Back to school *vent*

[taylor3297]

After reading so many posts about how people don't want their kids to "share" (communal supplies) the supplies they have bought with other kids is so disheartening. Yes there are parents who can afford the supplies but don't send anything in, and there are parents who truly can't afford them. What happened to helping others out? Yes even the parents who abuse the system and don't supply anything. The child has no control over whether their parents will supply the materials. But in the end, it is the child who will suffer if they don't have what they need. In this case the supplies needed to learn.

I have been guilty of complaining about all the money I spent out of pocket for my classroom. But in the end, I spent the money because I wanted all the kids in my class to succeed so I supplied what was needed.

So, in the end is it really that terrible to "help" the other kids out?

 

[pmarkley]

Unless the Constitution is amended, an education is a guaranteed right in America, regardless of whether you can afford all the bells and whistles.

Could you explain this, please? There is no "right to education" in the Constitution of the United States.

 

[taylor3297]

Could you explain this, please? There is no "right to education" in the Constitution of the United States.

You are correct. It is not in the Constitution of the United States. The right comes from each state's constitution.

 

[luvmy3]

I went out supply shopping today so here's my vent. If I can get a 1 subject notebook for as little as 10 cents, why is it I can't find a 3 subject for 30?

 

[taylor3297]

I went out supply shopping today so here's my vent. If I can get a 1 subject notebook for as little as 10 cents, why is it I can't find a 3 subject for 30?

Good question.

 

[luvmy3]

Good question.

It really hurt to spend $12 on 4 notebooks today I still have to find the elusive yellow one too

 

[fakereadhed]

For those who are disheartened by people wanting to "share" supplies(provide them for other families) let me guess, your kids are young. After years of "sharing" with others that never pitch in, being the responsible one and buying supplies to share with the other kids that have cell phone plans and are going to concerts in limos in kindergarden it gets kinda old. In my experience, it's not the kids who can't afford them that you end up sharing with. Yes, this is the same argument over and over on this board(credit card debt responsiblity, mortgage responsibility, extension of jobless benefits). Being a responsible grown up is fine, but wish others in a situation where they could afford it would make better choices. So tired of being responsible while some others milk the system. Makes me and others less likely to want to pick up the slack anymore.

Would also much rather buy supplies for my kid, and replace them as needed. Hate sending in more because other kids lost or broke the supplies. Besides, if my kid doesn't take care of their supplies they can do chores to pay to replace them!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My current complaint is not being able to find everything on the supply list. I went to 4 stores looking for 2 packages of dividers with pockets and didn't find any. Plus none of those stores carried a wierd size post it note that the school wanted.

I'm just going to take my list to school and ask the teacher about them. It could be one of those things where the list is older and the teacher doesn't really care.

I can't wait to get my high schooler's list on Thursday along with his class schedule. Then I get the fun scramble to find all of his stuff with the other 2,000 kids at his high school.

And school starts on Monday, August 9th around here. The buses aren't air conditioned and the temps are in the 90's. Poor kids.

 

[penn19]

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.

I think some of the pp on here who are teachers even indicated that someone makes up the supply list, with little to no input from them, and it may or may not contain items that they actually need/want.
I wouldn't tell a Dr how to do his/her job. I do question why it has to be a 1" binder vs a 2" binder etc....
And if my kids come home from school with the "required" spiral notebooks, but no writing in them, or a pack of pens that weren't used, were they really necessary to buy in the first place?

 

[taylor3297]

For those who are disheartened by people wanting to "share" supplies(provide them for other families) let me guess, your kids are young. After years of "sharing" with others that never pitch in, being the responsible one and buying supplies to share with the other kids that have cell phone plans and are going to concerts in limos in kindergarden it gets kinda old. In my experience, it's not the kids who can't afford them that you end up sharing with. Yes, this is the same argument over and over on this board(credit card debt responsiblity, mortgage responsibility, extension of jobless benefits). Being a responsible grown up is fine, but wish others in a situation where they could afford it would make better choices. So tired of being responsible while some others milk the system. Makes me and others less likely to want to pick up the slack anymore.

Would also much rather buy supplies for my kid, and replace them as needed. Hate sending in more because other kids lost or broke the supplies. Besides, if my kid doesn't take care of their supplies they can do chores to pay to replace them!

