School supply deals?

[mrsbornkuntry]

Since there are so many teachers here on the board I am going to ask a question to see what your thoughts are on this.

What about sending out supply lists just for the first half of the year? Some parents who have several children can't afford to buy $100 per kid of supplies to fulfill the supply list requirements but could afford to buy half of what will likely be required to start the year and the first few months. I think the $$ factor would even allow more parents to throw in a few extras for the class when they aren't faced with 3 kids needing $100 worth of supplies at once.

I've often wondered why the teachers don't ask for say 1/2 the supply list at the beginning of the school year, and then in the spring send out a request for the second half of the year - based on what's running low from the first 1/2's supply.

Maybe no one needs pencils, but the room is getting low on glue sticks. Instead of storing 10 boxes of pencils or markers that would suffice the rest of the year - maybe just ask for each student to bring a pack of glue sticks. Granted, as a cheapo, I would still buy all the supplies and extras when there are back to school sales - but it would also lessen my frustration as a parent when I clean out their backpack at the end of the school year and find the $20 worth of "necessary supplies" that came home unused.



I will admit I don't send ALL of their pencils, etc. at the first of the year (my kids are graduated/middle school now). We buy 100% of the list plus extras for home/classroom donations but I don't send it all with them on the first day. They let me know when they need items and I send accordingly - but we can afford to do that. Some parents can't.

Just curious if there are discussions about this and what you teachers think. I am sure that supply list logistics are probably one of the least of your worries - just curious.

I buy supplies at the beginning of the year, but I don't send them in at once. The teachers don't even have room to store all of those boxes of tissues and printer paper so I send them in later. And the kids lose so many pencils that I send them a few at a time so they take better care of them. If they think they have 20 pencils they don't care if they lose a couple or break them, but if they think they have 4 they're a little more careful.

 

[Nztara]

The school supply deals will start very soon. As a substitute teacher, I will stock up on pencils, add a few dry erase markers and pencil top erasers to a stash I carry when I go into a school.

Some teachers lock away all go these items when they are out because they don't want them to disappear. I can't think of even one day (unless I'm showing a movie) that I haven't had students ask for pencils.

 

[MrsPete]

I refuse to buy more than 4 glue sticks per kid. They aren't gluing their way thru school. The teachers ask for outrageous quantities so they have enough to cover all of the kids who bring no supplies. I keep my supplies at home and restock the supply boxes at the beginning of each quarter. Don't feel obligated to be the supplier for the class. Of course, the choice is yours and you may not mind at all.

Glue sticks have a lifespan of about 15 minutes. There's so little product in those things. Your own kid will definitely use more than four glue sticks in the course of an elementary school year.

Whiteboard markers are the worst! I am always asking for more of them through out the year!

I used to take home the "dead" markers and tried very hard to figure out how to rejuvenate them. I tried soaking the tips in new ink, tried to pull out the felt marker part, tried injecting water or ink into the felt part. They're so expensive, and they run out so quickly. By the way, I never figured out the secret to getting more life from an ink pen.

But, no, Kleenex is the worst. In a high school classroom, a box can disappear in a day -- partly because students come up and take 5-6 at a time.

Last year I had to send in 24 DOZEN sharpened pencils between my 2 younger kids. About wore out my electric pencil sharpener! Good thing my oldest one prefers mechanical pencils!

Thing is, pencils used to be good. You could count on using one for several weeks -- even with heavy use. Today they're made flimsy -- I don't know what's different, but something is different. Today's pencils are hard to sharpen, and the tip breaks right away. If you don't buy the good, expensive pencils, you can literally sharpen away 50% of the pencil before you ever write with it! Like your son, I much prefer mechanical pencils.

One thing that works for me: I have a box of golf pencils, which I put out for student use. OFTEN the students actually have their own pencils, but they'd prefer to ask me for one rather than dig around in their bookbag. When the choice is take a golf pencil from me (no eraser, not very fun to use) or find their own writing instrument, they almost always find a pencil of their own. $5 of golf pencils last me a whole school year! I used to spend that on pencils every two weeks.

