School supplies - What really is necessary?

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garsyt -> School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 2:47:03 PM)
So we can take the school supply discussion out of the volunteer thread and the thread about my ds's grade, I though I'd start a school supply discussion here. In the other thread this quote: As far as needing kleenexes... I asked my 160 students to bring either kleenexes, scissors or crayons. I got 10 boxes of kleenexes, 3 pairs of scissors and 4 boxes of crayons Less than half of my students had the folder I required for my class, which really frustrates me because they are currently 10 cents each and there is a Target within walking distance of the school. You could probably find the 10 cents on the ground on your way over to the store and this quote: I know what you mean. I think tissues frustrate me more than anything else. Kindergarten students use A LOT of tissues!! Many times, they use the tissues just because they saw someone else get up to get one. And the difficult part of telling them not to be wasteful is that the little darlings go home and tell their parents that their mean old teacher wouldn't let them blow their noses when they needed to!! I'm a mommy as well as a teacher, and I wouldn't be offended at my child's teacher for trying to get the kids to use their resources a little more wisely. And, before I get fussed on, I'm NOT talking about a child that legitimately needs to wipe his nose. Of course, I would never stop a child with a runny nose from getting a tissue. In fact, it's just the opposite-I'm usually delivering the tissue to the child!! But, there are many parents who don't try to think these things through before complaining about them. And, I've even heard parents say that it's the school's place to provide their child's tissues. My beef with parents who won't purchase the necessary supplies (in my district) is that they are given the supply list in May, so they have May, June, and July to round those supplies up. Even on a tight budget (which I have been on many times), if you get one item a week you would be ready when school started. The most expensive thing that I ask for is gym shoes. The rest of the list consists of things like folders, crayons, tissues, etc. Sorry 'bout that soapbox rant!! And, let me say, there are MANY wonderful parents out there who come up to me and say, "Let me know when you're running low on something and I'll get you some more." I think parents like that are Heaven-sent! They truly are greatly appreciated. were posted and I did want to respond - Artemis - you say you asked all 160 of your kids to bring in a box of tissues or other supplies - Now did ALL of their other teachers also ask for them to bring in tissues as well? I know if each of my ds's high school teachers asked for a box of tissues I would have to put the kabash on that! I simply can't afford to buy 7 boxes of tissues for one child to take to school, especially when I'm buying all the other school supplies and such for not only that child but 3 others as well. At the middle school level here the kids are each asked to bring in two boxes to be given to their homeroom teacher. These are the tissues the teacher then use all year for all of her classes. It works out well. And Hoppers - I buy for 4 kids - the district puts out lists in the spring and yes if you catch the right sales at the right places you can do it, even on a tight budget. But when you start multiplying the list by multiple kids it can get huge! Thankfully around here new gym shoes every year are not required. The kids just have to have a pair of clean gym shoes to use for gym - it doesn't matter if they are new or not. Even if each teacher just asks for 2 boxes of tissues a year for me that is 8 boxes. I would much rather buy one box for each child's classroom at the beginning of the year and then have the teacher ask mid year for more. I can do that. But at back to school time the budget is awfully tight for us, but ask again in January or February. And please remember for some parents it is a REAL struggle to supply everything on all of those lists. My eldest ds need 5 3 ring binders this year. 5 of them! and my eldest dd needed 2. Thankfully I was able to dig up some at home that would work for my eldest and we were able to find new ones for decent prices for the last 4 we needed. Parents are often left with making decisions on what is a priority buy on those lists and what can wait. This year my eldest ds has a calculator on his list that we still haven't purchased yet, because he has access to classroom calculators during class and our eldest dd need a zip-drive worse. All three of my older children needed index cards, BUT I'm only sending in 2 packages each to start the year out and my kids know they can come to me if they run low and I will give them more. I just don't see a need for 4 packages of index cards to be sitting in my child's desk or locker for months, especially if they don't end up being used, especially if one of my other kids is using them and needs them. The same goes for filler paper. But for some parents it is a real struggle, it is truly a choice between putting food on the table or gas in the car to get to work and buying school supplies. Another thing I really appreciate teachers doing is putting it in writing. The beef I had with Ty's teacher was that she verbally told the kids she would like them to bring a box of tissues. There was nothing in writing, and it wasn't on the list she sent home with the letter she wanted signed by the parents. I will admit tho for others it's just pure laziness on the part of the parents. Sales can be found if you watch the sale fliers and such and talk to other parents. I managed to supply all of my kids with the needed supplies - except shoes and clothing- for under $75 dollars. That's only because we didn't buy new backpacks or supply boxes or scissors or stuff like that. I volunteer a lot of my time at the elementary school level - at all grade levels. I KNOW how kids go through supplies. But there is a flip side too - I know some teachers with cabinets and cabinets FULL of tissues at the end of the school year - yet those pesky 2 boxes are STILL asked for the following school year. Blessings, Garsy

