Back to school *vent*

[torinsmom]

I guess what bugs me is that,in my experience, the people that complain are the people that can afford it. Most of the low incomes that cannot afford it are too proud to tell anyone. They will send in money for everything that is not even mandatory--things like pictures, book fair, etc. This is especially true of our latino parents. We had one single latino parent who did not fill out the right paperwork for free lunch. Her child got a bill for the first three weeks of lunches before she filled out the right paper. Even though the free lunch should have been retroactive, she sent that money in $2-$3 at a time until it was paid off.

I don't think the increase in taxes can be attributed solely to schools. I can tell you that our district(a relatively small district in NC) had to cut billiions from the budget last year. We have been told there will be severe cuts to the things the school does supply, like ink pens, dry erase markers, paper, bandaids, paint, staples, etc. Even if we bring in our own copy paper, copies are limited, because there is a lease charge for the copy machines. So we each have our own codes and they limit each class to 1000 copies per month. Seems like a lot, but if you have 25 kids, that is copying 2 pages a day for each of them. Oh, and if it is a 2 sided copy, it counts for 2 copies. The copy nazi at our school MAY reset your number a little early, but it is like being in an interrogation. Sucks, because it does limit what we can do with the kids.

Other than clorox wipes and ziplocs, there is nothing on my list that wasn't on the list of things I had to bring in as a child. We really can't require kids to bring in anything anyway.

Marsha

 

[JENOS]

I just can't believe that I'm hearing about this from people on the disney board. You guys can spend thousands of dollars to go to disney but you aren't willing to spend less than $100 (sometimes less than $50) on school supplies for your childs EDUCATION

Haha I said the same thing in the beginning of this topic, and it also fell on death ears

 

[nicki.momof3]

My children will be well supplied for school because they fear repercussions from their teachers. After having read your replies to this thread, it's clear that their fears are well founded.

Not everyone, in every school, takes Disney vacations worth thousands of dollars. The purpose of schools supplying materials is to make sure that ALL students have what they need, not just the wealthy or comfortable families.

And to those of you who think buying supplies is no big deal, ask yourself what is next. When the schools don't have enough money will you be purchasing textbooks? How about desks? Maybe they can't afford the teacher's salary. Will you be splitting that with the other parents too? Maybe we should just make all public schools tuition based? Seems to me that would defeat the purpose of a public school system. It's a slippery slope.

There are clear differences in opinions here which is okay, but when some resort to being rude it ruins the opportunity for an intelligent debate.

Your slippery slop concept is just silly. As a child my parents always bought me school supplies, in the 1980's when I was in a public high school in Michigan I paid $50 a year for textbooks. Asking parents to go and buy some school supplies is very reasonable - really $.25 crayons is to much. I have 3 children all in elementary school. I just went to walmart with 3 very long lists and purchased everything that was required for under $50 TOTAL (3 children). That included finding $27.99 4G memory sticks on sale for $9 each (we needed 2).

Hit the sales and make a few budget cuts if needed (maybe cut a dinner out, movies, a new piece of clothing) and prepare your children for school.

As for the requried reading - really what are people complaining about. It is so bad to have to purchase (if for some crazy reason you have no access to a libuary) a book for your child. I promise you in the end the book will benefit them more that that Wii or DS game.

My children do not have a Wii, DS, Ipod, or cell phone but guess what I will always buy them a book and anything they need for school.

People need to reexamine their priorities.

 

[nicki.momof3]

This sounds about right. 30 kids per class, what maybe 5 classes that need to read that book? I am sure most local libraries have 150 copies of that one book.

It is my experience as a high school English teacher that only a handful of parents complain about purchasing books. Most are happy their children are reading good literature rather than playing video games. Most will just purchase the novels. Typically HS students like to have their own copies so they can annotate in the margins. A few will check them out at a local library.

NEVER will 150 kids go to one library and check out the same book. Also if there is a mad rush on a certain novel all local libraries belong to an exchange program. They can always borrow a book (getting it within 2-3 days) from a branch in another community.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Haha I said the same thing in the beginning of this topic, and it also fell on death ears

I read it at the beginning of the thread and I still 100% agree with you.

