Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

To answer the question of why teachers hoard supplies, let me tell you why I do it...

In the beginning of the school year everyone is excited and in "back to school" mode and most parents will send in all supplies as requested. Kids go through a ridiculous amount of stuff in a short time ( pencils and glue sticks being the things to go quickest) and before you know it, youre out of supplies.

You send a note home requesting supplies in, say, November. People are now long past the excitement of back to school season and most will either disregard or lose your note. A small portion of parents will send in the requested supplies, most will not.

It's now January. You're out of supplies again. You send home another note. The same 5 parents send in the requested supplies. The rest again lose or completely disregard the note.

This goes on until June, with the same parents replenishing the supplies and the same slackers assuming someone else will do it.

That's why I and lots of other teachers hoard supplies in September. Those of you who say you will send them in periodically are those few parents I mentioned.

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

Thats just it though, send me a list of of what MY kid needs. Each parent can be responsible for THEIR child. I will happily send in the supplies MY child needs but I am not supplying everyone else's kid.

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

Posted by PatsBrat

Posted by 2BadSoSad

Thats just it though, send me a list of of what MY kid needs. Each parent can be responsible for THEIR child. I will happily send in the supplies MY child needs but I am not supplying everyone else's kid.

We do... In September!

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

Posted by InShock

Posted by PatsBrat

Posted by 2BadSoSad

Thats just it though, send me a list of of what MY kid needs. Each parent can be responsible for THEIR child. I will happily send in the supplies MY child needs but I am not supplying everyone else's kid.

We do... In September!

Exactly!

I don't understand 2BadSoSad's poor attitude. If you were asked to send in 25 marble notebooks, then yes, you'd be supplying the whole class. But you're not, you're asked for 1 or 2, for YOUR child. And I also hope you tell your child not to use the box of tissues that the class uses, since he has his own small packet.

Message edited 8/8/2013 9:18:24 PM.

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

As a parent I completely understand what is being said here - last year my son came home with requests for money or things to be purchased every week. They asked us to restock books in the classroom, board games, and gym stuff. I come from a "wealthy" district. The budget gets passed and they still ask for these items. In addition to school supplies. I was asked for tissues, baby wipes, and glue sticks on a rotating schedule basically every three weeks. That is obscene. I donated some of the things they requested, but it really felt wrong that they asked. And you know what, they did almost no art. Art consisted of crayons and paper. There was no macaroni, no tissue paper, no clay, no beads, no wood working, not even painting. I found it so incredibly sad. I did things like art and science projects with my children at home, but it makes me incredibly sad that none of the "fun" activities happen in school anymore. I would have gladly come in to do art with the kids but was repeatedly told no. So when teachers ask for a hoarders supply and wonder why parents get upset about it, this is why. I am happy to supply for my kid and even throw in an extra or five, but I should not have to support every other kid and that is what it has come down to. [edited to say: no left over supplies were returned. I had to beg to get my son's personalized pencil holder back at the end of the year. ]

Message edited 8/8/2013 10:36:22 PM.

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

I was also class mom and every kid in the class brought in the requested supplies. So to say that some parents don't - might happen in some school districts - but not all and yet they still ask for a hoarders supply of glue. When they don't have art anymore, where is that glue going?

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

I got everything on DS's Kindy supply list, but it was reasonable. Crayons, notebook, scissors, glue sticks. I'm thinking that is all we will be asked for and that's fine. But the district should be supplying all the paper products, dry erase / chalk board supplies etc. a PP said she spent 130.00 on supplies, that is way too much to expect from parents IMO. And teachers should never have to pay out of pocket, that is so wrong.

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

So far (DD is only going into 2nd), I've sent everything. I don't think anything that's been requested has been unreasonable, other than 36 sharpened pencils. Glue sticks, they've only asked for 3, LOL. I will not hesitate to send more later in the year if requested. If they were asking for 12 glue sticks, yes, I'd resist sending more. I also send the tissues and baby wipes b/c I know they will be used by the class, including my DD. I do take issue with the ziplock bags, as I have yet to see anything come home in them. But, I will send them, as I figure they are used to keep unfinished projects together while in school.

