Paying for things at public schools - Page 2

[afishwithabike]

Many schools are operating on a tight budget. A VERY tight budget. Just imagine the cost of sending them to a private school. Most around here are 4-10K a year.

[1xmom]

My dd's school supplies have some name brand things. But I have to admit, I would rather my dd has good craylola than the off brand that break in half if you press too hard. Although I think the box of tissues is a bit much. I can't see them using all of them.
When I was in middle/high school we had a small fee for the use of lockers. We also had to buy a gym uniform or wear the same colors. I don't know how it is now. I also remember when my brother and sister played sports they didn't have these outrageous fees to play. Heaven forbid if you have more than one child playing more than one sport. It's like $50 per sport and that's not including the uniform!

[jkpmomtoboys]

Our school has a school supply kit that you buy at the beginning of the year (or the end of last year). I want to say it was $35 or so. We also have a "party" fund, a field trip fund, a fund for general classroom supplies, then of course the various donations for the classroom during the year.

It totals probably around $500.

But worth it for us, because we have a very high quality school and I'd rather support the school than go to private school, which is costing our various friends about 15K a year.

Still though, my mom, who taught K & 1st in the 60's is shocked that we have to buy our own school supplies...

[Leatherette]

Our school has non-drinkable water, so parents take turns bringing in cases of water bottles, and a volunteer parent fills the bottles daily from a filtered water cooler (like Sparkletts).

They always ask for more than they need, assuming a certain number of people can't or won't send things in.

Our Kindergarten teacher asked for lots of glue sticks.

There are fundraisers every month.

Yet there is government money to send planes patrolling to look for marijuana plants growing on the side of the road........

L.

[afishwithabike]

I said something to DH about this lastnight and he was outraged at what people have to bring out of pocket for a public school system. Then we said something to MIL who is a Media Secretary (aka Library Clerk) at one of the local schools. She told us what thier students have to kick in and I got even more sickened. I KNOW the schools budget gets cut nearly every year around here but I didn't know how truly bad it was. Their school no longer has an actual Librarian their teachers are doing their OWN specials (music, library, phys ed). They have laid off about ten to fourteen teachers every year for the last FOUR years. The teachers they are hiring are teaching two to three subjects each at the Junior High and High School levels. Many schools can't get their levies to pass and EVEN more things are being cut because they can't suppliment the support at the local levels. WHY?? This particular area sends most of their children to Catholic private schools and the parents do not feel they need to pay the extra taxes. I wouldn't want to send my child to a Catholic private school and that is about the ONLY private schools available here. There are a few others that are Non-Catholic but they are spread out and horribly expensive in comparison. The entire Public school system EVERYWHERE is in big trouble if the gov't doesn't do something soon.

[brookely ash]

we have to pay for things at my ds's school. $20 for supplies, some money for a workbook program and of course, lunch if we were to buy hot lunch.

I agree that the public school system is in big trouble, and that our tax money should go more towards the school, but at the same time I try and focus on the fact that for the most part, my kids are getting a FREE education. We are very fortunate to live in a country that offers this.

[Kaitnbugsmom]

Total for book rental, cubby usage, etc. for 1 K-5 on the half-day program {because they have to score way low to get full day :} and one second grader? $152 but that's not counting the $200 in additional supplies {including white, non-skid, lace-up sneakers for gym class, which they only have 3 days/week 12 weeks out of the whole year!}

We did get one good thing this year. They backed off the name-brand craze. Last years lists were Folio Brand portfolios Mead brand notebooks, Purell brand hand sanitizer, Clorox brand wipes-unscented only, mead brand pencils, and so forth. This year it's just "1 roll disinfectant wipes, 2 70 count wide ruled notebooks OR 140 sheets wide rule loose leaf notebook paper and binder. So I guess that's a small victory..

What gets me though? I have to send in an extra 'light weight' sweater from now til November and then a 'light weight, flexible winter jacket' from November thru mid-march or april, for the kids to keep/use in the school [b] because they keep the thermostat at 62 degrees F year round! [/i] So it's not like the extra money they're saving not providing books, supplies, better teachers, or year round music, art and pe {or any single of those} is going toward building costs. This school was built eight years ago, supposed to be state of the art, with all the energy saving stuff available, and they can't afford to turn the heat up a bit? Yet all the classrooms have computers hard wired to overhead projectors so they can use them 4 nights out of the year {and in the ESL classroom about once a week} to do presentations for the parents/grandparents? WTF???

I am literally counting the days til we're out of the military and I can start HS'ing again full time

[CarrieMF]

Originally Posted by ~gilli~

But they are for the whole class.

Perhaps so but why should I bring something that MY DD won't use? My household does not use 2 boxes of kleenex in 1 year so why would I buy that many for a classroom when my dd will not use them. If we were a family that actually got sick then maybe I would, but I'm not supplying something my child won't use. Our school is very strong on recycling and being aware of the ecosystem so there has never been a problem with my dd taking hankies, her friends want them. In Grade 2 my dd was sick so often she used a whole 2 hankies the entire year and one of those was in her jacket for when they were outside playing in the dead of winter and her nose ran.

