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justme4u
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 575 total posts
Name:
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School Supplies
I got my school supply lists for my two kids today in the mail. I thought i would have a heart attack! Are they kidding me or what?????? My 5th graders list is horrific! I can guess it's going to cost about 85 bucks at least for his. What do we pay all these taxes for?
Does anyone else have this problem or is it just my district? It seems like every year the list gets longer and longer and they ask for the silliest things like tennis balls so the chairs don't squeak?  I'm really getting fed up with all they ask for, between school supplies and the money they ask for every other day when the kids come home from school. ( I know that's not the teachers doing, but come on) I need a job just for the school money all year!
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Posted 8/22/08 7:19 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
strongisland
All you need is love
Member since 8/07 2474 total posts
Name:
T
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Re: School Supplies
taxes go towards stuff like gas, oil, electricity, salaries, textbooks, new desks, chairs, nurse supplies, etc.(Just to name a few things!) as well as class supplies too (like what u r buying for your kid)...but i guess those supplies aren't enough from the school for the entire year!
just think your $85 is in addition to the out of pocket school supplies that the teachers buy too! education is expensive!! but important! check out staples--they usually have great sales and target too!
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| Posted 8/22/08 7:46 PM |
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Jacksmommy
My love muffin!
Member since 1/07 5819 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: School Supplies
while school supplies are necessary tennis balls for the chairs are not. I would refuse to buy that and Im a teacher. Who cares if there are a few squeaks!
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| Posted 8/22/08 8:08 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: School Supplies
school taxes go to pay for extra administration positions that are not needed (just like the post the other day on the home board about N. Bellmore)
I agree - it IS rediculous!
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| Posted 8/22/08 8:10 PM |
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apb17
My guys
Member since 5/06 2173 total posts
Name:
Alli
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Re: School Supplies
I just paid $60 for my first grader's supplies!
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| Posted 8/22/08 8:19 PM |
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justme4u
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 575 total posts
Name:
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Re: School Supplies
I don't know.. the chairs are rickety, an my son has come home every single year with the same school supplies i sent him in with, with his name written on every single thing. I jsut can't get over that the school can't supply paper, tissues and pencls and crayons? The other stuff I understand, but they don't seeem to supply a THING besides textbooks and a desk and chair. The teachers usually ask around January for another 50 pencils per student. I never had to bring in my own pencils. I kepot one in my looseleaf, but i never had to bring in 50 or more twice per year?
I'm all for my children getting the proper education, i just think it would be fair of the teachers to cut down on the supply lists a bit, and make it easier for parents.
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| Posted 8/22/08 8:30 PM |
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sunnygirl
loving life
Member since 1/07 5413 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: School Supplies
i have two thoughts on this - i am a teacher by the way
one if your child goes to public school and you are not paying tuition, i don't think its that big a deal to buy your kids basics - some notebooks and a couple of folders go to staples you can get great deals,
and a box of tissues or paper towels ONCE not a four times a year is not that bad either kids go through tissues like its water and its a huge expense for a teacher if he/she were to buy them all
However i do think some of these lists are getting ridiculous and out of control, tennis balls so the chairs don't squeak, come on,
pack of 50 pencils, crazy, each kid can supply their own for themselves, the teacher can get a pack for kids that forget or the kid can borrow
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| Posted 8/22/08 10:36 PM |
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hazeleyes33
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 13060 total posts
Name:
Ginger
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Re: School Supplies
I buy the supplies through the school. Not sure of the exact name but I get 99% of the things they need.
This year I have 2 in school. I got the supplies, backpacks, lunch bags for both (5th and K) and it cost me $94.
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| Posted 8/22/08 10:58 PM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: School Supplies
if schools supplied those items your taxes would go up. and then people would complain more. staples and office max have great sales throughout the summer. you probably could have gotten things much cheaper with some creative shopping.
$85 worth of supplies spread out over 10 months is $8.50 a month. i don't think that's too excessive. you may need to do some creative shopping or not buy name brands. i know walgreens had most of their school supplies for 9 cents (yes cents!!!) a few weeks ago so i stocked up for my classroom. kids need supplies and supplies cost money. districts want teachers to make their classrooms student oriented, and that doesn't mean kids are sitting copying notes anymore--they are doing a lot of hands on things and you need supplies for that.
teachers are always spending their own money on supplies. it's amazing how fast supplies go.
and with pencils...once the erasers fall off and the pencils get small they are useless, especially for little kids. they shouldn't be writing with small pencils or their grip will not be correct. you'd be amazed at how fast 25 kids can go through pencils! we have communal supplies in my classroom and the kids know to keep 2 pencils in their desk at all times. those pencils are always getting broken, lost, etc. and the minute one kid puts it in his mouth it gets thrown out.
