School supply rant! Too much $$$

[patsal]

I must put my complaint in. I went shopping for the dreaded dry erase markers. I say dreaded asmy kids always need the exact ones that are not available. Well I found them todayfor my DD9. They were 3.89 for a 4-pack...not bad at all. Until I read that she need 10 packs...YES 10 packs. Why in the world would any kid need 40 black dry erase marker in one year????? This is not even including the 4 colored packs she needs. I am sorry but I will not buy 40.00 worth of dry erase markers. If there are any teachers on this board that can explain to me why one child needs 40 expo dry erase marker I will gladly shut up and listen.

I don't go through that many in a whole school year and I'm the teacher--maybe a typo, maybe you need a total of 10 markers one for each month? I'd get four packs, one per quarter and give your child one pack to take to school. Let your child know to ask you when they need a new one.

 

[MM27]

8 specific type folders .88 @ (8? why 8)
!

Math
Science
Social Studies
Reading
Writing (in my school the teachers that teach writing staple 2 folders together so kids have 4 pockets~one for each step of the writing process)
Homework
Specials teachers sometimes require folders.
Spanish/other language
Health
Library

 

[WendyisDarling]

? about dry erase markers-- I need to shop for these. The teacher asked for low-odor expo markers. Are low-odor hard to find? (If so, does anyone know where to get them) Are they more expensive? I understand this specific request as it is for the self-contained autism classroom and a lot of kids have sensory issues.
Surprisngly, the sp. ed. teacher did send me a list this year. Previous years I have just sent in things I thought they would need.
He also asked for sanitizer with a notation "I am not sure if they make it w/o alcohol, but that would be preferred" Do they make it w/o alcohol? If so, what brand?
My kids don't go back to school until September. I can't beleive I have started buying supplies already! But, I need to take advantage of the deals.

 

[mumom95]

Whatever happened to writing their answers on paper???!!! Why do the studnets all need their own individual whiteboards? And, if they are not using their own whiteboards, why am I supplying the teacher with dry erase markers? That is something the school should be supplying each room with. Sorry, I am all for helping out, but after buying all the other stuff, and shelling out for MORE wrapping paper and harrasing all of my relatives to buy MORE wrapping paper (can't harrass the neighbors, they are all selling the same thing ) I have had enough. If they would come up with a better fundraiser, maybe I wouldn't have to shell out so much. It seems every kid in our area (not even just our state) sells the same stuff at the same time.

I don't know for sure, but I have a feeling more schools are going to white boards instead of paper due to the fact that it is less waste and better for the environment (although, paper does break down in the environment, and the dry erase markers that we throw away probably don't, so I'm not so sure it is better for the environment)

As for why isn't the school supplying the teachers dry erase. Well, I don't know about your state, but in Ohio many of the school districts are having such a hard time passing levies (that is how the schools get their money in Ohio) that they have had to cut way, way back on the teacher's supplies.

And, finally, I just wanted to comment about the fundraiser, because I know exactly how you feel. One thing you may want to check though, is how much does the school actually make off of the fundraiser. I too got so sick of begging friends and family to buy all the typical fundraiser junk, so I was just buying like $50 worth of it myself and calling it quits. Well, the school actually only makes 50% of what they sell, so this past year instead of paying $50 for junk I didn't want, I just sent in a $25 donation to the PTC. I may not have gotten anything for my money, but I saved $25 and the school actually made a little more than they would have if I had bought $50 worth. Anyway, it is something to think about.

 

[Teacher03]

Whatever happened to writing their answers on paper???!!! Why do the studnets all need their own individual whiteboards? And, if they are not using their own whiteboards, why am I supplying the teacher with dry erase markers? That is something the school should be supplying each room with. Sorry, I am all for helping out, but after buying all the other stuff, and shelling out for MORE wrapping paper and harrasing all of my relatives to buy MORE wrapping paper (can't harrass the neighbors, they are all selling the same thing ) I have had enough. If they would come up with a better fundraiser, maybe I wouldn't have to shell out so much. It seems every kid in our area (not even just our state) sells the same stuff at the same time.

I use the individual whiteboards during math. It is a quick and easy assessment to see who "gets it" and who doesn't. I can quickly scan the room and see who needs help. I can't imagine needing 10 packs per child! I hope that's a typo.

