Annual school supply whine thread - Page 5

[TCMoulton]

Originally Posted by jeca

This is simply not true at least not in the case of our school. Each list is specified per grade but each grade does not request specified supplies. This year I happened to get two grades that did. I think if that was the case the specified supplies would apply to the entire school to rule out competition and not just certain grades.

It is meant to eliminate competition within a classroom. In our school the first graders would have no way of knowing what kind of crayons or markers the third graders were using but they would certainly know what the kid sitting at the next desk or table was using. By asking for the same scissors, crayons, markers, etc. no one stands out as having "better" supplies than another kid in a class. It also allows the teacher to supply the kids who are unable to bring their own supplies to school with similar scissors as the kid at the nex desk and no one is the wiser. Competition is hard enough when you get into junior high and high school - if making sure each kid has crayola crayons makes life a little easier then the extra few pennies is well worth it!

[rightkindofme]

I was a high school teacher before I 'retired'. I did my best to not add any more than was absolutely necessary to the shopping expenses.

Unfortunately it was my experience that a great many teachers do judge students based on appearance. Luckily (for a little while) I was there to take all the kids that the other teachers didn't want. We got along great!

[hippiemommaof4]

rightkindofme...seriously why do people like that even become teachers? I cant imagine why some people do seriously. There are some great kids out there even if they dont dress the way adults think they should or other kids think they should. Life in school is hard enough for kids without being judged by another person especially an adult. Maybe that's why I relate to children better because most adults arent worth relating to esp adults like that lol or maybe I'm just immature on a kids level lol who knows. I wish I could homeschool my kids this year for many reasons like the clothing and judgement issues but it isnt possible this yr. I like the idea of uniforms as well but I also feel like kids need some self expression with their clothing too so I'm on the fence with that whole issue.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by choli

I'm a huge fan of school uniforms.

So am I. I was sooooooooo jealous of people I knew going to religious schools with uniforms . Then I joined the military and wore the same clothes everyday for 5 years! Loved it.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by hippiemommaof4

Maybe that's why I relate to children better because most adults arent worth relating to esp adults like that lol or maybe I'm just immature on a kids level lol who knows. I wish I could homeschool my kids this year for many reasons like the clothing and judgement issues but it isnt possible this yr. I like the idea of uniforms as well but I also feel like kids need some self expression with their clothing too so I'm on the fence with that whole issue.

My teachers were not the issue; I would have loved uniforms--then everyone could "express" themselves after school and on weekends.

[Pinoikoi]

Originally Posted by Emmeline II

My teachers were not the issue; I would have loved uniforms--then everyone could "express" themselves after school and on weekends.

When I was in Japan, I found that people expressed themselves creatively even in uniforms.. what they wore was all the same , but the girls were allowed hair ribbons of whatever type they liked. My host families' daughters would do the most elaborate hair styles and had huge collections of various ribbons.

They couldn't believe I didn't own hair ribbons.

[jeca]

Originally Posted by TCMoulton

It is meant to eliminate competition within a classroom. In our school the first graders would have no way of knowing what kind of crayons or markers the third graders were using but they would certainly know what the kid sitting at the next desk or table was using. By asking for the same scissors, crayons, markers, etc. no one stands out as having "better" supplies than another kid in a class. It also allows the teacher to supply the kids who are unable to bring their own supplies to school with similar scissors as the kid at the nex desk and no one is the wiser. Competition is hard enough when you get into junior high and high school - if making sure each kid has crayola crayons makes life a little easier then the extra few pennies is well worth it!

Eh, still not believing it. Then why not ask for everything on the list to be brand specific? They didn't ask for specific crayons, or notebooks, the kids can have regular notebooks with different designs and doodles on them. Wouldn't that inspire competition? Then everyone would have the same scissors, crayons, notebooks, erasers, binders that would make much more sense when it comes to cutting out competition. It would also make more sense if it was a school wide policy. I think the teachers(first and third grade in this case )simply prefer those brands for some reason. They could believe it's better quality or whatever.

[mar123]

"What if your children were POC and living below the Mason Dixon line - They'd be getting judged by some narrow minded people based on a their appearance, I can guarantee "

I resent the implication that racist people only live below the mason dixon line- or that most people who live there are racist. I am a teacher in the south- I am white, 50% of my students are black. I treat every student the same, as do most teachers I work with. We have a dress code, which I love. My own children have to wear uniforms, which I also love. There are no fights in the morning over what to wear, etc.