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

I work in a wealthy district, and we only ask for supplies once a year (beginning of the school year). I didn't realize that other schools were asking for things constantly. I agree that that's not cool. That said - I don't understand NOT sending in a box of tissues or baby wipes, if that's on the beginning of the year list.

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

School supplies.....would you ever not send in the

My list wasn't so bad but she's only in Kinder this year. Still there was a crazy number of glue sticks. Considering I went from having her in a Montessori school with a $200 total annual Supply fee, its really not all that bad. I figure I was paying taxes AND tuition for a few years now I'm just paying taxes and a much smaller 'tuition' for aftercare so it puts me ahead.

Then I hear my buddy in Cali says she just made her payment of $1,000!!! for her daughter to enter High School. Their school has no library and every child is given a library card instead. If her daughter joins any extra activities or clubs there is a cost for those as well. Might as well be college! And its a public school! I mean I'm fairly sure in High School no one is sharing glue sticks LOL

ETA: oh and she tells me there's no income waiver either. You MUST pay the $1000 fee. harsh

Message edited 8/9/2013 12:01:55 PM.

School supplies.....would you ever not send in the

DD was in Cathlic school last year for nursery school. The supply list included 16 rolls of paper towels and 3 re-fill bags of wipes. I thought that was nuts- where do they keep it all? I sent in everything. They asked for more and more throughout the year.

ETA: this year she will be in public school for Pre-K. i haven't gotten the list, yet.

Message edited 8/9/2013 3:42:19 PM.

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

Wow that is ridiculous. We have never been asked for supplies like that. The PTA does have a list but the total cost was about what I would have spent anyway depending on the school and grade it seems to run between $30-50 (some older grade include calculators etc) and it comes with all name brands. It saves me from going out and when added up it was less than I spent last year on my own. Last year I only had to send in like 4 glue sticks no where near the numbers requested. I think only 12 pencils too. Teacher even said name brands were not necessary. The biggest expense last year was a dozen fine point dry erase markers that were no or low oder...could only find at staples for a lot.

We were asked several times to send in tissues bc the kidswere going through them but I think total was 3 boxes all year.

I would not be happy if I had to send in tons of supplies all year long BUT it benefits my child and I don't think the teachers should have to supply my child from their salary.

As far as special crafts...the parents do a few projects overthe year and the volunteer pick the craft and supply what is needed.

I stand corrected. I did the box (haven't opened it yet) so I did not stress or pay attention to what was in it. I just went and looked at the 1st grade list from last year and it does say 36 pencils and 20 glue sticks. But everything else was like a single folder, 2 boxes of crayons etc. Very reasonable supplies.

Message edited 8/9/2013 4:08:44 PM.

School supplies.....would you ever not send in the

I send in everything plus.
They are in school for so many hours...I want Clorox wipes being used and Kleenex for runny noses accessible.
I live in NC...teachers are ranked #46 here as far as salary goes.
I do not want any of their money going towards educating my kid.

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

Last year I was asked to send in 8 boxes of tissues. I really don't mind it but with a class of 24, where the heck does one store a 192 boxes of tissues?

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

I am actually envious of all of you who are asked to send in tissues. We are not allowed any tissues except one brand that has been district approved in regard to allergies and sensitivities. They are paper thin, rough and come 30 to a box. And we are supposed to do everything in our power to use only 1 box per month. Same with wipes.

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

I send in everything on the list. And I'm one of the moms who replenishes throughout the year. At my son's request I now write his name on everything, including pencils.

Re: School supplies.....would you ever not send in the "class" supplies?

If you don't send it in either your child will go without certain things or your teacher will end up spending her own money and purchasing that stuff.

I work in nyc and end up buying quite a few extras bc parents dont always send in everything needed