Back to school *vent*

[disneychrista]

I know I am late getting to the game but I have found that at least 50% of the requested stuff NEVER GETS USED! Teachers all seem to have high hope at the beginning of the year but never follow throught.

I would buy the basic stuff...pens, pencils (mechinacal), binder paper, buy the compasition books now when Staples has the cheap and binders w/ seperaters. I would not buy the 3 hole punch, post it notes, reinforcements, kleenex, crayons and other things that will likely never be used. If my student comes home saying we need *supply* TOMORROW then I would buy them but not before.

 

[torinsmom]

Shoot, my parents complain to my face about other stuff, so I can't believe they wouldn't complain about supplies. Maybe its because the kids are 4 and 5 that they don't think its a big deal. I will have to ask some of my returning parents how they feel about it, not that it will change how I do things.

I think my son had community supplies until he was in 1st grade as well. I actually got out cheaper in PreK/K, because I didn't have to keep replacing the certain colors he used more. You can't really replace JUST a red marker, you know?

For other classrooms that do communal supplies, does the teacher give each child pencils(markers, crayons, glue) from that supply and they are stuck with them, or is there a bin where they get them themselves? We put out about 25 pencils in a jar and sharpen them each morning. We don't put out the Dollar Tree ones. Sometimes other cheap ones sneak in, but as soon as we try to sharpen them, we figure it out and toss them. We have the same type of system with other supplies, except scissors which we give out when we need them(otherwise, someone snips their hair or clothes) Maybe the way we do it is why parents don't seem to mind. When a child needs something they get it and then return it when they're done.

Marsha

 

[torinsmom]

I know I am late getting to the game but I have found that at least 50% of the requested stuff NEVER GETS USED! Teachers all seem to have high hope at the beginning of the year but never follow throught.

I would buy the basic stuff...pens, pencils (mechinacal), binder paper, buy the compasition books now when Staples has the cheap and binders w/ seperaters. I would not buy the 3 hole punch, post it notes, reinforcements, kleenex, crayons and other things that will likely never be used. If my student comes home saying we need *supply* TOMORROW then I would buy them but not before.

I agree with most, but the kleenex WILL get used. Our class goes through the 2 boxes per child requested in in August(typically get about 25 boxes) and usually need 5 or 6 more boxes before the end of the year.

Marsha

 

[HsvTeacher]

As a teacher, reading this thread makes me really sad. In my system, we get zero, yes zero, start up money.

When students come in without school supplies for whatever reason, I provide them. It may sound silly, but these students' faces light up when they get their supplies, and they treat them like gold.

Thankfully, most of my students come in with all the requested school supplies. This includes the wipes that we use to wash the desks, tissues for the students to use to wipe their noses, and sandwich-sized zipper bags to store a variety of items. My students' parents are also willing to send in special items like stickers, index cards, gel pens, glue, and other items that get used on a daily basis. I have even had parents offer to buy other students' school supplies.

What a blessing to have these wonderful people in my life!

 

[torinsmom]

As a teacher, reading this thread makes me really sad. In my system, we get zero, yes zero, start up money.

When students come in without school supplies for whatever reason, I provide them. It may sound silly, but these students' faces light up when they get their supplies, and they treat them like gold.

Thankfully, most of my students come in with all the requested school supplies. This includes the wipes that we use to wash the desks, tissues for the students to use to wipe their noses, and sandwich-sized zipper bags to store a variety of items. My students' parents are also willing to send in special items like stickers, index cards, gel pens, glue, and other items that get used on a daily basis. I have even had parents offer to buy other students' school supplies.

What a blessing to have these wonderful people in my life!

I agree! We have great parents at our school too. When we have field trips, we always have parents who send in extra for the scholarship fund. Last year, we had several students that could not bring in snack when it was their week and when a parent found out that my assistant and I were having to buy snack, they emailed and about half our parents sent in something. That covered the weeks that students could not cover for the rest of the year Like I said, noone has ever questioned the supplies we ask for.

