School supplies...community pot....are you for real? *EDIT*

[Anonymous]

OK first off WOW. I didn't expect this to blow up like this. 2nd is these mothers weren't talking about not buying supplies for the community pot and supplying their own kids with their own stuff, they are talking about not buying anytihng AT ALL except a back pack. All that was asked for is crayons, pencils, glue sticks, baby wipes, tissues, handsanatizer, scissors and backpack EVERYTHING else will be provided. All folders and such. So these parents wont be buying anything for their kids and expecting parents like ME to so their kids will have the supplies they need. There are parents who can't afford the supplies and yes my childs supplies this year will be shared with them. 2 years ago if my kids were in school we wouldn't been able to afford it, yes even $30 per kid would have broken us. But we had been blessed the last 2 years and we are doing better so I understand parents who WANT to help but can't. I am not worried about my kids using "cheap" supplies when I bought the generic because the school specifically stated anything else will be sent home because they want ALL the kids to use the same stuff. Kindergarten is the ONLY grade that will be a community pot. The school also has a program where parents who can't afford the supplies puts their names on a list and someone who can help buys the supplies for that child which I am more than willing to do too. This isn't about my "wealthy" kids having to share their stuff with "poor" kids. This is about parents who don't feel the NEED to supply their kids with supplies because they don't think they NEED to. We live in a small area, the school district is small there is only 1500 students for all 3 schools so our school doesn't get the funding like bigger schools do but it's the best school district around because smaller class sizes and better teaching standards. Asking the teachers who work so hard to give our kids the best education they can to use personal money to buy even more supplies because parents dont "want" to is wrong. My tax dollars that are spent on the school are spent on keeping the school looking good and being clean, healthy lunches, good teachers, computers, play equipment, books etc. If they ask parents to help out the teachers by providing the things kids will be using through out the year I don't see a problem with that. $30 is $30 I am sure I will be spending more when they get their own stuff anyways and have to replace it through out the year. 

So I was at a play date yesterday with some moms from our neighborhood. The subject of school supplies was brought up, I have 2 kids going into kindergarten and most of the moms had at least 1 child in school or going into kindergarten too. The school supply list for kindergarten is only stuff that will go to a community pot minus the backpack. Well the moms were saying how they were NOT gonna buy anything on the list that they didn't feel the need to. Now am I the only one that feels this is wrong? I bought all the supplies on the list x2 KNOWING my kids will be using them and KNOWING that other kids who's parents can not afford it will be too. I spent $30/per kid including backpacks on the supplies so it's not like it's a huge list. And these parent's can AFFORD the supplies. We ALL are SAHM with nice houses and nice cars. I know what their husbands do for work too. So is this the norm that parents just don't buy the supplies because they don't want to?  Isn't that really selfish to not buy the supplies? And they were saying I was crazy for not only buying all the supplies but doing it for both kids....

[Anonymous]

Quoting lulu_tattoos:

That's stupid. Just buy the shit.

It really pisses me off when parents CAN and DON'T contribute to the classroom. We were at open house this week and we were the ONLY parents to bring in our supplies for the classrooms, and I have two kids in two different classrooms. These supply lists were emailed to parents and posted at the school and posted on the website two weeks ago... I'm anxious to find out what my kids teachers come up short on. And although I can't really "afford" it, I'm sure i'll end up picking up the slack from the parents who can. Because I give a shit about my kids' educations and their's as well.

oh well sucks to be you then. With the mouth on you I would spend more time worrying about you piss poor attitude. I can contribute but would refuse to do community supplies. I find it stupid of the teacher to expect parents to buy into that.

[Anonymous]

I label all my kids school supplies, and I make a point to let the teacher know that I will not supply community supplies, but will only purchase items specifically for my child to keep in their desk and use. Only one grade so far has community supplies that are necessary supplies, things like pencils and paper. Most of the other community supplies are things like dry erase markers and tissue, this I don't have a problem with. But I will not supply the entire list for the entire class to use at free will, and no teacher I've mentioned it to has ever had a problem with me not wanting items to be used by the whole class.

[Anonymous]

 There is no one forcing a teacher to reach into her own personal pocketbook and buy supplies for the classroom.  If she makes that choice, that is her choice.  She has a budget. 

And perhaps she should call the parents who DON"T supply into the school and tell them to send the supplies or their kids will do without.  Let the parents make the decision for their own children.

Quoting Kaya529:

The only person your hurting is the teacher who is the one who ends up buying all the stuff that the parents don't with their own personal money.

Quoting Anonymous:

 I don't find it to be selfish of them and I agree, you are crazy.  I have no intention of providing for the "have-nots".  They get my tax dollars so they sure as hell aren't going to get my decretionary dollars too. I send my money to people who are in REAL NEED.  Not those who choose to be losers. 

 

[Anonymous]

Quoting Anonymous:

You wouldn't like me.  Because I'd empty your child's desk every morning.  And if you continued to send a personal supply, I'd throw it in the trash.  If you didn't like it, you'd have to find your precious darling a new teacher.

Quoting Anonymous:

I refuse to do community supplies. My child would be keeping theirs in their desk. If the teacher had an issue they could fight me on it.

 

That isn't right, even though I get your point don't punish a child because the parent's are being stubborn.

[MrsRinehart2010]

 I think alot of the community pot method is because now an days there are alot of children our there whos parents who cant afford to buy them this way all children get what they need.

Quoting periwinkle163:

 I get the whole list every year, but I have to say I don't agree with the community pot method. I can see why it's easier for teachers though.

 

[Anonymous]

I forgot to mention that I teach 1st grade.  And I do not allow children to have a personal stash of supplies.  They have to share like everyone else. I've had parents put labels on their kid's shit, and I scratch it out with Sharpie markers and put in in the community pot.  I've had to tell off at least five parents in the two years I've been a teacher.  They've learned that I don't play.  Follow the rules and take your kids out of my class.  They chose to shut the hell up and their kids remained in my class.

Quoting Anonymous:

I refuse to do community supplies. My child would be keeping theirs in their desk. If the teacher had an issue they could fight me on it.

[lulu_tattoos]

I would just like to say that as a parent and a member of our society, I don't mind providing essential school supplies for your children if you cannot. I think that YOUR child's education is important, just as my child's education is.

Quoting Anonymous:

I dont have the money right now to buy anything and i still wouldnt buy for the whole class. I know what your talkin about. they did it at my kids school in WA state. and i refused to do it.

[Anonymous]

 I have no idea why they don't do it now?

In my town I just LOVE driving by the gas station that lists everyones name on their neon board of who writes bad checks!  It cracks me up!

Quoting NDADanceMom:

its not the norm but it does happen.  Parents are lucky its not back in the day when teachers would put a list out and make it public who did and did not pitch in. 

 

[Kaya529]

She was agreeing with these women who weren't going to buy supplies. So that means she isn't going to buy supplies. That means they are all at fault.

Quoting periwinkle163:

 

Quoting Kaya529:

The only person your hurting is the teacher who is the one who ends up buying all the stuff that the parents don't with their own personal money.

Quoting Anonymous:

 I don't find it to be selfish of them and I agree, you are crazy.  I have no intention of providing for the "have-nots".  They get my tax dollars so they sure as hell aren't going to get my decretionary dollars too. I send my money to people who are in REAL NEED.  Not those who choose to be losers. 

 How is that her fault though and not the parents that don't send in any supplies?

[Anonymous]

Quoting Anonymous:

no you would find a new position when you lost your job. You would lose your job here too as they would refuse to put up with your pettiness. I have seen teachers fired for less.