My kids are young but I am not. I am an older mom who taught middle school for 20 years. Again, I don't like that there are parents who don't do for their kids when they are able, but in the end the kids suffer, not the parents. I provided for many during my years of teaching. Yes, it got old, but I am not going to let a student go without.

Now I just didn't just dole out the pencils because the student didn't have one. If the student wanted to borrow a pencil, they had to leave me one of their shoes. When it was time to change class, they had to give me the pencil back in order to get their shoe back. I never had anyone leave my room wearing one shoe.

 

[fakereadhed]

And if my kids come home from school with the "required" spiral notebooks, but no writing in them, or a pack of pens that weren't used, were they really necessary to buy in the first place?

Just a budget tip- I pay my kids if they can provide me with the supplies on my list from the previous year's stash. They get 50% of what I would have paid at the store. Encourages them to keep their stuff in good shape and keep the books we purchase that are required reading to hand down to the younger one. It's a back to school "family stimulus" package!

I do agree about the binders. I send in 2in binders if 1in is required and we have them already. I am also guilty of sending in the 24 box of crayons with the colors picked out so it's the same as a 16ct box.

 

[fakereadhed]

Now I just didn't just dole out the pencils because the student didn't have one. If the student wanted to borrow a pencil, they had to leave me one of their shoes. When it was time to change class, they had to give me the pencil back in order to get their shoe back. I never had anyone leave my room wearing one shoe.

Love that! Kids had a teacher that did that. One day when they were having a party, we came in to set up and all the kids had only one shoe on.

 

[Hannathy]

It really hurt to spend $12 on 4 notebooks today I still have to find the elusive yellow one too

That is one of my biggest peeves!!! Why do they HAVE to have certain colors? Especially after kindergarten. I don't mind buying 6 notebooks but why must I buy special specific colors? You take a black marker and you write Math, Science, English, etc on the front and voila same thing is accomplished.
Same with folders. I did this last spring when my DS needed a new notebook for a subject that was one color well I was all out of that color and no way was I going to spend over a dollar to get that color when I had 10 from fall when they were 15 cents. I told him to let me know if she dared say anything.

I also don't like community supplies. I think teachers need to start thinking about the difference between niceties and necessities. Also every report doesn't have to be on poster board!

Back in the 60's we needed to buy nothing to go to elementary school. at the start of the year we were given 1 box of crayons, 2 pencils a pen (in upper grades)and a tablet. In January we got 2 more pencils and another tablet.

 

[Starbrite]

That is one of my biggest peeves!!! Why do they HAVE to have certain colors? Especially after kindergarten. I don't mind buying 6 notebooks but why must I buy special specific colors? You take a black marker and you write Math, Science, English, etc on the front and voila same thing is accomplished.

THIS is my only complaint about school supplies. We get our teacher assignments & supply lists about 3-5 days before school starts. (August 30th here). The supplies are soooo picked thru, you can be certain that we can never match the list. There's always that one yellow notebook, or purple folder that we just can't find.

Why the assigned color for each classroom?? Last year, DS's teachers even requested matching book covers. Does nobody use the old brown grocery bag anymore (or am I dating myself here?) Do you know how hard it is to find a purple bookcover 2 days before school starts

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Just a budget tip- I pay my kids if they can provide me with the supplies on my list from the previous year's stash. They get 50% of what I would have paid at the store. Encourages them to keep their stuff in good shape and keep the books we purchase that are required reading to hand down to the younger one. It's a back to school "family stimulus" package!

I do agree about the binders. I send in 2in binders if 1in is required and we have them already. I am also guilty of sending in the 24 box of crayons with the colors picked out so it's the same as a 16ct box.

lol, you are brilliant.

 

[torinsmom]

My current complaint is not being able to find everything on the supply list. I went to 4 stores looking for 2 packages of dividers with pockets and didn't find any. Plus none of those stores carried a wierd size post it note that the school wanted.

I'm just going to take my list to school and ask the teacher about them. It could be one of those things where the list is older and the teacher doesn't really care.

I can't wait to get my high schooler's list on Thursday along with his class schedule. Then I get the fun scramble to find all of his stuff with the other 2,000 kids at his high school.