 

[crisi]

Buying the supplies doesn't bug me. The request for specific brands however does bug me. I understand "red folder" so they can hand out the red Math folders to everyone, blue for English and no one fights over the folder with kittens. But when the brands are specified - nope. You get what I buy. Especially when some of the brands are odd. Putting the brand on there makes it real likely it won't show up at all (and I do understand everyone needing the same scientific calculator - the buttons on each model are different - but you should need ONE for three or four years of school, not a different model each year).

Our school asks for unpaired white clean socks instead of dry erase erasers. Usually we can just send a whole grocery bag each year.

 

[mum4jenn]

I get my dd everything on her list and I do not complain about it! I look for the sales and stock up.If I had to buy everything at full price I might gripe a bit but as long as I have a computer and a subscription to the newspaper, and know when the BTS sales start, I will always be able to get the bargains.
The only thing I don't normally get the brand name of is the ZipLock bags. The teachers have told me they do not care which brand they are but by putting ZIpLock people know what "kind" of bags they need. Also the Clorox wipes.This year I got Walmart brand. I do make sure the other things like CRAYOLA and such are what they ask for because those work better.

Something else I do is I look at the list for the NEXT year and if I get to a really great sale I will go ahead and buy some of the things needed then also. When Target and others put there things on clearance I will stock up again. In fact Target usually puts the TI84 on clearance a couple of months after school starts so I am really tempted to get one this year even though my own dd is just going into the 4th grade.The only thing holding me back is I am afraid that in 4 years the might need something different.

I did buy my dd some items that are "cute" for her to keep herself like pencils with her name, High School Musical items,, and I will send in a package of the plain yellow pencils to be pooled. The cute stuff stays in her backpack and the other items like tissues,Clorox wipes,etc all go in one of those huge Ziploc bags for dd to take to school either Open House (the night before school starts) or the first day of school.

Our school system does furnish the teachers dry erase markers and copy paper, pens, etc.

Even our food service office(cafeteria manager) supplies us with most of the things we need, I still buy most of my own because I like certain brands better myself.


Oh....look on Ebay for the dry erase markers. I have found some great bulk pack deals on there for Expo.

 

[MrsPete]

Whatever happened to writing their answers on paper???!!! Why do the studnets all need their own individual whiteboards?

Teachers like to use whiteboards like this: The teacher models a grammar exercise or a math problem, then the students do a similar problem on their white boards. When they're done, the students hold up their white boards, and the teacher knows at a glance whether the class is "getting it". She knows instantly whether to move on, or whether to do a couple more problems. Also, kids are more likely to actually do the problems if they know they're going to need to hold up answer in about two minutes -- if they're writing on their own notebook paper, there's the temptation to goof off and write a note to their boyfriend instead.

Another method: The teacher goes around the room and assigns each student one of last night's homework problems to write out on his own whiteboard, then they take turns holding up the answers. Seeing the answers is important to most students. It's a switch from the teacher standing in front of the room, writing 25 answers on the board; as such, it keeps students engaged a bit more.

The white board is a good tool for the classroom.

 

[MrsPete]

Well, the school actually only makes 50% of what they sell, so this past year instead of paying $50 for junk I didn't want, I just sent in a $25 donation to the PTC. I may not have gotten anything for my money, but I saved $25 and the school actually made a little more than they would have if I had bought $50 worth. Anyway, it is something to think about.

I have a particular dislike of the slick-catalog type fundraisers, and my daughters have never taken part in them; instead, I make a good donation to the school at the beginning of the year (which is tax-deductable), and I don't feel a bit bad about not taking part. However, most people will not just donate money to the school . . . so every year we see magazines, chocolate, and wrapping paper.

 

[timzagain]

I am so tired of having to supply for other children, and those children have to 100 shoes and cloths and crap like that and also, they are of course getting FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH! I just dont understand why these parents get away with crap like that. I ate lunch with my son last year at school and 60% are getting free lunch, but yet they have ICE CREAM MONEY!!! Most of those kids arent even eating thier lunches, or they will just eat an apple or crackers out of it. Why not take the freakin shoes back and buy your kids own lunch!! Where are your priorities? The pooling supplies just really bothers me. I have 2 kids and we pay our own way I dont see why others dont feel obligated to help out too. For those who have medical issues and really have valid reason why you take advantage of others I have no problem helping but for the 99% of other that are just lazy and just expect others to provide for their children, I wish something could be done. We dont have just money laying around.

