Seeking Help with School Advice

I'm not sure at what age they start doing this, but I remember boys playing "pencil crack" when I was in school. One boy holds a pencil horizontally, while another boy takes a pencil and tries to "crack" the other pencil. They keep going back and forth until a pencil breaks. I saw it a lot on the school bus. So maybe that could be what's happening to some of the pencils.

I have not had the pencil problem but I have encountered the same scenerio with scissors. I have spent a lot of time volunteering at the schools and have found that it is a very hectic place. I try not to stay real concerned with little things but after the 5th pair of scissors by December I was a little distraught. I finially bought a supply box for my daughter and told her to keep it in her posession at all times and bring it home every day. So far So good. I think if I had the same pencil problem I would probablly put one on a string and pin it to his shirt. You know like they do at the bank??? That would probablly be a good idea for a classroom to help with the dissappearing pencil problems. My kids classes have baskets that they keep on their desks for all their supplies. It does help but there will always be someone with sticky fingers that cant help but to pick up something. The reward system sounded like it might be worth a try. My kids love to buy cool pencils, so my suggestion is to offer him a cool pencil if he keeps up with his plain one for a week or so. Mine take such pride in having cool stuff like that.

This might not help you with this year, but if you are part of PTO or PTA at your child's school I have a suggestion for next year. At my son's school he is 9 and in 3rd grade at a public school and they have a supply fee. They whole school pays the same thing and that covers everything they needed the whole year except a backpack and lunch box. I was sceptical at first, but I love it. Everyone has the same thing and they replenish it whenever it is needed. It is great. You may make a suggestion to your school.

I teach elementary school, and let me tell you your son is having the same problem as every child in America. The great pencil dillema is a thorn in every teachers side. You don't mention how old your son is, so all I can do is speak to my experience with kiddos under 5th grade. With my 1st graders last I made sure that everyone had a brand new sharpened pencil (whether they brought them to school or not) in the morning. By the time we went to recess 10:00 at least 4 of my students had no pencil. I couldn't figure it out. We hadn't left the classroom so they had to be somewhere, but were definitly no where to be found. I asked some of the teachers if they had problems with pencils in their classroom and even the most experienced teacher groaned in response. Find out from the teacher what her policy is with pencils. I finally started collecting them at the end of every activity, and passing them out at the beginning of the next. However, that was time consuming and many teachers may not want to do that. It was helpful if students had their name on their pencils or if they had a special design or color that is specific to them. However, realize that it is impossible for the teacher to keep track of all of the pencils of all 20something students in her class. Your son may be letting other students borrow pencils, and those students aren't returning them. If that is the case talk to him about how supplies cost money and he needs to keep track of them and make surehe isn't handing them out to his classmates. You don't mention other supplies, but you do say none of his supplies are in his desk. Every classroom is different, but none of my 1st graders kept supplies in their desk because it was to distracting. They put their pencil/crayon boxes in a drawer in my file cabinet and we got them out when we needed them. Drawing paper was also collected and passed out as needed. I wouldn't go to the principal about the pencils though, unless you find out that there is a student in your son's classroom that is specifically targeting him and taking his supplies. If that is the case then you have a case of bullying and that needs to be addressed. However, if your son is simply losing his pencils or giving to them to friends there is really very little your principal can or will do. I know it is REALLY frustrating to keep buying pencils, but know that every teacher in America shares your frustration.

You may have to go over the teachers head to get a reponce. You can also talk to other parents in the class and see if they are having the same issue. Try to work it out together.

I am an elementary school teacher and I agree alot with the response that you got from the other teacher, Kara. I DO NOT agree with people who say to go to the principal if your child is still missing pencils. Principals have SO MUCH more to do than worry about kids that are missing pencils and supplies. If you work in a school, you understand just how much goes on everyday and how there are so many issues that have to be addressed on a daily basis.
You do not mention in detail about your discussion with his teacher but I think asking for her help is the best thing. See if she has any suggestions or knows what the best solution might be. I am in total agreement with the idea of labeling your child's things and keeping extra supplies in his backpack.
Most importantly, kids will be kids. All through elem. school, they are learning how to be responsible and how to keep up with their own stuff. This is a learning process for your son. Continue to talk to him and encourage him. You might even make an incentative for him. For example, if he's able to keep up with his pencils until Spring Break, he will get to pick an activity for your family to do. (like go to the mall, the movies, etc.) That could make it fun! :)

I had this problem too. I would label everything with his name in permanent black marker.

And try and get different colors so it is VERY obvious when someone takes it. Show the teacher exactly what you bought and the colors and that you labeled it. Then ask her how the school will help if those are taken as well.

If all of those are taken, then I would go to the principal. There is obviously a problem in the classroom and if the teacher can not handle it, then the principal needs to help find a solution.

I sure hope this helps.

Hugs,
A.

I had the same problem last year. The teachers at the school where my daughter attends told us to bring plain yellow pencils (and other generic supplies) because everyone shares. My child was left needing pencils every day while the other students that didn't bring anything at all always seemed to have one of her pencils. (I didn't stick to the plain yellow pencil rule so it was obvious.) This year, instead of sending all her supplies to school, I informed the teacher that I would be sending things as she needed them. She always keeps an extra small box of crayons and 2 pencils in her backpack in case hers actually does get lost. And the funny thing of it is that she hasn't used anywhere near as many pencils and supplies as what the school requires!!!! I'll be doing the same thing next year with personalized pencils and supplies I found on the internet.

Hello, I noticed something similar with my son. I had sent some really nice pencils for him to use at school. When he comes home, he uses old chewed on pencils with no eraser. He told me that other kids had damaged the pencils. I assume that when we send a package of pencils, they get evenly distributed to the kids.

Basically, I gave him new pencils that had just been sharpened. He keeps them in a pocket in his pack pack and he always has them there to use. He doesn't have to share with anyone because they're being kept in his backpack.

Is there anyway you can do something similar? Maybe you can get him the things he needs and label them with his name. He can even have a separte supply box that he keeps in his back pack instead of his desk. I hope this helps.

~M.

I can't say that I have a solution but I definitely feel your frustration!! My son is in 2nd grade and my biggest issue with this was last year in 1st. It seemed like once a week I was getting a letter sent home stating that I was neglecting to provide my son with adequate school supplies and he was out of pencils and paper! (and that is how it was worded!) Our PTO participated in the "supply pack" program mentioned by another responder so I KNOW that he started the year with everything he needed. The teacher claimed that EVERY student got those notes sent home and it just didn't seem to add up to me. I ended up buying new school supplies and giving them to him as needed. Every Friday he'd come home and tell me what he was low on and I'd send it with him on Monday. I know that there really is not a budget for teachers and school supplies but every student getting a note once a week seems a bit extreme. We had to move in November and I have not had ONE problem with school supplies at this new school. I do hope that you are able to find a way around this. I know how frustrating it can be. Supplies aren't all that expensive but if you are on a budget having to buy them all the time can really take it's toll! Plus, who likes getting those little notes telling us we haven't kept up with something our child needs all the time! Good Luck!