Holy cow. If I have to buy all these supplies, why aren't I just homeschooling? - Page 3

[TCMoulton]

Originally Posted by 34me

Unfortunately, it's a pretty typical list for our area. The thing that really bugged me about the Kindergarten list is that I got all the stuff and then they dumped it all into "communiy" supplies so we got nothing back - even the scissors. Now how many scissors do you need?

Usually there is a good reason for "Community Supplies". In our district the teachers are not allowed to say anything to families that do not send in supplies at the start of the year, it is just assumed that if they were able to send them they would. Community supplies assures that all kids will have the supplies needed every day and that one child won't stand out as the only one without scissors, crayons, markers, glue sticks, etc. I like the idea of community supplies for when they are little as everyone is equal in what they have, it also teaches them how to share if that is a new concept for them (especially for those new to school or those without siblings at home - sharing is sometimes a hard concept to get used to!).

[Marilde]

Originally Posted by SAHDS

Marilde - That's for a Kindergartner???

No, its for a 3rd grader, the twins will be in Kindergarten this year, the list is similar, here's the list:

3 notebooks (covered in different colors)
1 drawing block
3 folders (covered in different colors)
3 pencils
pencil box
1 box of Colored Pencils
1 box of Crayolas
1 box of Washable markers
1 eraser
1 pencil sharpener
1 black pen
1 box of tissues
6 bags (medium sized) of glitter (different colors)
Glue
Scissors
100 white sheets package
50 colored sheets.

And i have to buy the same list twice as i have twins except for the Crayolas, Colored Pencils and Markers, i get them the big presentations.

[ManiacMama]

The list looks pretty typical to me, though we don't have to send in anything like ziploc bags or forks and plates. I have no problem with it since they are responsible for providing an education for my child, and I'd prefer to have an extensive list at the beginning of the year when I can get things cheap than have to go out and buy supplies later at full price.

I have teacher friends and I know they already spend a lot of their own money on stuff for their classrooms and kids. I definitely don't think it should be the teacher's responsiblity to supply items for 25+ kids.

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by ChristyM26

Frankly, I think my job deserves more money, considering what I do vs what an athlete does. JMHO.

I think my job deserves more money, just not as much as an entertainer who is making millions. As an entertainer also, I realize how much work goes into that. I also realize where the money comes from.

I make money when I draw people to the show. The more paying people that come to the show, the more money I make. Same thing with baseball.

I think a reasonable comparison might be a doctor. Why are teachers not making as much as doctors?

[Zach'smom]

For Kindy Ds needed:
backpack
8 pack crayola fat markers
8 pack crayola thin markers
2 24 packs crayola crayons
2 jumbo glue sticks
boys- package of handwipes and container of play-doh
girls- box of tissues and box of zip-lock bags

The rest was provided by the school. We had to pay about $35 in school fees at the begining of the year to cover extras. If the teacher needed anything special she let us know. At the end of the year we got whatever supplies were unused back. We got a box of crayons, a container of play-doh a couple gluesticks and a couple markers. We can always use them.

This year for first grade he needs:
backpack
box of 24 crayola crayons
2 boxes crayola markers
Fiskar safety point scissors
24 sharpened #2 yellow pencils with erasers
large eraser
composition notebook
12 glue sticks
4oz elmers glue
boys- box gallon freezer bags and a roll of paper towel
girls-container disenfecting wipes and box of sandwich bags

Then we will also pay around $35 in fees to cover anything else. Everything except the scissors and notebook is for community use.

I buy lots of extras of things when they are on sale, so if the teacher is needing extras of anything later in the year I can send them in.

[CarrieMF]

We always have to buy about 6 composition books and 6 spiral notebooks. At the end of the year, each one of the notebooks will have a max of ten pages used. I'm not seeing exactly why we need a separate notebook for each subject.

This is why more teachers are opting for duo tangs(the folders with the metal tabs) & paper.

IME they're used for a thousand different things. Sending home crafts. Snacks. Making activities. Storing supplies. etc

The only thing that has come home in plastic bags here is teeth that have fallen out. I was in K last week & a kids tooth fell out at noon. The teacher had all the cabinets & drawers locked so I had to get a bag from Grade 5 across the hall for it.lol

[quinnsmum]

Originally Posted by ManiacMama

I definitely don't think it should be the teacher's responsiblity to supply items for 25+ kids.

It absolutely not the teacher's responsibility to pay for these items although so many do. If we actually invested in our children instead of oil, we would be so much better off. Okay, I will try really hard to step off and stay off my soapbox now.

[Kirsten]

Originally Posted by SAHDS

WOW! That is insane! It seems to me as though you're providing supplies for half the kids.

I think her one child (well, two in her case with twins) will go through all that during the length of the school year. It doesn't seem excessive to me at all. And definitely not enough for multiple kids no matter how you cut it.

Originally Posted by diamond lil

My SIL told me that my nephew brought home over half of his school supplies at the end of the school year *un-opened and unused.*

So instead of throwing them away, or keeping them for next year's class, the teacher does the stand up thing and gives them back to the families who paid for them - and gets complaints? Not all the families will or can bring in what is needed, but that number is an unknown - so teachers must guess. Sounds like she got lucky and everyone brought in the list.

Originally Posted by mamalisa

If you start to shop early stuff is dirt cheap, usually the end of July.