I get my pencils and pens off the floor at the end of the school day. My high schoolers are not careful with them and leave them lying about. When I give a student detention, one of the jobs I often assign is sharpening all my pencils. They hate that job, but detention isn't meant to be pleasant.

Let me clarify. I buy my kids their supplies and restock their boxes from my own stash. They don't go to their teachers for extra supplies. They come to me.

And that's the way it should be, but LOTS of kids DO come to the teacher saying, "I need this or that. My mama won't buy it."

Since there are so many teachers here on the board I am going to ask a question to see what your thoughts are on this.

What about sending out supply lists just for the first half of the year? Some parents who have several children can't afford to buy $100 per kid of supplies to fulfill the supply list requirements but could afford to buy half of what will likely be required to start the year and the first few months. I think the $$ factor would even allow more parents to throw in a few extras for the class when they aren't faced with 3 kids needing $100 worth of supplies at once.

I don't think that would help.

1) School supplies are super-cheap at the end of the summer. For example, I've already seen .17 notebooks this year. Those small notebooks'll cost $1 or more later, so it makes sense to buy plenty now.
2) The parents who are not going to buy aren't going to buy regardless of whether it's $10 or $100. They aren't going to do it.
3) In the fall, parents are in "back to school mode" and are thinking about buying school supplies. They're less likely to go back and make the purchases later. I know I think this way: On the first day home from school I know I'd always say, "Okay, bring me all your first-day papers", and I'd go through and read and sign everything ALL AT ONCE, and I'd send in a fee for this, see that the kid had a notebook for that. And then I felt like I'd set the kids up for their classes well.
4) I have two kids, and I usually spent about $30 total fulfilling their school lists -- even when they were in elementary school. I am disregarding calculators and bookbags, which are not single-year purchases.

 

[virge]

For the other teachers out there, Staples also has a good deal on boxes of 2 pocket folders. A box of 25 2-pocket folders is $3.75. I found them cheaper per folder last year at CVS but w/ quantity limits I had to make multiple trips & ask friends to pick some up for me. Shipping is free if you have a Staples Rewards card (free to sign up)

 

[AZMermaid]

Mrs Pete- We should trade Expo markers for Kleenex! I wanted to leave it off my list this year but my teammates said they are almost out. I guess I have not had a sick class the last few years! I plan on clearing out a good amount of my current stash to the ESL, SPED, Art, Music, PE teachers etc at the start of the year. They are always super appreciative when I give them my extras. But, really Kleenex is the only thing I have too much of. I think its pretty cheap so parents send in extra. I do have a lot of ziploc baggies, but those are always on my "wish list" (not THE list, just a if you are able to send in extra things list) so I am just leaving them off this year.

 

[Alexle2007]

Our PTA holds a teachers shopping day (my idea) during the middle of the school year to help the teachers restock dwindling supplies along with other goodies since notecards, post it notes, stickers, etc that the teachers use but don't even make it on a supply list. I stock up at the beginning of the school year with extra supplies for this event and when the teacher SOS comes out. I also asked DS' teacher to let me know when she was low on tissues, hand sanitizer, etc and I would supply it then rather her having to store all of this stuff at the beginning of the year.

 

[dsnydiva2]

I am a teacher as well. Our state budget in Georgia has been cut by MILLIONS of $ in each school district. In my county, this will be the first year everyone in the education system hasn't been furloughed in 5 years! I go through tons of paper & pencils, as well as glue, in addition to other items that I buy for my classroom. It's a crying shame how some parents who can dress their child(ren) in $200 tennis shoes fail to provide basic school supplies such as pencils & paper, much less any other items on the supply list. Very few truly cannot afford supplies from what I've observed over the past 10 years. Rather it is a choice to let the child suffer while mom goes to get mani/pedis, gets expensive hairdos, & has the latest $500 cellular phone thus teaching the child that education is not important. Pardon my rant, but this sickens me because it is NOT the child's fault! Children learn what they live. I have 3 children of my own for whom I have to provide school supplies. As school starts for us the very beginning of August, July kills our budget with back to school sports fees, supplies, clothing, etc for our kids & things I purchase for my classroom. I truly appreciate, from the bottom of my heart, anyone who is willing to provide extra/wish list items.

