New vent about school lists!!

[always quiet]

I just called our school and ATTEMPTED to get my son's supply list now. Next week, more than likely on the first day of school, my husband will be in the hospital (down in Philly). His surgery to remove the tumor will be either Mon or Tues next week. I explained to the school that I am going to be very crazy next week and I really wanted to get things ready for school now, while my attention is a least somewhat more focused. No luck getting the list as "the 9th grade teachers don't make a list....each teacher wants different things". I was speaking to the guidance dept and she at least told me to let my son know if any teacher gives him a hard time if he doesn't have something in immediately, to go down and see her.

You would think that it wouldn't be that difficult to get a list from teachers!!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I don't remember getting lists in 9th grade. We always just bought a notebook and folder for each class. Pencils, pens, calculator for math, highlighters and that was pretty much it. I really don't think he will need much more than that in the first week or so.

A teacher might request a red pen or something like that, but if you get the basics he should be ok for a while.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

oh, I know you are really stressed right now.

I agree, there usually aren't lists for High School. If you know what Math class your son will be in, you might try calling to see if he needs a specific calculator.

Other than that, really concentrate on the organizational stuff. A folder for each class and perhaps a binder to keep them in, an assignment planner and lots of pens and pencils because they are on sale right now and the prices about quadruple in October.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I'm trying to remember what DS needed in 9th. Maybe that would help. We don't get lists in high school either.

Pens (blue/black and red), pencils, if he's taking geometry he'll probably need graph paper, notebook paper, notebook dividers, a notebook, several spiral notebooks, a calculator, protractor, compass, maybe a ruler, a couple of pocket folders, and a combination lock for his locker.

That list should pretty much cover it. You might ask a 10th grader what he needed last year. That would give you a good idea. He might have different teachers, but it will be similar.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Originally posted by always quiet
I just called our school and ATTEMPTED to get my son's supply list now. Next week, more than likely on the first day of school, my husband will be in the hospital (down in Philly). His surgery to remove the tumor will be either Mon or Tues next week. I explained to the school that I am going to be very crazy next week and I really wanted to get things ready for school now, while my attention is a least somewhat more focused. No luck getting the list as "the 9th grade teachers don't make a list....each teacher wants different things". I was speaking to the guidance dept and she at least told me to let my son know if any teacher gives him a hard time if he doesn't have something in immediately, to go down and see her.

You would think that it wouldn't be that difficult to get a list from teachers!!

I know that is frustrating. But, we do the same thing at the high school where I used to teach.

Once children enter high school, they have different schedules. You do not need a graphing calculator unless you are in a math class that requires one, for example. There is really no way to come up with one list for each ninth grader.

But, if your child can come to school with paper, a notebook, pencils and a pen, they will be just fine for the first few days. When I taught high school I gave the students at least a week to get their supplies for my class (a 1 inch binder, spiral notebook, calculator and graph paper).

Hope everything goes well!

 

[always quiet]

I tried to already have the basics ready. He has a 2" Mead 5 Star Binder, loose leaf paper, dividers, red, blue and black pens, pencils - both the normal ones and the mechanical ones, folders, single subject notebooks, ruler, pencil sharpner, highlighter....I think that's it!! He has a fancy calculator from last year - he's taking the 2nd half of Algebra I this year (the school teaches half the course in 8th and the 2nd half in 9th). The school district gives all the students, starting at 3rd grade, an agenda on the first day of school. I think that's everything I have!!

Last year, on the first day of school, he came home with a list. Included on this list was a very specific notebook................one that is ONLY sold at Staples (are we talking kick backs maybe! ) We went into Staples that night and it was worse that Toys R Us on Black Friday!! I think we saw every kid in his class along with a set of very frazzled parents!! These are the notebooks I bought for him already!

 

[Serena]

Colleen, that's all you can do.
Each kid gets a different schedule and it may change a couple times the first days of school, if it's not right. He won't know about what each teacher needs until he gets there. It doesn't sounds like he will need much since you are already so prepared.

Good luck next week.

 

[Kallison]

Do you have his schedule? Can you email each of his teachers directly. We don't really do lists in middle school/high school -- just get the same stuff everyyear, binder, paper, erasable pens, calculator, etc. I'm sure they will be understanding or maybe you can ask another Mom in same class to get it for you.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I was thinking maybe you could enlist the help of a guidance counselor, perhaps? Maybe explain your situation?
Just a thought....

I hope things go well for your family.

 

[always quiet]

I was speaking to the guidance office today. She was the one who told me that the teachers don't make lists in 9th grade (I swear, if he comes home with a list!!! ). She said to tell my son if any teacher gives him a hard time about getting supplies in as promptly as they'd like, he is to go down and tell her!

 

[Kirby]

It's the same here, 9th - 12th grade doesn't give out advance supply lists. Do you know anyone that had a child in the 9th grade last year? That's what I did, I asked a neighbor and she clued me in. Otherwise, I'd e-mail the teachers once you get his schedule. Unless he's taking art, I wouldn't worry about his supplies the first week. The basics, paper, pens, pencils, folders, spiral notebooks should do the trick. I know one thing that was different for my son and that was the size of the binders he needed. A 1" one for each class instead of one large one with dividers.

 

[poohtown]

I totally feel your pain !

when my daughter started high school, she came home with orders for very specific items and a two day deadline. Some teachers asked for 5 subject notebooks while others wanted composition books and others wanted 1 1/2 inch binders (no it can not be 1 inch) and loose leaf paper. That was the hardest to find - all I could find were stupid 1 inch by that time. We also had one teacher who wanted blue ink pens. The art teacher wanted a specific drawing book also.

Now I've started my own school supply closet. It seems things are so cheap right before school starts then skyrocket. Last year we ran out of paper and had to spend $2.- per notebook compared to 25 cents. I know it's not that big deal sounding, but when you buy about 20 notebooks total it really adds up. So now my closet has a box of loose leaf, two boxes of 20 cent notebooks, about 15 bottles of glue (10 cents each), 20 boxes of crayons (also 10 cents) and some misc. items (rulers, 3 hole punch, etc.)