School supply lists....a parents point of view
Teachers need items that the children may not be using. I find that valid and a reasonable request because the school districts do not provide enough of these items and teachers should not have to buy so much stuff out of pocket. (I say "so much" because we all have to buy stuff for work. Not everything will always be provided). That's not to say teachers should spend hundreds per year. Don't go to there because I spend plenty of money just to have what I need for work. $20 on personal favorites is reasonable, as well as asking parents to chip in a little. After all its our kids they're teaching. I believe teachers aren't paid enough or appreciated enough. I believe teachers ask for some weird things, but I also know they have a good reason I may not know about. If your method works then great. But to get through the stress of fulfilling all the requests I may make a sarcastic joke or two. I still appreciate the teachers.
Now I understand kids break things and go through a lot I supplies. I do take my job as a parent seriously and am trying to teach my children to respect their stuff. And I do take responsibility for managing their use of such items. I can't do so if I send tons of supplies and can't see how my child's using it. When she needs more crayons I'd like to know so I can discuss this with her. But not all parents do this so teachers are trying to adapt. Got it. We'll work together.
Teachers please understand that us parents are also worried about costs and putting food on the table while giving you what you need to teach our children. Ultimately even if we complain we will get what's on the list. Do you complain when you're waiting in the drive thru? I've worked fast food and trust me it's comparable. You're complaining when someone's doing their best to give you what you want. We are all guilty of this. Please use this opportunity to educate us parents. And a lot of the jokes are funny and very warranted. But I've tried to get understanding as well as make some jokes and mostly lend my support yet I've been catching crap. So for last time here it is. This is how I see school supply lists and I'm sure many parents agree. Those that don't want to provide, I'm sorry teachers have to deal with that. And I do often buy extra and make donations. It's just those donations are getting harder to make when I have to buy so much each year. Thank you. And please be nice on this post. At least to me. I'm trying here.
Quoting momto3bs:
I do completely agree about the brands too though and I dont follow that either. I get what I can from dollar tree and what I cant is cheapest I can find. I can guarantee that crayola crayons vs cheapos arent gonna matter when my 5 yr old gets ahold of them cuz he is my bull in a china shop and gentle and easy are not on his radar lol.
Quoting Kris_PBG:
Many, if not most, teachers are parents too though...
Quoting KairisMama:
Yup. I have a DD with a school supply list, and I too have to put food on my table. My DDS list is LONG, some parents would probably flip. Lol I will provide every item on it though. As a parent I know school starts every August and I know to budget aside for school supplies.Quoting Kris_PBG:
Many, if not most, teachers are parents too though...
I haven't read the replies here so I assume I'm going to repeat things that have already been said. But I want to clarify because I post on this topic pretty often.
As a teacher and a parent I understand that the cost of school supplies can be a burden. I complain about many of the costs related to raising my child. But I know it's my responsibility. I might balk at the price, but it would never occur to me not to buy what my child needs. When parents can't afford items that are asked for or need more time send them that's not an issue at all.
The issue I do have is with parents choosing not send supplies because they don't feel the requested item is going to be used in a specific way or because they believe someone else should be providing the items. I have never come across a parent of one of my students with this attitude. So every year when CM seems to be over run by mothers who pick and choose what they will send based on their assumptions about what their children will need it is very bothersome.
If all of my students parents decided it wasn't their job to provide dry erase markers and Clorox wipes that would turn into a huge personal expense for me. So when I see a couple dozen moms saying they do just that I imagine how difficult it must be those teachers if that way thinking is common to the area. I can't imagine how I could manage without the support of my student's parents.
Great reply. I don't understand why people have such a hard time paying $30 or so for supplies that their child will use for 9 months. You would think they are being asked to pay it monthly or something.
My friends were room moms last year. They would ask for $2 from parents to go to holiday parties. Very few sent anything in. My friends paid out of pocket.
Quoting maxswolfsuit:
I haven't read the replies here so I assume I'm going to repeat things that have already been said. But I want to clarify because I post on this topic pretty often.
As a teacher and a parent I understand that the cost of school supplies can be a burden. I complain about many of the costs related to raising my child. But I know it's my responsibility. I might balk at the price, but it would never occur to me not to buy what my child needs. When parents can't afford items that are asked for or need more time send them that's not an issue at all.
