Please explain school supply requirements

[torinsmom]

We don't ask for supplies to fund those who don't bring them in. This is what we ask for(PreK?Kindergarten):

1 box of regular sized crayons(Crayola preferred)
1 box of large sized crayons(Crayola preferred)
1 box of markers(Crayola preferred)
1 box of colored pencils(Crayola preferred)
24 pencils(no colored or character)
2 boxes kleenex
1 container clorox wipes
1 bottle hand sanitizer
2 boxes ziplocs(1 sandwich, 1 gallon)
6 glue sticks

If we don't get enough it, WE buy the supplies and/or ask for them on a wish list. I have already bought 10 packs of markers and 20 packs of crayons, and will be buying more as I find them at a good price. So you don't really stick it to the school when you don't send in supplies, you stick it to the teacher, who probably wishes the school could afford to supply all the needed items as well.

 

[Chelley00]

I can understand pencils. Kids that age do lots and lots of writing I know my do.


The thing that gets me. Is why dry erase markers? That is silly to me.

At our school the kids use personal dry erase boards for a lot of things....math practice, spelling practice etc. It helps reduce the paper being used for practice things. They use paper worksheets for homework and tests.

 

[mikkiwikki]

We don't ask for supplies to fund those who don't bring them in. This is what we ask for(PreK?Kindergarten):

1 box of regular sized crayons(Crayola preferred)
1 box of large sized crayons(Crayola preferred)
1 box of markers(Crayola preferred)
1 box of colored pencils(Crayola preferred)
24 pencils(no colored or character)
2 boxes kleenex
1 container clorox wipes
1 bottle hand sanitizer
2 boxes ziplocs(1 sandwich, 1 gallon)
6 glue sticks

If we don't get enough it, WE buy the supplies and/or ask for them on a wish list. I have already bought 10 packs of markers and 20 packs of crayons, and will be buying more as I find them at a good price. So you don't really stick it to the school when you don't send in supplies, you stick it to the teacher, who probably wishes the school could afford to supply all the needed items as well.

Well see I would consider your list reasonable.
If my childs list looked like this I would (and have) purchased every item. (nor are you asking for a monthly supply of wipes etc)
*your list* is nothing like my son's list and I have every confidence...that in his case...that school is asking for way MORE than an individual student would require knowing that a fraction of the parents will not live up to their RESPONSIBILITIES.

Forgive me, not trying to argue..but simply making the point that it is not my responsibility to fund my neighbor who is irresponsible.
(even though I am in my taxes for sure) Not sticking it to the teacher - doing what I am asked - if it is something I feel my child will reasonably use.

teachers and schools are vastly underappreciated..so are parents. (that *is* at least... the ones that try to do the right thing.)

 

[LisaR]

My son will be in high school this year. The list we received isn't a big deal, and I don't mind buying the few extra mandatory supplies, but I admit to being a bit surprised that high schools still ask for extras. If a 9th - 12th grader can't remember to bring a couple pencils and pens with them by that age, I'd have them scrub the floors so they don't forget their pencils the next day!

 

[mikkiwikki]

To me, it does seem like a lot though. 2 pencils a week (per CHILD)? Even allowing for broken, forgotten, sharpening, kids who don't have any, etc. I think that's a lot.

The first grader needed 2 dry erase markers which seemed more reasonable. I hope the 3rd grade kids are using them... 6 markers * 20 kids = 120. That's almost a marker every day. Even allowing for a couple of kids not to bring them in, you're still looking at going through 2-3 markers per day.

Your paying for your irresponsible neighbor.. .at least that is my take.
Even with kids eating pencils...? .......even with that factored in.... your subsidizing your neighbor who can't be bothered

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Mikkiwikki,

Can you give an example of something you "know" your child won't use that was on the list? Because so far, the examples I've seen from you (kleenex, hand gel) and from others (cotton balls, zip locs) are things I can assure you the students in my school ALL use.

What else is on your list?

I find it ironic that you argue that there should be RULES (not sure how you plan on enforcing them) when you yourself aren't providing your own kids with the requested supplies and relying on your child's teacher or other parents to make up the gap. What do you think should happen to you as a consequence?

