School supply deals?

[sookie]

Unfair statement! I am a school teacher and by no means expect parents to provide supplies for others! Those supplies usually come out of my pocket!!!

I had to send 6 boxes of crayons last year - 6. Not marked with name or teacher.

I marked them. The teacher was most certainly keeping the extras for kids who had none, and since this was a decision between all the teachers in his grade, I think they figured this was the best way to go about the supply issue. I also bought clorox wipes, jugs of sanitizer, and TP. I'm hoping the TP was for a super secret art project because the student toilets have commercial grade TP. I have peed there myself.

 

[AZMermaid]

So you purposely went against what the teacher asked? Not sure that sends a great message to your student.

Besides, crayons are 25 cents a box in August. I think 2-3 boxes a year per young child is about right. So you couldn't donate 75 cents for a child whose parents can't/ don't buy supplies? Would you like the 6 year old to just sit there while the other 25 kids color? Because it is the 6 year old that feels shamed and embarrassed, not their parents who I would imagine you are trying to punish.

I get that it is frustrating to spend money on good stuff to have your child use junk. Or to spend money needlessly. I'm a parent too, so I get it. But a couple "wasted" dollars so another child has crayons and a pencil? I want my children to learn that we help those less fortunate than ourselves.

 

[gwiz5kids]

So you purposely went against what the teacher asked? Not sure that sends a great message to your student. Besides, crayons are 25 cents a box in August. I think 2-3 boxes a year per young child is about right. So you couldn't donate 75 cents for a child whose parents can't/ don't buy supplies? Would you like the 6 year old to just sit there while the other 25 kids color? Because it is the 6 year old that feels shamed and embarrassed, not their parents who I would imagine you are trying to punish. I get that it is frustrating to spend money on good stuff to have your child use junk. Or to spend money needlessly. I'm a parent too, so I get it. But a couple "wasted" dollars so another child has crayons and a pencil? I want my children to learn that we help those less fortunate than ourselves.

Very well put AZMermaid. At the end of the day it's not earth shattering. I went ballistic over a lunch box once. After sitting in on class all day I realized that some kids barely even make it through the day. Just imagine the psychosocial things they have to overcome to make it to school. It's not their fault! Be the bigger person! Love one another!

 

[wishesuponastar]

Starting today 7/13 Walgreens sale has 150 sheet lined paper for 79cents and the really good plastic 2 pocket folders for buy one get one so they are $3 for two. I thought last year I found notebook paper for 50cents. I am saving my receipt and if I find a 50cent sale I will return the paper to Walgreens.

 

[mom2t]

I have my son clear out his desk and bring things home. I place them in a closet and we go through what we have before we go buy things. We reuse pencil pouches, scissors, notebook binders etc. and I do not buy everything brand new each year. I buy a nice bookbag and lunchbox every couple of years.

 

[momof1princess]

Since DD16 started HS two years ago, all we've had to buy each year is new binders. This year, she starts AP classes, and her English class supply list alone puts an elementary school list to shame! So, since I donated all of the crayons, colored pencils and markers in my stash last year, I have to go get more! Oh, and college rule notebook paper (her teacher's preference), expo markers, a 3 inch binder (how is she supposed to fit that giant thing in her locker with 4 more, smaller binders?!?), tab dividers for said binder, a dictionary, a thesaurus and post it notes! And that's just for AP English class!

 

[vikster1]

Staples glue .39, limit of 30. This week at staples.

 

[threecrazykids]

Maybe it's just me, but I just feel a bit deceived by the whole supply situation.
Why doesn't the administration come out and just admit that there are kids in need and the school would appreciate the donation of any extra supplies parents would be willing to purchase?
Instead, they put 10 glue sticks, 4 boxes of pencils, 5 boxes of crayons, 4 boxes of markers, and 2 scissors on my 7th grader's supply list - making me feel like that is what my daughter is anticipated to utilize this year for supplies.
Then, if my daughter comes to me in January saying she needs pencils I would know that likely 2 of the boxes end up as "unapproved donations" and I don't question her as to how she can be going through pencils so carelessly.
That's another reason I quit sending all of their supplies up front. I send what they need to start the year, and then keep the rest at home for replenishing.
I then donate $20 to the classroom teacher for her to buy supplies for those kids in need.
I honestly think that if the school would just admit that they need help for those in need they would get a ton more donations than telling me my kid needs to START school with 4 boxes of pencils. That's ridiculous. She's a 7th grader, and I'm not dumb. Just ASK me to donate instead of adding it to my child's "mandatory" supply list.
Maybe it's just me - but being up front about the situation (I feel) could land the school with many more donations if they'd just put a little blurb on the supply list of "Please don't forget the children in need - any extra supplies you can afford and donate are greatly appreciated." It not only makes me feel better about school supply shopping, but it also helps my daughter know that she's helping out a student in need when she picks out those extra supplies.