 

[aprilgail2]

If we didn't use clorox wipes or cleaning solution and paper towels, the tables would stay nasty and germy--yuck! The school supplies the minimum,
Last year was the first year we consistently had the kids use sanitizer as the entered the room and cleaned every table every afternoon with the clorox wipes.

Our district has certain products they can use and they have to be "green" they don't use clorox clean ups.
They did install the sanitizer dispensers this past year though (after my kid was the first one to come down with H1N1 LOL)....they have them in each classroom and at the door to the cafeteria so all the kids take some as they go in to clean their hands.

 

[wendydarling826]

I am an elementary school teacher, and I absolutely love what I do - except for one thing that this thread illustrates so eloquently. There has been in recent years a very disheartening trend in "us vs. them" attitudes among parents and teachers. Parents trash teachers on the soccer fields and on their facebook pages, teachers trash parents in the faculty lounges. I am a parent who juggled and struggled with all of the things parents still contend with - busy schedules, making ends meet, a home, a job, family demands etc. etc. etc. I think I am sympathetic to what parents deal with every day, and I try very hard to build a classroom community based on working together with parents for the good of the children. It isn't easy, and I know that there are some parents who question and criticize every single thing I do, whether it is requesting school supplies or giving an assignment that requires a trip to the library. I looked carefully at the op's list of required supplies, and I don't see anything out of line with it. On the other hand, I think it would be inconsiderate of teachers to wait until school begins to provide the list of supplies needed, and I think requiring things like digital cameras is over the top too. In my school, parents have the supplies list before school is over in June, so there is plenty of opportunity to shop the sales. I don't know what it would take to turn around the culture of meanness that seems to exist in America today. Maybe we could start as parents and teachers by recognizing that we each have a big job to do with whatever resources we have and showing some basic respect and consideration for each other.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Once everyone got their own case with their own stuff in it the class stopped passing around every sickness that little ones get. For that reason alone I hate the community bucket nonsense.

I am sorry but stopping the sharing of supplies does not stop the spread of germs in schools. I teach high school so everyone brings in their own supplies - no communial stuff.

Germs still run crazy through the classrooms.

1. You have 36 (on my case) students in one room at a time multiple that by 6 class periods a day.
2. The desks are shared between students in different hours - parents in high school do not send in clorox wipes so anything I use in my room is purchased by ME. I simply can not afford to wash desks with wipes 6 times a day.
3. Common lunch rooms with 600+ students in them
4. Common bathrooms with common doorknobs and common facuets and knobs
5. Common locker rooms
6. Common computer keyboards again used by 6+ student in a day (classroom computer) Media center could have 25+ hands on one key board a day.

The list can go on forever - simply put schools have germs and you can can not get away from it simply by not sharing pencils.

It sounds more like you simply do not what to share anything you purchased and that is fine - just call it want it is - selfish.

 

[allyphoe]

As a teacher, it's not my problem either. So where would the pencil come from?

Oh, of course not! It's the school district's problem, and them who need to be supplying the pencils.

If I wanted to make an issue of it, I'd sue the school district - that's really the only way to get things to change without causing the kids and teachers to bear the consequences of the district's choices.

I've contemplated donating money to the school, conditioned on them providing supplies for all the kids in a given grade, because this is really a principle thing, not a money thing. But the school isn't set up to administer that, and the PTA (which is set up to administer that kind of contribution) is hugely political and exclusionary (and gossipy - there'd be no way to keep it anonymous), so I can't bring myself to give them anything other than dues.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Oh, of course not! It's the school district's problem, and them who need to be supplying the pencils.

If I wanted to make an issue of it, I'd sue the school district - that's really the only way to get things to change without causing the kids and teachers to bear the consequences of the district's choices.

I've contemplated donating money to the school, conditioned on them providing supplies for all the kids in a given grade, because this is really a principle thing, not a money thing. But the school isn't set up to administer that, and the PTA (which is set up to administer that kind of contribution) is hugely political and exclusionary (and gossipy - there'd be no way to keep it anonymous), so I can't bring myself to give them anything other than dues.

