School Supplies-big Deal?

What has bothered me over the years is the fact that teachers will have to buy what their students need with their own money if what gets sent in falls short. And so like you, I over-bought when I could and sent in extra things.

The cost of school supplies IS a legit concern for families. But since I have 2 in college now, and 1 hs school senior, I WISH all I was buying was crayons and tissues, etc. Now I'm supporting 3, soon to be 4, separate households.

:(

I don't even have a child in school yet, but I still buy supplies and donate them to my sister's room. She teaches in a Title 1 school and many of the kids don't have what they need. So, each year, I ask what she needs help with and help her out.

i was a little puzzled by the blog too. i'm the WORST for being last-minute and disorganized and frantic, but i don't remember the back-to-school lists ever causing such angst.
maybe it's just been too long.
this was actually one of the things the boys and i all enjoyed about their time in public schools. i rolled my eyes a lot at weird rules like those you list, trapper-keepers being deh debble one year and a necessary item the next, demanding scissors then declaring them WMDs and threatening expulsion over them and so forth. but while we did send in everything on the list, IIRC, it wasn't an ordeal. in fact, we enjoyed it so much that we kept 'back to school shopping' on the agenda when we homeschooled.
:) khairete
S.

My kids are in a private school where we don't have to buy any school supplies anyway, however I do remember getting the boxes of Clorox wipes, crayons, and markers for preschool. Of course, we still did some back-to-school shopping for a new backpack and lunch boxes (time to replace them after several years of hard service). I agree with Suz that there's a certain excitement about buying those couple things--part of getting ready for the year. No stress involved for me, however.

My bigger gripe is that it somehow has become normal that our schools are so poorly funded that they can't provide the supplies needed to teach the kids. I think it's really distressing that it's expected that either parents pony up and buy paper towels for the classroom or the teachers have to get those things themselves. I'm from the era when we did back to school shopping to buy the things we used as individuals (pencils, notebooks, backpacks, etc), but not classroom supplies. When did our society's priorities change? Ok, I'll get off my soap box now...

If your child needed medication, needed a shot, needed a cast, would parents complain about these supplies?

IF you are confused or convinced that you are some how being ripped off by the teachers, I dare you to go and volunteer every week at least 1 day a week. for an entire school year. Not just in the classroom but also in the office, the work room, the Gym, The cafeteria and the Library. The computer lab is also an eye opener.

You will then quickly understand your children are getting a fine education and the supplies are being very well used.

Go to the school in February when the supplies start really getting low. But the education and projects ramp up because now the students are accelerating faster than ever. . Your head will spin seeing all of the activity.

Public schools are totally under funded.
To keep a class organized, the children organized and well educated, there are some items that we are asked to purchase to make their learning complete. To think that 1 box of colors, 1 bottle of glue, a pair of scissors being used by kindergartners will last kindergarten students an entire year is crazy. This is telling me you have not really been paying attention. They color and use colors all through the year. The scissors are dropped, accidentally thrown away, and constantly being used.

In middle school the teachers request certain colored notebooks or folders to help the students stay organized.

In High school, those fancy calculators in upper level math, sure your student can borrow them, but they run on batteries. So TEACHER's usually end up purchasing them. And those calculators get used all day long and are not always allowed to leave the classroom. So homework is tough if you do not have one.

Educating students is very expensive.
It is up to parents to make sure their children are prepared and have their supplies.

When the list are posted, if you honestly cannot afford the supplies, tell the school. If you have some of the items at home from the previous years, then use them.

The main portion of the taxes paid to school districts go towards the maintenance and repairs of the existing buildings. Then Teacher Salaries. In the better school districts these teachers have their Masters in education. The teachers work WAY more than 40 hours a week and are required to continue their training each year.. This is out of pocket for them.

Wait until your child goes to college and you REALLY have to pay for an education for your child.

Updated

If your child needed medication, needed a shot, needed a cast, would parents complain about these supplies?

IF you are confused or convinced that you are some how being ripped off by the teachers, I dare you to go and volunteer every week at least 1 day a week. for an entire school year. Not just in the classroom but also in the office, the work room, the Gym, The cafeteria and the Library. The computer lab is also an eye opener.

