School supply rant! Too much $$$

[Minnie_me]

Schools have had to cut their budgets way way back. Taxpayers vote them down, so that the districts are sometimes forced to go on austerity budgets. The price of TECHNOLOGY - - which parents are demanding - - -is astronomical. Schools just simply can't keep up.

Tissues -- I know it's crazy, but they don't contribute to the child's EDUCATION. So, of course, the BOE cuts stuff like that first. But the kids need tissues! So, the teachers were buying that sort of thing (and in some districts, they still do!).

Zip-loc baggies - - again, crazy! But we teachers use those things like CRAZY! I put math manipulatives in them, most of all. I also use them for snack when we got on field trips (which, in our district, have been cut from the budget, but are funded by the PTA). I use the big ones for browsing bags, books & tapes, and more!

The kids aren't using the Clorox wipes - - the teachers are. Right before snack time, maybe again afterward, to wipe the tables real quick. I also use them for the computer mice.

I teach in a rural district, and yet the parents are AWESOME about sending stuff in. They ALWAYS ask if there's a child who doesn't have the required supplies, and they'll send in extras.

If sending in tissues and baggies upsets you, join the BOE. Try to change things. You'll soon find that it's frustrating; not as easy as you'd think.

Or realize that this is just part of our changing times, and budget for it.

 

[Minnie_me]

What ever happened to good old fashioned soap and water?

Having only one sink in the classroom, and trying to get 20+ kids to wash up - - believe me, it's chaos.

Hand sanitizer comes in really handy when you get out of PE at 11:55, and have to walk all the way down to the classroom, get lunch things, use the bathroom and wash hands, and be at lunch at 12:00. Everybody gets a squirt of sanitizer in their hands, and we rub all the way to the cafeteria - LOL!

 

[summerrluvv]

Having only one sink in the classroom, and trying to get 20+ kids to wash up - - believe me, it's chaos.

Hand sanitizer comes in really handy when you get out of PE at 11:55, and have to walk all the way down to the classroom, get lunch things, use the bathroom and wash hands, and be at lunch at 12:00. Everybody gets a squirt of sanitizer in their hands, and we rub all the way to the cafeteria - LOL!

We really don't buy antibacterial products or use them at home, so I really wouldn't want my son to use it at school. Although, I don't think this is something they have asked us to send in before.

As for the baggies, I think it's nice that the teachers want to keep their classrooms organized, but why should it be at the parents expense?

I'm one that sends in every single thing on the list every single year, but it irks me that I'm having to send more than basic school supplies in.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

What ever happened to good old fashioned soap and water? We don't use hand sanitizer and clorox wipes at home, they don't need them in school. They are too darned expensive. I have no problem providing school supplies for my child, and I don't mind providing some extras for those that can't or won't afford for their own children, the child should not have to suffer (I even send in extra when they collect for field trips)...but to tell me they need sanitizer, wipes, paper towels, etc is getting rediculous. Soap and water works just fine, and the school shouls be able to handle the paper products. What's next TP?

I have no problem providing a few extras for kids that have parents the can't or won't buy them. But some of us parents are asked to buy supplies for many children. Last year I bought 20 glue sticks, 24 packs of crayons, 8 large bottles of hand sanitizers (plus more). I had to draw the line at the 3 packs of dry erase markers (at 14.99 a piece). I don't have a problem with clorox wipes either (and anyone that has spent time in a 1st grade classroom will agree). I know that the school's budget is very small but I can't afford to shell out 100.00 for 2 kids (soon it will be 3 kids) three or four times a year.

 

[daisyduck123]

zip loc baggies (what do they use these for anyway?!)

Hi! 1st grade teacher here....

storage for MANY things:
game pieces
flashcards
books on tape
teeth (when a kid loses a tooth)
lunch money if someone needs one
markers, crayons
paper decodable books (Open Court Reading program)
checkers
unifix cubes
tangrams
plastic coins


I could go on & on......

 

[daisyduck123]

I had to draw the line at the 3 packs of dry erase markers (at 14.99 a piece).

Wow!! Where are you shopping for school supplies?

Target sells a 4-pack of dry erase markers for about $4.99.

 

[NJtoATL]

I'm a teacher and I understand the parents that are venting about this issue. When I taught in New Jersey in a very wealthy community, the children just showed up to school. The school supplied everything. Now I teach in an lower middle income community in Georgia. I will say about 30-60% of the parents will contribute (depending on the year).

To all the parents that are upset about sending extra materials, just know that the teachers spend their own money on school supplies as well. At the beginning of every school year, I personally spend on average of $200.00. Some years I have spent more. I also spend money through out the year. I have purchased lunches, I have purchased coats, outfits, shoes, bought yearbooks, pictures, supported students who sell Girl Scout Cookies, etc and more. I do this out of the kindness of my heart. When teachers ask for a box of tissue or soap or copy paper, it is not the teachers benefit. It is for the children.

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

I have no problem buying the supplies for my child. My problem is that they are pooling the supplies. I bought crayola stuff for my DD because that is what the teacher asked for but if half of the other parents bought supplies from the $ store my DD is probably going to get stuck using those. I understand that they are little and they may loose stuff but having their own supplies will also help teach them to be responsible for their own stuff. I couldn't get the stupid Dora glue sticks because my DD won't get to use them anyways.

Yes I know I could take it up with the teacher but I don't want to start the year fighting with the teacher.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

Wow!! Where are you shopping for school supplies?