If you wanted to do what you say another way to approach it is to physically give the supplies to the school not the money.

For example, in our school all 3rd graders have the same list. Call the school find out how many 3rd graders there are and go by say 150 glues, yellow folders, 1500 pencils and so one. Physically deliver them to the teachers on each classroom or have a package sent to them with no return address if you want to keep your name out.

 

[Alesia]

Oh- and the parents all complain about the communal supplies. Just last night I was with some other parents and they all said they are fed up with it. (We were talking about who started buying yet) Nobody wants to complain to the teacher because there isn't really a nice way to say it. One class one year the teacher stopped the communal supplies because all the kids kept passing strep around. Once everyone got their own case with their own stuff in it the class stopped passing around every sickness that little ones get. For that reason alone I hate the community bucket nonsense.

Have you though about why that might be the case?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I am sorry but stopping the sharing of supplies does not stop the spread of germs in schools. I teach high school so everyone brings in their own supplies - no communial stuff.

Germs still run crazy through the classrooms.

1. You have 36 (on my case) students in one room at a time multiple that by 6 class periods a day.
2. The desks are shared between students in different hours - parents in high school do not send in clorox wipes so anything I use in my room is purchased by ME. I simply can not afford to wash desks with wipes 6 times a day.
3. Common lunch rooms with 600+ students in them
4. Common bathrooms with common doorknobs and common facuets and knobs
5. Common locker rooms
6. Common computer keyboards again used by 6+ student in a day (classroom computer) Media center could have 25+ hands on one key board a day.

The list can go on forever - simply put schools have germs and you can can not get away from it simply by not sharing pencils.

It sounds more like you simply do not what to share anything you purchased and that is fine - just call it want it is - selfish.

Well imo you are wrong. In elementary school they are in one classroom all day. Of course you can't eliminate all germs but not using the pencil that sick Suzy chewed all day or stuck in her ear will cut down on them.

Oh- and I am far from selfish but if it makes you feel better to call me names then have fun. I simply want MY kids to have what I bought for them to use to succeed. Sorry but it is not my job to provide for everyone else's kids. My kids shouldn't have to share every single thing they have. Nobody should. At your job do you share your desk and blotter with everyone? Do you share your travel mug? Does your boss pool all the pens in a bucket on his/her desk for you to use? I doubt anyone does because that would be absurd. That doesn't make you selfish. That makes you having your own things. There is nothing wrong with having stuff that is simply yours.

FTR- I send in all the stuff the teachers ask for and then some. I know the teachers have to spend a lot of money out of pocket and I appreciate it. I still don't agree with the community bucket nonsense and most parents I speak to don't either. I also don't blame the teacher. Our district is clearly doing something wrong if they can't supply basic stuff like tissues.

 

[allyphoe]

If you wanted to do what you say another way to approach it is to physically give the supplies to the school not the money.

We don't get the class-specific supply list until August 10th, with school starting the 12th. (That's a whole 'nother complaint!) We get generic-to-the-district lists much earlier, but even for K and 1st, the individual teachers don't want about half the stuff on the list, do want a bunch of other stuff, and have specific-to-the-teacher brand preferences.

So even providing all the generic stuff, no one would have the stuff they actually needed. Plus someone would need to communicate with the incoming parents that they shouldn't buy stuff (unless they particularly want to), because it'll be provided.

Plus for this coming year, we don't know yet what grade DD will be in (long story), and my principles don't stretch to equipping 2 grades of kids.

 

[descovy]

ITA! For someone uneducated about the process I can see how it would seem ridiculous. For example, last year my school had to eliminate 5 teacher positions and increase class sizes, yet every single classroom got a Smart Board. It was, like you mentioned, due to a technology grant from the state that was REQUIRED to be spent on technology and was not allowed to be spent on teachers, materials, or to reduce class size. From the outside looking in (and even from the inside ) I can see how it doesn't make sense. It's frustrating, as a teacher, to know that I have 8 additional students in my room, I can't afford to buy supplies and materials I need, we can't take field trips, but, hey, we have a Smart Board

Yes my school likes to tout how every grade has a smart board... blah. They remind me of 1992 when I was in high school (small, poor, rural district, got other districts "used textbooks" or else teachers photocopied from freebies) but gosh darnet some big-wig in the city felt generous about bought the school.... LASER DISC PLAYERS!!! Yeah, I bet my alma-mater got years of use out of those "high tech wave of the future gadgets"

I always wonder what we'll think of the millions spent in smart boards 10 years from now...

