Spinoff to buying school supplies...

How do you feel about the fact that you spend tons of money on school supplies, yet there are many non-tax paying residents that walk in the first day of school and get a free backpack full of everything that they need.

I have 4 children so imagine what my school supply bill is like. We're talking about $400-$500 after all is said and done. As an example, I am very resentful that some of the 10 tennis balls and wipes that I am sending in are also for kids other than my own, because I know as a fact not everyone is bringing them in. I am not rich - I cannot support other residents of the community.

I worked last year in one elementary schools in my school district. In this particular school, about 17 out of 22 kids in my class were free or reduced lunch but would come in with anywhere from $3-$5 for the snack cart.

Please do not lambash me for putting this out there. I just get very aggravated because my husband and I work hard to meet the needs of supporting 4 children and I feel very taken advantage of from the schools sometimes.

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I don't have children so maybe I will feel differently but... If a child's parents don't have money why should they be neglected with school supplies? They still should get an education and need certains supplies for that.

I think when you have children you should understand they cost money and you will be sending them to school and will have to pay for things.

I think the tennis balls are a little nutso (we never had them growing up we just dealt with it) I know lots of places are running sales on school supplies even the supermarkets.

If you feel some of the things on the list are silly then talk to the teacher. We never had wipes I wasn't an overly sick child. Maybe let your children keep the wipes in the back pack. Tell the teacher you really don't have the money so would it be ok if you DC used them and then put them back in their backpack.

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honestly, I would rather spend hundreds on school supplies than be in a position that my child would have to be given supplies by the state (or a teacher) b/c I couldn't afford it.

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I wouldn't have a problem with a little charitible giving to help out those who need help that were legal residents of the county, but in reading some of these posts the lists do seem excessive. 50 pencils per child? That's probably in the neighborhood of 2 pencils per week! We used to have a pencil box or zipper bag and held onto our pencils! I don't have children in the schools, but if I were a parent I think I'd prefer to see a list that gave what was required for the class - paper, notebook, pencils, glue, etc. and a list of appreciated donations to the classroom, ie: paper towels, wipes, tennis balls, exta pencils, paper, etc.

I'm also thinking that if the tennis balls are that big a deal it seems like it would be a great charitible idea for Sport Authority or Modells to have a barrel near the door for used tennis balls to be donated to the local schools - good for recycling and it would keep the non-tennis playing parents from having to purchase tennis balls.

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Message edited 8/24/2008 3:19:36 PM.

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I think this is going to turn into KellyFG's post all over again....

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I am a teacher in NYC and buy extra supplies because there usually are many students who cannot afford to buy the supplies. I never refuse supplies to a child but do find it odd when they have designer clothes, a cell phone etc and I get a note telling me that they could not afford school supplies.

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every year, my dad's church collects backpacks full of school supplies, and hands them out to those children who are less fortunate whose parents can't afford to buy the necessary supplies. it has NOTHING to do with not paying taxes.


etrer

Message edited 8/24/2008 5:06:41 PM.

Re: Spinoff to buying school supplies...

I know what you mean- as a teacher, I see this all the time. Of course, it's not the kids fault, but it's definitely happening. My students that are on free/reduced lunch often show up with cell phones, Nikes, expensive jeans and talk about their playstations etc.

I don't really know what to make of it...it's disheartening. I don't know what some parents think they are teaching their kids by raising them this way.

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I also work for NYC as a teacher.

In my heart and mind, I am thankful that I am educated. Everyone deserves that chance- that is why I -as a teacher- supply my students with anything they do not have. I have bought students winter coats, books, shoes, and book bags.

Some people grew up differently and were not taught the importance of certain things. In someone's mind it might be better to have the newest cell phone but not 2 marble notebooks.

It is a matter of culture, beliefs, and experiences.

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I do agree with the OP, although in my school district we are among the lower incomes (because I am a NYC teacher ) but I will definitely cut back in order to make sure my kids have everything they need. My children always bring in things for various drives the school does (mittens, canned foods) because honestly, there will always be someone less fortunate than you and I think that it's important for them to understand that.

