the Louvre? The injustice of it all. :lmao:
 
whether or not a child brings in fiskars, they will use that brand at school. Other parents just end up providing them. And yes it makes HUGE difference in learning to cut. And yes the brand matters. And FWIW, crayola crayons are less expensive than other brands, same thing with Fiskar scissors. I find it hard to believe you haven't seen the sale prices for this stuff. It's .25 for a box of crayola crayons pretty much everywhere and about $1 for the Fiskar scissors. That's if you haven't managed to get them for free through some promotion or another.

And does your child really care about the folders they use? I'd think they would want to be like the rest of class and pull out their 'red' folder for math instead of trying to remember whether math is in their horse folder or their puppy folder(which is probably the real reason they are no longer allowed). Makes it easier on everyone to have consistency. And those folders can be had for as little as a penny so again not hard on the wallet. They've never been allowed as long as my older DD has been in school (going into 7th grade) and it's never been an issue. If they want the folders we get them for home use. Problem solved.

I think I mentioned in an earlier post about the fact that one of the teachers at my school told me it was really NOT about organization, but more about eliminating the teasing towards the kids whose parents can't afford the "nicer, cool" folders. Also, I want to provide quality items that I'm not going to have to replace within 2 months time, so if I want to spend 2.00 on a nicer "red" folder why does the teacher mind? If another family can only afford the 0.05 folders and replace them every month that is their choice. I don't know...it's clearly not a huge issue, I'll continue to buy whatever is on the list, I just feel that teachers have really taken the fun out of shopping for school supplies for the new year. And yes, to a 5 year old, sometimes that Hello Kitty folder CAN make a difference on their first day of school.:sad2:
 
OMG, I can only wonder what my two straight A average kids might have otherwise achieved if they hadn't been burdened with non-name brand school supplies. Cure for cancer at the age of 12? Paintings at the Louvre? The injustice of it all. :lmao:
Laugh if you want, but I have seen the difference personally in my own home, and in a preschool classroom. Kids just have an easier time with sharp scissors that work properly and crayons that don't leave wax all over the page. Quality supplies make it easier for them to learn and properly develop fine motor skills. It is much easier to learn to cut if you are not fighting half broken scissors after week 2, and coloring in the lines is easier with crayons that flow smoothly and don't leave blobs of wax everywhere.


I teach high scool, and am having to ask for things for the first time this year. We have gotten 0$ for classroom supplies the last 2 years. If I want copies I have to ask for paper or buy it. Need red pens? I have to buy them. Need pencils for the kids who never have one? Me buying them. White out, a hole punch, pencil sharpener, dry erase markers, the list goes on. I bought last year, and I just cannot do it this year I am going to have to ask the parents to help this year.
 
I am freaked out every year by our school supply list because (1) it contains supplies my kids never use and bring home at the end of the year and (2) it contains supplies for the teacher to use, not my kids. For example, this year I will be buying:

Paper Towels
Kleenex tissue
12 red med stick pens
1 pkg Expo dry erase markers
1 9x12 Manila Paper 50 ct

I live in a wealthy school district so I simply don't understand why our school doesn't order these supplies for teacher classrooms. My husband is a teacher and I tell him not to dare place these type items on the kids school supply lists. We buy the items for his classroom. I watch the sale papers and buy tons of tissues, red pens, dry erase markers, etc. when we see them on sale.

Just my two cents and I'm sure there are plenty of people who will disagree. But the point is I will buy whatever supplies my kids need and whatever supplies my husband needs (as a teacher) but I get a bit resentful buying all the stuff for all the other classrooms.
 

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