Back to school *vent*

[Mouse House Mama]

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.




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.

I am teaching my child just fine but thank you for implying otherwise. My kids will always "lend" things to their peers. That is not the case with community buckets though. You have chosen to share with that teacher and I would too. However- nobody is saying that you have to. There is the difference.

 

[descovy]

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???

Oh yeah, today I went to the bank and realized that I did not have a pen on me (how awfully IRRESPONSIBLE of me!) Thank heavens the teller was willing to share!

Give a little, get a little...

 

[Mouse House Mama]

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.

Thank you! You have summed up what I have been trying to say much better than me.

 

[nicki.momof3]

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.

Michigan teacher here - if you pay any attention to the news schools are suffering in Michigan and teachers in all disticts are all taking huge cuts. In the fall I will be taking a 15% pay cut - that is a lot. I am not going to get into a teacher pay debate but when a parent is cheap (not the ones that truely can't afford it - but the cheap ones) it drives me crazy. I spend over $500 a year on basic supplies for CHEAP parents.

Yes, you are correct we can not require but we can suggest.

It makes me crazy that people will spend thousands of $$$ on a WDW vacation (and flaunt it at school and make a huge deal about pulling their child for a week) but they won't buy their child a pencil and some paper - those are some messed up priorities.

Cut out one WDW TS meal and your back to school budget will be paid for.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

We have communal supplies at work and it doesn't seem to lead to all of the character issue concerns mentioned here.

 

[smb6]

I have only read the first and last page. To the original poster- if that list makes you gasp, you should see my older kids lists! I have 5 school aged kids and the three oldest have crazy long lists.
*One side note, I noticed one post mentioned that elementary aged kids don't change classes/are in one class all day. My daugher is going into 4th and they change classes for every subject. In 2nd and 3rd; they change for reading only. But by 4th- it is full fledge class changing.
I would have to add up my reciepts; but I would guess that I have spent a good couple hundred dollars on school supplies. And you don't want to know what I spent to clothe them!

 

[Alesia]

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?

I'm not implying anything - I was just asking a question. When I have an issue like this I ask myself why I'm having a hard time expressing it in a polite way. It usually helps me put things into perspective.

 

[nicki.momof3]

I am teaching my child just fine but thank you for implying otherwise. My kids will always "lend" things to their peers. That is not the case with community buckets though. You have chosen to share with that teacher and I would too. However- nobody is saying that you have to. There is the difference.

I guess we all teach our children diefferent lessons. I seeing sharing school supplies as great prep. for the real world. Weather a parent likes it or not I will enforce sharing in my class - if they don't like it they are free to request a different teacher.

Supplies are like knowledge - we share. If a child does not understand a math problem they are working on at home for homework they should ask some one to share some knowledge. Same concept - work together to solve a problems or in this case provide the required resources necessary to succeed.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Michigan teacher here - if you pay any attention to the news schools are suffering in Michigan and teachers in all disticts are all taking huge cuts. In the fall I will be taking a 15% pay cut - that is a lot. I am not going to get into a teacher pay debate but when a parent is cheap (not the ones that truely can't afford it - but the cheap ones) it drives me crazy. I spend over $500 a year on basic supplies for CHEAP parents.

Yes, you are correct we can not require but we can suggest.

It makes me crazy that people will spend thousands of $$$ on a WDW vacation (and flaunt it at school and make a huge deal about pulling their child for a week) but they won't buy their child a pencil and some paper - those are some messed up priorities.

Cut out one WDW TS meal and your back to school budget will be paid for.

I think you are misconstruing what some of us are trying to say. I personally am not annoyed with the teachers. I am annoyed with the district. They should be providing the basics. Sorry but they should. Some districts here give the kids every last school supply while others make the kids bring in toilet paper. Wouldn't you be annoyed if your district was the one who supplied so little? We pay insane school taxes here. It is very frustrating.