I also live in a completely different country and in an area where the schools are given more money. Alot of these things that are asked for(plastic bags, paper plates, tp) are provided for by the school. If the school started asking for hand sanitizer or baby wipes I would not send them either as I don't believe in using either one of those products.

it was brand specific -- not the cheapo discount brands either: Crayola crayons, Fiskar scissors, Puffs brand tissues, etc.

They get very specific here too. Crayola crayons are the only thing I will specifically buy brand name because the rest suck and the other pencil crayons break all the time. The rest of it, if they want brand name they can buy it themselves. They wanted brand name paper this year, it's freaking paper! I don't know what i got yesterday.lol If the brand name is on for cheaper than the other stuff I'll buy it.

school had a POOL for gym and they wanted tons of swimming supplies!

That is ridiculous, if the school can afford a pool they can afford the supplies.

I also remember when my brother and sister played sports they didn't have these outrageous fees to play. Heaven forbid if you have more than one child playing more than one sport

school sports? here they don't have to pay for playing school sports or for uniforms.

For Grade 3 the total cost of send her is

$43, some stuff i have already since she was in K or Grade 1 like her ruler, pencil case, headphones, lunch bag
$20 new backpack because the "good" one I bought last year is a pos.
$20 for shoes
$5 for recorder
$20 school fees.

For my dd going into K

$4 backpack(got it on clearance)
$20 headphones
$20 shoes
$3 lunchbag

total for the 2 kids is $155. Next year the one who will be going into Grade 1 will have to add the ruler, pencil case and such becuase none of that is required in K.

When a friend of mine had her 4 kids in school in a different district it cost her $1200 for their scientific calculators they needed, plus thier other supplies.

[brookely ash]

our school has a pool,but its paid for by the parks and recreation dept. not the school. maybe thats the case in this situation?

[LizD]

Originally Posted by lisalou

I'd personally prefer it if people in general looked at what it actually does cost to live in society. To maintain roadways, public buildings, snow removal, schools etc. and be more willing to pay that cost. It's not that I think taxes should be sky high but I'd realy like to see a town stop plowing a few streets during the winter of those who say, "I don't want to pay for that" during budget time. So maybe they would realize more we're all in this together to build a future for our community and children.

Well said! In the US we don't pay very high taxes at all compared to countries with much better services for their citizens (think Scandinavia!). Per capita spending on students is *pathetic.* And although the government should prioritize poverty and public education and access to health care, it just isn't happening any time soon.

I think the brand-request thing is usually due to a desire for consistency in appearance and quality, rather than brand-awareness. It's very nice to have all the students have the same paper, workbooks, crayons, pencils, etc. It may seem silly but it really does make a difference in the atmosphere in some ways (I say this as a former private school elementary teacher). Teachers are working hard enough as it is to create a haven in their classrooms- not having the right tools for any job is a distraction and a drag, let alone when working with little ones.

To keep it in perspective, I am paying a thousand dollars a month for private school for my dd starting this year. Next year ds will be ready for 3-day kindergarten, so in addition to our (very low- $5K) taxes we will be spending $15,000 a year on tuition. So if you have access to quality public education, please do what you can and then some. Plenty of families really *can't* buy that box of tissues. And part of going to school is being a member of a class, a community. It doesn't matter if one or two children don't use the tissues. They are needed for other children, for visitors, for teachers, for those who forgot their hanky. This is the first of many instances in a child's life in which those who have more must help ensure that everyone has some.

[binxsmom]

in my state, he average annual per pupil expenditure for 2001-2 was $7,340. a friend whose child goes to public schools had to purchase so many supplies (including copy paper) that she had to use a small wagon to tote it. ds attends a private school and we pay about $4,500 a year. we paid the school $25 for supplies. additional expenditures are minimal

[mamato2boys]

There are some supplies on the list that I just don't buy. Like a pp we don't send kleenex, we use cloth. I don't send a pair of sneakers to stay there, I really can't afford an extra $20 for a pair of shoes that will get worn 2x a week for 45min. I don't buy brandname supplies except for crayola. It still ends up costing close to $100 for supplies. There are no school fees in our district for K-4, but we end up paying over $100 for field trips/classroom parties etc. It's a stretch now, there is no way we can afford to pay that for each of our kids once they are all in school plus any sports or extras once they get past 4th grade.

My sister teaches 2nd at a good district in the Chicago suburbs. She ends up spending several hundred dollars out of her own pocket each year to get classroom supplies in addition to what the parents supply.


Not sure what the solution is ...

[Jyotsna]

School supplies and the low to moderate incomed family

I spent almost $400 on my three kids a couple of weeks ago. I was able to afford the supplies, but not the uniforms. Most of the uniforms require 2 peices, and each peice is $9.99. So that is $20 per child, per uniform. That means to have 5 uniforms per child, it will be $300, plus socks, shoes and underwear. It would be over $500.