FAWIHTT -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 3:40:55 PM)
I changed things up this year I got everything on the kids list but only sent one of each thing so I have my own school supply at home with what is left over. So when they run out we still have.

hoppersfan -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 3:57:33 PM)
My students don't have to bring in new gym shoes either. Just clean shoes to be used in the gym. I mentioned shoes because they were the most expensive item if you had to buy them new. Yes, I realize that many families have more than one child to buy for. I do, too. But I never ask for any supplies that we don't use up and end up needing more. And, I do sympathize with families that struggle. I've been there. We still struggle, many times, and my husband and I both work. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that when supplies are not purchased for children by their parents, the teacher ends up having to purchase those supplies himself/herself. Again, I'm speaking from personal experience. I have seen students come in talking about their recent vacations to Florida, Mexico, etc., but Mom and Dad couldn't manage to scrape together some folders, crayons, pencils, etc. If a family is truly in need, and can't provide those supplies, I don't know anyone who wouldn't be touched by that and want to help them. But, just as you say it irritates you to see supplies requested that you feel aren't necessary, it is likewise irritating when you know that people could but won't send in their child's supplies.

hoppersfan -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 4:02:52 PM)
I have thought about this, and I am wondering: When do people start buying school supplies? If you know that it is going to be hard on your family to try to buy all of those supplies before school starts, why not start earlier than summer. Some supplies, such as tissues, crayons, pencils, etc, are always on supply lists (at least in the lower grades). Why not start in the spring stocking up on those things, if you have several children to buy for?

hoppersfan -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 4:15:09 PM)
By the way, garsyt, I don't intend for my posts to sound nasty or hateful. I truly understand why you were upset with the teacher that did not let you know in writing that your child needed tissues, and then deducted points from his grade. That was just wrong for her to do that. I guess this is a subject that kinda gets to me because I know that I have to spend a great deal of my own money (money that I could spend paying on my own bills) to take care of the needs of the children in my classroom. I hope I didn't hurt you or anyone else with my posts. Just a different perspective on the school supply debate, I guess![;)]

zoebob -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 5:16:18 PM)
I know the school supplies can be expensive but if you have the lists in advance you should be able to get everything cheaply...especially if you live in an area with several big stores. I have bought the following items for anywhere between free and a quarter each over the last month. Most of them have been less than a quarter each: crayola colored pencils crayola 24 pack of crayons elmers glue glue sticks plastic folders erasers rulers pencil boxes looseleaf notebook paper compasses protractors mini pencil sharpeners 3 ring binders crayola markes spiral notebooks pencils pens staplers mini hand sanitizers I've gotten the following free with rebates: scientific calculator regular calculator stapler mechanical pencils highlighters gelpens notepads I bought more than my kids will use this year and will have spent less than $20 once my rebates come back.

