Post your crazy school supply item here.

[mjantz]

Popping in here again as a teacher about communal supplies. I tried as much as possible to keep things that kids brought for that kid. As I taught K we had tables, not separate desks. Each kid had their own cup of crayons but markers, colored pencils & regular pencils were communal. They sat in a small basket on each table.
For folders I really preferred the solid colored plastic ones for continuity. It was so much easier to say 'Drop your Blue folder in the bin' when they knew that folder was for homework. The plastic ones also lasted much better than the paper ones. Again, if a kids name was on the folder I made sure they got their stuff.
I had no space for 20 bins with each kids separate stuff. I barely had enough room to set up centers. If you want your kid to have the supplies you purchased for them, put their names on the supplies. It's no guarantee but most teachers I know do try.

 

[mrsklamc]

Speaking of dry erase markers-- I don't understand, they claimed they changed to those boards because chalk dust was bad for teachers to inhale....I just can't believe the chemicals in those markers are better than chalk dust.

 

[bridget]

I have to say when my mom first started teaching, I don't even think Clorox wipes existed, lol. And she was the rare teacher cleaning their desks. Now as a media specialist, she was sick more last year than ever before.

And if my daughter ever moves out of Nana's school, I'll happily ship a box of clorox wipes and such to the media specialist ... think about the kids that go in there each week. My mom sees more than 450 kids a week ... it's a walking germ infestation ...

At my school, the classroom teacher's will share clorox wipes with reading specialist/math interventionist and music They also share kleenex. We are lucky that we have churches that send extra school supplies and we make up backpacks for students that don't have supplies. That way they can come to school with supplies, like everyone else

 

[mjantz]

One reason I prefer a whiteboard to a chalkboard is that a whiteboard can double as a projection screen for showing videos. Our math curriculum contained a daily video so we used the projector every day.

 

[Robindianne]

If it was truly socialist, the school would already have the funding and materials required to do the job based on the taxes that are paid specifically for this purpose, including by those who do not have school age children.

 

[DisneygirlTeacher]

Last year, my daughter's teachers discovered this site, and it worked pretty well for them. Her AVID teacher requested (and received) books for the college bound classes.

http://www.donorschoose.org/

Put your needs up--things like basics get filled fairly quickly; people wanting electronics and expensive toys don't.

Thank you for mentioning this. I actually had heard of it, but I think now I will actually try it! I appreciate your help!

 

[Halbleib1]

My son is cyber schooled through a public charter school. Everything including a laptop and printer is provided by the school and yet the cost per child is less than brick and morder public schools. There is no way if he went to reg. School I would be buying the stuff I am reading on here. If schools put less money into extracurricular programs of which cyber schools do not offer-(they do offer a reimbursement up to 75.00 per year for phys ed. As well as internet reimbursement.) as well as managing the money better our schools would not be in the shape they are in.

We never had lists of stuff to buy until high school and than it was only notebooks pens or pencils and once in awhile a binder. For home ec we had to buy our sewing kit but the food for the cooking part was provided. In elementary school we were given a box of crayons that we were expected to take care of and they had to and did last the whole year including in kindergarten. They also provided pencils as needed and a notebook or two. We used paste that was made by the art teacher so no need for glue sticks. If we could not use paste we used liquid elmers glue.

Oh btw the teachers did not buy these supplies the school did. I know this for sure as they had a huge supply room off the gym for everything the students as well as the teachers would need. I did not grow up in an affluent area either. It was a small town in rural PA.. We never had baby wipes or clorox wipes-these didn't even exist. If we could go without those items why do teachers feel the need for them today?. Every year a thread like this crops up and every year the lists are more and more ridiculous.

To the poster in the beginning of the thread the golf pencils help with learning how to write. It helps the child control the pencil better. Crayons work as well but not so easy to fix a mistake.

 

[Halbleib1]

[QUOTE

I just can wrap my head around how school districts always seem so strapped for cash when so much funding is handed to them.

