Can I gripe about School Supplies?

[phewms]

DS will be in K this school year at a Catholic private school (not that the latter makes a difference). In the Spring (March, maybe?) we were urged to utilize School Tool Box to purchase the pre-packaged school supplies. We were told they would be delivered to the classroom by the first day of school. The appeal was that it was convenient and we were told "it's a little pricier than paying in stores, but not by much."

So we decided go this route, even though the new supply lists had not been finalized yet. The cost was around $90.

Now that the lists are out, this is what my NINETY DOLLARS paid for (1st number denotes quantity):

SUPPLY LIST

(4) - Crayola Washable Markers Conical/Broad Tip Assorted Colors 12ct

(15) - Elmer's Large Glue Stick Washable Purple, Dries Clear (EACH)

(5) - Pure'n Gentle Baby Wipes Fragrance & Alcohol Free Resealable Refill (no tub)

(3) - Kleenex Facial Tissue Medium Box

(4) - Crayola Crayons 24ct


(1) - 4-Pack 2-Pocket Folder Poly w/out Clasp (RD,BL,YL,GN)

(1) - 2-Pocket Folder Poly w/out Clasp Orange

(2) - Fiskars Scissors Blunt 5"

(2) - Elmer's Washable School Glue White 4oz

(2) - Dixon Ticonderoga Pencil #2 Yellow Sharpened 12ct

(1) - Sealable Storage Bags Sandwich

(1) - School Box (9Lx6.5Dx2.5H)

I'm estimating that at most, these items would cost $30 total. UGH.

 

[Southernmiss]

School supply shopping is a lesson you learn as you go along. You are just starting out and learning early.

I am sure some of the $90 you paid will go back to the school as a fundraiser. Think of it as one less fundraiser you will be hit up for this year.

What burns me is when the kids come home at the end of the year with that one item you went to 4 stores to find unused.

 

[sandyplayer]

of when they need a notebook for every subject, and some of those subjects, like computers, use about ten pages all year....why not combine computers and health? or another subject.....at least the music teacher encourages that...3rd year using the same NB, she tells them they do not have to repeat notes for things that are already in the nb from prior years

I always buy my own supplies, do not do the school box supply because I can get them on sale for so much cheaper....and I always buy doubles and triples of things on sale anyway, like crayons/glue/markes so if I have to go school shopping anyway, I don't mind getting it all

 

[disneymomto5]

I bought that supply list from school one time too, and quickly realized that I could buy those supplies much cheaper, especially if I took the time to shop around. It's an expensive lesson, I sympathize.

I also agree that I hate when they don't use something they just "had" to have. Very irritating.

 

[phewms]

It would be nice to thikn of it as one less fundraiser to donate to. However, in his Welcome Packet, we were asked/urged to donate to 3 fundraisers, all taking place before November!

But you are right... lesson learned!

 

[OhMari]

Wow, I am surprised those companies are still around.
It is a big fund raiser for your school. We did it one year and I figured out the cost too and declined every year after that.

 

[mm1971]

DS will be in K this school year at a Catholic private school (not that the latter makes a difference). In the Spring (March, maybe?) we were urged to utilize School Tool Box to purchase the pre-packaged school supplies. We were told they would be delivered to the classroom by the first day of school. The appeal was that it was convenient and we were told "it's a little pricier than paying in stores, but not by much."

So we decided go this route, even though the new supply lists had not been finalized yet. The cost was around $90.

Now that the lists are out, this is what my NINETY DOLLARS paid for (1st number denotes quantity):

SUPPLY LIST

(4) - Crayola Washable Markers Conical/Broad Tip Assorted Colors 12ct

(15) - Elmer's Large Glue Stick Washable Purple, Dries Clear (EACH)

(5) - Pure'n Gentle Baby Wipes Fragrance & Alcohol Free Resealable Refill (no tub)

(3) - Kleenex Facial Tissue Medium Box

(4) - Crayola Crayons 24ct


(1) - 4-Pack 2-Pocket Folder Poly w/out Clasp (RD,BL,YL,GN)

(1) - 2-Pocket Folder Poly w/out Clasp Orange

(2) - Fiskars Scissors Blunt 5"

(2) - Elmer's Washable School Glue White 4oz

(2) - Dixon Ticonderoga Pencil #2 Yellow Sharpened 12ct

(1) - Sealable Storage Bags Sandwich

(1) - School Box (9Lx6.5Dx2.5H)

I'm estimating that at most, these items would cost $30 total. UGH.

I'm pretty sure I would express myself to the school and let them know how unsatisfied I was.

As a PP said, I'm sure it is a fundraiser for the school and that is why they push it to begin with. We have always gone to Staples. They have $1 bins for pencils/pens/markers/erasers. For both kids I think we spend less than $50/year.

Sorry you were hornswaggled into paying more than double for the supplies. I guess lesson learned.