hoppersfan -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 5:50:33 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: zoebob I know the school supplies can be expensive but if you have the lists in advance you should be able to get everything cheaply...especially if you live in an area with several big stores. I have bought the following items for anywhere between free and a quarter each over the last month. Most of them have been less than a quarter each: crayola colored pencils crayola 24 pack of crayons elmers glue glue sticks plastic folders erasers rulers pencil boxes looseleaf notebook paper compasses protractors mini pencil sharpeners 3 ring binders crayola markes spiral notebooks pencils pens staplers mini hand sanitizers I've gotten the following free with rebates: scientific calculator regular calculator stapler mechanical pencils highlighters gelpens notepads I bought more than my kids will use this year and will have spent less than $20 once my rebates come back. WOW!! You are a smart shopper, girl!! [:D]

zoebob -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 6:00:25 PM)
I have a staples, office depot, and office max near me. I check the weekly flier and pick up whatever is on sale for under a quarter that I think I might use. I may have spent a little more than $20 but never more than a few dollars (like 3-4) a week and some weeks less over the last month.

artemis -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 8:31:33 PM)
This is the direct quote from the handout I gave my students the first day of class: quote: Supplies: Please bring each of the following to class by Friday, August 29. 1. folder with pockets and brads (we will not have a textbook, so the folder is VERY important!) 2. notebook paper 3. pen and pencil Please bring one of the following (to share with the class). 1. safety scissors OR 2. box of Kleenex OR 3. box of crayons I don't think this is unreasonable. I told the kids that the crayons or the scissors could be used and kleenex are not that expensive... they are 3 boxes for a dollar right now. We use crayons about once every week or two, so I thought it would be cheaper to try and get a class set of 35 boxes rather than require all 160 students to buy their own. I would have been thrilled to get 10 pairs of scissors to share with the class and 20 boxes of kleenex would have probably lasted the year. I know not all of my students are going to bring the extra supplies, but to have less that 20 things brought (and some students brought more than one item, so it was really only about 15 students who brought stuff) is frustrating. But I really don't think this is a money issue. I could have asked my students to bring gold bars or a paper clip, and I would have gotten the same response. The school will provide supplies to any student who cannot afford them and there really isn't any good reason for the kids not to have brought a folder when the school sells them for less than a quarter apiece. Of course, I typically get about a 30% return on homework, too [8\|] It's not about supplies, money or resources.

Tinkerbell_ -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 8:54:00 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: zoebob I know the school supplies can be expensive but if you have the lists in advance you should be able to get everything cheaply...especially if you live in an area with several big stores. I have bought the following items for anywhere between free and a quarter each over the last month. Most of them have been less than a quarter each: crayola colored pencils crayola 24 pack of crayons elmers glue glue sticks plastic folders erasers rulers pencil boxes looseleaf notebook paper compasses protractors mini pencil sharpeners 3 ring binders crayola markes spiral notebooks pencils pens staplers mini hand sanitizers I've gotten the following free with rebates: scientific calculator regular calculator stapler mechanical pencils highlighters gelpens notepads I bought more than my kids will use this year and will have spent less than $20 once my rebates come back. Wow! I think the kicker is living around these stores. We have a Wal-Mart in our town and everything else is a 45 minute drive away. sigh I like to shop but I HATE to put forth the gas. My parents were nice enough to help with supplies this year so I only had to buy a handful. Still...it does cause a bit of a crunch. Question...can/do you use fliers for stores at other stores? And rebates...can they be used anywhere or just the specific store?

ladyingrace1979 -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 9:09:37 PM)
If you start early then you miss the sales and for some of us any extra is a struggle. Also I have tried that only to find that certain teachers want this specific type of whatever it is and nothing else is acceptable. Some teachers, at least in middle school seem to think that we parents only have their class to buy for and that they should ask for everything they possibly could ever need in that class. quote: ORIGINAL: hoppersfan I have thought about this, and I am wondering: When do people start buying school supplies? If you know that it is going to be hard on your family to try to buy all of those supplies before school starts, why not start earlier than summer. Some supplies, such as tissues, crayons, pencils, etc, are always on supply lists (at least in the lower grades). Why not start in the spring stocking up on those things, if you have several children to buy for?

hoppersfan -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 10:44:01 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: ladyingrace1979 If you start early then you miss the sales and for some of us any extra is a struggle. Also I have tried that only to find that certain teachers want this specific type of whatever it is and nothing else is acceptable. Some teachers, at least in middle school seem to think that we parents only have their class to buy for and that they should ask for everything they possibly could ever need in that class. Well, it is kind of the point to ask for the things that your child will need in the classroom. And, I don't know any teacher that sits down and says, "Hmmm, let's see how many non-essential items I can add to this list." [;)] It's hard enough getting the bare minimum in! I also have a hard time believing that spending a couple of dollars a week stocking up on supplies is putting a huge burden on any family these days. As I said before, I am not only a teacher, but a parent of two children as well. I know about buying school supplies. It does cost money. But, I also know that the teachers are asking for things that my children will need to make it through the year, so I try my best not to complain about it. Not only that, but I try to send extra supplies whenever possible because not everyone provides their child's supplies, for whatever reason.