You will then quickly understand your children are getting a fine education and the supplies are being very well used.

Go to the school in February when the supplies start really getting low. But the education and projects ramp up because now the students are accelerating faster than ever. . Your head will spin seeing all of the activity.

Public schools are totally under funded.
To keep a class organized, the children organized and well educated, there are some items that we are asked to purchase to make their learning complete. To think that 1 box of colors, 1 bottle of glue, a pair of scissors being used by kindergartners will last kindergarten students an entire year is crazy. This is telling me you have not really been paying attention. They color and use colors all through the year. The scissors are dropped, accidentally thrown away, and constantly being used.

In middle school the teachers request certain colored notebooks or folders to help the students stay organized.

In High school, those fancy calculators in upper level math, sure your student can borrow them, but they run on batteries. So TEACHER's usually end up purchasing them. And those calculators get used all day long and are not always allowed to leave the classroom. So homework is tough if you do not have one.

Educating students is very expensive.
It is up to parents to make sure their children are prepared and have their supplies.

When the list are posted, if you honestly cannot afford the supplies, tell the school. If you have some of the items at home from the previous years, then use them.

The main portion of the taxes paid to school districts go towards the maintenance and repairs of the existing buildings. Then Teacher Salaries. In the better school districts these teachers have their Masters in education. The teachers work WAY more than 40 hours a week and are required to continue their training each year.. This is out of pocket for them.

Wait until your child goes to college and you REALLY have to pay for an education for your child.

I've had a few simple lists and I've had a few complicated extensive lists.
Some of the more extensive lists went so far as to list specific brand names of items and I've had one teacher throw a hissy fit if you did not get specifically what was listed (private school and this one teacher was a nut case).

Now that our son is in high school, we don't get lists till the first day of school (each teacher has specifics) which is annoying since the sales are over and then there's a mad rush to get what's needed - which is especially "nice" since there are a ton of forms to read and sign and points are taken off if you do not have them ready to turn in the very next day - yes, some teachers grade on this and it's a crock of manure to grade a student based on his parents form signing capability.
(There has GOT to be a better way to deal with the form reading/signing - seriously the packet is half an inch thick, no less than 17 forms plus the student handbook.)

I like supply shopping and I stock up. This year, I only have to buy a few things. Binders, colored pencils, pens and highlighters. A locker shelf and basket for my younger.

I've had a couple school supply challenges. In kindergarten, a box of oil pastels was on the optional list. I wanted to get that, but I simply could not find the normal individual size box anywhere! Knowing that a bunch of people wouldn't buy it anyway, I opted to get a 60 pack for the class to share.I enjoyed the teacher's expression when I handed that over.

When my older son started Jr High, I was searching for orange poly folders and orange spiral notebooks. Color coding is optional, but it really helps my ADD son stay organized so I wanted to have the suggested orange for his Spanish class. The first year I found the folders, but no notebooks. I cut a panel off a cheap paper folder and glued it to a notebook cover. The second year, I was glad I had bought extra folders because I couldn't find them anymore. I did find notebooks.

Now I have orange folders and notebooks, but my son decided to not take Spanish this year.

Added: Laurie A. is right on the money (ha!) about supplies, funding and student need in many public schools. There are people quietly working behind the scenes in our schools to get kids what they need to function in school. The teachers and office workers frequently use their own money for students. The PTO tries to help with classroom supply stipends. We also do supply drives every year, and collect usable leftovers at the end of the year. I donated an otoscope and accessories (for looking in ears, nose, throat) to the elementary school last year and the secretaries learned how to use it to better care for the kids, since the nurse is only there once a week for a half-day. Bandages too, because they run out a lot. Donations of new socks and underwear is something that surprises people. Dropping off your child's still-usable outgrown coats, gloves and boots can make a difference too.

I bought everything on the list but it didn't make me frantic. Staples had all of it and it cost me less than $20 for the actual student supplies. The extras like tissues and wipes I always have around the house so that's easy.

Maybe in some districts the list is more extensive, but I don't find it to be a huge burden.

