Do you buy off "the list"? UPDATE- POST 90 - Page 5

[Madders]

I buy from the list.

[WC_hapamama]

Originally Posted by ChristaN

I had heard that about fees, so intended to apply for my middle schooler. We are vegan, though, and dd#1 has some significant food allergies, so she literally cannot eat anything from the school lunch menu.

FYI, according to USDA rules, the school would be required to accommodate your child's food allergies if you requested it, and definitely if you apply for and are eligible for free or reduced lunches. The school district could get in big trouble for not making accommodations for a food allergic student, as the USDA considers food allergies to be a disability as far as the school lunch program goes.

To answer the original question, our schools ask for specific sizes sometimes, and suggest brand names, but they don't get their panties in a bunch if someone brings in something else.

Me, I stick to Crayola products, and Acme or Fiskar scissors.

Some school request all wood pencils because some of the "decorated" pencils have plastic jackets on them that can jam or break pencil sharpeners. The elementary school my kids go to had at least 3 electric pencil sharpeners die that way.

[AndrewsMother]

I always purchase off the list for childcare, and I would do the same for PK, except the school bills me for needed supplies.

[northwoods1995]

I'm planning to buy what is on the suggested list but I don't think it is a very extensive list. The only brand specific item is Fiskars brand scissors. The rest is pretty generic like 24ct box of crayons, 4 glue sticks, 6 #2 pencils, etc.

[mran]

I buy off the student list, and take a number of things of the teachers "wish list" as well, several times per year, so I might be buying extra glue sticks or kleenex or fabric or whatever. We're doing well enough that we can afford to do so, and I know the teachers allowance is piddly, so for while I can, I'm just going to do it. I paid $85 in supplies for 1 of my children (a preschooler) and only about $40 for the other. We tend to buy "good" supplies - Jansport backpacks, etc, that will last multiple years as opposed to buying cheaper stuff that won't last.

[DanaDane]

Originally Posted by LynnS6

Watch the ads religiously at Office Depot, Office Max and Staples (and any other office supply store). They usually have a couple of loss leaders every week, starting about now. Yes, it's a pain to keep going back but I usually stock up when I go. So, if rulers are on sale for 5 cents each, I buy as many as they allow. Usually I donate what we don't need either to ds' school (where a lot of kids can't afford supplies) or to the school kits that our church makes up for Lutheran World Relief. Though, I think I still have glue left from last year.

They really do--even stuff like clorox wipes, kleenex, ziploc bags (a lot of the things some parents take issue with buying) is on sale really cheap.

[SunshineJ]

In the school the kids will be going to this year, both grades specify that EVERYTHING they bring in must be labelled with their names on it. Since it's a new state and school for us, I'm assuming that's because they won't pool everything and not because they keep track of who brings in what. Also, they do specify the Tyconderoga (sp!?) pencils but state that's because they are the only ones they've found that don't mess up the pencil sharpeners. I can get behind that without a problem. For folders for the 1st grader, there are 4 pocket ones requested; red, green, yellow and "student's choice". I'm sure 3 subjects are color coded, but like that they get to pick one of their choosing! The one thing I'm not too keen on with the new school (and all schools in the district do this) is that the kids must have velcro closure tennis shoes to be left at school for gym class. We can't just have them wear sneakers (their shoes of choice anyway) on gym day? That's at minimum $35 PER CHILD for a second pair of sneakers. OUCH!

[noobmom]

Originally Posted by SunshineJ

The one thing I'm not too keen on with the new school (and all schools in the district do this) is that the kids must have velcro closure tennis shoes to be left at school for gym class. We can't just have them wear sneakers (their shoes of choice anyway) on gym day? That's at minimum $35 PER CHILD for a second pair of sneakers. OUCH!

Probably because the kids' regular sneakers are really dirty from walking outside. Even at adult gyms you're typically supposed to wear sneakers that have been used indoors only. Not to mention the fact that there are probably a lot of kids who don't wear sneakers every day and would forget to bring shoes to change into.

Reading this thread, it seems like the biggest reason to follow the list is to avoid having the teacher buy replacement supplies out of their own money. Seems like a good reason to me. We haven't gotten to that point yet (DS is just starting preschool this year), but we'll probably follow the list. Unless it's something silly like the kleenex example.

[Kristine233]

I don't buy everything from the list. But if there is specific stuff requested I try to get it, but maybe not in the quanity they specify.

For the glue sticks... There's something you gotta know about the small ones, there is hardly any glue in them! In my classroom we go through a TON of small glue sticks because there is so little in them. Like, really very little glue! We had to start requesting larger ones because they last much longer. With the little ones I'm throwing out 2-3 empty tubes every time we do art, which is every day. It felt far too wasteful!

What I do for my kids is buy the minimum to get buy for a week and then go buy everythign when they put school supplies at %50 off and stock up. Usually the day after school starts. We buy cases of notebooks and baskets of crayons. We still have notebooks that are unused from last year, lol.