Back to school supplies. I have 3 kids... I do not "get" these complaints about buying my share of supplies even if they go in the communal box. It is the cost of being a parent. And I would rather that classroom instructional time wasn't wasted on everyone making a scene because "johnny can't find his pencil." I'd much rather Johnny just grab one from the bin rather than distract the class over a stupid pencil.

And for that matter, if MY kid loses her red crayon I'd much rather she get back to the business of learning rather than stressing out over the lost crayon she was supposed to "guard with her life" in the name of "teaching responsibility."

In fact I am all about personal responsibility. My kids (6, 8, 10) are expected to make beds, clean their room, bring me school forms to sign (vs me having to look for them) remember lunch, snack, if they need a red shirt on Thursdays, etc... I probably expect more personal responsibility out of my girls than a lot of people. But the heck if I am going to allow my child to disrupt school because she can't find the pencil she is "personally responsible for."

Pick your battles please. Is communal school supplies really a hill to die on???

 

[Vijoge]

I think you need to figure out what is actually a need and what is a "extra". If you choose to purchase the extras than you can not complain.

Sports, clubs, drivers ed. are all extra's in my book.

Why should the school (or community of tax payers) pay for your child to play say vollyball. If you want they to play you pay. Same for drivers ed. I would bet many would prefer if less teenagers took drivers ed and got thier licenses (less teens on the road). But if you want her to take it great - pay for it.

The other fee look inline with everyone else.

I agree. As I stated previously, I was not complaining but merely sharing what the charges are in our district.

 

[Leajess99]

In Michigan it is actually against the law for public schools to require students to pay for things that would be used to complete assignments for graded work. There are a few exceptions such as gym clothing. Teachers cannot require the students to bring in pencils, rulers, calculators, etc. Any materials needed to successfully complete graded assignments must be supplied by the schools.

It's been my experience that most of the teachers my kids have had are not aware of this law or chose to ignore it. In fact, my oldest has often been told that he needs certain supplies for a class and that he must have them with him by a certain date at which time his first grade is given based on whether he has all the "required" materials.

I don't mind sending in boxes of tissues, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and holiday treats because those are things to make the children more comfortable. I also don't mind sending in things that make life easier for my children, like a good pair of scissors or a glue stick instead of the bulk glue that the school buys. I do get miffed when asked to send things that all the kids need to do their school work. That's what I pay taxes for.

Umm, exactly when did this become law?? I went to school from 4th grade until graduation in Michigan and have NEVER heard such nonsense.

I swear some people have to find ways around everything. And just how many teachers and school personnel have lost jobs due to the lack of taxes and funding to support their jobs?? I know a Michigan school district that has had to close numerous schools due to budget cuts even though a new millage or whatever they call it was passed. Very sad that some people have such a problem providing pencils and papers for their kids.

 

[AZMermaid]

I totally get where you are coming from. I can only imagine how difficult it must be. The thing is though- it is not about me wanting free supplies. I just think that if the teacher wants a community bucket at the very least state on their list that they need X items for community bucket. Don't give me a list and my kid picks out what they want only to find out that the whole class gets to use it. I have no issue with sending in supplies as I want my children to have every advantage that I can help with. However- I also do not want to fund the whole class.

We do put it on the list. It says something to the effect of "Please do not label these items with your student's names as most items are collected and used throughout the year." Our APT (PTA) actually orders these kits of supplies for the kids based off our lists as a fundrasier. Depending on the grade level, they cost the parents between $25-40 and this is all they need. The kids get them on the first day of school. Probably 3/4 of the parents go this route. It is a little more expensive then going to Target and getting the deals, but then you don't have to fight with your kid over the Sparkle pencils vs the cheap yellow ones! I love it because then everyone has the same stuff!