Target sells a 4-pack of dry erase markers for about $4.99.

Our list requested the pack of 10 or 20 pens with the eraser (also a note to let us know that we were to purchase 3 packs but only put our child's name on one of them)

 

[Va-bear]

My $70 total is counting on things like .50 packs of colored pencils, .10 packs of loose leaf paper. But some of the things I just can't get that cheaply (kleenex, ziploc bags, hand sanitizer). Every year I see people buying all their kids' stuff at office stores. Everything but the loss leaders are so expensive there. I can't imagine what they spend!

ETA: It's really interesting how different things are done in different places!

You're so right about some things just never being on too great of a sale. The ziplock baggies were a biggie for us - a box of 15 gallon "Zipper-style" and a box of 50 sandwhich "ziplock - style" -love how specific they are ) To get the exact size, number, and STYLE was quite a task....oh well, at least its a good school for a GREATcause!

Yeah, seeing the people who dont have to buy anything has been interesting....who knew? (BUT, I must admit, it was a HUGE thing getting ready for school by buying our new items when I was little! ...my son's just not too into it... )

 

[daisyduck123]

Our list requested the pack of 10 or 20 pens with the eraser (also a note to let us know that we were to purchase 3 packs but only put our child's name on one of them)

Wow...ok, sorry....that does sound excessive!

 

[DVC Sadie]

You know, it peeves me that I have to send in paper towels, tissues, zip loc baggies (what do they use these for anyway?!) How come the school isn't paying for this stuff? I mean, geez, the taxes around here are ASTROMICAL. You would think they could supply this kind of stuff.

ITA! Sometimes it seems so unfair and I do understand the frustration, especially when we live in a huge tax area.

It use to peeve me as well until I actually saw why the teachers needed some of the supplies. Some of the supplies went to poorer schools in the same district (which I didn't mind). I also found out that some of the children take the TP home due to the fact that they didn't have any.

 

[DawnM]

You know, for those of you who need to spend $100 per child, could you start a separate account in your bank and start in Sept. to set aside $10 per month? By mid-summer you would have all the funds and it wouldn't have hurt so much.

Dawn

 

[Barbers2005]

Our prop taxes here for a $225,000 home are $4,500.00 a year.... UMM OK?

Those taxes would be really low where I live...we pay $3000/year on an $80,000 house. I don't really mind though...I know the schools have to pinch pennies.

Dd starts school this year and we got a pretty long supply list but wal-mart is so cheap that it only ended up being $30-40. No biggie really. I was actually pleased that the crayons, scissors, pencils, etc. would be kept by the teacher and doled out as needed- I can imagine how often I'd have to replace lost stuff if dd was responsible for it!

 

[dizkids]

I have no problem buying supplies for the teachers. My youngest will be in K this year which will make for 3 in the same elementary school for me. My pet peeve is the HASSLE to go out and buy everything on the list which i certainly do. I have yet to buy everything in one location..always out of something and my school ALWAYS wants green pens!!! I would rather my school district send home a bill in June with report cards that says...class list supplies cost this much for 1st graders, this much for 4th graders etc...due in Sept. My taxes are well over $10k and to think our school system here in monmouth county nj was just rated best schools for your buck...i guess thats why we are buying our school supplies

 

[Minnie_me]

To all the parents that are upset about sending extra materials, just know that the teachers spend their own money on school supplies as well. At the beginning of every school year, I personally spend on average of $200.00. Some years I have spent more. I also spend money through out the year. I have purchased lunches, I have purchased coats, outfits, shoes, bought yearbooks, pictures, supported students who sell Girl Scout Cookies, etc and more. I do this out of the kindness of my heart. When teachers ask for a box of tissue or soap or copy paper, it is not the teachers benefit. It is for the children.

Amen to that!

I kept track of my school spending a few years ago, and was SHOCKED that it was almost $1500 in one year! Yikes! And I was making about $30,000. And that didn't include purchasing clothing and xmas gifts for the migrant kids, and supporting fundraisers and stuff.

I don't think parents have any idea how much money teachers shell out. Not one of my friends in the "business world" have to buy things to do their jobs. Rather, they get cars (or mileage), expense accounts, trips, etc.

It's a different world. And I'm not complaining!!!! I LOVE my job.

 

[mis099dlm]

My 4th grader has had a supply list every year. Our PTA uses this as a fund raising opportunity. At the end of the school year, they have the upcoming supply list and the price at which you may pre-order the supply packet. I've paid from $40 - $73 for the supplies. I figure I could bargain shop and scout the sales and save 20% - 25%, but it's worth the convenience to me. Plus the teacher gets exactly what he/she wants and the supplies are more 'standard.'

I can remember going to school with pencils, paper, and a notebook...

 

[CrzyGmer789X2]

Luckily, I get my schedules this week, along with supplies list (probably). -_- 5 honors classes isn't going to be very cheap.

 

[RRL35]

I can understand everyone being upset with the money that they have to spend on supplies for the school......however, I look at it from 2 points of view....from a parent, and being a teacher. I do realize that we teachers ask for a lot from the parents, however we normally only ask for it once a year. If you realized what teachers spend out of their pocket for your child you might feel differently about helping to supply the classroom at the beginning of the year.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

I went out and bought all this stuff only to find out that in my elementary school, they supply everything!! LOL We live in a really small town in New Hampshire. I will send DS to school with his own stuff anyway, just because it makes him feel so good. =)