Back to school *vent*

[ilovejack02]

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.

Dollar store pencils are awful, only can sharpen a cpl of times before lead falls out. I totally understand the need for good quality pencils . : )

 

[kinntj]

Dollar store pencils are awful, only can sharpen a cpl of times before lead falls out. I totally understand the need for good quality pencils . : )

I'm a pencil snob and the only brand we buy are Ticonderoga's. They write the best without as much waste to them. They lower cost one's take too long to sharpen to get a decent point to them.

 

[delmar411]

none of the lists posted look bad at all. Even the one needing a netbook. In today's environment, computers are a must and if the school cannot provide everyone with their own then they'll require you buy one for your child.

I don't see what's to be upset about really. B2S supplies are on sale for very little every where. Other than calculators and computers, you shouldn't be breaking the bank to fill those lists.

And yes there will be some leftovers. You are either providing your child with plenty of supplies or you are helping out the classroom. Either way, it's not a waste.

 

[penn19]

Maybe looking at our long list will help you feel a bit less floored? I agree, it's overwhelming, and we don't go back to school til Sept 7, but we're shopping already because by the last 2 weeks of August the shelves really look very picked over.

SEVENTH & EIGHTH GRADE SUPPLY LIST
The students will be required to have the following items for the first week of school.
Supplies are to be replenished throughout the year.
Please label everything with your child’s name.

9 - 2 pocket folders - Math (1), Social Studies (1), Science (1), English (1), Religion (1), Art (1), Library (1), Spanish (1), Health (1)
3 one-subject notebooks with pockets (Science, Health, Music)
4 black & white marble notebooks (Religion, Health, Music, Spanish)
2 two-subject notebooks (LA, Social Studies)
1 three-ring binder with 5 dividers (Math)
2 packages of graph paper (Math, Science)
2 dozen pencils
12 pens (blue or black) and 1 red pen
1 highlighter
1 pencil case
12” ruler
1 protractor
1 compass
5 packages of loose leaf paper (college-ruled)
1 plastic pencil sharpener
1 box colored pencils
1 box each colored markers (1 box thick/1 box thin)
1 box of Crayola crayons (Art)
1 eraser (Art)
2 Glue sticks
1 TI 30X-IIS Mathematical calculator
*8-2 ONLY – TI 83 PLUS GRAPHING CALCULATOR
1 jump drive/memory stick (LA, Social Studies)
Spanish Dictionary
1 three-hole puncher

1 package of reinforcements for loose leaf
2 boxes of tissues
hand sanitizer

* For classroom use:
1 dozen of the pencils, 1 package of the graph paper, 2 packages of the loose leaf, and the 2boxes of tissues and hand sanitizer should be given to the student’s homeroom teacher on the first day of school

This is similar to my 7th graders list. What I have a problem with (here I am living in the past!!) is that when I was in middle and high school, you didn't get a list. You knew you had to bring a notebook, any kind of notebook, whichever kind YOU liked, some pencils, pens and be a big girl or boy and figure out how much loose leaf paper you need. When you ran out, you went to the store and picked up some more. Glue sticks and crayons? IF they were needed the schools supplied them. And yes I get that is not how it is done anymore. Thats the part that bothers me. When exactly did it become the expectation that the school districts would expect the parents (and teachers) to foot the bill for this stuff?

 

[vicki_c]

LOL - ok, ok, I give - I will have to do my own comparison of the Ticonderoga pencils! (Pencil geeks!)

 

[leight]

Last year (4th grade) we had to send in 24 glue sticks,12 packs of #2 pencils (10 each) ,8 dry erase markers, 2 pks red pens, two rolls of duct tape, 4 tennis balls, boxes of ziploc bags(no generic was written on the list) paper plates, napkins, cups, yarn, 1 24 pk of individually wrapped cookies/crackers, paper towels, napkins and 1 ream of colored copy paper 1 ream white. (then of course there were the actual supplies the kids use)

Now I know that the amount of $ teachers pay out of pocket is ridiculus- but I would so much prefer if the PTA or teacher notifies parents early in the summer what their supply list is and offers a price for them to supply it for us. Teachers can buy in greater numbers at staples, etc- schools should be able to order supplies in bulk- probably tax free- wouldn't that make more sense? Bump the price by $5-$10 to cover costs for kids who can't afford it and that would make my life so much easier.

What on earth was the teacher in need of 48 rolls of duct tape? Was she going to tape my kids' mouth shut when she's talking to a neighbor? The tennis balls I understood when I saw them on the bottom of the chairs to silence the noise but duct tape threw me. And ziploc bags? I'm just a little tired of seeing a list for the school district- getting a list sent home with the class assignment and then at meet the teacher nite getting the teacher's own list. None match and I used to get supplies from the first two lists but now I get general supplies on sale and wait until I get the teacher's list now.