You need to sit down with any superintendent and treasurer of any school district and see where the money goes. It isn't as much money as you think schools get. It doesn't go for a ton of supplies. Approximately 80% of the money is spent on staff salaries-teachers, principals, custodians, secretaries, etc. School are a service industry and 80% of the money is generally spent on staff in any service industry. Then you have to heat the buildings, provide water, and maintain the buildings along with the school grounds, athletic fields. Technology is also an expense along with supplies like paper, copiers, art supplies. Just how much money do you think is left for individual student supplies? I don't make a lot of money, in fact, I haven't had a raise in 3 years and my last raise was $750 for the year, and I only got that because I did more degree work at my own expense. I do my job because I love it and the kids I serve. I do spend my own money on classroom books, art supplies not provided by the school, gifts for Christmas for the students and gifts they can make and give their parents. There may be a few school districts out there mismanaging their money, but I can assure you that most do a great job on stretching your tax dollars.[/QUOTE]


Sorry but any school that spends millons of dollars on athletics is wasting money. Many schools where I currently live have artificial turf football fields/lights for night play etc. that costs millions to install. That is just ridiculous. Before anyone tries defending this based on those that make careers out of sports or go to college on a scholarship that is not a justifiable excuse because that is a small percentage compared to those that do not participate in sports at all. Yes extra curriculars provide a benefit but in times that we are living where schools can not even provide the supplies needed for the classroom it is ridiculous to be spending money in that way.

One of the biggest expenses in my state as well are teachers pensions. Every year the cost goes up. I realize many will not like what I have to say but I think it is time to change that system as well.

 

[MineMail]

I'm irritated because they want my 1st grader to walk in with 5 packs of crayons.
Five. For each kid. I said that sounded like communism - my husband corrected me to socialism - but whatever! 5 packs of unmarked crayons totally ticks me off. In spite I am thinking about labeling them anyway - that has me fuming.

We had a Kindegarten teacher who made a similar request, but they were send in on a schedule. Kids were allowed to have their own labeled box, but if they didn't put the crayons away, into the bin they went. It was supposed to teach them to put their things away, but it just taught my DD not to share because her tablemate borrowed DD's crayons and left them out. (Easier than getting up to go to the bucket.) Guess that's a life lesson too.

 

[MineMail]

Craziest school supply items were shoe boxes because they made two dioramas that year. Unfortunately, the request came in January, after all the back-to-school and holiday shoe boxes had been recycled. We went to a shoe store and asked for some empties. (We have twins, so we needed FOUR boxes.)

 

[wendylovesdisney]

We have to pay a fee starting in kindergarten (about 50.00 -60.00) and my school supplies run me about 30.00. For a public school.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I have a Kinder for the first time and they have to bring 24 gluesticks each!!!

Also, 16 count crayons and of course the 24 ones are the ones that go on sale...

Our school (k-2) lists 24 for k, but 16 for first and second. I got the 24 pack for my first grader and i am sure most parents are doing the same. They just want to make sure nobody is sending in big boxes (48 and 96 count).

As for glue sticks we had to send in 6 last year, my the middle of the year DD's teacher had it on her monthly scrounge list. I swear they are putting less glue in them every year (same with scotch tape!). This year the put "big sticks" on the list.

 

[Marionnette]

You need to sit down with any superintendent and treasurer of any school district and see where the money goes. It isn't as much money as you think schools get. It doesn't go for a ton of supplies. Approximately 80% of the money is spent on staff salaries-teachers, principals, custodians, secretaries, etc. School are a service industry and 80% of the money is generally spent on staff in any service industry. Then you have to heat the buildings, provide water, and maintain the buildings along with the school grounds, athletic fields. Technology is also an expense along with supplies like paper, copiers, art supplies. Just how much money do you think is left for individual student supplies? I don't make a lot of money, in fact, I haven't had a raise in 3 years and my last raise was $750 for the year, and I only got that because I did more degree work at my own expense. I do my job because I love it and the kids I serve. I do spend my own money on classroom books, art supplies not provided by the school, gifts for Christmas for the students and gifts they can make and give their parents. There may be a few school districts out there mismanaging their money, but I can assure you that most do a great job on stretching your tax dollars.


