Questions for Teachers...

[Grandma Bear]

Do they have to bring anything the first day of school??..my goodness the list I get I feel I am supplying the whole class with just what I have to buy!!
This is all for first grade, they have to bring it all in the first day (I have to drive her and walk her in with the stuff, she could never carry it all!!....as the grades go up the list gets bigger

5 Composition Notebooks
100 pencils
4 boxes of crayons
6 bottles of white glue
12 erasers
10 glue sticks
pencil box (where to find a box that fits 100 pencils!!!)
4 pocket folders
10 packs of 3x5 index cards
2 index card boxes
4 boxes of tissues
2 pair of sissors
4 highlighters
2 boxes of markers
2 boxes large ziplock bags
2 boxes small ziplock bags
2 boxes baby wipes
1 smock
1 ruler
pencil sharpener
3 books covers (one red one blue and one green)
1 dictionary
1 looseleaf binder
1 packet of loosleaf paper

I teach sixth grade and we have a basic list; but this is excessive!
My granddaughter who lives in a separate part of the state has a list also but only for her stuff. This is way too much for onne child to use in a year!

 

[Kallison]

That is a sin for those that have to buy their own stuff. Our school district is wealthy, we get pretty much what we need, but still tend to run out of stuff by the end of the year. One thing I do stock up on is my own folders, notebooks and pencils. They are so cheap, it is just easier then asking for pencils and getting 12 at a time. I also pick up pencils in the hallway all year long and put them in my borrowing jar. When they go ewwww, it is chewed on I say too BAD.

 

[Coll0610]

Okay, teachers, if you were allowed to ask for donations, what would you ask for? I usually send in a couple of extra boxes of tissues during the year because I know DS uses a lot. What else could you use?

When we have the Scholastic book fair twice a year, they have a board with cards from each teacher listing a book they would like for their library. It's become a tradition for DS that we buy one for him and one for the classroom.

 

[paigevz]

The main supplies I always buy in excess and still need more:
looseleaf paper
pencils
pencil-top or "big pink" erasers
spiral notebooks
pocket folders
binders

We do have a school supply list..........usually about a third of the kids get about half of the list and we share it out...............parents get so mad that we share out the supplies like that, though, that in some cases the principles are saying to let them know how many don't have and they will use the activity fund for it..........when I tried that last year, he told me there were "just too many" and to share the supplies and he'd talk with parents if need be.

We get 300 dollars to spend, but can't use it on anything on the supply list, and only 75 dollars can be used on "teacher materials".........expos, chart holders, etc.

I spend about 400 a year on things for the room.

"Unreasonable" is a perfect word for anything involved in the way education is run in my opinion. Just apply it to everything else you read/hear about schools and you'll have a good picture of what it's like to do this job.

Still the best job in the world though! I couldn't see myself doing much else!

Oh, and that school supply list? Quite excessive, but I disagree with the one who said "the teacher" is outfitting the class. More like "the school" is attempting to make sure they have everything needed from the ones who will actually bring it all. "The teacher" is not usually in charge of much of these kinds of things. We get to do it by grade level in my school, but are limited to a dollar amount, and told when we go over to lose something. That list would definitely be over our dollar amount.

Here's a Kindergarten list from my son's school:
1 backpack (no wheels please)
2 pkg. 9x12 colored construction paper
1pkg 12x 18 colored constr. paper
4 boxes Crayons
1 box map colors
1 box markers
1 box water colors
4 bottles glue
1 pink eraser
3 glue sticks
2 boxes Kleenex
2 pkg 9x12 manila paper
1 pkg 12x18 manila paper
6 pencils
1 scissors
2 spiral notebooks
3.00 for communication folder

1st has a few additions and less art paper, crayons and glue.......add ins:highlighters, 3x5 cards, expo markers, folders, pencil bag, ruler, pens.

2nd grade does away with most of the additions, but has a lot of paper and notebooks, and a ton of pencils.

3rd is gets the additions again and 4th is nearly identical to 3rd but with twice as many pencils.

5th is actually the smallest list and what I had to get:
1 backpack (no wheels please)
1 3 ring binder
1 12x18 pkg of colored construction paper
1 box crayons
1 box map colors
1 pkg. dividers with pockets
2 dry erase markers
2 glue sticks
2 highlighters
2 boxes kleenex
1 pkg 12x18 manila paper
3 pkg looseleaf paper
1 pencil bag
12 pencils
4 red pens
12 blue or black pens
1 ruler
1 scissors
3.00 for communication planner.

