School supply rant! Too much $$$

[mum4jenn]

And I wonder how many of the ones griping about buying school supplies for their children are the ones that went out and bought the Kitchen Aid appliances (that they did not NEED but bought one or several because it was a good price) at Lowes?

It is indeed a shame that parents gripe over and over about buying supplies needed for the education or health (sanitizer and such) of their children.

 

[Angela&Kayla]

And I wonder how many of the ones griping about buying school supplies for their children are the ones that went out and bought the Kitchen Aid appliances (that they did not NEED but bought one or several because it was a good price) at Lowes?

It is indeed a shame that parents gripe over and over about buying supplies needed for the education or health (sanitizer and such) of their children.

I bought the Kitchen Aid appliances that I did not need (but then again, most of the stuff we buy we do not need), and I even bought extras for gifts. I also complained about the excessive amount of supplies my DD needs to bring to school.

I am both a parent and soon will be a teacher as well. I volunteer my time and money to help children through several different organizations. I buy my daughter the supplies that the school requested, although sometimes I make the executive decision to change the brand or colors requested (For example, if a pack of designer pencils makes my DD excited about going to school, guess what? She will have some designer pencils and not yellow ones). I also supply extra supplies whenever needed or warranted.

BUT, I need to know...as a teacher, we need to be resourceful. How are we showing our children to be resourceful when we require them to bring in an excessive amount of school supplies, in which several won't even be used?

Finally, as far as the sanitizer and tissues go...My daughter is, and has been since preschool, fully capable of using soap and water to wash her hands. I do not allow her to use sanitizer at home because of the health issues associated with it, so why would I want her using it at school? Tissues are completely different, as long as the teacher doesn't allow the tissues to be abused in the school by a child. And clorox wipes? What ever happened to the good old one part bleach, ten parts water. $1 will go a long way to keeping the classroom clean and germ free.

I don't want to cause any arguments, but I feel both sides need to speak their mind on the issues. Let's not judge other adults, just like we don't cast judgement on the children in the classrooms.

 

[mum4jenn]

Well they don't use the bottles of bleach because God forbid a drop of bleach gets on little Sally's dress and is therefore ruined and that parent wants the school to pay for the dress. Or worse the bleach gets in a chil'd eyes. The wipes are much safer. THe sanitizer has already been addressed. Kids still use soap and water but there are times they are going to lunch right after another area of the school and do not have the opportunity to go to wherever the sinks are. Much quicker and easier to carry a small bottle of sanitizer than to mess up all the lunch times for all the other students because one class had to go to another wing of the school to wash their hands. At my school we have 3 minutes to serve each class (two minutes on early release...sack lunch day) all it takes is one class to lollygag to blow the whole schedule and then WE in the cafeteria get in trouble.


Sure they di not have these things when most of us parents went to school but that does not make them a bad thing. Sometimes better amd more clever inventions are a good thing.

 

[PoohHappens]

My sons list was very specific, it even had an item that I was unfamiliar with. I had to do some research and even at the cheapest price it made for $12.00 worth of glue for a kindergartener. And you know what. I was happy to provide it. I was glad to have a child that can go to school, who can be excited and happy and learn. I was glad to be burdened by that cost. I was grateful to have the finances availible that I could purchase the items, even if I had to forego something else. I feel privilaged to be blessed enough to do so. We also then bought 3 back packs and the supplies to fill them for a local ministry that gives thousands of them to the kids in the lower income area where we live. I felt so lucky to not only have a child of my own, but to then have him ask us when we said there were kids whose parents could not afford school supplies say--"Do you guys have some money?" He got it and he is 5.

 

[rockyroad]

When I was teaching there were very strict OSHA rules about any cleaning supplies kept in classrooms.

Even those that were kept locked up.

They are required to have documentation for everything, so it comes down to the teacher just had better not have it in the room.

One product that I was allowed to keep was baby wipes.
They are great.
(Sometimes administrators do not want entire classes in the hall to wash hands except at the assigned time.
When I was in first grade myself there was a sink in the classroom, but that would be an uncommon luxury now.)