 

[aprilgail2]

Since DD16 started HS two years ago, all we've had to buy each year is new binders. This year, she starts AP classes, and her English class supply list alone puts an elementary school list to shame! So, since I donated all of the crayons, colored pencils and markers in my stash last year, I have to go get more! Oh, and college rule notebook paper (her teacher's preference), expo markers, a 3 inch binder (how is she supposed to fit that giant thing in her locker with 4 more, smaller binders?!?), tab dividers for said binder, a dictionary, a thesaurus and post it notes! And that's just for AP English class!

My daughter is small- she is 88 pounds and 5 foot nothing...they don't have time between classes to even get to their lockers so they carry everything. She started high school last year in 9th grade taking 2 AP classes and all the rest honors classes, they all have on their lists 2" binders for each class. There is no way all that fit in her backpack so she ended up just using 2 binders and dividing them up into sections for each class. Didn't make one bit of difference in any of the classes so that is how she is doing it this year too.

 

[Eureka]

I have my son clear out his desk and bring things home. I place them in a closet and we go through what we have before we go buy things. We reuse pencil pouches, scissors, notebook binders etc. and I do not buy everything brand new each year. I buy a nice bookbag and lunchbox every couple of years.

Exactly what we do. They only get a new backpack or lunchbox if the old one is worn out. Of course with DS13's habit of losing lunch boxes, I think he's gotten three in a year alone. And, I might add, springing for the plastic folders was the best thing I ever did because they last from one school year to the next.

 

[SEA333]

Maybe it's just me, but I just feel a bit deceived by the whole supply situation.
Why doesn't the administration come out and just admit that there are kids in need and the school would appreciate the donation of any extra supplies parents would be willing to purchase?
Instead, they put 10 glue sticks, 4 boxes of pencils, 5 boxes of crayons, 4 boxes of markers, and 2 scissors on my 7th grader's supply list - making me feel like that is what my daughter is anticipated to utilize this year for supplies.
Then, if my daughter comes to me in January saying she needs pencils I would know that likely 2 of the boxes end up as "unapproved donations" and I don't question her as to how she can be going through pencils so carelessly.
That's another reason I quit sending all of their supplies up front. I send what they need to start the year, and then keep the rest at home for replenishing.
I then donate $20 to the classroom teacher for her to buy supplies for those kids in need.
I honestly think that if the school would just admit that they need help for those in need they would get a ton more donations than telling me my kid needs to START school with 4 boxes of pencils. That's ridiculous. She's a 7th grader, and I'm not dumb. Just ASK me to donate instead of adding it to my child's "mandatory" supply list.
Maybe it's just me - but being up front about the situation (I feel) could land the school with many more donations if they'd just put a little blurb on the supply list of "Please don't forget the children in need - any extra supplies you can afford and donate are greatly appreciated." It not only makes me feel better about school supply shopping, but it also helps my daughter know that she's helping out a student in need when she picks out those extra supplies.

I agree! We help out the community in many ways all year long, whether it is by volunteering at the library, volunteering at a nearby Ronald McDonald House, participating in field cleanup days, serving at a soup kitchen (4 times a year), volunteer tutoring, doing girl scout service projects, etc, we certainly teach our kids that pitching in and helping out in a community is important. I also work for a manufacturer of pens, pencils, markers, erasers, etc, so I donate brand new, in the package product from my company all year long to the schools and help run a drive that uses our products to pack backpacks full of school supplies for area kids in need.