At our school you just pay the PTO a check for $100 and they give your teacher the packet with all supplies for your kid. I have not had to shop for school supplies for a few years now since they started doing this. So, not much stress here. I kind of wonder how much I would pay if I drove to Target and did it myself though.

ETA: B--Re: the forms: Xerox them after you're done with them this year!!!

Meh...I buy the list. The list gets less extensive the higher the grade, IME this far.
But with time & experience, we *get* that a "5 pack of dry erase markers" means my kid needs O. in his bag every day all year for math class--he doesn't need a 5 pack on Day 2.
We don't "pool" supplies at the beginning of the year--that's not how our school works.
I do send in wipes and Kleenex from time to time and anything else requested throughout the year. Extra if I have it for the kids of disorganized, harried moms. I do t see this as an economic reflection, just kids not prepared. I'd be happy if there was an extra item for my kid if we forgot.

I buy everything on the list. It's always been fun -- my son and I go through the store, cross off the items, etc.

I figure the teachers ask for more than each child needs, since some families can't afford the items at all. And that would be terribly shaming and humiliating for a kid, not to have the item everyone else has. So if I can help a child avoid this, then I'm happy to.

I cross every item off the list.
What I DON'T like is when a specific brand is on the list. Maybe I don't want to buy the "fiskar" scissors, or the $15 (!) water colors for my 1st grader. I also don't like that this year my son was told to bring in ear buds but NOT label them because they are to be shared. EEEWWW! Barf. Those will be labeled.
L.

I think it depends on the school. For example, I'm usually picking up #2 pencils, looseleaf, etc. when it is on sale. Everybody uses those. We have a bin of supplies my stepkids never used that we'll dig through if DD needs them later. My child's list is very short, the things on the end are generic school wish list items (ziplock bags, tissues) and none of it is in a demanding tone, that you MUST have Fiskars scissors and Elmer's glue. Friend says her kids get what they get. Sometimes Fiskars, sometimes not. Sometimes Roseart, sometimes Crayola. I think people are a little nutty. If I could not find THE green folder after a few stores (per the blog), I'd skip it and buy when it came in stock. The kid could tell the teacher we couldn't find it. I'm sure we wouldn't be alone. In HS, we just sent them with a notebook and pens the first day and they wrote down what each teacher wanted and we shopped after that. No point in getting notebooks if the teacher wanted composition books. We just planned a shopping trip within the next few days or gave them some money and told them to hit up CVS after school.

And it's not about being ripped off. It's about feeling like you're a team with the teacher. DD mentioned that none of the art smocks with sleeves fit kids her size and I went to the store and bought a half dozen to donate. If I feel it is reasonable, I'm all for it. I do what I can. If I feel like the teacher really shouldn't need a 4 pack of dry erase markers from 20 kids, then I balk at why we are being asked. Or some teachers ask for the 6 pack or larger. Or odd ball things like ice cream sprinkles. Etc. I'm friends with a retired 1st grade teacher who started prepping for the fall the day school ended. Spare supplies, classroom items, etc. I know how much time, effort and money many teachers put into their rooms. I just think that some of these lists are out of hand. There should be no reason to hand the PTA $75-100 for one child for one set of supplies. If that was our school, I'd be mad. A couple of years ago, people here posted lists and some were just...incredible.

In college, honestly just do the same as we did for HS. My SD will supply herself with a notebook and pens to start and then buy once she gets the syllabus for each class. That's what the book store is for, if she can't get to Target. Plus side, the book store often carries specifics for a class, like a certain type of art supply they know the art department will require. She will re-use her laptop, and wireless printer, and take with her some paper and new ink.

Bottom line, I refuse to stress. I was that kid whose mom couldn't even afford basics after the divorce and yes, my teacher bought me a few things while I waited. There's basics and then there's insanity. I refuse to feed the insanity.

ETA: http://www.today.com/parents/school-supplies-average-cost... $400? No. friggin. way. The graphing calculator? Yes, when student hits that level (many schools also rent them) and can be used more than 1 year. Flash drive? Sure. Not too $$ if you keep an eye out. Can also be used more than one year. But ice cube trays?

