Re: School Supplies

I wish I had my list

Damien starts kindergarten and I just got a generic list from the principal. It said his teacher would send a bigger list out in August. I am afraid their will be nothing left when I finally get it.

Re: School Supplies

I work in a district where many parents can't afford to spend even half of the amounts that some of you have mentioned. I think if you can afford it, and your kids use it (which TRUST ME, they do), try to get what you can. If you can't afford it, then that is another thing. I always supply what the kids can't get and yes, it is money out of my own pocket, not the schools.

Re: School Supplies

I guess I'm lucky bc we didn't have a huge list although he's only going into 1st grade. On the "wish list" they said tennis balls and I was wondering what they were for.

Re: School Supplies

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!

Your're right about name brands. My childs teacher wanted a mead 5 subject notebook and i got it, instead of the target brand for 2 dollars less. She's asking for so many things though, in addition to the regular standard supply list for his grade. She wants him to have some kind of electronic spelling thingy, i forgot what it's called and i dont have the list in front of me. She says it's optional but of course, i know how parents are , and im sure my son will be the only one without it so I'm going to have to get it if i can find it. I have to re-read the list to see what it's called. The glue sticks cannot be standard, they have to be the LARGE ones, which i cannot find anywhere.
I'm going to check out the teacher boards now. Thank you for the info and welcome back to school. I admire all of the teachers out there. They have taught my kids so much more than i ever thought possible. My son comes home and tells me things and he REMEMBERS them for years to come. all thanks to excellent teaching...

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

Re: School Supplies

Posted by ladybug8

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

This week, in addition to the free folders, erasers, and pencil sharpeners, Staples has 4 glue sticks for 25 cents. (Staples' brand)

Re: School Supplies

Posted by VirginiaDeb

Posted by ladybug8

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

This week, in addition to the free folders, erasers, and pencil sharpeners, Staples has 4 glue sticks for 25 cents. (Staples' brand)

Okay, so I know that they're way cheap, but Staples' glue sticks are TERRIBLE! I bought them last year and the papers never stayed glued unless you used about 1/2 the glue stick on every paper. I got packages of elmer's at target for like $3.99. So worth it to not have the kid's papers all over my floor!

Re: School Supplies

Re: School Supplies

I am a teacher and I do ask for a lot of things but everything is used. I know some teachers whose lists are ridiculous so I understand parents frustration.

I ask for marble notebooks but dont ask for a particular brand although Mead is the best. I ask for markers but dont ask for a specific brand although Crayola is the best made.

I also ask for a box of tissues and baby wipes for the year. We do go through it all especially the baby wipes. you have to see how dirty the desks get!!

I also spend a lot of my own money for my students every year, escpecially the beginning-I buy each of the kids cubbies to store all of their supplies. I don't have to but it is my choice.
Right now I am up to $250.

Re: School Supplies

Posted by kdelace

I am a teacher and I do ask for a lot of things but everything is used. I know some teachers whose lists are ridiculous so I understand parents frustration.

I ask for marble notebooks but dont ask for a particular brand although Mead is the best. I ask for markers but dont ask for a specific brand although Crayola is the best made.

I also ask for a box of tissues and baby wipes for the year. We do go through it all especially the baby wipes. you have to see how dirty the desks get!!

I also spend a lot of my own money for my students every year, escpecially the beginning-I buy each of the kids cubbies to store all of their supplies. I don't have to but it is my choice.
Right now I am up to $250.

Re: School Supplies

Posted by Summerrluvv

Posted by kdelace

I am a teacher and I do ask for a lot of things but everything is used. I know some teachers whose lists are ridiculous so I understand parents frustration.

I ask for marble notebooks but dont ask for a particular brand although Mead is the best. I ask for markers but dont ask for a specific brand although Crayola is the best made.

I also ask for a box of tissues and baby wipes for the year. We do go through it all especially the baby wipes. you have to see how dirty the desks get!!

I also spend a lot of my own money for my students every year, escpecially the beginning-I buy each of the kids cubbies to store all of their supplies. I don't have to but it is my choice.
Right now I am up to $250.

What's wrong with good ol' soap and water to wipe the desks?


Baby wipes are quick and easy and not messy. they wipe their desks, I don't. Soap and water and 8 year olds= a messy disaster. I'll stick to baby wipes thanks.

Re: School Supplies

I know tennis balls were used on chairs in my school where there were hearing impaired children being mainstreamed in. However, the school supplied them, not the teachers or parents.