when i create my supply list for my class i only put necessary items on it. parents don't always realize why we ask for certain items. i don't ask for things to stock my home with--i ask for them because your child will be using them throughout the year. things like paper towels and wipes aren't supplied by the school but they help keep your child's classroom clean and safe. if there is a spill, it can take 15 minutes for a custodian to come. it's dangerous to have a spill on the floor so we clean it up ourselves. same with wipes--my students wipe down their desks almost every day to help keep germs at bay and keep things clean. the custodians don't clean the tops of the desks--if we don't do it, no one will and there will be germs galore.
regarding tennis balls--i invite anyone who wants to to come to my classroom to see why they are a fabulous thing to have. there is NO NOISE when kids are moving their seats and/or desks. do you know how helpful that is when other kids are concentrating or i have a student with attending difficulties? they DON'T have to be new balls---take 3 old balls from the tennis courts. they are just as good since we cut them open anyway. they are a godsend in the classroom.
and by the end of the year little or no supplies are left---that should tell you just how necessary the items are and how well used they were!
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| Posted 8/23/08 9:12 AM |
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Re: School Supplies
Posted by browneyedgirl
if schools supplied those items your taxes would go up. and then people would complain more. staples and office max have great sales throughout the summer. you probably could have gotten things much cheaper with some creative shopping.
$85 worth of supplies spread out over 10 months is $8.50 a month. i don't think that's too excessive. you may need to do some creative shopping or not buy name brands. i know walgreens had most of their school supplies for 9 cents (yes cents!!!) a few weeks ago so i stocked up for my classroom. kids need supplies and supplies cost money. districts want teachers to make their classrooms student oriented, and that doesn't mean kids are sitting copying notes anymore--they are doing a lot of hands on things and you need supplies for that.
teachers are always spending their own money on supplies. it's amazing how fast supplies go.
and with pencils...once the erasers fall off and the pencils get small they are useless, especially for little kids. they shouldn't be writing with small pencils or their grip will not be correct. you'd be amazed at how fast 25 kids can go through pencils! we have communal supplies in my classroom and the kids know to keep 2 pencils in their desk at all times. those pencils are always getting broken, lost, etc. and the minute one kid puts it in his mouth it gets thrown out.
when i create my supply list for my class i only put necessary items on it. parents don't always realize why we ask for certain items. i don't ask for things to stock my home with--i ask for them because your child will be using them throughout the year. things like paper towels and wipes aren't supplied by the school but they help keep your child's classroom clean and safe. if there is a spill, it can take 15 minutes for a custodian to come. it's dangerous to have a spill on the floor so we clean it up ourselves. same with wipes--my students wipe down their desks almost every day to help keep germs at bay and keep things clean. the custodians don't clean the tops of the desks--if we don't do it, no one will and there will be germs galore.
regarding tennis balls--i invite anyone who wants to to come to my classroom to see why they are a fabulous thing to have. there is NO NOISE when kids are moving their seats and/or desks. do you know how helpful that is when other kids are concentrating or i have a student with attending difficulties? they DON'T have to be new balls---take 3 old balls from the tennis courts. they are just as good since we cut them open anyway. they are a godsend in the classroom.
and by the end of the year little or no supplies are left---that should tell you just how necessary the items are and how well used they were!
Very well said! 
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| Posted 8/23/08 9:17 AM |
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beautyq115
New Year!
Member since 5/05 13729 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: School Supplies
Posted by LaPetiteSirène
Posted by browneyedgirl
if schools supplied those items your taxes would go up. and then people would complain more. staples and office max have great sales throughout the summer. you probably could have gotten things much cheaper with some creative shopping.
$85 worth of supplies spread out over 10 months is $8.50 a month. i don't think that's too excessive. you may need to do some creative shopping or not buy name brands. i know walgreens had most of their school supplies for 9 cents (yes cents!!!) a few weeks ago so i stocked up for my classroom. kids need supplies and supplies cost money. districts want teachers to make their classrooms student oriented, and that doesn't mean kids are sitting copying notes anymore--they are doing a lot of hands on things and you need supplies for that.
teachers are always spending their own money on supplies. it's amazing how fast supplies go.
and with pencils...once the erasers fall off and the pencils get small they are useless, especially for little kids. they shouldn't be writing with small pencils or their grip will not be correct. you'd be amazed at how fast 25 kids can go through pencils! we have communal supplies in my classroom and the kids know to keep 2 pencils in their desk at all times. those pencils are always getting broken, lost, etc. and the minute one kid puts it in his mouth it gets thrown out.