I cannot imagine a teacher judging a kid based on his clothes or appearance. That simply blows my mind. It is all about respect in my class and it is a two way street. While there may be teachers who do make judgmeants based on such superficial things I believe (1) they are few and far between and (2) they don't last long in the classroom.

[AndrewsMother]

Originally Posted by mar123

"What if your children were POC and living below the Mason Dixon line - They'd be getting judged by some narrow minded people based on a their appearance, I can guarantee "

I resent the implication that racist people only live below the mason dixon line

:

[hippiemommaof4]

Originally Posted by Pinoikoi

When I was in Japan, I found that people expressed themselves creatively even in uniforms.. what they wore was all the same , but the girls were allowed hair ribbons of whatever type they liked. My host families' daughters would do the most elaborate hair styles and had huge collections of various ribbons.

They couldn't believe I didn't own hair ribbons.

well some schools allow it and others do not, I know that here when kids are in middle school they have a strict policy and things like that wouldnt be allowed. I dont believe in taking all expression and creativeness out of clothing to that extent but they do. I was in the military too and I didnt like being the "same" as everyone, I thought it sucked lol but thats imo even though I do see why they do it it doesnt mean I like it lol. I'm still on the fence about uniforms to a certain extent esp when the standards are super strict for socks hair things etc. I think if they made the color options better it would be more appealing though.

[SiValleySteph]

I want to whine about our school supply list. It's not that long, but incredibly specific. Then I went to the store and couldn't find most of the stuff.

For instance:
1 set of 10 large Crayola Classic colored felt tip markers (water base, no scented)

I'm assumming water base means washable? But washable only comes in sets of 8. And our store didn't have any "classic" for the colors in the non-washable 10 pack. WTH - which one are they talking about?

2 boxes of 8 large Crayola crayons (no Jumbos or So Big)

The store only had boxes of 16 for the "large" size. My DH thought 1 pack of 16 should count, but does it? Or do I need 2 boxes of 16?

1 box of Crayola crayons, 16 color

This one is obvious, only the store didn't have this. 24-pack is the size of choice these days and they only had the 24 pack in "washable".

Anyways, we didn't get anything as it was too annoying. You can get more, right? Like 16 count could be 16+ count?

[sunflower.mama]

After reading this thread I am TOTALLY nervous for our first list this month! I wish they'd send it already!

[1growingsprout]

Originally Posted by SiValleySteph

I want to whine about our school supply list. It's not that long, but incredibly specific. Then I went to the store and couldn't find most of the stuff.

For instance:
1 set of 10 large Crayola Classic colored felt tip markers (water base, no scented)

I'm assumming water base means washable? But washable only comes in sets of 8. And our store didn't have any "classic" for the colors in the non-washable 10 pack. WTH - which one are they talking about?

2 boxes of 8 large Crayola crayons (no Jumbos or So Big)

The store only had boxes of 16 for the "large" size. My DH thought 1 pack of 16 should count, but does it? Or do I need 2 boxes of 16?

1 box of Crayola crayons, 16 color

This one is obvious, only the store didn't have this. 24-pack is the size of choice these days and they only had the 24 pack in "washable".

Anyways, we didn't get anything as it was too annoying. You can get more, right? Like 16 count could be 16+ count?

They want the 8 pack because they only want the primary colors, not the blended colors. You could by the 16 pack and just send in the 8 basic colors ( red orange yellow green blue purple black brown) The teacher probably sorts crayons by color and has 8 buckets etc.

[vm9799]

my kids are in private school so their supply lists are very long and very specific. thankfully i tend to stock up enough when school supplies are on sale each year to not only have replacements throughout the school year, but also to have some extras to start out the following school year. and our school doesn't do the 'community' supplies thing....although we do sponsor a local public school that's across the street and is primarily low income families so we do a 'school supply drive' each summer for them and collect enough supplies so that those families don't need to worry about that aspect of registering. i think it's a wonderful thing to be able to do, and the 'deep pockets' of some of our school families not only donate supplies, but also donate backpacks, shoes, clothing.

my dd is going into 7th grade and my ds is going into 4th grade, so we're mostly passed the 'crayon' part of the lists and now on to the 'scientific calculator' part, which is more $$$.

also because my kids are in private school, they wear uniforms....which personally i LOVE. i buy their pieces through lands end school uniforms and they are such great quality that i haven't had to buy things now for 2 years. i will more than likely have to buy my dd some new pants this year though as she hit a growth spurt this summer....she's taller than me now! i also need to replace my son's lunch box....which will also get ordered through lands end. the backpacks that i got them through LE have held up great and after 2 years still look like new. and my daughter has a vera bradley messenger bag that she uses as well. i'm hoping to go through all clothing and supplies this week so i can get a list together for shopping and get them all set!

