Expensive school supplies

It sis like this everywhere, here in NC, soem of the k & 1st graders have dry erase markers, ziploc bags, and paper towels on their list! That is stuff the school should be suppling! What does are tax $$$ pay for now?!

I will speak only for my classroom and the way it works. I give the kids a simple list, notebook, folder, writing utensil, and their agenda book which the school supplies. I ask them to have these things to school by the first Friday OR for them to leave a note privately on my desk with what they need and their name. I then make sure that they have those things before the Friday everyone else will have them. Of course it is all done quietly. I don't find anyone takes advantage and we all get along much better with everyone supplied. I think it is crazy to have to send so many things and such specific things...that isn't realistic and if you think it stresses you out, imagine the child that comes day after day without the materials and the teacher KEEPS asking...CRAZY !!!

I was floored when I heard about the tissues and wet wipes...I have about 5 yrs yet before I need to buy anything.

I hate it when they don't mail you the list before school starts. Then they give it to the kids on the first day & expect them to have everything by the 2nd day of school. Every school should mail or at least make the lists available on their websites.

Many schools here put them in the stores, but we are from a smaller area. For instance, at the front of Wal-mart is a list for all the area schools and grade levels. I would think that might help !

Karten , therein lies the problem If the school supplied EVERYTHING that is needed, no children would not be without. In my day when my pencil broke the teacher gave me another. When I was out of paper they did the same. My mother NEVER had to BUY ANY materials. With what we pay in school taxes it is appalling that the teachers must ask for supplies. I also think it is appalling that you as a teacher purchase things for your rooms to be what you think they should be. ( I know were I am coming from I am a teacher too as well as my husband but hte difference is It is special Ed and we do not have to send any lists. And I also choose to homeschool my own 4 children it was actually cheaper that way. No supplies to the school, or special clothing. It is appaling that this still is going on.

To be fair, my school is pretty good with supplies....I can't imagine my principal ever condoning any type of discipline or outcasting over lack of supplies. He would be mortified I think.

Our Wal-Marts do carry the lists, but only for some of the schools - my daughters middle school isn't one of them... We did get the pre-school newsletter with a list in it last week, but each teacher on the first day of school always sends home a list of additional supplies needed for that specific class, and with the expectation that those additional supplies will be purchased and available for class the next day. It's crazy - families (especially those with low funds...) shouldn't have to spend $100 and more just to get the school year started!

In Polk County, Florida they are phasing out lists and the school is supposed to provide everything by next year. This year there is a small county generated list. As a teacher I don't see the county really supplying the needed items which means either the teacher will have to buy them or will have to figure out how to go without the supplies.

I'm in agreement...I think it is unheard of that my preschooler needs to bring dry erase markers, wet whips, $5 for snacks for the year, etc. I refuse to send items that I know are for the teacher's use. I guess I could send the teacher a list of items I need for my work and tell her that I"ll supply her for work if she will do the same for me!!

It's like that here as well!

I had to buy:
crayons
markers
dry erase makers
paint
pencils
notebook
spiral folder
folder
tissues
glue
glue sticks
ziploc bags

I had a week to bring them in except for a few items in NY

I don't get it. We all pay school taxes whether we have children or not. This is a bunch of crap. Supplies should be provided by the school. We are paying.

I agree with J F. What the heck are these schools spending our tax dollars on? It's certainly not supplies or books, or teacher salaries. The schools in our area have outdated worn out books and facilities.

I like the way our school does it. At the beginning of the year, you write them a check for $25, for supplies. It's a little bit much, maybe, but we live in the inner city. People who live in this area tend to be very comfortable, rich, or shockingly poor. In this way, those who can afford to go ahead and pay the full $25 do. Those who can't, don't. I don't think anyone abuses the system, and this way, everyone has what they need to do their work and to learn.

Cooler still is that the CEO of Sonic lives in our neighborhood. For many years now, Sonic has provided backpacks, school and art supplies, and sometimes really cool blankets embroidered with the school logo to EVERY child in our school. In this way, the poorer children who can't afford a backpack get one, and the more affluent kids get one, as well. No one "stands out" because they have a Sonic backpack - half the kids carry them - the "rich" kids as well as the "poor" kids.

I had to buy long lists of completely different things for my 2 kids who are in school right now. I had to track down these lists - they weren't mailed to me. All said, I spent about $100 on school supplies. I couldn't even find everything at WalMart (which I deteste going to). It IS crazy! Oh yes, & if a brand was listed we had to buy that brand.