And the baby wipes can be used to clean not only little hands after art project (like glue), but also the desk tops, which get really nasty very quickly.

 

[livndisney]

And I wonder how many of the ones griping about buying school supplies for their children are the ones that went out and bought the Kitchen Aid appliances (that they did not NEED but bought one or several because it was a good price) at Lowes?

It is indeed a shame that parents gripe over and over about buying supplies needed for the education or health (sanitizer and such) of their children.

Griping? humm. I did not buy ANY Kitchen Aid Appliances (not sure what that reference is for). In fact I don't shop at Lowes. I posted about my childs 1st grade list as I find it to be excessive. I have worked in several school districts and have never seen a list like this for a 1st grader. I find it very hard to believe that in a classroom where the children are not allowed to bring backpacks due to space issues is going to have a place to store over 100 boxes of Kleenex, 50 containers of clorox wipes and 25 rolls of paper towels (based on approx 25 students per class) in additonal to all the other items "required".

 

[mumom95]

My sons list was very specific, it even had an item that I was unfamiliar with. I had to do some research and even at the cheapest price it made for $12.00 worth of glue for a kindergartener. And you know what. I was happy to provide it. I was glad to have a child that can go to school, who can be excited and happy and learn. I was glad to be burdened by that cost. I was grateful to have the finances availible that I could purchase the items, even if I had to forego something else. I feel privilaged to be blessed enough to do so. We also then bought 3 back packs and the supplies to fill them for a local ministry that gives thousands of them to the kids in the lower income area where we live. I felt so lucky to not only have a child of my own, but to then have him ask us when we said there were kids whose parents could not afford school supplies say--"Do you guys have some money?" He got it and he is 5.

Your little boy sounds like a very intelligent young man. And you sound like an amazing parent and person, you seem to really understand what is important in life. Just think what a wonderful world this would be if all the families were like yours.

Reading your post gave me that "warm fuzzy" feeling. Thank you.

 

[hopesmommy]

And I wonder how many of the ones griping about buying school supplies for their children are the ones that went out and bought the Kitchen Aid appliances (that they did not NEED but bought one or several because it was a good price) at Lowes?

It is indeed a shame that parents gripe over and over about buying supplies needed for the education or health (sanitizer and such) of their children.

I did gripe about the supplies needed for my DD kindergarten class and DID NOT buy a Kitchen Aid appliance! I think that was a totally uncalled for comment.

I don't understand why I had to buy 4 bottles of glue, 9 glue sticks and 6 boxes of 3 different kinds of crayons plus markers and paints. I do not gripe about what is needed for the education and health of my child. My two sisters are teachers and have many friends that are teachers and they all agree the list is out of control. If someone is in need of supplies, they (the school) should let us know and let us decide if we would like to contribute for two reasons. 1. We may not have the money either 2. We could deduct the amount spent as a contribution on our tax returns.

As for the teachers not getting paid enough, I agree 100%!! My sisters have paid for things for their kids and got a tax deduction. Why can't the school let us parents get a deduction. If something is needed for a project that the school will not provide, the teachers should ask the parents to help. At my DD's pre-k school, they received way more than they ever needed by doing this. I know there are alot of things I don't understand that happen in schools, but it is for the best of the kids.

As for the elaborate vacations, my family does not do them. I plan and budget and plan some more to get the most for my money. Now that DD is in kindergarten, I will have to work hard at this. I buy things we need, then if there is some extra money I buy a few of the "want" items. I even buy christmas and birthday gifts all year to hit the sales.

This thread was started as a rant, not to judge others! I don't understand why people believe it is okay to assume what others do and then tell them they are doing it wrong!

(I have my flame suit on, so go ahead and fire.)

