Why does my first grader need 20 LARGE glue sticks?

[snowy76]

When our older DS and DD were in elementary school they were notorious for asking for the glossy folders! With DS they were absolutely essential though - he was so rough on the regular folders that they fell apart every couple of months.

One thing I never spend a lot of money on is pens. We have a TON of pens around the house - why do we get so many free pens from places, I don't know - but I've been able to send the kids off to school with about a dozen pens each and last year was the first time (DS was in 8th) that he said he needed more pens by year's end.

As a teacher, gluesticks were my nemesis for quite a while. Between leaving them uncapped and twisting them up ALL the way so they couldn't be twisted back down... my students drove me nuts with them. I just started telling the kids that when the glue was gone, it was gone - so if they wanted to keep doing fun projects they'd need to be more careful. And they were.

So now DS is starting high school and I got his supply list recently. Gotta love those $100 calculators! See the note above about DS and his folders - yep, you guessed it, he loses things too. Can't wait to see how long before he misplaces the $100 calculator!

 

[Mkrop]

.

One thing I never spend a lot of money on is pens. We have a TON of pens around the house - why do we get so many free pens from places, I don't know - but I've been able to send the kids off to school with about a dozen pens each and last year was the first time (DS was in 8th) that he said he needed more pens by year's end.

My husband is in sales and we have tons of pens literally boxes. In fact, he just left one company and is with a new one now so I also have all the old company's pens that we could use but know why we cant because they are black!
Fourth graders for some reason are only allowed blue pens I dont get that one at all! A pen is a pen!

 

[aprilgail2]

So now DS is starting high school and I got his supply list recently. Gotta love those $100 calculators! See the note above about DS and his folders - yep, you guessed it, he loses things too. Can't wait to see how long before he misplaces the $100 calculator!

You have to buy that on your own? I thought it was statewide that they decided 2 years ago that the district must provide one for each student that needs it. Maybe it was just countywide then but I know they had a big vote and said parents no longer are required to buy those.

 

[ducklite]

My husband is in sales and we have tons of pens literally boxes. In fact, he just left one company and is with a new one now so I also have all the old company's pens that we could use but know why we cant because they are black!
Fourth graders for some reason are only allowed blue pens I dont get that one at all! A pen is a pen!

I agree. I can understand not allowing red. Or even green/pink/purple/etc. But only blue not black? What's the big deal? It's not a legal document where you need to sign in a certain color to fulfill something within the law. What a waste of money.

Anne

 

[boomhauer]

Our 6 year old got one of these ridiculous lists too. My wife and I were looking at it wondering if they handpicked us to supply good for his entire class next year.

 

[java]

My biggest gripe with these lists is that I can NEVER find everything on the list. They always list these "glossy folders" that I can NEVER find. Or it asks for the large glue sticks but all the stores only have small. Then there was the big manilla paper that no one had. Honestly, if you know every parent in the entire school district is going to need it, why don't you stock up on it???? This year's list seems to be a bit more reasonable. But as soon as I saw those darn glossy folders at Wal-Mart earlier this week, I bought 'em!

Last year our item was Pre-reinforced wide ruled paper. (and if you couldn't find it she suggested buying regular and reinforcing it all over the summer )And the rest of the year with her was similar. Glad it is over. Oh her other great idea was to get supllies for a school in Florida- in Tampa. When I tried to find out more about the school or why we were doing it for them.. turns out her friend worked there and was having trouble getting supplies so they thought we could help . Um no. I don't mind helping out if someone actually is in need- but not just because someone else's parents don't feel like buying the stuff.

I do believe they ask for unusual amounts of things for those that won't bring any in. They know they have a few supplier parents and hope that they don't mind covering the group. Well Hello I do mind!

I was able to buy the "Graphing" calculator my son needs for the low low price of $85.(which actually was a bargain.)

 

[U2_rocks!]

I am just so at this topic!
Primary schools here (up to age 11) supply everything the children need apart from their food and clothes! I cannot imagine the children bringing in their own pencils, crayons, glue, folders, books etc. The education authority supplies it all. They bulk order so get great discounts and they are able to order decent quality stuff.

We have pencil pots on each table and children take a pencil as they need it and then replace it when finished. It's as much a part of their routine as pushing their chair in when they leave the table (so they need nagging about it at first!)

At secondary school (age 11+) students take their own pens, pencils and calculators which they carry around with them, but still the school supplies all books, paper, glue etc.

I can just imagine the reaction of parents if we started sending letters home asking them to supply school materials.

Same here, except it's a private primary school and we pay a very small stationery fee each term (US$12). I'd happily pay even more to get everything supplied for us - I'd hate to have to go out shopping for all those fiddly things! There's time enough for that when they reach secondary school, and even then it's just a few things, like you mentioned, not everything!

 

[EthansMom]

It would be nice if the state, district or whatever gave teachers money for supplies, but they don't. If that bothers people, then the thing to do is start contacting your congressmen and women.

Our PTO gives each teacher a gift of $600 in our budget to reimburse for his/her out-of-pocket expenses for supplies and such.

