possible debate..school supplies

[Bumbles]

I was reading the school supply thread here and started thinking about the school districts that don't allow students to have their own school suppiles...everything is pooled together and shared.

Personally, I'm not fond of that as it smacks of socialism to me, but my brain works like that

What are your thoughts? Is it good to pool school suppiles or is it more hassle than it's worth?

 

[dizagain]

I'm a teacher and I have gone both ways. When I taught public Kindergarten, we were told to pool the supplies. I didn't like it and I personally gave each child a bag of their own. Most kids prefer having their own stash of stuff to use.

Now I teach in a private Kindergarten and I have a very small class size - last year I had 6!!! They were given their own supply bags, but it drove me crazy (is it because I'm 10 years older now?). This year I'm thinking of using communal supplies because I think it's easier and neater. You know, get the crayon bucket out and that's it. Throw in some scissors if needed, etc...
If I go that route, it will be because of the clutter control, not to "keep the kids equal" or anything like that! Then again, I know how kids LOVE their "stuff". What to do, what to do...

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have found that children take care of their items better if it is THEIR items, that they chose and brought with them. Ownership is a big deal when you're a child...

I am not fond of pooling supplies that parents bring seperately.

 

[grinningghost]

I think it gives kids a little dose of responsibility to have their own "stuff". If Johnny loses his blunt nose scissors, then Johnny knows he's going to have to tell his mom he needs a new pair. Then, mom can give him the lecture about taking care of his things. Just a little way to help parents teach personal responsibility.

 

[peachgirl]

As long as each child contributes their share, I don't see what difference it makes to anyone but the teacher. Which ever method works best for her is the way it should be done.

I think calling it socialism is going a bit too far. If only a few were contributing while everyone got to use the supplies, it would be a valid argument.

 

[Bumbles]

Originally posted by peachgirl
[I think calling it socialism is going a bit too far. If only a few were contributing while everyone got to use the supplies, it would be a valid argument. [/B]

Actually, I think it's a very valid definition of socialism. Children are told they cannot have their own personal property, they must turn everything over to the teacher who then allows everything to be shared. And, if you're referring to a public school, you can conceivably say that the goods are actually being turned in to the government for redistribution to the students as needed.

And if you think everyone contributes equally in every school district, I have a lovely oceanfront property in Arizona I'd love to sell you

 

[snoopy]

Either way works for me. Whatever is easiest for the teacher. Our school has done it both ways -- it seems like the shared concept works best for the younger kids.

 

[monkeyboy]

I believe "what's mine is mine"

You may borow it at a price.

Capitalism at its best

 

[peachgirl]

And if you think everyone contributes equally in every school district, I have a lovely oceanfront property in Arizona I'd love to sell you

Of course there are students whose parent's don't or can't purchase the supplies required. Some of those are eligible for programs that furnish their supplies, so either way, their "share" is contributed. In any case, you're talking about perhaps 1 or 2 students in an entire classroom who fail to contribute their supplies.

For those few who remain that don't furnish their supplies, the situation would be no different whether the supplies are pooled or not. What generally happens is the teacher makes up the shortage and would in a shared supply situation as well.


In any case, you're talking about perhaps 1 or 2 students in an entire classroom who fail to contribute their supplies.

As I said, whatever makes the most effective system for the teacher is the best way to do it. Children will survive the trauma of not being able to call their crayons their own.

And if you think kids don't share their supplies anyway, then you don't know how things work inside the classroom.

 

[SC Minnie]

Our school asks for each child to bring their own stuff and label it. But they also ask if you can to send in extra. They also have school supply drives at the stores so people can donate them. These extras go into a supply room where the kids that come from familys that can't or won't buy them can go in and pick out what they need.

We live in a rather well off district as far as personal income-- less that 5% of students on free/reduced lunch so its not a very big problem- most students come in with the supplies they need.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I never heard of this before. Do they tell you before you write your kid's name on everything?? That is what I was planning to do with DS6's stuff before I send him off to school. At the private kindergarten he went to, they asked for money to buy the supplies, but each child was given his own box with his name on each and every item, including individual crayons..(!!)