 

[mom2cgj]

I think our list was about the same as your's (different company, though, I think). Ours was $30! I bought school supplies myself for my DS in K thinking it would be fun to pick out folders, etc. Then I learned that our school tells us EXACTLY what to buy - 1 red folder, 1 blue folder, etc. No fun! Then I talked to moms who'd bought the supply box through the PTA, and they paid less than I did! So we buy the PTA box every year now. I can't imagine why your's was $90! That's crazy!!!

 

[thebeesknees]

The box they wanted me to buy for my K child was $96 and the one for 4th grade is $126 - the difference on the lists? An 8gb flash drive and an extra 2 boxes of tissues. No thanks! We went and price-matched everything at Walmart and I am done except for getting hand sanitizer. It does take a lot of time to find everything on the lists and I understand why a lot of parents would opt to just have it all done instead of run around trying to find everything and then have to lug it all to school. My middle schooler didn't get a list, so we are sticking with the basics like notebooks, pens and pencils and I'll pick up any extras as he needs them.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

70.00 bought school supplies plus backpacks and a lunch tote for a junior k and third grader. Both lists were very similar to your list.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Narnia_girl]

DS will be in K this school year at a Catholic private school (not that the latter makes a difference). In the Spring (March, maybe?) we were urged to utilize School Tool Box to purchase the pre-packaged school supplies. We were told they would be delivered to the classroom by the first day of school. The appeal was that it was convenient and we were told "it's a little pricier than paying in stores, but not by much."

So we decided go this route, even though the new supply lists had not been finalized yet. The cost was around $90.

Now that the lists are out, this is what my NINETY DOLLARS paid for (1st number denotes quantity):

SUPPLY LIST

(4) - Crayola Washable Markers Conical/Broad Tip Assorted Colors 12ct

(15) - Elmer's Large Glue Stick Washable Purple, Dries Clear (EACH)

(5) - Pure'n Gentle Baby Wipes Fragrance & Alcohol Free Resealable Refill (no tub)

(3) - Kleenex Facial Tissue Medium Box

(4) - Crayola Crayons 24ct


(1) - 4-Pack 2-Pocket Folder Poly w/out Clasp (RD,BL,YL,GN)

(1) - 2-Pocket Folder Poly w/out Clasp Orange

(2) - Fiskars Scissors Blunt 5"

(2) - Elmer's Washable School Glue White 4oz

(2) - Dixon Ticonderoga Pencil #2 Yellow Sharpened 12ct

(1) - Sealable Storage Bags Sandwich

(1) - School Box (9Lx6.5Dx2.5H)

I'm estimating that at most, these items would cost $30 total. UGH.

I'm confused by the quantities! Why would one child need two pair of scissors? or four boxes of crayons? I've been buying school supplies for 17 years and the kids always end the year with a decent supply of crayons, markers and colored pencils.

Next year you can "shop" from your stash that's left over. There's really no reason to buy scissors, rulers, sharpeners, school boxes, and so on unless they are worn out or in the case of scissors your child's hands get too big for little sizes.

I buy supplies here when spiral notebooks are 10 cents, glue and crayons are a quarter.

 

[mm1971]

It would be nice to thikn of it as one less fundraiser to donate to. However, in his Welcome Packet, we were asked/urged to donate to 3 fundraisers, all taking place before November!

But you are right... lesson learned!

We have 2 fundraisers during the year and they send those *&^$% scholastic book flyers home once a month trying to get us to buy books all year.

Good luck. I would think for a private school they would just raise tuition $100 and get rid of the fundraisers. I would sign up for that one.

 

[sk!mom]

Prepare to be pissed off again when you get a look at the quality of the supplies. My school tried this a few years ago. Parents complained about the cost and teachers complained about the quality. Spiral notebooks with the lined pages crooked, folders where the brads fell out on first use, glue sticks that arrived dry.

I guess I was lucky. My kids never seemed to have an outrageous amount on their lists.

As a teacher, I've always tried to keep the list reasonable and I never make difficult specifications. I don't want anyone searching all over town for an illusive pink folder or green 1.25 inch binder.

 

[OklahomaTourist]

Sad truth is that, for many of these numbers, you're buying supplies for the kids who won't bring any. Many times, teachers will pool things like crayons, paper, and pencils, turn them into a community pool, and issue them as needed during the year. Good side - might help a kid whose family might not have the bucks to buy a full slate of supplies. Bad side - you're paying for what's really someone else's responsibility.

Ninety bucks for that list is crazy. Average supply list runs between $30-$40, and if you're willing to really track the sales, you can do quite a bit better, but that can be offset by the gas expenditure driving from place to place to place. One place uses folders as a loss leader at a penny apiece, then cleaning up on, say, copy paper.

As a teacher, I've always tried to keep the list reasonable and I never make difficult specifications. I don't want anyone searching all over town for an illusive pink folder or green 1.25 inch binder.