Our PTO also pays for all student supplies. We have a very active PTO.

 

[cruisnfamily]

I have "no drip glue" on the list of my daughters, I have been to 3 stores so far and none have had it. I am not fininshed with her list yet and have already spent over 80.00

Are you including backpacks and lunchboxes in that total? What could possibly cost that much?

 

[snowy76]

You have to buy that on your own? I thought it was statewide that they decided 2 years ago that the district must provide one for each student that needs it. Maybe it was just countywide then but I know they had a big vote and said parents no longer are required to buy those.

Hmmmm, I'm not sure. I know I've seen them in many classrooms so they're available for use during class time... but when the time comes for using them on HW, the calculators can't leave the room. I think that's why DS's school wants him to have one at home. Personally, I got to calculus in h.s. without one and I think he'll understand the math better if he has to work it all out longhand, but what do I know?

If any other NY'ers know the deal about calculators, let us know!

 

[powellrj]

Are you including backpacks and lunchboxes in that total? What could possibly cost that much?

Our school will ask for things like swiffers, clorox wipes, specific sizes of folders and binders, calculators, the list is endless. Now that DD is in middle school, we have to multiply the list by 7 and you are talking big money. Add book fees and uniforms this year and its going to be major money to put the kids back in school this year.

My gripe is that you don't get the list until you register for school and by that time all the good buys are over. Sure you can get the basics like paper and pencils, but when they want a certain brand, color or size, you are at the mercy of what is left.

 

[Sinderelli]

I haven't read the whole thread, so please forgive me if this has been stated already. I would be THRILLED to see so many art supplies on a supply list. This says to me that the teacher will not teach in a skill and drill, worksheet and workbook based manner. The teacher is probably going to have her students complete a lot of hands on, developmentally appropriate activities while teaching the essentials of 1st grade (reading, addition, subtraction, etc.) It is VERY possible for 1st graders to use 20 glue sticks in one year. Granted, I am a first grade teacher so I may be biased. I am waiting for parents to complain about my supply list, since we specify Crayola Twistables only.

 

[kkc_mom]

I havent read through all the posts but I wouldnt assume that the teacher meant 2 glue stickes instead of 20. My daughter is going into the first grade also and her list says 24 glue sticks. I was actually glad they asked for so many in the beginning of the year since my daughter came home 2-3 times during the year last year with a note that they were out of glue sticks and could we please send more to class. I would rather buy them when they are on sale at the beginning of the year than pay regular price during the year and I would rather the teacher store them than me. I agree that school supply lists can be rather crazy. Last year my 4th grader came home a few days after school started with a note that said they needed 2 3inch binders this was after I had already bought all the other binders that she supposedly needed. I went on the hunt for binders and had to spend $5 each for the new binders. My daughter took them back to school and the teacher said she only needed one but she would hang on to the extra binder. My daughter came home at the end of the year with that brand new binder that had been stored in the classroom all year! UGH!

 

[daisyduck123]

OOPs!

 

[daisyduck123]

I am a first grade teacher so I may be biased. I am waiting for parents to complain about my supply list, since we specify Crayola Twistables only.

We did that too!

I'm a 1st grade teacher & we (all 6 teachers on my grade level) specified them too!! Love them!

 

[Tikicampers]

Our PTO gives each teacher a gift of $600 in our budget to reimburse for his/her out-of-pocket expenses for supplies and such.

Our PTO also pays for all student supplies. We have a very active PTO.

I'm sitting here thinking of what all I could buy with $600. I would be thrilled with that. Your teachers are very lucky, and I hope they thank you every chance they get.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I'm sitting here thinking of what all I could buy with $600. I would be thrilled with that. Your teachers are very lucky, and I hope they thank you every chance they get.

I am thinking the same thing. I used to get a 250 tax credit for teacher/classroom supplies, but NJ just did away with even that last year, so with the exception of some paper and chalk, it's all out of my pocket.

 

[Mkrop]

I agree. I can understand not allowing red. Or even green/pink/purple/etc. But only blue not black? What's the big deal? It's not a legal document where you need to sign in a certain color to fulfill something within the law. What a waste of money.

Anne

I am going to ask that question at the Back to School night for now I bought a package. Who knew fourth graders had some many "official" thngs to do

 

[aprilgail2]

Are you including backpacks and lunchboxes in that total? What could possibly cost that much?

No, we have not even got those yet!! We got MOST of this lst so far....

36 pencils
2-24 count boxes of crayons
2- packs of post it notes
1- 8 count pack of markers
5 colored pocket folders
5 composition notebooks in colors to match each folder
10 blue pens
3 fabric book covers
5 packs of 3X5 index cards
1 box colored pencils
1 ruler
1 dictionary
1 pair of sissor
1 container of no drip glue
4 glue sticks
1 pack of construction paper
1 large Mr Clean Magic Eraser
4 highlighters
1 pack lysol wipes
3 boxes of tissues
1 pencil sharpener
1 smock
1 Thesaurus
1 large box of Gallon Ziplock Bags
1 bottle of hand sanitizer

 

[MareQ]

Boy I am glad my school requires NOTHING from us.