I don't buy classroom supplies though. Tissues and stuff? Nope.

[StephandOwen]

UPDATE-

We had the parent orientation at ds's school tonight. It was explained that all the supplies will be put into a community pot. Not only that, but at the meeting tomorrow (which the kids will go to)- the KIDS are supposed to put each of their supplies into the appropriate container. So the kids will all see the other kids putting stuff into the containers. Talk about setting that one up for teasing before school even starts : Fortunately, I only work a half day tomorrow so ds and I will go out and finish buying the rest of his supplies.... including the large glue sticks No need to tick off the teacher AND set ds up for being the oddball before Kindergarten even starts.

[Leatherette]

I buy off the list, because, as a teacher, I know what a time-suck/frustration supplies that don't work can be. I have never heard about teachers getting kick-backs.

I don't have a list, because I am a special ed teacher, but I would definitely put Ticonderoga pencils and fiskars scissors on the list, as those are the only ones that work. Tissues, well, any brand. I use toilet paper at home!

[Alyantavid]

Dh went and got our list yesterday and there are no brand specific items on it at all. I know at my kid's school, they just pool everything together at the beginning of the year.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by SunshineJ

The one thing I'm not too keen on with the new school (and all schools in the district do this) is that the kids must have velcro closure tennis shoes to be left at school for gym class. We can't just have them wear sneakers (their shoes of choice anyway) on gym day? That's at minimum $35 PER CHILD for a second pair of sneakers. OUCH!

my kids school has the same policy, but not the velcro rule for older kids.

There is a VERY practical reason for this this. We have a nice gym floor and we want to keep it that way. As the year goes along and the kids are out in all weather, they shoes get dirty, really dirty. And as much as you don't like your 2 (or whatever) kids to track junk through your house, try to imagine what the gym floor would be like for the last class of the day after more than100 kids have tracked mud through it.

And that's assuming that parents can remember which day each of their kids has gym. And that when the kids wear boots to school, the child will have room in the backpack for shoes. Or that if they forget, the parent will bring them up to school

Velcro is just being realistic. If the teacher ties the shoes for the 50% who can't do it themselves, they won't have any time left for PE.

They can be old shoes that have been washed. They can be cheap keds. I didn't spend $35 on extra shoes. Our gym teacher encourage parents to find cheap ways to do this, but she wants the kids in sneakers and she wants them clean. It's really not that much to ask.

Originally Posted by StephandOwen

So the kids will all see the other kids putting stuff into the containers.

all the kids will be nervous and it will be fairly chaotic. I don't really think that teasing is going to come into it.

[CarrieMF]

the KIDS are supposed to put each of their supplies into the appropriate container. So the kids will all see the other kids putting stuff into the containers. Talk about setting that one up for teasing before school even starts

I highly doubt it. It is something that will take 5 minutes MAX. If there are separate buckets, differnet kids will be at different buckets when placing them in. I'd guess that it starts as soon as the kids get there so there will be kids who are done before other kids arrive. Plus, it's kindergarten none of the kids are going to remember who is who unless they knew the child before coming to school.

[StephandOwen]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move

all the kids will be nervous and it will be fairly chaotic. I don't really think that teasing is going to come into it.

Originally Posted by CarrieMF

I highly doubt it. It is something that will take 5 minutes MAX. If there are separate buckets, differnet kids will be at different buckets when placing them in. I'd guess that it starts as soon as the kids get there so there will be kids who are done before other kids arrive. Plus, it's kindergarten none of the kids are going to remember who is who unless they knew the child before coming to school.

I agree with both of these. And if I had a typical child I would probably not worry about it. However, ds is not a typical child. Last year (same school building but it was preschool) there were definitely kids who picked up on ds's "differentness". The teachers did a wonderful job making sure nobody teased anybody else (as much as one can prevent that in a school setting). It will be hard enough for ds to fit in with his peers (he will be mainstreamed in the regular kindergarten room for some of the day and in the special ed room for some of the day). I will do everything I can to help him fit in. There are a few kids from his preschool room that will be in his kindergarten room, but they are all kids who got along with him last year. There was 1 boy he really really didn't get along with. Thankfully the principal put him in a different room this year.

Anyway.... funny how when I first started this post I was all gung-ho about not sticking to size requirements and such and now that the day is getting close (we bring supplies today, first day of school is wednesday), I've changed my mind. LOL! I will suck it up and get him the stuff on the list Except for the folders. They asked for plain, he wanted Cars. I'll probably send some plain ones too just in case the teacher has serious issues with it

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by StephandOwen

I will do everything I can to help him fit in. ...

Anyway.... funny how when I first started this post I was all gung-ho about not sticking to size requirements and such

With all possible kindness -- you have put a lot of energy into things that don't matter, like the size of the glue sticks. That is not doing everything you can to help him fit in. It's the opposite.

