Yes another school supply vent

BAC'sMom wrote: Yes another school supply vent

Tonight I started dividing up school supplies into piles since my kids start school on Monday.

5th grade school supplies list

4 pkgs of notebook paper
1 pkg red pen (8-10)
3 pkgs of #2 pencils (12 per pack)
I box of map colors
15 pocket folder w/ brads
2 boxes 8ct washable markers
1 box of Ziploc bags
3 Expo Dry Erase marker pk of 4 or a total of 12 markers
1 roll of paper towels
Pair of scissors
4 yellow markers
2 boxes of tissues
3x5 index cards
1 box of crayons

Does anyone else think that it is a bit excessive to HAVE to buy 3 pkgs of DRY EASE markers that are not for my child to use? Let alone red pens to grade my child’s work? Or 15 folders...... he certainly doesn’t have 15 classes!

Nina J replied: Yep, it is excessive.

Since my kids arn't at school, I don't know much about the whole supplies thing. Do you have to buy things that arn't even for your kids to use???

boyohboyohboy replied: Why do you have to pay for things that the teacher needs? IF the kids have a supply list why doesnt the teacher? And I still say, what are the taxes we pay for if not for school supplies?

I think its getting ridiculous.

I really hate the idea of public school, and I sure the school system will not like me having my kids in it!

Isnt there someone you can complain too?

mckayleesmom replied: Shouldn't the markers count as Teaching supplies? Why would you have to buy that?

CantWait replied: I could pick at probably half that list and say it's over excess. I don't see why you need paper towel, so many pencils (cause they don't all get used), red pens, ziploc bags, the dry erase markers, yellow markers (hello you already got the washable markers), or the index cards.

skinkybaby replied: When I was in 5th grade we had to start buying red pens to help us when we were proofreading our essays and stories and things like that. Maybe thats what they're doing?

BAC'sMom replied: I had a conversation with my son this morning about his school supplies (even though I already knew what his answer would be). On the first day of school ALL the supplies are gathered up from the students and they are placed in a locked cabinet. So if you loose your pencil you have to request one from the teacher. Which I find very wrong....so lets say he my son wanted Spiderman pencils when we bought pencils he will not get that particular pencil KWIM. He also said that the dry ease markers are for the teacher along with the red pencils/pens and the highlighters. Well I didn’t send his teacher a list of what he wanted / needed in the way of school clothes so why should have to buy her supplies?

DH and I decided last night that we are only going to send the bare necessities, all the other supplies will be left here at the house for our children to use. And the first free time I get I am writing a letter to out local paper to complain.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Yep, I'd be ticked if I had to buy supplies for the teacher!!!

CantWait replied:
ITA agree. I would tell him to keep his stuff in his desk, and get him his spiddy pencils Write a note to the teacher to get her own bloody supplies......

Cece00 replied: Taxes help pay a teacher's salary.

Another thing people dont realize is that when there isnt enough in the budget for supplies for the teacher, the teachers often have to pay for them out of their own pockets.

Are dry erase marker so expensive that you really cant afford to help out a little bit? I dont think it would bother me to have to spend $10-15 a yr to give to my child's classroom, esp when you think about how important teachers really are. If it does bother you that much, then I guess dont send them.

Also, when I was in school, we often graded EACH OTHER'S papers. Like the teacher would gather papers, pass them out so you didnt get your own, and call out the answers & we would grade the papers. This was usually just for like multiple choice & stuff. So the red pens may be for that.

Those folders with brads may also be for the kids. Often times we'd have to put X amt of paper in one, and do work inside of them, or you needed like 3-4 per class, with 6 classes, per year. They may be for different semesters.

mckayleesmom replied:
Well..Im not sure about most schools...but most have a due's you pay at the beginning of the year for this stuff...

A pack of dry erase markers are acceptable, but 3 packs per child...How old is this teacher? That is alot of markers to lose for an adult.

Cece00 replied:
Honestly, I've never attended a public school, I spent 13 yrs (k-12) @ a private, catholic school, so on top of a parent paying taxes for public school, we paid tuition AND had to buy school supplies and some supplies 'for the classroom' (paper towels, etc) so I really see it as a non-issue.

But, like I said, I went to private school so plz excuse my ignorance on the issue.

I dont know if there are dues at all public schools, are there??

I've seen a teacher go through 1 marker every 2-3 days. Chalkboards are rarely used anymore, so they write all day in dry eraser marker, so 12 markers per kid x 25 kids is about 300 markers. I could see that being used in some classes over the course of a year.

zdk753 replied: When you have more than one child in school it is a lot more than just an extra $10-$15 dollars a yr. You also have to have shoes for P.E. plus school clothes. It adds up. I also think it is ridiculous that we have to supply the items that the teacher is going to use. It would be diff. if it was just a couple of pens or something but it's not. You pretty much supply everything that the teacher is going to be using for the whole yr. They don't help me pay for my kids' school clothes I shouldn't have to pay for what they need either. Sorry when you become a teacher you know what supplies you will more than likely need. Save enough money & buy them yourselves.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: I'm only sending what he will use. I'm not paying for the school's supplies... they're not paying for my home supplies.

skinkybaby replied: I would have absolutely no problem buying these things. But I can see why some parents would.