However, as a school teacher I see many students who are waaaaaaay better dressed than most with their brand new Sidekicks, etc... yet cannot pay $12 for a calculator OR even bring in basic supplies. They get full-fare metro cards, free lunch AND the newest air force ones when they come out.

I think it does really revolve around priorities. I would give out BJs on the street if it meant my kids would have everything they NEEDED. But there is a difference between wants and needs.

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i totally agree with you. there are children on free/reduced lunch that have their own cell phones in 1st and 2nd grade! it's ludicrous but if their parents have the proper documentation, there's nothing schools can do about it.

i don't know why you think your supplies are going to other kids. i've never seen that happen and i've been teaching for 8 years. i'm sure it does happen, but the 10 tennis balls are for YOUR CHILD's desk and chair (4 on each). they are not being given out to others.

what we do do is have communal supplies. second graders cannot hold onto their own pencils for anything--so we have a communal box and they can take from there. i collect almost everything at the beginning of the year and give it out as needed. so they may not get "their" pencils, but they learn about sharing and community responsibility.

i also make a list of who didn't bring in supplies. i check it off as they bring it in.

think how the teachers feel who have to get supplies for many of their students. we don't get reimbursed for that! and the supplies we collect are used by everyone. it's a lot better than having "mine" and "yours." that creates a disaster.

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Message edited 8/24/2008 7:54:33 PM.

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I don't have any issue with my tax dollars paying for it. There are always going to be people who take advantage of the system. While it bothers me, I think there are probably more people who aren't taking advantage. The last thing I would want is my child's classmate to be the one without the necessity to learn or have to worry about money.

My roommate from college grew up extremely poor. The lengths she went to hide her situation are heartbreaking to me. While I want my kids to grow up with an understanding of money, I don't want them to worry about it. I don't want any child to have to worry about where his next meal is coming from or if people will know he doesn't have money for a backpack.

The only thing I have an issue with is the teachers laying out the money. I'd rather have a classroom donation than see a teacher take money out of their pocket.

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It's definitely a societal issue.

Kids and their parents see and hear from media outlets (music, news, tv, movies, etc) that material objects are necessary for being a "somebody" in the world. How many songs have you heard reference 'bling,' mercedes, private jets, etc.

To some families, looking the part is more important than anything else. So what that they can't afford the school supplies, as long as their kid is the only one in the class with the newest air jordans...?

Our society has made peoples' priorities go all out of whack. It's a shame.

Message edited 8/24/2008 8:00:19 PM.

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I am in total agreement with you. The school lists are unbelievable. It would not bother me if all the supplies I purchased for my children were for the sole benefit of my children, but I don't think it's my responsibility to supply for other kids in the class.

I don't have an issue buying school supplies and donating them to a mission, church, etc. If money is that tight, a parent can contact any Church these days and they will help with supplies, food, etc. However, I am a parent on a strict budget and I find a way to get my child their supplies. School starts at the same time every year ... a parent needs to plan for this.

I would like to take a poll of all the kids in my child's class ... What did you do over the summer? Go to the beach, the pool, an amusement park, eat out, vacation, etc??? If there was money for any of the above there should be money for school supplies.

I'm sorry ... harsh, maybe??? However, much like the opening poster, I'm tired of supplying for other people. We have a hard enough time taking care of ourselves these days ... let alone other people.

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I do not have children, but I am a teacher and I get VERY annoyed when a child comes into school empty handed but then whips out his PSP. Unfortunately it is not the child's fault and the parents have their priorities screwed up.

That being said I do feel that the lists are ridiculous, and as a teacher we are still spending soooooo much of our own money on supplies, there is just never enough!

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I happen to teach in a school in a low socioeconomic area. Let me tell you, although there are people who reside there who truly are just making ends meet, there are also some people who need to get their priorities straight! At Thanksgiving time, my school holds a food drive, and we assemble baskets for families that can't afford a decent Thanksgiving dinner. Well, NOTHING makes me more angry than when some of these families drive up to the school in their LUXURY CARS and SUVS to pick up their baskets!!

Now, I'm not saying that this is the norm, but it does happen! On the other hand, as I stated earlier, there are families who truly need the support, who are trying their hardest with 2 and 3 jobs to make ends meet. I guess you just have to hope that the people who are getting the help are the ones who TRULY need it!