Absolutely true! Target and Staples both have amazing back to school sales if you just watch the weekly fliers. We've found glue sticks and Ticonderoga pencils at Costco, and split them and the cost with two other families.

Originally Posted by Mandynee22

Do you have a staples near you? The ones here have these killer sales during summer vacation (like crayola crayons- 5 cents a box, glue sticks or folders- 1 cent, box of pencils- 3 cents etc). The things change every week and I go as much as possible.

Exactly!

Originally Posted by ManiacMama

I definitely don't think it should be the teacher's responsiblity to supply items for 25+ kids.

No kidding! And with the price of gas, transportation costs to run the buses must be through the roof. It would be nice if we spent less on war and more on education, but it is not the current situation. I think the supply lists are fine. I actually think it is fun to go get the list stuff, and miss it now that my kids are in private. We pay $350 PER CHILD for supplies each year. And it absolutely gets spent; I work at the school and do the banking.

[bobandjess99]

very typical...dd had about that amount of stuff to buy for her classroom.

[WC_hapamama]

I generally don't have a problem sending in basic supplies, or even things like paper towel, baby wipes, hand soap for the classroom or kleenex.

I draw the line at toilet paper though. I also tend to buck specific brand recommendations for stuff like scissors, pencils, markers and erasers, for which I have my own preferences.

You'd be surprised how fast the school can go through paper, pencils and crayons.

[mags]

So, this may seem like a silly question, but my kids aren't school aged yet. When do the schools release these lists? Over the summer?

[TCMoulton]

Originally Posted by mags

So, this may seem like a silly question, but my kids aren't school aged yet. When do the schools release these lists? Over the summer?

Our school district posts them on their website and sends them home in the spring so you have all summer to get the supplies together.

[mags]

Originally Posted by TCMoulton

Our school district posts them on their website and sends them home in the spring so you have all summer to get the supplies together.

Thanks!

[gcgirl]

Is this supply list thing recent? Because I don't remember ever receiving a supply list in ANY grade. Granted, I left high school in '92.

I mean, we always had to bring a notebook and a pencil, but never such an extensive list.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by gcgirl

Is this supply list thing recent? Because I don't remember ever receiving a supply list in ANY grade. Granted, I left high school in '92.

I mean, we always had to bring a notebook and a pencil, but never such an extensive list.

I graduated in '93 and we always had lists like this.

-Angela

[CarrieMF]

Graduated in '94 & we had lists too. I loved school supply shopping.

When do the schools release these lists? Over the summer?

New Kindergarten kids get their list in May when they come for orientation. Of course there are some that register later or don't come so I'd guess that they either get theirs when they register or it comes with their Kindergarten letter about a week before school starts.

Kids previously in the school get their lists with their report cards. I'd guess kids who register after get it at registration or mailed to them(though only K gets a letter mailed to them).

All the stores that sell school supplies have copies of the lists for every grade in every school in binders next to the school supplies. I tend to check & see what we'll need the following year & buy when on sale.

[Tinkerszs]

Just to put it in perspective: On my classroom supply list I was allowed to ask for a backpack, 1 box of Ziplocs, 2 boxes of Kleenex. Everything else will be purchased with my own money. I teach two 1/2 day kinder classes, so I will buy enough to last a class of 50.

I'm also a mommy. I also have to purchase a full school supply list for my own kindergarten son. His list is not small.

Teachers are mommies too and many times have to purchase supplies for their own families as well as their classrooms.

Thank you for sending in anything you can. We use it carefully.

[quinnsmum]

How many professions do you know of that have their people pay for
education that is required or pay for necessary supplies? Never heard
of any nurses who have to buy their own needles, have you? My aunt who is a kindergarden teacher spends
$1000+ a year on stuff for school, from glue stixs to snacks.

[saintmom]

For some perspective here the hs list for this year excluding the 500$ I'll be spending updating some textbooks (some of my science books are almost 30 years old!)
6 bottles elmers
food coloring
copy paper 1 case
ink for the copy machine 100$
ink for printer 50$
constuction paper
1 box file folders
3 big note books
gallon zip lock bags
dissection kits
pencils
pens
dry erase markers
glue sticks
blank cd's
paint-watercolour,tempra,acrylic
new three hole punch thingy-the other one broke
if theres any money left I'd like to get the human bone and tissue anatomy slide set for bio to add to the slide collection.we'll see.
Considering how strapped most schools are for cash those lists seem pretty resonable.Heck when I was a sub I spent my own money for stickers and stuff just to keep the kids on their best behavior.I can only imagine what some teachers are spending...
School doesn't have to be expensive,but to teach well it's nice to have the right tools,it's even better to have the bells and whistles

[TinkerBelle]

I do not label the paper towels or ziplocs, but I do label the markers, pack of pencils, crayon box, scissors, etc. I do not go for the "community" dumping of the supplies. My child should get to use the supplies we bought for him. I have been known to send extras when it is possible, but sometimes I cannot afford to do for other children.

Also, Rose Art or other cheaper crayons, at least IMHO, are not as good as Crayola. I know some people buy them and that is fine. One year, I had to buy them too, temporarily, as money was that tight for us. But, if I paid for the Crayola, why should my kid get the cheaper ones to use?

So far, it has not been an issue and the boys always bring home the supplies I sent with their names on them.