 

[lissawynn]

I basically create a "wish list" in December. I go through all the supplier catalogs I receive and choose the stuff I need/want. General supplies come from some place like Staples and are on a separate list. I don't ever get an actual list of what's being ordered for me. I usually find out what was approved when I head back to my classroom in mid-August and see what packages have arrived.
This year I requested a new filing cabinet since the one in my room won't lock and only one drawer opens. I also ask for about 5 new dictionaries a year so I can have a classroom set one day. I'm almost there!
I usually buy pens, my desk calendar, decorations, etc. out of my own pocket. We have a Becker's store not too far away, and they have great stuff for your classroom. Wal-Mart is where I do most of my other shopping. I do save the slips from my purchases for my tax return. My district doesn't reimburse for any of the things I buy.

 

[mchames]

This is DD7' second grade list:

#2 pencils (100)
1 hand held pencil sharpener
5 packs primary grade notebook paper
1 bound journal
1 3-ring binder (1")
1 box crayons
2 sets of magic markers
1 bottle of white school glue
1 pair of scissors
1 ruler
1 zipper supply bag for pencils (NO PENCIL BOXES)
1 book bag (back pack)

1 box of Kleenex
1 bottle liquid soap
1 bottle hand sanitizer
1 box of gallon ziploc bags
1 box of sandwich bags
1 roll of paper towels

I have not received DD5's kindergarten list yet, but it will be similar, a little bit heavier on crayons, markers and glue sticks.

The way they handled the supplies in my DD7's first grade class was individul items like scissors, rulers and notebooks were labeled with your child's name, some crayons, pencils, etc. were but in your child's storage box/bag and the rest of the stuff was stored for use later in the year. When a child ran out they could restock from the supply cabinet. I suspect second grade will be similar. In kindergarten, supplies were placed on each table and used by the group and again replenished as needed from the supply cabinet.

This is a fairly well-off school district and most parents don't mind providing these basic supplies, especially of it allows money that would be spent on pencils, tissues, etc. to be used in other ways. The PTA also helps provide school supplies for families that are unable to do so as well as provide grants for teachers to do special projects.

We will get notes home during the year to replenish supplies as needed. Most often we are asked for more tissues, hand sanitizer and paper towels.

Mary

 

[MinnieM3]

Mary, that list sounds similiar to ours. I teach at oiur Catholic school and the 5K list last year costs us about $150 and I shop the specials!! It was unbelievable!

The list for my 3rd grade is not bad.

We can get reimbursed up to $100 for supplies we buy for our class. Sometimes I remember to hang on to my receipts and sometimes I lose them.


I usually spend at least $100 over that for all kinds of stuff for my class...bulletin boards, letters, stickers, special prizes, new teacher books, etc. etc.

The public schools here DO have supply lists as they are posted at the local Wal Mart, K Mart, Staples, etc. They are fairly lengthy.

 

[teacherforhi]

Oh, and that school supply list? Quite excessive, but I disagree with the one who said "the teacher" is outfitting the class. More like "the school" is attempting to make sure they have everything needed from the ones who will actually bring it all. "The teacher" is not usually in charge of much of these kinds of things. We get to do it by grade level in my school, but are limited to a dollar amount, and told when we go over to lose something. That list would definitely be over our dollar amount.

I've never taught in a school where the supply list was dictated by anyone by the teacher. That's what I was basing my experience on. In the middle school where I'm at now, the teams get together and make their own lists. I make the list for my class (I'm self-contained EC). There are kind people out there though who donate materials to the school. These are pooled in the guidance office and I collect what I need from what's available, depending on what students don't bring.

 

[paigevz]

Oops, well, there you go.........I'm just assuming my experience is the world's experience! In our district, many surrounding districts, my cousins' district in Kansas, and three Oklahoma districts I have experience with, the list is at least partially dictated by others, if not completely, and there are always limitations on them.

I should have known some places would actually be reasonable enough to let the teacher say what she/he thinks they need! Now, if we could just move some of that reason southward......................

On the other hand, that 1st grade list was pretty impressive, and the other list posted for the second grader too..........100 pencils? I don't even have storage space enough for 2400 pencils in my room! (Kidding)

 

[Albertan mom]

I have never heard of having to send Hand sanitizer, paper towels and soap!! I would think that would be covered by the school!
And 100 pencils! I thought having to send 30 for my son in grade 1 was alot!!
Crazy!