 

[NMAmy]

DD's school in Michigan only requires a few items--binder, colored pencils, calculator. In New Mexico, EVERYTHING was required. Her school had a wide range of income levels so when I had the money, I would buy extras of items and give them to the teacher in case some students couldn't afford all the items. I know some teachers were providing supplies out of their own pocket for kids that couldn't afford them. If I could save some child from being embarassed about not having all the required items, I was happy to do it.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I prefer having each child have their own supplies to be responsible for. I can see the benefit to the teacher of having some "group" things (like the scissors) for the younger ones.

There are always parents who don't get the requisite supplies. I generally send in extra boxes of crayons and glue sticks and stuff, so the teacher can give the "left out" children their own stuff, too. In our district, this tends to be more a money issue instead of laziness, so I want the poorer kids to start on a level field. That said, any kid who loses or breaks their supplies will ahve to deal with that.

P.S. peachgirl, it is, in fact, socialism. No different than if everyone pooled their lunches and teachers doled out what the teacher felt was "right". Schools do this sometimes, too (we have an annual picnic where each grade donates an item), and I don't mind it once in a while, but if they start doing it with grades, we're moving!

 

[AirForceRocks]

I prefer that each child have the items that were sent in for them when it comes to the actual school supplies (crayons, paints, colored pencils, etc). Paper towels and wipes I could care less about.

 

[Talking Hands]

Originally posted by peachgirl
In any case, you're talking about perhaps 1 or 2 students in an entire classroom who fail to contribute their supplies.

1 or 2 children in a classroom. More like 25% plus in the school I sub at most. Over 85% of the children in the school are on the free lunch program. The teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing has given up even asking. She provides all the supplies for the class. Of course it is more feasible for her as her classes are small (8-13)

 

[eeyore45]

In our district (I sub) some parents do put their name on everything, and it doesnt matter, stuff is still pooled (glue sticks, tape, etc and the worst is listening to the teacher telling the kids they cant have their stuff! You may be surprised at some of the language well intentioned teachers use!)

Our Kindergarten teacher does a marvelous job of both!! She has a different budget and each kid gets a ziplock pencil case, at the beginning of school they get the basic crayons (oh she also buys the huge with hundreds of ind. crayons of the diff. colors) and they keep pencils scissors and crayons, oh and thier name tags (for the days of subs!) when a student doesnt have a brown crayon, he knows where to find one! The kindergarten teacher has also purchased back of the chair pouches that hold thier take home folder, so when they finish something it goes into the pouch or folder, easy access, since they have tables, not desks. In cooperative learning, no more desks!

We have a "fly up" day before school ends, so when dd was in 1st grade last year, she flew up to her 2nd grade class and met her teacher... and that class is a disaster, nothing is personal, the teacher tries, but its not that important to her... I have no idea how dd is going to handle this, I shudder at the thought, but I know I have to let it go... they somehow find a way (I sub in this classroom often! )

 

[nkjzmom]

Our kids here keep all that they bring in as their own....I now have to write initials on every single crayon and pencil....

 

[Dcat2u]

I dislike them putting out the list early then you buy everything, they get to school and they want a whole new list of stuff and half the other stuff is useless. Last year I refused to buy dry erase markers because they were handed over to the teacher to use. I refuse to buy the teacher thier supplies too, I pay taxes for that stuff. I paid high taxes for the school when my kids were in the private school and as we know didn't benefit them.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

We were told DO NOT label the supplies. Only the backpack and nap towel. Which i was a little bothered by. My DD takes care of her things pretty good. But if the items are not labeled that means they are planning on pooling them and might not end up with the nice stuff I purchased for her.

 

[Bumbles]

And if you think kids don't share their supplies anyway, then you don't know how things work inside the classroom.

Sharing because you want to share out of the goodness of your heart is one thing, being forced to share is quite another.

BuzznBelle'smom..interesting analogy with the doling out of the lunches.......