Is it me or am I the only one that goes out and gets an ARMY list of supplies for my kids and then at the end of the year they bring home a bunch of half used or rarely used items.

 

I read in the paper where one parent is taking a stance and not buying anything and waiting to see what the kids must have.

 

Many times you get his huge list of things and the kids come home and say the teachers keep a huge cabinet full of items for kids who don't go out and buy them.

 

I am all about donating money toward kids that cant afford essential supplies but give me a break. Also, since when is Candy and tissues an essential item that all 25 kids in a class must provide? I think these should be voluntary items suggested not must have items. Do I sound like the Grinch here or is anybody else tired of this?

The teachers don't get paid much and shouldn't be responsible for buying all of the supplies for all the kids. It may be helping the teacher out more than helping other students out. Many teachers spend hundreds of dollars of their own money on classroom supplies so if it helps them it is definately worth it.

 

Tissues are very important to have in a germ filled classroom. Candy, on the other hand, I agree should be voluntary.

Is it me or am I the only one that goes out and gets an ARMY list of supplies for my kids and then at the end of the year they bring home a bunch of half used or rarely used items.

 

I read in the paper where one parent is taking a stance and not buying anything and waiting to see what the kids must have.

 

Many times you get his huge list of things and the kids come home and say the teachers keep a huge cabinet full of items for kids who don't go out and buy them.

 

I am all about donating money toward kids that cant afford essential supplies but give me a break. Also, since when is Candy and tissues an essential item that all 25 kids in a class must provide? I think these should be voluntary items suggested not must have items. Do I sound like the Grinch here or is anybody else tired of this?

 

Teachers got through ALOT of tissues during the year.

Im with you i have two kids that i just spent a total of $127.00 on combined for just school supplies on there list.Crazy.

Im with you i have two kids that i just spent a total of $127.00 on combined for just school supplies on there list.Crazy.

 

That does seem like alot, but if you don't buy it the teacher has to out of their own pocket. $60 bucks a kid times 25 kids in a class adds up quick. Thats $1500 that the teacher would have to pay if they had to buy all of the school supplies. And without that stuff the school year would be very boring for your children.

I don't put any information out or in the paper for my students (middle schoolers). I tell them what they will need the first day and recommend that they buy in with another student in that class period so that they can share and cut the cost.

That does seem like alot, but if you don't buy it the teacher has to out of their own pocket. $60 bucks a kid times 25 kids in a class adds up quick. Thats $1500 that the teacher would have to pay if they had to buy all of the school supplies. And without that stuff the school year would be very boring for your children.

 

I am a high school teacher and I only require that my students have a notebook (traditional spiral or pocket folder with filler paper). For my chemistry and physics classes, I do require a scientific calculator (less then $10 at Walmart). That being said, I keep a cabinet of supplies in my room for any student that needs them. So far I have purchased (during the back to school sales) 60 spiral notebooks, 30 packets of loose-leaf paper, 120 pocket folders, 200 pencils, 10 boxes of tissue, and four jugs of hand sanitizer. I will have to add to the tissue and hand sanitizer during the year. I also purchased new DVDs off of discover.com.

Teachers spend alot of money out of pocket that they are not reimbursed for. I think the max deduction off of their federal taxes is $250 per year for supplies bought. The economy is bad.

Teachers spend a Lot, a lot of their own money on just the necesary things for students to work daily in the classroom.

I recently took my brood out to buy some supplies. Just buying some basics (pencils, paper, notebooks) and it still cost me close to $100.00. Of course, when you are buying for five kids......

I am a high school teacher and I only require that my students have a notebook (traditional spiral or pocket folder with filler paper). For my chemistry and physics classes, I do require a scientific calculator (less then $10 at Walmart). That being said, I keep a cabinet of supplies in my room for any student that needs them. So far I have purchased (during the back to school sales) 60 spiral notebooks, 30 packets of loose-leaf paper, 120 pocket folders, 200 pencils, 10 boxes of tissue, and four jugs of hand sanitizer. I will have to add to the tissue and hand sanitizer during the year. I also purchased new DVDs off of discover.com.

I think this is what is required of most high school students. It is in grade school you see the lists at Wal-mart of all the things you need to buy for your child.

 

Like you I asked for my students to have notebooks and folders. Everything else I bought out of my pocket. And believe me...those kids could go through alot of tissues. tape, staples and lotion. What money I got from the school for supplies I used to buy materials to teach with, videos of literature, new classics, ect. I loved Big Lotts, great place to get what you needed for your classes and you could really stretch the $.

In my years, I also spent a TON of money for tissues, hand sanitizers, cleaning supplies etc....bottom line is that schools NEED those things, and schools cannot afford to supply them.

 

Though I hated spending it, as a parent who worked in the classroom, I definately saw the need. Coughing, sneezing, nose picking :eek:, you know what goes on. I always figured that a donation of one antibacterial cleaner was well worth a week of staying home with a sick kid.

 

Those of us that can, should, and if you cant, that is ok also. It is all about the kids, and sometimes some of us lucky ones have to spend a little more than those who can't. That is what it is all about.

In my years, I also spent a TON of money for tissues, hand sanitizers, cleaning supplies etc....bottom line is that schools NEED those things, and schools cannot afford to supply them.

 

Though I hated spending it, as a parent who worked in the classroom, I definately saw the need. Coughing, sneezing, nose picking :eek:, you know what goes on. I always figured that a donation of one antibacterial cleaner was well worth a week of staying home with a sick kid.

 

Those of us that can, should, and if you cant, that is ok also. It is all about the kids, and sometimes some of us lucky ones have to spend a little more than those who can't. That is what it is all about.

 

Well Said!:thumb:

I don't mind buying crayons, folders, paper, notebooks, glue, etc.

 

I have a problem when my child's class supply list has dry erase markers and red ink pens on it.

You just have to be savvy shoppers people.

Watch the ads.

Staples routinely offers items for a penny.

WalMart had spiral bound notebooks for a nickel.

Office Depot and Office Max do the same.

Staples had folders for a penny, a box of pencils for a penny, pens and so forth for a nickel.

Just watch the ads leading up.

I doubt I have spent more than $20 for supplies for two elementary students.

Someone has a rebate on dry erase markers where after the rebate they are free.

Not a big deal in my opinion.