I agree that some parents could better manage their limited financial resources, instead of buying overly expensive clothes, shoes etc in unrealistic quantities. But you should be careful not to jump to conclusions! Some people have never learned how to manage money or shop sensibly. And still others have been blessed by the outpourings of generosity of others.

A few years ago, we were in pretty bad financial shape. DH and I were made redundant at different times, so for many years there was only one income. We had barely enough money to cover the basics for school. Fancy brand name clothes and shoes were NOT part of our financial reality. But thanks to the generosity of others, my kids were able to have some of the frills. It was not uncommon for a member of the extended family to give the kids money for treats. Or the kids would help Granny or the next door neighbour with a chore, and be given a dollar for their effort.

My girls always had way "too much clothes and too many shoes" because a friend or cousin outgrew them too quickly and passed them on, in excellent condition. Some of this was top quality brand name stuff too. DH and I on the other hand were buying cheap clothes and shoes for ourselves. I learned from my mother and my grandmother the art of making cheap stuff look like a million dollars!

I'm sure that they were a lot of people looking on, and assuming that we were the world's most stupid spenders!

Some of the school requirements I've seen posted here are mind-boggling and warrant further discussion with school administration. However, I have no problem with providing for others in need if I have the resources to do so. I don't mind at all if my kids have to share their fancy stuff with children who cannot even afford the most basic school supplies. Kids of all ages and economic backgrounds like cool, cute, kid-friendly things. I don't encourage the whole Keeping Up with The Jones thing, but the fact of the matter is that kids can be quite unkind, and will pick on another child because he/ she only has the basic "ugly cheap stuff" (quoting a phrase I overheard one child torturing another child with a few months ago)

If my youngest DD came home complaining that little Susie ended up with her Barbie notebook - I'd take the opportunity to teach her about sharing and looking after people who are less fortunate.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I suspect it's because many students bring in none -- some because their parents can't, some because their parents won't. Same thing for 100 pencils. Some students have none. The supplies simply don't exist at school; we can say "my taxes are high" all day long, but that won't make supplies appear in the closet. So the teacher ends up buying them out of her pocket.

I don't mind bringing in a few extra for the students and teachers. I always send in extra crayons, markers, erasers, etc. with my kids and I do give some to the teachers. I wouldn't mind bringing in 2 packs of dry erase markers or even 3 (in my daughter needs 2 herself) but I can't afford 40.00 worth on 1 item when I have 54 other items to buy.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I don't go through that many in a whole school year and I'm the teacher--maybe a typo, maybe you need a total of 10 markers one for each month? I'd get four packs, one per quarter and give your child one pack to take to school. Let your child know to ask you when they need a new one.

I called my DD's school today. The secretary is there all year long. I asked her and she double checked. Yes it is a total of 40 markers. She even asked the teacher. The only answer I got as to why so many was that the teachers needs them.

 

[mytwotinks]

I called my DD's school today. The secretary is there all year long. I asked her and she double checked. Yes it is a total of 40 markers. She even asked the teacher. The only answer I got as to why so many was that the teachers needs them.

I am sorry, but I just wouldn't do that. I would send a few packs in and be done with it. That is such a rediculous request. Did every child get that on their list or did the teacher just break things down and ask each kid to get something different?

How old is this teacher? My friends and I were talking the other day about what teachers expect and we came to the conclusion that the one's without kids sometimes just don't really understand what they are asking. If you've never had to enroll several kids at once, you just don't get what a burden school supplies can be to a struggling family. Some of these teachers starting out haven't even moved out of the mom and dad's house yet. They don't know what it is like to come up with the bill money every month.

 

[mum4jenn]

I don't mind bringing in a few extra for the students and teachers. I always send in extra crayons, markers, erasers, etc. with my kids and I do give some to the teachers. I wouldn't mind bringing in 2 packs of dry erase markers or even 3 (in my daughter needs 2 herself) but I can't afford 40.00 worth on 1 item when I have 54 other items to buy.

Please look at Ebay. I just looked and there are some really good deals. Also Ebay Express has a seller that has 3 dozen black ones(Dixon brand??) for $9.99. I don't remember if they had to be all black or not. If they can be colors there are several sellers that have those in multipacks also on regular Ebay.