Typically you look at the "complainers" banners and they says:

WDW trip in..... days / months and they also list numerious past vacations.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Well, as people have sai to me many times, if you don't like the system and rules, you can always choose not to participate, or run for the board and make changes.

Btw, I am old enough to remember buying texts, too. I forgot about that check my mom would send in each 2nd day of school!

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

It is my experience as a high school English teacher that only a handful of parents complain about purchasing books. Most are happy their children are reading good literature rather than playing video games. Most will just purchase the novels. Typically HS students like to have their own copies so they can annotate in the margins. A few will check them out at a local library.

NEVER will 150 kids go to one library and check out the same book. Also if there is a mad rush on a certain novel all local libraries belong to an exchange program. They can always borrow a book (getting it within 2-3 days) from a branch in another community.

Exactly!

Our library can ill books from all over the state, also. I have purchased all of the classics for my kids. You can't go wrong with them. When they are done they will be passed to my niece an nephew and then more than likely my grand nephews. Who knows how many will be blessed by any given title.

 

[mum4jenn]

My children will be well supplied for school because they fear repercussions from their teachers. After having read your replies to this thread, it's clear that their fears are well founded.

Not everyone, in every school, takes Disney vacations worth thousands of dollars. The purpose of schools supplying materials is to make sure that ALL students have what they need, not just the wealthy or comfortable families.

And to those of you who think buying supplies is no big deal, ask yourself what is next. When the schools don't have enough money will you be purchasing textbooks? How about desks? Maybe they can't afford the teacher's salary. Will you be splitting that with the other parents too? Maybe we should just make all public schools tuition based? Seems to me that would defeat the purpose of a public school system. It's a slippery slope.

There are clear differences in opinions here which is okay, but when some resort to being rude it ruins the opportunity for an intelligent debate.

The thing is though...this is NOTHING new. All the years I was ever in school from the 60's-70's we ALWAYS had to buy school supplies. That was part of the fun of back to school. Maybe way back then there was not a list but the parents knew they had to buy supplies and they did buy them. After I graduated I worked as a para in some schools and THEY had to buy supplies. When my niece went to school, SHE had to get supplies. This is NOTHING new.
After re-reading several of the posts from several of the defiant posters, I think we now know how the "snowflakes" get their name.....there are snowflake parents.

 

[penn19]

The thing is though...this is NOTHING new. All the years I was ever in school from the 60's-70's we ALWAYS had to buy school supplies. That was part of the fun of back to school. Maybe way back then there was not a list but the parents knew they had to buy supplies and they did buy them. After I graduated I worked as a para in some schools and THEY had to buy supplies. When my niece went to school, SHE had to get supplies. This is NOTHING new.
After re-reading several of the posts from several of the defiant posters, I think we now know how the "snowflakes" get their name.....there are snowflake parents.

I guess in reading some of these posts, it just depends where you lived growing up. We bought pencils, paper, and notebooks. Of your choosing (or your parents!). The school supplied the other things. In high school, if having a Trapper Keeper kept you better organized then separate binders then you had a Trapper Keeper.
And while there are "snowflake" parents, there are also "sheep" parents as well.

 

[JENOS]

I just have to say that teachers should never have to reach into their pockets to buy supplies for their classrooms. It is unfortunate that they do because of some parent’s inability to buy supplies for their kids. I have teachers in my family and have been told stories about incidents at school where kids have thrown up on themselves and have to be cleaned up or come to school smelling unwelcoming. And defiantly about the students who come to class unprepared. Kids need to learn to help others, but how can they when they hear their parent bickering about making sure that no one touches their school supplies and to notify them as soon as someone does. I have wondered about some items on the school list myself but ultimately buy them.
I wonder how you act at Disney with the type of mentality that some of you have; do you complain about the tickets prices to CM too?