I think this also goes back to things like shelling out $1K for Prom. We didn't spend that much on both kids combined. It's all about how you choose to spend your money and if you (or your teacher) is trying to keep up with someone else. We are not spending $700 to send DD back to school, and I don't feel bad about it at all.

Well, I'm usually good, but I was a little silly last year.

Our school supply lists are posted on the district website sometime in June. I think shopping for any kind of office supply is kind of fun (I'm weird, I know), so I find a couple of hours when both my boys are at an activity and get as much as I can.

Our school actually makes things pretty easy because they will say things like, "3 two-pocket folders w/o clips (1 red, 1 blue, 1 green)." How easy is that? No debating with your kid about whether or not he can have Spiderman, and if he can, which of the 3 Spiderman folders does he want.

Sometime in mid-July we got a letter from his teacher asking for a yellow folder in addition to the red, blue and green folders. This is wear I went a little nuts. I wanted the yellow folder to be the same brand as the other folders, and I couldn't find it! Stupid, I know, but I was that mom for a couple of days. And, seriously, what 1st grade boy is going to care?

Just to be safe this year, I bough about 5 extra folders in various colors when they went on sale. Then his 2nd grade teacher requested folders with the clips in addition to the peviously requested folders with no clips. So I forced myself to be the cool mom who didn't stress that the additional folders be the same brand as the previously purchased folders. See, I'm growing :-)

Other than that, I really have never stressed. I've had to buy packages of 4 dry erase markers when only 2 were requested because I couldn't buy a smaller pack, but that's about it.

I really do have fun with the lists. It's something I look forward to every summer.

Growing up it was a big deal in my family because 4 of us were raised by a single father. For a few years, there were six of us and my step-mom all living off of his one income. Between supplies, clothes, shoes, etc. the bill ran high quick.

Once I turned 14 I was babysitting enough that I bought all my own school supplies and clothes. Once I turned 16 I got a job in addition to babysitting, so I was able to help buy stuff for my siblings as well. :)

I have to say I've not had any real issues in the past years. But this year the list was stupid. To ME anyway.

I spent over $130 on ONE child. I still have to buy 2 things on the list too.

I think regular things like paper, pencils, artistic stuff like markers, crayons, colored pencils, etc...are things that kids need. I don't think they need specialty sharpeners, multiples of items that are NOT needed such as high cost covers, and other things. I hated it.

I think teachers are out of control when they have parents who'll simply buy everything on the list without even considering what the cost to the parents would be.

The amount I spent on both kids is more than my monthly budget for food. We live on SSDI and this was very expensive to me. Those who don't have to worry about an income or how much they spend...well, it's likely they could buy the whole classes school supplies and not even blink. For me? It was a huge expense.

Our elementary school starts pre-selling school supply packages for about $40-$60 at the end of the school year in preparation for the upcoming year. The PTA makes a little money on this and there is no hassle of shopping.

During the year, I often sent in supplies that I noticed were down in several grade levels. Since I sub at this elementary only, I was aware of needs and just took care of some myself.

Things changed in middle school and up because each teacher had a list of supplies they preferred for each class. Still no biggie and nothing to stress over.

I always buy what is on the list - my weird one this year was instead of a binder they want the 4th graders to bring in a 12-pocket accordion file. Not a lot of those to choose from at Target. My daughter was easier this year with the middle school "suggested" list - she pretty much knew based on last year what she did and didn't need. But I don't think I've ever been "frantic" because it's usually very basic stuff on the list.

My kids are in middle and high school now. There is NO list for the middle school this year. I was just told, "common sense stuff" when I called one of the schools. Easy for now. Then the mad scramble after the first day and stores are picked bare when the teachers tell the kids what the REALLY expect them to have, like tomorrow. Honestly, I find myself wondering how hard it would for each teacher to post what's needed for their class on-line, then I could check their schedules for which teachers/classes, and go from there. I really hate running out to Office Max across town after dinner on those first few school nights, grrrrrr.

And my high schooler has a few things on her list we skipped because she's convinced she won't need them. I am taking her lead and letting her omit whatever for now.