As for your pay cut. Honestly, a lot of people took pay cuts this year. I was also one of the people at the BOE meetings fighting for our teachers so they didn't get a pay cut. I felt if we kept offering a better salary we would attract a higher caliber of teachers. Wouldn't you rather make more money? I imagine most people would.

As for hating cheap parents. Well, now you are seeing why I feel the way I do about the community bucket nonsense. I am not a cheap parent as you say. I send in whatever they ask for x10. I even offer to send extra stuff in if I see it in the classroom (purell etc.) in case the teacher runs out. I simply am tired of providing for the families who spend money on things like fancy clothes etc. and can't be bothered to send in a glue stick. It gets old real fast and I am sure you know exactly what I mean.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I'm not implying anything - I was just asking a question. When I have an issue like this I ask myself why I'm having a hard time expressing it in a polite way. It usually helps me put things into perspective.

That makes sense. I apologize for misunderstanding.
Hoenstly though what could you say? I don't like how you set up your classroom? Not really make friends doing that!

 

[torinsmom]

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.

Do you mean 5 pencils for the whole YEAR and they come home with 3?

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 rarely have a time where everyone is using markers at once. Markers, glue sticks, scissors and crayons are for the art shelf, which kids can choose from when they finish their work. We allow 4 students to be doing art at once and if there are already 4 students doing art, then that 5th student chooses another free choice work. Yes, they have to WAIT, oh the horror. I believe learning patience is as important as learning responsibility.


Now, if it is an assignment where everyone is using glue sticks, etc.(very rare in my classroom), we have enough for that even if some kids did not bring any in. Markers and crayons are put into a basket and shared by two students. We have plenty of scissors too, because the Fiskars last for years. Although I grumble about it, I do buy supplies to replenish the communal supply when they are on sale sometimes(usually glue sticks and markers).

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.

So if classmates shouldn't be expected to share and teachers shouldn't have to provide the supplies, what do you do when children don't have what they need? How do you insist? You can't force the parents to buy the stuff and for some it would be the difference between groceries and school supplies.

 

[AZMermaid]

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.

.

I like the communal because as I have said, the stuff lasts longer and I don't have to stop class every ten minutes to get someone a pencil. I'll go through the list. There is one bucket in the middle of each 4 kids. I teach 3rd grade and I agree, that after 3rd grade, I would expect the kids to keep better track of their stuff!
Pencils- I collect the boxes and give each kid 2 pencils each week (so 8 each bucket). I also give lots of "cool" pencils as rewards and the kids usually keep those in their desks for personal use. Same with any nice pencils (mechanical (if they can keep from playing with the lead), sparkle, smelly etc). Those they can keep. I only make them throw out the pencils when they are shorter than their thumb.

Markers and Crayons and Colored Pencils- I collect them all and hand out one box per table per quarter (so all 4 boxes by the end of the year). The perceived scarcity of these items keep them from getting lost as easily. I have buckets of "homeless" crayons etc that the kids can take from if say, their red marker gets lost. These are ones I pick up off the floor or have saved from previous years.

Scissors- kids keep their own, I do have some extras for those kids who don't have it.

Glue sticks- 2 per table and refilled as needed. The Glue sticks disappear like lightening. I also have a drawer for easy access of spares but that is also empty really quickly. I have not totally solved the disappearing Glue Stick issue.

Paper- I collect it and distribute as we use it. This is also a management piece as 3rd graders will color and make stuff out of their blank paper at every opportunity.

Folders/ Binders- they keep and label one set during the 1st week. We color code folders for various things and they are told to buy two of certain colors for this purpose. I buy extras at the Staples sale for kids who don't have them. I collect the 2nd set and they get new ones after Winter Break. There is also usually one color that we don't have a specific use for and those are collected as well. Probably 90% of these folders are used throughout the year for various things.

Kleenex and Sanitizer- I collect and place out as needed. This supply always seems like a ton but then the last month of school I am hoping it lasts!

