Today Show....School supply list

[karice2]

They are doing a story today on the school supply issue. Schools are asking for toliet paper, bleach, laundry detergent and a host of other stuff.

I have noticed that a bunch of people on this board have issues with the school list. It seems that it is an issue that is going on across the country.

I don't have kids but considering doing some sort of donation to a school some supplies. Money for paper towels or dry erase markers won't break my budget but could make a difference to some kids or teachers.

 

[AMaloy314]

Detergent?? What for??

For many years, my kids' supply lists have included boxes of tissues, a couple of rolls of paper towels, Zip lock baggies, diaper wipes, Clorox/Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer as well as more traditional school supplies such as pencils, notebooks, paper and a ream of computer paper.

Taking the supplies in on the first day can be crazy with each child having multiple grocery sacks and full backpacks of supplies to carry. I can't imagine adding gallons of bleach and detergent.

I think that I would seriously want to see the school budget if they can't afford toilet paper.

 

[MidgeD79]

I have never received a school supply list for any of my kids/grandkids. Occasionally a newsletter from a teacher may ask for hand sanitizer, kleenex etc.

 

[McKelly]

I too have read all the school supply list complaints. We have always had an extensive list, don't know any better. I can tell you, just from being a once a week, coach, Girl Scout leader, etc., I have spent A LOT of my own money. I can't even imagine what teachers spend each year, having the kids every day.

People don't seem to have a grasp on the terrible state many schools are in, or going to be in soon. I think your offer of school supplies is very generous and would be very much appreciated by your school district. Our school district has just put together a brochure explaining to the community ways they can help, from clipping box tops to helping to reshelve books in the library (everyone was laid off who did this previously). If entire communities would be as informed and generous as you, the future of our public school system might look a little brighter.

From someone who currently has kids in the public school system - THANK YOU!

 

[AMaloy314]

I too have read all the school supply list complaints. We have always had an extensive list, don't know any better. I can tell you, just from being a once a week, coach, Girl Scout leader, etc., I have spent A LOT of my own money. I can't even imagine what teachers spend each year, having the kids every day.

People don't seem to have a grasp on the terrible state many schools are in, or going to be in soon. I think your offer of school supplies is very generous and would be very much appreciated by your school district. Our school district has just put together a brochure explaining to the community ways they can help, from clipping box tops to helping to reshelve books in the library (everyone was laid off who did this previously). If entire communities would be as informed and generous as you, the future of our public school system might look a little brighter.

From someone who currently has kids in the public school system - THANK YOU!

I agree!! I just reread my previous post and it sounded as if I were complaining about our school list. I am not at all!!

Teachers spend so much of the disgracefully small salary that they recieve on our kids that it is ridiculous. It should be our privilege to volunteer to help in the classroom..or out doing cut-outs or other things for the classrooms. Clipping box tops, sending in used ink jet cartridges, or saving Campbells labels are things ANYONE can do. Your school will be glad to get them.

I do have to wonder though why a teacher would ask for detergent. Can't they just send a note home asking for a parent to do a load of dress-up clothes?

I wish that schools would do a better job letting the communities know what things they need.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Detergent?? What for??

For many years, my kids' supply lists have included boxes of tissues, a couple of rolls of paper towels, Zip lock baggies, diaper wipes, Clorox/Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer as well as more traditional school supplies such as pencils, notebooks, paper and a ream of computer paper.

Taking the supplies in on the first day can be crazy with each child having multiple grocery sacks and full backpacks of supplies to carry. I can't imagine adding gallons of bleach and detergent.

I think that I would seriously want to see the school budget if they can't afford toilet paper.

Because of this my kids have always brought their personal supplies the first day (pencils, paper, etc.) then I send in the classroom supplies a little at a time depending on how heavy they are, or I will drop them in myself.

The blogger that writes the couponing to Disney blog is going to be on one of the morning shows, is that the one?