 

[Kriii]

I am trying not to become too irritated by this thread! I'm sure that there may be some supply requests that are over the top but really, teachers do generally have a pretty good reason for what they request! When I lived in Ohio, I would sometimes get a single pack of paper per semester (so don't expect much to be photocopied and sent home) plus as little as 50.00 for supplies (I am actually a Speech Language Pathologist by the way). I literally have thousands of dollars invested in materials which are necessary for education of my disabled kids. I'm in a different school and state right now and get a more generous allowance but it still has cost me at least a thousand dollars for just the therapy materials that are needed in the past few years. Mabey in a perfect world it shouldn't be so but that is the reality! BTW, I could have NOT spent the extra money but then my speech kids wouldn't have had as good of treatment (should I have not spent and just done the minimum for these kids?) Remember, the supplies that are being requested are for your kids here!

 

[NVDisMom]

We opened a new elementary school last year in our town. 3rd one and we live in its boundaries. Great a new school, should be awesome. Right? We started two weeks late b/c contsruction wasn't complete. Okay. We need each family to contribute $ for paper, supplies, etc.(mMoney, not items) Okay we'll help out. Offered to help with purchasing and stocking, was declined. Okay. We get into the classrooms for school, finally...supply lists are sent home. Didn't we just contribute $ to this? No that was for the office, administration, teachers, and specialty classrooms. The kids still need theirs. Okay. Christmas time we have a school music performance. Our elementary school does not yet have a PA, chairs, risers, etc. The music teacher requested $, b/c she doesn't like having to share with the other two elem Schools and Middle and Highschools. What? I see sharing as a good use of available assets locally and responsable use of money on a tight budget. Parents were doing all of the moving, setting up, cleanup, and return. The other schools seemed happy to oblige...we just had to be flexible and not try to take it on dates they needed it for their concerts. I saw this request as over the top. Perhaps its easier to schedule if we had our own, but I don't see it as that big of a deal. Worry about getting some play equipment for the kids and grass on the field first!(Parents helped out with that too, btw) It definitely would have been a cheaper year to stay in the school we had been at.

 

[IDoDis]

I am trying not to become too irritated by this thread! I'm sure that there may be some supply requests that are over the top but really, teachers do generally have a pretty good reason for what they request! When I lived in Ohio, I would sometimes get a single pack of paper per semester (so don't expect much to be photocopied and sent home) plus as little as 50.00 for supplies (I am actually a Speech Language Pathologist by the way). I literally have thousands of dollars invested in materials which are necessary for education of my disabled kids. I'm in a different school and state right now and get a more generous allowance but it still has cost me at least a thousand dollars for just the therapy materials that are needed in the past few years. Mabey in a perfect world it shouldn't be so but that is the reality! BTW, I could have NOT spent the extra money but then my speech kids wouldn't have had as good of treatment (should I have not spent and just done the minimum for these kids?) Remember, the supplies that are being requested are for your kids here!

It's interesting how so many people will complain about buying school supplies, yet they don't bat an eye staying at a resort for $300+ per night for 10 nights, 10 day park hoppers, have nice meals each day, ect... (Even if you stay at a value resort, that's still $100 per night!). It just blows my mind. Where have our priorities gone? No wonder teachers hardly get paid squat compared to the work and responsiblities they have.

If there's a deal to be had, many people on this board will jump at it, even though the item wasn't even in their radar before they logged on. They will be sooo happy they just spent $50 on a whatamacallit, but don't want to spend that same $50 on supplies. I just don't get it. So what if you have to shell out a little extra for the kids in the class who will show up with nothing. I guess you have to be a teacher to know what it's like to have kids show up without proper clothing, no money for field trips, no supplies to speak of, come from a home where education is not valued, get no help with homework, no books in the house... Yes, we can get mad at the adults who raise these kids but it doesn't solve the problem and it's the kids who suffer.

If you feel that a request is above and beyond, then just say no and offer to pick up a few extra bottles of glue. Many people may not realize this, but lots of the art projects your kids bring home are paid for by the teacher, not the school. So, if you are wondering why the teacher is requesting so much, maybe she/he needs some help buying these materials. If I ever wanted to do an art project besides using contruction paper, I had to scavage for the 20% off Michael's coupons and make several trips into the store to buy what I need for the class. I easily spend $40 for a cute project (more for holidays and Mother's Day stuff).

