A light-hearted look at the insanity of buying school supplies...

I just returned from Staples, Target, and Walgreens trying to locate a PARTICULAR composition notebook with graph paper.

I'll have a better chance of finding Osama Bin Laden, at least today!

The school supplies kids need nowadays has turned into a massive MISSION IMPOSSIBLE treasure hunt.

I know it's in the past, BUT, when I was going to school you basically needed some notebook paper, a three ring binder, some pens/pencils, a couple composition books, a ruler, and depending on the grade some graph paper.

The teachers didn't care what brand, kind, color, etc.

Now, it seems, every school/teacher has their own unique specs for EVERY minute item they say is absolutely required, and in alot of cases, for a grade.

Is it me, or does anyone else feel the PAIN?

 

Yesterday there were about 4 moms including myself looking for index cards. There were none! And I snagged the last pack of highlighters! Yah me!

 

I'm not feeling anybody's pain but my own. I sent 2 to college last week so lets talk about books and school supplies. :lol:
Ramen noodles are coming in handy this week. lol So glad payday is Friday!

 

I'm not even going here--LOL. I am sending my kids w/ what we've got. Yes, I'm sending them w/ the stacks of spiral notebooks we have and NOT the stupid composition notebooks these teachers have decided to ask for this year b/c they like them better...urghh. I'm not goign out to buy 21 new composition notebooks when I have perfectly brand new sprial notebooks. No wipes, no sanitizer, no paper towels and definitely no copy paper for the office. I will send my kids w/ the supplies they NEED not the supplies or wish lists they want.

We went to school and survived years ago w/ using those brown paper towels when we were younger. Remember those folks? And yes, when we were younger, we either carried our own pack of tissues around or we used those awful brown paper towels in the bathrooms. And yes, we survived! Okay, I'm off the soapbox. Oh wait you need permission to use soap nowadays!---LOL. I signed numerous permission slips at orientation to use sanitizer and wipes. I should have said no b/c then I'd be excused from bringing the things in--LOL. What is wrong w/ soap and water folks? And really, we have not been put on that severe of water restrictions yet. So I dont' think that is going to fly as an excuse this year. I don't mind buying supplies but I have two kids w/ a FULL page supply list. And then the other kids here as well. That's nuts. We spent $800 last year on 5 kids and did not even get everything on the lists. My mom helped us out last year. She can't do that this year and don't expect her to. Now, what are they going to do about the kids who can't bring this stuff in. I will send in what I can but frankly I'm tapped out. And the first night we're hit w/ all the "fees" for this particuliar reader or that. Okay, vented enough about supplies. I feel bad as it is that I can't get my kids new bookbags every year. We're sewing the one kid's backpack so he can use it this year. Fustrating. I do try to buy in advance. Hence, why I have about 50 notebooks from Target last year that I was planning to use this year. Nope, they want composition instead. I just wish the lists were a little more reasonable. My husband was so excited at open house b/c one of my daughter's list had about 5 things on it. He said there, that's the was it's supposed to be. About to applaud the teacher, etc. I said, look it says in addition to the other supplie list given out. All hope gone.

Good luck on the supply list hunt.

STephanie--mom to 7

 

Did you ask why the particular item?

Kent,

As the class room dad for my wife's classroom, I enjoyed the laugh your post gave me. I hear similar things every year from parents who feel that their child's academic well being is measured against the "list". Not true! LOL

Chance are that there was an orientation this past week for your child. If you attended, that would have been the perfect time to clarify the need for item A composition book over item B composition book. And, chances are that the need for most of the items on the list is NOT immediate, so instead of having to run around to several different stores seeking 3 packs of 64 mm index cards with blue ink made of indigo nut juice, the store in town will probably restock those items.

As the non teaching half of this union, I can tell you that not every student's family can afford to buy all those items. Bring what you can, and feel good about that. Some items are requested in numbers less than a pack of them cost, example 10 #2 pencils, when they may sell 24 to a pack. Most parents buy the 24 pack, and this will make up for the shortages.

When all is said and done, if C6's class needs something that parents didn't bring, it'll find its way to the class. I figure we "donate" so much more than the IRS allows. We are grateful to the PTAs this year for giving some gift cards for classroom purchases. Your joining the PTA helps them to do that. Your active membership can make the difference between a good school and a great one.

And, given a choice between your bringing in the items on that list, and reading with your child every night and helping with homework, I'll gladly spot the kids the items on the list of you do the homework part.

Here's wishing for a successful school year for the kids. Lord knows our future depends on their success.

 

Wow! Things have sure changed a lot since I was in grade & middle school. The public school provided everything for academic needs.

Parents did have to provide nice school clothes - dresses/skirts for girls and nice slacks/shirts for boys - jeans and sneakers not allowed. I remember feeling self-conscious in middle school because my family could not afford the nice school clothes that the "cool" kids had. But at least I had all the important study supplies provided.

 

Yesterday my son was telling me that he needed 5 yes 5 2 inch binders. Well guess what? I found a whole mess load of 1 1/2 inch binders and 1 2 inch binder. So he has 4- 1 1/2 binders and 1- 1 1/2 inch binder. So sue me!

 

All: funny responses!!

Like I said, lighthearted on my side. Besides, 95% of the school buying list fell upon my bride, so I'm coming out light just looking for a few books. Whew!

