School supply lists: The bane of parents....

Don't buy what you don't want to buy. Education to children that are residents of the state of Alabama between the ages of 7 - 16 is to be provided free of charge.

I see the lists as suggestions and anything I buy as a donation. So far I have never had a teacher challenge me on this. I find it absurd that a teacher would have the nerve to ask 30 kids to bring 2 boxes (10 count) of red pens. Who are going to be using those 600 red pens? If the teacher needs 3 pens per day for every day of the school year, then I'd like to know what she's doing with them. These "lists" have gotten way out of hand.

PS: my mom is a teacher. Her 5th graders are required to have the following for her class (science): Paper and Pencil. If they don't have paper, they can bring a brown paper bag. If they don't have a pencil, they can use a crayon. She has been a teacher for 30 years and finds these lists just as insane as I do.

Dog, I have a daughter in school and we've had this discussion on a different forum. My daughter's list did not cost that much. I don't remember what all was on the list but many items were under 1.00 and even under .50. The teachers end up spending alot of money out of their own pocket. I know you said you've been a teacher but I know they spend over the small amount the are given from the state. Most all schools have these same type lists - in all states - it's just part of life. The only options are to chalk it up or home school them. I think you would spend alot more home schooling. I don't mind spending that much each year and I'm not made of money either. The red ink pens are normally used for STUDENTS to grade their papers in class so they do use them. If there happens to be left overs from previous years (kleenex and things) then I just say "keep it as a donation". It will be used at some point. I'm sure that if someone absolutely can not afford the items such as kleenex, hand soap nothing will be said. Yes, those of us who buy may buy for other's but what is 25.00 per year? Not enough to gripe over. Lighten up - life is too short to worry about every little thing. Right? (Don't tell me you are going to disagree when we've agreed on 2 things in the past week!!! Oh, yea, your daugher could have saved her scissors from last year! I make mine re-use her pair each year.

LMAO! I've never 'required' a student to write on a brown paper bag, but I have provided a roll of toilet paper to a high school student that habitually showed up without proper materials.


Inquisitive: I know..LOL She'll be using the same scissors, leftover glue sticks, colored pencils, etc...from years past. It's just that THE LIST seems to have taken on a 'life of its own'.

Normally, however, I kept a 'stash' of notebook paper, usually retrieved from the floor, students' desks at the end of class, or lockers at the end of the school year, and passed it out among students as needed. I did the same thing with regards to pencils and pens. If it was left on my floor at the end of class, it was 'mine'.

I cant see all the dry erase stuff its expensive and not every kid could need it. I can remember them asking for kleenex when I was in shcool.

Teachers spend ALOT out of their own pockets!!! Student's purchasing dry erase markers..big deal. Let's see...don't students go to the board to write down homework math problems, conjugate verbs, diagram sentences, fill in blanks in the sentences teachers put on the board. And this was stuff I did a million years ago. I KNOW at the high school level teachers purchase class copies of all the novels they require the students to read as a class. What do we think that cost...around a $150 if you are lucky!

I think some people take advantage of this idea of "free education" When is the last time anyone was asked to buy a $70 science text for their child? $50 Grammar,$25 Workbook, etc????

I can't imagine that teachers know what they are doing (sarcasm intended!) I know many teachers that will spend up to $300 out of pocket every year to supplement his/her classroom stipend.

In my old school, I reularly 'raided' the LOCKED 'supply cabinet' in the school's office to get dry erase markers, ink pens, staples, etc. Whenever I had the key, I took ANYthing that I might have needed in the forseeable future. This was IN ADDITION to the 'supplies' I purchased 'out of pocket' for class projects, art activities, videos, software, computer diskettes (the school's store charged kids $1/each), etc. The IRS finally recognizes that teachers spend A LOT 'out of pocket', but only 'allow' a flat $250 deduction.

Why cant the teachers just fill out an expense report for these supplys that they purchase? I dont think they should have to spend squat on supplys. It would be different if they made 100K like they should.

There is one important factor no one has mentioned here. I am really sure that if we have an issue with spending a small amount of money on school supplies, the State of Alabama would love to raise our property tax's to cover that amount. Our aunt lives in Michigan and she says that they do not have anything to purchase for supplies, however that is because of their 8K property tax bill yearly covers that. Yea that is 8k on a house that is worth about 90k here. I have three children in school and I will gladly pay this small amount of money to insure that my children are educated in the manner in which I want, and my tax bill is never 8K.