There is at least some effort within each elementary school for the teachers within a grade to produce a consolidated list, rather than Teacher 1 wants x, y, and z, but Teacher 2 wants y, z, and a. It isn't perfect, but it does help eliminate those "elusive pink folder" situations.

I wish they could do that across ALL the grades. Standardize on one kind of preferred pencil, crayon box size, etc. etc. Sure would make things simpler for fams with kids in multiple grades.

 

[dsneprincess]

School supply lists get crazier here with every passing year! It is a huge complaint of mine..... Retailers sell notebooks that the kids want, BUT oh no we must all be cookie cutter and have red for this subject, green for that. We all know that what works for organization for one person doesn't for another, so why can't kids do their own thing? The joke is that I KNOW my son will not use some of the required binders at all & it will have NO impact, other than the money I will be missing from having purchased them! Huge ease of time and money. We will also end up with the 10 pages used in 70 sheet notebook phenomenon; still have some we are using up from 2 years ago! I hate this time of year!!!

 

[ktlm]

Wow! We do the pre-paid boxes at our school at it is $40, for stuff that we priced out would cost us about $50 at the store here. Sounds like your school is using it as a fundraiser! Also looks like your school goes pretty heavy on the supplies. Our box has 4 glue sticks, not 15. I know we don't have 4 sets of markers and 4 sets of crayons either. We might have 2 of each.

 

[Colleen27]

School supply lists get crazier here with every passing year! It is a huge complaint of mine..... Retailers sell notebooks that the kids want, BUT oh no we must all be cookie cutter and have red for this subject, green for that. We all know that what works for organization for one person doesn't for another, so why can't kids do their own thing? The joke is that I KNOW my son will not use some of the required binders at all & it will have NO impact, other than the money I will be missing from having purchased them! Huge ease of time and money. We will also end up with the 10 pages used in 70 sheet notebook phenomenon; still have some we are using up from 2 years ago! I hate this time of year!!!

That's what gets me too. Have to have specific color folders for each subject, then have to write name, grade, teacher, room number on the folders so they can't be reused. Have to have 70 sheet wide ruled notebooks in colors to match those folders, and again have to have all this info on the front cover so when there are 60 pages left in that notebook at the end of the year I can't just turn around and send it for a different child or the same child in the next grade.

Some specific requirements I can understand. Crayola really is better than no-brand crayons and markers. Elmers gluesticks work better and don't dry out as quickly as store brands. Foil-wrapped pencils clog up sharpeners. Those things don't bother me, but the micromanagement of notebooks and other supplies where there is no functional difference annoys the heck out of me!

 

[phewms]

Sad truth is that, for many of these numbers, you're buying supplies for the kids who won't bring any. Many times, teachers will pool things like crayons, paper, and pencils, turn them into a community pool, and issue them as needed during the year. Good side - might help a kid whose family might not have the bucks to buy a full slate of supplies. Bad side - you're paying for what's really someone else's responsibility.]

I truly hope this isn't the case as annual tuition alone is $6,000. Surely the parent(s) can get supplies for $30, if they opted out of the prepared package.

My friend's daughter is attending the Catholic High School. This year, they are going paperless. $65 non refundable rental for ipad and an additional $250 (non refundable) to "purchase books."

 

[Order66]

We have 2 fundraisers during the year and they send those *&^$% scholastic book flyers home once a month trying to get us to buy books all year.

Good luck. I would think for a private school they would just raise tuition $100 and get rid of the fundraisers. I would sign up for that one.

No such luck! My children previously attended a private Catholic school and not only did the principal introduce these "convenient school supply boxes" she made them MANDATORY! If you went out and bought your own supplies, you got the bill for your child's box tacked on to your tuition and if you didn't have your debt up to date....your child's grades were withheld. We also had 3 mandatory fund raisers to participate in, along with dozens of others they'd try to guilt you into. I have twins so double my expenses. The cost of our boxes (several years ago) was around $80. I could get everything for both kids for less than that.

Her excuse was that some parents were not buying name brand like crayola and the teachers complained about the quality and they had to "pool" the supplies so the child with the generic stuff would have better stuff.

Oh and the following year the tuition went up about 40%, and the mandatory "fund raisers" weren't cut at all. We switched our children to a different school that year.

regards

 

[theelfqueen]

Don't get me started on school supplies! My kids started school today!

My oldest just graduated from High School, my youngest is in third grade.

I DESPISE school supply lists. I hate how one year they 'need' paper folders with brads, and the next year it's plastic folders, no brads... (if all of my kids just needed the same darned folders I'd be able to buy a case lot!) There's always ONE item on each list that I just cannot get at the store where I go school supply shopping. I don't let my kids get involved because I know most of them are going to be pooled (And that annoys me, too! I am NOT a fan of pooling supplies).

If they request ridiculous things -- like large glue sticks when the small ones are super cheap, I just buck it and give what I'm willing to pay for.

And I don't do school fundraisers.