Tangerine: I am starting to notice a trend. My daughter's getting more expensive each year! Can't wait to see what college tuition is by the time she's ready.

We're already praying for a scholarship!

Stephanie: I sure do remember those brown paper towels.

I also remember the WAX PAPER they called toilet paper!!! Aye! Aye! Aye!

Hatteras6: 10-4 on taking time to read with your child and spend time going over their homework assignments.

I've taken over most of that role and when it's 12 am and I've just gotten off duty after a hard shift, it's tough sometimes to concentrate on some of the work she's completed, but I have a responsibility I cherish.

 

Why does my child need to bring 2 packs of dry erase markers to school...Yes it is on the list...

 

FWIW Kent

Kent,
FWIW, I've been meaning to tell you thanks. What you do is vital. I know that my family is safer because of the dedication of our family members standing their watch on that thin line. Not sure if they still call it the thin "blue" line, as it used to be that all LEOs wore blue, however the sentiment is the same.
Carl

 

It's on my son's also. I found one pack for $12 yesterday said forget it. Why do they need so many? Why does each student have to bring ' em in? Why is it I have the box for the index cards but not the index cards?

Is it close to be the last day of school yet?

 

I remember when my daughter was in elementary school...where a few parents buy all the supplies for the other kids as well as their own.

I bought everything on the list, only to find that everything we bought was put in a "public" box. For instance, scissors. My daughter came home 2 weeks after school and said she needed scissors. I asked her what happened to the ones that we bought from the list at the start of school. She said they all go into a box for everyone. When the teacher says "get scissors"...all the kids run for the box and the slowest ones don't get scissors because there aren't enough for everyone. Didn't matter who bought them. Same happened with notebook paper. I'd buy her a pack and a week later, she would need more. She said the teacher said they had to put all their supplies in the public box...that students couldn't have their own supplies.

Sorry to be selfish, but I raised hell. I contacted the teacher and explained I was a single parent and I couldn't afford to buy supplies for anyone else's children. I told her my daughter would keep her scissors, colored pencils, etc in her own pencil pack in her bookbag, and her own paper in her binder.

The teacher copped an attitude, but I didn't care. I'm wasn't about to spend a fortune each year buying school supplies for other parent's children, while those same children walked around school in $120.00 tennis shoes and $150.00 sports name jackets. My daughter wore tennis shoes and jackets from Target...and that's why I was able to buy her supplies. I expect nothing less from other parents.

 

I feel the pain of all the parents. However, keep in mind how much money teachers spend out of their own pockets to supply quality learning activities for your children. I know this summer alone I have spent over $200. I supply notebooks, binders, etc. for all children who cannot afford them and also end up buying wipes, paper towels, and tissues when we run out. I'm not complaining, I just know that everyone must do their part in order to educate children. If we didn't have soft paper towels and tissues parents would be complaining that their children had raw noses and hands. We're living in a different world than we used to, and everyone is "sue" happy! Many of these supplies may seem unnecessary, but speaking from experience they make the classroom a more organized and happy place!

 

Why isn't the school system paying for this?

What's next? A roll of toilet paper each month? Each family will need to buy a box of light poles for the overhead lights? Or maybe, we'll each need to bring a can of paint for the walls?

This is ludicrous. The school system should be supplying soap, paper towels, white-board markers for the teacher to use, etc. Parents should not be supplying hand sanitizer, paper towels and writing tools for the teachers. And the teachers shouldn't be paying for this either.

 

Appreciate those kind remarks.

10-4 on LEO's using the phrase "thin blue line"

 

OH! OH!!!! PLEASE tell me what this is!!! I see these stickers on autos all the time and I don't know what it is ... I know what Kent does so I'm guessing a memorial type thing to honor the fallen ... (don't know what LEO is either)

Lost. :?

 

Mag, there with ya baby! When I was in school it was buy the paper, a Trapper Keeper if you wanted one, and pencils. Calculators were optional. We learned math the old fashioned way.

JC should spend more of the money on the classrooms. I know the schools need improvement and new schools/teachers are needed, but allot some for the actual student too.

The school can buy in bulk and get a great deal. Try a budget of just $10/kid and see how much it helps. There are families who can barely keep up with their growing children's clothes much less buying 10 (yes TEN) red pens for class (WTF is that about?).


Frogger

 

I believe its Law Enforcement Officer, and at some point I think police officers used them on their own personal vehicles, as an identification amongst themselves should they get stopped. But then everyone found out what they were, and now every Tom, Dick & Harry thinks if they've got one it'll keep them from getting pulled over.

 

I was looking at my neighbors daughters school supply list for CMS, unreal... that's all I can say. Tennis Balls were on the list.... I asked why... they're for the chairs... they cut them and slip them over the bottom of the chair leg so that the chairs don't scuff the floors. Do What? What happened to custodians?? I remember the custodians used to keep the floors in my schools very clean...and in one school we had carpet in the classrooms. :?

 

My two girls and I went Friday. I waited until then, because orientation wasn't until Thursday. We got all their supplies and two book bags...$200.00. Book bags were $50 of that and supplies were $150.00.

For some of you that is asking why you need two of the same thing, etc. When I went to my daughters 8th grade orientation, I asked the teacher that question and she pointed out to me on the list that some of things could be taken from block to block to save money...did you ask the teacher during orientation?