 

[mum4jenn]

Griping? humm. I did not buy ANY Kitchen Aid Appliances (not sure what that reference is for). In fact I don't shop at Lowes. I posted about my childs 1st grade list as I find it to be excessive. I have worked in several school districts and have never seen a list like this for a 1st grader. I find it very hard to believe that in a classroom where the children are not allowed to bring backpacks due to space issues is going to have a place to store over 100 boxes of Kleenex, 50 containers of clorox wipes and 25 rolls of paper towels (based on approx 25 students per class) in additonal to all the other items "required".

Well if you weren't one of those people on that thread (about buying lots of extra KA appliances) then that "reference" has nothing to do with you.


Yes there were a few out of the ordinary lists...such a 100 pencils (even though if they were purchased at Staples sale that would only be 10 cents total) and the 40 dry erase markers...stuff like that. I see nothing wrong with buying and sending 2-4 or everything.
Some schools are old and drafty ( my school is 55 year old) and allergies and colds run rampant I keep a jumbo box of tissues on my desk and during allergy season I can go through a box in two weeks so I imagine if there are 25 kids and a teacher and maybe an aide it is entirely possible to go through that many supplies.
And of course there will be those kids that don't bring in anything or when they bring in the tissues they bring the little pocket pack that has maybe 8 tissues in it.
There are those that truly can not afford it. Heck I am the cafeteria manager and I do NOT make much money at all but I want my child to have everything she needs so I get everything on her list and buy extras to send for those that don't have the money...I usually give then to the school counselor because she knows where the greatest need is. I go to all the sales and stock up.

Ya know if y'all hate buying all the stuff then just don't do it then you have nothing to complain about. If you do plan on buying the items then buy them...send them..and be happy your child is able to go to school and learn. Lordy goodness it sound like some are being asked to fill up the teachers car with gas or buy her a new car or something...they are just school supplies!!!!

Kids break crayons...lose pencils and believe me...whatever the custodian sweeps up on the floor goes in the trash...they are not about the bend over and pick up a stray pencil or marker.

 

[mum4jenn]

I did gripe about the supplies needed for my DD kindergarten class and DID NOT buy a Kitchen Aid appliance! I think that was a totally uncalled for comment.

Well...then you would be another one that comment was not in reference to.
Like I said..if y'all don't want to buy the items then don't. Just tell the teacher you don't think you should have to buy 5 bottles of glue and be done with it.
That point was that there were those that bought 4 and 5 mixers at $150 a pop and then complain about spending $50 ( and if they are bought on sale it is not even that much) on school supplies. I have a mixer. I would have loved to bought a new pretty one but I chose to buy school clothes and school supplies and not complain about buying them.

Walmart had glue and glue sticks for 20 cents later on someone had them for 9 cents. Paper was 15 cents. Crayons were 20 cents.


Oh well...whatever....Y'all complain until you turn blue...buy them or don't buy them. I bought everything my dd needs and then some and I am happy to do it.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

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.)

I am guessing that only half (that seems to be the average in my DD's school) will send any school supplies in. I really would not mind helping the kids that really need it but some of the other parent's priorities are out of whack.

 

[tl_swift]

Whoa,, I think everybody needs to calm down here. There is a lot of assuming and flame throwing. The best thing that everyone can do is nicely go to the teacher and ask if this is a beginning of the year "need" list or a list of supplies that might be needed through out the year or a general wish list. You guys are jumping to conclusions with out knowing all of the facts. Then once you are armed with the facts go out and find your best buys foryour children and then if you choose to donate anything after that then great if not thats okay too I am sure someone else might. But please people gather the facts first before flinging mud.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

And I wonder how many of the ones griping about buying school supplies for their children are the ones that went out and bought the Kitchen Aid appliances (that they did not NEED but bought one or several because it was a good price) at Lowes?

It is indeed a shame that parents gripe over and over about buying supplies needed for the education or health (sanitizer and such) of their children.