when i create my supply list for my class i only put necessary items on it. parents don't always realize why we ask for certain items. i don't ask for things to stock my home with--i ask for them because your child will be using them throughout the year. things like paper towels and wipes aren't supplied by the school but they help keep your child's classroom clean and safe. if there is a spill, it can take 15 minutes for a custodian to come. it's dangerous to have a spill on the floor so we clean it up ourselves. same with wipes--my students wipe down their desks almost every day to help keep germs at bay and keep things clean. the custodians don't clean the tops of the desks--if we don't do it, no one will and there will be germs galore.
regarding tennis balls--i invite anyone who wants to to come to my classroom to see why they are a fabulous thing to have. there is NO NOISE when kids are moving their seats and/or desks. do you know how helpful that is when other kids are concentrating or i have a student with attending difficulties? they DON'T have to be new balls---take 3 old balls from the tennis courts. they are just as good since we cut them open anyway. they are a godsend in the classroom.
and by the end of the year little or no supplies are left---that should tell you just how necessary the items are and how well used they were!
Very well said!
I agree
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| Posted 8/23/08 11:20 AM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: School Supplies
I think browneyedgirl is right. $8.50 a month is not a big deal. I work for a private agency and I cannot tell you how much money I spend out of my own pocket for supplies that could easily be picked up in a 99 cent store for my students. What is even worse is that the kids actually EXPECT that I will buy things for them as if I am their parents.
Oh and the pencils DO disappear - I actually had a student who swallowed the metal part of a pencil, developed a horrible digestive issue because it got lodged in his esophagus and eventually wound up needed a colonoscopy.
Message edited 8/23/2008 11:33:54 AM.
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| Posted 8/23/08 11:29 AM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: School Supplies
Posted by browneyedgirl
etd for space
I completely agree. Nothing bothers me more than a teacher reaching into her pocket for school supplies for my child. It's one reason I buy some extra supplies for the classroom. My work doesn't make me pay for post-it notes, my computer, my pads. I don't know why teachers should be any different.
As for taxes, they're paying for the roads, hospitals, parks I use. School taxes are for the maintenance of an old building, the fields they play on, etc.
Message edited 8/23/2008 12:10:48 PM.
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| Posted 8/23/08 12:09 PM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: School Supplies
Posted by browneyedgirl
things like paper towels and wipes aren't supplied by the school but they help keep your child's classroom clean and safe. if there is a spill, it can take 15 minutes for a custodian to come. it's dangerous to have a spill on the floor so we clean it up ourselves. same with wipes--my students wipe down their desks almost every day to help keep germs at bay and keep things clean. the custodians don't clean the tops of the desks--if we don't do it, no one will and there will be germs galore.
My fave fact from Clorox's educational program:
"There are more than 300 times the amount of germs on the top of a student's desk than there are on a toilet seat."
That alone would explain why I got sick multiple times this year. And yes, I bought my own wipes because I could not afford to take off extra days battling colds while I was PG.
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| Posted 8/23/08 12:15 PM |
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cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: School Supplies
I also completely agree w/browneyedgirl. I am also a teacher & we do take into consideration how much parents are spending and we do try to keep the list as short as possible but everything she said is so true. I feel that the wipes, paper towels, tissues, LOTS of pencils, etc. really are a must. I teach 1st grade & it is mazing how fast these things go. They do typically last the whole year so like she said when you break it down by month, it's not bad.
It is also true that with such a hands on approach to teaching, we do need a lot of supplies. We barely use text books these days.
As far as the tennis balls, I don't think it should be mandatory, (although they do work great) for things like that, I like to put out a "wish list" of things we'd love to have but they are strictly voluntary. Most of the time there are parents that are more than willing to donate things to our classroom.
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| Posted 8/23/08 1:01 PM |
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KarenG2003
My BIG man and my little man!
Member since 4/08 1684 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: School Supplies
Posted by browneyedgirl
if schools supplied those items your taxes would go up. and then people would complain more. staples and office max have great sales throughout the summer. you probably could have gotten things much cheaper with some creative shopping.