So everyone says the schools "should" be paying for this stuff. Well, they don't. You can thank our country's leader(s) for implementing laws like "No Child Left Behind," but not providing adequate funding to meet the schools and students' needs to make this even remotely possible. Don't blame the teachers, administrators or the kids. Just pitch in and do your part. You will feel much better about yourself.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox. (The Dis needs a soapbox icon!)

 

[Chrisypoo]

I called my DD's school today. The secretary is there all year long. I asked her and she double checked. Yes it is a total of 40 markers. She even asked the teacher. The only answer I got as to why so many was that the teachers needs them.

40 markers per child, and an average of 20 children per class...so that means the teacher will get 800 markers. That's insane. I'd send in 2, maybe 3 packs if you can get them on sale (Walgreen's has the 4-packs on sale for $1.99 this week.)

 

[mum4jenn]

It's interesting how so many people will complain about buying school supplies, yet they don't bat an eye staying at a resort for $300+ per night for 10 nights, 10 day park hoppers, have nice meals each day, ect... (Even if you stay at a value resort, that's still $100 per night!). It just blows my mind. Where have our priorities gone? No wonder teachers hardly get paid squat compared to the work and responsiblities they have.

If there's a deal to be had, many people on this board will jump at it, even though the item wasn't even in their radar before they logged on. They will be sooo happy they just spent $50 on a whatamacallit, but don't want to spend that same $50 on supplies. I just don't get it. So what if you have to shell out a little extra for the kids in the class who will show up with nothing. I guess you have to be a teacher to know what it's like to have kids show up without proper clothing, no money for field trips, no supplies to speak of, come from a home where education is not valued, get no help with homework, no books in the house... Yes, we can get mad at the adults who raise these kids but it doesn't solve the problem and it's the kids who suffer.

If you feel that a request is above and beyond, then just say no and offer to pick up a few extra bottles of glue. Many people may not realize this, but lots of the art projects your kids bring home are paid for by the teacher, not the school. So, if you are wondering why the teacher is requesting so much, maybe she/he needs some help buying these materials. If I ever wanted to do an art project besides using contruction paper, I had to scavage for the 20% off Michael's coupons and make several trips into the store to buy what I need for the class. I easily spend $40 for a cute project (more for holidays and Mother's Day stuff).

So everyone says the schools "should" be paying for this stuff. Well, they don't. You can thank our country's leader(s) for implementing laws like "No Child Left Behind," but not providing adequate funding to meet the schools and students' needs to make this even remotely possible. Don't blame the teachers, administrators or the kids. Just pitch in and do your part. You will feel much better about yourself.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox. (The Dis needs a soapbox icon!)

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Teacher03]

It's interesting how so many people will complain about buying school supplies, yet they don't bat an eye staying at a resort for $300+ per night for 10 nights, 10 day park hoppers, have nice meals each day, ect... (Even if you stay at a value resort, that's still $100 per night!). It just blows my mind. Where have our priorities gone? No wonder teachers hardly get paid squat compared to the work and responsiblities they have.

If there's a deal to be had, many people on this board will jump at it, even though the item wasn't even in their radar before they logged on. They will be sooo happy they just spent $50 on a whatamacallit, but don't want to spend that same $50 on supplies. I just don't get it. So what if you have to shell out a little extra for the kids in the class who will show up with nothing. I guess you have to be a teacher to know what it's like to have kids show up without proper clothing, no money for field trips, no supplies to speak of, come from a home where education is not valued, get no help with homework, no books in the house... Yes, we can get mad at the adults who raise these kids but it doesn't solve the problem and it's the kids who suffer.

If you feel that a request is above and beyond, then just say no and offer to pick up a few extra bottles of glue. Many people may not realize this, but lots of the art projects your kids bring home are paid for by the teacher, not the school. So, if you are wondering why the teacher is requesting so much, maybe she/he needs some help buying these materials. If I ever wanted to do an art project besides using contruction paper, I had to scavage for the 20% off Michael's coupons and make several trips into the store to buy what I need for the class. I easily spend $40 for a cute project (more for holidays and Mother's Day stuff).

So everyone says the schools "should" be paying for this stuff. Well, they don't. You can thank our country's leader(s) for implementing laws like "No Child Left Behind," but not providing adequate funding to meet the schools and students' needs to make this even remotely possible. Don't blame the teachers, administrators or the kids. Just pitch in and do your part. You will feel much better about yourself.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox. (The Dis needs a soapbox icon!)

ITA! Thank you for saying it better than I could have!