 

[katyjeka]

We got the Office Depot ad today. We will be picking up a few things this week, but hate buying school supplies in July. It seems as if summer has just started....we home school two and a preschooler and have one in college and so our list is a "mile" long. I wanted to add, I have two dear friends who teach and am saddened at how much they have to pay for out of their own pocket. I'm happy to see that once again, our tax money is being put to good use!!!

 

[nikkistevej]

We started at Office Depot, we had to get a new desk chair for home, if you spent $5(which we definitely did buying the chair), you could get a bunch of stuff for 1 cent each, so we got 10 folders, 10-3 prong folders, 3 packs of erasers and a sharpener(.50)= .73 cents!!!!

 

[Zhoen]

Nikki, thanks, I'm in Annapolis, so I'll be checking out those deals!

I wanted to let everyone know I was at Staples today and they had composition books (wide and college rule) for $.50 each. The "kindergarten" ones are still regular price, but if people are looking for those, I saw some at Dollar Tree a few weeks ago, still cheaper than the $3+ that Staples wants.

They also had Crayola markers for $1/box.

They had other stuff that was also "on sale," but nothing OMG-great IMHO...

 

[StitchBuddy]

I didn't read every post, but I am a school teacher (use to teach elementary). At our school, the grade level teachers got together and decided what was going to be on the list. We had as many as 8 teachers deciding what to put on the list. That's why the list are so ridiculous in some cases. I can tell you I ended up with lots of supplies I never used. As a parent I would just buy the pre-ordered packet for my child, usually about $70. Totally worth the price. Then, I would go buy her the stuff I felt she needed or wanted. Plus by pre-ordering, I spent the money at the end of the school year. I wasn't in a crunch, while having to buy school clothing too.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Don't know if anyone mentioned but I saw the employees setting up the back to school section today, we will be back in a few days to get all of DDs supplies (and some for me as I start substitute teaching this school year!)

 

[reneaterry]

Staples has packages of multipurpose paper fo $.01 with the in store coupon and rebate. There was a limit of 4.

 

[crazelion]

If

I am a teacher as well. Our state budget in Georgia has been cut by MILLIONS of $ in each school district. In my county, this will be the first year everyone in the education system hasn't been furloughed in 5 years! I go through tons of paper & pencils, as well as glue, in addition to other items that I buy for my classroom. It's a crying shame how some parents who can dress their child(ren) in $200 tennis shoes fail to provide basic school supplies such as pencils & paper, much less any other items on the supply list. Very few truly cannot afford supplies from what I've observed over the past 10 years. Rather it is a choice to let the child suffer while mom goes to get mani/pedis, gets expensive hairdos, & has the latest $500 cellular phone thus teaching the child that education is not important. Pardon my rant, but this sickens me because it is NOT the child's fault! Children learn what they live. I have 3 children of my own for whom I have to provide school supplies. As school starts for us the very beginning of August, July kills our budget with back to school sports fees, supplies, clothing, etc for our kids & things I purchase for my classroom. I truly appreciate, from the bottom of my heart, anyone who is willing to provide extra/wish list items.

If talking about inner city schools. You have remember that do not go the salon get there hair done. They go to some house an get done for cheap like 10 dollars. The 200 dollars tennis shoes probably one cost about 30 dollars because they bought off the street. The 500 dollar they probably got hot.

I do agree that they take care of child's needs first.

Born raise in the projects is now middle class now. That is reason I send my kids to a magnet school now.

I am a parent that can't believe that twins start middle school this year.

I am planning trip US for there fall break for Halloween horrors. I never should told mom that Walking Dead is US. She now driving me crazy with planning now.LOL

 

[tinker&belle]

OP here. Thanks for the updates to the thread! I was able to get the ream of paper needed from Staples for a penny. It said limit one on the coupon, but the refund slip said limit 4. I may go back today and try to get more for home.

I got most of the rest of the supplies needed at Office Depot, they have a pretty good sale; lots of requested items buy 2 get 1 free. Now I just need the ziplock bags. Hopefully they will go on sale or I can find a coupon. With the sales I spent less than $19 (not including the Kleenex which I had and her and her sister's new backpacks.) Now if the Disney Store will just stock Frozen lunch boxes I should be all set! Now to see if her sister at Private School will have a list. I think it is included in tuition but I am not sure.