 

[mikkiwikki]

Mikkiwikki,

Can you give an example of something you "know" your child won't use that was on the list? Because so far, the examples I've seen from you (kleenex, hand gel) and from others (cotton balls, zip locs) are things I can assure you the students in my school ALL use.

What else is on your list?

I find it ironic that you argue that there should be RULES (not sure how you plan on enforcing them) when you yourself aren't providing your own kids with the requested supplies and relying on your child's teacher or other parents to make up the gap. What do you think should happen to you as a consequence?

If you read carefully..the items I posted around kleenex were from my daughters school..You think a box of Kleenex a month is reasonable?Really - Interesting because at home my daughter does not use that much....of that I can confidently assert..that aside.

Touche..observant....I did NOT detail my SONS' middle school list....that I stated was 2 pages long...and I will fully admit I no longer am clutching angrily a detailed copy from last September. From memory - as I stated, it was two pages long. tiny font...ridiculously long list...I'll get one in a few weeks and will post here..for your judgement.....I can without a doubt...guarantee...he did not use a fraction of it.

Guarantee. BUT this is all just hearsay ...you are implying..which I guess is Fair given I dont have the list....I can tell you many parents in my school district had the exact same reaction. ..How about this....When I get my list for NEXT years middle school Ill post! Then you can extrapolate....and ruminate on it. Cheers

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

TRUE..observant....I did NOT detail my SONS' middle school list....that I stated was 2 pages long...and I will fully admit I no longer am clutching angrily a detailed copy from last September. From memory - as I stated, it was two pages long. tiny font...ridiculously long list...I'll get one in a few weeks and will post here..for your judgement.....I can without a doubt...guarantee...he did not use a fraction of it.

Guarantee. BUT this is all just hearsay ...you are implying..which I guess is Fair given I dont have the list....I can tell you many parents in my school district had the exact same reaction. ..How about this....When I get my list for NEXT years middle school Ill post! Then you can extrapolate....and ruminate on it. Cheers

I'm just asking for one example. Not of something where you felt the quantity was unreasonable, but an item you were confident your child wouldn't use. I'm curious, because while I know teachers who put higher quantities than they need (usually because they only put it on every few years, or because they trade with another teacher or another grade level), I've never seen a teacher put something that wouldn't be used at all.

 

[mikkiwikki]

Mikkiwikki,


I find it ironic that you argue that there should be RULES (not sure how you plan on enforcing them) when you yourself aren't providing your own kids with the requested supplies and relying on your child's teacher or other parents to make up the gap. What do you think should happen to you as a consequence?

By that reasoning...if the school asks for 1 million dollars...Im just supposed to cough it up?

This discussion is ridiculous. You dont even know what my school asked for and you are saying I'm irrational.

Right parents bad...teachers always right. Ok!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

By that reasoning...if the school asks for 1 million dollars...Im just supposed to cough it up?

I'm not the one arguing that schools should be able to ask for things and enforce them. You are. You are the one saying there should be "RULES" and people should be expected to comply.

I think that parents refusing to comply with demands that are either generally unreasonable, or that are unrealistic for their particular budget is reasonable.

You stated that there should be rules and consequences, I'm asking for details or examples.

 

[mikkiwikki]

I'm just asking for one example. Not of something where you felt the quantity was unreasonable, but an item you were confident your child wouldn't use. I'm curious, because while I know teachers who put higher quantities than they need (usually because they only put it on every few years, or because they trade with another teacher or another grade level), I've never seen a teacher put something that wouldn't be used at all.

Ok one example 10 BINDERS.
My son used ONE

There you go LAMBAST WAY...

THAT was one of about 100 examples

 

[mikkiwikki]

I'm not the one arguing that schools should be able to ask for things and enforce them. You are. You are the one saying there should be "RULES" and people should be expected to comply.

I think that parents refusing to comply with demands that are either generally unreasonable, or that are unrealistic for their particular budget is reasonable.

You stated that there should be rules and consequences, I'm asking for details or examples.

THATS RIGHT and the RULES should be the SCHOOL doesnt ask for MORE than what your CHILD will use...