I do ask for donations outside of the kits at Meet the Teacher night for things like Clorox wipes, extra glue sticks, and construction paper. I cut out these little fishies and put them in a basket that says "A Fish with a Wish." Parents can take them or leave them.

 

[nicki.momof3]

We don't get the class-specific supply list until August 10th, with school starting the 12th. (That's a whole 'nother complaint!) We get generic-to-the-district lists much earlier, but even for K and 1st, the individual teachers don't want about half the stuff on the list, do want a bunch of other stuff, and have specific-to-the-teacher brand preferences.

So even providing all the generic stuff, no one would have the stuff they actually needed. Plus someone would need to communicate with the incoming parents that they shouldn't buy stuff (unless they particularly want to), because it'll be provided.

Plus for this coming year, we don't know yet what grade DD will be in (long story), and my principles don't stretch to equipping 2 grades of kids.

Sounds like you have lots of reasons why not to give a donations and by all means you have no obligation to give one. That is something that can only come from you and is 100% your decision. As a teacher I always appreciate donations - it is above the call for parents to give. One donation I appreciate is mid year suppies - I always run out of stuff about the end of March. I think if someone truely wants to give there is always a way.

At your job do you share your desk and blotter with everyone? Do you share your travel mug? Does your boss pool all the pens in a bucket on his/her desk for you to use? I doubt anyone does because that would be absurd. .

Actually, I am a high school teacher in a very large (population 2200 students) high school. I teach 5 classes a day with 1 prep period. During my 1 prep period another teacher has to use my room due to space limitations within the building. I have taught at this bulding for over 10 years. The other teacher sits at my desk, uses my pencils / pens, uses my computer and so on. I share with her. What would be absurd is to expect her to come into my room for 1 class period a day and carry all her stuff with her - she is in 4 different classrooms during the day.

Learning to share is part of growing up. So if your child is in class and a peer forgot his calculator and asked to use your childs for a few minutes. Your child would say NO - germs. Come on what are you teaching your children. Children that can not work as a group and can not share are the ones that are the least sussessful in class. In the real world you have to work with others, share resources, share facilities, be a team player.

Good luck to you and your child.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Have you though about why that might be the case?

I don't know what you are trying to imply but if you read my posts you would have noticed that I said that I appreciate our teachers. Do I like the community nonsense? No. Am I the only one? No. Am I going to light torches and start the riot? No. I simply do not agree with it. Do you agree with everything every teacher or person for that matter does?

 

[TwinsinCA]

I send my kids with a minimum of 5 pencils. I have never seen them come home with less than 3. (they are kept in a pencil pouch that is in their binder). So I don't understand losing that last precious pencil. Send your kids with several. but for the kids who are not responsible or who have parents who won't send supplies why is the onus on their classmates to provide them? That is even less fair (IMO) than expecting the teacher to provide them.

Say everything is communal. You ask every parent to bring in glue sticks, scissors, markers, crayons, etc etc. But you have a few kids who don't bring those items in. Those of you teachers who do the communal supplies way of doing things -- do you provide extras so everyone has a scissors, set of markers, etc? Or do you expect kids to share the limited supply? This would be my issue. Sharing is a nice thing to learn, but not when you are trying to complete an assignment and you have to keep waiting for the glue stick, scissors, red marker, etc. to become available. As a parent it would tick me off to have my kids often wait to use something I already bought them.

We do not have communal supplies at my kids' school. But if kids don't bring something they are expected to bum it off a fellow student. Of course the kids are stuck. They can't really refuse. Especially when the teacher insists they share (which I have heard teachers do) Several times I have had my kids come home and say someone keeps borrowing whatever and it gets in the way of them getting THEIR work done. It is the same principle as above. Things break, get lost, etc. I understand kids might need to borrow something occasionally. But when it becomes a habit I think teachers need to step in and insist that kids be prepared and not leave the burden to their fellow classmates.