And the folders may be for community use. Buy him the cars folder, but get in the ones the teacher asked for. He's 5. If he has to turn over his precious cars folder to go into a pile of folders, he most likely won't take it well.

Pick your battles in life. The size of glue sticks doesn't matter. A lot of other things with our kids do. When we put our energy into things that don't matter, we end up with less energy for the things that do.

[Graceoc]

I buy off the list. I have LOVED the prepackaged school supplies that we could just pay the school for - but our new school dosen't do that. Supplies were $100+ for my two kids. Here are their lists:

2nd Grade DD

(1) 4 oz. bottle of glue
(2) Large glue sticks
(1) box of 24 count crayons
(1) pack of 8 count washable markers
(4) pack of #2 pencils – sharpened if possible
(5) Pocket folders w/brads (red, blue, yellow, green, purple)
(1) pair of Fiskars safety scissors
(2) Packs of cap erasers
(3) Packs wide ruled notebook paper
(1) Marble composition notebook
(1) 3 ring zipper pouch (see through)
(1) Pencil box
(2) 1 inch “clearview” binder (white)
(1) Set of headphones for computer class
(2) Reams of copy paper
(1) Roll of paper towels
(1) Container of Lysol cleaning wipes
(1) Germ X hand sanitizer
Check for $5.00 made payable to Scholastic News
Check for $5.00 made payable to Time for Kids
Boys:Girls:
(1) Pack of colored card stock(1) Pack of white card stock
Gallon size zip lock bagsQuart size zip lock bags
BandaidsHand soap


4th Grade DS

(2) Glue sticks
(1) box of 16 count crayons
(1) box of colored pencils
(1) box of washable markers
(3) Plastic pocket folders w/brads (red labeled for homework, purple labeled for AR, green for Literature Circles)
(1) box of #2 pencils (no mechanical)
(1) pair of Fiskars safety scissors
(1) pack of erasers (or cap erasers)
Wide ruled notebook paper
(1) 3 ring zippered pouch for pencils
(1) 2” view binder for Al. History project
(2) 1 ½ ” 3 ring binders (no Trapperkeepers)
(3) Packs of 8 count tab dividers
(1) ruler (with centimeters & inches)
(1) Set of headphones for computer class
Pencil sharpener with holder for shavings
(1) Black marbled composition journal
(2) Yellow highlighters
(1) Dry erase marker
One (1) GB flash drive for technology lab
(1) Pack of construction paper
(2) Packs of copy paper

[kimiij]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move

I mind this with kindness -- you have put a lot of energy into things that don't matter, like the size of the glue sticks. That is not doing everything you can to help him fit in. It's the opposite.

And the folders may be for community use. Buy him the cars folder, but get in the ones the teacher asked for. He's 5. If he has to turn over his precious cars folder to go into a pile of folders, he most likely won't take it well.

Pick your battles in life. The size of glue sticks doesn't matter. A lot of other things with our kids do. When we put our energy into things that don't matter, we end up with less energy for the things that do.

ITA. With all of this.

[SunshineJ]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move

my kids school has the same policy, but not the velcro rule for older kids.

There is a VERY practical reason for this this. We have a nice gym floor and we want to keep it that way. As the year goes along and the kids are out in all weather, they shoes get dirty, really dirty. And as much as you don't like your 2 (or whatever) kids to track junk through your house, try to imagine what the gym floor would be like for the last class of the day after more than100 kids have tracked mud through it.

And that's assuming that parents can remember which day each of their kids has gym. And that when the kids wear boots to school, the child will have room in the backpack for shoes. Or that if they forget, the parent will bring them up to school

Velcro is just being realistic. If the teacher ties the shoes for the 50% who can't do it themselves, they won't have any time left for PE.

They can be old shoes that have been washed. They can be cheap keds. I didn't spend $35 on extra shoes. Our gym teacher encourage parents to find cheap ways to do this, but she wants the kids in sneakers and she wants them clean. It's really not that much to ask.

All of this may very well be true. I just had never heard of that before and between that and having to buy a kindermat (hadn't heard of one of those before either!), etc. our school supply budget more than quadrupuled on us. We're relocating in hopes of finding employment, so it was not the best surprise to have! DS has extra wide feet, so for him it's pretty much Stride Rite or another high dollar brand, there's just no getting around it. For us, right now, it really IS a lot to ask to be honest.

[Irishmommy]

Dd1 is now going into grade 10, so we have 11 years of schooling behind us, plus 5 for dd2. I have never ever seen a supply list sent home from school, they just don't do them.

In kindergarten/grade 1, they do ask for a box of kleenex during the first week, and they need indoor shoes for when the weather is bad, and the odd pop bottle/shoe box during the year for a craft, but no list.

When I was growing up, we got a list at the end of the school year. For the text books we needed. Not only did we have to provide our own (unspecified) pens/pencils/etc., we had to buy our own books.