I didn't have enough money this year and thankfully because of all the volunteer work I have done in my children's school, one of the teachers OFFERED some clothing that worked for my girls, and they have all they need now. My son has only 3 uniforms, but I will be able to get him 2 more real soon.

I haven't bought all the kleenex, paper towels and other paper goods, except for the copy paper. I just can't, and I won't either. I think it is insane all of the things that are requested. One of the things on the list for each child was a plastic box for supplies. Two of the teachers sent them home, and guess what? They already have my children's names on them, so I can't even take them back!! Made me mad. At least they got sent home.

On the first day back (this past Monday of this week) the parents lined up with the kids and we all had bags, backpacks and other supplies, and the kids couldn't even lift them. :

I donated all of our uniforms from last year to the PTO, and guess what? When I asked for help for the uniforms, they said they had sold them all at the end of the year! I have been very frustrated, and I hated to say anything, so this is a great vent for me!! :

The kids teachers are fantastic. I don't know how they make ends meet when they don't have all the supplies. I also agreed with the OP about kleenexs. I keep one large box in my car, and one in the house. We never even use them up in one year. I actually use cloth, or if I am very sick and can't get out of bed, I use paper....just so I can toss it and keep the rest of the family from getting what I have.

[mommy68]

Well, I can't complain since I pay for private schooling for my kids. But the price for tuition does include his locker, gym stuff and other extras throughout the year.

If my kids were in public school I would be upset having to pay for that much stuff. For instance, I can't believe you have to pay that much for a gym uniform!!!! That's ridiculous IMO! Why can't they just charge the child IF the uniform is ever lost during the school year, not from the get go. It should be free.

As far as the locker fee, do you also have to buy a separate lock?? My child has to take in their own lock for the locker and no fee is charged. The lockers are there every year anyway, it's not like it's something they will keep when school is over?? It's crazy to charge them unless they are providing you with a lock.

[Flor]

Wow. The kids here do have to buy gym uniforms and their own school supplies, but that's it. No "supply fee." We ask for Kleenex and baby wipes, but that's just us begging. I teach 190 students a day. The entire 8th grade last year had 400 dollars for supplies like paper, pencils, markers, etc. Sad. Every year we have a smaller and smaller budget. I start out the year with a huge case of Kleenex and it is gone by April. Then, the kids just wipe their noses on their sleeves or on the desk (yuck.).

[moondiapers]

I completely ignore the brand names. I just make sure that the supplies I buy are comparabe (like the watercolors have the same colors in them etc).

[MsElle07]

Originally Posted by CarrieMF

Perhaps so but why should I bring something that MY DD won't use? My household does not use 2 boxes of kleenex in 1 year so why would I buy that many for a classroom when my dd will not use them. If we were a family that actually got sick then maybe I would, but I'm not supplying something my child won't use.

Maybe because you care about other kids? Maybe because not all kids are as healthy as your daughter and you don't want them sneezing all over their hands? Maybe because not all parents will provide their kids with cloth?

[MsElle07]

Originally Posted by LizD

I think the brand-request thing is usually due to a desire for consistency in appearance and quality, rather than brand-awareness. It's very nice to have all the students have the same paper, workbooks, crayons, pencils, etc. It may seem silly but it really does make a difference in the atmosphere in some ways (I say this as a former private school elementary teacher). Teachers are working hard enough as it is to create a haven in their classrooms- not having the right tools for any job is a distraction and a drag, let alone when working with little ones.

Exactly. The brand thing is aimed at eliminating fighting and so one child in the class doesn't feel less than. Let's say 25 parents bring in Crayola crayons and one brings in RoseArt. When the teacher gets out the crayons, one kid will get the off brand crayons. That one kid will notice. Even if it's someone different each time, there will always be the, "Why do I have to use the yucky crayons?" It eliminates the conflict and ensures that no child feels ostracized by his peers.

[Shantimama]

I stock up on supplies throughout the year and tuck them away. At some point I can find great sales on packages of pencils, erasers, pencil crayons, paper, glue, etc. I have a box in the basement that I store stuff in so the $$$ shock isn't so bad when it is time to get ready for school. There were a few items on the list for this fall I didn't already have when the list came home in June, so I have bought a couple of items for each child with each paycheque throughout the summer.

When it comes time to buy those extra indoor shoes (at my kids' school they wear them indoors all the time, not just for gym class) I buy them a half size larger than the shoes they are normally wearing. They grow into them and they become the outdoor shoes when the current ones get too small and I send a new pair of larger indoor shoes again. I just keep my fingers crossed that everyones' feet don't have a growth spurt at the same time! And I only buy shoes at Payless - quality is fine and I never pay more than $20 for a pair of shoes, often I can find some for $10.

[mamato2boys]

Originally Posted by MsElle07

Maybe because you care about other kids? Maybe because not all kids are as healthy as your daughter and you don't want them sneezing all over their hands? Maybe because not all parents will provide their kids with cloth?

I think the point is if every kid that uses kleenex is bringing in 2 large boxes there is more than enough to go around even when considering that a few families will not be able to purchace the supplies. My child not bringing in two boxes isn't going to lead to all children needing to sneeze in their hands