My daughter starts college in two weeks, and the list we got, while very specific about what she needs to survive in a dorm room only said "school supplies" for classroom items. It's the first time since she started school all those years ago, that I am concerned. She's got some of the basics, but not knowing what each professor will require until she gets a syllabus just adds pressure to a kid who already has enough stress. I would be grateful for something more specific.

I had already bought most of it last year on clearance and had only a few things I needed to pick up, and bought a few more thing when they were on sale for ridiculously low prices. Still two weeks until school starts and backpacks are all packed and ready to go. I think I spent about $10 in total.

I buy what's on the list. We have to supply Kleenex and Clorox whips too so I make sure we have those. I'm not frantic when shopping and I usually do shop last minute so I can't share the views in the blog.

This year the kids are eating lunch later so the teacher has requested that we provides snacks for our kids. She also asked for snack donations for the kids who can't or forget to bring a snack. It seems snack time is the best part of my daughters day.

Totally not a big deal to me. I have resolved myself to expect this and just budget for spending big bucks on this before school starts. I always buy extras of everything to donate to the classroom. It makes me feel as if I am helping a child that might not otherwise get supplies when I donate.

There are things that drive me crazy about it though. I always buy everything on the list... We then go to the Open House and get another list right before school starts. If the teachers start requesting really specific types of folders in specific folders, it gets problematic with shelves getting empty by this time. I HATE having to go to multiple stores to get the right type/number of green folders....

I don't make a huge deal of it...there are so many other legitimate things to fuss about in the school system.

I spent $30 for a box for each of my older kids who are in elementary school and $50 for the kindergarten child. It's all boxed up. It would take hours to do all that at the store.
The older kids' school sells it at cost through the PTA. It's a TON of supplies, too. Dozens of things.
The kindergarten school maybe makes a bit off of that, it seems high. No complaints here. It was easy.

I get everything on the list, but I'm not frantic about it. I plan way in advance for what is needed for the next year. As for the request items, I try to send something in when I have it. If I'm buying Clorox wipes or Kleenex for the house, I buy extra for the school. If I'm walking by the marker aisle, I'll grab extra dry erase markers or highlighters if I see them. I don't usually make extra trips for the request types of stuff.

I bought the items on the list, but not always in the quantities or brands requested.
If the list specified an expensive brand, I would buy a cheaper equivalent.
I bought one pack of pencils at a time and sent two a day with her to school. I did not send 200 pencils to school.
The only time I bought exactly the brand and model on the list was when she had to have a graphing calculator. Since the teacher was going to be teaching them how to use it, she wanted them all to have the same one she had. That made sense to me.

At the end of last year included with my sons report card was the 3rd grade supply list. So that made it really easy. As soon as the stuff went on sale we went and got what he needed. The only thing that threw me a little was he needs his own dictionary and thesaurus, the school wanted paperback but I am sending him with hard cover because I know it will get jammed in his desk and ruined in the first couple weeks.

Like another mom his school makes it really easy. Saying exactly what they want even the color of the folders. I always buy extra because I know he will run out of glue and need new crayons.

My DD started her pre-k this week and when her teacher sent home the supply list I already had everything from buying extras so that was no biggie.

The only thing I don't do is send the tissue and the big bottles of germ-x. They want 2 bottles and 3 boxes from each child. I send 1 box of tissue and then he keeps the personal size in his backpack all year. Also we the travel germ-x to his backpack and lunch pail. To me if there are 20 kids in his class and each bring 2 bottles that's an extreme excess of germ-x. So we send 1.

I love school supply shopping. I get everything on the list and duplicates of the things that always get lost (crayons, markers etc). I always get this kleenex, wipes, baggies, whatever the teachers need. It's really not that expensive to get those "extras" even with both my kids. If it helps the teacher then great.

My school has never asked for specific brands of expensive things. We did have to get the ear buds this year and I clearly marked them with my daughters name.

Then we go out to lunch and probably buy a new outfit for the first day as well - and the gym shoes, and a hoodie incase they get cold because you can't learn if you are cold.

Love it - I would be so bummed out if I just got it all in the mail in a box. No fun at all!