Re: School Supplies

Posted by kdelace

Posted by Summerrluvv

Posted by kdelace

I am a teacher and I do ask for a lot of things but everything is used. I know some teachers whose lists are ridiculous so I understand parents frustration.

I ask for marble notebooks but dont ask for a particular brand although Mead is the best. I ask for markers but dont ask for a specific brand although Crayola is the best made.

I also ask for a box of tissues and baby wipes for the year. We do go through it all especially the baby wipes. you have to see how dirty the desks get!!

I also spend a lot of my own money for my students every year, escpecially the beginning-I buy each of the kids cubbies to store all of their supplies. I don't have to but it is my choice.
Right now I am up to $250.

What's wrong with good ol' soap and water to wipe the desks?


Baby wipes are quick and easy and not messy. they wipe their desks, I don't. Soap and water and 8 year olds= a messy disaster. I'll stick to baby wipes thanks.

Im sorry....Im a teacher, and I dont think I would ask the parents for wipes to clean the desks. I clean my own desks, by MY choice, and bring my own cleaning supplies.

Re: School Supplies

Re: School Supplies

Roseart supplies are AWFUL IMO. Crayola are like .5 more and much better. A lot of the "novelty" pencils have AWFUL erasers too. If the child makes a mistake the erasers smudge so bad. I buy the "good" supplies, but they are still dirt cheap IMO.

Re: School Supplies

Yeah, coloring with Rose Art crayons is like coloring with candles!

Re: School Supplies

Re: School Supplies

Posted by kdelace

Posted by Summerrluvv

Posted by kdelace

I am a teacher and I do ask for a lot of things but everything is used. I know some teachers whose lists are ridiculous so I understand parents frustration.

I ask for marble notebooks but dont ask for a particular brand although Mead is the best. I ask for markers but dont ask for a specific brand although Crayola is the best made.

I also ask for a box of tissues and baby wipes for the year. We do go through it all especially the baby wipes. you have to see how dirty the desks get!!

I also spend a lot of my own money for my students every year, escpecially the beginning-I buy each of the kids cubbies to store all of their supplies. I don't have to but it is my choice.
Right now I am up to $250.

What's wrong with good ol' soap and water to wipe the desks?


Baby wipes are quick and easy and not messy. they wipe their desks, I don't. Soap and water and 8 year olds= a messy disaster. I'll stick to baby wipes thanks.

Message edited 8/24/2008 12:32:23 PM.

Re: School Supplies

Baby wipes don't kill germs though Lysol wipes on the otherhand do

Re: School Supplies

Posted by Summerrluvv

Baby wipes don't kill germs though Lysol wipes on the otherhand do

Re: School Supplies

Posted by Diane

Posted by kdelace

Posted by Summerrluvv

Posted by kdelace

I am a teacher and I do ask for a lot of things but everything is used. I know some teachers whose lists are ridiculous so I understand parents frustration.

I ask for marble notebooks but dont ask for a particular brand although Mead is the best. I ask for markers but dont ask for a specific brand although Crayola is the best made.

I also ask for a box of tissues and baby wipes for the year. We do go through it all especially the baby wipes. you have to see how dirty the desks get!!

I also spend a lot of my own money for my students every year, escpecially the beginning-I buy each of the kids cubbies to store all of their supplies. I don't have to but it is my choice.
Right now I am up to $250.

What's wrong with good ol' soap and water to wipe the desks?


Baby wipes are quick and easy and not messy. they wipe their desks, I don't. Soap and water and 8 year olds= a messy disaster. I'll stick to baby wipes thanks.

Im sorry....Im a teacher, and I dont think I would ask the parents for wipes to clean the desks. I clean my own desks, by MY choice, and bring my own cleaning supplies.

Well, I do and so do many other teachers in my school. None of the parents have ever complained as I explain to them why we use them. They actually welcome the fact them I am using them. I spend enough money as it is in the classroom, I don't need to spend extra on cleaning supplies...

Message edited 8/24/2008 4:46:22 PM.

Re: School Supplies

Posted by browneyedgirl

Posted by kdelace

Posted by Summerrluvv

Posted by kdelace

I am a teacher and I do ask for a lot of things but everything is used. I know some teachers whose lists are ridiculous so I understand parents frustration.

I ask for marble notebooks but dont ask for a particular brand although Mead is the best. I ask for markers but dont ask for a specific brand although Crayola is the best made.

I also ask for a box of tissues and baby wipes for the year. We do go through it all especially the baby wipes. you have to see how dirty the desks get!!