$85 worth of supplies spread out over 10 months is $8.50 a month. i don't think that's too excessive. you may need to do some creative shopping or not buy name brands. i know walgreens had most of their school supplies for 9 cents (yes cents!!!) a few weeks ago so i stocked up for my classroom. kids need supplies and supplies cost money. districts want teachers to make their classrooms student oriented, and that doesn't mean kids are sitting copying notes anymore--they are doing a lot of hands on things and you need supplies for that.
teachers are always spending their own money on supplies. it's amazing how fast supplies go.
and with pencils...once the erasers fall off and the pencils get small they are useless, especially for little kids. they shouldn't be writing with small pencils or their grip will not be correct. you'd be amazed at how fast 25 kids can go through pencils! we have communal supplies in my classroom and the kids know to keep 2 pencils in their desk at all times. those pencils are always getting broken, lost, etc. and the minute one kid puts it in his mouth it gets thrown out.
when i create my supply list for my class i only put necessary items on it. parents don't always realize why we ask for certain items. i don't ask for things to stock my home with--i ask for them because your child will be using them throughout the year. things like paper towels and wipes aren't supplied by the school but they help keep your child's classroom clean and safe. if there is a spill, it can take 15 minutes for a custodian to come. it's dangerous to have a spill on the floor so we clean it up ourselves. same with wipes--my students wipe down their desks almost every day to help keep germs at bay and keep things clean. the custodians don't clean the tops of the desks--if we don't do it, no one will and there will be germs galore.
regarding tennis balls--i invite anyone who wants to to come to my classroom to see why they are a fabulous thing to have. there is NO NOISE when kids are moving their seats and/or desks. do you know how helpful that is when other kids are concentrating or i have a student with attending difficulties? they DON'T have to be new balls---take 3 old balls from the tennis courts. they are just as good since we cut them open anyway. they are a godsend in the classroom.
and by the end of the year little or no supplies are left---that should tell you just how necessary the items are and how well used they were!
ITA! Very well put! Thank you! 
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| Posted 8/23/08 1:05 PM |
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Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: School Supplies
I have no kids, I was just reading to pass the time and excuse my ignorance...but what do you do with the tennis balls to fix the chairs??
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| Posted 8/23/08 1:29 PM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: School Supplies
Posted by Babe49
I have no kids, I was just reading to pass the time and excuse my ignorance...but what do you do with the tennis balls to fix the chairs??
The floors in most schools are industrial tile. The chairs are generally old and squeaky. Some people put the tennis balls on the bottom of the chair legs to avoid the horrid sound of chairs scraping on tiles - similarly to the way people who use walkers do.
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| Posted 8/23/08 1:37 PM |
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Babe49
M...
Member since 4/08 1880 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: School Supplies
Posted by Goldi0218
Posted by Babe49
I have no kids, I was just reading to pass the time and excuse my ignorance...but what do you do with the tennis balls to fix the chairs??
The floors in most schools are industrial tile. The chairs are generally old and squeaky. Some people put the tennis balls on the bottom of the chair legs to avoid the horrid sound of chairs scraping on tiles - similarly to the way people who use walkers do.
Thanks! I really had no clue!!
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| Posted 8/23/08 1:39 PM |
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justme4u
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 575 total posts
Name:
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Re: School Supplies
Wow! That's a total deal!
I just got back from staples and target, they were both out of a lot of stuff already. I couldn't have gone any earlier since I didn't get the letter until Friday.
I'm almost done, believe it or not i got some good deals at the local drug store!
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| Posted 8/23/08 1:58 PM |
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justme4u
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 575 total posts
Name:
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Re: School Supplies
I agree, I would never expect my childs teacher to pay for my childs school supplies. I expect with the school tax money that I and other people like me pay, to be able to cover more than what they cover. The teachers here explicitly ask for name brand items. I would love to buy no name brand but it has to be a specific brand as per the teacher. As for tennis balls , I've bought them year after year and they were never opened, the old ones were used. I wound up just finding a pack of 4 in the dollar bins at target 
It's just frustrating for me as I'm on a fixed income. My childrens education is my # 1 priority and i was in no way insinuating that the teachers are taking the supplies for themsleves or their home. I'm sorry if it came off that way.
I'm going to check out Walmart tomorrow.
Anyone have any hot tips for large glue sticks that don't cost an arm and a leg?
They were 3.00 per glue stick at the store before and I need 10!!!!
TIA
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| Posted 8/23/08 2:04 PM |
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OffWithHerHead23
Keep passing the open windows
Member since 10/06 3627 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: School Supplies
Posted by justme4u
Anyone have any hot tips for large glue sticks that don't cost an arm and a leg?
They were 3.00 per glue stick at the store before and I need 10!!!!
TIA
Buy the store brand. Staples, Target, etc all have store brand of glue, usually in 6-packs, for like $3. Good luck!