Sorry but any school that spends millons of dollars on athletics is wasting money. Many schools where I currently live have artificial turf football fields/lights for night play etc. that costs millions to install. That is just ridiculous. Before anyone tries defending this based on those that make careers out of sports or go to college on a scholarship that is not a justifiable excuse because that is a small percentage compared to those that do not participate in sports at all. Yes extra curriculars provide a benefit but in times that we are living where schools can not even provide the supplies needed for the classroom it is ridiculous to be spending money in that way.

One of the biggest expenses in my state as well are teachers pensions. Every year the cost goes up. I realize many will not like what I have to say but I think it is time to change that system as well.

Millions? Seriously? I highly doubt that. Where I live, the athletic boosters raised the money for the artificial turf and track. I know for a fact that it did not cost "millions".

The whole community uses it free of charge. On any given evening, there are adults jogging the track and local sports clubs playing football, lacrosse or soccer on the field. Gym classes use the field on a regular basis during the school day. Band competitions are held there. And PIAA state playoffs are consistently held on fields with artificial turf, bringing revenue to the school that otherwise would not be received. The school district pays to maintain the field, which is cheaper than maintaining a grass field. And the athletes have a safer, more consistent playing surface. It was a win-win all around, which is why the school board took us up on our offer when the athletic boosters proposed the project.

 

[marmalade]

I'm sorry, but you sound quite extreme here. It's ten dollars worth of pencils, not a laptop computer or some other expensive item. It seems that if you can go on nice vacations, then sending in a few dozen decent writing instruments for your kid's class is not a big request. I guess, perhaps, you are just annoyed that a few dollars of your pencils will be used by other kids? However, in all honesty, wouldn't you feel good to be the silent person that enables a child to have what they need to be successful?

Perhaps we can re-frame the school requests that are in all likelihood intended to ensure all kids (not just your kid) in the class have what they need as a pay it forward kind of thing for the next generation. And, be happy you have the means and commitment to meet your child's needs; if all kids had parents like you, we'd be in a better place!!!

I personally feel it's great when you have a chance to help others, especially children! And hopefully, if your family ever needs a helping hand, someone will be there for you!

My list is actually pretty calm this year compared to last years, but I just needed to respond to this. This isn't just about lending a helping hand and passing on our generosity to other children. Last year my kids were each required 24 sharpened Ticonderoga pencils, I did not have a problem with this. The list also requested 5 different colored sturdy plastic folders, which I also sent in with no problem. I also labeled my kids folders with their name using stickers.

Starting the first week of school when folders started coming home, neither one of my kids had the NICE STURDY folders I sent in, they had cheap paper ones that were ripping after a few weeks. At open house, my kids had cheap dollar store pencils in their box, not the Ticonderoga ones that I sent them in with. You know the pencils where the tip falls out after your sharpen it, not a very good choice for a K and 1st grader.

So NO, I don't feel very generous and very good inside when another kid is getting good quality supplies, while my kids are using the crap that some other parent sent it.

 

[lady9]

You need to sit down with any superintendent and treasurer of any school district and see where the money goes. It isn't as much money as you think schools get. It doesn't go for a ton of supplies. Approximately 80% of the money is spent on staff salaries-teachers, principals, custodians, secretaries, etc. School are a service industry and 80% of the money is generally spent on staff in any service industry. Then you have to heat the buildings, provide water, and maintain the buildings along with the school grounds, athletic fields. Technology is also an expense along with supplies like paper, copiers, art supplies. Just how much money do you think is left for individual student supplies? I don't make a lot of money, in fact, I haven't had a raise in 3 years and my last raise was $750 for the year, and I only got that because I did more degree work at my own expense. I do my job because I love it and the kids I serve. I do spend my own money on classroom books, art supplies not provided by the school, gifts for Christmas for the students and gifts they can make and give their parents. There may be a few school districts out there mismanaging their money, but I can assure you that most do a great job on stretching your tax dollars.

Sorry but any school that spends millons of dollars on athletics is wasting money. Many schools where I currently live have artificial turf football fields/lights for night play etc. that costs millions to install. That is just ridiculous. Before anyone tries defending this based on those that make careers out of sports or go to college on a scholarship that is not a justifiable excuse because that is a small percentage compared to those that do not participate in sports at all. Yes extra curriculars provide a benefit but in times that we are living where schools can not even provide the supplies needed for the classroom it is ridiculous to be spending money in that way.