MrsTracy72 -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 11:30:08 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: FAWIHTT I changed things up this year I got everything on the kids list but only sent one of each thing so I have my own school supply at home with what is left over. So when they run out we still have. I did the same and thought I was so smart for it, but this year, Kali's teacher had a bag with each child's name on it, and all the extras go in it for second semester. No community buckets. So here I think I am being smart, and the teacher changed up how they store and distribute the supplies. But I am glad that the teacher took the approach she did because now I don't feel like my daughter has to give her supplies to someone who didn't bring their own. My only pet peeve is that each parent is supposed to bring two boxes of graham crackers and those are to be stored for kids who forget their snack. Last year, they went through 50 boxes of crackers. So with 25 kids in the class, most who do bring their snack, they went through that many crackers and asked us for more. Some kids NEVER brought a snack and just expected the school (the parents) to supply it.

garsyt -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/1/2008 11:41:34 PM)
quote: Why not start in the spring stocking up on those things, if you have several children to buy for? Exactly what ladyingrace said - if you start buying to early you miss the sales. Then it ends up costing a person even more. What would be wiser is to stock up when the sales do happen and then stash it away. That's what I tend to do. I bought 50 folders, 80 pencils and a binder in late July for less then $2! Now the binder, and the pencils will be used this year, but my kids won't use all the folders so I have extras for next year. I also bought extra crayons because I know that even if my kids don't use them for school the scout troops will get some use out of them. I'm saving a couple boxes tho for next year for my younger two. I don't thing my eldest two will need them. If I have a little extra when I'm at the store during the sales, I buy a couple extra items just to stash away. At $.22 a box for crayons and glue - I love getting those deals. quote: Again, I'm speaking from personal experience. I have seen students come in talking about their recent vacations to Florida, Mexico, etc., but Mom and Dad couldn't manage to scrape together some folders, crayons, pencils, etc. These are the folks that I mention as lazy and they get my goat as well! [:@] I tend to be a very blunt person and if I knew anyone like that personally they would be hearing about it from me. I know a family down the street that is kinda like that. The dad spends hundreds of dollars on fireworks every year but gets irritated when his eldest step son needs artist chalk for a highschool art course that he and the child's mother signed off on and allowed him to take. Oh he makes sure the youngest child, HIS son gets everything he needs but balks at getting anything for the elder child. Another example of unfairness for these two boys - eldest ds - 16 wants to get a job so badly, and would have one if he had transportation to the dairy queen down the road 10 miles (and believe me that is about the closest place around here for a kid to get a job other then lawn mowing and all those jobs are taken.) - He gets a second-hand bicycle. Little brother - age 9 - gets a brand new 4 wheeler - simply because dad wanted him to have it. I don't talk to this Dad very much tho - I don't know him well enough to approach him about this. The mother has blown me off many times, I know she cares about her eldest, but she's doing all she can to keep the family afloat when her husband up and does the stupid stuff they really can't afford to be doing. I feel for them. quote: I hope I didn't hurt you or anyone else with my posts. Just a different perspective on the school supply debate, I guess! No hurt feelings at all. I understand both sides. I have several teacher friends and spend enough time around teachers to know both sides of the debate. One of the things around here that bugs me is this: We have 6 elementary schools and the district office just decided to allow a group of 6 teachers at each grade level to get together and decide on a "master" supply list for the district as a whole. Now just because a teacher at one school does things one way with certain supplies doesn't mean that all the teachers at that grade level will do things the same way. For example in third grade last year the list asked for something like 12 folders! 12! Knowing the teacher my ds was assigned very well as she had become a dear friend of mine the year before when my dd had her, I asked some questions - KNOWING what my dd brought home the year before. I eliminated the need to buy several folders and a couple other things on that list as well. For the last few years I've always tried to asked my kids's teachers before school even starts in the Fall if there are items on the lists that are unnecessary for their particular classrooms, but on the list because another teacher does use it. I wish the district would go back to letting the teachers make out their own lists. quote: Of course, I typically get about a 30% return on homework, too It's not about supplies, money or resources. There's your problem Artemis! [;)] I hope that's not a problem in all schools - I would venture a guess that it's not at least here in the district my kids attend. If so few students are even willing to turn in homework - then you are right - there is more to it. On the other hand tho - then you have those of us that do provide not only for our own kids and the classroom supplies as well and our kids still get harassed if something had to wait til we got back to the store or we had to wait until payday to make it work into the budget. Again those that CAN and don't are in the wrong. If I were teaching I would continue to send notices home and maybe resort to calling parents if they still didn't have supplies by 2 weeks into the year. I don't have a clue as to what to do if you can't get more then 30% cooperation. That is truly sad. And finally Zoebob. You are right - if one catches the right sales at the right week you can get all you shopping done for very little money. I didn't catch all the really good sales and I did need to get some certain items that cost a bit more - but I still got by for somewhere around $15 -$20 per child. That is considerably less then the $40 or so dollars per back to school kit that the PTC wanted me to buy last spring and WAY less then the average $100 per child amount that was touted in the news during the back to school shopping days. But alas it sounds like the problem is less about having the money in Hopper's and Artemis's cases and more about attitudes toward school and flat out laziness. I mean how can you expect children to care about getting their homework in when it's obvious to them, the children, and the teachers for that matter, that their parents couldn't care enough to buy even the basic supplies that would contribute to their child's success in the classroom. Oh and one last thing - If my kids or their teachers do have a need in the classroom I will do my best to fill that need, if I can. If I say no to something, which is rare, but has happened, it is truly because it is not in the budget for that week. I also appreciate more then a couple days notice when something is needed and would appreciate a little patience if it is something I have to buy. Hubby may get paid once a week, but we do have a budget to follow and some weeks are tighter then others. Blessings, Garsy