So, in response to some of the PP's above, it's not really my place or responsibility to school shop for other people's kids. I don't care if it is $.25 or $100 - I just put a check/registration packet in the mail for $430 for two of my three kids to go to PUBLIC elementary school via a bus that takes them literally 4 blocks (across a busy main street or I would just have them walk it like I do when they get to Middle School which is on my side of the busy road). This is just so they are able to walk into school and be on a class list. This doesn't cover one penny of supplies. I also pay over $7000 in taxes/year for my tiny postage stamp size yard and 1300 sq foot house that is so close to the house next to mine that I can stand between the two and touch both at the same time. I also have a "mandatory" school supply list that includes quantities such as 5 dozen pencils, 4 packs of Expo markers, 6 pink erasers (ok, so far, all free from my company, I can send extra)...but we are not done! 4 packs of 24 count crayons, rulers, graphing paper (for a 3rd grader??!!), 10 rolls of paper towels, 8 containers of 50 ct hand wipes (seriously??!! They are only in school for 180 days, what the heck do they need 400 wipes/each for??), ziplock bags...tissue...a blue, black, red, orange, yellow, green, and purple plastic folder with color coordinated notebooks to go with them...the list goes on and on.

And that is the 3rd grade list. I haven't even gotten to my 5th grader yet. Add to everything above purchasing a recorder and $25 for end of the year "5th grade graduation activities".

And never mind about the one starting high school - mandatory $180 registration fee, lab fees, book purchases, class subject material fees, gym locker lock and t-shirt ($25), mandatory $20 student activity fee, pay to play ($200) for the first sport, $100 for each sport thereafter, PER YEAR. Mandatory color coded plastic folders and notebooks (seriously??!!) in a kit with a binder that the PTA provides ($30) or they so graciously say that we can purchase our own but they do not recommend it because the ones they supply (did I mention for $30?), are already "teacher" approved. $30/month for a PACE (public suburb bus) student bus pass so that my 9th grader doesn't have to walk 1.8 miles to and from school in 10 degree Illinois weather all winter because our high school doesn't provide ANY bussing for the district (he walked the .6 mile one way trip to Middle School the past three years and almost got frostbite more than once, and lived with bright red hands all winter last year thanks to the lovely "polar vortex' weather conditions - I am not letting him walk almost 2 miles one way in those conditions for high school).

For three kids, and let's not include the pay to play fees here in all fairness since they are not *mandatory*, I am looking at close to $1500 for them to "have a successful public school year". I'm not apologetic at ALL that I do not want to spend another $.75 on a couple boxes of crayons for a kid whose parents are not paying ANY of that because they have free or reduced lunch, but are mysteriously able to afford to live in my mid-to-upper-middle class neighborhood that I fight with every paycheck to be able to afford. I'm sorry those kids will be using last years crayons from the shared bucket, but there really are worse things in life AND I encourage my kids to share, so I am OK with letting the kid next to them use their glue stick every now and then.

And, to take this a little further, it really doesn't seem like the school district takes responsibility at all. I feel bad for the teachers, who don't see this money and have to buy the supplies for themselves. And they are so much nicer about it then the administrators when they are asking (begging) for extra supplies in their newsletters. What a flawed system. And it's out of control. And, as one PP said, let's not punish the kid who has less-than-ideal parents, so whose responsibility is it to make sure these kids have their supplies? I argue that it is not mine....most argue that it is not their teachers'....community groups and churches are heralded as heroes for doing what they can, but they don't reach every kid... is it the school district then? (because we have already established that it is not the family of the child's fault, right?)? Imagine this - the district takes just $10 from ONE persons over the top registration fee this year and buy boxes of crayons for the kids who don't have them - that is 40 boxes (10% of my kids' school) of crayons at $.25 - why is this still the teacher's problem, or even more mysterious, mine as a parent of a student that attends that school?

Sorry...rant over. I admit that I sound petty and selfish, but reread my first paragraph. We do our part for the community ALL YEAR.

 

[hereyago]

I came across this thread late.

The sales have seem to have begun. I was wondering if there are school supplies and clothes tax free weekends?

I live in Virginia and we have it in 2 weeks.
My dd is in high school and we don't have a supplies list until she starts back, so we will be getting the basics after we go through the supplies she has leftover from last school year.

I do recall the crazy amounts they wanted in her elementary and even middle school. Not to mention the teacher's wish list at Open House to sign up to bring in certain supplies for the classroom.

I would do the wish list, but several amounts of unmarked things no. I donate supplies at the store or at the donate box at the school.