 

[teacherforhi]

I have never heard of having to send Hand sanitizer, paper towels and soap!! I would think that would be covered by the school!
And 100 pencils! I thought having to send 30 for my son in grade 1 was alot!!
Crazy!

I ask for hand sanitizer. This will sound silly, but I'm female and so is my assistant. I have 10 boys in my class. It would take to long to send them in one at a time to wash their hands before lunch and I can't send some of them in with others without supervision. So I ask for hand sanitizer to make getting ready for lunch that much quicker.

 

[foolishmortal]

my sons list looks a little worse than the poster above. BUT my son goes to a charter school where the class (parents) have to furnish the teachers supplies as well (i.e. corretion pencils, highlighters, copy paper, sticky notes, etc) small exspense to me for a much better school than the public schools around.

 

[the kabuki]

We usually get a list about the same as the other posters', with the exception of the first one, that is a bit long. During the year notes will come home asking for refills on soaps, hand sanitizers', kleenex, etc.

I only wish we'd get our lists earlier, then i could get my shopping done now before everything's gone. We typically get ours after the end of the first week.

 

[Albertan mom]

I only wish we'd get our lists earlier, then i could get my shopping done now before everything's gone. We typically get ours after the end of the first week.[/QUOTE]

We get our list with the kids report cards the last day of school. That is nice for shopping, plus you can go through the stuff the kids brought home and see if anything is salvagable!

 

[luvthatduke]

No pun intended, but boy is this thread an education!
God bless you, each & every one of you,
& any teacher that reads this - GOD BLESS YOU!!

I knew that virtually all teachers bought "some" supplies,
& of course I'm aware of the horrible conditions in
Philadelphia, DC, New York, etc.
But to read your lists, & your posts, I'm flabbergasted, truly.

I live in/near very affluent school districts,
and this thread now leads me to the big question:
Just what do our ever-increasing, top 10 in the nation,
school taxes pay for???
They cut the arts programs, then the music programs,
what's next?

Holy cow - I see districts paying huge amounts
to have their sports fields "improved" - but the
teachers have to fork out hundreds to thousands
of dollars for basic supplies?
This is a ridiculous situation!

 

[Danauk]

I guess from reading this I am really lucky. I teach in a primary school in England and don't have to buy supplies for my class. I am in charge of stock ordering and whatever we need we order, it is as simple as that. There are things we bulk order every year but if there is anything else needed we order it as well. We are realistic in our requests though and only order what is needed. I do sometimes buy teaching aids myself though (e.g. books to help me deliver my lessons with multimedia CD-Roms etc, but this is my choice and I do not have to do it but I believe it will help me deliver better lessons.) I could order these through school but I prefer to own them myself that way if I change schools they come with me.

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

I've been the dept. chair for our middle school Math dept. for the past three years. Our dept. gets a $2200 budget per year to spend on whatever we want. I can spend it on pens, pencils, post-its, and things like that...but, if I do so, we don't have the money to spend on curriculum materials, videos, manipulatives, etc. I try to walk the line somewhere in the middle so if teachers are spending their own money it is very minimal. When I taught at an elementary school, I spent hundreds of my own money each year. Huge difference!

As for the students at our school, our supply list pretty much consists of a binder, a few folders, paper and writing utensils. Not a whole lot of stuff. So, when stuffy nose season comes around, instead of just asking for donations, I allow a one time extra credit bonus to any student who brings in a box of Kleenex. It works for them and keeps the kids from wiping it on their pants! (And this is what I always get asked, "If I bring in three boxes, can I get three sets of extra credit??" - No!)

 

[Grandma Bear]

Wow! What an eye opeber! I thought LAUSD was bad! Some of you have it
a lot worse!

 

[DenMig]

I teach h.s. chemistry in central illinois. We can request supplies, but if I ask for a certain amount of pens or pencils they give me one or two of each so I usually go to Staples and buy my stuff myself. We are only allowed so many photocopies a semester, we have our own code on the machine that keeps track of our numbers and when you are out thats it. I have borrowed from others and used Kinkos. I spent $80 one time last year running off released 2002 AP chem exams so my students could have those. Also I like to do a lot of hands on activities, so I am always buying stuff to make chem labs like playing cards, nuts and bolts, chips to burn to calculate calories, supplies to make ice cream for labs, etc. I don't keep all the receipts but I'd estimate I spend close to $1000 /year of my own money. Hey, thats why we make the big bucks I suppose.

Dennis

 

[Grandma Bear]

Our middle school copiers also have code bumbers and we are restricted to a certain number of copies. What would we do without Kinkos?