 

[luvmy3]

We do not have to bring in bleach, toilet paper, laundry detergent and yes I would have a problem if we did. I have no issues supplying my child with their personal supplies, including tissues for their desk, or clorox wipes for their desks/workstation. I pay taxes for a reason, and part of that IMO is to cover things like genral maintenance like cleaning of classrooms, and supplying the bathrooms with needed materials including toilet tissue and hand soap. I don't see a reason that a teacher should be responsible to supply those things either.

 

[prncess674]

I don't have kids but considering doing some sort of donation to a school some supplies. Money for paper towels or dry erase markers won't break my budget but could make a difference to some kids or teachers.

Rather than make a general donation to a school, make a donation to a teacher you may know. I am sure you may know one at your church or the family member of a coworker. If you want to donate a large amount of a single item (e.g., 30 dry erase markers, case of paper towels) a teacher will make sure those supplies go directly into the hands of teachers.

 

[dogluva]

They are doing a story today on the school supply issue. Schools are asking for toliet paper, bleach, laundry detergent and a host of other stuff.

I have noticed that a bunch of people on this board have issues with the school list. It seems that it is an issue that is going on across the country.

I don't have kids but considering doing some sort of donation to a school some supplies. Money for paper towels or dry erase markers won't break my budget but could make a difference to some kids or teachers.

I never ask my parents for that stuff. If they want to give it, fine, but I know it drives me crazy as a parent. I had six kids in public schools at one point and I just couldn't do it. I just buy stuff I need for my class. People have to buy things for their jobs all the time, especially teachers. I also buy extra supplies for those kids that don't have anything. They have great deals at the end of the summer and I stock up.

My daughter had a teacher who asked for baby wipes all the time. She was obsessed with germs and being clean to the point where she must have gone though a box a day. I am not supporting her habit to clean everything a child comes in contact with. That is part of the job.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I spent $100 for school supplies for my kids this year, just buying what was on the school's list. There are a lot of children at their school who are living well below the poverty level and I know that a lot of parents can not afford to spend that kind of money. I have decided to give each of my kids' teachers a $50 Wal Mart gift card at the beginning of the school year to help buy supplies that are needed in their classroom (and for any kids that come to school without supplies). It's not much, but I figure every little bit will help! I may even do the same thing in the middle of the year, depending on our personal finances.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I don't have a problem with school supplies like pencils, paper, dry erase markers, tissue, hand sanitizers, etc. But toilet paper, bleech and detergent is unreasonable. The school needs to supply that. If they can't, then they need to look closer at their budget.

We pay pretty high property taxes here. We also pay school registration fees anywhere from $100 for elementary to over $200 for high school students. And, the school board just ruled that home owners will have to pay an extra $170 a year to cover the district's budget deficit. This prevents them from laying off teachers or cutting services. But if they were to ask us to pay for toilet paper too, I would not be happy.

 

[patsal]

When I first started teaching my DH kept track of my reciepts for tax purposes...25% of my salary went back into the classroom. I'm not complaining, but that is a huge chunk of an already not so high paycheck! Now it isn't that high, but still exceeds the standard deduction, so I do have to itemize and keep reciepts.
Education is expensive, fun education is more expensive and ignorance is very costly.

 

[McKelly]

I don't have a problem with school supplies like pencils, paper, dry erase markers, tissue, hand sanitizers, etc. But toilet paper, bleech and detergent is unreasonable. The school needs to supply that. If they can't, then they need to look closer at their budget.

We pay pretty high property taxes here. We also pay school registration fees anywhere from $100 for elementary to over $200 for high school students. And, the school board just ruled that home owners will have to pay an extra $170 a year to cover the district's budget deficit. This prevents them from laying off teachers or cutting services. But if they were to ask us to pay for toilet paper too, I would not be happy.

Are they able to just make a ruling on that, to pay an additional $170.00.....don't you have to vote on that as a community?