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| Posted 8/23/08 3:11 PM |
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Arieschick29
aries+cancer= pisces&gemini
Member since 3/06 4268 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: School Supplies
I am also a teacher and agree with many of the above teacher posters... I work in a VERY low income district and I do not get many of my students coming in with even a backpack!!
I think the price of school supplies related to WHAT parents are buying/ kids are asking for.
Obviously the $3.99 Hannah Montana folder is going to add up quicker than the 9 cent folders on sale at Staples.
To save $ but still help teachers with supplies, it takes planning and sale savvy.
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| Posted 8/23/08 3:11 PM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: School Supplies
Posted by justme4u
I agree, I would never expect my childs teacher to pay for my childs school supplies. I expect with the school tax money that I and other people like me pay, to be able to cover more than what they cover. The teachers here explicitly ask for name brand items. I would love to buy no name brand but it has to be a specific brand as per the teacher. As for tennis balls , I've bought them year after year and they were never opened, the old ones were used. I wound up just finding a pack of 4 in the dollar bins at target
It's just frustrating for me as I'm on a fixed income. My childrens education is my # 1 priority and i was in no way insinuating that the teachers are taking the supplies for themsleves or their home. I'm sorry if it came off that way.
I'm going to check out Walmart tomorrow.
Anyone have any hot tips for large glue sticks that don't cost an arm and a leg?
They were 3.00 per glue stick at the store before and I need 10!!!!
TIA
when i said that i don't take items home, i wasn't insinuating that you said that. sorry if you took it that way. it was just a statement to show how the items really are used, they're not being thrown out or taken home for my family. 
some name brands truly are better than others. especially for marble notebooks! the MEAD ones are the best--the binding on the cheap ones falls apart so fast. so it's worth it to spend $2 on a notebook than buy the $1 ones several times a year. same goes with markers--the cheap ones don't last while the crayola ones will last almost the whole year. fiskar scissors are also superior than the cheap ones. so you get a better deal with the name brands. the children get so frustrated when their supplies fall apart or don't last.
absolutely right about the tennis balls--they shouldn't be mandatory. they should be a wish list or donation item. but you'd be amazed at the wonder that they do for the classroom and the sanity of the students and teachers! are you sure the new ones you bought weren't used? i know that i reuse some old ones and replace the ones that are really gross. so i don't use all of the new ones at the beginning of the year--but as the year goes on i replace them one by one. by the end of the year i've pretty much replaced most if not all of them. and if there are any left over, i save them for the next year--they never go to waste!
walmart may not have the deals anymore--check the circular. that's where the coupons were for the 9 cent items.
check out the teacher board--the teachers have been going crazy driving from store to store to stock up on supplies for our class. there are so many students that don't bring any supplies and we don't want them to go without.
also, for any parents on a fixed or low income--please check with your principal. many schools have a fund to help you out with supplies. no one would know about it and you would get excellent supplies for your child at little or no cost. i know my school helps out families that can't afford certain items. no one, not even the teacher, would know unless you told them. it's a great service to the community!
teachers care so much about their students and their education. we all want the best for them, as the parent does!
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| Posted 8/23/08 3:33 PM |
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MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22136 total posts
Name:
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Re: School Supplies
I agree with what previous teachers have said, as well as some parents. However, I see your point, as a parent, too. I see parents with 4 kids in the school and they spend a fortune~ Add new backpacks and clothes, sneakers, hair cuts, wow!!!! So I try to keep my list light.
I try to keep my list easy, and then at the bottom, I have a list of donations that would be appreciated. They are not mandatory, but if anyone has extra baby wipes, tissues, paper towels or soap laying around, it helps. Think about it like this. A box of tissues is about $1.00, right? In my class of 1st graders, we go through about 4 boxes a month. The kids take a tissue, wipe, toss, take another. At $4 a month, times 10 months is $40 for teachers to supply. As a teacher, I'd rather spend that money on books and I tell my parents that. They understand.
We have started to give out supply lists in the June report card so that parents CAN take advantage of the sales through the summer. 9cent folders, 1.00 notebooks, they are great!!!
I just want to say one more thing. Teachers get a small stipend. Believe me when I say small. NYC teachers are getting $150 this year. I personally have bought extra notebooks since last year, I gave out 6 to kids who didn't have extras and needed a new one. Know what we get from our schools? Maybe a new eraser. So that stipend DOES NOT go far! Any help we can get is truly appreciated!!!!!!
Finally, I do understand where you are coming from. Next year, sign up for Staples emails and every monday, hit up Staples for their sales. Target has great sales. CVS has some sales.
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| Posted 8/23/08 3:53 PM |
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