JP&KJMOM replied: When I grew up my mom was a teacher and she is astounded at the things that they ask for now. I know for a fact that when she was teaching (she retired 4 years ago) that the school gave them $100 each for supplies. I can not even tell you how much my mother spent every year out of her pocket for art, science projects and even buying supplies for children that could not afford it. They were NEVER allowed to specify brand names crayons, markers and such either like most do now.

IMO it is the schools responsibility to provide the teachers with what they need. Is that not what we pay taxes for?

TANNER'S MOM replied: I don't mind buying the things.. yes it's expensive x's 4..but what makes me mad is when the list requests brand name things. I mean I can buy the generic for $ 1.00 and the list states specifically that it must be this brand. Now, I don't mind contributing to the classroom.. but if the teacher has a must have that is something she prefers than more of a necessity then she needs to buy it for herself.

One packages of dry erase markers that they requested (Expo's) $ 4.95 x's 3 .. then per 4 children.._$59.00 in dry erase markers.... see how fast that adds up!

I don't mind helping but they need to realize how fast these things add up per child. One it may seem not so bad but times 4 you start to panic!

skinkybaby replied: A friend of mine's kids' school does wish lists for the teachers. I think thats a wonderful idea. Parents can contribute what they can afford to help out with and you can spread it out over the year.

coasterqueen replied:
I won't answer these questions as they aren't directed to me, but I wanted to comment on this if I could.

I see nothing wrong with helping a teacher with supplies when needed because I know that a lot of times these items are paid for out of their pocket, which is sad, but that's a whole other topic. BUT I do think a letter from the teacher explaining why she's asking for these supplies and why would be a good gesture on her part. I think many parents, at least I would, would want to help out if I was asked in a polite manner. I would be very understanding towards her situation, not the schools but I'd take that up with them, it's not her/his fault.

So it wouldn't bother me to spend a bit extra, either, but it would if the teacher can't be polite enough to send a letter explaining what she needs and why.

punkeemunkee'smom replied: I have been shocked by the school supply lists this year! All of my friends have made comments that they are buying $15-20 extra for 'classroom' supplies. I have several friends that have 3 or more children and so that adds up FAST! Besides the fact that alot of these supplies go to kids who did not buy them,and that does not always mean they couldn't just that their parents did not,because they know there will be a pencil available, KWIM? It is not the responsibility of little Johnny's mom and dad to buy pencils and paper for little Suzy...Some families,I would be willing to say MOST families are trying to make ends meet and provide for their own child(ren) and can't,and IMO should not be expected to supply the next door neighbors child too.....

mckayleesmom replied:
And even then.....I might be wrong, but I remember when I would go school supply shopping with my mom...there was always a bunch of donation boxes shaped like school busses...just for that point...People could donate school supplies for the other kids that couldn't afford it.....What happened to those?

Kaitlin'smom replied: Oh boy I can just see I will NOT like public schools if they keep this up. I remmeber bringing tissuse for the class at the beginning of the year and we were responsible for our own pencils/markers/colored pencils if we did not have them we had to ask a classmate to borrow one. It to me helped made us responsible for our belongins. Not Oh well I dont need it cause I can get them from the teacher.

punkeemunkee'smom replied:
They are still there. One organization down here gave away 20,000 filled backpacks. All you had to do was show up at different area locations and they give away uniforms all the time too...There is help out there if you really need it but I don't feel like I should be told to buy enough extra to supply the whole class. I don't know alot of kindergarten teachers using dry erase boards in the classrom but those markers were on several lists. Some schools have a general supply cabinet that teachers can go to when they need something. Why if my child is in Kinder do I buy something for the 5th grade teacher down the hall?

mckayleesmom replied:
Yes...your borrowed from a friend and returned it later. Or the teacher would lend you one and you returned it...Then you would go home and get another one from your parents....

I only remember having to take 3 or 4 pencils...1 red pen, 1 black pen and 1 blue. My mom always bought a couple packs of pencils and split them between me and my siblings. It rediculous.

coasterqueen replied:
I do agree that the responsibility factor can go out the window when all the supplies are put into one cabinet and everyone shares. It's less stress on the parent, but I do agree responsibility for their things is not being taught this way. Good thoughts.

BAC'sMom replied:

Abbie down here in South Texas they have a program called SOS "Supply our Students" so if there are any students that can't provide school supplies they are providedby the SOS program. But if that parents choice not to sign up for that program it all comes out of the same supply cabinet. KWIM

Funny how you Texas girls see my point. Remember Ladies this is the state that gives raises and bonus based on the results of our wonderful TAKS test scores.

JP&KJMOM replied:

Yep Jimmie what do they say now....more like TAKS school than public school! Spend all year preparing for it.
BTW when do Brandeis and Ansley start? JP started today and he was super excited.

BAC'sMom replied:

Yes I know...but PLEASE don't get me started about the TAKS tests scores. I think you and I have talked about that before.