debilyn -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/2/2008 11:37:58 AM)
I shop during sales as I find them, and we have a "school supply" box at home with plenty of supplies during the year. However, we usually have to go back to the store and get that one item the teacher specifies for that class. Sometimes it's a specific size binder (why are these things so expensive?) or, in one case, a specific type of divider. We bought daughter a calculator ahead of time this year thinking we got a good deal, only to find out it was the wrong calculator. It would have been fine a couple years ago, but things had changed since my son took that course. I don't mind providing a few supplies because I know that much of it seems to come out of the teachers' pockets these days. More than anything, I mind that this money could come from district funds which are currently in administrative offices that don't really do much. [:@] I could do with a few less administrators and more money in individual schools. (Sorry, just my rant.) I know there are some parents who don't seem to provide anything. I feel for those children. Our school puts together some packets for those kids. I have to wonder what happens to those packets, though. Some children still come to school with no writing tools even a few weeks after receiving a packet. You have to wonder if parents take it away for some ridiculous reason. [sm=sadquestion.gif]

kohls356 -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/2/2008 11:58:24 AM)
I think when my children were in elementary school is when they needed more supplies and more specific supplies. I am wondering if the schools are catching on with parents not wanting to send in non essential things. I don't have a certain amount of boxes of kleenex to send anymore it is voluntary. We don't even have boxes of kleenex at home because we really don't need them. If someone has a cold then I will buy some kleenex but they aren't a staple in my home and I know my kids don't need to use them. So I wouldn't send in the required 3 boxes but would send in a box. Other things I felt unnecessary were post it notes, a disposable camera, shaving cream to write on their desks. Now I know the shaving cream was used to write with but it still isn't necessary. I know I will make some teachers upset but I think school supplies I buy should be supplies used by my child not for the teacher. I got tired of buying post it notes, index cards, tape, and other office type supplies that the teacher used. Those should be bought either by the teacher or supplied by the school for the teachers. It really is a shame the schools don't supplies those things, I wonder how many offices make thir employees buy supplies like that. Now that my kids are out of elementary school I don't think I bought anything that wasn't necessary. Just the basics like notebooks, binders, pens and pencils. I buy things on sale and buy extras to replenish through the year. I also stock up more when items hit the clearance bins.