Like I said on a post (in a previous topic) I remember a mom yelling at her child that she is not going to buy anything in this *ucken place because it is so expensive here (her exact words) I guess she probably did her back to school shopping before going to Disney

 

[penn19]

I think I should clarify. I have no problem buying school supplies for my kids. Books, pencils etc...That is what you sign up for when you become a parent. So no issues there. What I do have a problem with is the lists of random things, that the kids may or may not use and that (on a budget board) is a waste of money. But people buy them, "because they are on the list". And because there are parents, who may or may not be low income, but do not buy the basic supplies, I (and other parents who have sent in) have to cover them with the communal supplies. Why is it MY job? Not saying it should be the teachers job either. It shouldn't be. But I am not going to feel bad because I choose how to spend my money and don't feel that it is my job to pick up another parents slack. If someone truly can't afford it, that is another story. But if someone truly can't afford it, and as a pp stated they buy the non-mandatory stuff, pictures, book fair etc...that is wrong. No one says you have to have the pictures, and spirit wear etc....

 

[torinsmom]

I just have to say that teachers should never have to reach into their pockets to buy supplies for their classrooms. It is unfortunate that they do because of some parent’s inability to buy supplies for their kids. I have teachers in my family and have been told stories about incidents at school where kids have thrown up on themselves and have to be cleaned up or come to school smelling unwelcoming. And defiantly about the students who come to class unprepared. Kids need to learn to help others, but how can they when they hear their parent bickering about making sure that no one touches their school supplies and to notify them as soon as someone does. I have wondered about some items on the school list myself but ultimately buy them.
I wonder how you act at Disney with the type of mentality that some of you have; do you complain about the tickets prices to CM too?

Like I said on a post (in a previous topic) I remember a mom yelling at her child that she is not going to buy anything in this *ucken place because it is so expensive here (her exact words) I guess she probably did her back to school shopping before going to Disney

Yes, sadly, we have had kids who wet their beds at night and did not take a bath, so they smelled like urine. The principal has taken a child into his bathroom and washed him up and the counselor gave him new clothes. The next day, same thing, because the sheets were not changed Or kids come in short sleeved shirts with no jacket in the winter. We have coats they can take home and keep, but often they will come back without the coat. It's very sad.

I really, really don't mind supplying this type of child with what they need, even if it comes out of my grocery budget. It bothers me a lot more when the kids with the designer clothes(on mom and kid) don't bring in the supplies we request. We do our best with what we get. I think some people want to make a point that the school should supply everything, but they don't, so someone has to do it.

Marsha

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

torinsmom, are there no groups that help with supplies in your area? We have about a half dozen, literally. When I was doing mental health in the schools we were forever tracking down clothes, and sanitary supplies for students. We even found a used washer and dryer that the school let us set up. We'd do laundry for the kids, and send them home in clean stuff. And contact other groups to help the family with their issues. I have to say that the smell of urine and **** roaches still turns my stomach.

lol, I have to laugh...don't mean to sound like ebenezer in my first sentence!

 

[torinsmom]

torinsmom, are there no groups that help with supplies in your area? We have about a half dozen, literally. When I was doing mental health in the schools we were forever tracking down clothes, and sanitary supplies for students. We even found a used washer and dryer that the school let us set up. We'd do laundry for the kids, and send them home in clean stuff. And contact other groups to help the family with their issues. I have to say that the smell of urine and **** roaches still turns my stomach.

lol, I have to laugh...don't mean to sound like ebenezer in my first sentence!

We don't have a problem getting clothes, coats and shoes. We have parents and teachers who bring things in when their kids outgrow them, and the school has some funds which they use to buy new underwear for the clothes closet. I honestly don't know about places that give out supplies. We are evil, LOL, and do the communal supplies(PreK/K), so we do pretty well most of the time. When we start running out of things like gluesticks, I make a run to the store if I have the money, and if not, we don't use gluesticks until I do. I don't usually have much luck with sending out a wish list in the spring.

 

[palavra]

This. It is a slippery slope. We are now being asked to supply items that used to routinely be supplied. I am not talking about pencils and paper, and I don't know that other people are either, I am talking about the folders, the notebooks etc..that all have to be specific color, size, quantity. In our district (and yes we pay very high taxes here as well)in middle and high school if you are in pre-ap or AP classes and have required reading it is on your dime to supply the book. If your child is in the academic classes, the school supplies the book for you. How in any way is this fair? The thinking of course (and not my thinking so don't jump all over me) is that if you are in the higher classes you are smarter, and therefore have the money to pay for this stuff, if you are in academic classes, not so smart, and so lower income. Reading books that used to be supplied by the school and when the class was done reading the book, the books were taking up by the teacher.
So I don't think it is so far fetched that one day we will be looking at the scenario that the pp described.