They both started this morning just like JP.

punkeemunkee'smom replied: My little sister,who has been homeschooled,just transferred into 11th lastweek. She took the TAKS to be placed and they told my mom she 'could probably just test out if she wants' The first day of school they handed out the prep-booklets in English and Spanish

BAC'sMom replied: All for the funding

holley79 replied: I am just in awe as to what the school supply lists look like. Isn't there a better way to do that? If the teacher is looking for help why not have a teacher/ parents day before school. Then she can ask the parents if anyone would be willing to help with "classroom" supplies. Then have a list of things needed and maybe a check off sheet the parents can chose what they want to contribute.

BAC'sMom replied: I will give my kiddos about 2 weeks max and they will turn into
“LITTLE AMWAY PEOPLE" . Please don’t get wrong but with ALL the Fun Raisers, Fall, Winter and Spring pictures, PTO , Choir, Book Club, Gardening Club, Book Fairs, Christmas cards

I feel like I do MY part and maybe teachers need to go back to chalk boards. Because chalk is a heck of a lot cheaper than Dry Erase markers

TheOaf66 replied: is that what it has come to now, the parents are buying the supplies for the teacher to use, that is stupid and pathetic.

mckayleesmom replied:
Now though...some of the classes have dry erase marker boards....not chalk anymore.....

coasterqueen replied: I'm behind in the "times" because I had NO idea teachers were using dry erase boards instead of chalkboards or along with them. I will have to ask my friends who teach. Gosh, they've been holding out information on me.

ETA: behind in....I put beyond...didn't fit.

mckayleesmom replied: I just don't understand why they need so many packs of markers per child...That is alot of markers...Are they not putting the lids on them or something???

huggybugboy replied: obviously I dont know what this teacher is doing in his/her classroom, but when I was teaching last year in fifth grade (and in first grade for that matter) we did a lot of work on individual white boards. Each student had a white board and we would do math problems together on them. Spelling too sometimes. We would do this kind of thing everyday. Personally, I think the white board marker people ought to come up with a better marker because they run out so quickly, its ridiculous!! And they are expensive. But my mentor teacher had a $100 budget to get all of his supplies. Thats pencils, paper, everything. That even includes kleenex during cold season! Unfortunately, this country does not compensate teachers like it should. For some reason, teachers are not valued as they should be in this country. Look at our wages!!! Does this mean that parents should be buying supplies? No. But I don't think that blaming it on the teacher is the right thing to do. JMO.

BAC'sMom replied:
Good one!

luvmykids replied:



Lastly, at least if a teacher is requiring excessive supplies, it would help if a letter was sent with them stating why they are so crucial. I can see parents providing kleenex, pencils, folders, etc but I'd want to know WHY you need 15 folders.

skinkybaby replied: The 15 folders I can completely understand. They're not very sturdy and are always getting ripped. We easily went through that many when I was in school. Especially if we had any special prjects or essays we had to do.

Cece00 replied:
I agree, I can remember going through a LOT of those as a kid.

I guess the best thing to do (teacher wise) WOULD be to send home notes asking for parents to help. It wouldnt bother me that they put this on a list & want parents to buy it, despite the fact that I have 4 kids, as I would be HAPPY to help out (I bought school supplies for the SOS drive even though I didnt have to buy supplies for my own children this year...), BUT I can see that some people would not be able to afford it & so wouldnt be able to do it. So it would be better for them to REQUEST parents to help rather than demand, even though I think that would mean a lot of parents who COULD help still wouldnt, just because it would be something they didnt have to do. But I do suppose it should be a choice.

Also- I think its strange that they gather up all supplies @ the beginning of the year. Again, maybe also a private school thing, but when you bought a certain supply, it was YOURS. Only the things like paper towels, kleenex, soap, ziploc bags, etc etc etc were for the whole class use...

Hm, maybe it'll be that way (shared supplies, requested brands) for my kids next year..its been awhile since I was in elem. school

I'm curious as to what the teachers/school do if you dont send the supplies on the list??? Do they call & ask why you didnt send X, or do they just leave it alone?????

punkeemunkee'smom replied:

We have bought school supplies for the supply boxes at almost every store around as well. I homeschool so our student and teacher supplies are our sole responsibility. It is not about weather or not I can afford to supply the classromm-the point is I should not HAVE to supply the classroom....I know you say now you are 'more than willing to help out' but I imagine once you have more than 1 child that is school age and you encounter the incredible $$ and cent charges through-out the year you may see the flip side too!

Maddie&EthansMom replied: We are in private school. We have a supply fee that we pay at the beginning of the year with our school supply fee (we pay a fee and let the PTF buy all the supplies at a reduced rate b/c they buy in bulk) Nothing on our list is out of the ordinary. We do not supply anything for the teachers and everything is sent home with us at the end of the year (at least it was last year) We got all markers, crayons, paints, folders, etc back.

And we don't have fundraisers. I take that back. We have 2. But, our kids are not forced to do the door to door sales. Our biggest fundraiser is a jog-a-thon. We have things like boxtops, spirit night, scrip program, etc that gives a percentage back to the school.

Cece00 replied:
That is entirely possible!!!