 

[tadamom]

My kids have the list that most other kids have...the regular crayons, pencils, markers, etc and the paper towels, dry erase markers, lysol spray & wipes, etc...I figure it will only be a matter of time before they start asking for toilet paper!

Karice2 that's great that you want to help buy school suppllies for someone....Our Publix supermarket has already made up bags of school supplies that people can purchase and Publix donates them to local schools.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Are they able to just make a ruling on that, to pay an additional $170.00.....don't you have to vote on that as a community?

We weren't given the option to vote on it. It was voted on by the school board. We were told that since property values are down, the school district isn't getting enough from property taxes. I don't know which house values went down, because my house didn't. Our property taxes have gone up for the past 2 years.

I feel for the teachers though. I know they pay so much out of pocket every year for supplies. That is why I said I don't mind buying tissues, paper and things. But toilet paper should be something that the school supplies. Not the teacher or the parent. And I can't even imagine what families are doing who have faced a lay-off.

What happens if you can't afford to pay registration fees? I was at my son's school for orientation. The mom in front of me was trying to get her daughter's locker assignment and class schedule. They wouldn't give it to her because she had not paid registration fees yet. What if a family just can't afford those fees?

 

[dzorn]

They are doing a story today on the school supply issue. Schools are asking for toliet paper, bleach, laundry detergent and a host of other stuff.

I have noticed that a bunch of people on this board have issues with the school list. It seems that it is an issue that is going on across the country.

I don't have kids but considering doing some sort of donation to a school some supplies. Money for paper towels or dry erase markers won't break my budget but could make a difference to some kids or teachers.

My SIL and her DH always buy a case of school supplies and drop them off at her local school. I usually buy about 50+boxes of crayons and that is what DD gives the class for Halloween and Valentines day.

Denise in MI

 

[luvmy3]

When I first started teaching my DH kept track of my reciepts for tax purposes...25% of my salary went back into the classroom. I'm not complaining, but that is a huge chunk of an already not so high paycheck! Now it isn't that high, but still exceeds the standard deduction, so I do have to itemize and keep reciepts.
Education is expensive, fun education is more expensive and ignorance is very costly.

I know finding a teaching position is hard, but if I was paying 1/4 of my own salary in order to be prepared to teach my class every year I'd be looking in another district. I mean if you take home even 30K, thats $7500 a year

 

[GoofyGolferGirl]

I always buy lots of extra school supplies at the beginning of the year when everything is cheap esp pencils, crayons, markers, and paper. I send it in with DD after Christmas or if the teacher sends a note that they need more supplies. I usually wait until the stores are clearing out school supplies to make room for Halloween and Christmas. Works out great and doesn't break the bank. I think our school systems could be a more thrifty and I am not a teacher but I think they need to make sure our teachers are paid well and have good benefits. I try to send "extra" things in for teacher like postit notes etc.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Detergent?? What for??

The only reasons I can think of that schools (like middle schools and high schools) would need detergent and bleach would be for washing players' uniforms between games and the locker room towels that everyone uses when showering after PE classes and/or sports' practices.

But other than that, I have no idea.

 

[MomToOne]

One thing to make you go "hmmmm...."

Our state per-pupil funding is down to about $7000 (it was over $8000 just a year or two ago). And everyone screams that that is just "awful".

My daughter's private school tuition and fees are only about $9000/year. We have only about 12 kids per class, so per-classroom they are pulling in a lot less money (private only about 108K vs. public 210K). It's a very small school too, so there are no great endowment accounts.

And they don't ask me to supply toilet paper or anything beyond the basic notebooks, pencils and crayons - our teachers are very well supplied by the school.

While I know public schools provide a lot of services our school doesn't, and our teachers probably are paid less and have weaker benefits, I just wonder if those items really can account for $100K/classroom.....

ETA: Forgot to mention $9K/year at our private school includes a high quality hot lunch everyday, before/after school care (6am-6pm) and art, music and PE classes. No extra charges for any of that!