 

[Shih-Tzu]

The lists that my boys used to bring home were just as long or longer than the OP (GK90?) and then there were student fees which were compulsory for lockers, etc.....
The part of the lists I used to really dislike was "Please send in the items within the first week of school. DO NOT PUT NAMES ON ANY ITEM.
From reading the posts, it appears that the stores in the US offer much better back-to-school bargains than the Canadian ones do.....that's probably why as a kid, we always went on a shopping trip over to the US in August....

 

[maggiew]

All I can say is OMG

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?

Have you been following the school supplies thread? You can get all that stuff for less than $10 (except the calculator, I haven't researched those but I don't think that is an expensive calculator). As a teacher, I say give us a break. We aren't out to screw parents. We just want to make the experience for your child the best.

I'm not saying that some of the things on some people's lists aren't a little out there - like the 48 rolls of duct tape. But I think the OPs list is very reasonable.

Maggie

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I'm in the"it's OK as long as they are getting used" camp, but so often they do not. I absolutely hate it because the lists are so specific and then at the end of the yar they bring home things unused. Yeah, you have them to use again, but they may not be on the next year's list. Thankfully between 3 girls usually everything gets used. I stocked up yesterday on Composition books, they were $.25 at Staples. DD8 needed a 3 subjext notebook, Walmart had them for $3. But she "needed" one last year too, came home with it at the end of the year and it was a 3 subject doodle book, nothing of work in it, so I got her 3 (actually I bought a case) of the $.15 spiral notebooks and we are putting them all into a cheap binder she "needed" last year and didn't use. I know it is only saving a couple bucks, but with 3 kids having lists a mile long, any little bit helps.

Last year DD's 2nd grade class wanted these very specific pens, they were very expensive. I can't remember what brand or what it was about them, but I couldn't find them anywhere, even Staples but they had them online and they were like $12 or something, for a second grader. I refused, no way. I figured a second grader shouldn't even be using pens. Turned out to be for the teacher's use. That bothered me, and I am totally supportive of teachers, my mom was one I have 2 good friends who are, I know they put into their classroom, but that really bothered me.

When they get older the stuff costs way more. My DD11 is going to middle school and even shopping sales which I am really good at, her list is at least going to cost triple of that it was last year in elementary. My oldest too, her list when she went to HS was insane, the $100 calculator and zip drives and everything, thankfully they are a one time investment that they will use all though high school.

My best advise and I am sure you know this but buy double of everything while it is on sale cheap now. They will come home mid year and need to replace and it is all so mcuh in January. Whatever you don't need will be there next year. I have about 15 spirla notebooks from last year and yet I still bought a case this year. My oldest goes though soooo many of them taking notes and when she needs more she knows where they are.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I hate to say it, but a child needing a netbook does not surprise me.

I purchased one last year, on a whim, and we use it on vacations or when someone is on the main computer.

I told my son that it wouldn't shock me if he ended up needing one for school or ended up taking mine to school while he was working on reports or something. He will be going into 8th grade this year.

It is all about technology now.

We are a very low income area though, and I am sure that the school would end up paying for at least 50% of them (netbooks) if they were required.

 

[taitai]

We get our list in the Spring for the coming year and our PTO does offer a package deal for them. They negotiate with some company (maybe Staples?) and you can pay a fee and on the back to school night, a box with all your child's school supplies is waiting in their room. It is very easy and so convenient. I know the PTO doesn't make any money on these but the prices are lower than if you go out and buy everything yourself. I happily order them every spring.

Good luck with all the shopping!

 

[maggiew]

OK. Just using this week's ads:


9 Composition notebooks - Walmart .25
Pen/Pencil Pouch Walgreens .59 with in ad coupon
3 boxes of Tissues Walgreens $1.29 this week but you can get them for .88 usually plus use a coupon
Blue and black pens – for all classes Don't see these anywhere this week, but they have been 2 packs/$1
Pencils – for all classes Walmart .50 pack
Loose Leaf paper – All Classes Walgreens .59 with in ad coupon
Hand held pencil sharpener (no batteries) Walmart $1, but I got mine last week for .29 at Walgreens
3-3 ring binder 1 ½ inch Walgreens BOGOF
1 Three-subject notebook Walgreens .99
Calculator (Texas Instruments TI-34II) I haven't seen this model in ads. Are you sure it isn't one of the TI-30XA or TI-30XIIS
2 pads of yellow lined paper Do they mean legal pad?
1 box of colored markers Crayola Walmart $1
Post Its Don't see them listed this week, but Office Max ha something called NoteTabs that look like post its for BOGO 50% off. But check Walgreens later for cheaper ones.
1 roll of scotch tape Walgreens BOGOF with in ad coupon
5 folders Walmart .15 each
and some smaller stuff

Someone else mentioned a thumb drive? Office depot has them for $7.99 this week for a 4 GB.