I did not buy the kitchen aid and I did complain about the excessive school supply list. I send my kids to school with all the supplies that they need. I do not want any child to go without but it should not be my responsibility to get their supplies for them. I do feel sorry for these kids but I must take care of my own first. I hate the fact that most of these poor children that need supplies have parents that always have money for cigarrettes and tattos (no I am not trying to be mean this is what I see). There was a time a few years ago when I was pregnant and I had to stop working. That was the same time my DH was laid off and while he was looking for a job we, a family of 4, had to survive on his unemployment. My DD needed school supplies and we went without so much so she would have them. I am so lucky that we are much better off. We do not struggle but I do not feel that it is our responsibility to pay for other children's supplies. If there are enogh kids that cannot bring in their own supplies then I feel the teacher's need to modify their lists.

 

[mum4jenn]

I did not buy the kitchen aid and I did complain about the excessive school supply list. I send my kids to school with all the supplies that they need. I do not want any child to go without but it should not be my responsibility to get their supplies for them. I do feel sorry for these kids but I must take care of my own first. I hate the fact that most of these poor children that need supplies have parents that always have money for cigarrettes and tattos (no I am not trying to be mean this is what I see). There was a time a few years ago when I was pregnant and I had to stop working. That was the same time my DH was laid off and while he was looking for a job we, a family of 4, had to survive on his unemployment. My DD needed school supplies and we went without so much so she would have them. I am so lucky that we are much better off. We do not struggle but I do not feel that it is our responsibility to pay for other children's supplies. If there are enogh kids that cannot bring in their own supplies then I feel the teacher's need to modify their lists.

I can tell you are a wonderful Mom. I know about the hard difficult times too and thankfully those were mainly before dd was in school but it was back when she was a baby so the diapers and formula and stuff was probably much more expensive compared to school supplies!!! LOL!!! I know we rejoiced when she got out of diapers!! I felt like I hot a pay raise then!!

I have said several times that the 40 dry erase items on your list was out of line.
Unless I bought them off Ebay(which I have suggested a couple of times this week) I would only send a couple of packs until I could discuss with the teacher the need for this many. Dry erase markers are pretty expensive(except Ebay) even on sale. I use them at my job but so far they have lasted me for about 4 years and that is with my dd using them to draw with in the mornings before school starts. I will probably have to break down and buy a new set this year but it is going to have to wait until a couple of more paychecks. I usually buy them at Sams but I might get them off Ebay next time I need them if the good prices are still there.


I apologize if I ruffled feathers with the KA comment. That was in response the the other poster that was talking about excesive vacations and then parents complain about school supplies. For those that did NOT buy the KA appliances and then complain about school supplies you can just skip over that post. I am not sorry I made the comment but I am sorry that the ones the comment DID NOT PERTAIN TO were offended.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I can tell you are a wonderful Mom. I know about the hard difficult times too and thankfully those were mainly before dd was in school but it was back when she was a baby so the diapers and formula and stuff was probably much more expensive compared to school supplies!!! LOL!!! I know we rejoiced when she got out of diapers!! I felt like I hot a pay raise then!!

I have said several times that the 40 dry erase items on your list was out of line.
Unless I bought them off Ebay(which I have suggested a couple of times this week) I would only send a couple of packs until I could discuss with the teacher the need for this many. Dry erase markers are pretty expensive(except Ebay) even on sale. I use them at my job but so far they have lasted me for about 4 years and that is with my dd using them to draw with in the mornings before school starts. I will probably have to break down and buy a new set this year but it is going to have to wait until a couple of more paychecks. I usually buy them at Sams but I might get them off Ebay next time I need them if the good prices are still there.


I apologize if I ruffled feathers with the KA comment. That was in response the the other poster that was talking about excesive vacations and then parents complain about school supplies. For those that did NOT buy the KA appliances and then complain about school supplies you can just skip over that post. I am not sorry I made the comment but I am sorry that the ones the comment DID NOT PERTAIN TO were offended.

Boy do I understand about those diapers ..my DD7 was in diapers when I went through that whole awful ordeal. Back to supplies... I have decided to send up 2 packs of dry erase markers and I will buy more if my DD needs them. I am not sure about other schools but there were many supplies on my DD's lists that I know are for other kids (like at least one backpack). I do not mind sending up extras but I would feel much better about it if a note was sent that said they needed extras to make sure all kids got supplies. I wish that my school could have proceeds of one of the many fundraisers go to school supplies for the kids in need instead of the 100,000 new playground equiptment (but that is another story).