garsyt -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/2/2008 11:58:31 AM)
quote: I don't mind providing a few supplies because I know that much of it seems to come out of the teachers' pockets these days. More than anything, I mind that this money could come from district funds which are currently in administrative offices that don't really do much. I could do with a few less administrators and more money in individual schools. (Sorry, just my rant.) Don't get me started on this! I so agree with you! blessings, Garsy

ladyingrace1979 -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/2/2008 6:24:27 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: hoppersfan quote: ORIGINAL: ladyingrace1979 If you start early then you miss the sales and for some of us any extra is a struggle. Also I have tried that only to find that certain teachers want this specific type of whatever it is and nothing else is acceptable. Some teachers, at least in middle school seem to think that we parents only have their class to buy for and that they should ask for everything they possibly could ever need in that class. Well, it is kind of the point to ask for the things that your child will need in the classroom. And, I don't know any teacher that sits down and says, "Hmmm, let's see how many non-essential items I can add to this list." [;)] It's hard enough getting the bare minimum in! I also have a hard time believing that spending a couple of dollars a week stocking up on supplies is putting a huge burden on any family these days. As I said before, I am not only a teacher, but a parent of two children as well. I know about buying school supplies. It does cost money. But, I also know that the teachers are asking for things that my children will need to make it through the year, so I try my best not to complain about it. Not only that, but I try to send extra supplies whenever possible because not everyone provides their child's supplies, for whatever reason. Not everything they possiblily in the farthest streatch of the imagination need. I can't tell you how many times I have bought things only to have them collect dust on a shelf.

ladyingrace1979 -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/2/2008 6:32:50 PM)
The point that is so often missed in these discussions is that neither the teachers or the parents should find themselves financially strapped to provide a good education for the children. At one point supplies were provided. It seems to me that district budget makers need to spend some time in the classroom and actually see what the teachers and parents need. We seem to spend millions on new text books every year when the basic subject matter hasn't changed substantially. Waste is rampant in administrative offices, not to mention the salaries of most administrators.

mapachito13 -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/2/2008 8:10:49 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: ladyingrace1979 The point that is so often missed in these discussions is that neither the teachers or the parents should find themselves financially strapped to provide a good education for the children. At one point supplies were provided. It seems to me that district budget makers need to spend some time in the classroom and actually see what the teachers and parents need. We seem to spend millions on new text books every year when the basic subject matter hasn't changed substantially. Waste is rampant in administrative offices, not to mention the salaries of most administrators. It is MHO that administrators above principal are pretty much a waste of taxpayer money and if the government just gave the money directly to the principals then they could spend it where it was really needed! That would also give more local control to the parents that could deal with a principal more effectively than the arrogant bureaucrats on the board of education, who are some of the biggest bunch of political buffoons I've ever seen.

hoppersfan -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/2/2008 11:58:12 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kohls356 If someone has a cold then I will buy some kleenex but they aren't a staple in my home and I know my kids don't need to use them. So I wouldn't send in the required 3 boxes but would send in a box. How do you know that your kids don't use them at school? You might be surprised if you were in the classroom each day.

hoppersfan -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/3/2008 12:02:28 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kohls356 I am wondering if the schools are catching on with parents not wanting to send in non essential things. Well, what you consider "non-essential" could actually be something that the children use quite frequently in their classroom. That's the thing with supply lists; some parents tend to go through the list and say, "Nope, not necessary. Won't need that!" I can assure you that nothing on my supply list is "non-essential." I don't have the storage space to store non-essential items.