 

[sam_gordon]

1 box of regular sized crayons(Crayola preferred)
1 box of large sized crayons(Crayola preferred)
1 box of markers(Crayola preferred)
1 box of colored pencils(Crayola preferred)
24 pencils(no colored or character)
2 boxes kleenex
1 container clorox wipes
1 bottle hand sanitizer
2 boxes ziplocs(1 sandwich, 1 gallon)
6 glue sticks

To me, this seems reasonable and close to what my 1st grader needed (with the exception the amount of pencils).

Again, I'm not doubting the ITEMS are needed, it's the QUANTITY. I can't believe ALL of the items get used. 72 pencils for ONE third grader, come on.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Ok one example 10 BINDERS.
My son used ONE

There you go LAMBAST WAY...

THAT was one of about 100 examples

I misunderstood you. You complained about specific items and "items my child won't use". I didn't realize that you were complaining about quanitity. To me those are two different things.

I don't have a problem with a parent buying a portion of the list, if that's what they can afford. As a teacher, I'd rather parents buy a portion of each item, then skip items altogether, as it gives me more time to figure out how to make up the difference.

I'm still curious how you expect schools to enforce the rules that would require a parent to bring items.

 

[torinsmom]

To me, this seems reasonable and close to what my 1st grader needed (with the exception the amount of pencils).

Again, I'm not doubting the ITEMS are needed, it's the QUANTITY. I can't believe ALL of the items get used. 72 pencils for ONE third grader, come on.

We definitely go through less pencils than some classes, because the kids don't have personal pencils. We have a pencil jar full of pencils that we sharpen and replace as needed. We do the same with markers, colored pencils, crayons and scissors. It is easier to keep them from getting lost. One of our classroom jobs is to pick things up off the floor and put them where they belong. Also, in a mixed age PreK/K class, we don't go through as many pencils. I usually buy the large pencils for my PreK's to use and not even all my K's are writing when I get them.

 

[LoserMomma]

I just spent about 90 bucks on school supplies for my two kids today (and another 90 for backpacks and lunchboxes). We still need to get a few more things which we will buy on line (like a calculator for my fifth grader). It's a lot of money, but then again, I also bought extra because I know my son will destroy his folders and such so I've anticipated the need for extras.

Our school lists are long, but I will admit that when the kids came home at the end of last year, every page in every spiral notebook was filled. They work hard in school and I think it's a good investment to make in them. Yes, some of the stuff goes in a kitty (and that ticked me off at first) but the kids end up sharing anyway.

I do wonder at the requests for brand names instead of generic....is there REALLY a difference between crayola ($1.17 a box) and Rosecraft ($.51 a box)?

 

[sbell111]

I do wonder at the requests for brand names instead of generic....is there REALLY a difference between crayola ($1.17 a box) and Rosecraft ($.51 a box)?

Yes. There is a noticeable quality difference.

 

[LoserMomma]

Yes. There is a noticeable quality difference.

Are the crayons being used to create works of art the school will raise for fundraising? Because otherwise I don't see where crayon quality is a big deal.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Are the crayons being used to create works of art the school will raise for fundraising? Because otherwise I don't see where crayon quality is a big deal.

The art kids create at school is valuable, even when it isn't sold. I know I treasure everything that ends up on my fridge!

Roseart crayons are lousy. They break easily, and the marks they leave are faint enough that you have to color over and over. Both of these things are frustrating for kids. They don't work well for techniques like wax resist.

There are few places where I think brandname is crucial at school. Crayons, washable markers that actually wash off, and scissors that actually cut are at the top of the list.

 

[sam_gordon]

I just spent about 90 bucks on school supplies for my two kids today (and another 90 for backpacks and lunchboxes). We still need to get a few more things which we will buy on line (like a calculator for my fifth grader). It's a lot of money, but then again, I also bought extra because I know my son will destroy his folders and such so I've anticipated the need for extras.

We spent $120 for the two little ones... doesn't include backpacks and lunch boxes. We ended up at OfficeMax because we were looking at laptops for DW. We haven't gotten anything for our teen yet.