 

[allison443]

My sons list was very specific, it even had an item that I was unfamiliar with. I had to do some research and even at the cheapest price it made for $12.00 worth of glue for a kindergartener. And you know what. I was happy to provide it. I was glad to have a child that can go to school, who can be excited and happy and learn. I was glad to be burdened by that cost. I was grateful to have the finances availible that I could purchase the items, even if I had to forego something else. I feel privilaged to be blessed enough to do so. We also then bought 3 back packs and the supplies to fill them for a local ministry that gives thousands of them to the kids in the lower income area where we live. I felt so lucky to not only have a child of my own, but to then have him ask us when we said there were kids whose parents could not afford school supplies say--"Do you guys have some money?" He got it and he is 5.

Great post! I am not a teacher but I have no problem buying my kids school supplies, tissues for the classroom, etc. I am also paying high NJ property taxes to fund our town's public schools, but my kids do not go to public school, I pay tuition at Catholic school. Maybe I have just become immune to the requests for more money?
Like you mentioned, I have also always taken my kids to purchase supplies for our church's school supply drive. It seems to mean something to them, they enjoy picking out cute supplies to donate. Maybe it means more to them than say a food drive.
Good luck with the school year everyone!

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

Great post! I am not a teacher but I have no problem buying my kids school supplies, tissues for the classroom, etc. I am also paying high NJ property taxes to fund our town's public schools, but my kids do not go to public school, I pay tuition at Catholic school. Maybe I have just become immune to the requests for more money?
Like you mentioned, I have also always taken my kids to purchase supplies for our church's school supply drive. It seems to mean something to them, they enjoy picking out cute supplies to donate. Maybe it means more to them than say a food drive.
Good luck with the school year everyone!

I had to laugh. I went to Catholic school and each kid had to bring in 12 rolls of toliet paper . We also had to bring in hand soap (way befor Purell was invented) and paper towels.

 

[mum4jenn]

I had to laugh. I went to Catholic school and each kid had to bring in 12 rolls of toliet paper . We also had to bring in hand soap (way befor Purell was invented) and paper towels.

LOL!! NOw that would be rough....some would send the good soft kind and I bet some sent the sndpaper kind!!!!!

 

[Angela&Kayla]

When I was teaching there were very strict OSHA rules about any cleaning supplies kept in classrooms.

Even those that were kept locked up.

They are required to have documentation for everything, so it comes down to the teacher just had better not have it in the room.

One product that I was allowed to keep was baby wipes.
They are great.
(Sometimes administrators do not want entire classes in the hall to wash hands except at the assigned time.
When I was in first grade myself there was a sink in the classroom, but that would be an uncommon luxury now.)

And the baby wipes can be used to clean not only little hands after art project (like glue), but also the desk tops, which get really nasty very quickly.

Bleach is used in daycare and preschool settings, so I would assume bleach mixture can be used in a school classroom. Obviously, just like at my own house, the bleach wouldn't be accessible to the children in the classroom. However, neither would Clorox wipes (neither of them are safe in the hands of children imho).

I agree about the baby wipes! I would rather my daughter use them anyday over hand sanitizer! Great suggestion!

 

[Angela&Kayla]

I apologize if I ruffled feathers with the KA comment. That was in response the the other poster that was talking about excesive vacations and then parents complain about school supplies. For those that did NOT buy the KA appliances and then complain about school supplies you can just skip over that post. I am not sorry I made the comment but I am sorry that the ones the comment DID NOT PERTAIN TO were offended.

I am amused that you are only sorry about your comment to those that did not buy the KA appliances.

Again, like I said in my original response to your comment, don't judge other people. Just because we feel like ranting about excessive school supplies does not mean we are bad parents, do not value education, or have the wrong priorities...