macokjc -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/3/2008 8:32:22 AM)
I don't get the problem. A box of tissues cost $1. Right now you can buy crayons at walmart for 17 cents - glue for 25 cents. etc..... I guess when your kids are in the upper grades, the supplies might be more, but I bought everything my kids needed for school (besides the backpack and clothes) for under $10. Do you think this problem w/ parents is only in puplic schools? I have taught in 3 private schools and have never had a problem w/ parents not sending in supplies - or having to buy an overwhelming supplies for my own kids. I also agree w/ "hoppersfan". Kids do a ton of things at school that are very different than home.

garsyt -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/3/2008 10:21:54 AM)
This is the list I had to buy this year for my 4 children, a 2nd grader, a 4th grader, a 5th grader and a freshman. Crayola markers wide tip 10 count - 1 box Crayola markers fine tip 8 count - 3 boxes Crayola crayons 24 count box - 4 boxes Crayola colored pencils 12 count - 4 boxes Elmers glue - 2 bottles Elmers glue sticks - 6 small sticks and 2 large Pink pearl erasers - 6 Pencils - 108 pencils or 9 doz! Expo dry erase markers - 2 four count multi colored packages + 2 black only. Sharpies - 4 fine tip - black Plastic folders (heavy duty) - 1 each in red, green, blue, yellow, purple, orange (6 total) (I couldn't find these very cheaply ANYWHERE - and the school didn't want the cheap ones that were on sale at Office max or wherever.) Scissors - 3 pairs pointed tips (these we reused from the years before) Highlighters - One four count multi colored set and 5 yellow Pens - 4 red and 3 blue just for my younger kids. My eldest need at least 2 of each and black as well for a couple teachers. Grand total 6 red and 5 blue and 2 black. Wooden ruler without center holes - 1, but I could only find them in 2 count packages. Single subject notebooks wide ruled - 5 Single subject notebooks college ruled - 5 Paper pocket folders - 18 in a variety of specific colors. (these I did get really cheap and bought more then I needed for this year alone) Filler paper wide ruled - 5 packages Filler paper college ruled - 5 packages Index cards - 6+ packages (to replenish when necessary) Post-it notes - 2 100 sheet pads tabbed dividers - several sets. My youngest needed an 8 count set, but my high schooler need a 5 count set for one class, a couple 8 count sets and even a 10 count one. THAT was a headache! Thankfully we have a little mom and pop down the street that must have gotten cases of these sorts of things really cheap as they were selling 5 to 12 count packages for super cheap prices) Binders - 2 inch or larger - 2 for my eldest 1 to 1 3/4 inch - 5 total and 2 HAD to be the kind that you can customize. The slip in cover kind. Tissues - 5 boxes. - I however only bought 4 - one for each child. Ziplock baggies - 1 box gallon size Ziplock baggies - 1 box quart size Plastic pencil cases - 3 (I had these already from last year) Zip drives - 2 - but I only had to buy one since Ty still had his from last year. Calculators - one basic for 4th grader (and we already had it from last year) AND one TI 30 basic non-graphing for my eldest (which we haven't purchased yet since he has access to classroom calculators at school and we have a TI 83 plus already at home.) And this is before shoes, backpacks, and clothing. The lists are getting quite extensive nowdays and it's not just the basics anymore. AND I will go to back to school night next week for my younger 3 and the teachers will have long lists of other items that they will be asking parents to donate, like extra copy paper, construction paper, food items, whatever they would have to otherwise buy themselves. I try to be as frugal as possible - I try to reuse as much as we can. I reuse things like scissors, pencil cases, backpacks and calculators. I commend folks that can manage it so cheaply - but buying the list above - WITHOUT having to make multiple trips into town (nearest office max is 15 miles as is the nearest staples and Walmarts) with the price of gas - is imperative to me. I did it for under $60 or $70 but it wasn't easy, and I still made at least 4 trips, getting a little here and a little there over a months time. I guess it is my fault for having 4 kids tho, isn't it. [8\|] Blessings, Garsy