That is pretty much the extent of our lists and doing it this way, everything lasts all year- except the glue sticks and some years I run out of pencils.

 

[Vijoge]

Am I the only one who likes buying school supplies? I have two granddaughters who live with me so of course I bought all their stuff. Had a blast-I just love it! So I then called my son and asked him if I could buy the things on the list for his 5 y/o daughter who is starting kindergarten this year. Fortunately, both dad and mom said ok so back to Target I went. I found the coolest backpacks. . .well not the coolest, but pretty cool LOL. The coolest backpack is the Coach one in the Poppy Pop c pattern but DH won't let me spend the $398 for it.

THE WORLD'S COOLEST BACKPACK!!!!!

 

[TwinsinCA]

So if classmates shouldn't be expected to share and teachers shouldn't have to provide the supplies, what do you do when children don't have what they need? How do you insist? You can't force the parents to buy the stuff and for some it would be the difference between groceries and school supplies.

My kids have a pencil pouch in their binder that comes home every night. Every time I go through it (every 2 or 3 weeks) I make sure they have at least 5 pencils, usually more. When it was time for state testing, I made sure they had 10. My point is even lending them out, using them up, losing them, etc -- I have never seen less than three pencils in that case. I have no idea how many they go through in a year. But I made sure they had enough to get through school with a few to spare.

I don't know how to solve the problem about unprepared kids and poor or apathetic parents. If you can't by law insist they bring supplies then really it should be the school's responsibility to provide them. If the school can't/won't provide them, then there has to be a way to insist. In music this year the kids had recorders. If kids forgot them they got an "X" in their agenda. Not having a pencil or paper is not being prepared for class. Whatever the penalty for that is, is how you "insist". Maybe they lose a few points on their assignment because it will be late since they didn't have the materials to complete it with everyone else. This may be harsh, but there has to be a way to teach kids to be responsible for their things and to put pressure on the parents. If you have a parent who flat out refuses to bring supplies and doesn't care if their kid's grade suffers, I don't know what to tell you. But I still don't think it is right for the other kids in the class to have to pick up the slack.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Please, if you have a problem with the whole school supplies issue, go to your school board meetings! Raise a stink! Find out exactly how and why your schools are funded! Make a difference!

(My annual rant on this annual thread )

 

[Leajess99]

I tried that mid year when we were out of clorox wipes, markers, and glue sticks. We got in one container of clorox wipes and that was IT! And this is in a fairly middle class school. Same thing on "Bring in a School Supply" Day during teacher appreciation week.


This is the truth! Parents will throw a fit for the whole summer if they don't get what they consider to be the best teacher. Everyone cannot get the teacher they want. Our school doesn't even take requests, because it got so bad.


Marsha

I always tell the teachers to contact me if they need anything. I am not a teacher but my mom was a parapro for the last elementary school I attended and I have worked in all grade elementary grade level classes as a volunteer and a TA when I was going to school to be a teacher (changed that plan) and I have seen how much some teachers have had to put out. I will help out all I can. Last year my youngest came home to tell me there was only 1 more glue stick in the drawer and then they would be out so we went out and bought her teacher about 20 packs or so of gluesticks. I don't want my child going without but I also don't feel the teacher should have to take their paycheck (not paid enough in my opinion as is) to keep providing for everyone's kids. I will continue to help the teachers out and if they get more than they need I don't care if they share with other teachers.

As for the teacher requests, I have only ever requested 2 teachers in my kids school careers (oldest is a senior). The first one was done due to my son's medical and the one teacher would not have been a good fit for him. His teacher from the year prior is who went against her personal beliefs and had me request the teacher for the next year as she knew that he would not do well and would probably walk all over the over teacher. The second request made was for my now 7th grade daughter. That was done as the teacher requested and my mom set it up. It really was the best fit for my daughter and the interim principal at the time started to ignore it and then said if the teacher said it needed to happen he would change it. The teacher said it needed to happen so my dd got that teacher. I am thankful for that one as that teacher also helped in detremining there was an issue needing addressed with my dd. That school no longer allows requests either except for teachers requesting who they want their kids to have. My youngest no longer attends that school and the school she attends allows for requests. I don't know the teachers at the new school but trust the staff and her previous teacher in deciding who would be the best teacher for her. We met her new teacher the other night and I really like him and she seems to as well.