And school starts on Monday, August 9th around here. The buses aren't air conditioned and the temps are in the 90's. Poor kids.

I would just ask the teacher the best place to find the hard to find items. We had lots of parents do that last year for the big Primary pencils we use for the beginning writers.

For some reason, our districts generic kindergarten list had 16 pack of Crayola crayons on it. You would not believe how many parents went 5 places looking for the 16 pack when the 24 pack was 25 cents. I hate that they really thought a teacher would be upset to get 8 extra crayons. This year it has a pack of LARGE Crayola crayons. UGH--even 4 year olds can use regular sized crayons. I will use what I get though.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

THIS is my only complaint about school supplies. We get our teacher assignments & supply lists about 3-5 days before school starts. (August 30th here). The supplies are soooo picked thru, you can be certain that we can never match the list. There's always that one yellow notebook, or purple folder that we just can't find.

Why the assigned color for each classroom?? Last year, DS's teachers even requested matching book covers. Does nobody use the old brown grocery bag anymore (or am I dating myself here?) Do you know how hard it is to find a purple bookcover 2 days before school starts

Get the paper bag, and purple crayons!

 

[luvmy3]

That is one of my biggest peeves!!! Why do they HAVE to have certain colors? Especially after kindergarten. I don't mind buying 6 notebooks but why must I buy special specific colors? You take a black marker and you write Math, Science, English, etc on the front and voila same thing is accomplished.
Same with folders. I did this last spring when my DS needed a new notebook for a subject that was one color well I was all out of that color and no way was I going to spend over a dollar to get that color when I had 10 from fall when they were 15 cents. I told him to let me know if she dared say anything.

I also don't like community supplies. I think teachers need to start thinking about the difference between niceties and necessities. Also every report doesn't have to be on poster board!

Back in the 60's we needed to buy nothing to go to elementary school. at the start of the year we were given 1 box of crayons, 2 pencils a pen (in upper grades)and a tablet. In January we got 2 more pencils and another tablet.

I'm pretty sure it has to do with trying to help/keep the kids organized. My ds (going into 5th) needs all one color for each subject, so his folder and notebook are the same color for Math, and then another color for science etc. When my dd was in 5th they needed those flexible binders, 1 subject notebook and a folder with holes, since yellow was so hard to find I stocked up for my 2 dses. Of course they don't need those binders or 1 subject notebooks they are just using 3 subjects now. I tried to be prepared and it backfired
I don't mind having specific colors for a certain class however I wish that it would be teacher's choice instead of a district thing. Every parent with a child in 5th grade is out looking for the same colors so all thats left are pink, purple and orange. Thats why I thought I was smart stocking up for the future. Oh well

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I'm pretty sure it has to do with trying to help/keep the kids organized. My ds (going into 5th) needs all one color for each subject, so his folder and notebook are the same color for Math, and then another color for science etc. When my dd was in 5th they needed those flexible binders, 1 subject notebook and a folder with holes, since yellow was so hard to find I stocked up for my 2 dses. Of course they don't need those binders or 1 subject notebooks they are just using 3 subjects now. I tried to be prepared and it backfired
I don't mind having specific colors for a certain class however I wish that it would be teacher's choice instead of a district thing. Every parent with a child in 5th grade is out looking for the same colors so all thats left are pink, purple and orange. Thats why I thought I was smart stocking up for the future. Oh well

I bet there is a black market for those binders!

 

[luvmy3]

I would just ask the teacher the best place to find the hard to find items. We had lots of parents do that last year for the big Primary pencils we use for the beginning writers.

For some reason, our districts generic kindergarten list had 16 pack of Crayola crayons on it. You would not believe how many parents went 5 places looking for the 16 pack when the 24 pack was 25 cents. I hate that they really thought a teacher would be upset to get 8 extra crayons. This year it has a pack of LARGE Crayola crayons. UGH--even 4 year olds can use regular sized crayons. I will use what I get though.

I was one of those parents who went out and paid $2.39 for the 16 packs of crayola crayons because the list specifically said "no roseart and no boxes over 16". I only did that once, after that my kids always brought in the box of 24 and no teachers ever said anything about it.