mapachito13 -> RE: School supplies - What really is necessary? (9/3/2008 11:27:55 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: garsyt This is the list I had to buy this year for my 4 children, a 2nd grader, a 4th grader, a 5th grader and a freshman. Crayola markers wide tip 10 count - 1 box Crayola markers fine tip 8 count - 3 boxes Crayola crayons 24 count box - 4 boxes Crayola colored pencils 12 count - 4 boxes Elmers glue - 2 bottles Elmers glue sticks - 6 small sticks and 2 large Pink pearl erasers - 6 Pencils - 108 pencils or 9 doz! Expo dry erase markers - 2 four count multi colored packages + 2 black only. Sharpies - 4 fine tip - black Plastic folders (heavy duty) - 1 each in red, green, blue, yellow, purple, orange (6 total) (I couldn't find these very cheaply ANYWHERE - and the school didn't want the cheap ones that were on sale at Office max or wherever.) Scissors - 3 pairs pointed tips (these we reused from the years before) Highlighters - One four count multi colored set and 5 yellow Pens - 4 red and 3 blue just for my younger kids. My eldest need at least 2 of each and black as well for a couple teachers. Grand total 6 red and 5 blue and 2 black. Wooden ruler without center holes - 1, but I could only find them in 2 count packages. Single subject notebooks wide ruled - 5 Single subject notebooks college ruled - 5 Paper pocket folders - 18 in a variety of specific colors. (these I did get really cheap and bought more then I needed for this year alone) Filler paper wide ruled - 5 packages Filler paper college ruled - 5 packages Index cards - 6+ packages (to replenish when necessary) Post-it notes - 2 100 sheet pads tabbed dividers - several sets. My youngest needed an 8 count set, but my high schooler need a 5 count set for one class, a couple 8 count sets and even a 10 count one. THAT was a headache! Thankfully we have a little mom and pop down the street that must have gotten cases of these sorts of things really cheap as they were selling 5 to 12 count packages for super cheap prices) Binders - 2 inch or larger - 2 for my eldest 1 to 1 3/4 inch - 5 total and 2 HAD to be the kind that you can customize. The slip in cover kind. Tissues - 5 boxes. - I however only bought 4 - one for each child. Ziplock baggies - 1 box gallon size Ziplock baggies - 1 box quart size Plastic pencil cases - 3 (I had these already from last year) Zip drives - 2 - but I only had to buy one since Ty still had his from last year. Calculators - one basic for 4th grader (and we already had it from last year) AND one TI 30 basic non-graphing for my eldest (which we haven't purchased yet since he has access to classroom calculators at school and we have a TI 83 plus already at home.) And this is before shoes, backpacks, and clothing. The lists are getting quite extensive nowdays and it's not just the basics anymore. AND I will go to back to school night next week for my younger 3 and the teachers will have long lists of other items that they will be asking parents to donate, like extra copy paper, construction paper, food items, whatever they would have to otherwise buy themselves. I try to be as frugal as possible - I try to reuse as much as we can. I reuse things like scissors, pencil cases, backpacks and calculators. I commend folks that can manage it so cheaply - but buying the list above - WITHOUT having to make multiple trips into town (nearest office max is 15 miles as is the nearest staples and Walmarts) with the price of gas - is imperative to me. I did it for under $60 or $70 but it wasn't easy, and I still made at least 4 trips, getting a little here and a little there over a months time. I guess it is my fault for having 4 kids tho, isn't it. [8\|] Blessings, Garsy Looks like all the items on my list but we have to add things like a remote mouse (?) for my wife's computer for her power point presentations and she spent some money on decorating her classroom. Plus air freshener to keep the room from smelling like the gym to make work bearable. In the public high school there are very few parents that think to give those necessary items that may not deal with curriculum (like the tissue boxes). God forbid someone gives paper or even a gift card to an office supply store. And the schools don't send out a request list (at least that's the case in my wife's district). My wife knows how to stretch the department's money but this year with massive cuts in the already tight budget she's had to be an Ebeneezer Scrooge with certain things making her very popular among the other teachers! One thing I know even if you give a box of pencils, one box of Kleenex or some other small priced item it adds up and the school then ends up with enough money that they don't have to cut somewhere. Until our government funds education fully there will always be a shortfall for our schools. It's funny how they always find enough money to fund their pork! [:'(]

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