I think this is ridiculous to even say. And what repercussions from teachers? I am a teacher and there is not one thing I can do if a student doesn't bring in the needed supplies other than supply them myself, which I often do. Unless the Constitution is amended, an education is a guaranteed right in America, regardless of whether you can afford all the bells and whistles. And what is wrong with having to buy your child a book or two? Books are a great investment and can be kept and reread for years.

 

[palavra]

I never ever had to go to the library to check a book out that was required reading. Every book that we had to read To Kill a Mockingbird, A Tale of Two Cities etc. was provided. They were passed out at the beginning of the assignment and collected at the end.

I was in high school 25 year ago and had to buy my own required reading books. They weren't given out by the school. Literature anthologies were bought and supplied by the school, but not the extra novels.

 

[palavra]

I think I should clarify. I have no problem buying school supplies for my kids. Books, pencils etc...That is what you sign up for when you become a parent. So no issues there. What I do have a problem with is the lists of random things, that the kids may or may not use and that (on a budget board) is a waste of money. But people buy them, "because they are on the list". And because there are parents, who may or may not be low income, but do not buy the basic supplies, I (and other parents who have sent in) have to cover them with the communal supplies. Why is it MY job? Not saying it should be the teachers job either. It shouldn't be. But I am not going to feel bad because I choose how to spend my money and don't feel that it is my job to pick up another parents slack. If someone truly can't afford it, that is another story. But if someone truly can't afford it, and as a pp stated they buy the non-mandatory stuff, pictures, book fair etc...that is wrong. No one says you have to have the pictures, and spirit wear etc....

But how do you know what the necessary items on the list are? What you think of as unnecessary might be a very needed item in a certain classroom. I don't mean to sound snarky, but this is sort of akin to telling a doctor what medical supllies he or she may or may not need. I know that the items on my required supply list (5 items) will definitely be used this year.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Lol, I don't have a problem with communal supplies. Whatever works for individual teachers and is the best for their classroom. It surprises me that people font trust that teachers are just doing their best to make plans a year in advance.

It is too bad you all don't have community action or church support for regular supplies.

 

[ilovejack02]

I was in high school 25 year ago and had to buy my own required reading books. They weren't given out by the school. Literature anthologies were bought and supplied by the school, but not the extra novels.

My parents bought my required reading books in my high school years. I had to buy my DS21 books as well. My DS8 has to read so many AR books a year and while he can check out books in school library it is only one a week and he reads that in a day. I buy books when they have the 1.99 sale at Barnes and Nobles to keep at home as he likes to go above the required amount to read so he can win prize at end of year .
I will always buy what my child needs for school and not complain a bit, am also happy to help his teachers with what they need also. I stock up when Target has their super clearance sale and donate to the classroom.

While I prob spend 200-300 a year, still much cheaper than private school and he is getting a great education . Thank you Livingston Parish School system!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I think I should clarify. I have no problem buying school supplies for my kids. Books, pencils etc...That is what you sign up for when you become a parent. So no issues there. What I do have a problem with is the lists of random things, that the kids may or may not use and that (on a budget board) is a waste of money. But people buy them, "because they are on the list". And because there are parents, who may or may not be low income, but do not buy the basic supplies, I (and other parents who have sent in) have to cover them with the communal supplies. Why is it MY job? Not saying it should be the teachers job either. It shouldn't be. But I am not going to feel bad because I choose how to spend my money and don't feel that it is my job to pick up another parents slack. If someone truly can't afford it, that is another story. But if someone truly can't afford it, and as a pp stated they buy the non-mandatory stuff, pictures, book fair etc...that is wrong. No one says you have to have the pictures, and spirit wear etc....

This is what I have been trying to say but you did it better than I did.