 

[Swimalie]

Exactly what we do. They only get a new backpack or lunchbox if the old one is worn out. Of course with DS13's habit of losing lunch boxes, I think he's gotten three in a year alone. And, I might add, springing for the plastic folders was the best thing I ever did because they last from one school year to the next.

Same here. Last year I bought the plastic folders and plastic covered notebooks since my son can be rough on things. All but 1 notebook lasted the year. He barely used the paper in the notebooks so I had him rip out the used paper and he'll be using those notebooks again. His backpack is a medium sized Land's End one that was required in pre-school. He's been using it for 6 years now and will use it for a 7th this year. It is still in great shape. I buy the Pack-Its for lunch boxes and they last well. I get 2 years out of one. So far, I'm over half way done with supplies and I've spent less than $2.

 

[sookie]

So you purposely went against what the teacher asked? Not sure that sends a great message to your student.

Besides, crayons are 25 cents a box in August. I think 2-3 boxes a year per young child is about right. So you couldn't donate 75 cents for a child whose parents can't/ don't buy supplies? Would you like the 6 year old to just sit there while the other 25 kids color? Because it is the 6 year old that feels shamed and embarrassed, not their parents who I would imagine you are trying to punish.

I get that it is frustrating to spend money on good stuff to have your child use junk. Or to spend money needlessly. I'm a parent too, so I get it. But a couple "wasted" dollars so another child has crayons and a pencil? I want my children to learn that we help those less fortunate than ourselves.

I was quite happy to label them, as did many parents in the class. I'm not going to spend my waking hours tracking down 25 cent boxes of crayons when I live in a very concentrated area - when those things go on sale, they are GONE. I buy them when I get the school list. That is it.

If the teachers want extra supplies for needy students, then they need to ask for that. Don't be sly by just making all the other families shop for you and then pay as well. Say "We have or expect to have x number of needy students in our class, please send extra supplies!"

A lot of people wouldn't care if teachers are forthright about this. However, there were needy children bringing in extra supplies because it is on the list... because they were told to. I saw one mom with 6 kids who was very upset over the whole deal - and rightfully so! It doesn't matter if you are the mom to 2 kids or 6 kids. You provide for your children first and don't "require" other parents to provide for others. You ask, you don't require it.

Someone else's child is NOT my responsibility. The school is making it my responsibility by putting this on the required school supply list.

And by the way - I'm still ticked off that I was asked to bring in toilet paper. It wasn't used in the student bathrooms.

 

[AZMermaid]

I can't remember if you said what grade your student was in, but I am going to assume a younger grade. I teach first grade. My list is not padded at all, 2 boxes of crayons, one bottle glue, 24 pencils etc. But- I could actually see using 6 boxes of crayons per kid.

Having a new box of crayons every quarter would be awesome- and for most of my students, well appreciated. I give them their second box after Winter Break and they go nuts for new crayons! So, that's 4 boxes per kid. Then the remaining two boxes are pooled and used for centers and classroom projects. And maybe a few are given to kids in need.

Okay, so then why no label? I ask mine to label, but I only ask for two boxes. They get one and the other gets put away. This accounts for people who buy Rose Art crayons getting those crayons in January. In the 6 box scenario, I would save the off brand for centers. But, last year I had 26 first graders. Assuming they keep the first box, that is 130 boxes of crayons to store. I don't have storage for this, but a lot of schools have that shared storage room between classrooms, so it seems plausible. So, now it's October and time for new crayons. It is WAY easier to pull out 26 boxes then dig through finding everyone's labeled crayons. Then my time can be spent planning lessons rather than finding crayons. I don't have any sort of assistant and I get 45 minutes of prep time every other day.

I just don't understand why you (collective you) don't email the teacher and say "I just want (am able to) to provide for my child's needs. Please let me know if any of these supplies are for other children so I can leave those off my list." Maybe they are... maybe they aren't. Maybe out of the 130 crayons, 4 boxes are for the child living in his car. If your school doesn't provide toilet paper, I can't imagine the teachers are given any sort of stipend for supplies.

It just floors me that so many people automatically "know better than the professional" and can't just ask. Explain to the teacher that you can not afford or are unwilling to buy for any other child and I am sure she will tell you what is actually needed if you think the list is padded.