One of the biggest expenses in my state as well are teachers pensions. Every year the cost goes up. I realize many will not like what I have to say but I think it is time to change that system as well.[/QUOTE]

Seriously? Did you know for a fact that this is the case, the SCHOOL paid for it? I doubt it. States highly regulate what schools can spend their money on. Up until recently, our state mandated percentages of the money be spent on certain things, athletics was almost nothing. If our athletic teams want new equipment, a better field, travel to tournaments, they raise the money through fund raising activities. It does not come from the district's budget. In my school district, we do have a beautiful football field with tuft, paid for in cash through fund raisers and donations. Not 1 penny of the district's money was spent on it. I'd be happy to pm you my district's name if you'd like to verify my information. As for my pension? Yes, the cost increased again this year. I am paying for the increase, not my district. Between no raise, higher health care cost, pension increase, I am down about 8% of my salary from last year alone. Teachers don't teach for the money, they do it for the kids.

 

[Marionnette]

My list is actually pretty calm this year compared to last years, but I just needed to respond to this. This isn't just about lending a helping hand and passing on our generosity to other children. Last year my kids were each required 24 sharpened Ticonderoga pencils, I did not have a problem with this. The list also requested 5 different colored sturdy plastic folders, which I also sent in with no problem. I also labeled my kids folders with their name using stickers.

Starting the first week of school when folders started coming home, neither one of my kids had the NICE STURDY folders I sent in, they had cheap paper ones that were ripping after a few weeks. At open house, my kids had cheap dollar store pencils in their box, not the Ticonderoga ones that I sent them in with. You know the pencils where the tip falls out after your sharpen it, not a very good choice for a K and 1st grader.

So NO, I don't feel very generous and very good inside when another kid is getting good quality supplies, while my kids are using the crap that some other parent sent it.

I understand your point completely because that happened more than once to my own kids. My solution was to buy multiples of everything on the list that I knew the kids would use individually (pencils, scissors, folders, composition books) and when they came home with some POC substitute from the community stockpile, I threw the junk out and replaced it with the good stuff. I also sent extras in at the beginning of the school year to cover for the kids who didn't bring in supplies.

Honestly, most school supplies are pretty cheap at this time of year and it's not difficult to find the quality stuff on sale if you have the time to shop. I know that some parents don't. I happened to be fortunate enough to have the time to do it and I spread that good fortune around a bit.

You can rag on the system all you want or you can work to make a difference in it. I found that it wasn't worth the energy to be upset about pencils and glue sticks. It made me a happier person to do that little bit to make the teachers' life a little easier.

 

[kimmylaj]

thankfully it is an optional item, but this year our school requested printer ink along with the regular list. at $20 a cartridge , i dont think they will get many people sending this in.

 

[angierae]

As one of the high school kids whose parents couldn't afford supplies, thank you to every one of you who happily sends in "extra" items. It was so nice for a teacher to be able to pull me aside after class and hand me things they knew I needed and couldn't afford. Once I turned 16 and could get a job to buy myself the stuff I needed it was so much better, but for the first 2 and a bit years of high school I was really floundering, borrowing stuff from friends and trying to get by on what I could.

(And before anyone jumps on me, my dad died just before 7th grade. My mother struggled after that. A lot. And he couldn't get life insurance because he had a genetic kidney disease - and that wasn't what killed him.)

 

[tmarquez]

The three odd things on my 4th graders list this year were post-it notes, safety goggles and a jump drive.

Very curious to see what they do with the jump drives...I guess they aren't worried about computer viruses. And safety goggles? Yikes!

 

[torinsmom]

The three odd things on my 4th graders list this year were post-it notes, safety goggles and a jump drive.

Very curious to see what they do with the jump drives...I guess they aren't worried about computer viruses. And safety goggles? Yikes!

My son had to have jump drives from 6th grade and up. It is to save any documents they work on at school. That way, if the computer crashes, they won't lose their work. If they are like our district, they have major anti-virus on their systems to cut down on the chance of viruses.