 

[Ginny Favers]

Amazon is having a good deal on select backpacks, today only. I see the Sofia the First backpack PLUS lunchbox is only $12.99, and shipping would be free with Prime.

http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=gbsl_ti...EJJ4SH2QJ3ZVWEX&pf_rd_i=20&pf_rd_p=1740370942

 

[aprilgail2]

School starts up here the day after Labor Day (we aren't even out yet - my kids still have two weeks) and last year the school supply sales started the first week in August. We take those last four weeks and go to Office Max, Office Depot, and Target every Sunday, because I've got three in school - between my three kids I have to send in SIXTY glue sticks, so you can imagine all the other stuff I have to buy!

One year there was some crazy amount of pencils and glue sticks on my daughters list- I actually questioned if they were constructing their own classroom from them.

I refuse to buy more than 4 glue sticks per kid. They aren't gluing their way thru school. The teachers ask for outrageous quantities so they have enough to cover all of the kids who bring no supplies. I keep my supplies at home and restock the supply boxes at the beginning of each quarter. Don't feel obligated to be the supplier for the class. Of course, the choice is yours and you may not mind at all.

My big issue is when I buy my kid Crayola brand and they get stuck using some kids crappy rose art stuff because the teacher decided to pool all the supplies. Glad that was only a one year issue, parents complained so they stopped letting the teachers pull that stunt. I would rather buy extras for the teacher to give out than have them pool all the supplies. Same with pencils, I send in Ticonderoga pencils and she gets stuck with a Rose art one that barely writes in class and that the lead falls out of and little "Johnny with no supplies" is sitting there using a Ticonderoga pencil.

 

[disneylove69]

Staples® 1 Subject Notebook, 8" x 10-1/2"

Item: 321463 Model: 10469-CC

$.17 each online at Staples. Limit 24 per person.

Sure they do go cheaper than that but usually with a limit of 2 or 5.

Offer is good until 9/27/14 or while supplies last. I doubt they will last that long.

These are at Target for the same price all season and no limit.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

One year there was some crazy amount of pencils and glue sticks on my daughters list- I actually questioned if they were constructing their own classroom from them.



My big issue is when I buy my kid Crayola brand and they get stuck using some kids crappy rose art stuff because the teacher decided to pool all the supplies. Glad that was only a one year issue, parents complained so they stopped letting the teachers pull that stunt. I would rather buy extras for the teacher to give out than have them pool all the supplies. Same with pencils, I send in Ticonderoga pencils and she gets stuck with a Rose art one that barely writes in class and that the lead falls out of and little "Johnny with no supplies" is sitting there using a Ticonderoga pencil.

My daughter goes to a private school so that could be why we dont have any of these issues everyone is bringing up. Our teachers ask for very little so I always double up and send extras.

One thing I noticed last year, in 1st grade, they have the kids put their name on everything. I mean, everything... every single marker, crayon, pencil, eraser... lol... I was sitting there for an hour with a sharpie writing her name on the stuff!! I thought it was crazy at the time, but when she brought home left over supplies with her name still on them, I understood... it helps the kids know whose stuff belongs to who and they can keep track of their things. This year I will show up to 2nd grade with her name already written

 

[pigletto]

Thankfully we get very reasonable lists here. I do stock up on the loss leaders for a few weeks and send in the extras.
One thing I say I am going to do every year, and I'm ACTUALLY going to do this year is go through the supply cupboard in our house and only buy what we actually need.. I see sales and grab all kinds of stuff. The reality is I probably have 5 or more full sets of pencil crayons that the kids have brought home at the end of various years. I have at least 6 lunch boxes etc. I still have at least 15 packages of paper from when they were super cheap last summer.
Really all we are going to need is an electric pencil sharpener for home (so sick of those useless little plastic ones), pencils, pens, and maybe some new binders for dd. Their backpacks from last year are fine.

I'll just stick whatever is left in the back to school fund into the trip fund. There's no point in buying more stuff when we don't need it. I just like to shop.