It sure isn't like it used to be. When I was in the 5th grade. I could ride my bike home for lunch. Be back before the regular lunch was over..The school supplied everything....I can see this now...as a child this sort of thing wasn't important...but..I Have a 17 year old..this is her senior year....and for some reason...I cant figure out....and if someone has any input...I would like to hear it...She clamis her body is made different from other girls...something about her hips are designed wrong..lol...and she can only get pants from American Eagle...places like that...the ones that are $ 50.00 a pair...Now...you wouldnt think she would be trying to bam boozle dad out of a few extra bucks for some fancy clothes do you?...Just a thought...I know a teenager wouldnt think like that...no way...lol...but...atleast..no pens and kleen x....Just gas for that New Malibu I said I wasnt going to buy..lol....I think I would be better off with the pens...What do yall think?...The Roofer...

well aren't we all impressed

quote:

Originally posted by Roofing Addic:
It sure isn't like it used to be. When I was in the 5th grade. I could ride my bike home for lunch. Be back before the regular lunch was over..The school supplied everything....I can see this now...as a child this sort of thing wasn't important...but..I Have a 17 year old..this is her senior year....and for some reason...I cant figure out....and if someone has any input...I would like to hear it...She clamis her body is made different from other girls...something about her hips are designed wrong..lol...and she can only get pants from American Eagle...places like that...the ones that are $ 50.00 a pair...Now...you wouldnt think she would be trying to bam boozle dad out of a few extra bucks for some fancy clothes do you?...Just a thought...I know a teenager wouldnt think like that...no way...lol...but...atleast..no pens and kleen x....Just gas for that New Malibu I said I wasnt going to buy..lol....I think I would be better off with the pens...What do yall think?...The Roofer...

I think I have your daughter's twin living under my roof......

I wholeheartedly agree that teachers spend far more for their classroom than most realize. (ie bulletin board items, copies, disinfectants, etc.) In addition, how many times have your elementary school kids come home telling you about that awesome aquarium that they have in their classroom. (or some other cool display) Theses things are great learning tools for children, and they aren't cheap, let alone free.
When we buy supplies for my granddaughter, I usually get 3 boxes of kleenex, rather than two, or a package of some other item, rather than three individual items. The reason is twofold. Most of the time it is just as cheap (maybe a few pennies more) to buy the value pack of 3 boxes of kleenex versus 2 individual boxes. They same is true of the other items. And...I realize that there are those that simply do not have the money to buy these items. Maybe this little extra will help make up for those. I have never known a teacher ( and I know many) that has not given a student any item that they had to have to complete an assignment. Those items had to come from somewhere...usually out of the teachers pocket. Also, noteworthy, this community generously supports Tools for Schools, a project that collects donated school supplies for those who cannot afford to buy them. It is there for a purpose. If you cannot afford to buy your child's supplies, then look into this program.

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In my old school, I reularly 'raided' the LOCKED 'supply cabinet' in the school's office to get dry erase markers, ink pens, staples, etc. Whenever I had the key, I took ANYthing that I might have needed in the forseeable future. This was IN ADDITION to the 'supplies' I purchased 'out of pocket' for class projects, art activities, videos, software, computer diskettes (the school's store charged kids $1/each), etc. The IRS finally recognizes that teachers spend A LOT 'out of pocket', but only 'allow' a flat $250 deduction.

I am a little bothered by this statement ( confession) I don't know why you had the keys from time to time, but I assume that the supply closet was locked for a reason. If you had the key for a reason, say, to get a particular item, from the closet and took other items while you had the access, that just seems a bit less than honest. It is not a good example to be set by a teacher, no less.

Bothered? Jeez..... THAT is part of what is 'wrong' with this country: EVERY little thing 'bothers' everyone. It was said 'tongue in cheek'. Any teacher would have understood what I meant.

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Originally posted by dogsoldier0513:

quote:

Originally posted by Roofing Addic:
It sure isn't like it used to be. When I was in the 5th grade. I could ride my bike home for lunch. Be back before the regular lunch was over..The school supplied everything....I can see this now...as a child this sort of thing wasn't important...but..I Have a 17 year old..this is her senior year....and for some reason...I cant figure out....and if someone has any input...I would like to hear it...She clamis her body is made different from other girls...something about her hips are designed wrong..lol...and she can only get pants from American Eagle...places like that...the ones that are $ 50.00 a pair...Now...you wouldnt think she would be trying to bam boozle dad out of a few extra bucks for some fancy clothes do you?...Just a thought...I know a teenager wouldnt think like that...no way...lol...but...atleast..no pens and kleen x....Just gas for that New Malibu I said I wasnt going to buy..lol....I think I would be better off with the pens...What do yall think?...The Roofer...

I think I have your daughter's twin living under my roof......

...O please...Dont tell me there's two of em running around...High maintence I tell ya...

quote:

Originally posted by smurph:
well aren't we all impressed

.....What sort of remark is that???....