The issue I do have is with parents choosing not send supplies because they don't feel the requested item is going to be used in a specific way or because they believe someone else should be providing the items. I have never come across a parent of one of my students with this attitude. So every year when CM seems to be over run by mothers who pick and choose what they will send based on their assumptions about what their children will need it is very bothersome.
If all of my students parents decided it wasn't their job to provide dry erase markers and Clorox wipes that would turn into a huge personal expense for me. So when I see a couple dozen moms saying they do just that I imagine how difficult it must be those teachers if that way thinking is common to the area. I can't imagine how I could manage without the support of my student's parents.
The thing is, if my kids weren't in school, I would have these basic supplies at home to do art projects, work etc. When they were pre-school age I was always buing things to keep them busy at home. When they are in school all day, they aren't using those supplies at home. I teach 10th grade and I bought my own glue sticks for the few little things we do througout the year and those get used up fast. The kids (even teenagers) press too hard on them, don't close the caps properly, etc. so they don' tend to last too long. Also, when my son entered 4th grade the supply list said dry erase markers. They weren't used by the teacher for her white board. The kids kept them in their own pencil boxes and used them for special assignments where they were each using mini white boards at their desks. I'm probably going to do something similar with my students this year so I will be requesting that they bring white board markers for class. Using individual white boards is s great way for teachers to check for understanding all at once.
Quoting maxswolfsuit:I haven't read the replies here so I assume I'm going to repeat things that have already been said. But I want to clarify because I post on this topic pretty often.
As a teacher and a parent I understand that the cost of school supplies can be a burden. I complain about many of the costs related to raising my child. But I know it's my responsibility. I might balk at the price, but it would never occur to me not to buy what my child needs. When parents can't afford items that are asked for or need more time send them that's not an issue at all.
The issue I do have is with parents choosing not send supplies because they don't feel the requested item is going to be used in a specific way or because they believe someone else should be providing the items. I have never come across a parent of one of my students with this attitude. So every year when CM seems to be over run by mothers who pick and choose what they will send based on their assumptions about what their children will need it is very bothersome.
If all of my students parents decided it wasn't their job to provide dry erase markers and Clorox wipes that would turn into a huge personal expense for me. So when I see a couple dozen moms saying they do just that I imagine how difficult it must be those teachers if that way thinking is common to the area. I can't imagine how I could manage without the support of my student's parents.
I spent 40 bucks on my dd's public school supplies for kindergarten.
Last year, I had to pay an $180 yearly supply fee and $670 a month for all day preschool.
Public school or private preschool; my property taxes remain the same.
I thought paying $40 bucks for school supplies and $270 a month for before/after care was a bargain! I even bought the two reams of copy paper the school (not the teacher) asked for, along with the plastic baggies. I am not sure what the bags are for, but I am sure there is a reason!
Quoting Tara922c:I spent 40 bucks on my dd's public school supplies for kindergarten.
Last year, I had to pay an $180 yearly supply fee and $670 a month for all day preschool.
Public school or private preschool; my property taxes remain the same.
I thought paying $40 bucks for school supplies and $270 a month for before/after care was a bargain! I even bought the two reams of copy paper the school (not the teacher) asked for, along with the plastic baggies. I am not sure what the bags are for, but I am sure there is a reason!
Quoting melisawoosley:
I feel for teachers I really do. My dh is a mechanic and to get his job, as a matter of fact to get his degree, he had to by 10,000 worth of tools. He doesn't get customers to buy them for him. They are directly out of our pocket and he makes little money also. I do NOT enjoy being told I cannot buy Dixon pencils that they must be Ticonderoga pencils. I don't mind to buy what's on the school supply list but why can't I buy great value disinfectanT wipes why is lysol or Clorox necessary? I understand Elmer's and crayola for the reason of them working good, but for that reason only. This is my opinion
Most schools include the preferred brand on the school list. My dd's school asked for Dixon pencils. I am pretty sure there are not too many teachers out there that would turn their noses up to Wal-Mart brand disinfecting wipes. Crayolas are better, but Roseart is better than nothing!
I understand that your dh had to pay 10,000 for tools to graduate, but teachers have to pay for their degrees' too. My degree was well over 20K in tuition alone. Children are not the teacher's customers. Your dh has the tools to do his trade, but I am sure he still charges the customer for the parts he needs.
Protein in the lunch box?
- 3babiesofmyown
on Jul. 21, 2012 at 12:02 PM