 

[Leajess99]

OK- so buying ONE box of tissues is not bad but once they hit 6th and 7th grade they have 7 or 8 teachers a DAY---are we supposed to send in 8 boxes of tissues and 8 rolls of paper towels??
I am not pissed at the teachers for asking for the classroom supplies but at the district for not supplying them- taxes here are through the roof and for what we pay in school tax alone they should damn well be able to buy tissues and toilet paper for the kids!!! How can they expect you to pay 7,000-10,000 in school tax alone and not supply toilet paper and tissues!!!

Here, we send in one box of tissues for the homeroom teacher. Seeing that each of those 7 or 8 teachers has a homeroom class that would mean they are getting a box of tissues. I know some schools have even resorted to giving the kids extra credit if they bring in a box of kleenex or a roll of paper towels. As for the tissues, I don't think a single school my kids have attened (think Army brats with the oldest having atteneded about 8 or 9 schools) has ever supplied tissues. I know with allergies, colds, bloody noses, etc tissues tend to go fast.

 

[disneychrista]

Am I the only one who likes buying school supplies?

I know I don't mind buying the supplies that are needed but I get tired of year after year buying supplies that are NEVER USED! Index cards and post its being some of the biggest offenders. Highlighters are another that rarely gets used. Art class I spent over $30 for supplies and half never were used. It is because of this that I do not buy the extra things until my daughter comes home and says mom I need X for a project tomorrow.

 

[Madisonsmom45]

I live in Michigan and it has way too many education problems. But that being said our Walmart runs different sales every week on stuff. You can get a 2 pack glue stick for 10 cents,24 pack crayons for 25 cents, scissors for 50 cents. Folders for a dime. My kids went back well supplied including the specified notebooks for less that 8 dollars each. Plus at those prices I picked up extras.
Come on people on these boards. If you can afford WDW, you can afford school supplies. Oh, and we have to supply all of them. Our school system used to do very well, but since all the manufacturing industries left Muskegon, well I think our system was at at 41 percent poverty rate. We received title 1 funding this past semester and you know what? Out of all the extra parenting classes, and reading readiness classes. You know how many parents took advantage of the "free classes", free dinner, and free childcare? I could fit them in my house.
It seems school isn't much of a priority. Me, I want the best for my kids. I want them to share, I want them to want to share. I want them to care about their peers. This world could do with more kindness no matter how small.
Bonnie

 

[Leajess99]

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.

Ummm, my now 2nd grader does not sit in one classroom all day. She goes to art in which supplies and desks are shared as well as other classes and the computer lab.

Speaking of Art, we had open house the other night and the Art teacher had a request list as well. We went and dropped off the things she requested and that made her really light up. Not many parents take the time to meet the art teacher or give her necessary supplies. We don't provide everything but the few things she requested helps her be able to spend the money on the more expensive items.

As for being sick and communal supplies, what my youngest's teacher did was actually place small amounts of the unopened crayons, glue sticks (out of packages), pencils (out of packages), etc, in drawers so the kids who needed them could access them. They did need to have permission to get up and get them but it gave kids their "own" supplies at their desk but were still for all kids. If you have a teacher not wanting you to have the kids' names on the supplies brought in than maybe ask if they can do it this way. We still had pencil boxes for the kids and they kept their 1 box of crayons in there with their 1 glue stick, pencil (not sure how many) and that at their desk. I really liked how it was done and it gave the kids a little responsibility but also allowed the teacher to have some control to know who was doing what with crayons and pencils.