I also spend a lot of my own money for my students every year, escpecially the beginning-I buy each of the kids cubbies to store all of their supplies. I don't have to but it is my choice.
Right now I am up to $250.

What's wrong with good ol' soap and water to wipe the desks?


Baby wipes are quick and easy and not messy. they wipe their desks, I don't. Soap and water and 8 year olds= a messy disaster. I'll stick to baby wipes thanks.

totally agree! soap and water with my kids would create a mess and a safety hazard. plus waiting while they all grab a paper towel, wet it, put soap on it and then wring it out and then have to rinse off the desk would take a ridiculous amount of time. a 99cent box of wipes does the job much better. and we only get like one roll of paper towels like every other week....we have to supply the rest and believe me, kids make messes that need to be cleaned up!

i don't have time to clean the desks down every day--the kids do it. they each grab a wipe and clean their desks and chairs. we also clean down the computer keyboards and other germy surfaces. many of my parents send in BOXES of wipes for me since they're so happy i'm trying to keep their child's room as clean as possible. it's easy, clean and effective. as a parent, i know things that i will be sending DS's teachers as "gifts" every so often...wipes, etc are so greatly appreciated by teachers.

Re: School Supplies

Posted by kdelace

Posted by browneyedgirl

Posted by kdelace

Posted by Summerrluvv

Posted by kdelace

I am a teacher and I do ask for a lot of things but everything is used. I know some teachers whose lists are ridiculous so I understand parents frustration.

I ask for marble notebooks but dont ask for a particular brand although Mead is the best. I ask for markers but dont ask for a specific brand although Crayola is the best made.

I also ask for a box of tissues and baby wipes for the year. We do go through it all especially the baby wipes. you have to see how dirty the desks get!!

I also spend a lot of my own money for my students every year, escpecially the beginning-I buy each of the kids cubbies to store all of their supplies. I don't have to but it is my choice.
Right now I am up to $250.

What's wrong with good ol' soap and water to wipe the desks?


Baby wipes are quick and easy and not messy. they wipe their desks, I don't. Soap and water and 8 year olds= a messy disaster. I'll stick to baby wipes thanks.

totally agree! soap and water with my kids would create a mess and a safety hazard. plus waiting while they all grab a paper towel, wet it, put soap on it and then wring it out and then have to rinse off the desk would take a ridiculous amount of time. a 99cent box of wipes does the job much better. and we only get like one roll of paper towels like every other week....we have to supply the rest and believe me, kids make messes that need to be cleaned up!

i don't have time to clean the desks down every day--the kids do it. they each grab a wipe and clean their desks and chairs. we also clean down the computer keyboards and other germy surfaces. many of my parents send in BOXES of wipes for me since they're so happy i'm trying to keep their child's room as clean as possible. it's easy, clean and effective. as a parent, i know things that i will be sending DS's teachers as "gifts" every so often...wipes, etc are so greatly appreciated by teachers.

thank you! I couldn't have said it better myself!!

Message edited 8/24/2008 4:54:26 PM.

Re: School Supplies

As many prevous teachers have posted on this thread, as much as it really does stink, teachers do get very little as far as supplies go. Yes, I usually get construction paper, a pack or two of staples, tape and paperclips, maybe 24 pencis, but that might last the first day as far as pencils go.

In my first 3 years teaching I probably spent abou $1500/year on supplies. Now, after teaching for 8 years, I probably spend more like $300. There are just so many things that we need for our classrooms that the schools don't provide.

I don't necessarily think that tennis balls would need to be replaced every year, with every class. I think once you set it all u you can probably use them for a few years. Also if you go to places that have tennis courts (like local parks) you can sometimes get disgarded balls there.

However, my DD will be in school this year, and I will be planning on seding in extra tissues/papertowels/wipes periodically, maybe 3 times a year, because I know how quickly teachers go through those things. Also antibactrial soap.

To help counter the costs I'd say stock up all throughout the summer on things you know you'll need to get, like glue, pencils, folders, marble notebooks. Stapes, office max, target all hae GREAT sales, 10 folders for $1.00, stuff like that. Stay away from fancy stuff, plain colored folders and notebooks are actually prefered by most teachers I think, and they are less expensive then say, Hannah Montana folders

Enjoy the school year!

Re: School Supplies

Posted by MrsERod
SORRY, but if my kid came home and told me her teacher made her clean her desk, i'd march right down to the school and read that teacher the riot act!!!












TEACHERS ROCK!!!!!