Maggie

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

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 ) And these are things your DD will probably use throughout the whole school year. One class may call for 3 notebooks, but maybe those 3 notebooks will last the semester/year.

I had one teacher that was so anal about a binder, had to have the dividers, dividers had to be a certain color, the binder needed a specific folder, it was insanity!

DD's list
1 solid colored folder
1 book bag
I love kindergarten haha

 

[kamik86]

What every happened to letting each student figure out how to organize there own stuff? When I was in school (and I"m only 23 so this wasn't that long ago) we were given some gentle suggestions (IE your book must be covered but newspaper/paper bags/wahtever is fine) or you need a notebook or binder for my class, I give lots of handouts so you may want a folder, I will collect your notebook from time to time so you may want to not be using it for another class.... these kinds of things but then we got to figure it out for ourselves.

Seriously if the teacher is color coding your stuff for you when will the student learn how to organize there own things and what works for them? I liked color coded notebooks and folders because then I could be sure I grabbed the right stuff for class. I didn't like loose leaf paper but got the notebooks with perferations because some teachers would not accept papers with those edges (other kids carried scissors for this) I hate composotion notebooks I like the spiral bound ones.

I did use crayons and even more colored pencils even in high school but how many I had was up to me.

Why can't they expect students and parents to organize there own stuff? I realize some requirements for a calculator or something like that. Even a flash drive (I know someone said this was rediculous but those of us that had them in high school had it so much easier as we could start an assignment in class and then take it with us to finish at home without having to email it to ourselves when the internet didn't always work on teh school computers)

 

[allison443]

Now I know that the amount of $ teachers pay out of pocket is ridiculus- but I would so much prefer if the PTA or teacher notifies parents early in the summer what their supply list is and offers a price for them to supply it for us. Teachers can buy in greater numbers at staples, etc- schools should be able to order supplies in bulk- probably tax free- wouldn't that make more sense? Bump the price by $5-$10 to cover costs for kids who can't afford it and that would make my life so much easier.

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.

 

[allison443]

OK. Just using this week's ads:


9 Composition notebooks - Walmart .25
Pen/Pencil Pouch Walgreens .59 with in ad coupon
3 boxes of Tissues Walgreens $1.29 this week but you can get them for .88 usually plus use a coupon
Blue and black pens – for all classes Don't see these anywhere this week, but they have been 2 packs/$1
Pencils – for all classes Walmart .50 pack
Loose Leaf paper – All Classes Walgreens .59 with in ad coupon
Hand held pencil sharpener (no batteries) Walmart $1, but I got mine last week for .29 at Walgreens
3-3 ring binder 1 ½ inch Walgreens BOGOF
1 Three-subject notebook Walgreens .99
Calculator (Texas Instruments TI-34II) I haven't seen this model in ads. Are you sure it isn't one of the TI-30XA or TI-30XIIS
2 pads of yellow lined paper Do they mean legal pad?
1 box of colored markers Crayola Walmart $1
Post Its Don't see them listed this week, but Office Max ha something called NoteTabs that look like post its for BOGO 50% off. But check Walgreens later for cheaper ones.
1 roll of scotch tape Walgreens BOGOF with in ad coupon
5 folders Walmart .15 each
and some smaller stuff

Someone else mentioned a thumb drive? Office depot has them for $7.99 this week for a 4 GB.

Maggie

Great list Maggie! Staples had a 4 GB thumb drive for $9.99. I really don't think OP's list was unreasonable.

As for saying some things will go to waste, I don't see that. Either reuse the paper, pencils, etc at home or save them for next year.

I think it's much better to get the lists in the summer when the stores are all having great sales, etc. than trying to get everything together the first few days of school.

 

[allison443]

I hate to say it, but a child needing a netbook does not surprise me.

I purchased one last year, on a whim, and we use it on vacations or when someone is on the main computer.

I told my son that it wouldn't shock me if he ended up needing one for school or ended up taking mine to school while he was working on reports or something. He will be going into 8th grade this year.

It is all about technology now.

We are a very low income area though, and I am sure that the school would end up paying for at least 50% of them (netbooks) if they were required.

My dds attend a Catholic high school and every student has to buy a laptop through the school. It's a great school and a great program, and of course it is our choice to send them there, so we don't complain.

I guess that's why I don't think buying a memory stick is too expensive!!

 

[JVL1018]

Again...not really, if you think about it. Maybe the kids are going to make some type of flash-cards to learn Spanish words and phrases. Perhaps they are going to create visual aids for presentations.

These types of projects can be far more interesting to kids than sitting there drilling off vocabulary lists.

Last year in 4th grade my daughter did exactly that in Spanish.
Index cards with the spanish word on one side and on the other the kids drew and colored a picture-they had tons of them.

 

[Pigeon]

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.

 

[leight]

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.

My dd12's first school did this - and it was not required just offered as an option. That was my easiest year!