[umarider]

Originally Posted by Pinoikoi

I admit it, I am too. Sometimes clothing can become a source of disruption in a classroom- items that are too revealing or sexually provocative are often a culprit in a high school classroom. I have also had dangerous stuff though, too.. gang related clothing, wheelies, etc. and I am certain that a lot of times, parents just don't know about that stuff..

).

The clothes don't have to be sexy to be a major disruption... picture one or two very active 1st grade boys w/ velcro on their pants/pockets, etc. Trying to teach w/ a lot of "ripping" of velcro going on can be very difficult! Granted, there are some kids who will always find a way to be fidgety, but if they are paying some level of attention to the lesson, and not distracting the other kids, I'm okay with the fidgets. (I once had to untangle a boy after he contorted himself through his removable pant legs that he'd unvelcro'ed off during our morning group time)

As for pencil quality... even some of the wooden ones that seem good can be frustrating. I've noticed that the lead in some brands gets broken, or falls out in pieces.

[CarrieMF]

At our school every Fri is "casual" day where the teachers are in jeans & t-shirts. The staff purchased workout gear like yoga pants, running jackets etc this year, they're worn any day of the week. I work in the school & 99% of the time I'm in my workout gear.

Kids can look cute in jeans & t-shirt, or yoga pants/tank just as much as they can in a dress with hair all done up.

Teachers are going to know which kids have more opportunities/money whether they're wearing ripped up clothes or not.

When my kids were in playschool we were told specifically to NOT send them in good clothes as they would be ruined. It is similar at the regular schools here as the kids are outside alot & in the spring/summer/fall months they will get ruined.

As a supervisor there's nothing worse than a kid having to come in multiple times for a break because they're too hot wearing the fancier clothes than if they were allowed to wear shorts/t-shirt.

We obviously do not have uniforms. The only "dress code" we have is - no skinny strap shirts(like a spaghetti top, but wide tanks were fine), no halters, shirts & bottoms must touch each other, no provocative language on clothing. The only time it was ever an issue is with some girls wearing halters/spaghetti strap shirts.

[freestylemama]

Originally Posted by choli

And so do all the other students. So you don't have the same amount of competition and bullying over clothes.

I'm a huge fan of school uniforms.

Me too. I was so sad when I had to choose what to wear in college. It's so easy to just put clothes on in the morning. It really cuts down on distractions and materialism too.

[Seasons]

Originally Posted by CarrieMF

Teachers are going to know which kids have more opportunities/money whether they're wearing ripped up clothes or not.

Not snarking; genuinely curious. How?

And is there any connection with a teacher's knowing a particular student is single-parented?

[WC_hapamama]

Originally Posted by Pinoikoi

My crank pencil sharpener in my classroom broke about two years ago. The school has still not replaced it. I eventually bought a power one with my own money.

BTW: The thing was ANCIENT, so it isn't like they didn't get their money out of it. I think it had been "attempting" to sharpen pencils when my parents were in school. For the couple of years I had it it consistently sharpened one side of the pencil, so I would tell kids to periodically reposition their pencil in the hole, but that is a difficult concept to get through, so more often than not it would just eat pencils until it finally stop doing anything. I am sure the teachers before me had the same delightful experiences with it.

I remember hand crank pencil sharpeners from school, and I remember that in the lower grades, the darned things would break or get jammed at least twice a month. But back then the custodians generally had time to fix them.

[WC_hapamama]

Originally Posted by CarrieMF

As a supervisor there's nothing worse than a kid having to come in multiple times for a break because they're too hot wearing the fancier clothes than if they were allowed to wear shorts/t-shirt.

We obviously do not have uniforms. The only "dress code" we have is - no skinny strap shirts(like a spaghetti top, but wide tanks were fine), no halters, shirts & bottoms must touch each other, no provocative language on clothing. The only time it was ever an issue is with some girls wearing halters/spaghetti strap shirts.

The dress code at the schools here are about the same. No baggy pants, no spaghetti straps, no short shorts, clothes must be clean and in good repair. Oh, and no flip flops... all sandals must have a heel strap.

It always baffled me how parents would send their little girls to school in those really thin tights... I don't know many little girls who come home with their tights intact after a couple of rounds of recess.